Rajya Sabha TV – Science Monitor (20 Dec 2014)

Transcription of Rajya Sabha TV Science Monitor

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

Headlines

1. ISRO successfully tests its GSLV Mk III X

GSLV Mk III – three stages – an indigenous advanced launch vehicle – along with this also ISRO tested the Crew module; Carried a Non-functional cryogenic upper stage; Machine also known as LVM3 sub-orbital experiment machine – intended to test Performance of GSLV Mk III during critical atmospheric phase; Crew module – CARE- atmospheric re-entry experiment;

2. Massive oil spill in Sunderban (World largest mangrove forest) area of Bangladesh;

Southern Star 7 – Oil tanker vehicle – Around 77k gallons of oil spilled into the waters – oil spill already covered 80kms & is spreading further - oil spill to adversely affect marine ecosystem – Sunderban – world largest mangrove forest – sanctuary for numerous rare animals & plants;  

Source of oil spill?

Spill occurs due to drilling rigs, offshore oil platforms and well; also from vehicle, vessel or pipelines;  spill occurs due to drilling rigs, offshore oil platforms and well;

Effect of oil spill- species – food chain?

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/effects-of-oil-spills.php

Choke animal to death, fur & plumage of the animals ( Vulnerable to hypothermia) – make it harder to float in the water or regulate their body temperatures, toxic content of the oil, animal become blind due to repeated exposure to the oil, loss of natural body scent; oil sometimes clogs the blow holes of whales and dolphins, making it impossible for the animals to breathe properly and disrupting their ability to communicate; affect breeding ground, affect food chain;

Cleaning of oil spills?

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/cleaning-oil-spill.htm

Note: Containment & Skimming suck or scoop the oil from water – Sorbents (large sponges that absorb oil from the water), in situ burning, oil spills in tropical areas can be handled with dispersants (Chemical – breakdown oil – much quickly), employ biological agents –microorganism  which breakdown oil into natural components like fatty acids & carbon dioxide, Oil cleanup agencies use floating dummies and balloons to scare wildlife away from spill areas;

3. Carcinogens present in mosquito coils toxic to lungs;
4. Nine new species of tiny bush frogs discovered in Western Ghats;

Refer: NCBS (National centre for Biological Science)

5. Gutka ban helped many kick the habit;

Banned in 7 states: Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, MP, Maha, Odisha;

6. Rashtriya Vigyan Chalchitra Mela (RVCM) – 5^th National science film festival & competition 2015 – Screening Feb 2015 – Regional Science City - Lucknow;
7. Significant Achievements of Science & Scientists in 2014 (IN FOCUS)

·         UN declared the year 2014 as International year of Family farming & Crystallography.

·         Jan 2014 - Hubble Telescope captured deepest image of a galaxy cluster.

·         Feb 2014 - New Bionic Hand developed that could restore the sense of touch.

·         March 2014 - Scientists announced the discovery of gravitational waves.

·         Biseptive telescope – expanding universe – CMB

·         April 2014 – Kepler – spotted Earth’s Cousin Planet.

·         May 2014 – Break through study – measles vaccine – cancer theraphy – by intravenous injection of virus.

·         June 2014 - Novel self-repair technique of Teeth – non-invasive - painless;

·          July 2014 – Semi-conductor factory in to Farm;

8. History of Science
1. Srinivasa Ramanujan – Born 22^nd Dec 1887 – First Indian to be elected as the fellow of Trinity college – Formulated approx. 120 theorems & mathematical formulae;
2. English Physicist James Prescott Joule – Born on 24 Dec 1818 – interrelation between heat energy & mechanical work down – Principle of conservation of energy; SI unit of Energy Joule.
3. English Scientist Issac Newton- Born on 25 Dec 1642 – Gravity, Gravitational force, Three laws of Motion, Prism experiment; world’s first reflecting telescope was invented by him;
4. French Chemist & Microbiologist Louis Pasteur – Born on 27 Dec 1822 – Discovered Pasteurization process, Developed first vaccine against rabies (Concept of Immunization);
9. S & T activities across India & Abroad – Science Express Segment
1. Genetic Study – Horse Domestication - ;
2. US NOAA – warns - world is heading towards warmest years;
3. National Institution of Oceanography – Workshop – climate change impact of ocean& marine life;
4. Maven mission – Mars loss atmosphere – comprehensive composition of mar’s upper atmosphere & ionosphere;
5. Curiosity – detected organic molecules in gale crater – Mars;

Watch it here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tpTHJ966fs&index=12&list=PLVOgwA_DiGzpd3_Iz7J-81Vh4QqU-ZGA9