Sonolumininescence
Pistol shrimp (family Alpheidae) exhibit Sonoluminescence by rapidly snapping their claws.
- Emission of light when bubbles in a liquid collapse due to the interaction with intense ultrasonic waves.
- Process –
- Bubbles are formed through cavitation (the rapid formation and collapse of bubbles) in the liquid and when powerful sound waves pass through the liquid, they cause alternating high and low pressure.
- This rapid pressure variation leads to the expansion and contraction of the bubbles and during bubble collapse, the temperature rises significantly, and gases within the bubble become ionized.
- As the bubble collapses further, it emits a burst of light energy, resulting in visible flashes of light.
- Has applications in fields like acoustics, fluid dynamics, and medical imaging.
Marshyangdi River
A tourist bus plunged into the Marshyangdi River, killing at least 14 Indians.
- A mountain river in Nepal
- A major tributary of the Gandaki River, which joins the Ganga river
- Gandaki River is known as the Narayani in the plains of Nepal and as the Gandak in India.
Atacama Salt Flat
A study by Researchers at the University of Chile found that Chile’s Atacama salt flat is sinking due to lithium brine extraction.
- Also known as – Salar de Atacama
- Biggest salt deposit in Chile.
- Has a rough white surface below which there is a large salt lake.
- Lake under the salt flat has one of the largest lithium reserves in the world.
Scrub Typhus
Recently, Chief Minister of Meghalaya tested positive for Scrub Typhus.
- Also known as bush typhus
- A disease caused by bacteria
- Spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).
- No vaccine is available for scrub typhus.
- Most cases of scrub typhus occur in rural areas of South East Asia, China, Indian subcontinent, Northern Australia, etc.
PM JANMAN
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is running a nationwide campaign for the PM-JANMAN
- Launched to provide PVTG households and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water etc. in 3 years.
- Aims to cover 75 PVTG communities residing in 18 States and 1 UT.
- Focuses on 11 critical interventions being implemented by 9 Ministries