Saint Narahari Tirtha
A three-foot statue of 13th century saint Narahari Tirtha was discovered at Simhachalam Temple in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- A Dvaita philosopher from Andhra Pradesh
- Assisted the kings of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
- His efforts are documented in inscriptions found at Simhachalam and Srikurmam temples.
- Works – Gita Bhasya and Bhavaprakasika
Australopithecus
New research provides evidence that Australopithecus, an important early human ancestor, consumed very little or no meat, relying on a plant-based diet.
- One of the longest-lived and best-known early human species.
- Inhabited eastern and southern Africa from roughly 4.2 to 1.9 million years ago.
Arctic Boreal Zone
Recent findings indicate that 34% of Arctic-boreal zone (ABZ) has now become a carbon source rather than a sink.
- Encompasses treeless tundra, boreal forests, and wetlands
- Have little species diversity and low net primary productivity as soil remain in perennially frozen state known as permafrost.
- Situated along the Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Boreal forest (Taiga) – World’s largest terrestrial biome with predominance of evergreen, coniferous trees.
Scramjet Engine
DRDO’s Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) successfully conducted a 120-second ground test of an active-cooled scramjet combustor.
- A form of air-breathing jet engine which uses the vehicle’s forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion without a rotating compressor.
- Advantage – Operates efficiently at hypersonic speeds and allows supersonic combustion
Pollinators
According to a research, excessive use of nitrogen fertilisers in agriculture leads to reduction in population of pollinating insects like bees.
- Transfers pollen from the male part (stamen) to the female part (stigma) of flowers, enabling fertilization.
- Include insects and animals (bees, butterflies, moths, bats, birds, flies, etc.).
- About 35% of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce.