Current Affairs May 2020 - Science

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1 - Indian scientists develop new simulation code to Earth’s Magnetosphere

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) have developed a generalized one-dimensional fluid simulation code capable of studying a wide spectrum of coherent electric field structures in near-earth plasma environment or earth’s magnetosphere, which can be useful in planning of future space missions.

The study of complex and nonlinear wave phenomena in the magnetosphere by IIG team will help advance the knowledge of plasma waves, instabilities, and coherent effects associated with wave-particle interactions that are useful in planning of future space missions. It can also lead to precisely controlled fusion laboratory experiments for ever-expanding energy needs of humanity.

2 - IIBR developed antibody or passive vaccine which can attack virus responsible for COVID-19

The Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) has developed an antibody or passive vaccine, which can attack and neutralise the virus responsible for COVID-19 within the bodies of those infected. The antibody attacks the virus in a monoclonal way and can neutralise it within the bodies of those ill.

IIBR had tested its antibody-based vaccine prototype on rodents. IIBR is working to patent its COVID-19 antibody and secure a contract for its commercial development.

3 - Indian Scientists developed energy efficient photodetector for security applications

Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research fabricated an economical and energy-efficient wafer-scale photodetector (thin slice-based) using gold – silicon interface, for security applications. It could help detect weak scattered light as an indication of unwanted activity. Photodetectors are employed for a wide variety of applications ranging from controlling automatic lighting in supermarkets to detecting radiation from outer galaxy as well as security-related applications.

The invention by JNCASR scientists provides a simple and cost-effective solution-based fabrication method for high-performance photodetector. The detector exhibits a rapid response of 40 microseconds and can detect low light intensities.

4 - NIV developed ELISA test kit for diagnosis of novel Corona Virus

National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune has developed first indigenous antibody-based ELISA test kit, COVID KAVACH, for diagnosis of novel Corona Virus. The NIV Pune has transferred the technology to Zydus Cadila for mass-scale production. The Drug Controller General has granted commercial production & marketing permission to Zydus.

The anti-SARS-Cov-2 human lgG ELISA kit has the advantage of testing 90 samples together in a single run of 2.5 hours. Healthcare professionals can proceed quickly with necessary next steps on their patients’ triage paths.

5 - NIPER-Guwahati designs innovative 3D products to fight COVID-19

National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research - Guwahati (NIPER-G) have developed following two products of help in the fight against COVID-19.

• 3D-printed hands-free object: It could be used to help open or close doors, windows, drawers or press elevator buttons, and laptop/desktop keyboards, including turning the switch buttons on/off.

• 3D-printed antimicrobial face-shield: It helps control the spread of novel coronavirus. It was designed after a thorough study to understand how viruses spread through oral, ophthalmic, olfactory and other body cavities.

6 - JNCASR scientists developed injectable Silk Fibroin-based hydrogel

Scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have recently developed an injectable Silk fibroin-based hydrogel for sustained insulin delivery in diabetic patients. A patent application has also been filed for this invention.

Prof. T. Govindaraju and his research team from JNCASR have developed the silk fibroin (SF) formulation using biocompatible additives and prepared an injectable SF hydrogel (iSFH) that can ease insulin delivery in diabetic patients. The iSFH has demonstrated successful delivery of active insulin in rats, and the results have been published in the journal ACS Applied Bio Materials.

7 - DST INSPIRE Faculty from Bhopal developing lightweight carbon foam

Dr. Rajeev Kumar from CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute, Bhopal, is developing porous carbon materials which have the potential to replace lead grid in lead-acid batteries. Dr. Rajeev, along with his research group, have developed lightweight carbon foam with a density of less than 0.3g/cc, high porosity of over 85%, good mechanical strength.

The carbon foam can also be useful for heat sinks in power electronics, electromagnetic interference shielding in aerospace, hydrogen storage and electrode for lead-acid batteries and water purification systems.

8 - ARI developed novel process for synthesis of Quantum Dots used in photographing cellular organelles

Researchers at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune have developed a new process for the synthesis of quantum efficient and biocompatible quantum dots (QDs) used in capturing images of cellular organelles and processes within visible wavelength ranges across the electromagnetic spectrum. The process which involves continuous flow and is active micro-reactor assisted has been published in the journal Advances in Colloid and Interface Science recently.

Currently, bioimaging applications such as visualisation of cellular organelles, tracking cellular processes, etc. are reliant on traditional fluorophores which are fluorescent chemical compounds that can re-emit light upon excitation.

9 - “Sundaram Ventago” developed jointly by TVS Group, Sundaram Med & IIT-M

TVS group, Sundaram Medical Foundation and IIT-Madras have jointly developed a low-cost, automated respiratory assist device called Sundaram Ventago. The device has been developed to provide respiratory support to patients through the controlled and automated squeezing of a self-inflating or AMBU bag.

This versatile and mobile device will assist the clinicians in constantly monitoring and reporting respiratory parameters. The device comprises various functionalities to control respiratory rate (breaths per minute), tidal volume, pressure parameters and I:E ratios.

10 - CFTRI developed Spirulina groundnut Chikki to boost immunity

The Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute, CFTRI has developed Spirulina groundnut Chikki that can provide micro-nutrients and boost immunity of people. CFTRI has used Spirulina as well as the tasty, nourishing groundnuts to prepare Chikki that is rich in micro-nutrients such as Vitamin A, Beta Carotene and easily digestible algal proteins.

CFTRI has developed other nutritious snacks such as nutri mango fruit bar and cardamom flavoured water. The mango bar is rich with carbohydrates, carotene, Vitamin C and Zinc to improve the immunity. Cardamom flavoured water with traditional herbs to have immune booster qualities.

11 - Astronomers discovered Super Earth

An international team of astronomers at the University of Canterbury discovered a close-in super-Earth exoplanet in the HD 164922 planetary system towards the center of the galaxy. Super earth orbits ancient star. The Saturn-like planet has a mass 0.3 times that of Jupiter and an orbital period of 1,201 days at a distance of 2.2 AU. The planet would have a ‘year’ of approximately 617 days. The planet has magnified light, like a lens, a phenomenon called gravitational microlensing.

The first super-Earths were discovered by Aleksander Wolszczan and Dale Frail around the pulsar PSR B1257+12 in 1992.

12 - ISRO to tap startups to build local tech for Gaganyaan

ISRO plans to tap startups to build local tech for Gaganyaan future missions. Such start-ups will develop food and medicines for astronauts, help them build products and solutions, thermal protection technologies for spacecraft, spacesuit, better tools to access machines in a spacecraft and green engines for its maiden humanspace flight Gaganyaan-1.

Gaganyaan is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft of ISRO. Under the programme, three air force pilots will be carried to space in 2022.

13 - Sun enters 'Solar Minimum' state

Space authorities have reported that the sun has gone into the ‘Solar Minimum’ state and about to enter the deepest period of sunshine recession. It has been almost 100 days this year when the sun has shown zero sunspots.

NASA had predicted the sun entering 'solar minimum" back in 2017. It is a part of the sunspot cycle. Sun has a cycle that lasts on average 11 years, the current time being the peak of that cycle. The sun’s magnetic field weakens and it provides less shielding from the cosmic rays creating threat to the astronomers travelling through space.

14 - ANITA finds high energy particles from ice

NASA's Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) has succeeded in detecting a "fountain of high-energy particles erupting from the ice" in Antarctica, which could be proof of a parallel universe. The ANTIA has so far made four major cosmic ray detections. The cosmic rays that are coming from the sky are reflected off the ice.

ANITA is a radio telescope, which is used to to detect ultra-high energy cosmic-ray neutrinos from a scientific balloon flying over Antarctica. ANITA is the first NASA observatory for neutrinos of any kind.

15 - IIT Madras creates light-weight alloy to replace steel, aluminum in cars

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) have developed a magnesium alloy with significantly improved properties that can replace steel and aluminium in automotive and aerospace components. The new engineered alloy is strong, highly ductile and its superplasticity is achieved at higher strain-rates.

Lightweight vehicles need lesser fuel to run and are therefore more fuel-efficient. Magnesium alloys are potential candidates to replace steel and aluminum alloys in automotive and aerospace