CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS

• During his Nobel prize speech, Gary Ruvkun  highlighted the significance  of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans in his scientific discovery.

Caenorhabditis elegans

Nematodes

• The nematodes are roundworms or eelworms of the phylum Nematoda. 
• They inhabit a broad range of environments. 
• Most species are free-living and feed on microorganisms but many species are also parasitic.
• The parasitic worms called helminths cause soil-transmitted helminthiases.

Characteristics 

• Their body is bilaterally symmetrical and the head is radially symmetrical.
• The mouth has three or six lips with a series of teeth on their inner edges. 
• An adhesive gland called the caudal gland is often found at the tip of the tail.

Examples:

• Roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms belong to the phylum Nematoda

CHINA TAIWAN ISSUE AND INDIA

• China strongly objected to Taiwan''s opening of a new Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC) in Mumbai.

Details

• China''s objection to Taiwan opening a new Economic and Cultural Centre (TECC) in Mumbai is rooted in its strict "One-China Principle." This principle asserts that there is only one China, with Taiwan being an inseparable part of it, and that the People''s Republic of China (PRC) is the sole legal government of China. 

Why Taiwan Opened TECC in Mumbai?

• The TECC in Mumbai is Taiwan’s third office in India, following those in New Delhi and Chennai. These offices are part of Taiwan’s strategy to strengthen economic and cultural ties with India.
• The center promote cultural exchanges and provide visa services, acting like embassies without formal diplomatic recognition, they promote Taiwanese culture and strengthen economic partnerships.
• With Taiwan being a major hub for technology and semiconductors, the TECC aims to enhance trade and investment between the two regions. Bilateral trade between Taiwan and India has grown significantly, from $2 billion in 2006 to $8.9 billion in 2021.
• Taiwan’s "New Southbound Policy" aims to reduce its economic dependence on China by strengthening ties with South and Southeast Asian countries, including India.

Why has China objected?

• China views Taiwan''s international engagements as attempts to assert its independence. By opening a TECC, Taiwan is seen as enhancing its official presence abroad, which challenges China’s claim over Taiwan.
• China has reminded India of its commitment to the One-China Principle, which it claims is essential for stable Sino-Indian relations. China believes that any official interaction between Taiwan and India undermines this principle.
• The roots of this tension go back to the Chinese Civil War in the early 20th century. After the war, Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists retreated to Taiwan, claiming it as the legitimate government of China, while the Communists established the People''s Republic of China (PRC). China always argues that any recognition of Taiwan is a challenge for its sovereignty.

Geography of Taiwan 

• Taiwan is located in the East China Sea, between China, Japan, and the Philippines. This strategic location makes Taiwan an important player in the East and Southeast Asia region.
• The Taiwan Strait is one of the busiest waterways in the world, it is essential for regional trade, therefore, any conflict in this area could disrupt global trade routes; especially affecting Southeast Asian economies.

Political Status

• Since 1949, after the Chinese Civil War, Taiwan has functioned independently. The Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) retreated to Taiwan after being defeated by the Communist Party of China.
• Taiwan operates as a separate nation with its own government, president, military, and constitution. However, China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and insists on the “One-China Policy.”

International Recognition

• Only 11 countries officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, including the United States, which acknowledges the One-China Policy but maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan.
• Despite limited official recognition, many countries are concerned about potential conflict between China and Taiwan due to its implications for global trade, especially in the electronics industry where Taiwan is a key player.

China-Taiwan Relations

• The conflict traces back to the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949). After the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, won the war, the defeated Nationalist Party established a separate government in Taiwan. China asserts that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it. Taiwan, however, operates independently with its own government and military.
• China frequently conducts military drills near Taiwan, showing its military capabilities and signaling its willingness to use force if necessary. Taiwan seeks international recognition and support, however, China pressures countries and international organizations to diplomatically isolate Taiwan.

India and the China-Taiwan  issues

• Diplomatic Stance
• India does not officially recognize Taiwan as a separate country due to its commitment to the One-China Policy, however, India maintains informal relations with Taiwan. Growing tensions between India and China, especially after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, have led India to reconsider its strategic partnerships, including with Taiwan.
• Economic Relations
• Trade between India and Taiwan has been growing. In 2023, total bilateral trade was $8.224 billion, with Taiwan exporting $6.013 billion and India importing $2.211 billion. Taiwanese companies have invested in various sectors in India, including IT, electronics, and manufacturing.

Challenges and Way Forward

• India’s commitment to the One-China Policy limits the scope of its official engagement with Taiwan. Any clear support for Taiwan could provoke a strong reaction from China. India must balance its relations with both China and Taiwan to avoid regional conflict and maintain stability.
• Strengthening economic ties with Taiwan could provide India the technical advancements and investment opportunities, collaborating on regional security issues can help India to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Conclusion

• The Indian approach towards the China-Taiwan issue needs to be a balance of maintaining its commitment to the One-China Policy while exploring economic and strategic opportunities with Taiwan.

 Economic Freedom of the World Report

Recently, The Fraser Institute published the Economic Freedom of the World 2024 Annual Report 

• The report  measures the degree to which people in 165 jurisdictions around the globe are allowed to make their own economic choices.
• Cornerstones of Economic Freedom: Personal choice, Voluntary exchange, Freedom to enter markets and compete, and Security of the person and Privately-owned property. 
• Ranking: The most-economically free jurisdictions were:
• Hong Kong (1st), 
• Singapore (2nd), Switzerland (3rd), New Zealand (4th), the United States (5th), Denmark and Ireland (tied for 6th), Canada (8th), and Australia and Luxembourg (tied for 9th).
• India is ranked 84th.
• India is closely followed by Nepal in 86th place and Bhutan at 98th.
• China ranks 104th, while Sri Lanka is positioned at 123rd. 
• Bangladesh occupies 127th, and Pakistan is ranked 134^th.

Hornets

• A species of hornet can tolerate liquor without any side effects, at levels higher than any known animal.

India Launches Fourth Nuclear Submarine

• India has recently achieved a significant milestone in its defense capabilities with the launch of its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), codenamed S4. This development underscores India’s commitment to enhancing its maritime security and strategic deterrence, particularly amidst rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

Overview of the Launch

•  The low profile ceremony in which India announced this event symbolises its strategic way of pushing its defence advancements. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had inaugurated a Very Low Frequency (VLF) naval communication station for ensuring submarine communication capabilities critical to operational effectiveness in underwater warfare at the site.
• Significance of S4: The S4 is one of India’s second generation of SSBNs which is intended to enhance India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. The commission comes after earlier submarines INS Arihant and INS Arihant, which are now operational in deep sea patrols. Joining the S4, India is sporting K-4 ballistic missiles, which are capable of hitting targets at a distance of 3,500 kilometres.

INS Aridhaman: It is a stretched variant of the INS Arihant, with an estimated additional displacement of 1,000 tons compared to the earlier Arihant class submarines. The increased displacement enhances the vessel’s capacity to accommodate more Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs), providing greater fireworks and extending India’s second-strike capability. 

The submarine is expected to be equipped with a combination of longer-range K-4 missiles (with a range of 3,500 km) and potentially the newer K-5 missiles, which are under development and rumored to have a range exceeding 5,000 km.

Technical Specifications

Design and Capabilities

• Displacement: It is heavier than the previous generation with approximately 7,000 tons.
• Indigenous Content: The S4 has nearly 75 percent Indian content, highlighting India’s increasing self reliance in the Make in India defense manufacturing.
• Missile Capacity: Its operational flexibility and deterrent capability facilitated by a projected carriage of up to 12 K-15 SLBMs or 4 K-4 missiles.
• Advanced Features: The S4 offers a high performing 83MW Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) for greater endurance and operation flexibility. With this technological advance India occupies a pole position among nations that can effectively deploy nuclear powered submarines.

Strategic Implications

• Enhancing Deterrence: The launch of the S4 submarine is a majorerequisite in reinforcing India’s nuclear triad, comprising the land based missiles, air dropped weapons and sea based platforms. Such a capability is a credible second-strike option against other potential adversaries adding to national security.
• Geopolitical Context: It is particularly timely to launch now, as tensions on China’s naval march in the Indo-Pacific are rising. With an aim to assert its presence and counterbalance regional threats, India is progressing its submarine fleet. The move is part of a defense strategy shift toward maritime security and deterring adversaries such as China, to strengthen the weaker country’s relief vision .

Ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)

• It is a submarine capable of deploying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with nuclear warheads.
• These submarines became a major weapon system in the Cold War because of their nuclear deterrence capability. 
• They can fire missiles thousands of kilometers from their targets, and acoustic quieting makes them difficult to detect (see acoustic signature), thus making them a survivable deterrent in the event of a first strike and a key element of the mutually assured destruction policy of nuclear deterrence. 
• The deployment of ballistic missile submarines is dominated by the United States and Russia (following the collapse of the Soviet Union). 
• In fact, 70 % of nuclear warheads in the USA are carried by SSBN submarines.

Conclusion

• The launch of India’s fourth nuclear submarine marks a pivotal moment in the country’s strategic military advancements. As India continues to enhance its underwater capabilities through indigenous development and technological innovation, it solidifies its position as a formidable maritime power in the Indo-Pacific region. This development not only bolsters national security but also contributes to regional stability amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.

 Orchids

•   A new species of orchid, called Crepidium assamicum, was discovered in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Assam.

Crepidium assamicum

Orchids 

• Orchids are non woody perennial plants of family Orchidaceae.
• It has over 25,000 species and nearly 1,000 genera.
• They are predominantly found in tropical regions. 
• They are categorised into three life types: 
• (1) epiphytic, 
• (2) terrestrial and 
• (3) mycoheterotrophic.

Morphology of Orchids

Flowers: 

• Orchid flowers have unique and differing structural characteristics. These are:
• They have pollinia, which are masses of pollen that facilitate specific pollination strategies.
• The stamens and pistil are fused to form a column. This distinguishes orchids from other flowering plants.
• They have a Lip or Labellum, which is a specialized petal that serves as a landing platform for pollinators.

Seed 

• Seeds of Orchid are tiny and lack an endosperm. They depend on mycorrhizal fungi for germination and uptake of nutrients.

Habitat

• Orchids survive in diverse environments, from sea level to elevations of 4,600 metres. 

Geographical Distribution

• They are found in tropical montane forests, temperate zones, and even in arid regions.

Symbiotic Relationships

• Many orchids in many cases form mutualistic relationships with fungi, which helps orchids in their nutrient absorption and growth.

Pollination and Reproductive Strategies

• The flower structures of orchids are adapted to attract particular pollinators, which enhances their reproductive success.
• The complex flowering structure facilitates the transfer of pollinia to visiting insects to ensure effective cross-pollination.

Economic Importance

• Vanilla Production: The most notable economic product which is derived from orchids is vanilla. It is sourced from Vanilla planifolia orchids and related species.
• Traditional Uses: Traditionally Orchids have various applications in folk medicine, culinary products, and as natural adhesives.

SPECIES IN NEWS : ANGUICULUS DICAPRIOI, TENKANA JAYAMANGALI, NILGIRI TIT

• The Scientists have found a new species of snake in the Western Himalayas, which have been named Anguiculus dicaprioi after Hollywood star Leonardo Di Caprio.

Anguiculus dicaprioi

  Tenkana jayamangali

 Nilgiri tit

SPRAYING DIAMOND DUST TO COOL EARTH

• A new study has argued that spraying millions of tonnes of diamond dust in the Earth’s upper atmosphere every year could help cool down the Earth and combat global warming.

 Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI)

Diamond:

• Diamond is a solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. Diamond as a form of carbon is a tasteless, odourless, strong, brittle solid, colourless in pure form, a poor conductor of electricity, and insoluble in water. 
• Another solid form of carbon known as graphite is the chemically stable form of carbon at room temperature and pressure, but diamond is metastable and converts to it at a negligible rate under those conditions. 
• Diamond has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any natural material, properties that are used in major industrial applications such as cutting and polishing tools. 

 Stratosphere:

• It is the second-lowest layer of the atmosphere of Earth, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. The stratosphere is composed of stratified temperature zones, with the warmer layers of air located higher (closer to outer space) and the cooler layers lower (closer to the planetary surface of the Earth).

 Ocean Iron Dumping: 

• Ocean iron fertilization is an example of a geoengineering technique that involves intentional introduction of iron-rich deposits into oceans, and is aimed to enhance biological productivity of organisms in ocean waters in order to increase carbon dioxide (CO 2) uptake from the atmosphere.

Space Mirrors:

• Space mirrors are satellites that are designed to change the amount of solar radiation that impacts the Earth as a form of climate engineering. The concept was first theorized in 1923 by physicist Hermann Oberth and later developed in the 1980s by other scientists.
• Space mirrors can be used to increase or decrease the amount of solar energy that reaches a specific point of the earth for various purposes. They have been theorized as a method of solar geoengineering by creating a space sunshade to deflect sunlight and counter global warming.