General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - November 2022

Nov 2022

Sep 04, 2024

US Scientists Discover 1,700 Ancient Viruses in Tibetan Glacier Ice

Virologists from the United States, who collected ice core samples from the Guliya Glacier in the Tibetan Plateau, discovered the genomes of over 1,700 ancient viruses, with the oldest dating to more than 40,000 years ago. The viruses, preserved in ice, had existed across nine distinct time periods with widely varying global climatic conditions.
The team of virologists, led by Zhi-Ping Zhong of the Ice Core Palaeontology Group at Ohio State University, analysed the virus genomes to understand their evolution and how they develop the ability to survive in harsh environmental conditions.
They used DNA extraction and metagenomic (study of genetic material derived from environmental samples) methods to sequence these from the 310-metre-long ice core, and analysed the differences between them.
The virologists discovered that the viruses have vast genetic differences, which depend on whether they were active in cold climate periods or warm.

Sep 02, 2024

WWF-India Launches Tracking Initiative to Take Stock of Nature's 'Sanitation Workers'

WWF-India will launch an initiative that involves counting of vultures and raising awareness on the critically endangered bird species. The drive will commence on September 7 and will conclude by October 6.
The launch of the initiative coincides with International Vulture Awareness Day.
Vulture Count 2024 aims to address this crisis by systematically monitoring vulture populations. Gathering comprehensive baseline data will help track population trends, identify critical habitats, and assess the impact of environmental changes. This information will be vital for developing targeted conservation strategies and policies, and for raising public awareness and support for vulture conservation.

Sep 01, 2024

Cyclone Asna, First Since 1964 to Form in Arabian Sea, to Miss Gujarat

The deep depression off the Gujarat coast intensified into Cyclone Asna, only the second of its kind to form over the Arabian Sea since 1964, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
Cyclone Asna, named by Pakistan, moved away from the Indian coast and will not hit Gujarat, as per satellite observations. The weather system has already caused extreme weather in the state, even in its pre-cyclonic stage.

Aug 31, 2024

NASA Engineers Design Underwater Robots to Combat Climate Change

NASA engineers are developing underwater robot probes aimed at measuring the rapid melting of ice shelves in Antarctica due to climate change. The initiative seeks to provide precise data that will improve predictions of future sea level rise, essential for global climate models.
A prototype developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory was tested in the Arctic from a U.S. Navy lab camp. The submersibles aim to explore hard-to-reach grounding zones where ice and ocean meet, using special software to guide their path.

Aug 30, 2024

First Indigenously Developed Pollution Control Vessel Launched in Goa

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched its first indigenously developed Pollution Control Vessel, 'Samudra Pratap,' in Goa. Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth presided over the event. The vessel, built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), aims to address oil spillage along India's coastlines and represents a significant milestone in indigenous shipbuilding.
The ceremony was attended by Shri Brajesh Kumar Upadhyaya, Chairman and Managing Director of GSL, along with officials from the Ministry of Defence, ICG, Indian Navy, and GSL. The launch underscores GSL's entry into the elite group of Indian shipyards capable of producing state-of-the-art Pollution Control Vessels.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

July GK, June GK, May GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26