Exploration License
Ministry of Mines notified four rules to implement the Exploration License (EL) regime
- Exploration License – Licence granted for undertaking reconnaissance operations (preliminary survey to determine mineral resources) or prospecting operations (exploring, locating, or proving mineral deposits) or both.
- Act – MMDR Amendment Act, 2023.
- Scope – Cover 29 minerals specified in 7th Schedule of MMRD Act including Cobalt, Lithium, Nickel, Gold, etc.
- Granted by – State governments through competitive bidding.
- Tenure – 5 years from date of execution of license.
Autonomous driving or self-driving vehicles
India presents immense opportunity for growth of autonomous driving vehicles.
- Autonomous driving or self-driving vehicles – Vehicles that do not require human operation to navigate to a destination.
- Features – Combine sensors to create and maintain an internal map of their surroundings.
- 6 levels in Automation – No Automation, Driver Assistance, Partial Automation, Conditional Automation, High Automation and Full Automation
Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
Serum Institute of India joins CEPI global network to boost production of vaccines.
- What is CEPI? – An innovative global partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil society organisations.
- Head Quarters – Oslo, Norway
- Founded by – Governments of Norway and India, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and World Economic Forum. (Founded in Davos, 2017)
- Function – Provide funds to accelerate development of vaccines against pandemic threats and making them accessible
- Examples of CEPI-funded vaccines – Nipah Virus, Lassa fever Vaccine etc.
Mpemba effect
New research findings on Mpembe effect
- Mpembe effect – A phenomenon whereby hot water freezes faster than its colder counterpart
- Reason – When heated, hydrogen bonds in water break
- Cause water molecules to move apart
- Facilitate quicker freezing due to energy loss.
- Cold water’s freezing process, in contrast, is impeded by presence of gases and impurities.
Zombie viruses (Methuselah viruses)
Scientists warn that melting Arctic permafrost could unleash ‘zombie viruses’.
- Zombie Viruses – Refers to ancient viruses frozen in permafrost for thousands of years.
- Permafrost – Any ground that remains completely frozen for at least 2 years straight.
- Threat – Melting of permafrost can revive pathogen viruses.
- Have potential of triggering a global medical emergency