NIT Rourkela Develops an Indigenous, Cost-effective Water Waste System
Researchers at NIT Rourkela developed a fine cutting-edge treatment system to deal with industrial waste like harmful dyes which remains a challenge previously in water treatment systems to completely eliminate the risk of removal of non-composite waste. Researchers from NIT and IIT participated in the program to develop the system. Dyes such as Bismarck Brown R are small enough to pass through microfiltration membranes, making them particularly challenging to treat. These dyes can cause significant environmental and health issues due to their intense colour and potential carcinogenic properties.
This hybrid system successfully achieved 95.4% decolorisation of Bismarck Brown R and 94% removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in just 90 minutes. The nanocomposite performed well under visible light, making this approach suitable for practical wastewater treatment applications.
Niger First African Nation to Eliminate Onchocerciasis
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Niger become the first country in the African region to officially eliminate onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, as a public health threat. This remarkable achievement places Niger alongside just four other countries globally, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico, that have successfully halted the transmission of the parasitic disease. It marks a significant moment in public health, especially for sub-Saharan Africa, where onchocerciasis has long been a major concern.