Rajya Sabha TV – Science Monitor (04 Oct 2014)

Weekly update on all the happening in Science & Technology, in and around the nation;

Headlines

1. ISRO’s Mangalyaan sends images of Martian surface

After entering Martian orbit- Mangalyaan sent the first image of Mars on 25^th September 2014 – pictures were taken from an altitude of 74,500 Kms from the surface of the Mars – images of Regional dust strome in Northern Hemisphere of Mars – Mars Color Camera MCC (Tri-Colour gives information surface, features & composition) – Scan its Atmosphere for Methane, an indicator of life; Methane Sensor, Mars Colour Camera and Thermal IR spectrometer – to map the surface for mineral wealth of the planet; First Inter-planetary with the budget outlay of $74Mn – Based on Indigenous technology with lowest Budget compared to other space agency;

2. NASA-ISRO collaboration

India & US agreed to collaborate in the future Mars Exploration; NASA Admin Charles and ISRO Chair Radhakrishnan – signed an Agreement @ Toronta sidelines of International Astronautical Conference; after the success of Mangalyan & Maven; Research include Ecosystem & natural Hazards; NASA-ISRO Mars Working Group will be established & will meet annually– Agreement defines role of the agencies in NISAR (Nasa Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar) – Radar Imagery of Earth in unprecedented detail;

3. NASA’s Curiosity rover drills first hole into Mount Sharp

Rock samples have been collected – to understand the Chemical composition & Environment of the Planet; NASA’s JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) received the data & images of the process; Mount Sharp is a layered mountain in Mars;

NASA’s mars rover CURIOSITY – cars sized Robotic rover – launched on Nov 2011 – landed on Aeolis Palus in Gale Crater of mars on Aug 2012 – completed a Martian year i.e. 687 Earth Day on 24 June 2014;

4. Preterm Birth, Pneumonia leading causes of child mortality across the globe

Child Mortality, Neonatal deaths serious concerns worldwide –In India mortality rate is high till the age of 5 years; Team from Institute of International Programme under Dr. Lee Leo - Study report- 6.3 million death in children under the age of five year – India, Nigeria, Pakistan, DR Congo, China account for 50% death in 2013 alone – of this 52.5% account for Neonatal death; Neonatal period indicates the duration of 0 to 27 days after birth; Preterm birth & pneumonia are the two major causes; In India 3.6 million babies are born preterm – over 3 lakh preterm babies die each year; premature birth taking place before, Mother should pregnant at least 37 weeks; the second leading factor – Pneumonia – cause 0.93 million death annually; pneumonia easily affect the infants as their lungs are immature & more prone to infection – measures like immunization, sanitation, water supply, prevent prematurity by quality care pre & post Natal; pneumonia can be cured by early diagnosis; Diarrhea also recognized as a serious cause of child mortality; Breastfeeding for six months very important for child; this can reduce child mortality in long run;

5. Global wildlife population hits a big decline since 1970 to 2010 – WWF Report

52% of world wildlife population vanished in past 40 years; Alarming fact from the (WWF Report) World Wildlife Report “The living planet Report 2014” 39% of terrestrial wildlife, 39% of marine wildlife, 76% of fresh water wildlife vanished globally; The population of marine turtles has reduced by 80% while Elephants in Africa facing threat of extinction; 60% of essential services provided by the nature in the form of Forests & seas are also declining due to over exploitation; It also states the unusual increase in carbon & nitrogen in our atmosphere – let to climate change & degradation of land, river & ocean; High Income countries show 10% increase in Biodiversity whereas Middle income countries show 18% decline, and Low Income countries show 58% decline;  The report study on 3 aspect – firstly, Population of more than 10k water breed species; secondly Human-Ecological Footprints (Measure of consumption of goods, GHG emission), thirdly existing bio-capacity (i.e. Natural resources to produce foods);

6. National level essay writing competition in Hindi on Malaria – by CSIR-OSDD initiative in collaboration with  Vigyan Prasar - campaign to create awareness amongst masses;

Neglected Tropical diseases – TB & Malaria – Major public health problem – awareness & preventive measures;

7. Relevance of Mars Orbiter  Mission MOM for India (IN FOCUS)

First Asian Nation to reach the Mars; First Inter-planetary mission; Entitled India among the space powers like US, Europe, & Russia; MOM attained it in its very maiden attempt; India also has a successful unmanned Chandrayaan mission in 2008;

Societal benefits & development integral part of India Space programme – It is being utilized for Health & Education through Communication Satellite, Indian weather satellite improved the weather forecasts – 270 Technologies developed has been transferred to the Industries for commercial benefits; Like others, Indian scientists also see Mars as a possible future habitat;

With Rs.450 Cr- low cost MOM  establish India as a significant & reliable player in space industry – ISRO expecting to gain lucrative space deals with US & EU; Estimate says the mission cost about Rs.5.77 per Km; It also established the Indian PSLV is much reliable for the global market; (PSLC C25) – (refer NISAR - India US);

8. History of Science
1. Danish Physicist Nells Henrik David Bohr Born in 1885 – Deciphered spectral emission lines of the Hydrogen atom using Quantum mechanics- led to the foundation of Quantum Physics; Bohr Model of Atom (Positive charged nucleus surrounded by negative electron) – theory of Nuclear fission;
2. Indian Physicst G N Ramachandran – Born in 1922 – first to develop the triple helical model of collagen(collective of naturally occurring protein found abundantly in Mammals)
3. German Physicist Max von Laue – Born in 1879 – Nobel Prize  in Physics in 1914 for work on X-ray diffraction in crystals;
4. Indian Mathamatician & Physicist Harish Chandra – Born in 1923 – Fundamental research in Representation Theory – branch of mathematics – studies the abstract algebraic structure by representing the  elements as linear transformation of vector space & study modules over these algebraic structures;
9. S & T activities across India – Science Express Segment
1. World Heart Day 2014 – 29 Sep – Walk for Heart Rally – awareness of Cardio vascular problems – need for disciplined lifestyle; Nov 7 will be National Cancer Awareness – Health Ministry;  
2. India &Russia to collaborate in Scientific education for Economic growth – 5 niche areas has been identified – Biomedical science, Nuclear power, Information Technology, Energy Efficiency and Aerospace; Russia interested to develop India-Russia Joint Scientific Research Centers – to work on Technology Transfer;
3. Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Min. of Agri – to include Bihar in the Foot & mouth Disease control during 2014-15 – under CSS Livestock health & disease control; Cattle &  Buffalo population should be vaccinated against FMD;
4. Europe’s ESA to send first mission to Comet;

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