Daily Prelims Notes 11 August 2024

August 11, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

11 August 2024

Table Of Contents

1. The joint India-U.S. mission to fly two Gaganyatris to the ISS

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space sector

Context:

As participants of the Axiom-4 mission, Shubhanshu Shukla or Prashanth Nair will fly to the ISS along with two other astronauts.

More on the news?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that two of the astronauts selected for its maiden human spaceflight mission, ‘Gaganyaan’, will travel to the U.S. in the first week of August to train there for a mission to the International Space Station.
During the mission, the Gaganyatri will undertake selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS as well as engage in space outreach activities.

What is the Axiom-4 Mission?

Axiom Mission 4 (or Ax-4) is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station which is operated by Axiom Space and uses a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Axiom-4 aims to facilitate commercial activities in space, including scientific research, technological development, and space tourism.
It is set to carry a diverse crew of astronauts from different countries, reflecting the growing international interest in space exploration.
Axiom-4 is expected to be a short-duration mission, lasting approximately 14 days.
Axiom Space’s long-term vision includes building the world’s first commercial space station.

What is the International Space Station (ISS)?

The International Space Station is a large space station assembled and maintained in low Earth orbit by a collaboration of five space agencies namely:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA)
- Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities (Russia)
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Japan)
- European Space Agency (Europe)
- Canadian Space Agency (Canada)
The ISS is the largest space station ever built with the primary purpose to perform microgravity and space environment experiments.
Currently, the ISS has eight solar arrays generating about 160 kilowatts of power total.

2. New mpox clade Ib disproportionately affects children

Sub: Sci

Sec: Human health

Context:

The ongoing multinational mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreaks continue to be a significant threat to public health systems across the world.

What is Mpox (monkeypox)?

Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus which was first recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The emergence of mpox in the DRC is caused by a new clade of the virus, clade Ib, which emerged late last year and is characterized by severe disease and higher mortality.
Broadly, the monkeypox virus has two clades.
Clade I has been present in the DRC for several years causing sporadic outbreaks, while clade II (previously the West African clade) and specifically IIb emerged during the global mpox outbreak that attracted global attention in 2022.
Clade I is known to be associated with severe disease and mortality while clade II, which has a mortality rate of less than 4%.

Why is the outbreak of mpox in the DRC unique?

The outbreak in the DRC is unique in many aspects.
While the initial spread was seemingly through sexual contact, the epidemiology of the disease rapidly shifted to affect children under 15 years who constitute over 60% of all cases and 80% of all deaths, with the largest case fatality rate in children aged less than one year.
A recent preprint analyzing 58 genome sequences of mpox suggests three potential clusters, driving the spread of infection in the DRC
Analyses suggest a significant number of APOBEC3-induced mutations, confirming a significant human-to-human transmission.

What is the treatment for mpox?

There are no specific treatments for monkeypox virus infection.
Early and supportive care is important to help manage symptoms and avoid further problems

3. Hidden dangers of irrational use of antibiotics on microbiome

Sub: Sci

Sec: Human health

Context:

Antibiotics are often hailed as miracle drugs, capable of curing once-deadly infections and saving countless lives but due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture there are severe and often overlooked consequences.

What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are remarkable drugs capable of killing biological organisms in one’s body without harming the body.
These are used for everything from preventing infections during surgeries to protecting cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
India is the world’s largest consumer of antibiotics.
While antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial infections, their irrational use can wreak havoc on the microbiome.

What are microbiomes?

The human body is home to a vast, intricate community of microorganisms collectively known as the microbiome.
The gut microbiome, in particular, plays a crucial role in maintaining our health as it aids in digestion, supports the immune system, produces essential nutrients like vitamin K and certain B vitamins, and protects against pathogens.
The skin microbiome protects against harmful microorganisms and supports skin health.
The genitourinary microbiome, which includes the vaginal and urinary microbiomes, protects against infections and maintains urinary and reproductive health.

What are the consequences of irrational use of antibiotics on microbiomes?

While antibiotics are essential for treating bacterial infections, their irrational use can wreak havoc on the microbiome.
Antibiotics do not discriminate between harmful pathogens and beneficial bacteria.
When we take antibiotics, especially the broad-spectrum ones, they wipe out a large portion of the gut bacteria.
This can lead to dysbiosis which can cause more severe conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
Dysbiosis can impair immune function, making the body more susceptible to infections and autoimmune diseases.
Another particularly concerning aspect of antibiotic use is its impact on colonization resistance.
Antibiotic use can reduce colonization resistance, allowing harmful bacteria to take hold and proliferate, increasing the risk of infections.

What is antimicrobial resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials, and anthelmintics) that are used to treat infections.
Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”.

4. Neelakurinji becomes a ‘threatened species’

Sub: Environment

Sec: Species in news

Context:

IUCN has officially added Neelakurinji to its list of threatened species.
The latest global assessment confirms its threatened status in the Vulnerable (Criteria A2c) category of the IUCN.
This is the first ever Global Red List assessment for the species.

About Neelakurinji:

Scientific name: Strobilanthes kunthiana
Characteristics:
- Purplish flowering shrub
- Blooms once in 12 years
- Usually grows at an elevation of 1300-2400m.
Spread of the species:
- High-altitude mountain ranges of southwest India.
- There are 33 subpopulations in the Western Ghats and one in the Eastern Ghats (Yercaud, Shevaroy Hills)
- Most subpopulations are in the Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu, followed by Munnar, Palani-Kodaikanal, and Anamalai mountains.
Threats:
- Its fragile habitat in the montane high-altitude grasslands that has been under pressure of conversion for tea and softwood plantations, and urbanisation.
- Almost 40% of the habitat has been lost, the remaining is under pressure from invasion of exotic species such as eucalyptus and black wattle.
- Other threats include infrastructure development, afforestation programmes and climate change
The mass blooming of the flower, once in 12 years, attracts tourists in hordes
The blooming was reported recently, though not in a vast spread, at Peerumade in Idukki.

5. Waqf Bill: Clarity sought on terms of reference of JPC

Sub: Polity

Sec: Parliament

Context:

Experts have questioned the nature of the joint parliamentary committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, and have demanded clarity on its functioning.
Unlike the previous JPCs, no terms of reference have been announced so far for the 31-member panel.
The joint committee has to make a report to Parliament by the last day of the first week of the winter session.

Joint Parliamentary Committee

JPC is an ad-hoc Committee, established by the Parliament to conduct a thorough examination of a specific subject or Bill.
It is dissolved after its term ends.
It consists of members from both Houses as well as from the ruling and opposition parties and is chaired by a member of the Lok Sabha who is appointed by the Speaker.
The Parliament determines the composition of the JPC, and there is no set limit on the number of members.
The committee’s recommendations are advisory and not mandatory for the government to follow.

6. Glacial lakes multiply in Himachal Pradesh and Tibet, poses threat to lives and infra downstream

Sub: Geo

Sec: Indian Physical Geography

Context:

Moraine-dammed lakes on the rise in Himachal Pradesh and Trans Himalayan Region of Tibet.
There were 1,048 glacial lakes in the Sutlej catchment area in 2023, up from 562 in 2019, satellite data shows.

Study and findings:

The number of glacial lakes in the Sutlej River catchment area has almost doubled from 562 in 2019 to 1,048 in 2023, according to satellite data analysed in a recent study by the Centre on Climate Change of Himachal Pradesh Council for Science Technology-Environment (HIMCOSTE).
The catchment area of the Sutlej basin was studied from upstream of Jhakri to the Mansarover Lake in Tibet, in the Trans Himalayan Region from where the river originates.
Smaller lakes sprout: Of the 1,048 lakes mapped in 2023, 900 are small, each spanning an area of less than five hectares, while 89 lakes have an area between 5 hectares and ten hectares, and 59 lakes are bigger than 10 hectares each.
The swift melting of glaciers and less snowfall during the winter could be reasons behind the rise in lakes
As the formation of small lakes is relatively higher in the upper region, it indicates greater climate change impact in the higher region in comparison to the lower regions. The average temperature in the high altitudes areas is rising faster than the lower areas
Lakes have become unstable due to the increase in the volume of water or due to the calving effect of adjoining glaciers, creating avalanche either of snow or rocks.
These lakes have a potential of bursting out, and depending on the volume of water, velocity and the outburst spread, it can pose a threat to habitations and infrastructure downstream.

Glacial Lakes

Glacial lakes are formed when a glacier erodes the land and then melts, filling the depression created by the glacier.
Glacial lakes are classified into four main types based on their formation process: Moraine-dammed, Ice-dammed, Erosion, and other glacial lakes.

Moraine-dammed lakes

A moraine-dammed lake occurs when the terminal moraine has prevented some meltwater from leaving the valley.
When a glacier retreats, there is a space left over between the retreating glacier and the piece that stayed intact which holds leftover debris (moraine).
Meltwater from both glaciers seep into this space creating a ribbon-shaped lake due to the pattern of ice melt.

7. PM Modi to release 109 climate resilient crop seeds: Minister

Sub: Sci

Sec: Biotech

Context:

Union Agriculture Minister said that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed high-yielding, climate resilient and biofortified varieties of crop seeds, and that PM Modi will release these 109 crops for the farmers.
The aim is to ensure that the benefits of science and research directly reach the farmers, says the agriculture minister.

Details:

109 varieties of 61 crops will include 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops.
Among the field crops, seeds of various cereals, including millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fibre and other potential crops, will be released.
Among the horticultural crops, different varieties of fruits, vegetable crops, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers and medicinal crops will be released,
less water-consuming and high-producing seed varieties.
It includes a variety of paddy that requires 30% less water than the usual.

Climate resilient agriculture

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), climate resilient agriculture is defined as “the ability of an agricultural system to anticipate and prepare for, as well as adapt to, absorb and recover from the impacts of changes in climate and extreme weather”.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

ICAR was established in 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
It is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the

8. Ocean temperatures in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef now hottest in 400 years: What a new study says

Sub : Env

Sec :Eco system

Context: According to a new study, Water temperatures in and around Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have risen to their warmest in 400 years over the past decade, placing the world’s largest coral reef under threat.

What are coral reefs?

Corals are essentially animals, which are sessile, meaning they permanently attach themselves to the ocean floor. They use their tiny tentacle-like hands to catch food from the water and sweep it into their mouth. Each individual coral animal is known as a polyp and it lives in groups of hundreds to thousands of genetically identical polyps that form a ‘colony’.

Corals are largely classified as either hard coral or soft coral. It is the hard corals that are the architects of coral reefs — complex three-dimensional structures built up over thousands of years. “Unlike soft corals, hard corals have stony skeletons made out of limestone that are produced by coral polyps. When polyps die, their skeletons are left behind and used as foundations for new polyps,” according to NOAA.

Coral reefs, also referred to as “rainforests of the sea”, have existed on the Earth for nearly 450 million years.

Why are coral reefs important?

Coral reefs have a crucial role in marine ecosystems.

Important habitat: Thousands of marine species can be found living on one reef. For instance, “the Great Barrier Reef contains over 400 coral species, 1,500 fish species, 4,000 mollusc species and six of the world’s seven sea turtle species”, according to a report by the Natural History Museum. Research has shown that there could be millions of undiscovered species of organisms living in and around reefs.

Economic Imp: These massive structures also provide economic goods and services worth about $375 billion each year. More than 500 million people across the world depend on coral reefs for food, income and coastal protection from storms and floods.

Protection: Coral reefs can absorb up to 97% of the energy from waves, storms, and floods, which prevents loss of life, property damage, and soil erosion.

What are the findings of the study?

A group of scientists at universities across Australia drilled cores into the coral and, much like counting the rings on a tree, analysed the samples to measure summer ocean temperatures going back to 1618.

Combined with ship and satellite data going back around a hundred years, the results show ocean temperatures that were stable for hundreds of years began to rise from 1900 onwards as a result of human influence, the research concluded.

From 1960 to 2024, the study’s authors observed an average annual warming from January to March of 0.12 degree Celsius per decade.

Since 2016, the Great Barrier Reef has experienced five summers of mass coral bleaching, when large sections of the reef turn white due to heat stress, putting them at greater risk of death. (Widespread mass bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef was first seen in 1998 and happened again in 2002016, 2017, 2020, 2022 and now in 2024)

These summers were during five of the six warmest years in the last four centuries, the study showed.

Great Barrier Reef (GBR)

The GBR is the world’s largest coral reef system. It’s located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia. It contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. It also holds great scientific interest as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large green turtle, which are threatened with extinction.

The GBR is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was inscribed in 1981.

In 2023, the UNESCO Heritage Committee refrained from listing Australia’s Great Barrier Reef as a site “in danger” but warned that the world’s biggest coral reef ecosystem remained under “serious threat” from pollution and the warming of oceans.

What is Coral Bleaching?

When corals face stress by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white. This phenomenon is called coral bleaching.
The pale white colour is of the translucent tissues of calcium carbonate which are visible due to the loss of pigment-producing zooxanthellae.
Bleached corals can survive depending on the levels of bleaching and the recovery of sea temperatures to normal levels.
If heat pollutions subside in time, over a few weeks, the zooxanthellae can come back to the corals and restart the partnership but severe bleaching and prolonged stress in the external environment can lead to coral death.
Over the last couple of decades, climate change and increased global warming owing to rising carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases have made seas warmer than usual.
Coral bleaching has occurred in the Caribbean, Indian, and Pacific oceans regularly.

Mass Coral Bleaching:

To officially declare a global mass bleaching event, widespread bleaching must be observed in three major ocean basins: the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Fourth Mass Coral Bleaching Event:

The current coral bleaching event is part of a global trend, identified as the fourth mass coral bleaching event, which has affected over 50 regions worldwide since 2023.
Triggered by elevated sea surface temperatures due to an ongoing El Niño event, this phenomenon threatens marine biodiversity, as corals act as crucial ecosystems for various marine species.
Historical data from global events in 1998, 2010, 2014, and 2017 highlight the recurring and severe nature of these bleaching events, emphasizing the urgent need for effective marine environmental management.

Previous Mass Coral Bleaching:

First Mass Bleaching: It occurred in 1998 when the El Niño weather pattern caused sea surfaces in the Pacific Ocean to heat up; this event caused 8% of the world’s coral to die.
Second Mass Bleaching: This event took place in 2002. In the past decade, however, mass bleaching occurrences have become more closely spaced in time, with the longest and most damaging bleaching event taking place from 2014 to 2017.
Third Mass Bleaching: The event that took place between 2014-17 affected reefs in Guam in the Western Pacific region, the North, South-Pacific, and the Indian Ocean.

Coral reef:

Corals are invertebrate animals belonging to a large group of colourful and fascinating animals called Cnidaria.
Each coral animal is called a polyp, and most live in groups of hundreds to thousands of genetically identical polyps that form a ‘colony’.
Coral polyps host a microscopic symbiotic alga called zooxanthella that photosynthesizes just like plants, providing food to the coral.
Coral is generally classified as either hard coral or soft coral.

Importance of Coral Reefs:

Coral reefs, often described as the “rainforests of the sea,” play a vital role in marine life by providing essential habitat, food, and breeding grounds for numerous marine organisms.
The health of coral reefs is directly linked to the broader ecological balance and biodiversity of the oceans.

9. Veteran IAS officer T.V. Somanathan appointed next Cabinet Secretary

Sub: Polity

Sec: Executive

Context: The Union government on Saturday announced IAS officer T.V. Somanathan as the Cabinet Secretary-designate by appointing him Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Cabinet Secretariat. He will take over India’s top bureaucratic position from August 30 when incumbent Rajiv Gauba’s extended tenure end

Cabinet Secretary

The Cabinet Secretary is the top-most executive official and senior-most civil servant of the Government of India.

Cabinet Secretary

is the ex-officio head of the Civil Services Board, the Cabinet Secretariat, the IAS, and all civil services under the rules of business of the government.
ranks eleventh on the Indian order of precedence.
is under the direct charge of the PM and is appointed for a fixed tenure of two years.
The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for the administration of the Transaction of Business and the Allocation of Business Rules 1961.

Functions

Ca facilitates smooth transaction of business in Ministries/ Departments of the Government.

This Secretariat provides:

Secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and its Committees
Assists in decision-making in Government by ensuring Inter-Ministerial coordination,
Ironing out differences amongst Ministries/ Departments
Evolving consensus through the instrumentality of the standing/ ad hoc Committees of Secretaries