Green Leaf Volatiles (GLVs)
Scientists visualized plants detecting distress signals from other plants for the first time.
- A group of compounds that a plant releases into the air when it is injured which may be a warning to other plants that danger is near.
- Consist of 6 carbon compounds including alcohols, aldehydes and esters.
- When a plant is damaged, GLVs are released as by-products. Plants can make themselves less palatable or even indigestible to the insect attackers.
- Scope – To fight agricultural pests without using pesticides and going organic.
Coseismic ionospheric perturbations (CIP)
A study has revealed that even smaller earthquakes have their reflection in the ionosphere.
- Earthquakes generate ionospheric disturbances that are referred to as CIP.
- Coseismic vertical crustal movements excite acoustic waves in the atmosphere.
- These waves propagate to reach the ionosphere, causing disturbances in electrons along the line of sights connecting ground Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers and satellites.
- Applications – Observe earthquake sources from space, pave the way for deciphering earthquake precursors
Avian influenza A (H9N2) virus
Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the reported outbreak of H9N2 in China.
- A subtype of the influenza A virus (causes human influenza (rare) as well as bird flu)
- Found in wild birds and are endemic in poultry.
- Transmission – exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments.
- Inactivated low pathogenic avian influenza (H9N2) vaccine for chickens developed by – Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD)
World’s largest solar facilities
Recently launched Noor Abu Dhabi of the UAE is one of the world’s largest stand-alone operational solar plant with a total capacity of 1.2 GW.
- Bhadla Solar Park, Rajasthan (capacity of 2.25GW)
- Pavagada Solar Park, Karnataka (capacity of 2 GW)
- Ramagundam Floating Solar PV Project at Ramagundam, Telangana – India’s largest floating solar power project.
- Cochin International Airport – World’s 1st solar-powered airport.