The Hindu-Review-January-March-2024-english Science and Technology
- Google’s DeepMind team introduces “Genie,” a groundbreaking Al platform poised to transform the gaming industry and creative endeavors. This innovative project signifies a fusion of cutting-edge technology and imaginative potential, offering the capability to craft interactive 2D video games from single image prompts or text descriptions.
- Iran’s venture into space exploration and satellite deployment continues with the launch of the “Pars 1” satellite, facilitated by Russia from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. This event underscores the technological collaboration between Iran and Russia, occurring against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny and concern from Western nations.
- In an exciting development for space exploration, astronomers affiliated with the International Astronomical Union have identified three new moons in the outer reaches of our solar system. These celestial bodies, with two orbiting Neptune and one around Uranus, were detected through the use of powerful land-based telescopes across the globe.
- Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh inaugurated a pioneering technical center in Ahmedabad, representing a significant advancement in India’s space sector. Established by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), this center aims to revolutionize private sector involvement in space technology development and testing.
- MethaneSAT, a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), heralds a new era in environmental monitoring. Designed to address the elusive yet critical issue of methane emissions, MethaneSAT promises to revolutionize how policymakers and industries tackle greenhouse gas pollution. With its advanced technology and global reach, MethaneSAT aims to independently verify industry reports and pinpoint methane hotspots, thereby empowering stakeholders to take decisive action.
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Kerala, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, responsible for Electronics & IT, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Jal Shakti, articulated India’s potential as a global semiconductor hub. Chandrasekhar emphasized the imperative of designing chips and IPs for diverse industries, outlining a roadmap for entrepreneurs in Trivandrum and Kerala to lead the innovation drive.
- ISRO chief $ \mathrm{S}$ Somnath informed at the National Space Science Symposium (NSSS 2024) that the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is preparing to launch the next lunar mission Chandrayaan-4. This mission will include five spacecraft modules.
- The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved a new $\$ $1.24 billion investment for the IndiaAl mission. This initiative aims to create an all-Indian Al ecosystem from scratch, bolstering India’s technological prowess and fostering innovation in Al.
- Researchers have made an exciting discovery - a previously unknown scorpion species with 8 eyes and 8 legs in Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park.
- MoRD (Ministry of Rural Development) and IIT Delhi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on geospatial technology and artificial intelligence (AI) for rural development. The partnership aims to leverage technology to enhance the effectiveness and transparency of rural development initiatives. The MoU signifies a collaborative effort to address rural challenges through technological solutions, setting a precedent for effective collaboration between academia and government.
- Google has partnered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to provide authoritative information on voting processes for the upcoming general elections. Through Google Search and YouTube videos, voters will be able to access critical details on how to register and vote, as well as information about candidates.
- SpaceX’s Starship rocket, aimed at lunar missions and beyond, faced another setback as it disintegrated during its third test flight. Despite achieving several engineering milestones, the failure highlights challenges in its development. The Starship, consisting of the cruise vessel atop the Super Heavy rocket booster, launched from Starbase near Boca Chica Village, Texas.
- IIT Delhi recently announced a collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a significant step in applied research. This partnership, emphasized in an official statement from IIT Delhi, reflects IAI’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in India, aiming to promote innovation and technological advancement through joint projects, training initiatives, and research consultancy.
- In October of this year, NASA will embark on its Europa Clipper mission, aiming to explore Jupiter’s moon Europa in search of signs of life. Scientists are particularly interested in a potential salty lake hidden beneath its icy crust. As part of this mission, NASA plans to send a unique message to Europa, symbolizing human curiosity and creativity.
- Researchers have uncovered a monumental discovery on Mars-a colossal volcano named Noctis Volcano. Standing at an impressive 29,600 feet tall and stretching approximately 450 kilometers in width, this massive volcano lies just south of Mars’ equator within the Eastern Noctis Labyrinthus region. The finding, made possible by data from a suite of missions including NASA’s Mariner 9 , Viking Orbiter 1 and 2, Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the ESA’s Mars Express, unveils a hidden geological marvel.
- With the Lok Sabha elections approaching in India, Meta unveils its strategy to tackle the growing threat of Algenerated fake content that could influence the electoral process. In response to concerns raised by the Election Commission of India regarding the spread of misinformation, Meta announces its comprehensive plan to safeguard the integrity of the elections.
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) has developed SAKHI, a revolutionary app aimed at aiding astronauts during the Gaganyaan space flight mission. SAKHI, or Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction, offers indispensable support across various critical aspects of the mission.
- The European Space Agency’s Gaia space telescope has made a groundbreaking discovery, uncovering two ancient streams of stars named Shiva and Shakti. Led by Khyati Malhan of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Germany, this revelation significantly enhances our understanding of the Milky Way’s origins.
- The Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) has transferred a first-of-its-kind vaccine technology to BioMed Pvt. Ltd., a company specializing in vaccine manufacturing. This revolutionary technology involves a recombinant vector vaccine specifically designed to combat the classical swine fever virus in pigs and wild boars. It fills a significant gap in India’s vaccine landscape.
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conduct the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) 2024 program during April and May. ISRO is inviting Expression of Interest (EOI) from educational institutes, universities, and colleges within India offering UG and PG courses in physical sciences and technology to host START-2024.
