Why in the News?

• Antihyper Hydrogen-4 is made up of an antiproton, two antineutrons and one antihyperon (a baryon that contains a strange quark).
• Physicists found traces of this antimatter among particle tracks from 6 billion collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York.

Key findings:

• Both hyperhydrogen-4 and its antimatter counterpart antihyper hydrogen-4 seem to wink out of existence very quickly.
• The physicists didn't find a significant difference between their lifetimes.
• The scientists' next step will be to compare the masses of the antiparticles and their particle opposites, which they hope could reveal some clues as to how our matter-heavy universe came to be.
• Antimatter: Except for having opposite electric charges, antimatter has the same properties as matter, same mass, same lifetime before decaying and same interactions.

What is Antiparticle?

• It is a subatomic particle that has the same mass as another particle and equal but opposite values of some other properties. Example- The antiparticle of the electron is the positron.

Why in the News?

• Antihyper Hydrogen-4 is made up of an antiproton, two antineutrons and one antihyperon (a baryon that contains a strange quark).
• Physicists found traces of this antimatter among particle tracks from 6 billion collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York.

Key findings:

• Both hyperhydrogen-4 and its antimatter counterpart antihyper hydrogen-4 seem to wink out of existence very quickly.
• The physicists didn't find a significant difference between their lifetimes.
• The scientists' next step will be to compare the masses of the antiparticles and their particle opposites, which they hope could reveal some clues as to how our matter-heavy universe came to be.
• Antimatter: Except for having opposite electric charges, antimatter has the same properties as matter, same mass, same lifetime before decaying and same interactions.

What is Antiparticle?

• It is a subatomic particle that has the same mass as another particle and equal but opposite values of some other properties. Example- The antiparticle of the electron is the positron.

About Waterspouts:

• Waterspouts are significant atmospheric phenomena characterised by rotating columns of air that form over water bodies. These tornado-like structures typically develop overseas or in large lakes, presenting a spectacular display of nature's power.
• It is a weaker version of a tornado, typically lasting 5-10 minutes.
• The average diameter is around 165 feet (50 meters).
• Wind speeds can reach up to 100 km/h (60 mph).

Formation of Waterspouts:

• The formation of a waterspout varies depending on its type:
  • Fair-weather waterspouts occur when cool air flows over open water, pulling water upwards and creating the waterspout.
  • Tornadic waterspouts are more likely to form during thunderstorms. Some may even start as tornadoes on land and then move over water. These waterspouts typically develop in the sky and extend downward.
• Waterspouts evolve through a distinct five-stage process:
  • Dark spot: A light-coloured disk becomes visible on the water’s surface, surrounded by a darker area with blurred edges.
  • Spiral pattern: Bands of light and dark colours spiral outward from the dark spot.
  • Spray ring: The dark spot creates a swirling mass of sea spray, resembling the eye of a hurricane.
  • Mature vortex: The spray ring forms a spinning funnel that stretches from the water’s surface to the clouds above.
  • Decay: As warm air disrupts the vortex, the waterspout weakens and dissipates.
• The key to waterspout formation is the presence of cold air cycling over warm water. When these conditions align, a waterspout can develop.
• While most common in tropical and subtropical regions, waterspouts can occur in various parts of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, and even Antarctica.

Types of Waterspouts:

• Tornadic Waterspouts:
  • Essentially tornadoes over water.
  • Associated with severe thunderstorms.
  • Can be accompanied by dangerous conditions like high winds, large hail, and frequent lightning.
• Fair Weather Waterspouts:
  • Form under calmer conditions, often along the base of developing cumulus clouds.
  • Generally not linked to thunderstorms.
  • Develop from the water's surface upward.
  • Typically move very little due to light wind conditions.
• Snowspouts:
  • These are exceptionally rare waterspouts that develop under the base of a snow squall. 
  • They are occasionally known as snow devils and are typically weak, although, in certain instances, they can reach the strength of an EF1 tornado.
• Recent research from the University of Barcelona suggests a correlation between warmer sea surface temperatures and increased waterspout formation. 

For instance, the sea surface near Sicily has been observed to be 2.5 to 3 degrees Celsius warmer than the 1990-2020 average, potentially contributing to more frequent waterspout occurrences in the area.

Q1. What is ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation)?

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is an irregular climate pattern involving variations in winds and sea surface temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, significantly impacting the climate of the tropics and subtropics. The warming phase is called El Niño, while the cooling phase is known as La Niña.

Source: What is a waterspout, which may have sunk the luxury yacht off Sicily? | Explained News - The Indian Express

About Genome editing:

• Genome editing is a powerful tool that allows scientists to make precise changes to the Deoxy-Ribonucleic Acid (DNA) sequence of living organisms.
• This technology has vast applications in agriculture, where it can be used to enhance crop yields, improve resistance to pests and diseases, and introduce desirable traits like drought tolerance.
• The most commonly known genome-editing tool is CRISPR, which has revolutionised genetic research due to its precision and efficiency.
• CRISPR and its limitations in plant genome editing:
• CRISPR technology, particularly using proteins like Cas9 and Cas12, has been widely used in genome editing.
• These proteins work by cutting DNA at specific locations, allowing scientists to remove, add, or replace genetic material.
• However, a major limitation in plant genome editing has been the size of these proteins, which are often too large to be efficiently accommodated by plant cells.
• This has created a need for smaller, more efficient genome-editing tools that can work effectively in plant systems.
• The ISDra2TnpB genome editor:
• Researchers have developed a new genome-editing tool called ISDra2TnpB, derived from the bacteria Deinococcus radiodurans.
• This tool is significantly smaller than the traditional CRISPR-associated proteins like Cas9 and Cas12, making it more suitable for use in plant cells.

Key Features of ISDra2TnpB:

• Size advantage: ISDra2TnpB is less than half the size of Cas9 and Cas12, allowing for more efficient delivery and function within plant cells.
• High editing efficiency: The tool has demonstrated a 33.58% editing efficiency in average plant genomes, making it a promising option for various crops.
• Versatility: The researchers showed that ISDra2TnpB is effective in editing both monocot plants (like rice) and dicot plants (like Arabidopsis).
• Base editing capabilities: The team further enhanced the tool by creating a hybrid base editor that can swap single nucleotides in the DNA sequence, opening up new possibilities for precise genetic modifications.

Potential applications in agriculture: The development of ISDra2TnpB has significant implications for agriculture, particularly in improving crop resilience and productivity. For example, this tool could be used to:

• Reduce crop susceptibility to pests: By editing genes that make crops vulnerable to pests, ISDra2TnpB could help develop more pest-resistant varieties.
• Enhance nutritional value: The tool could be used to remove anti-nutrient factors from crops, improving their nutritional content.

Increase crop resilience to environmental stress: ISDra2TnpB could help create shorter rice crops that are less prone to damage during cyclones, a common problem in cyclone-prone regions.

Q1. What is a Genome?

A genome is the complete set of genetic information in an organism, stored in DNA molecules called chromosomes. It includes genes that code for RNA and proteins, with eukaryotes containing their genomes in the nucleus and prokaryotes in the nucleoid.

Source: ICAR, Penn State team makes tool small enough to edit plant genomes - The Hindu

About Orangutans:

• Orangutans, widely recognised for their distinctive red fur, are considered to be the largest tree-dwelling mammals. They are primarily arboreal, spending over 90% of their waking hours in trees.
• Orangutans are highly intelligent and share 96.4% of their genes with humans, making their conservation even more significant.
• Distribution: They inhabit the Indonesian island of Sumatra and the Malaysian and Indonesian parts of Borneo. 
  • Their habitat spans from lowland peat swamp forests to high-altitude mountainous forests, reaching nearly 1.6 kilometres above sea level.
• Species: There are three species of orangutans: Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli.
• Characteristics:
• Size: Adult males are generally about twice the size of females, standing up to 1.3 meters tall and weighing up to 130 kg in the wild.
• Appearance: They are covered in long, sparse orange or reddish hair. They possess arms significantly longer than their legs and have grasping hands and feet with long, curved fingers and toes. Mature males develop prominent cheek pads, a unique feature among primates.
• Lifespan: Orangutans can live up to 50 years in the wild.
• Diet: They are primarily daytime feeders with a diet mainly consisting of fruit and leaves such as lychees and figs. They also consume nuts, bark, insects, and occasionally bird eggs.
• Social structure: Orangutans are known for their semi-solitary behaviour. Though they are the most solitary among great apes, they do show social tolerance during periods of high fruit availability, coming together in groups known as parties.

Conservation Status: All three species of orangutans are listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.

Q1. What is the IUCN status?

The IUCN status refers to the conservation status of species as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through its Red List of Threatened Species. This list categorises species into several statuses, including Extinct (EX), Extinct in the Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC), Data Deficient (DD) and Not Evaluated (NE).

Source: Why has Malaysia tweaked its ‘Orangutan diplomacy’? | Explained News - The Indian Express

Chandrayaan-3's discovery:

• Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan rover identified a rock type known as ferroan anorthosite in the lunar south pole region.
• This discovery is significant as it aligns with earlier observations made by the Apollo and Luna missions, confirming the theory that these rocks are remnants of an ancient magma ocean that once covered the moon.

What is the Lunar Magma Ocean (LMO)?

The Lunar Magma Ocean is a hypothesized early stage in the moon's history when its surface was entirely molten. This ocean of magma is believed to have formed following a catastrophic impact between the early Earth and a Mars-sized body, leading to the formation of the moon.

• Ferroan Anorthosite: This rock type is crucial evidence of the LMO. As the magma began to cool and solidify, different minerals crystallized at various depths. Ferroan anorthosite, rich in calcium and aluminium, floated to the surface, forming the moon's initial crust.
• Importance of the LMO: LMO helps scientists decipher the moon's geologic history, including its differentiation process, where heavier materials sank, and lighter materials floated, leading to the layered structure we observe today.

Scientific implications:

• The presence of ferroan anorthosite supports the theory that the moon’s early crust was formed from a global magma ocean.
•  This discovery also suggests that the moon has not experienced significant volcanic activity or plate tectonics, unlike Earth, preserving its ancient surface.
• General Relativity and Time Dilation: The discovery also ties into broader concepts like Einstein's theory of general relativity, which explains how the moon’s lower gravity causes time to tick slightly faster than on Earth.

Key points:

• Impact hypothesis: The theory that the moon was formed from debris following a collision between the early Earth and a rogue planetary body.
• South Pole-Aitken basin: The largest impact crater in the solar system, near which Chandrayaan-3's Pragyan rover conducted its studies.

Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS): The instrument used by Pragyan to identify the chemical composition of lunar soil.

Q1. What arе thе objеctivеs of Chandrayaan-3?

The primary objectives of Chandrayaan-3 include furthеr еxploration of thе moon's surfacе, studying its minеral composition, analysing its gеology, and conducting experiments to gain a bеttеr understanding of the lunar environment.

Source: Chandrayaan’s Pragyan rover offers evidence of magma ocean on young moon - The Hindu

About Dhangar Community:

• The Dhangars are a community of shepherds with populations in several states. They live in Gujrat, karnataka and Andhra Pradesh besides Maharashtra.
• The Dhangar community is on the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) list in Maharashtra.
• They live a largely isolated life and wander mainly in forests, hills and mountains.
• Households and Population:
• Dhangar households are typically small, close-knit units, where family plays a central role.
• The community is estimated to have a population of around 1 crore, which is about 9% of Maharashtra's total population.
• Clusters and Sub-Castes:
  • Within the Dhangar tribe, there are around 20 sub-castes and clusters, each with its own distinct customs and traditions.
• Occupation:
  • They are relying on their sheep and goat herding practices as a primary means of livelihood.
  • They practice both nomadic pastoral and semi-nomadic and agrarian lifestyles in rural areas.
  • Seasonal Migration: With the end of the bajra harvesting season in October, the Dhangar tribe starts their annual migration in search of greener pastures for their cattle.
• Culture:
  • They practice a variety of customs and rituals in this journey, like-the Worship of their ancestors.
  • The tradition of singing songs, especially during the night, is a significant aspect of Dhangar culture and serves multiple purposes.
  • They use these songs called sumbaran- an oral tradition of Dhangars.

About Dhangar Community:

• The Dhangars are a community of shepherds with populations in several states. They live in Gujrat, karnataka and Andhra Pradesh besides Maharashtra.
• The Dhangar community is on the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) list in Maharashtra.
• They live a largely isolated life and wander mainly in forests, hills and mountains.
• Households and Population:
• Dhangar households are typically small, close-knit units, where family plays a central role.
• The community is estimated to have a population of around 1 crore, which is about 9% of Maharashtra's total population.
• Clusters and Sub-Castes:
  • Within the Dhangar tribe, there are around 20 sub-castes and clusters, each with its own distinct customs and traditions.
• Occupation:
  • They are relying on their sheep and goat herding practices as a primary means of livelihood.
  • They practice both nomadic pastoral and semi-nomadic and agrarian lifestyles in rural areas.
  • Seasonal Migration: With the end of the bajra harvesting season in October, the Dhangar tribe starts their annual migration in search of greener pastures for their cattle.
• Culture:
  • They practice a variety of customs and rituals in this journey, like-the Worship of their ancestors.
  • The tradition of singing songs, especially during the night, is a significant aspect of Dhangar culture and serves multiple purposes.
  • They use these songs called sumbaran- an oral tradition of Dhangars.

About PMEGP:

• PMEGP is a central sector scheme administered by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Objectives:
  • To generate employment opportunities in rural as well as urban areas of the country through setting up of new self-employment ventures/projects/micro enterprises.
  • To bring together widely dispersed traditional artisans, rural and urban unemployed youth and give them self-employment opportunities to the extent possible, at their place.
  • To provide continuous and sustainable employment to a large segment of traditional and prospective artisans and rural and urban unemployed youth in the country, so as to help arrest migration of rural youth to urban areas.
  • To increase the wage-earning capacity of workers and artisans and contribute to increase in the growth rate of rural and urban employment.
• Eligibility:
  • Individuals above 18 years of age.
  • There will be no income ceiling for assistance for setting up projects under PMEGP.
  • For setting up of projects costing above 10 lakh in the Manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakh in the Business /Service sector, the beneficiaries should possess at least VIII standard pass educational qualification.
• Implementing Agency: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)

About Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)

• It is a statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956.
• It is an apex organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, with regard to khadi and village industries within India.
• The KVIC is charged with the planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other village industries in rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.

About PMEGP:

• PMEGP is a central sector scheme administered by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Objectives:
  • To generate employment opportunities in rural as well as urban areas of the country through setting up of new self-employment ventures/projects/micro enterprises.
  • To bring together widely dispersed traditional artisans, rural and urban unemployed youth and give them self-employment opportunities to the extent possible, at their place.
  • To provide continuous and sustainable employment to a large segment of traditional and prospective artisans and rural and urban unemployed youth in the country, so as to help arrest migration of rural youth to urban areas.
  • To increase the wage-earning capacity of workers and artisans and contribute to increase in the growth rate of rural and urban employment.
• Eligibility:
  • Individuals above 18 years of age.
  • There will be no income ceiling for assistance for setting up projects under PMEGP.
  • For setting up of projects costing above 10 lakh in the Manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakh in the Business /Service sector, the beneficiaries should possess at least VIII standard pass educational qualification.
• Implementing Agency: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)

About Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)

• It is a statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956.
• It is an apex organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, with regard to khadi and village industries within India.
• The KVIC is charged with the planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other village industries in rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.