Villagers stunned by rare sighting of Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole) pack in Theerthahalli

Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole)

• It is a wild canid found in the forests of central, south, and southeast Asia.
• Scientific Name: Cuon alpinus
• Other Names: Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red wolf, red dog and mountain wolf.
• Distribution:
  • They are found throughout Eastern and Southeastern Asia.
  • They can be seen as far north as Siberia, as far south as some Malaysian islands, and as far west as the Indian peninsula.
  • They are found in three clusters across India, namely the Western and Eastern Ghats, the central Indian landscape and North East India. The Western and Eastern Ghats is a stronghold region for dholes.
• Habitat: Dholes are animals that inhabit dense jungles, steppes, mountains, scrub forests, and pine forests.
• Features:
  • Its length ranges between 76 and 100 cm (30 and 40 inches), exclusive of the 28–48-centimetre (11–19-inch) tail, and its weight is from 14 to 21 kg.
  • They vary in colour from charcoal grey to rust red to sandy beige, depending on their habitat.
  • Their tail is brushy and fox-like, often with a black tip.
  • They do have lighter colouration along their chest, belly, and paws.
  • Dholes are highly social animals, and they frequently hunt in packs of 5 to 12. These clans may grow to as many as 30 or 40 members.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • The Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule II
  • CITES: Appendix II

Nobel Foundation cancels Russian ambassador invite to prize ceremony

Nobel Foundation

• The Nobel Foundation is a private institution established in 1900 based on the will of Alfred Nobel.
• The Foundation manages the assets made available through the will for the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace.
• It represents the Nobel Institutions externally and administers informational activities and arrangements surrounding the presentation of the Nobel Prize.
• The Foundation also administers the Nobel Symposium Program.
• Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden.
• Organisational Structure:
  • The assets of the Foundation are managed by the board of directors.
  • It consists of seven members and two deputies who are either Swedish or Norwegian.

Nobel Prize

• The Nobel Prizes are prestigious international awards presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions to various fields.
• Recipients can be both individuals and organisations.
• They were established in accordance with the will of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor, engineer, scientist, and philanthropist who left the majority of his fortune to fund these prizes.
• They were first awarded in 1901 and have been awarded annually ever since.
• Categories:
  • There are six Nobel Prize categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (commonly referred to as the Nobel Prize in Economics).
  • Each prize is awarded by a separate Nobel Prize-awarding institution based in Sweden or Norway, except for the Peace Prize, which is awarded in Oslo, Norway.
  • Selection Process: Recipients are selected by various committees based at institutions in Sweden and, in the case of the Peace Prize, a committee appointed by the Norwegian parliament.
• Ceremony:
  • The Nobel Prizes are traditionally awarded on December 10 each year, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel''s death.
  • The award ceremonies take place in Stockholm, Sweden, for all prizes except the Peace Prize, which is awarded in Oslo, Norway.
• Nobel Medals and Diplomas: Each laureate receives a gold medal, an individualised diploma and a sum of money.

Newly discovered fungus helps destroy a harmful food toxin

• The team identified a filamentous fungal strain, Acremonium sp. or "TUS-MM1," belonging to the genera Acremonium.
• The scientists then performed various experiments to shed light on the mechanisms by which TUS-MM1 degraded patulin.
• This involved incubating the mold strain in a patulin-rich solution and focusing on the substances that gradually appeared both inside and outside its cells in response to patulin over time.
• They found that TUS-MM1 cells transformed any absorbed patulin into desoxypatulinic acid, a compound much less toxic than patulin, by adding hydrogen atoms to it.
• The team also found that some of the compounds secreted by TUS-MM1 cells can transform patulin into other molecules.

Patulin

• Patulin (C7H6O4) is a toxic mycotoxin produced by several types of fungi.
• It is harmful to a wide range of creatures, including humans, mammals, plants, and microbes.
• It can grow on damaged or decaying fruits, especially apples.
• Impact on human health
  • It is responsible for a wide variety of health hazards, including nausea, lung congestion, ulcers, intestinal haemorrhages, and even more serious outcomes—such as DNA damage, immunosuppression and increased cancer risk.
• Treatment of patulin toxicity includes oxygen therapy, immunotherapy, detoxification therapy, and nutrient therapy.

Court allows stem cell therapy for two autistic kids

Stem cell therapy

• It is a form of regenerative medicine designed to repair damaged cells within the body by reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system.
• This phenomenon makes stem cell therapy a viable treatment option for various medical conditions.
• Process involved:
  • Harvesting: The process of collecting the stem cells to be used in the transplant, either from you or a donor.
  • Conditioning: Treatment to prepare your body for the transplant.
  • Transplanting the stem cells.

Stem cells

• These are cells from which all other cells, with their respective specialised functions, are generated.
• The human body, under certain conditions, “divides” stem cells to either create new stem cells or cells with specific functions, such as blood cells, brain cells, bone cells, muscle cells, etc.
• There are two main categories of stem cells:
  • Pluripotent stem cells: With the ability to differentiate into all of the cells of the adult body.
  • Adult stem cells: These are tissue or organ-specific and regenerate to form cells only of that particular organ.

Autism spectrum disorder

• Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY) Surpasses Employment Generation Target.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana

• It was launched in 2020.
• This was designed to stimulate the creation of new job opportunities by extending financial support to employers of establishments registered with the Employees'' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO).
• This scheme aimed to incentivise employment of unemployed individuals, including those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic, by covering both the employee and employer contributions (24% of wages) for establishments with up to 1000 employees.
• For establishments with over 1000 employees, only the employee''s EPF contributions (12% of wages) were covered in respect of new employees.
• As of July 31, 2023, the ABRY has already achieved an enrolment of over 7.58 million new employees, surpassing its initial employment generation target.
• Significance: It substantially contributed to the job market''s revival, underscoring its role in boosting economic recovery during these challenging times.

Employees'' Provident Fund Organization

• It is a statutory body that came into existence under the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1952.
• The Act and Schemes framed there under are administered by a tripartite Board known as the Central Board of Trustees, Employees'' Provident Fund, consisting of representatives of Government (Both Central and State), Employers, and Employees.
• The Board administers a contributory provident fund, a pension scheme, and an insurance scheme for the workforce engaged in the organised sector in India.
• The Board is assisted by the Employees’ PF Organization (EPFO), consisting of offices at 122 locations across the country.
• The EPFO is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.

Govt exempts LPG imports from agri cess - Jammu Kashmir

Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC)

• It was introduced in the Union Budget 2021-22.
• It is a tax that the government imposes on the commercial production of agricultural produce.
• The cess is imposed at a specific rate on the value of these goods.
• Purpose:
  • The primary objective of AIDC is to provide financial support for the development of agricultural infrastructure in India.
  • The funds collected through this cess will be utilised for the creation and maintenance of agricultural infrastructure such as cold storage facilities, warehouses, and market yards.
  • It aims to enhance the overall efficiency of the agricultural sector and improve farmers'' income.
• Collection: The AIDC is collected by the government at the point of sale or import of the applicable goods.

Cess

• Cess is a form of tax charged/levied over and above the base tax liability of a taxpayer.
• A cess is usually imposed additionally when the state or the central government looks to raise funds for specific purposes.
• For example, the government levies an education cess to generate additional revenue for funding primary, secondary, and higher education.
• Cess is not a permanent source of revenue for the government, and it is discontinued when the purpose of levying it is fulfilled.
• It can be levied on both indirect and direct taxes.
• What is the difference between tax and cess?
  • Cess is different from taxes such as income tax, GST, excise duty, etc., as it is charged over and above the existing taxes.
  • While all taxes go to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI), cess may initially go to the CFI but has to be used for the purpose for which it was collected.
  • If the cess collected in a particular year goes unspent, it cannot be allocated for other purposes.
  • The amount gets carried over to the next year and can only be used for the cause it was meant for.
  • The central government does not need to share the cess with the state government either partially or in full, unlike some other taxes.

Early prediction of preeclampsia using a blood-derived biomarker

Preeclampsia

• It is a serious blood pressure condition that develops during pregnancy.
• It typically develops after the 20th week of pregnancy.
• It can also affect other organs in the body and be dangerous for both the mother and her developing fetus.
• Symptoms:
  • People with preeclampsia often have high blood pressure (hypertension) and high levels of protein in their urine (proteinuria).
  • Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision, blurred vision or light sensitivity
• Prevention
  • Medication: The best clinical evidence for the prevention of preeclampsia is the use of low-dose aspirin.
  • Lifestyle and healthy choices: If one had preeclampsia before, it''s a good idea to be as healthy as you can be.

liquid biopsy

• A liquid biopsy is a simple and non-invasive alternative to surgical biopsies, which enables doctors to discover a range of information about a tumour through a simple blood sample.

100 schools across England ordered to close buildings as they are constructed using unsafe concrete

Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC)

• It is a lightweight, bubbly form of concrete that was used in roofs, floors, and walls between the 1950s and 1990s.
• It looks like standard concrete, but compared with the “traditional” reinforced material, which is typically denser, Raac is weak and less durable.
• The material was favoured in construction projects because of its lightweight thermal properties.
• It is made from a combination of cement, lime, water, and an aeration agent.
• The mixture is poured into moulds and then subjected to high pressure and heat, known as autoclaving, to create a lightweight, strong, and porous material.
• Advantages over Standard concrete:
  • It is cheaper.
  • It is also quicker to produce and easier to install.
  • Insulation Properties: RAAC has excellent thermal insulation properties due to the air bubbles within the material.
  • It helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while reducing heating and cooling energy consumption.
• Why is it a risk?
  • The concrete is aerated and “bubbly”, contains no “coarse aggregate”, and is less dense than traditional concrete, being around a third of the weight.
  • It could easily absorb moisture, weakening the material and also corroding steel reinforcement within.
  • This means it is more prone to collapse over time.

Red blood cells exposed to oxygen deficiency protect against heart attack

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

• RBCs, or erythrocytes, are one of the components of blood. (The others are plasma, platelets and white blood cells.)
• Function:
  • They deliver oxygen to the tissues throughout the human body.
  • Oxygen turns into energy, and tissues release carbon dioxide.
  • RBCs also transport carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be exhaled.
• Where are RBCs made?
  • They are made in the bone marrow.
  • They typically live for about 120 days, and then they die.
• Hemoglobin:
  • RBCs contain a protein called haemoglobin, which binds to oxygen in the lungs, forming oxyhemoglobin.
  • Haemoglobin also helps carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs as carbaminohemoglobin.
• Shape:
  • RBCs are biconcave, disc-shaped cells with a dimple in the centre on both sides. This unique shape increases the surface area of the cell, allowing for efficient gas exchange.
  • It is covered with a membrane composed of lipids and proteins and lacks a nucleus.
• What does a low RBC count mean?
  • A low RBC count, known as anaemia, can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness and other symptoms. If untreated, anaemia can lead to serious complications.
  • In many cases, anaemia occurs when people don’t eat a nutrient-rich diet.
  • It can also be caused by pregnancy and certain medical conditions such as bleeding disorders and kidney disease.
  • Choosing foods that are rich in iron and other vitamins and minerals can help raise the RBC count.

Sickle cell anaemia

• It is an inherited blood disorder.
• It affects haemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body.
• People with this disease have atypical haemoglobin molecules called haemoglobin S, which can distort red blood cells into a sickle, or crescent, shape.
• These sickle cells also become rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow.
• What causes it?
  • The cause of Sickle cell disease is a defective gene called a sickle cell gene.
  • A person will be born with sickle cell disease only if two genes are inherited—one from the mother and one from the father.
• Treatments:
  • The only cure for this disease is bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
  • However, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms, lessen complications, and prolong life.

Thrissur rocks to the rhythm of Pulikkali

Pulikkali:

• Pulikkali (Tiger Dance) is one of the folk art forms of Kerala.
• On the fourth day of the Onam festival, artists paint their bodies like tigers with stripes of yellow, red and black and dance to the rhythm of traditional percussion instruments such as thakil, udukku and chenda.
• The Swaraj Ground in Thrissur district plays host to this carnival that has people appearing in various unique hues and masks.
• The main theme of this folk art is tiger hunting, with participants playing the role of tiger and hunter.
• It was introduced by the erstwhile ruler of Cochin, Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran.

Onam

• It is the biggest and the most important festival in the state of Kerala.It is a harvest festival celebrated at the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham).
• The Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. The first day, Atham and the tenth day, Thiruonam, are the most important of all.
• According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.
• Another key feature is Vallamkali, the Snake Boat Race, held on the river Pampa.
• Kaikotti kali and Thumbi Thullal are two graceful dances performed by women on Onam.