Commerce Ministry seeking views of Ministries, NITI on draft Bills on five cash crops

The Commerce Ministry is seeking views from different Ministries and government think tank Niti Aayog on draft Bills pertaining to five cash crops like tea and tobacco.

• The Ministry has circulated separate notes for the Bills related to cash crops of tea, coffee, spices, rubber and tobacco, which seek to promote their growth and create a conducive environment for businesses by decriminalising minor offences, the official said.
• After taking the comments, the Ministry will approach the Union Cabinet for approval on the drafts of the Spices (Promotion and Development) Bill; the Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill; the Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill; the Tea (Promotion and Development) Bill; and the Tobacco Board (Amendment) Bill.
• The Department of Commerce proposes the repeal of Tea Act, 1953; Spices Board Act, 1986; Rubber Act, 1947; Coffee Act, 1942 and updation of Tobacco Board Act, 1975.
• According to the draft Bills, the new proposed legislations reflect the present realities and objectives of these sectors. Explaining the rationale behind the proposal to repeal the Rubber Act, the draft Bill has stated that in recent years, there have been widespread changes in the industrial and economic scenario especially with regard to development in rubber and allied sectors.
• The draft Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill has underlined that substantive portions of the existing Act dealing with pooling and marketing of coffee have become redundant/ inoperative.
• According to the draft Spices (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2022, there is a need to enable the Spices Board to provide focused attention across the entire supply chain of spices.
• The Ministry has proposed repeal of the archaic Tea Act as there is a paradigm shift in the recent decade with respect to the way tea is grown, marketed and consumed.
• Similarly, the draft Bill on tobacco has sought to update the existing law by promoting ease of doing business in the sector.

Did scientists unearth another ancient human lineage in China?

Scientists in China may have found an entirely new lineage of ancient humans after studying fragments of the mandible, skull and leg bones of a fossilised hominid that dates back at least 300,000 years.

• A group of palaeontologists excavated from a site Hualongdong, a region in East China.
• The region has revealed an abundance of hominin fossils that dates back to a similar time period. The fossil (mandible and partial cranium) found by the palaeontologists has been labelled HLD 6, the study noted.
• After performing both morphological and geometric analysis, scientists found certain distinctive traits in the jawbone such as a triangular lower edge and a unique bend.
• Both these features are also found in modern humans and other species of hominins such as the Neanderthals and Denisovan during the late Middle Pleistocene epoch.
• The jawbone’s unique features exhibited similarities to both modern humans and hominids of the late Middle Pleistocene period. Notably, it lacked a chin, suggesting a closer connection to older species. Additional traits reminiscent of the Middle Pleistocene hominins led the scientists to conclude that the fossil resembles a specimen of the Homo erectus.
• This mosaic of traits from different human lineages has led scientists to believe that the specimen possessed a combination of characteristics from both ancient hominids and modern humans.
• This was confirmed further when the scientists examined the skull and found that the facial bones shared greater similarities with those of modern humans as compared to the jawbone.
• As scientists progressed further with their study, they ruled out the possibility of the fossil belonging to the Denisovan lineage. This conclusion suggests that the fossil is perhaps part of another lineage which is distinctively different from Denisovans and the Homo erectus, yet closer to Homo sapiens.
• The study thus implies that this particular species probably shared close evolutionary relationships with hominin from the Middle to Late Pleistocene which resulted in shared characteristics.

Experts warn against sale of herbicide glyphosate

Glyphosate

• Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide that can kill certain weeds and grasses. It is used primarily in agriculture but also in forestry and lawn and garden care.
• Glyphosate is a small molecule made of a linear carbon chain with weaker bonds, which makes glyphosate less persistent in the environment. In India, it goes by various brand names, including Roundup, Glycel, and Brake.
• Herbicidal Action:
  • Glyphosate works by inhibiting an enzyme called EPSP synthase, which is essential for the synthesis of certain amino acids that plants need for growth.
  • By disrupting this enzyme, glyphosate interferes with the plant''s ability to produce proteins, leading to the eventual death of the plant.
• Broad-Spectrum:
  • Glyphosate is considered a broad-spectrum herbicide, meaning it can effectively control a wide variety of plants, including grasses, broadleaf plants, and woody plants.
  • It is effective only on plants that grow above the water. It will not be effective on plants that are submerged or have most of their foliage underwater, nor will it control regrowth from seed.
• Systemic Nature:
  • Glyphosate is a systemic herbicide, which means it is absorbed by the plant''s leaves and then translocated throughout the plant''s vascular system.
  • This allows it to reach various parts of the plant, including the roots, leading to effective control of both above-ground and below-ground plant parts.
• Glyphosate is degraded in soil and water by microbes and binds tightly to soil particles, which prevents the leaching of glyphosate into groundwater.
• Glyphosate does not degrade quickly in plants. As a result, it is possible that glyphosate residues can occur in food products.

What is the status of adoption of hydroponic farming in India?

Hydroponics Farming

• Hydroponics is a viable alternative to traditional farming methods for soil less cultivation for enhancing productivity and water use efficiency.
• Hydroponics is a new concept in India and gaining popularity among entrepreneurs and innovative farmers, who are looking for sustainable and efficient ways to grow crops.
• At present, this technology is mostly confined to urban farming, rooftop gardening and commercial farming.
• Cocoponics” or the Soilless production of vegetables, using cocopeat as a substrate, which has been found to be comparatively more successful in many vegetable crops.

Ministry of Railways to establish Pradhan Mantri Jan Bhartiya

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras

• These are set up under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, which was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers in November 2008.
• Objective: To provide quality medicines at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor, so as to reduce out-of-pocket expenses in healthcare.
• They provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs. All therapeutic medicines are made available from Jan Aushadhi Stores.
• Jan Aushadhi stores also sell allied medical products commonly sold in chemist shops so as to improve the viability of running the Jan Aushadhi store.
• Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs for co-coordinating procurement, supply, and marketing of generic drugs through the PMBKs.
• Who can open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra?
  • State Governments or any organization / reputed NGOs / Trusts / Private hospitals / charitable institutions / Doctors / Unemployed pharmacists/ individual entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for the new Jan Aushadhi Kendra.
  • The applicants shall have to employ one B Pharma / D Pharma degree holder as Pharmacist in their proposed store.

What are Legionella bacteria? Know how they forced UK govt remove migrants from Bibby Stockholm barge

• Migrants are removed from the Bibby Stockholm barge after traces of the bacteria causing Legionnaire’s disease were found in the onboard water system.

Legionnaire’s disease

• It is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. It''s caused by a bacterium known as legionella.
• This bacterium is found in lakes and ponds, but they can also develop in tanks and other water systems.
• Transmission: The most common form of transmission of Legionella is inhalation of contaminated aerosols from contaminated water.
• Symptoms: The main symptoms are fever, chills, headache, malaise and muscle pain (myalgia).
• Treatment: Treatments exist, but there is no vaccine currently available for Legionnaires’ disease.

UNFPA signs pact with Jaipur university on population dynamics

United Nations Population Fund

• It is an international development agency created in 1968 to support the execution of projects and programmes in the area of population and sexual and reproductive health.
• Its mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person''s potential is fulfilled.
• In 1987, it was officially renamed as the United Nations Population Fund but the original abbreviation UNFPA (United Nations Fund for Population Activities) was retained.
• Headquarters: New York
• It is not directly responsible for the collection of primary statistics; it plays an important role in the technical and financial support of statistical activities in countries, such as population censuses and thematic surveys etc.
• UNFPA funds assistance, research, and advocacy programs in three major areas:
  • Reproductive health, including family planning, safe motherhood, and the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases,
  • The population problems of developed and developing countries and possible strategies for addressing them.
  • Issues related to the status of women, including the gender gap in education.
• UNFPA assistance programs are undertaken only in response to government requests.

Why our city''s bats are most misunderstood

• A new study found that India’s largest species of bats, Indian Flying Fox bat spends 7% of its day-roosting time being environmentally vigilant.
• It is a species of flying fox native to the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the largest bats in the world.
• The nectar and fruit-eating flying fox (Pteropus giganteus) is generally considered a vermin as they raid orchards. It had a similar official status under Schedule V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 until it was put on the Schedule II list entailing a higher degree of protection.
• It is a keystone species causing seed dispersals of many plants in tropical systems.
• Appearance: The Indian flying fox is so called due to its unique, fox-like appearance: reddish-brown coat, characteristically long snout as well as large eyes. And indeed, this animal resembles a little fox with wings.
• Distribution: These bats are endemic to South Central Asia, found from Pakistan and China to the Maldives Islands.
• Habits and Lifestyle:
  • It is highly social creatures, forming large roosts of several hundred animals.
  • These bats live in a ''vertical'', male-dominated hierarchy system, where higher-ranked individuals occupy higher spots of the tree, while lower-ranked individuals remain on lower spots.
• Diet: They maintain a frugivorous diet, supplementing it with insects as well as flowers, containing juice and nectar.
• Threat: Being external roosters, the flying fox is exposed to predators and disturbances apart from environmental indicators such as heat and light.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Least concern
  • The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972: Schedule II

People with low vitamin K levels have less healthy lungs

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• COPD is a common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems.
• There are two main forms of COPD. Most people with COPD have a combination of both conditions.
  • Chronic bronchitis, which involves a long-term cough with mucus.
  • Emphysema, which involves damage to the lungs over time.
• Causes: It''s typically caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke.
• Signs and symptoms:
  • The most common symptoms of COPD are difficulty breathing, chronic cough (sometimes with phlegm) and feeling tired.
  • COPD symptoms can get worse quickly. These are called flare-ups. These usually last for a few days and often require additional medicine.
  • People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions.
• Treatment:
  • COPD isn’t curable, but it can get better by not smoking, avoiding air pollution and getting vaccines.
  • It can be treated with medicines, oxygen and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Vitamin K

• It is a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in two forms.
  • The main type is called phylloquinone, found in green leafy vegetables like collard greens, kale, and spinach.
  • The other type, menaquinones, is found in some animal foods and fermented foods. Menaquinones can also be produced by bacteria in the human body.
• Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones. Vitamin K is found throughout the body, including the liver, brain, heart, pancreas, and bone.
• It is broken down very quickly and excreted in urine or stool. Because of this, it rarely reaches toxic levels in the body even with high intakes, as may sometimes occur with other fat-soluble vitamins.

Indian-origin researcher identifies 135 new melanin genes responsible for pigmentation

Melanin

• Melanin is a substance in your body that produces hair, eye and skin pigmentation. It is present in human and animal skin to varying degrees, and is responsible for your unique eye, hair and skin color.
• It also absorbs harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays and protects your cells from sun damage. Melanin is produced within special structures called melanosomes. Melanosomes are found inside melanin-producing pigment cells called melanocytes.
• Although all humans have the same number of melanocytes**, the amount of melanin they produce differs** and gives rise to the variation in human skin colour.
• People with more melanin generally have darker skin, eyes and hair compared to those with little melanin.
• Types of melanin: There are three different types of melanin, including:
  • Eumelanin:
    • Eumelanin is responsible for dark colors in skin, eyes and hair. There are two types of eumelanin: black and brown.
    • People with brown or black hair have varying amounts of brown and black eumelanin.
    • It provides protection against UV radiation by absorbing and dispersing it.
  • Pheomelanin:
    • It is responsible for lighter colors, such as red and yellow.
    • It is less effective at protecting against UV radiation compared to eumelanin.
  • Neuromelanin: While eumelanin and pheomelanin control the colors of things you see (such as skin, hair and eyes), neuromelanin is responsible for the color of your neurons.

PM Narendra Modi lays foundation of Sant Ravidas temple at Badtuma, Madhya Pradesh

National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS)

• The NAFIS is a pan-India searchable database of crime and criminal-related fingerprints. It is managed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) at the Central fingerprint bureau, based in New Delhi.
• The main objective of the web-based application is to collect fingerprint data of all the criminals from all the states and the Union Territories.
• It will enable law enforcement agencies to upload, trace and retrieve information from the database 24x7 in real-time.
• The Working Process of NAFIS:
  • NCRB enables law enforcement agencies to upload, trace, and retrieve data from the database.
  • Within 24 hours, NAFIS provides a unique 10-digit National Fingerprint Number (NFN) to each criminal who is arrested for the crime.
  • The unique ID will be used for a lifetime of an offender. Different crimes registered under different FIRs will be logged as incidents belonging to the same NFN.
  • The first two digits of the ID will be the state code of the state where the criminal is registered, followed by a sequence number. The state partition will have IDs belonging to a state.
  • Apart from this, a digital record will be added as storage to match the fingerprints in the future.
  • With NAFIS, it is possible to locate a person of interest in a matter of minutes and connect that individual’s name to any active warrants, warnings, or information about related criminal conduct stored in other police information reference systems.