Daily Prelims Notes 18 February 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

18 February 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Is Russia testing a new anti-satellite weapon?
2. Jnanpith for Gulzar, Sanskrit scholar Rambhadracharya
3. Batting for Kashmir willow: Sachin visits cricket gear factory
4. Ms swaminathan recommendations
5. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launches ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines for Indian Port Performance Index
6. Various Operations under Railway Protection Force
7. Why has RBI put restraints on a certain card network?
8. Why is the GSLV rocket nicknamed ‘naughty boy’?
9. The bubonic plague is back. Should you be worried?
10. India sends assistance to cholera-hit Zambia
11. T cells hold hope against refractory multiple myeloma
12. International light pollution guidelines for migratory species prepared

1. Is Russia testing a new anti-satellite weapon?

Subject: Science and tech

Section: defence

Context:

• On February 15, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby confirmed the claims referred to a space-based “anti-satellite weapon” of Russian provenance.
• Mr. Kirby also said Russia hadn’t yet deployed the ‘capability’— meaning the object wasn’t yet in orbit and that it would violate the Outer Space Treaty (OST), a multilateral agreement that prohibits the placement of weapons of mass destruction in earth’s orbit.

Anti-Satellite Weapons (ASAT)

• Anti-satellite (ASAT) technology refers to the capability to intercept, disable, or destroy satellites in orbit. This technology is primarily developed for defence and strategic purposes.

Types of Anti-Satellite Weapons

• ASATs are broadly classified into two types: Those that employ brute force and those that do not.
• Kinetic energy methods: This involves launching a missile that intercepts and physically collides with the target satellite to destroy it.
  • The kinetic energy ASATs physically collide with satellites and can reach altitudes. These ASATs can be ballistic missiles, drones, and other satellites.
• Non-kinetic methods: They use non-physical attacks such as cyber-attacks, jamming, and even lasers to blind satellites without physically destroying them.
  • All of these attacks can be launched from the air, low orbit, or even ground installations.

Countries with ASAT Technology

• ASATs were first developed during the Cold War era.
• They have never been used in warfare, but have been used to remove decommissioned satellites.
• Besides India, three other countries have successfully demonstrated anti-satellite (ASAT) technology in tests; the United States, Russia and China.

Need for ASAT Technology

• National security: ASAT weapons can be developed with the goal of protecting national security interests such as safeguarding critical infrastructure, military communications, and intelligence-gathering capabilities that rely on satellites.
• Destroying retired satellites: There are many satellites in space right now, many of which have outlived their usefulness and are orbiting aimlessly.
• Deterrence: The possession of ASAT capabilities can act as a deterrent to potential adversaries. Knowing that a nation can defend its space assets and retaliate if its satellites are targeted may discourage hostile actions in space.
• Technological advancements: Advances in missile and space technology make it feasible for more nations to develop ASAT capabilities.

Implications of Anti-Satellite Weapons

• Space debris: Destructive ASAT tests result in the creation of a substantial amount of space debris, posing a severe threat to other satellites and spacecraft in space, increasing the risk of collisions.
• Kessler Syndrome: It can lead to Kessler Syndrome, a situation where an increasing amount of space debris in orbit leads to a self-sustaining cascade of collisions, creating more debris and making space activities increasingly hazardous.
• Race for arms control: The proliferation of ASAT capabilities may lead to an arms race in space, resulting in the weaponisation of space.
• International concern: The consequences of ASAT testing, especially in light of the dangers of debris, have prompted calls for a global ban on destructive ASAT tests.

2. Jnanpith for Gulzar, Sanskrit scholar Rambhadracharya

Subject: Polity

Section: Awards

Context:

• Celebrated Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been selected for the 58th Jnanpith Award, considered by many to be the country’s highest literary honour.

About Urdu Poet Gulzar

• Sampooran Singh Kalra, popularly known as Gulzar is known for his works in Hindi cinema and is considered one of the finest Urdu poets of this era.
• He has earlier received Sahitya Akademi Award for Urdu in 2002, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, Padma Bhushan in 2004, and at least five National Film awards for his works.
• He penned the lyrics for the song Jai Ho from the film Slumdog Millionaire that received an Oscar in 2009 and a Grammy in 2010.

About Jagadguru Rambhadracharya 

• Rambhadracharya, the founder and head of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, is a renowned Hindu spiritual leader, educator and writer of more than 240 books.
• He is a polyglot who speaks 22 languages, is one of the four Jagadguru Ramanandacharyas of the Ramananda sect and has been holding this position since 1982.
• A poet and writer in several languages, he received the Padma Vibhushan in 2015. 

3. Batting for Kashmir willow: Sachin visits cricket gear factory

Subject: Geography

Section: Eco Geography

Context:

• Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar visited a bat-manufacturing unit in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.

Background of Kashmir willow Bat:

• Kashmir has been making bats for over 100 years , but it was hardly marketed to international customers until now. Companies have been using  Kashmir willow bats without labels and branded them as their own before selling.
• The Kashmir willow bat has more power, is lighter and is cheaper than English Willow.
• English willow and Kashmir Willow are the only two types of wood used to make cricket bats. The English willow grown in England is white in color while the Kashmir willow gown in the Kashmir valley is brownish in color, the latter is heavier and cheaper than the former.
• The bats  admired for their quality; the skilled bat-makers of the valley have refined their craft since the 19th century are spread in the villages of Charsoo, Bijbehara, Sethar Sangam, Halmulah, Sangam, Pujteng, Mirzapor and Sethar in Anantnag district of South Kashmir.
• Not only Jammu & Kashmir, but Jalandhar in Punjab and Meerut in Uttar Pradesh too contribute to the willow bat industry.
• Today countries including Bangladesh, Gulf nations, Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, United States, New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark, United Kingdom and Ireland are importing Kashmir willow bats.

About the willow tree:

• Both the English and Kashmir willow are made from the same tree, Salix Alba, found globally.
• The physical properties of the trees vary according to location due to difference in physical factors like climate, rainfall, soil nutrients and moisture.
• The Kashmir and England grown Salix alba are solid and durable with high rebound quality and low moisture content making them ideal against leather cricket bats.

4. Ms swaminathan recommendations

Subject: Economy

Section: Agri

Context:

• Farmers demanding legal guarantee for MSP have invoked recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers, which said MSP should be ‘at least 50% more than the weighted average cost of production’.

More on news:

• On November 18, 2004, the Ministry of Agriculture constituted a National Commission on Farmers (NCF) under Prof Swaminathan.
• The 10-point terms of reference of the commission, which reflected the Common Minimum Programme of the Congress-led UPA government, included suggesting a
  • “comprehensive medium-term strategy for food and nutrition security”, and
  • ways of “enhancing productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the major farming systems” in the country.

About MS Swaminathan Recommendations:

Minimum Support Price:

• The NCF had recommended that the MSP should be at least 50 per cent more than the weighted average cost of production.
• This was also known as the C2+50 percent formula, which includes the input cost of capital and the rent on the land, to give the farmers 50 per cent of the returns.

Agriculture in Concurrent List:

• One of the key findings of the panel was that agrarian crisis arising from incomplete land reforms, quantity and quality of water, tech fatigue was leading to farmers’ suicides. In addition, adverse meteorological factors were a problem too.
• To this extent, the NCF had called for adding ‘agriculture’ in the Concurrent List of the country’s Constitution.

Corporatisation of Farms lands:

• The commission also dealt with the problems around farmers and land reforms.
• The panel suggested that diversion of ‘prime’ agricultural land and forest to the corporate sector for non-agricultural purposes should not be allowed.
• It also recommended setting up of a mechanism which would help regulate the sale of agricultural land, based on a few conditions.

Irrigation:

• On the irrigation front, the commission called for reforms which would help farmers have sustained and equitable access to water. 
• It further recommended increasing investment in the irrigation sector under the now defunct five year plan.

Productivity of Agriculture Sector:

• To enhance the productivity in India’s agriculture sector, the NCF recommended increasing investment in agriculture-related infrastructure. 
• It also suggested promoting conservation farming. 
• This would help farmers conserve and improve soil health, among other benefits.

Credit Availability:

• Improving credit availability for the farmers is an issue the commission touched upon.
• Among the multiple suggestions, it recommended reduction in the rate of crop loans to 4 percent ‘simple’, with government support.
• It further suggested issuing Kisan Credit Cards to female farmers.

Insurance:

• On the insurance front, the NCF recommended the creation of a Rural Insurance Development Fund, which would help fund the development work for spreading rural insurance.

5. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launches ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines for Indian Port Performance Index

Subject: Schemes

Section: Reports and Indices

Context:

• The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines during the stakeholders meet for implementation of the MoUs signed earlier at the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 (GMIS 2023) here today.

More on news:

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) successfully concluded the Stakeholders Meet – Implementation of MoUs at the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 (GMIS 2023) 
• GMIS Report as well as M.Tech in Dredging Technology course at IIT, Chennai were also launched here today.
• The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision announced by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji during the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 is a continuation of the country’s strategic initiatives for sustainable growth.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways remain committed to translating the objectives outlined in the MoUs signed at GMIS 2023 into tangible outcomes.

About Sagar Aankalan:

The “Sagar Aankalan” Guidelines for National Benchmarking of Indian Ports Performance would be applicable to all Indian seaports with an aim to achieve;

• Mapping and benchmarking of Indian Port’s – 
• logistics performance and efficiency, 
• Harmonization of standards, 
• definitions and performance with global benchmarks, 
• Improving competitiveness, 
• Efficiency and overall performance of the port sector with focus on improvement, 
• Productivity, 
• Sustainability and customer satisfaction.

The Ministry also draws up an action plan for swift implementation of MoUs signed during the GMIS.

The Global Maritime India Summit 2023:

• The Global Maritime India Summit 2023 facilitated strategic dialogues among industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders. 
• This collaboration aims to harness the potential of India’s vast coastline and maritime resources for the benefit of all.
• The Minister urged the stakeholders to work together to turn these agreements into reality and propel the Indian maritime sector to new heights.
• GMIS 2023 emerged as one of the largest maritime summits globally, attracting a record-breaking investment commitment of ₹10 lakh crore. 

6. Various Operations under Railway Protection Force

Subject: Schemes

Context:

• During January 2024, RPF reunited over 549 children under Operation ‘Nanhe Faristey’.

More on news:

• 229 “Meri Saheli” teams attended 13,615 trains and provided security assurance to lady passengers.
• RPF arrested 76 individuals and seized narcotics valued at Rs. 4.13 crores during January 2024
• The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding railway property, passenger areas, and the well-being of travelers.
• In the month of January 2024, RPF continued to ensure the safety, security and comfort of passengers, while also assisting Indian Railways in delivering reliable freight transport services to its customers.
• RPF, during the month of January 2024, made certain commendable achievements under several operations run by it.

Various Operations Launched by RPF:

• Operation “Nanhe Faristey”- Rescuing Lost Children: 
  • Under the mission “Nanhe Faristey,” RPF played a pivotal role in reuniting more than 549 children in need of care and protection with their families.
  • These children were separated from their families for various reasons, and RPF worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return to home.

• Operation “Jeevan Raksha”- Saving Lives: 
  • The RPF’s vigilant and swift action saved the lives of 233 passengers who had accidentally fallen while de-boarding or boarding moving trains, narrowly avoiding being caught under the wheels, at platforms and railway tracks in the month of January 2024, under Operation ‘Jeevan Raksha.’
• Empowering Women Passengers – “Meri Saheli” Initiative: 
  • RPF takes the security of women passengers seriously and launched the “Meri Saheli” initiative. During the month of January 2024, 229 “Meri Saheli” teams attended 13,615 trains and provided security assurance to 4.1 lakhs lady passengers.
  • RPF also took legal action against 7402 persons who were found traveling in coaches reserved for the women passengers.
• Cracking Down on Touts (Operation “Uplabdh”):
  • In the fight against touts, RPF arrested 379 individuals in the month of January 2024 and took legal action against them as per the law.
  • Additionally, they seized future reserved railway tickets, valued at Rs. 44.46 lakhs.
• Operation “NARCOS” – Combating Drug Crimes: 
  • In a commendable effort, RPF arrested 76 individuals and seized narcotics, valued at Rs. 4.13 crores during the month of January 2024.
  • These criminals were handed over to empower Government agencies for further legal action.
• Swift Response to Passengers’ Concerns:
  • RPF promptly addressed security-related passenger complaints through Rail Madad Portal and the Helpline (No. 139 integrated with Emergency Response Support System No. 112).
  • Over 19,738 complaints were received in the month of January 2024, with RPF taking necessary actions to resolve them.
• Operation “Yatri Suraksha” – Protecting Passengers:
  • RPF supplements the efforts of police in preventing and detecting crimes against railway passengers. 
  • In January 2024, RPF arrested 225 criminals involved in offenses against passengers, delivering them to the concerned GRP/Police for taking onward legal action.
• Ensuring Safety through “Operation Sanraksha”:
  • In a resolute effort to maintain passenger safety and protect railway services, RPF arrested 53 individuals involved in the perilous act of stone pelting on running trains in January 2024.
• Assisting Those in Need (Operation Seva): 
  • With a humanitarian approach, RPF provided assistance to 227 elderly, sick or injured passengers during their rail travels in the month of January 2024.
• Curbing Illegal Goods Transport (Operation Satark): 
  • Under “Operation Satark,” in the month of January 2024, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) seized illegal tobacco products and illegal liquor worth Rs. 30.15 lakhs, apprehending 86 individuals.
  • These individuals were subsequently handed over to the relevant Government Law Enforcement Agencies.

7. Why has RBI put restraints on a certain card network?

Subject: Economy

Section: Monetary Policy

Context:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has ordered a certain card network to stop “unauthorized payments” made using business cards. 

More on news:

• The network in question has allegedly allowed businesses to make payments through intermediaries to entities that cannot accept card payments.
• RBI did not name the card network.
• The regulator said that the card network was allowing businesses to make payments to entities that were not authorized to accept card payments, which was a violation of The Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007. 
• The RBI also raised concerns over non-compliance of Know Your Customer (KYC) norms in such transactions.

What is a card network?

• Card networks connect banks, merchants, and customers (card users) to one another so that transactions can be carried out smoothly and securely. 
• Card networks are operating in the background every time a customer uses her card to make a payment.
• There are five authorized card networks in India: Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, Diners Club, and American Express.
• While the RBI did not name the card network that it has restrained,only one card network has operationalised the arrangement that enables corporates to make unauthorized card payments via business cards in the country.

What was the alleged modus operandi?

• The RBI said that it had “noticed” that a card network had an arrangement that enabled businesses to make card payments through certain intermediaries to entities that did not accept card payments.
• The intermediary was accepting card payments from corporates for their commercial payments, and was then remitting the funds via IMPS (Immediate Payment Service), RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement), or NEFT (National Electronic Fund Transfer) to non-card accepting recipients.

What are the RBI’s concerns?

• Under Section 4 of the PSS Act, such a payment system requires authorisation, which had not been obtained in this case. 
• The activity was  therefore without any  legal sanctions.
• There were two other concerns as well.
• First, the intermediary in such an arrangement pooled a large amount of funds into an account that was not a designated account under the PSS Act.
• Second, transactions processed under this arrangement did not comply with the ‘originator and beneficiary information’ requirements, as stipulated under the ‘Master Direction on KYC’ issued by the RBI.

What steps has the RBI taken now?

• The RBI has advised the card network to keep all such arrangements in abeyance until further orders.
• It has clarified that no restriction has been placed with respect to the normal usage of business credit cards.
• Visa has issued a statement saying, “We have been directed by the regulator to ensure that all Business Payment Service Provider (BPSP) transactions be kept in abeyance till further notice”
• BPSPs offer business-to-business payment services to corporations using credit cards. 
• It enables corporations to improve cash flow.

8. Why is the GSLV rocket nicknamed ‘naughty boy’?

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Space tech

Context:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation’s meteorological satellite, INSAT-3DS, was successfully placed into its intended orbit by Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle F14 (GSLV-F14) on Saturday.

More on news:

• The mission was crucial for the GSLV rocket nicknamed ‘naughty boy’ due to its inconsistent record.

About INSAT-3DS:

• The INSAT-3DS satellite is a follow-on mission of the third generation meteorological satellite from geostationary orbit. 
• The satellite is an exclusive mission designed for enhanced meteorological observations, monitoring of land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting, and disaster warning.
• The INSAT-3DS satellite will augment meteorological services along with the presently operational INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR in-orbit satellites.
• The primary objectives of the mission are to
  • monitor Earth’s surface, 
  • carry out oceanic observations and its environment in various spectral channels of meteorological importance, 
  • provide the vertical profile of various meteorological parameters of the atmosphere, 
  • provide data collection and dissemination capabilities from data collection platforms, and
  • provide satellite-aided search and rescue services.

‘Disciplined boy’

• The GSLV or geosynchronous launch vehicle was termed the “naughty boy” of Indian space due to its repeated failures in the past. 
• Following this successful launch, GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission Director Tommy Joseph said that the GSLV had become a “disciplined boy”.

Boost to NASA-ISRO mission

• The success of the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission is a big boost for ISRO ahead of the launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, which is scheduled in the coming months. 
• The NISAR will be launched by the GSLV Mark-II launch vehicle.
• “With this mission, our confidence in the GSLV is further high and the next mission of the GSLV is the NISAR satellite.”
• The GSLV-F14 carrying INSAT-3D meteorological satellite was successfully launched on February 17 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• The INSAT-3DS satellite is a follow-on mission of the third generation meteorological satellite from geostationary orbit.
• The satellite is an exclusive mission designed for enhanced meteorological observations, monitoring of land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting, and disaster warning.

Why is the GSLV rocket called ‘naughty boy’?

• The GSLV gained the nickname naughty boy as at least four out of 15 previous launches with the rocket have been unsuccessful.
• Only three of the 60 missions so far by ISRO’s workhorse PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).
• None of the seven missions by its successor LVM-3, have failed.

Problems with the GSLV? 

• It has to do with the cryogenic stage of the rocket. 
• Unlike its predecessors, GSLV uses cryogenic engines — they consist of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen — that provide far greater thrust than the engines used in the older launch vehicles.

Failure of the GSLV-F10. 

• About five minutes into the launch, the flight of the rocket which was carrying an earth observation satellite EOS-03, deviated from its scheduled trajectory. 
• The first and second stages of the GSLV functioned normally and detached.
• But the upper stage, powered by a cryogenic engine fuelled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen at very low temperatures, failed to ignite.
• The rocket lost the power to carry on and its remains, along with that of the satellite, most likely fell off somewhere in the Andaman Sea.
• A similar issue had led to the failure of GSLV-D3 as well in April 2010 which  was the first flight of GSLV with an indigenous cryogenic engine modeled on the Russian design. 
• The cryogenic stage had failed to ignite on that occasion as well.
• Eight months later, the next GSLV flight, this time being powered by a Russian cryogenic engine, also failed.

9. The bubonic plague is back. Should you be worried?

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

• Health officials in Oregon, US confirmed the first case of bubonic plague in the state since 2005.

More on news:

• According to various reports, the person probably got the disease from a sick pet cat.
• Between 1346 and 1353, the bubonic plague killed as many as 50 million in Europe, known as the Black Death.
• Medieval Europeans, however, did not have access to antibiotics.

What is the bubonic plague?

• The plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a zoonotic bacteria, i.e. bacteria that can spread between animals and people.
• Y pestis is usually found in small animals and their fleas.
• According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), humans can be infected in one of three ways 
  • “the bite of infected vector fleas”, 
  • “unprotected contact with infectious bodily fluids or contaminated materials” (like being bitten by an infected rat), and 
  • “the inhalation of respiratory droplets/small particles from a patient with pneumonic plague”.

What are the disease’s symptoms?

• Plague symptoms can manifest in a number of ways.
• Bubonic plague specifically refers to cases where bacteria gets into the lymph nodes. 
• According to the United States’ Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can cause fever, headache, weakness and painful, swollen lymph nodes, and usually happens from the bite of an infected flea.
• Septicemic plague happens if the bacteria enters the bloodstream. 
• This often follows untreated bubonic plague and may cause additional  more serious symptoms. These include abdominal pain, shock, bleeding into the skin, and blackening of appendages, most often fingers, toes or the nose.
• According to the CDC, this form comes either from flea bites or from handling an infected animal.
• According to the CDC, it is the only form of plague that can be spread from person to person by inhaling infectious droplets — also making it the most contagious.

What was the impact of the Black Death?

• The Black Death was the single most deadly disease outbreak in history till the Great Influenza pandemic of 1918-20.
• Taking into account the significantly lower population levels of the 14th century, the Black Death is still the most deadly outbreak of all time, by some estimates, wiping out up to half of Europe’s population.
• A study published in 2022 in the journal Nature found that certain genetic mutations increased survival chances by around 40 per cent. 
• Unfortunately, this mutation, which has since been passed, has been directly linked to the incidence of certain autoimmune diseases — meaning what happened 700 years ago might be impacting your health today.
• The Black Death also left lasting social, economic and cultural impacts in Europe and beyond. 

Should one be worried about another Black Death?

• Doctors do not expect the disease to spread from Oregon or cause any deaths among humans.
• Bubonic plague epidemics became a thing of the past by the 1930s. 
• According to the CDC, a couple of thousand plague cases are reported worldwide each year, mostly in Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Peru. 
• Fatality is roughly 11 percent.
• According to the CDC, all forms of plague are treatable with common antibiotics, with early treatment drastically improving chances of survival.

10. India sends assistance to cholera-hit Zambia

Subject: IR

Section: Places in news

In the news:

• India sent medical and material assistance to Zambia as the southern African country dealt with a deadly cholera outbreak.
• According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the outbreak began in the Zambian capital region and had killed around 333 people.
• According to the World Health Organization, the African continent is likely to see its worst cholera crisis this decade, driven by extreme weather events and poor water supply and sanitation infrastructure.

About Cholera disease:

• It is a life-threatening infectious disease and a public health hazard.
• It is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholera.
• Symptoms: Profuse watery diarrhoea, Vomiting,  Leg cramps etc
• It is transmitted to humans through water or food which is contaminated with the cholera bacterium.
• The disease can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water.
• Currently, there are three WHO pre-qualified oral cholera vaccines (OCV), Dukoral, Shanchol, and Euvichol-Plus. All three vaccines require two doses for full protection.

Source: TH

11. T cells hold hope against refractory multiple myeloma

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

• Scientists have engineered a new variant of cancer-fighting T cells that can suppress multiple myeloma tumours in mice while showing superior persistence and endurance compared with standard CAR T cell designs.
• The new cells’ promising effects and durability suggest they could grant badly needed treatment options to patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma:

• Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell.
• Healthy plasma cells help fight infections by making proteins called antibodies. Antibodies find and attack germs. In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells build up inthe bone marrow.
• Multiple myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer in adults.

T-cells:

• These Cells are also called T lymphocytes, a type of leukocyte (white blood cell) that is an essential part of the immune system.
• T cells are one of two primary types of lymphocytes—B cells being the second type—that determine the specificity of the immune response to antigens (foreign substances) in the body.
• T cells originate in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus.
• In the thymus, T cells multiply and differentiate into helper, regulatory, or cytotoxic T cells or become memory T cells.
• They are then sent to peripheral tissues or circulate in the blood or lymphatic system.
• Once stimulated by the appropriate antigen, helper T cells secrete chemical messengers called cytokines, which stimulate the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells (antibody-producing cells).

T cell’s role in controlling immunity:

• Regulatory T cells act to control immune reactions, hence their name.
• Cytotoxic T cells, which are activated by various cytokines, bind to and kill infected cells and cancer cells.
• Because the body contains millions of T and B cells, many of which carry unique receptors, it can respond to virtually any antigen.

Source: TH

12. International light pollution guidelines for migratory species prepared

Subject: Environment

Section: Pollution

Context:

• The International Light Pollution Guidelines for migratory species were developed in response to the growing concern of light pollution, first acknowledged during the CMS COP 13 meeting in Gandhinagar four years ago.

About International Light Pollution Guidelines for migratory species:

• These guidelines, discussed at the CMS COP14 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan emphasize the conservation value of natural darkness, akin to clean water, air, and soil.
• With artificial light emissions increasing by over 49% between 1992 and 2017, the guidelines aim to mitigate light pollution’s adverse effects on wildlife, which can lead to significant behavioural and physiological changes.
• Adapted from Australia’s 2020 National Light Pollution Guidelines, the recommendations include reducing light pollution, conducting environmental impact assessments, and employing best practices in lighting design such as managing light time, colour, intensity, and minimizing light spill.
• Specific measures like avoiding lighting within a 20-km radius of wildlife habitats and managing existing light pollution are also advised to protect migratory species and their ecosystems.

Artificial Light’s impact:

• The COP document on light pollution highlights the adverse effects of artificial light on wildlife, particularly marine turtles, seabirds, migratory shorebirds, land birds, and bats.
• It details how artificial lighting, even from distances as far as 15 km, can disorient birds, causing them to collide with structures, disrupt their foraging patterns, and hinder the fledging process in seabirds.
• Artificial light also diverts migratory birds from their paths, affects the roosting behaviour of migratory shorebirds, and increases stress hormones in songbirds, potentially reducing their reproductive success.
• Moreover, the guidelines outline the negative impacts of artificial lighting on other species, including mammals, reptiles, and fish, with specific examples like the delayed reproduction in Tammar wallabies and the failure of clownfish eggs to hatch under constant light.
• Marine turtle hatchlings may struggle to reach the ocean due to beach lighting, and bats experience disruptions in their natural behaviours such as roosting and foraging due to artificial light.

Successful implementation:

• The document also shares success stories of mitigating light pollution, such as the Gorgon Liquefied Natural Gas Plant in Western Australia, which implemented lighting management to reduce skyglow, aiding in marine turtle conservation.
• Additionally, it mentions the positive outcome for migratory short-tailed shearwaters on Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia, underscoring the potential for effective light pollution management to support wildlife conservation.
• Light pollution can be defined as the introduction by humans, directly or indirectly, of artificial light into the environment.
• Avoidable light pollution refers to light flow emitted at night by artificial light sources which are inappropriate in intensity, direction and/or spectral range, unnecessary to carry out the function they are intended for, or when artificial lighting is used in particular sites, such as observatories, natural areas or sensitive landscapes.

Types of Light pollution:

1. Light trespass: When unwanted light enters one’s property, for instance, by shining over a neighbour’s fence.
2. Over-illumination: It is the excessive use of light.
3. Glare: Glare is often the result of excessive contrast between bright and dark areas in the field of view.
   1. Blind glare: describes effects such as that caused by staring into the Sun. It is completely blinding and leaves temporary or permanent vision deficiencies.
   2. Disability glare: describes effects such as being blinded by an oncoming cars lights, or light scattering in fog or in the eye reduces contrast, as well as reflections from print and other dark areas that render them bright, with significant reduction in sight capabilities.
   3. Discomfort glare: does not typically cause a dangerous situation in itself, and is annoying and irritating at best. It can potentially cause fatigue if experienced over extended periods.
4. Clutter: Clutter refers to excessive groupings of lights. Groupings of lights may generate confusion, distract from obstacles (including those that they may be intended to illuminate), and potentially cause accidents. Clutter is particularly noticeable on roads where the street lights are badly designed, or where brightly lit advertising surrounds the roadways.
5. Skyglow: refers to the “glow” effect that can be seen over populated areas.

• It is the combination of all light reflected from what it has illuminated escaping up into the sky and from all of the badly directed light in that area that also escapes into the sky, being scattered (redirected) by the atmosphere back toward the ground.

Impact of light pollution:

• Wastes Energy and Money:
  • Lighting that emits too much light or shines when and where it’s not needed is wasteful. Wasting energy has huge economic and environmental consequences.
• Disrupting the ecosystem and wildlife:
  • Plants and animals depend on Earth’s daily cycle of light and dark rhythm to govern life-sustaining behaviours such as reproduction, nourishment, sleep and protection from predators.
  • Scientific evidence suggests that artificial light at night has negative and deadly effects on many creatures including amphibians, birds, mammals, insects and plants.
    • Ex: A study has now shown how nocturnal dung beetles are forced to search for cues in their immediate surroundings when they can no longer navigate using natural light from the night sky.
    • The effect of light in the form of fire or lamps attracting migratory and non-migratory birds at night, especially when foggy or cloudy, has been known since the 19th century and was and still is used as a form of hunting. The reasons for disorientation of birds through artificial night lighting are not well known. Experts suggest that the navigation of birds using the horizon as orientation for the direction is disrupted by lighting and sky glow.
• Harming human health:
  • Like most life on Earth, humans adhere to a Circadian Rhythm — our biological clock — a sleep-wake pattern governed by the day-night cycle. Artificial light at night can disrupt that cycle.