Recently, researchers have examined multi-drug-resistant pathogens on the International Space Station (ISS), with potential implications for astronaut health as well as on Earth.

International Space Station (ISS):

• The International Space Station (ISS), launched on November 20, 1998, stands as the largest man-made structure in space. It functions as a living space for astronauts, a role it has continuously fulfilled since 2011.
• Objectives: The ISS aims to advance our understanding of space and microgravity while fostering new scientific investigations.
• Additionally, it serves as a symbol of international collaboration.
• IIT Madras & NASA Researchers study Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens on the International Space Station
• Participating Organizations: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are participating in the project.
• The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) represents a distinctive partnership between NASA and Caltech.
• Objective of the Research: To investigate the behavior, adaptation, and evolution of multi-drug resistant pathogens approximately 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Key features:

• Studying Drug-Resistant Pathogens: Examining genomic adaptations of drug-resistant pathogens can enhance precision in treatment approaches.
• Understanding pathogen persistence in environments such as spacecraft and hospitals can aid in contamination control.
• Microbial Dynamics: Combining genomics, metagenomics, and metabolic modeling enables the study of microbial dynamics across diverse extreme environments.
• Comprehensive study: Investigating genomic, functional, and metabolic enhancements seen in multidrug-resistant pathogens, with a specific emphasis on Enterobacter bugandensis, a common nosocomial pathogen discovered on surfaces within the ISS, to gain understanding.

Enterobacter Bugandensis:

• Enterobacter bugandensis is a newly discovered species in the Enterobacter genus, identified in 2013 from bloodstream infection cases in Uganda.
• Morphology: Enterobacter Bugandensis exhibits a Gram-negative, rod-shaped structure.
• Habitation: Similar to other species within the Enterobacter genus, E. bugandensis is typically found in various environments, including soil, water, and the gastrointestinal tracts of animals and humans.
• Pathogenicity: Enterobacter Bugandensis is capable of causing various infections, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.
• These infections may include bloodstream infections, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and wound infections.
• Resistance: Enterobacter Bugandensis has demonstrated resistance to numerous antibiotics, posing challenges in treatment.
• Mechanisms of resistance may involve the production of beta-lactamase, efflux pumps, and mutations that diminish drug uptake.

Multidrug-resistant pathogen

• It describes a microorganism that has acquired resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents, usually spanning three or more antimicrobial categories.
• This resistance can manifest in different types of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
• The most significant threat to public health among MDR forms is represented by bacteria that withstand multiple antibiotics.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a new three-step process to remove heavy metal contaminants, such as arsenic, from groundwater.

IISc researchers collaborate with NGOs, including the INREM Foundation and Earthwatch, to test and deploy these systems in rural areas like Bhagalpur in Bihar and Chickballapur in Karnataka.

IISc new method:

• The IISc new method is designed to remove heavy contaminants from groundwater.
• It not only removes arsenic but also guarantees safe and sustainable disposal of the contaminants.
• Further, It prevents them from re-entering the groundwater system.
• This comprehensive approach addresses a major gap in existing arsenic removal technologies.

Three processes are:

• Adsorption: Separating arsenic from water using a biodegradable absorbent.
• Bioremediation: Reducing pollutant concentration.
• Environmentally Friendly Disposal: Ensuring safe disposal of removed heavy metals.

Heavy Metals:

• It is defined as the metallic elements with high density compared to water.
• It comprises metalloids like arsenic.
• The toxicity due to heavy metal is very challenging as it is soluble in water and easily absorbed by living organisms
• Examples: Iron, copper, tin, and precious metals such as silver, gold, and platinum

Allowable Limits for Arsenic and Fluoride in Water (WHO):

• Arsenic in Drinking Water- The safe limit for arsenic in drinking water is 10 parts per billion (ppb).
• This guideline helps ensure safe consumption and reduces health risks from long-term exposure.
• Fluoride in Drinking Water-The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a provisional limit of 1.0 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) for fluoride in drinking water.
• Arsenic in Agricultural Water-For water used in agriculture, the allowable limit for arsenic is 0.10 milligrams per liter (mg/l).

Contamination Status in India:

• Arsenic levels: Reports indicate 113 districts in 21 Indian states have arsenic levels above 0.01 mg per liter.
• Fluoride levels: Additionally, 223 districts in 23 states have fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 mg per liter.
• These levels are above the permissible limits set by the Bureau of Indian Standards and the World Health Organization (WHO), posing health risks.

At least 49 migrants died and 140 others were missing after their boat capsized off the coast of Yemen, the U.N. migration agency said on June 11.

• The latest tragedy comes on the back of two separate shipwrecks on the same route along the coast of Djibouti, claiming the lives at least 62 migrants.
• There has been a sharp rise in migrants travelling from the Horn of Africa to Yemen, spurred by political and economic instability, alongside severe droughts and other extreme weather events in countries like Ethiopia and Somalia.
• Despite the ongoing conflict in Yemen, thousands of migrants continue to transit through the country in hopes of reaching Saudi Arabia and neighbouring nations.

The International Organization of Migration (IOM):

• The IOM is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants, including internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrant workers.
• Establishment: IOM was established in 1951.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Member States: IOM has 175 member states and 8 observer states.
• Mandate: To promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all, through providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
• Publications: World Migration Report, Migration Health Annual Report.

Key Areas of Work:

• Migration and development: IOM works to maximize the benefits of migration for both the home and host countries, as well as for migrants themselves.
• Migration health: The organization provides health services and support to migrants and displaced populations.
• Emergency operations: IOM responds to humanitarian crises by providing emergency relief and post-crisis recovery programs, such as transportation assistance, temporary shelter, and rebuilding infrastructure.
• Counter-Trafficking: The organization actively combats human trafficking through prevention, protection, and prosecution initiatives, providing support to victims of trafficking.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:

• The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly.
• The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide.
•  Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people.

The ongoing spell of extreme heat in many parts of the country has once again reopened discussions on the inclusion of heatwaves as one of the notified disasters under the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005.

Notified Disasters:

• In India, the Disaster Management Act, 2005, defines a disaster as a "catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence" arising from natural or man-made causes that results in substantial loss of life, destruction of property, or damage to the environment.
• The Act includes 12 categories of notified disasters, which are: Cyclone, Drought, Earthquake, Fire, Flood, Tsunami, Hailstorm, Landslide, Avalanche, Cloudburst, Pest attack, Frost and cold waves
• These notified disasters are eligible for relief assistance under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
• The SDRF is primarily used for immediate relief to victims of notified disasters, while the NDRF supplements the SDRF in cases of severe disasters where funds are insufficient.
• However, heatwaves are not currently included as a notified disaster under the Act. Although heatwaves are a significant concern in India, particularly in certain regions, the Finance Commission has not been convinced to expand the list of notified disasters.
• States can use up to 10% of their SDRF allocation for local disasters, including heatwaves, which some states have done.

NDMA:

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) plays a crucial role in laying down policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management in India.
• It aims to promote a national resolve to mitigate the damage and destruction caused by natural and man-made disasters through sustained and collective efforts.