Rajya Sabha TV – Science Monitor (15 Nov 2014)

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

Headlines

1. Dr. Harsh Vardhan – takes over charge – Science, Technology & Earth Science;

Jitendra to lead Ministry of NE Development; YS Choudary, Mos S&T;

2. Rosetta creates history to land on a comet;

Launched by European Space Agency – Space probe Philae – to help understand the history of our solar system – deployed by the space craft Rosetta- Battery can be charged through Solar panel;

3. Study on atmospheric CO2 pattern – IISc

Inhale & Exhale pattern in atmospheric CO2 - Research Indian Institute of Science Bangalore;

4. El-Nino responsible for the increasing temperature of Indian Ocean – Study by IITM, Pune

1.2 deg C rise in temperature during the past century; Note: Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology; El-Nino controls interplay between temperatures; Western Indian ocean which is cool usually than central & eastern Indian ocean started showing stronger summer warming; this is cause of El-Nino Events; These El-Nino events weaken the summer westerlies over the Indian ocean (These winds are known to have cooling effect on the sea surface by promoting evaporation);  Usual & large scale circulation may effect – monsoon, marine food webs, fisheries; El-Nino repeats after the gap of 3-7 years and last usually about 12 months;

5. International Telemedicine (10^th ) conference at Bhopal – by Telemedicine Society of India with AIIMS Bhopal;

Focused on To reach the Remote population – to ensure large scale participation from India & Abroad; Enable Doctor – Patient Interaction and Doctor- Doctor Interaction;

6. Book released on India’s glorious mission to Mars – authored by Pallava Bagla & Subhadra Menon;Published by Bloomberg Indian;
7. IPCC - 5^th Assessment Report on Climate Change (IN FOCUS)

The effects of the Climate Changes are visible across the globe;

Unexpected floods, Drought become common phenomenon; Climate change has defined as a identifical change in the climate of a region that exist long period of time;

Anthropogenic activities – excess use of fossil fuels, exploitation of forests – Green-house gas (CO2, NOx) emission a major cause of climate change; Study shows considerable rise in global temperature; (Global Temperature up by 0.6 deg C since 1900 and increase in CO2 level in Atmosphere)

Fallout of climate change more evident – causes change in weather pattern – untimely rains, heavy down pour, heat waves, prolonged & harsh summer;

Pose Risk / Ill effects: threat to global food security, Flood & droughts, affecting infra including agriculture, reduce water supply, increasing wild fire, disease outbreak, flood and erosion in the coastal areas, melting of glaciers;  

IPCC – Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change – world body to assess the science related to climate change – 1988 setup by WMO & UNEP – endorsed by UNGA;

Provides report – regular assessment of Climate change - helps nations & policy maker;

Working groups in IPCC Exe Comm.:

·         WG I: Physical science Basis;

·         WG II: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability;

·         WG III: Mitigation of Climate Change;

·         Task force on National GHG inventories;

1990 – first report; now 2014 – 5^th Report (AR5) – predictions on global climate;

Carbon emission from burning coal; AR5 specially focus on the implication of the climate change on Indian & countries in South Asia;

Serious concerns: Flood, Cloud burst, Increasing ocean temperature, Health issue – Social economic;

Human Activity is the major cause of warming & climate change since mid-20^th century;

Economically affordable if Phase out fossil fuel by the end of this century;

8. History of Science
1. American Bacteriologist Hans Zinsser – Born Nov 1878 – studied Typhus & disease – Rickettsia Bacteria – The virus carried by rats cause high fever & body ache;
2. India’s first lady Astronaut – Kalpana Chawla with her crew – reached space on 19 Nov 1997 -  spent 16 days in Space;
3. Man first attempted to fly using a hot air balloon – 21 Nov 1783 – Austrian Pilatre de Rozier & Francois Laurent – travelled for 25 minutes & covered about 9 Kms;
4. Two American Chemist received the patent for Kevlar Polymer – on 22 Nov 1966 – Kevlar Polymer 5 times stronger than steel & light in weight – used in bullet proof wears, helmet, tyres;
9. S & T activities across India & Abroad – Science Express Segment
1. Indira Pariyavarn Bhavan – first Energy efficient building in India – Association with TERI - Open to the public – solar passive design – uses the 75% of the natural sun light – Green rating of integrated habitat;
2. New Bhaba Newton Fund ($50 Mn in 5 years) – Indian UK bilateral relation in Scientific Research – Interdisciplinary research;
3. Birth Anniversary of Salim Ali – Bird man of India;  
4. Regenerate Nerve cell - treating human embryo refer: Parkinson’s Disease - nerve damage;
5. AIIMS – successfully – Bilateral complex jaw replacement;
6. Aghanashini, Gangavali, Sharavati, Venkatapura, Arabian Sea – Mangrove forest in Karnataka – spread over 3 coastal districts;  

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