Aflatoxins
New discovery in peanut defence mechanisms offers hope for aflatoxin-free crops
- Aflatoxins – Aflatoxins are mycotoxins, a group of naturally occurring toxins
- Produced by – Moulds such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus
- Issue – Adverse effects on humans, animals, and crops that result in illnesses and economic losses.
- Found in – Milk or milk products obtained from livestock that have ingested contaminated feed.
Global Seed Vault (GSV)
Recently, gene banks from multiple countries have deposited seeds to the GSV stockpile.
- GSV – Part of international system for conserving plant genetic diversity guided by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
- Significance – Functions as safety depository for orthodox seeds, primarily of domesticated plants and their wild relatives.
- Seeds are placed in the chambers inside frozen mountain and artificial cooling plants
- Located in – Svalbard (a Norwegian archipelago)
AlphaGeometry
AlphaGeometry introduced.
- AlphaGeometry – An Olympiad-level AI system for geometry
- Developed by – Google Deep Mind
- Significance – A neuro-symbolic system made up of a neural language model and a symbolic deduction engine
Astronomical Grand Cycles
According to a study, gravitational interaction between Earth and Mars results in cyclic changes in deep ocean currents that recur every 2.4 million years.
- Astronomical Grand Cycle (AGC) – 2.4-million-year pattern of gravitational interaction between Earth and Mars
- Mechanism behind AGC –
- Gravity fields of the planets in solar system interfere with each other and this interaction, called a resonance, influences Earth’s path around the Sun.
- Such interaction between Earth and Mars is associated with AGC while Earth’s interactions with Jupiter and Saturn are associated with Milankovitch cycles (which coincide with rise and fall of ice ages)
Bharat Shakti
Bharat Shakti was demonstrated in Pokharan, Rajasthan.
- Bharat Shakti – Tri-Services Firing and Manoeuvre Exercise
- Aim – To simulate synergised, multi-domain operations displaying integrated operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces to counter threats across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains.
- Key Equipment and Weapons Systems participating in the exercise – T-90 (IM) Tanks, Dhanush and Sarang Gun Systems, Akash Weapons System, etc.
- Significance – It highlights the resilience, innovation, and strength of India’s domestic defence capabilities on the global stage.