Vaquita
A recent survey revealed a devastating decline in population of endangered marine mammal, the Vaquita.
- A toothed whale, like dolphins and sperm whales, as opposed to whales with baleen (Baleen is a filter-feeding system inside the mouths), such as the blue whale.
- Endemic to – Gulf of California
- IUCN Conservation Status – Critically endangered.
- Threats – Low reproductive rate and limited geographical distribution make it highly vulnerable to human disturbances
Pangong Tso
As per Satellite images it has been claimed that China is digging in close to Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh to build some structure.
- An endorheic (landlocked) lake.
- World’s highest saltwater lake.
- 1/3rd of the lake lies in India and the other 2/3rd in China.
- Formerly had an outlet to Shyok River (tributary of Indus) but it was closed off due to natural damming
Transposon
A recent paper published by researchers at the University of California emphasized on the role of transposons in gene-editing.
- DNA sequences that can change their position within a genome.
- Also called – Jumping genes
- Function – Can reversibly alter gene expression depending on their insertion points.
- Crucial for genetic diversity and evolution, capable of turning genes on or off using epigenetic mechanisms.
- Can also cause mutations leading to diseases.
Project PARI (Public Art of India)
Ministry of Culture initiates Project PARI for the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting.
- Executed by – Lalit Kala Akademi (an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture) and National Gallery of Modern Art.
- Aim – Promotes democratization of art through public installations in urban landscapes which transforms them into accessible galleries.
- Major attractions – Thangka painting (Sikkim/Ladakh), Cheriyal painting (Telangana), Bani Thani Painting (Rajasthan), Alpana art (Tripura), etc.
Denisovan
Scientists have identified bone remains found in a Tibetan Baishiya Karst Cave as belonging to a Denisovan individual.
- An extinct species of hominid and a close relative to modern humans.
- Location and Timeperiod – Siberia to Southeast Asia during the last Ice Age.
- DNA evidence suggests Denisovans are related to both Neanderthals and modern humans, and may have interbred with both.
- Share a common ancestor – Homo heidelbergensis (most likely lived in Africa) – with both modern humans and Neanderthals