Leaf Litter Frog

Recently, scientists have found that Leaf Litter Frog emits ultrasonic sounds that are inaudible to humans but can scare off predators.

About Leaf Litter Frog:

It is the most abundant species of frog in the forest community.
It utilizes its high-frequency screams as a survival strategy.
Habitat: It inhabits primary and secondary forests and forest edges. It is usually found in the leaf-litter on the forest floor, or on leaves in low vegetation inside the forest.
Appearance: They are tiny and the largest of the species are females. In size, they are barely up to 64 millimeters (2.5 inches) in length.
Distribution: It is a species of frog endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest.
Conservation status
- IUCN: Least concern

What are Ultrasonic waves?

These are sound waves whose frequencies are higher than those of waves normally audible to the human ear.
The angular frequencies of the ultrasonic waves produced in laboratories lie from about 105 sec−1 to about 3 × 109 sec−1, the former value representing the limit of audibility of the human ear.

Source : When this tiny frog in Brazil screams, humans won’t hear it

What is a heatwave?

Recently, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted an increase in the maximum temperature and the frequency of heatwave conditions in the forthcoming days over eastern and southern India.

About Heat wave:

The definition of a heatwave depends on the physiography of regions.
Qualitatively, heat wave is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to human body when exposed.
Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal.
The IMD will declare a heatwave:
- if the maximum temperature recorded at a station is 40 degrees Celsius or more in the plains, 37 degrees Celsius or more in the coast, and 30 degrees Celsius or more in the hills.
- a heatwave’s severity is determined by its departure from normal temperature.
- there is a ‘normal heatwave’ when the departure is by 4.5-6.4 degrees Celsius and a ‘severe heatwave’ if the departure is greater.
Heat wave declaration could also be based on actual maximum temperature:
- A ‘heatwave’ is when this figure is greater than 45 degrees Celsius and a ‘severe heatwave’ when greater than 47 degrees Celsius.
- The IMD takes these two ‘routes’ only when at least two stations in a meteorological subdivision report such a high maximum or when at least one station has recorded a corresponding departure from the normal for at least two consecutive days.
Governments at various levels — State, district, and city — have prepared Heat Action Plans (HAPs).
HAPs aim to increase preparedness and lower the adverse impacts of extreme heat by outlining strategies and measures to prepare for, address and recover from heatwaves.
The National Disaster Management Authority and IMD are reported to be working with 23 States to develop HAPs.
There is no centralised database on HAPs, but at least 23 HAPs exist at the State and city level, with a few States, such as Odisha and Maharashtra, laying out district-level HAPs.

Source : On India’s ‘heat action plans’ | Explained

Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation

Recently, a state-of-the-art Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE) was inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman DRDO in Kerala.

About Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation:

It is set up by the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
It has been designed as a premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for the Indian Navy onboard various platforms including ships, submarines and helicopters.
Features: It will consist of two distinct assemblages - a platform which floats on the water surface, and a submersible platform which can be lowered to any depth up to 100 m using winch systems.
Uses: It will mainly be utilised for the evaluation of a complete sonar system, allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers. It will be suitable for survey, sampling and data collection of air, surface, mid-water, and reservoir floor parameters using modern scientific instrumentation.
It will cater to the needs of data processing and sample analyses in modern, well equipped scientific laboratories heralding a new era of Anti-Submarine Warfare research capabilities.

What is Sonar?

Sound NAvigation and Ranging (SONAR) is a tool that uses sound waves to explore the ocean.
Scientists primarily use sonar to develop nautical charts, locate underwater hazards to navigation, search for and identify objects in the water column and on the seafloor such as shipwrecks, and map the seafloor itself.
Sonar is used for oceanography because sound waves travel farther in the water than radar and light waves can.

Source : SPACE, a premier testing & evaluation hub for sonar systems for Indian Navy, set up by DRDO, inaugurated in Kerala.

Men5CV Vaccine

Nigeria has taken a historic step in the fight against meningitis, becoming the first country in the world to introduce a new, highly effective vaccine called Men5CV.

About Men5CV Vaccine:

It protects against strains A, C, W, Y and X of the meningococcus bacteria, all of which can cause meningitis and blood poisoning.
It is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Funding: The vaccine and emergency vaccination activities are funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Key facts about Meningitis

It is a serious infection that leads to the inflammation of the membranes (meninges) that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
There are multiple causes of meningitis, including viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic pathogens.
Bacterial meningitis, specifically caused by the meningococcus bacteria, is a particular concern in Africa and can also result in septicaemia (blood poisoning), and can seriously disable or kill within 24 hours those that contract it.
Symptoms: It often includes headache, fever and stiff neck.
A region of 26 countries known as the “African meningitis belt” stretches across the continent, including Nigeria.

Source : Nigeria makes history with rollout of new 5-in-1 meningitis vaccine

What is B Virus?

A 37-year-old man wounded by a wild monkey in Hong Kong is in intensive care suffering from infection with B virus.

About B Virus:

It is an alphaherpesvirus enzootic in macaques of the genus Macaca. B virus is the only identified old-world-monkey herpesvirus.
It is also known as herpes B virus or Macacine herpesvirus 1 (McHV-1). It is a type of herpesvirus found in macaque monkeys, particularly rhesus macaques.
It is asymptomatic in these animals; it can cause severe neurological complications, including encephalitis.
Transmission: In humans, it is transmitted through bites, scratches, or contact with infected bodily fluids. The transmission of this virus among humans is rare. So far, only one case of human to human transmission has been recorded.
Symptoms:
- Its infections in humans are rare but potentially fatal, with symptoms ranging from fever and headache to neurological dysfunction and death.
- The common symptoms seen during the infection are: fever, headache, myalgia, localized neurologic symptoms might occur near the wound site.
- Signs of infection in a human usually develop within two to 30 days. There may be blisters around the contact point or wound, together with a flu-like illness.
- The virus can spread to lymph nodes and the nervous system. This causes agitation, confusion, double vision, trouble with coordination and muscle weakness.
- Patients can develop hiccups if this inflammation involves the brain stem. If it reaches the lungs, they may need to be admitted to an intensive care unit.
Treatment: There are no vaccines that can protect humans against B virus infection.

Source : Man who caught virus from a monkey in a critical condition — B virus explained

Key Facts about Iron Age

A team of archaeologists claimed to have discovered a unique Iron Age megalithic site at Ooragutta near Bandala village in SS Tadvai mandal of Mulugu district, Telangana.

About Iron Age:

The Iron Age was a period in human history that started between 1200 B.C. and 600 B.C., depending on the region, and followed the Stone Age and Bronze Age.
The Iron Age existed in Africa, Europe, and Asia during prehistoric times in the Old World. The Iron Age did not occur in America because this was the New World and had not yet been discovered.
People discovered iron at this time. It quickly became the preferred choice of metal, replacing the use of bronze in metalworking. The use of iron brought important changes to people’s lives.
Ironwork first began in Turkey before spreading to other European countries.
People used iron to make strong tools, which made farming easier.
- Farmers used an ‘ard’ (an iron plow) during the Iron Age to turn over their fields. These were much more efficient than wooden or bronze plows.
They also made iron swords and other weapons.
- Huge armies of soldiers soon carried iron weapons.
- These weapons made an army much harder to defeat.
- Armies traveled to other lands and took over places they liked.
- Kings and other rulers gained great power.
Other changes in technology also happened during the Iron Age.
- People built large forts and bridges.
- Pottery and weaving improved.
- Humans dug deep mines in the ground to find salt and other valuable minerals.
End of Iron Age:
- The Iron Age is a part of prehistory, or the time before humans used writing.
- Therefore, the Iron Age ended once writing became widespread.
- Still, iron continues to be a popular choice for crafting iron tools, weapons, doors, windows, building supports, machinery, and more.

Source : Three new archaeological sites discovered

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)

The Supreme Court (SC) recently issued notice to two members of the NCDRC seeking explanation from them for issuing non-bailable warrants against the directors of a company, ignoring a previous interim order of the SC.

About National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC):

It is a quasi-judicial commission in India which was set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.
Mandate: To provide inexpensive, speedy and summary redressal of consumer disputes.
Its head office is in New Delhi.
The Commission is headed by a sitting or a retired Judge of the SC or a sitting or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
NCDRC shall have jurisdiction to entertain a complaint valued more than two crore and also have appellate and revisional jurisdiction from the orders of State Commissions or the District fora as the case may be.
The provisions of this act cover ‘goods’ as well as ‘services’.
- The goods are those which are manufactured or produced and sold to consumers through wholesalers and retailers.
- The services are in the nature of transport, telephone, electricity, housing, banking, insurance, medical treatment, etc.
Eligibility to File a Claim: Any person who
- Has bought goods for consideration and finds any defect in the quality, quantity, potency, purity, or standard of the goods, or
- Has hired or availed any service for consideration and finds any fault, imperfection, shortcoming, or inadequacy in the quality, nature, and manner of performance in relation to the service.
- However, if a person has bought the goods for resale or for a commercial purpose, he is not a consumer.
- No complaint can be filed for alleged deficiency in any service that is rendered free of charge or under a contract of personal service.
Who Can File a Complaint: A complaint may be filed by the following:
- A consumer
- Any voluntary consumer association registered under the Companies Act 1956
- The Central Government or any State Government
- One or more consumers where there are numerous consumers.
Appeal: Any person aggrieved by an order of NCDRC, may prefer an appeal against such an order to SC within a period of 30 days.

Source : Supreme Court Seeks Explanation From 2 NCDRC Members For Issuing Non-Bailable Warrants Ignoring SC's Interim Protection

What is UN Women?

Six months into the war, Gaza is facing a humanitarian crisis disproportionately impacting women and girls, according to a new report by UN Women.

About UN Women:

It is the United Nations (UN) entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
In 2010, the UN General Assembly created UN Women.
The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact.
A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.
The main roles of UN Women are:
- To support inter-governmental bodies, such as the Commission on the Status of Women, in their formulation of policies, global standards, and norms.
- To help member states implement these standards, standing ready to provide suitable technical and financial support to those countries that request it, and to forge effective partnerships with civil society.
- To lead and coordinate the UN system’s work on gender equality as well as promote accountability, including through regular monitoring of system-wide progress.
It works globally to make the vision of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) a reality for women and girls and stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life.
Within countries that request its assistance, UN Women works with government and non-governmental partners to help them put in place the policies, laws, services, and resources that women require to move towards equality.
Grant-making Funds: UN Women provides grants to fuel innovative, high-impact programmes by government agencies and civil society groups through two funds—the Fund for Gender Equality and the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW): A global policy-making body, the CSW is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women.
Aside from the CSW, UN Women offers regular information on women’s rights issues to the General Assembly, the ECOSOC, and the Security Council.
It maintains the UN Secretary-General’s database on violence against women, which tracks measures to end violence taken by UN Member States and UN organizations.

Source : War’s toll on women: UN Women report sheds light on Gaza’s water, sanitation and hygiene crisis

What are Tachyons?

Physicists recently proposed the radical idea that our universe is dominated by tachyons, a hypothetical kind of particle that always moves faster than light.

About Tachyons:

Tachyons are hypothetical subatomic particles that move faster than the speed of light.
The term "tachyon" was coined by physicist Gerald Feinberg in 1967.
They are distinguished from "bradyons," particles that travel at less than the speed of light.
While bradyons are familiar and include protons, electrons and neutrons, tachyons have never been observed.
According to special relativity, particles with mass cannot reach or exceed the speed of light in a vacuum because their energy would become infinite.
However, tachyons are thought to have imaginary mass, meaning their mass squared is a negative value. This implies that they could potentially travel faster than light without violating the laws of physics as we currently understand them.
Tachyons would slow down if they gained energy and accelerate if they lost energy.
There have been a few experiments to find tachyons using a detector called a cerenkov detector.
- This detector is able to measure the speed of a particle traveling through a medium.
- Nothing can travel faster than the speed of light in a vacuum. However, in other mediums, particles can potentially move faster than light.
- If a particle travels through a medium at a speed that is greater than light for that medium, cerenkov radiation occurs.
- This is analogous to the sonic boom produced when an airplane travels faster than the speed of sound in air or the shock wave at the bow of a ship.

Source : The universe may be dominated by particles that break causality and move faster than light, new paper suggests

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is growing in popularity, both in India and abroad.

About Ashwagandha:

Ashwagandha, also called Indian ginseng or Indian winter cherry, is an evergreen shrub native to India, northern Africa and the Middle East.
Scientifically known as Withania somnifera, the shrub got its name Ashwagandha because its roots are said to smell like a wet horse ('ashwa' for horse and 'gandha' for smell).
It belongs to the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family—the same family as tomatoes and potatoes.
Benefits:
- It has been in use as a medicinal plant for thousands of years, especially in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.
- It is often called an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stressors and restore balance.
- Its other benefits are reducing inflammation, increasing energy, alleviating anxiety, ease pain, and improving sleep.
- Different parts of the ashwagandha plant, such as the root, leaves, and berries, may have different concentrations of bioactive compounds.
- Notable among these are withanolides, naturally occurring steroid compounds which have been associated with beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.

Source : Ashwagandha is great, but not for everybody

19 April 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB

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