Daily Prelims Notes 28 October 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

28 October 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Coral Triangle at risk: new report highlights fossil fuel threats and impacts on biodiversity and communities
2. Experts urge a new global pact at COP16 to safeguard boreal and temperate forests
3. India’s New Horizons in Space: Key Missions and Developments
4. Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis: Causes, Trends, and Mitigation Measures
5. The Rise and Fall of P2P Lending in India
6. Saudi Arabia opens resort island at futuristic mega-city
7. PM cautions people against ‘digital arrest’ scam by fraudsters
8. How tardigrades are able to resist high levels of radiation

1. Coral Triangle at risk: new report highlights fossil fuel threats and impacts on biodiversity and communities

Sub: Geo

Sec: Oceanography 

The Coral Triangle:

• The Coral Triangle, often called the “Amazon of the seas,” spans over 10 million square kilometres across Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands.
• It is home to 76% of the world’s coral species and supports the livelihoods of over 120 million people.

Report Highlights at COP16

• Event: 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on October 26
• Report Title: Coral Triangle at Risk: Fossil Fuel Threats and Impacts by Earth Insight and SkyTruth

Fossil Fuel Impact on the Coral Triangle:

• Current Activities:
  • Over 100 offshore oil and gas blocks are operational, covering 120,000 square kilometers (1% of the Triangle)
  • 450+ blocks under exploration, potentially impacting 1.6 million square kilometers (16% of the Triangle)
• Critical Habitats Threatened:
  • Coral reefs: 24% affected
  • Seagrass areas: 22% affected
  • Mangroves: 37% affected
• Oil Pollution:
  • 793 oil slicks have been detected since 2020, mostly from bilge dumping by ships, impacting 24,000 square kilometers.
  • Notable Spill: The Princess Empress oil spill (2023) affected over 20 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and 21,000 families, with damages estimated at 3.8 billion Philippine pesos (~$68.3 million).
• LNG Infrastructure Expansion:
  • $30 billion invested in LNG terminals from 2016 to 2022; 19 LNG terminals are active, with more planned.

Key Environmental Threats from Fossil Fuel Expansion:

• Noise Pollution: Disrupts marine life, especially species like whales and dolphins that depend on sound.
• Habitat Overlaps:
  • 16% of MPAs overlap with oil and gas blocks, threatening 80 fully-covered MPAs.
  • 15 of the 19 LNG terminals are within 10 kilometers of sensitive habitats.
• Water Pollution: Wastewater from LNG terminals contains chemicals that can trigger toxic algal blooms and degrade water quality.

Impact on Local Communities

• Oil spills and fossil fuel infrastructure disrupt livelihoods, particularly for fisherfolk and coastal residents.
• Health Risks: Residents near spills experience nausea, dizziness; toxic fumes have led to school closures.
• Cultural Threats: In South Bali, LNG projects are seen as a risk to indigenous sites and cultural heritage.

Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA):

• PSSA is an area that needs special protection through action by IMO because of its significance for recognised ecological or socio-economic or scientific reasons and which may be vulnerable to damage by international maritime activities.
• The criteria for the identification of particularly sensitive sea areas and the criteria for the designation of special areas are not mutually exclusive.
• In many cases a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area may be identified within a Special Area and vice versa.
• Criteria for designating an area as PSSA:
  • Ecological criteria, such as unique or rare ecosystem, diversity of the ecosystem or vulnerability to degradation by natural events or human activities;
  • Social, cultural and economic criteria, such as significance of the area for recreation or tourism; and
  • Scientific and educational criteria, such as biological research or historical value.
• When an area is approved as a particularly sensitive sea area, specific measures can be used to control the maritime activities in that area, such as routeing measures, strict application of MARPOL discharge and equipment requirements for ships, such as oil tankers; and installation of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS).
• List of adopted PSSAs:
  • The Great Barrier Reef, Australia (designated a PSSA in 1990)
  • The Sabana-Camagüey Archipelago in Cuba (1997)
  • Malpelo Island, Colombia (2002)
  • The sea around the Florida Keys, United States (2002)
  • The Wadden Sea, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands (2002)
  • Paracas National Reserve, Peru (2003)
  • Western European Waters (2004)
  • Extension of the existing Great Barrier Reef PSSA to include the Torres Strait (proposed by Australia and Papua New Guinea) (2005)
  • Canary Islands, Spain (2005)
  • The Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador (2005)
  • The Baltic Sea area, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden (2005)
  • The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, United States (2007)
  • The Strait of Bonifacio, France and Italy (2011)
  • The Saba Bank, in the North-eastern Caribbean area of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (2012)
  • Extension of Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait to encompass the south-west part of the Coral Sea (2015)
  • The Jomard Entrance, Papua New Guinea (2016)
  • Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the Sulu Sea, Philippines (2017)
  • North-Western Mediterranean Sea, France, Italy, Monaco and Spain (2023)

2. Experts urge a new global pact at COP16 to safeguard boreal and temperate forests

Sub: Geo

Sec: Economic Geography

Urgent Call for Focus on Northern Forests:

• During the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia, experts highlighted the critical importance of the world’s Northern forests for biodiversity, indigenous rights, and climate change mitigation.

Key Roles of Northern Forests:

• Forest Coverage: Northern forests, particularly in boreal and temperate regions of Europe, North America, and Russia, comprise around 30% of global forest cover.
• Carbon Sinks: These forests play a crucial role in absorbing atmospheric CO₂, helping mitigate climate change.
• Protection Gap: Currently, only 10% of Northern forests are protected, falling short of the global target of 18%. This leaves them vulnerable to unsustainable practices like industrial logging.

Disparities in Forest Conservation Efforts:

• Tropical forests receive significant attention and funding compared to Northern forests, which are often overlooked despite their ecological importance.
• This disparity reflects a historical focus on economic development in the Global North, leading to insufficient protective measures for Northern forests.

Main Threats to Northern Forests:

• Industrial Logging:
  • Habitat Degradation: Clear-cutting practices disrupt ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and create homogeneous plantations, which are less resilient.
  • Carbon Emissions: Logging turns these vital carbon sinks into carbon sources, undermining climate goals. Since 1976, logging has affected over 35.54 million acres of boreal forests.
  • Old-Growth Forest Loss: In Sweden, between 2003 and 2019, 20% of forests cleared were old-growth, raising sustainability concerns.

3. India’s New Horizons in Space: Key Missions and Developments

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space tech 

Why in News

India’s space program has recently made significant strides, marked by new project approvals, expanded missions, and the launch of international collaborations. With the Union Cabinet’s endorsement of multiple missions, including lunar and Venusian explorations, and the private sector’s active involvement, India is set to achieve critical milestones in space research and exploration. These developments signal the country’s rising ambitions in the space sector.

Recent Approvals and Financial Backing for New Missions:

Gaganyaan and Bharatiya Antariksh Station

The Union Cabinet approved four additional missions under the ‘Gaganyaan’ program, India’s first human spaceflight project, as well as four test missions for India’s planned space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station-1, set for 2028.

Gaganyaan is a mission by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

Under the Gaganyaan schedule:

• Three flights will be sent into orbit.
• There will be two unmanned flights and one human spaceflight.

The Gaganyaan system module, called the Orbital Module will have three Indian astronauts, including a woman.

It will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit at an altitude of 300-400 km from earth for 5-7 days.

Payloads:

• Crew module –spacecraft carrying human beings.
• Service module –powered by two liquid propellant engines.
• It will be equipped with emergency escape and emergency mission abort.

GSLV Mk III, also called the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3,)the three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle, will be used to launch Gaganyaan as it has the necessary payload capability.

Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS):

The BAS is expected to be operational between 2028 and 2035, marking India’s foray into establishing a permanent space station.

This project aims to advance India’s capabilities in space exploration and bio-science research.

Development of Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV):

ISRO received clearance to develop a Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) with an estimated budget of ₹8,240 crore, which covers the costs for the rocket’s first three development flights.

ISRO’s NGLV will be a three-stage reusable heavy-lift vehicle.

Pay load capacity will be around 10 tonnes to Geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and twice the capacity to Low earth orbit(LEO).

NGLV will feature semi-cryogenic propulsion for the booster stages which is cheaper and efficient.

Potential applications will be in the areas of deep space missions, launching communication satellites, future human missions and cargo missions.

It allows bulk manufacturing and the turnaround time is minimal.

Till now, PSLV and GSLV are the major launch vehicles employed by the ISRO for satellite launches.

Commercialization of LVM-3 Rocket:

New Space India Ltd. (NSIL) is set to appoint a private entity to commercialize the LVM-3 rocket, marking another shift toward private participation in India’s space sector.

The LVM-3 has 3 stages:

The first stage is in the form of 2 S200 boosters straps to the sides of the rocket body; combust a solid fuel called hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene.

The second stage is powered by Vikas Engines (combust a liquid fuel) either nitrogen tetroxide or unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine.

The final stage is Powered by a cryogenic engine. It combusts liquified hydrogen with liquified oxygen.

Chandrayaan-4:

Scheduled for launch in 2027 with an estimated budget of ₹2,104 crore, Chandrayaan-4 will be a sample-return mission, aimed at bringing lunar soil and rock samples back to Earth.

LUPEX Collaboration:

A collaborative mission with Japan, LUPEX will include a new ISRO-designed lunar lander to be potentially used for future crewed lunar missions.

LUPEX is a collaborative mission between ISRO and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) aimed at exploring the lunar polar region.

Goals: To study the presence and distribution of water ice on the Moon’s surface, which is crucial for future lunar exploration and potential human habitation.

Mission Components: Includes an ISRO-developed lander and a JAXA-built rover equipped to operate in the extreme environment of the lunar poles.

Venus Orbiter Mission:

 The Venus Orbiter Mission, set for launch in March 2028 with a budget of ₹1,236 crore, aims to study Venus’ surface and atmosphere, helping scientists understand the evolutionary paths of planets in the solar system.

Objective: To explore the surface and sub-surface of Venus, its atmosphere and its interaction with the Sun.

Optimal Launch Window: Earth and Venus align for the shortest path every 19 months. The mission is expected to be accomplished on the opportunity available during March 2028.

Payload: Scientific payloads include a high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar, thermal cameras

Trajectory: Similar to previous Indian space missions, the satellite will gain speed in Earth’s orbit, will get sling-shot towards Venus, and then get captured in its orbit.

Travel Duration: Once launched, it will take about 140 days to reach Venus after exiting Earth’s orbit.

Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) Phase III:

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the third phase of SBS on October 11, involving the construction of 52 satellites, with ISRO producing 21 and private companies 31, at a cost of ₹26,968 crore.

Objective: To strengthen India’s space surveillance capabilities, enhancing security and monitoring in space.

Historical Context: Builds on earlier phases, SBS-1 (2001) with 4 satellites and SBS-2 (2013) with 6 satellites.

Significance: Improves tracking of space assets, debris monitoring, and defense readiness, aligning with India’s growing focus on space security.

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.

NISAR Satellite:

A collaboration between NASA and ISRO, NISAR will be launched in early 2025 using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. Its radar antenna was modified for better heat resistance after testing in India.

Proba-3 Solar Observation Mission:

Europe’s Proba-3, scheduled for launch on November 29 via India’s PSLV-XL, will observe the Sun’s corona through dual satellite formation, one blocking the Sun’s core for detailed coronal study.

Objective: Proba-3 is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission focused on studying the Sun’s corona to understand solar dynamics and space weather.

Technology: Utilizes two satellites flying in precise formation; one satellite blocks the Sun, creating an artificial eclipse, allowing the other to observe the corona.

Significance: Provides critical data on solar activity, which impacts satellite operations and Earth’s electromagnetic environment.

India’s Role: This collaboration reflects India’s growing involvement in international space science initiatives, previously launching Proba-1 in 2001.

LEAP-3 Mission:

Manastu Space has partnered with Dhruva Space to test green propulsion technology for the LEAP-3 mission in 2025, marking a push for sustainable space exploration.

Green Propulsion Technology: Manastu’s propulsion system, powered by hydrogen peroxide, represents a cleaner alternative for satellite missions.

Project 200 and Private Industry Milestones:

Project 200 by Bellatrix Aerospace: This ultra-low earth orbit satellite prototype aims to operate at 200 km altitude, adding to India’s capabilities in the lower atmospheric layer.

4. Delhi’s Air Pollution Crisis: Causes, Trends, and Mitigation Measures

Sub: Env

Sec: Pollution

Why in News

Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated significantly as particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels rise to over 10 times the safe limit prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The seasonal spike in pollution levels, aggravated by stubble burning in neighbouring states, Deepavali festivities, and meteorological conditions, has raised concerns about severe health impacts and the need for coordinated action across states.

Overview of Delhi’s Pollution Problem:

PM2.5 levels in Delhi recently soared to 160 micrograms per cubic meter, surpassing the WHO’s permissible limit of 15 micrograms.

Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 356 on October 23, placing it in the “very poor” category, with predictions of further deterioration if firecracker bans are not enforced during Deepavali.

Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana coincides with this period, compounding Delhi’s air quality crisis.

According to Climate Trends, 54% of the wind from Punjab and 27% from Haryana carries particulate matter to Delhi. Each stubble-burning incident increases PM2.5 levels by 12.44 units on average.

Transportation within Delhi and vehicles entering the city contribute about 18% of PM2.5 levels. Vehicular emissions are especially high due to Delhi’s dense traffic and industrial activities.

Secondary Inorganic Aerosols (SIAs): SIAs, formed when sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and ammonia (NH3) react to create ammonium sulphate and nitrate, contribute up to 32% of Delhi’s winter pollution. Nearly 84% of SIAs originate outside Delhi, underscoring the need for cross-state solutions.

Meteorological Factors: Winter months bring a sharp reduction in wind speed, which prevents pollutants from dispersing and causes them to remain concentrated near ground level.

AQI Index score:

The AQI transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number for ease of understanding. The pollutants include PM 10, PM 2.5, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, Carbon, etc.

WHO global air quality norms:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the bar further to safeguard public health even before the global community could comply with the current benchmarks for clean air.

The WHO’s new air quality guidelines — Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) — released September 22, 2021, has redefined the threshold of safe air.

This is the first revision after the last updating in 2005 — about 15 years ago. Currently, 90 per cent of the global population and nearly everyone in India is breathing air that defies the current guidelines of the WHO.

The primary focus is on significant tightening of the guidelines for particulate matter, which is responsible for the highest number of air pollution related deaths worldwide — nearly seven million. The guidelines for key gases have also been revised.

Need for Coordinated Action:

Airshed Approach: The “airshed approach” involves a cross-state, regional strategy to tackle air pollution by addressing sources beyond Delhi’s borders. Coordinated policy measures involving Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, along with Delhi, are essential for meaningful air quality improvements.

Centralized Monitoring and Forecasting: The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology-Pune (IITM-Pune) maintains an air quality forecast system for cities across India, helping predict pollution trends and identify periods when stubble burning may significantly affect Delhi’s AQI.

Government-led Air Quality Early Warning Systems provide valuable data that can inform proactive measures, such as limiting vehicle emissions and restricting industrial activities during high-pollution days.

Long-term solutions include incentivizing alternative crop-clearing methods, increasing green cover, and promoting cleaner transport options.

5. The Rise and Fall of P2P Lending in India

Sub: Eco

Sec: Monetary Policy

• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending is a form of financial technology (fintech) that allows individuals to lend and borrow money directly from one another without the involvement of traditional financial institutions like banks.
• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending emerged as an alternative lending mechanism allowing direct transactions between lenders and borrowers without involving traditional financial institutions.
• P2P platforms provided tenure-linked assured returns and liquidity options, which attracted many investors, making it a popular choice for informal lending in India.
• Every P2P lender should obtain a certificate of registration from the RBI.
• The minimum capital requirement to set up a P2P platform is fixed at Rs. 2 Crores.

How P2P Lending Works:

• Platform Role: P2P lending platforms operate as intermediaries, connecting borrowers with lenders. These platforms assess the creditworthiness of borrowers, set interest rates, and facilitate the loan transactions.
• Borrowers: Individuals or small businesses can apply for loans on these platforms. The loans can be used for various purposes such as personal loans, business loans, debt consolidation, or even real estate.
• Lenders: Individuals or institutional investors can lend money to borrowers in exchange for interest payments. Lenders can often choose specific borrowers or diversify their investments across multiple loans to reduce risk.

Regulatory Framework:

• In 2016, due to the rise in informal money-lending and global growth of P2P lending, the RBI initiated discussions on whether to regulate the sector.
• Concerns included the possibility of:
  • Lending legitimacy to P2P lending, stifling growth, and the absence of systemic risks.
  • After feedback from stakeholders, the RBI issued master directions in 2017, specifying:
  • Scope of activities for P2P lenders.
  • Eligibility criteria for participants.
  • Transparency and pricing disclosure requirements.

What Went Wrong?

• According to an RBI official, P2P platform began to operate like banks, pocketing the spread between the borrowing rate and the interest charged, leading to regulatory intervention.

Key issues identified:

• Utilization of funds: P2P platforms were found to be using funds of one lender to replace those of another, mimicking a secondary market behavior, which was prohibited.
• Fee disclosure: Lack of clear fee disclosures led to regulatory action mandating platforms to disclose fees upfront.
• Closed user groups: The practice of matching and mapping participants within closed user groups through outsourcing was banned by the RBI.

6. Saudi Arabia opens resort island at futuristic mega-city

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• Saudi Arabia’s ambitious mega-city project, NEOM, recently announced the opening of its first physical showcase, Sindalah, a luxury island in the Red Sea.
• This initiative is part of the country’s broader efforts to diversify its economy and promote luxury tourism.

NEOM Project:

• NEOM aims to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to position the country for a post-oil economy by enhancing sectors like tourism and technology.
• The Line: NEOM is also known for the Line, a linear city comprising twin skyscrapers extending 170 km along the coast, expected to accommodate over one million residents by 2030, with projections rising to nine million by 2045.

About Vision 2030:

• It is Saudi Arabia’s national strategy aims to reduce the kingdom’s dependence on oil by diversifying its economy and developing sectors like tourism, entertainment, and renewable energy.

7. PM cautions people against ‘digital arrest’ scam by fraudsters

Sub : Sci

Sec : Awareness in IT

Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned people against the digital arrest scam and asked them to report such cases to the cyber helpline number 1930.
• He also urged schools and colleges to involve students in the ‘campaign to spread awareness of the menace.

What is digital arrest scam:

• This type of scam involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials to defraud victims.
• Scammers typically initiate contact via phone or video calls, posing as officials from law enforcement or financial institutions like the Reserve Bank of India.
• The first step involves gathering personal information from victims.
• Then, scammers often create a sense of urgency and fear by presenting themselves in official uniforms and using government-like backgrounds and quoting legal provisions.
• They threaten victims with arrest, increasing the pressure to comply with their demands.

CERT-In advisory on online scams:

• Legitimate government agencies do not communicate via platforms like WhatsApp or Skype, indicating that such communications are likely fraudulent.
• Victims should be aware that no genuine law enforcement agency will pressure them to send money immediately.
• Confirm identity directly with relevant agencies if someone claims to be from law enforcement. Do not engage over video calls or transfer money.
• Never share sensitive details over the phone or video calls, especially with unknown numbers.
• Ensure websites use HTTPS before providing sensitive information.
• Only install apps from official app stores to avoid malware.

CERT-In shared a list of online scams:

• Phishing Scams: Scammers impersonate trusted organizations through emails/messages. Use urgent language (e.g., account suspension) to prompt immediate action, leading to counterfeit websites to capture credentials.
• Lottery and Prize Scams: Victims receive notifications claiming they’ve won a lottery, often requiring payment of processing fees to claim prizes.
• Emotional Manipulation Scams: Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps, building emotional connections before fabricating crises to solicit money, often via cryptocurrency.
• Job Scams: Fake job listings on job portals or social media, asking for application fees or training costs. Red Flags: Offers that seem too good to be true, especially requests for upfront payment.
• Tech Support Scams: Unsolicited calls from scammers claiming to be tech support, often guiding victims to grant remote access to their computers. Consequences: Theft of personal information, installation of malware, and unnecessary charges for software.
• Investment Scams: Promise unrealistic returns through schemes like Ponzi or pyramid schemes, often marketed via social media. Target individuals seeking quick financial solutions, exploiting financial illiteracy.
• Cash-on-Delivery (CoD) Scams: Fake online stores accepting CoD orders, delivering counterfeit or different products.
• Fake Charity Appeal Scams: Scammers create fake organizations to solicit donations for non-existent causes, exploiting compassion and urgency.
• Mistaken Money Transfer Scams: Scammers claim money has been mistakenly transferred to the victim’s account, creating urgency to return funds.
• Digital Arrest Scams: Victims receive messages claiming they are under investigation, often accompanied by threats of arrest unless immediate payment is made.
• Parcel Scams: Victims are told their parcel has been seized for containing illegal items, pressured to pay fines.
• Loan/Card Scams: Advertise loans with low rates and quick approvals, often requiring upfront fees.

Computer Emergency Response Team – India (CERT-IN):

• It is an organisation of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, with the objective of securing Indian cyberspace.
• It is the nodal agency which deals with cybersecurity threats like hacking and phishing.
• It collects, analyses and disseminates information on cyber incidents, and also issues alert on cybersecurity incidents.

8. How tardigrades are able to resist high levels of radiation

Sub : Sci

Context: Nuclear sector

• Recent research has identified genetic mechanisms in a newly discovered species of tardigrade, Hypsibius henanensis, that enable it to withstand high levels of radiation.
• This study has implications for various fields, including space exploration and cancer treatment.

About the study:

• The research was published in the journal Science and involved multiple institutions in China.
• The study titled Multi-omics landscape and molecular basis of radiation tolerance in a tardigrade highlights how certain genes become more active when exposed to radiation, protecting and repairing the DNA of these microscopic animals.

Methodology of the study:

• The research team discovered Hypsibius henanensis six years ago after collecting moss samples from Funiu Mountain in Henan province, China.
• They sequenced the genome of this new tardigrade species, revealing a total of 14,701 genes, with 30% unique to tardigrades.
• The team exposed the tardigrades to gamma rays at doses significantly higher than what humans can tolerate.

Key findings:

• The researchers identified 2,801 genes associated with DNA repair in Hypsibius henanensis.
• Three primary factors contributing to radiation tolerance were noted:
• Rapid DNA repair: The species can quickly repair double-strand breaks in DNA, utilizing a protein called TRID1.
• Gene activation: Upon radiation exposure, a specific gene was activated that produces two proteins essential for mitochondrial synthesis, which also play a role in DNA repair.
• Antioxidant production: The tardigrade can produce betalains, antioxidant pigments that neutralize harmful reactive chemicals generated by radiation within cells.
• The researchers tested one of the tardigrade’s betalains on human cells and found it significantly improved their survival rate after radiation exposure.

Significance of the findings:

• The genetic insights gained could help in protecting astronauts from radiation in space missions, aid in cleaning up nuclear pollution, and improve radiation therapy for cancer patients.
• This discovery may help improve the stress tolerance of human cells, benefiting patients undergoing radiation therapy.

About tardigrades:

• Tardigrades, also known as water bears or moss piglets, are microscopic, water-dwelling organisms that are renowned for their remarkable resilience to extreme environmental conditions.
• They often thrive in extreme conditions, including high altitudes and deep-sea environments.
• Tardigrades have a plump, segmented body with eight legs, each ending in claws or suction pads.
• They can survive in a desiccated state for years, rehydrating and resuming activity when conditions improve.