New fire-resistant plant species discovered in the Western Ghats

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November 12, 2024

New fire-resistant plant species discovered in the Western Ghats

Researchers from the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) in Pune have discovered a new fire-resistant, dual-blooming plant species, Dicliptera polymorpha, in the Western Ghats. This region, known for its diverse flora and status as a biodiversity hotspot, continues to reveal unique species.

Led by Dr. Mandar Datar, botanist Adittya Dharap, and Ph.D. student Bhushan Shigwan, the ARI team collected the plant from Talegaon-Dabhade, an area known for grasslands. What makes Dicliptera polymorpha exceptional is its resilience to fire and its ability to flower twice each year. Its second bloom, triggered by local grassland fires, highlights its remarkable adaptation to extreme conditions.

This species also stands out for its unusual spicate inflorescence, a characteristic found only in some African relatives. Named Dicliptera polymorpha for its varied traits, the species was identified and verified by Dr. I. Darbyshire, a global expert at Kew Botanic Gardens in London. Notably, the journal Kew Bulletin has published the team’s findings.

Dicliptera polymorpha thrives on open slopes in the northern Western Ghats, an area prone to harsh summer droughts and regular fires. Typically, the plant flowers from November to April, with a shorter bloom in May or June triggered by fires. During this second flowering period, woody rootstocks produce smaller flowering shoots for a fuller display.

This discovery emphasizes the need for grassland conservation in the Western Ghats. With its reliance on fire, Dicliptera polymorpha requires a careful balance between natural regeneration and habitat preservation. Thus, managing fire practices is essential not only for this species but also for the many undiscovered plants that the Western Ghats may yet reveal.

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Fungus Power: Natural Defense Against Eucalyptus Beetle Threat

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January 11, 2024

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Scientists have found a special fungus that naturally fights against the troublesome eucalyptus snout beetle, offering a green and cost-effective solution for protecting eucalyptus plantations.

The eucalyptus snout beetle, originally from Australia but now causing havoc globally, poses a significant risk to eucalyptus crops. These beetles harm trees by voraciously feeding on leaves, buds, and shoots, hindering growth and disrupting the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Severe beetle infestations can strip entire forests of their leaves.

To tackle this issue sustainably, researchers turned to entomopathogenic fungi, natural enemies of pests. After studying infected beetles, they identified two types of fungi – Beauveria and Metarhizium – with strains capable of being effective biopesticides.

Choosing the Beauveria pseudobassiana strain for its strength and resilience, scientists created an optimized biopesticide called Bpbm Eco-Vida. In trials, this eco-friendly solution achieved 100% beetle mortality, with added benefits like a good shelf life and potential for mass production.

With over 20 million hectares of eucalyptus forests globally, finding sustainable ways to control their most destructive pest is crucial. Bpbm Eco-Vida, derived from nature’s own defense mechanisms, provides a long-lasting and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals or costly interventions like introducing wasps.

Forest managers now have an affordable biological tool, combined with monitoring and cultural controls, to protect eucalyptus crops and ensure a sustainable future for essential forestry industries.

Peregrine-1 Lunar Lander Sets Off for Moon in Historic U.S. Mission

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January 10, 2024

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Peregrine-1 Lunar Lander Sets Off for Moon in Historic U.S. Mission

The Peregrine-1 lunar lander, guided by Astrobotic, a private company, made a historic takeoff from Cape Canaveral, marking America’s return to the Moon after 51 years. Set to touch down on February 23, this mission, operating under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, aims to examine the Moon’s surface for future human missions.

Payload on Board

The Peregrine lander carries five NASA payloads and 15 other components. These instruments will measure radiation, surface and subsurface water ice, magnetic fields, and the exosphere. It’s noteworthy that it also includes the first Latin American scientific tools headed for the Moon. Moreover, the mission includes small moon rovers, non-scientific payloads like a Bitcoin-loaded coin, and a special “lunar dream capsule” filled with messages from kids around the globe.

Importance for United Launch Alliance (ULA)

This launch uses the Vulcan Centaur rocket, a significant step for ULA, a partnership between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. It’s a crucial mission, not only carrying scientific equipment but also holding emotional significance, including remains and DNA connected to Star Trek.

Collaboration and Vision

Astrobotic leads the charge as the first of three U.S. companies sending landers via CLPS, joined later by Intuitive Machines and Firefly. NASA, as a customer, is adopting a cost-effective approach, while the success of the Vulcan rocket is vital for ULA’s future plans.

IIT Madras Scientists Elevate Cancer Drug Production from Plants

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January 10, 2024

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IIT Madras Scientists Elevate Cancer Drug Production from Plants

In a significant stride for biotechnology, researchers at Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Madras and Mandi achieved a groundbreaking feat. They’ve successfully altered plant cells to bolster the production of the vital anti-cancer drug camptothecin (CPT).

Aiding Endangered Plant Conservation

CPT, commonly sourced from the endangered Nothapodytes nimmoniana plant, faces conservation concerns due to its declining population. The International Union for Conservation of Nature notes a troubling 20% decline in this plant species in the last decade. This IIT breakthrough not only facilitates drug production but also aids in preserving these endangered plants.

Innovative Breakthrough in Sustainable Drug Production

In their pioneering 2021 study, IIT Madras scientists identified a sustainable, high-yield microbe alternative for CPT production. Leveraging advanced computational tools, the Plant Cell Technology Lab at IIT Madras devised a cutting-edge genome-scale metabolic model for Nothapodytes nimmoniana’s plant cells.

The Masterminds Behind the Success

This monumental achievement owes its success to a dedicated team of experts. Professors Karthik Raman and Smita Srivastava from IIT Madras, alongside Sarayu Murali and Maziya Ibrahim from the Computational Systems Biology Lab, and Shyam K. Masakapalli and Shagun Saini from the Metabolic Systems Biology Lab at IIT Mandi, spearheaded this groundbreaking research.

Support and Recognition

Crucial funding from the Science and Engineering Board (SERB) and the Department of Science and Technology drove this groundbreaking research, published in the esteemed Frontiers of Plant Science journal.

Boosting Drug Production Sustainably

Lead researcher Smita Srivastava stressed the integration of metabolic and bioprocess engineering principles to enhance and sustain drug production. This strategy not only innovates but also addresses the burgeoning market demand.

Future Prospects for Commercial Viability

The team’s objective involves amplifying specific genes in plants to scale up CPT production, akin to widening roads for increased traffic flow. They aim to commercialise this process within three to five years, revolutionising cancer drug production dynamics.

Electric Soil: Revolutionising Crop Growth for Future Farming

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January 9, 2024

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Barley seedling growing in hydroponic system with electrically conductive eSoil, showcasing advanced agricultural technology

Researchers from Linkoping University in Sweden have introduced a groundbreaking innovation in farming technology. They’ve created a special kind of soil that uses electricity to greatly enhance crop growth, particularly in barley seedlings, potentially increasing growth by up to 50% in just 15 days.

Hydroponics: Changing the Game in Farming

This pioneering method, known as hydroponics, doesn’t use traditional soil. Instead, it utilizes a unique root system grown in a special base. Hydroponics makes it possible to grow food in cities, in controlled conditions, without soil.

Prof. Stavrinidou from Linkoping University stresses how important their breakthrough is. With more people in the world and changes in the climate, regular farming methods won’t be enough to feed everyone.

Introducing eSoil: The Electric Growth Booster

Their creation, called eSoil, is specially designed for hydroponic farming. It’s an electrically conductive base that helps plants grow better.

Their impressive research, published in the respected journal ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’, proves that barley seedlings can grow up to 50% faster when their roots receive a small electric boost.

Hydroponics Explained: Growing Without Soil

In hydroponics, plants don’t need soil. They rely on water, nutrients, and a special base for their roots to attach. This system recycles water and gives the right nutrients to each seedling.

This method uses less water and keeps nutrients better than regular farming. Plus, it can save space by growing plants in tall structures.

Breaking Barriers: Barley Growth in Hydroponics

While hydroponics works well for some veggies, it wasn’t used much for grains like barley, except for feeding animals. But this new study changes that! They’ve proved that barley can grow faster with electricity in hydroponics.

Sustainable Soil: What’s in eSoil

Before, a material called mineral wool was used for hydroponics. But it’s not good for the environment and needs a lot of energy to make. So, researchers made eSoil, using cellulose (a common plant material) mixed with a special conductive material called PEDOT. It’s better for the environment.

Less Energy, Big Change: Rethinking Root Growth

Unlike older methods that needed a lot of energy, this new “soil” needs much less. And it’s safer too, without any high voltage risks.

Prof. Stavrinidou believes this new way of farming won’t solve all our food problems, but it’s a big step forward, especially in places where farming is hard.

Western Ghats’ Dancing Frogs in Peril Due to Climate Change, Study Reveals

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December 12, 2023

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Western Ghats' Dancing Frogs in Peril Due to Climate Change, Study Reveals

A recent study titled ‘Ongoing declines for the world’s amphibians in the face of emerging threats,’ published in the Nature journal, highlights significant dangers faced by amphibians worldwide, especially due to Climate Change.

The Wildlife Trust of India, a nature conservation organization, has identified the dancing frogs found exclusively in the Western Ghats as the most threatened amphibian genus in India.

These dancing frogs belong to the Micrixalus genus, and they face severe threats to their survival.

The study conducted the second Global Amphibian Assessment, analyzing 8,011 species worldwide, revealing alarming statistics about the plight of amphibians.

It specifically emphasized the vulnerability of the elusive dancing frogs residing in the Western Ghats, highlighting their endangered status.

Climate change emerged as a major and direct threat to amphibians in addition to habitat loss, diseases, fires, invasive species, and overexploitation.

Among the 426 species evaluated in India, 139 were found to be at risk, signaling a concerning situation for these creatures.

The Western Ghats, spanning across Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, boasts remarkable amphibian diversity.

Of these three states, Kerala leads with 178 species, out of which 84 are under threat. Tamil Nadu follows with 128 species, of which 54 face threats, while Karnataka houses 100 species, with 30 classified as threatened.

Presently, conservation efforts are focused on five species: the Deccan Night Frog (Endangered), Resplendent Shrub Frog (Endangered), Kadalar Swamp Frog (Endangered), Anaimalai Flying Frog (Vulnerable), and Meowing Night Frog (Near Threatened). These species are currently receiving special attention to protect them from extinction.

China’s Revolutionary Underground Physics Laboratory Unveiled

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December 12, 2023

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China's Revolutionary Underground Physics Laboratory DURF

In China’s Sichuan Province, underneath the Jinping Mountain, lies the world’s largest and deepest underground physics lab named DURF, short for Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation Background Facility for Frontier Physics Experiments. It’s set to explore the mysteries of dark matter, an unseen form of matter that doesn’t interact with light or electromagnetic fields.

Key Points About DURF

1. Extreme Depth: DURF sits 2,400 meters below the ground. This depth shields it from most cosmic rays that can disrupt scientific observations. It provides a perfect setting for precise experiments.

2. Focus on Dark Matter: Scientists are optimistic that DURF will play a crucial role in advancing dark matter research. This facility offers exclusive conditions that aren’t available elsewhere for conducting tests.

3. Ultra-Low Cosmic Rays: Positioned at this depth, DURF receives an incredibly low amount of cosmic rays, almost a hundred-millionth of what reaches the Earth’s surface. This helps create an environment ideal for accurate experiments.

Facility Advantages

DURF boasts several advantages:

Minimal interference during experiments due to ultra-low cosmic ray levels.
A controlled environment with extremely low environmental radiation.
Reduced radon concentration, decreasing background noise in experiments.
An ultra-clean space that provides specialized conditions for advanced physics experiments.

Expansion and Collaboration

The second phase of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory is DURF, a collaboration between Tsinghua University and Yalong River Hydropower Development Company, Ltd. Operational since December 2020, it has recently undergone significant expansions and upgrades, boosting its scientific capabilities.

India’s Aditya-L1 Spacecraft Captures Solar Flares for the First Time

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November 9, 2023

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India's Aditya-L1 Spacecraft Captures Solar Flares for the First Time

In a significant milestone, ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organization, has successfully captured high-energy X-ray images of solar flares during its Aditya-L1 solar mission. These images were taken during initial observations that commenced around October 29. The Aditya-L1 spacecraft is equipped with the High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS), which made this achievement possible. ISRO made this exciting announcement on Tuesday.

Understanding Solar Flares

Solar flares are sudden, intense bursts of brightness that occur in the Sun’s atmosphere. The data recorded by Aditya-L1 aligns with the X-ray patterns that the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have previously detected.

Fine-Tuning and Calibration

HEL1OS began its operations on October 27, 2023, and it is currently undergoing fine-tuning and calibration procedures to ensure its accuracy and efficiency. This instrument has the unique capability to monitor high-energy X-ray activity from the Sun. It provides rapid timing and high-resolution spectra for this critical data.

Unlocking Solar Secrets

The data collected by HEL1OS aids scientists in the study of the explosive release of energy and the acceleration of electrons during the initial phases of solar flares. This essential instrument was developed by the Space Astronomy Group at the U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, which is part of ISRO.

Aditya-L1’s Mission

Aditya-L1 is positioned at the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point, also known as L1, which is approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. It is a solar mission designed for in-depth observations. The spacecraft is equipped with seven scientific instruments to observe different aspects of the Sun, from its surface to the outermost layer, known as the corona.

A Proudly Indigenous Endeavor

The Aditya-L1 mission represents a remarkable showcase of India’s capabilities in space exploration. It has been achieved through the collective efforts of national institutions. The successful capture of high-energy X-ray images of solar flares marks a significant step forward in our quest to understand and explore our Sun.

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Climate Change Forces Animals to Find New Homes

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November 9, 2023

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A recent study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution reveals how extreme weather, intensified by climate change, is pushing both local and foreign species out of their usual habitats. As our world faces more frequent and severe extreme weather events like heatwaves, cold snaps, droughts, and floods, ecosystems are going through significant changes.

Why This Research Matters

This research, conducted by scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlights how vital it is to understand the consequences of extreme weather on ecosystems. While this field of study is still developing, it plays a crucial role in helping us grasp the impact of global warming on biodiversity.

Disturbing Findings

The research team reviewed 443 studies involving 1,852 local and 187 foreign species in various habitats. They found that non-native species tend to cope better with extreme weather, or at least, suffer fewer negative effects. Local land animals, especially those living on the ground, were very vulnerable to heatwaves, cold spells, and droughts. Native water creatures were susceptible to most extreme events, except cold snaps. In contrast, non-native land animals mainly felt the impact of heatwaves, and non-native water animals had the most trouble with storms. Non-native marine animals appeared to be less sensitive to disturbances.

Why Non-Native Species Do Better

The reason non-native species handle extreme weather better lies in their traits, like rapid reproduction, adaptability in behavior and body functions, and a higher tolerance for disturbances. These characteristics help them thrive when local species suffer from extreme events.

Interpreting the Results Carefully

While the study is receiving recognition, some scientists urge caution in making definitive conclusions. Most of the studies used for the research came from North America and Western Europe. This leaves gaps in our understanding of how extreme weather affects ecosystems in other parts of the world. Researchers insist on conducting a more global study to get a complete picture.

Ever-Changing Ecosystems

Ecosystems are always changing, and natural disasters often play a part in maintaining a balance between species. It’s essential to figure out if the study results reflect long-term changes in ecosystems or if they represent temporary changes following extreme events.

Protecting Local Species This research underlines how critical it is to keep an eye on areas affected by extreme weather events and put extra effort into helping local species recover. By supporting their recovery and preventing these vulnerable species from vanishing, there’s a chance for them to adapt to the changing weather patterns caused by climate change.

Worldwide Impact of Invaders

A report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services tells us that invasive species introduced to new ecosystems result in more than $423 billion in global economic losses each year. These intruders harm nature, disrupt food systems, and pose threats to human health.

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Can Mobile Phones Affect Men’s Fertility? New Study Reveals Surprising Findings

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November 9, 2023

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Recent research has uncovered a potential link between using mobile phones and a decrease in sperm count in men. Over the last five decades, there has been a significant drop of more than 50% in sperm counts worldwide. This study delves into the reasons behind this concerning trend.

Study’s Discovery

The research focused on young men between the ages of 18 and 22. It found that those who used their mobile phones more than 20 times a day had a 21% higher risk of having a lower overall sperm count. Additionally, this group had a 30% higher risk of having fewer sperm in each milliliter of their semen, an important measure of sperm count. The study didn’t specify if these men were mainly making calls, texting, or doing both on their phones.

Changing Phone Tech

The study also noted that the impact on sperm count decreased over the 13 years of the study, possibly linked to advancements in phone technology. Interestingly, older 2G and 3G phones seemed to have a more significant impact compared to modern 4G and 5G phones, though the exact reason behind this isn’t clear.

Sperm Shape and Movement

While this research raised concerns about sperm counts, it didn’t find any decline in the shape and movement of sperm. Experts emphasize that factors like sperm health, DNA integrity, and morphology are equally important for fertility.

Tips for Men

Medical professionals recommend that men looking to boost their sperm health should maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular exercise (while avoiding overheating in the groin area), eating a balanced diet, keeping a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and seeking medical help if they face fertility challenges. The study’s findings shouldn’t lead to drastic changes in lifestyle but should raise awareness about overall health.

Understanding Mobile Phone Impact

Mobile phones have become an essential part of modern life, emitting low-level radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. These fields can cause a slight increase in the temperature of nearby tissue when phones are operating at maximum power. However, the impact can vary based on how the phone is used, such as talking or sending data.

Reducing Risks

Experts recommend taking measures to lower potential risks. This includes keeping the phone away from the body and head, using the speakerphone or headphones, and carrying the phone in a backpack, briefcase, or purse. The California Department of Public Health suggests these precautions, especially when texting, downloading large files, streaming media, or when there is a weak signal while in fast-moving vehicles.

Ongoing Debate

The effect of cell phones on male fertility has been a subject of debate for several years. While this study’s findings raise important questions, further research is necessary to fully understand the connection between mobile phone use and men’s reproductive health.