The deadly Ebola virus may transmit even from dead patients, says a new study, underscoring the importance of using safe practices for handling corpses.
The scientists from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) sampled five deceased Ebola-infected monkeys and discovered the virus remained viable for at least seven days.
They also detected non-infectious viral RNA for up to 70 days post-mortem.
To assess the stability of the virus post-mortem, the scientists placed the bodies in a chamber to mimic environmental conditions in West Africa.
The West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have been the worst hit by the Ebola outbreak.
According to the latest WHO figures, the disease has now affected 22,525 people, with deaths reaching 9,004.
After the scientists sampled seven different body surfaces and removed tissue from four internal organs, they measured the amount of live Ebola virus and viral RNA, and compared test results at various times.
The group determined that live virus was detectable in surface swabs up to seven days after death, and in the tissue samples up to three days post-mortem. Viral RNA was detectable in several swab and tissue types for up to 10 weeks.
Rare planet with extreme seasons discovered
Researchers have discovered one of the most dense and massive planets known so far with extreme seasons.
The teams, one led by Mauricio Ortiz of the Centre for Astronomy of Heidelberg University (ZAH) and the other by Simona Ciceri of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg, report that the planet has six times the mass of Jupiter, but about the same size.
The shape and the size of its orbit are also unusual for the planet named Kepler-432b that is revolving around a giant star.
In less than 200 million years, this “red giant” will most likely swallow up the planet, researchers said.
“The majority of known planets moving around giant stars have large and circular orbits. With its small and highly elongated orbit, Kepler-432b is a real ‘maverick’ among planets of this type,” said Dr. Davide Gandolfi from the state observatory Konigstuhl, which is part of the Centre for Astronomy.
Dr. Gandolfi explained that the star around which Kepler-432b is orbiting has already exhausted the nuclear fuel in its core and is gradually expanding.
Its radius is already four times that of our Sun and it will get even larger in the future. As the star is reddish in colour, astronomers call it a “red giant.”
The orbit brings Kepler-432b incredibly close to its host star at some times and much farther away at others, thus creating enormous temperature differences over the course of the planet’s year, which corresponds to 52 Earth days.
“During the winter season, the temperature on Kepler-432b is roughly 500 degrees Celsius. In the short summer season, it can increase to nearly 1,000 degrees Celsius,” said astronomer Dr. Sabine Reffert from the state observatory Konigstuhl.
Kepler-432b was previously identified as a transiting planet candidate by the NASA Kepler satellite mission. From the vantage point of Earth, a transiting planet passes in front of its host star, periodically dimming the received stellar light.
Both groups of researchers used the 2.2-metre telescope at Calar Alto Observatory in Andalucia, Spain to collect data.
The group from the state observatory also observed Kepler-432b with the Nordic Optical Telescope on La Palma.
The research was published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
India pumps 0.6 tonnes of plastic waste into ocean annually: researchers
In 2010, around 8 million tones of plastic waste made its way into the ocean — nearly the total amount of plastic produced across the world in 1961
For the first time, researchers have quantified the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean from land. In 2010, an estimated eight million tonnes of plastic waste made its way into the ocean; it is nearly the amount of plastic generated globally in 1961. The results of the study were published in the journalScience on February 13, 2015.
Most of the plastic waste that enters the ocean is on account of plastic litter and mismanaged plastic waste systems in several countries. The total amount that ended up in the ocean would have been much higher as the study did not take into account the contribution from other sources like fishing activities or at-sea vessels.
Twenty countries accounted for 83 per cent of mismanaged plastic waste that entered the ocean. The list of countries that pumped the greatest amount of waste into the ocean was arrived at by taking into account the population and quality of waste management systems in place.
India, with 0.60 million tonnes per year of mismanaged plastic waste, is ranked 12th. China ranks no. 1 with 8.82 million tonnes per year of mismanaged plastic waste. There are 11 Asian and Southeast Asian countries in the list, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Burma.
The cumulative amount of plastic debris that would enter the ocean in the next decade will be more than double the 2010 figure in the absence of any improvement to waste management systems in the 192 coastal countries. In 2010, 275 million tonnes of plastic waste was generated in the world’s 192 coastal countries. It is very unlikely that a global “peak waste” will be reached before 2100.
With a 50-per-cent improvement in waste disposal in the 20 top-ranked countries, the mass of mismanaged waste will fall by 41 per cent by 2025.
Alternatively, a 26-per-cent decrease in waste can be achieved by 2025 if per capita waste generation is reduced to the 2010 average (1.7 kg per day) in the 91 countries that exceed it.
Mysuru farmers get ready to reap benefits of ‘superfood’
Madappa, a farmer in H.D. Kote taluk’s Bidarahalli village, had been growing cotton and ragi in his fields for years.
About three months ago, he experimented with Chia, a crop reckoned to be a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acid, proteins and dietary fibre.
Madappa is already being offered around Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 20,000 per quintal for the crop grown on one acre of plot.
The amount is about three times what he would earn from ragi and cotton.
With new-age health and wellness concepts weaning the diet-conscious away from staples like rice and wheat to high protein and gluten-less food, farmers in the Mysuru region are embracing ‘superfood’ crops like Chia and Quinoa.
Staple crop
Chia seed, a staple crop of Mexico, is considered good for general health as it possesses properties that protect the heart and regulates one’s appetite.
Quinoa, a pseudo cereal, also originally from South American countries like Peru and Bolivia, possesses very low glycemic index, which is recommended for management of Type 2 diabetes, says Ram Rajasekharan, Director of the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI).
The institute has introduced the crops for cultivation for the first time. Farmers’ leader Kurubur Shanthakumar said about 60 farmers in Mysuru district has grown Chia and Quinoa in more than 100 acres of land.
“Chia crop, which is ready for harvest, yields about five quintals for every acre. At Rs. 20,000 per quintal, a farmer can earn about Rs. 1 lakh against an input cost of just Rs. 10,000,” he said.
“The farmers have already been approached by exporters from Mumbai, who are ready to buy the crop. As they have asked for a nutrition report, we are preparing the same with the assistance of CFTRI,” Mr. Shanthakumar said.
The crops, which can be grown in minimal water, will be ready for harvesting in three to four months. Also, no major pests or diseases have been reported so far. “Now, a lot of farmers are seeking seeds for these crops”, he added. Prof. Rajashekharan said the imported varieties of Chia and Quinoa are available at select stores in India for a high price.
Soon, the home-grown varieties of these ‘superfoods’ will be available in India.
While Chia is used in breakfast cereals, energy bars and breads, Quinoa is considered healthier than white rice and brown rice and contains twice as much fiber as most grains, and is rich in iron, magnesium and manganese.
Chia seed is considered good for general health and regulates one’s appetite
Quinoa has low glycemic index and is recommended for management of Type 2 diabetes
SpaceX rocket blasts off to put weather satellite into deep space
A SpaceX rocket blasted off on Wednesday to put a U.S. satellite into deep space, where it will keep tabs on solar storms and image Earth from nearly 1 million miles (1.6 million km) away.
Illuminated by the setting sun, the 22-story Falcon 9 rocket soared off its seaside launch pad at 6:03 p.m. EST (2303 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The launch was delayed on Sunday by a problem with a radar tracking system and on Tuesday by high winds.
Weather was pristine for launch on Wednesday, but high seas prompted SpaceX to cancel a test to land the rocket's discarded first stage on a platform in the ocean.
"Unfortunately we will not be able to attempt to recover the first stage of the Falcon 9," SpaceX said in a statement.
Waves three stories tall were crashing over the decks of the landing platform, SpaceX said.
The company has been developing technology to reuse its rockets, potentially slashing launch costs.
The rocket carries the Deep Space Climate Observatory, nicknamed DSCOVR, a $340 million mission backed by NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Air Force, which paid for the launch.
DSCOVR replaces a 17-year-old satellite monitoring for potentially dangerous solar storms, which can disrupt GPS signals, block radio communications and impact power grids on Earth.
It will take DSCOVR 110 days to reach its operational orbit around the sun, almost 1 million miles (1.6 million km) inward from Earth, where it will serve as a weather buoy, providing about an hour's advance notice of threatening solar activity.
The satellite's original mission, championed by then-Vice President Al Gore, was to provide a near-continuous view of Earth that would be distributed via the Internet in an attempt to raise environmental awareness, much like the iconic Apollo 17 "Blue Marble" picture of Earth did in the 1970s.
The satellite, then called Triana - and lampooned as GoreSat - was due to launch on the space shuttle, but the mission was canceled.
Triana spent more than a decade in storage before it was refurbished and reborn as a solar observatory. DSCOVR also has two sensors to monitor Earth to track volcanic plumes, measure ozone and monitor droughts, flooding and fires.
It also will take pictures of Earth every two hours that will be posted on the Internet, fulfilling in part Gore's dream.
Optimism after countries agree on draft in Geneva
On the last day of the Geneva Climate Change talks on Friday, countries agreed on a negotiating text for the 2015 agreement.
Responding to the new draft text, Julie Ann Richards of the Climate Justice Program said there is a new breath of optimism for an ambitious climate agreement in Paris and there is also ownership by countries. The text has got bulkier in the latest round of talks and gone up to 140 pages, she added during a briefing of the Climate Action Network in Geneva. It was important to scale up financial support and ensure a high level meeting for loss and damage.
The important thing is that there are enough good options in the text including a call to end fossil fuel emissions which were promising, she added. Tasneem Essop of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) said a number of countries have to ratify a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol. The pre-2020 ambitions also needed to be enhanced.
Keeping up the trend in global climate talks by industrialised nations to deny historical responsibilities, the U.S. had sprung a new term “bifurcation” and ending the two different categories of developed and developing countries at the ongoing talks in Geneva. An Indian official here said even if the U.S. uses different words, India would stick to its stand of common but differentiated responsibilities.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) issued a statement saying that a key milestone towards a new, universal agreement on climate change was reached in Geneva following seven days of negotiations by over 190 nations. The agreement is set to be reached in Paris at the end of 2015 and will come into effect in 2020.
Formal work and negotiations on the text will continue at the Climate Change Conference in Bonn in June with two further formal sessions planned for later in the year including in October, the UNFCCC said. “I am extremely encouraged by the constructive spirit and the speed at which negotiators have worked during the past week,” said UNFCCC executive secretary Christiana Figueres. “The Lima Draft has now been transformed into the negotiating text and enjoys the full ownership of all countries,” she added.
Madurai gets rare winged visitors
The Madurai Nature Forum has identified over 10 bird species as rare winter migrants to the tanks and fields around the city
Members of Madurai Nature forum (MNF) are excited over their recent bird sightings in tanks and fields around the city. Ever since they started a detailed bird and biodiversity study five months ago, the birders have listed more than 10 species of birds that are said to be rare visitors to the region. “We had surprises in almost every bird walk we took to the various water bodies in the district. Some of our sightings were the first or second records in the entire State,” says N. Raveendran, bird watcher.
“Most of these are shy birds and not easy to sight or capture on camera. Many a times, we can only identify them with their calls. But, we were lucky to have seen and photographed them,” says Tamil Dasan, MNF member. “The forum members put in lot of effort to document the rare species. This should help to create awareness about environment and nature among the general public,” hopes Ophthalmologist and senior Bird watcher, Dr. T. Badri Narayanan, who is an advisory member of the forum.
Dr. Ravi, a veterinarian and an avid birder, recounts how the members waited well over three hours at the Vandiyur Tank to click the Clamourous Reed warbler, a rare migratory species that winters in peninsular India. “We identified it through its loud and far-crying call. Thankfully, a linear patch of reed bushes in the tank-bed is left intact without encroachments and the birds were found nesting in those bushes,” says Ravi. The rare-visitors to the Temple town included - Rudy Shelduck, commonly found in the wetlands of Northern India, Thick-billed warbler, an insectivorous bird that breeds in temperate East Asia, Siberian Stonechat belonging to flycatcher family, Greater Painted-Snipe, a wader, Striated Heron, Tawny-bellied Babbler and water-birds such as Black and Yellow Bittern, Water Cock and Rudy Breasted Crake.
“Of these, the bitterns were mostly sighted in flight, as they are generally active restless birds. This is the first time Water Cock was photo recorded in Madurai District. Certain resident birds such as Streaked weaver are also uncommon to find,” says Raveendran. “As we uploaded the data on e-bird website and our Facebook page, many birders from across the country were surprised that Madurai has such a vibrant bird life,” he adds. The birds were sighted at Malai Urani Tank at Sivarakottai, Samanatham and Kilankulam tanks on the Ring Road, Nesaneri at Tirumangalam, Siddhar Natham tank and Kakauthu at Nagamalai and Vandiyur Tank. Apart from these, the paddy fields at Kallikudi and Vadakarai near Sholavandan are said to be good catchment areas for birding.
Dr. Badri Narayanan says, “Birds that migrate from central Asia and Siberia are considered uncommon in our region, as Tamil Nadu falls at the southern most tip of their migratory route and the birds very rarely venture down south. Few members of the species may deviate to fly South due to various reasons. This phenomenon is called vagrancy.” He adds that he had sighted Tuft ducks and Common Pochard at Urappanur and Kunnathur tanks two decades ago. “I go birding at the tanks regularly but I haven’t spotted those birds after that.” Similarly, Pied Harrier remains elusive to him. The last time he saw a male bird at Vandiyur tank was 25 years ago. “One doesn’t know of if the rare visitors will become regulars to the region,” he says.
Great Backyard Bird Count
For the upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count that is observed world over from February 13 to 16, Madurai Nature Forum has planned to conduct campus bird counts at various schools, colleges, offices and factory campuses. “This is to involve students and youngsters in birding. We aim to initiate birding or nature clubs in institutions and introduce nature walks as a hobby among the youth,” says Raveendran. “The count will also help people assess how nature-friendly or green their campus is. For instance, not many would know that the Madura College is the only campus inside the city limits to have peacocks. I have sighted over eight peacocks that shuttle between the college campus and the nandavanam of Koodal Azhagar Perumal Temple that is situated nearby.” The American College, Madura College and Vivekananda College are some of the institutions that have roped in the forum members to conduct the bird count at their premises.
The surprise visitor to Madurai
Of all the rare bird species identified, birders point to this one bird as the most prized sighting. It is the elusive Blue Throat, a migratory insectivorous species that breeds in bushy swamp. “We couldn’t believe our eyes when we spotted the bird at Malai Urani in Sivarakottai. It is the rarest of the lot, as no records or books list Blue Throat under Tamil Nadu birds,” says Raveendran. “In the past five years, the bird has only been sighted thrice in the state. Ours is the third record, after one each in Coimbatore and Tirupur.” The small bird migrates from Central Asia and Europe during winters to North Africa and Northern India. Called ‘Neel Kant’ in Hindi and compared with Lord Shiva because of the blue throat, it is called ‘Neela Kandan’ in Tamil.
Mining brought pollution 240 years before industrial revolution
Frozen beneath layers of mountain ice in Peru, scientists have found toxic trace metals that point to sources of pollution 240 years before the industrial revolution.
Researchers who studied ice core records from the high-altitude Quelccaya ice cap (in Peru) found “archives” of preindustrial trace elements, which they have traced back to 16 century colonial silver-mining operations in Potosí (now Bolivia). Quelccaya is one of the few sites on Earth where pre-industrial pollution of air caused by human activity can be studied today.
Around 1540, the Spanish Empire forced Incas to work on extracting silver in Potosí’s mountaintop mines, the main source of silver at the time. The pollution from the mining and smelting activities was carried by the wind 500 miles northwest into Peru where it settled on the Quelccaya ice cap, says a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Spanish Conquistadors, who were mainly interested in silver, saw a technological breakthrough in 1572 with a mercury amalgamation process, which triggered an unprecedented mining boom across the Andes. The Incas, who also knew how to refine silver, used a “huyara” or wind-drafted furnace made of clay.
Researchers used a mass spectrometer to identify chemicals — including arsenic, chromium and lead — present in the ice, starting from 800 AD. After the demise of the Inca Empire (A.D. 1532), the concentrations and trace elements increased, they found.
Unlike in the case of other continents, trace element deposition arising from human activity in the 20 Century started later in South America. However, the deposition was several times higher than during the Colonial period.
The deposition during the Colonical period, in turn, was several times higher than during the Inca Empire “when natural fluxes for the region dominated.”
Rural technology park promotes indigenous technologies
Government of India is setting up such parks in five African countries
Not many would be aware that the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad has a well established Rural Technology Park (RTP). Here, several relevant and user-friendly technologies are showcased which are useful for improving rural livelihoods.
Training is given to interested budding entrepreneurs for their skill up-gradation. After training, they are also assisted, so that they can start their enterprises.
The Institute has adopted more than 100 villages across the country where innovative ideas are implemented.
Current focus
“We are also focusing on “Make in India” theme. The idea is to identify critical gaps and address them by enhancing the quality and marketability of the products having an eye on market demand.
“As the Indian market itself is so huge, rural producers can tap it and in the process, create enormous value for their enterprises. This is a very important step, especially in creating opportunities for the rural youth across the country and also addressing the current unemployment scenario,” says Dr. M.V.Rao, Director General, NIRD.
For example, the Institute is promoting the concept of harnessing solar energy at a big level. Solar street lights have become very popular in all the villages adopted by the Institute.
Lights have been installed in all these villages with community involvement.
“Earlier a solar street light used to cost more than Rs.20,000, but thanks to innovative designs, the cost is now reduced to less than Rs.4,000 and several such lights have been installed in remote villages in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Maharashtra,” says Dr. Rao.
Preserving food stuff
Tee Wave, a technology partner with the Institute is working on this concept for preserving vegetables, fruits and fish.
Unlike traditional motors and appliances which run on high electricity, these appliances run on very low power DC motors. Hence, these are very useful in remote areas where electricity is a problem. For crops like soya, Saraswathi Mahila Gruha Udyog, a sort of self help group, has been created which is manufacturing a lot of products like soya milk, papad and soya powder.
Honey bee
Those interested in honey bee rearing can visit the honey house to learn how to set up bee boxes, honey extraction and value addition. NIRD has been training hundreds of entrepreneurs in bee-keeping as well as honey collection and preservation.
Another component is the training programmes in bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. This is fast finding a lot of popularity among the farmers from several states.
Emphasis is placed on how to manufacture bio inputs because sourcing inputs is a big problem for growers on time.
The institute conducts training on neem based enterprises and vermi-composting as these are eco-friendly and are preferred in organic farming.
Cooking gas is not available easily in villages. Rural women need to go to nearby forest areas to collect firewood for cooking.
The institute has developed various models and efficient technologies for cooking. These include models developed by Centre for Science & Villages (CSV), Wardha and Appropriate Rural Technologies Institute, Maharashtra.
Cooking stove
NIRD has tied up with both these organisations to popularise these cooking stoves and various innovative models so that cooking happens faster with fuel efficiency. In some of these models, as a by-product, cooking coal is also produced. This is used again as fuel.
“We invite farmers, rural youth, women self help groups and NGOs across the country to come and visit our technology park so that they can get a better idea as to how it can help them,” says Dr. Rao.
Success
The success of the technology park has encouraged the Government of India to commit setting up such parks in five African countries including Malawi and Zimbabwe to start with, as part of India-Africa partnership.
