Science & Technology - Current Affairs for October, 2015

Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, South Korea has given operational approval for the 25th reactor in the fifth biggest user of nuclear power in the world. Nuclear operator Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co Ltd (KHNP), will start a test run of Shin Kori No. 3, located in Busan, over 300 km SE of Seoul and the test run will last for 6 months. S. Korea currently runs 24 nuclear reactors supplying a third of the electricity an wants to add 13 more reactors by 2029.

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko’s atmosphere contains molecular oxygen. Chemical analysis of its atmosphere using ROSINA mass spectrometer abroad the Rosetta spacecraft has displayed results suggesting high proportions of molecular oxygen. Molecular oxygen level in the comet ranges from 1 to 10 percent and oxygen is the 4th most common has in the atmosphere of the comet following, CO2, water and CO.

US IT major IBM and Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge have signed an MoU for the provision of technology platforms and services in cloud computing for academicians in the state. IBM cloud will be available to faculty and students to utilise for practicals and project work.

Researchers have discovered unknown component of the Milky Way namely a thin disc of young stars in the central area of the galaxy buried beneath thick clouds of dust. Centre of the Milky Way galaxy consists of numerous old stars, but also has young stars. Researchers used data from VISTA telescope at European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory in Chile, between 2010 and 2014. Bulge of the Milky Way contains very young stars of the type called Cepheids. The stars undergo periodic expansion and contraction, taking anywhere from a few days to months to complete the cycle. The 35 classical Cepheids discovered are lower than 100 millions years old. Classical Cepheids provide fresh evidence that newly formed stars are forming in the central region of the Milky Way over the past 100 million years. As it was buried in a thick cloud of dust, this discovery remained untraceable earlier.

Amphibian groups around 300 million years prior have regenerated legs and tails like reptiles such as salamanders in a study conducted by Museum fur Naturkunde in Berlin which suggests all land mammals have the ability to regenerate limbs. These extraordinary regenerative capacities were likely lost in the process of evolution.

Scientists have built the world’s first sonic tractor beam which can lift and move objects through sound waves. These beams are rays which can take on and lift objects. This concept has been used by science fiction writers and programmes such as Star Trek apart from interesting scientists and engineers. This working tractor beam uses high amplitude sound waves for generating acoustic hologram to pick and move small objects.

Archeologists digging at Pylos, an ancient city in southwest Greece has discovered a grave of a warrior buried at the dawn of European civilisation. He has a bronze sword and collection of rings, jewels and seals. This is the first time since the 1950s that such a rich tomb has been found. The warrior was buried around 1500 BC, next to the site on Pylos on which, many years later, arose the palace of Nestor, a large administrative centre that was destroyed in 1180 BC, about the same time as Homer's Troy. The palace was part of the Mycenaean civilisation.

Researchers have identified a protein CRVP379 that could be targeted to prevent transmission of the dengue virus, leading to the development of vaccine against the deadly virus. Researchers have found a candidate for blocking transmission vaccine which interferes with virus infection of the mosquito following its acquisition of the virus. CRVP379 or cysteine-rich venom protein interacts with a protein called prohibitin that is a putative DENV receptor in mosquitoes, according to researchers.

This material is so dark that it can absorb nearly all the light hitting it. This super-black material could change the way solar panels are made, by absorbing 99% of the light, making it over 26% darker than carbon nanotubes. Before this, the darkest material known was the latter. The dark material absorbs light at all angles and polarisations.

Chinese firm Sichuan Revotek has said a considerable breakthrough has been received through self developed 3D bio-printer and cloud computing platform. This 3d blood vessel bio-printer makes it easy to produce personalised functional organs. Through this innovation, the stem based 3D bio-printing technology has been plastered. Blood vessel carry nutrients to organs and play a vital role in organ formation. The research team developed a new bio-ink called "Biosynsphere", whose primary goal is the personalised stem cell bio-printing to pave the way for organ regeneration.

Technology for a critical component of Jaguar aircraft has been discovered by Indian defence scientists from Defence Metallurgical Research Lab, Hyderabad in association with Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd and MDNL as well as Airworthiness Agencies. DRDO has indicated that high pressure compressor disc forgings carved out of titanium alloy are important rotating parts of Adour aero engines of Jaguar which have now been developed using indigenous technology.

A group of Ecuadoran and international scientists have on 24th October 2015 identified a new giant tortoise species on Galapagos Islands. There are currently only few 100 members of the new species. Two giant tortoise populations were thought to be of the same species but genetic tests showed a difference. The new species has been named Chelonoidis donfaustoi after Fausto Llerena, caretaker of Lonesome George who is the last known survivor of his species.

Scientists have for the first time developed a means to determine presence of strong magnetic fields inside pulsating giant stars through a technique associated with medical ultrasound. Magnetic fields have important consequences in all phases of stellar evolution from the formation of the star to its demise. Researchers have used asteroseismology similar to seismology for tracking waves travelling through stars to determine inner properties. Technique uses sound waves to image invisible parts of the human body.

Mumbai’s TIFR scientists have published a research paper on developing a vaccine for malaria. The TIFR team identified a group of proteins present on the malaria spreading plasmodium parasite and combined their finding with research to produce antibodies to fend off malarial infection. Currently there are emerging medicine resistant malaria strains. The TIFR team found a five-amino-acid segment that is of prime importance to the malarial parasite. Blocking the protein will prevent spread of the malarial parasite.

Researchers have found that increasing cholesterol binding membrane protein in nerve cells within the brain can lead to improvements in learning and memory. This is a novel method for treatment of diseases involving nervous system degeneration and highlights the importance of brain cholesterol. Study highlights a specific membrane protein known as Cav-1 ( caveolin-1) which expands the comprehension of neuro-plasticity.

Scientists have discovered a two star system comprising two hot, bright stars orbiting each other in little more than one day, called VFTS 352. The strange pair has been found in Tarantula Nebula 160,000 light years away. International team of scientists have used the VLT or Very Large Telescope located in Atacama Desert to locate this pair, managed by ESO in Munich, Germany. 2 star system has two stars separated by close to 12 million km and their surfaces have started to overlap. Combined mass of the pair is close to 57 times the Sun and the surface temperatures are above 40,000 degree C making this the hottest and largest over contact double star system found.

This discovery shows life may have commenced after the planet was formed 4.54 billion years ago. Research was carried out by geochemists from University of California, LA. The research indicates that life existed prior to the evolution of the inner solar system that formed the moon's large craters 3.9 billion years ago.

Scientists have found that a star system 650 light years away known to have a hot Jupiter planet is hosting 2 exoplanets. This discovery was made by astronomers from University of Michigan working with MIT colleagues. Hot Jupiters are called so because of their massive size and gaseous composition. However, these hot Jupiters in faraway solar systems orbit at distances closer than Mercury. Close to 300 hot Jupiters have been identified so far. This marks the first time any close in planets were discovered. Person who first spotted the planet companion in the WASP-47 system was citizen scientist Hans Schwengeler.

ASTROSAT is the first Indian space observatory which has spotted Crab Nebula using the CZTI or Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager. This is the brightest hard X-ray or highest energy X-ray source in the sky used to calibrate hard X-ray detectors. This proves ASTROSAT can sight X-ray sources. ASTRONAUT also spotted Cygnus X-1, a black hole source.

Scientists have confirmed that Enceladus, one of Saturn’s many moons comprises an ocean beneath its icy exterior meaning it has the capacity to support life. Cassini orbiter obtained pictures of the moon confirming this fact on 14th October 2015. While one side of the top has cracks and crater marks, the other is smoother and the moon which is the sixth largest has an ocean which could help to produce life. Enceladus is one tenth the size of Titan. Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system and the sixth from the Sun. Its orbital period is 29 years. It has 53 named moons.

US astronaut Scott Kelly broke the record for most time spent in space for a United States national at 383 days. He is more than halfway through a yearly mission at ISS and has set the record for the longest single US space mission. His 500 plus days in total in orbit will be one of the longest durations for which an astronaut has stayed in space. Currently, the longest duration of space travel is held by Russian Gennady Padalka at 879 days in space.

Following a decade of studying, researchers from Stanford University have attained a major breakthrough to mimic the skin’s ability for sensing touch, pressure, temperature and pain. They have invented a revolutionary plastic skin comprising two layers namely a sensing mechanism on the top and a bottom layer transmitting electric signals onto the biochemical stimuli for nerve cells to get. The skin is able to detect pressure over the same range as human skin. This is the first time a synthetic skin has been developed capable of detecting pressure and transmitting signals to the nervous system. There are thick grapheme tubes which allow the plastic skin to resemble human skin and transmit pressure information through short pulses of electricity akin to a Morse Code to the brain.

Scientists have found fossilised remains of a 125 million year old mammal which is rat sized named Spinolestes xenarthrosus. The fossil found in Spain pushed back the earliest record of preserved mammalian inner organs and hair structures by around 60 million years. This species lived during the Cretaceous period and comprised the extinct lineage of early mammals called triconodonts. Specimen measured 24 cm long and weighs 50-70 grams. The species has remarkable modern mammalian hair and skin structures whereby compound follies in multiple hairs emanate from the same pore. This is also the first example of a Mesozoic mammal whereby soft tissues in abdominal cavities and thoracic area are fossilised.

Through sensitive new technology, scientists have created the first high resolution gene expression map of the inner ear. This provides fresh insight into the way hair cells and supporting cells in the inner ear develop and differentiate into specialised cells serving important functions for maintaining balance. Comprehending how these important cells are a foundation for development of cell based therapies will help in treating loss of hearing as well as balance disorders. To get deeper understanding of how the inner ear cell develops, team used single cell RNA-seg, a new technology which can extract comprehensive gene activity data from a single cell.

Baby dinosaur fossils with fragments of egg shells have been discovered in Mongolia being the youngest ever of a type of giant hadrosaur that resided on earth 70 million years ago namely Saurolophus angustirostris which stands for “lizard crest”. This discovery shows how dinosaurs grew and developed from birth to adulthood. The fossils were discovered from a site called Dragon’s Tomb in Gobi Desert.

Modern humans migrated out of Africa close to 50,000 years ago based on analysis of fossil teeth found in China. This suggests they reached China 80,000-1,20,000 years ago. Modern humans populated East Asia close to 40,000 years prior to Europe. 47 human teeth were found buried in clay in the Fuyan Cave close to town of Daioxian. Till now, earliest proof of Homo Sapiens came from the Tianyuan Cave close to Beijing which dated around 40,000 years back.

Miniature satellite Orbital Communications and Sensor Demonstration CubeSat spacecraft is operational and in orbit according to NASA. The miniature satellite was sent into space abroad an Atlas V rocket from the California Vandenberg Air Force Base. CubeSats plays an important role in exploration, scientific research, technology demonstration and educational inquiries. This project provides an affordable platform for future NASA missions such as planetary exploration, observations of Earth and so on. OSCD is the first among six NASA managed technology demonstration missions to be launched. Miniature satellites measure close to 4 inches per side. Second mission is scheduled for February 2016.

NASA has released a report on next steps in space exploration in the journey to Mars on 9th October 2015. The document contains a plan for establishment of permanent settlements and deep space habitation facilities on the red planet by 2030s. The journey to Mars will cross several thresholds identified by NASA, each having its own challenge. NASA is implementing earth reliant exploration, and promotion of earth independent activities with respect to the red planet. It has also identified three technological and operational challenges within the report namely transportation, working in space and staying healthy.

Holiday and education travel firm Cox & Kings has acquired UK based online hotel booking firm LateRooms Ltd on 13th October 2015 from TUI Group for INR 85 crore. LateRooms offers a complete range of accommodation options totalling 54,800 properties to be booked up to a year in advance. The UK firm has 3.5 million opted-in and active consumer database and operates a Single Web Platform for mobile device usage. Acquisition is in line with the strategic intent of the travel group to expand its online and B2C leisure proposition.

Researchers have found that non-inherited Parkinson’s Disease may be the result of functional changes in immune regulating gene Interferon Beta or IFN Beta. Treating the same with IFN Beta Gene therapy could be beneficial in preventing neuronal death and disease impact in experimental model of PD. Scientists are aiming to develop more effective treatment of Parkinson’s Disease using this knowledge. Close to 7 to 10 million people throughout the world suffer from this disease which is incurable and a progressive neurodegenerative disease. The human brain comprises of around 100 billion neurons coordinating activities in different body parts and the immune gene IFN Beta plays an important role in keeping the neurons healthy. IFN beta is critical for neutrons to have ability to recycle waste proteins without which they accumulate in disease associated structures known as Lewy bodies and neutrons die within time.

Institute of Seismological Research has commenced with surveys using latest 3-D magentotelluric imaging technology. The aim is to find spots for establishing the first geothermal power plant in India employing heat stored below the surface of the earth. Breakthrough is expected to lay the foundation of the geothermal power plant in Gujarat which will be the first of its kind in the country. Institute has also pioneered 3-D MT imaging of crust to locate optimal spots. So far, crustal structures and geological faults were being mapped in Kutch. Geothermal energy is stored beneath the surface of the earth in the form of heat which can generate power, as temperature below the earth will be as high as 100 to 150 degree C. Normal thermal power plants use coal or gas to generate steam and heat water, running the turbines. Pre heated water will be stored beneath the earth so that one does not have to rely on alternate energy sources. Currently, the focus is on locating spots where water with at least 80 degree C temperature can be obtained. This would be optimal for geothermal power plants.

New images from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissnace Orbiter have demonstrated a resistant and highly fractured surface amidst sand dunes. High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment/HiRISE camera abroad NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter takes images of the sand dunes to study mobile soils. Images also provide data about erosion and movement of surface material, wind as well as weather patterns, soil grains and grain sizes. Images also reveal information about the nature of substrate beneath. Fractured ground resists erosion by wind and indicates material is bedrock shattered by bending stresses and/or changes in temperature such as cooling. Surface may be a sedimentary layer once wet and shrunk, fractured as it dried, according to NASA. Small and indistinct fractures have trapped dark dune sand marching overhead and have become clear and distinct, leading to an examination of the orientation and spacing of the fractures to assess more regarding their formation processes.

Iran has tested a guided long range ballistic missile in what is possibly a violation of the nuclear agreement in July between Iran and world powers. Missile may violate terms of agreement arrived at in Vienna with 6 nations that placed restrictions on the ambitious missile programme of Iran. New missile Emad or pillar is a step up from Shahab-3 as it can be guided to the target. The country has produced missiles which can reach as far as Europe. As per the nuclear agreement, a heavy water plant in Arak will be redesigned into a light water reactor.

Hermann Minkowski and Max Abraham came up with opposite equations that both seemed to be supported by polar experimental data, as far as the question of what happens to the momentum of light is concerned. Using indigenous equipment, IISER scientists have found the former was correct and light does enter another medium and gain momentum. At angles close to TIR, the water surface was discovered to be bent upwards due to the pressure exerted by the photon beam and was spread to 100 times in excess of the area of the pumped laser. The analysis demonstrated that the light particles actually gained momentum. The equipment designed can also help in the development of better biosensors, lab-on-chip devices, easily reconfigurable lenses and molecular imaging tools.

NASA’s Pluto Exploration Programme has found the dwarf planet is geologically active even after 4 billion years indicating this planet could be alive. The first colour images of Pluto have revealed a blue haze and small exposed regions of water ice on Pluto. Patterns of water ice have uneven distribution and the blue sky on Pluto results from scattering of sunlight by soot like particles referred to as tholins. However, scientists have said it is not possible for Pluto to have life once because it is -400 degree F and too cold for life. Pluto is currently the only object in the Kuiper Belt with multiple moons.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have sequenced an ancient African genome from 4500 year old skull in Ethiopia confirming mass migration wave from Eurasia to Africa close to 3000 years ago. 25% of the DNA of modern Africa can be traced to this event and data shows Africans carry a considerable component of Eurasian ancestry. The research findings indicate mass migration of western Eurasians into Africa around 4000 years back originating in ancient Middle East. This marks the first time an African genome has been decoded.

NASA has released first colour pictures of haze surrounding Pluto alone with water ice patches on the dwarf planet collected by the New Horizons probe. The picture shows the haze to be bright blue. The water ice was found in a composite image from New Horizons' Ralph instrument, combining visible imagery from the Multispectral Visible Imaging Camera (MVIC) with infrared spectroscopy from the Linear Etalon Imaging Spectral Array. The tint reveals the size and composition of the haze particles apart from scattering of sunlight by small particles. Scattering of light in the red planet is through soot particles scientists refer to as tholins. Bits of ice correlate with red patches on the surface of the planet. Water appears in patches and scientists are now preparing to find out more about their formation and appearance.

Scientists have used data from the Curiosity rover to determine that water helped deposit sediments into the Gale Crater where the rover landed around 3 years ago and this has increased odds of life once existing on the Red Planet. Sediment deposited as larges formed the foundation for Mount Sharp on mars. Rover observations suggest that series of streams and rivers existed at some point between 3.3 to 3.8 billion years back, building up lower layers of Mount Sharp through sediment deposition. Findings built upon previous research indicating the presence of ancient lakes on Mars.

Punjab farmers have lost two thirds of their cotton crop to whitefly even as NBRI developing a cotton variety resistant to the pest. The institute found a gene derived from a vegetable to be effective against the whitefly. The gene induces whitefly sterility and prevents reproduction of the pest. CSIR’s research lab, NBRI has applied for patent for the technology in 8 nations. Whitefly is a common pest affecting 30 plant varieties such as papaya, brinjal and cotton as well as okra in fields. Cotton is currently grown in 9 Indian states namely MP, TN, Gujarat, Telangana, Karntaka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and Maharashtra. The northern states are more affected by the whitefly pest. Whitefly takes away the nutrients from the leaves of the crop and stunts their growth. This pest can destroy the crop in just 6 to 8 weeks. NBRI tested genes from 250 plants to find the one effective for eliminating whitefly in cotton crops. Protein formed by the gene is easily digestible in lab trials.

Indian Railways has launched the facility for booking paperless unreserved tickets plus platform tickets for cutting down on queues in reservation counters. This initiate was started in suburban rail sections of Mumbai where close to 75 lakh passengers use the train services to commute between places. The IT enabled passenger services are in line with Digital India mission. Paperless ticket programme will also cover New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations. Currency coin cum card operated automatic ticket vending machine as also been launched at numerous Central and Western Railways on the occasion. Campaign will also be launched to combat ticketless travelling on Indian Railways.

Google India has launched Delhi Public Transport app which will utilise same Transit data for DMRC metro, DTC buses, DIMTS (Orange) buses, and Gurgaon Rapid Metro as Google Maps. The app will also provide direction and information regarding time table for Delhi Metro and buses offline.

Sony Corp has acquired Belgian image sensor technology company Softkinetic Systems for a sum which has not been publicly disclosed. Sony is looking to increase investment in what is the strongest area. Soft kinetic specialises in technology which measures time of flight and the deal comes after Sony Corp indicated it will split off semiconductor operations to boost growth of image sensors business.

Group of young coders, Team Pop Stack has launched the first election app in Myanmar entitled MVoter2015. Millions of hyperactive FB users are being targeted through this app as social media will play a critical role in the upcoming elections. Myanmar’s 51 million strong population has more than 18 million SIM cards for mobile phones.

Rather than opting for a replication of the Like button, FB is using emojis called Reactions to represent the following emotions- Love, Haha, Yay, Wow, Sad and Angry. These emojis will be placed alongside Like Button as extra options and will be released in Spain and Ireland first. The dislike button will now be expressed through one of the 6 emojis. Akin to the Like button, the reactions will appear on any post in the news feed on mobile or desktop. The number of reactions that any post has received will be placed the post and users will be able to see nature of reactions as well as the manner in which these are expressed. Emojis will first be used in non English nations to see how it works out for users of this category.

Scientists have found the inner core of the earth was formed 1-1.5 billion years back as it froze from the molten iron outer core. The inner core is Earth’s deepest layer and it is a ball of solid iron larger than Pluto surrounded by liquid outer core. Inner core is a recent addition to the planet and it was formed according to scientists who have debated its period of formation as ranging from 0.5 to 2 billion years. Researchers conducted an analysis of records from ancient igneous rocks and found sharp increase in magnetic field of the planet between 1 to 1.5 billion years ago. Increased magnetic field is a possible indication of the first occurrence of solid iron at the centre of the earth. The research also suggests average growth rate of the solid inner core is one mm per year. Earth’s magnetic field is generated by motion of liquid iron alloy in the outer core around 3000 km beneath the crust of the earth.

Scientists have created a Habitability index for transiting planets which can arrive at a single number habitability index showing the probability of liquid water on the surface of the planet. Earlier, astronomers focused on looking for planets in the star’s habitable zone called “Goldilocks zone”, a swath of space just enough to give orbiting earth like planets chance to have liquid water and life on the surface. This has been a binary designation and the habitability index is more precise. The index has been created by University of Washington professors R. Barnes and V. Meadows along with research assistant Nicole Evans. A phenomenon called “eccentricity—albedo degeneracy,” which comments on a sort of balancing act between a planet’s albedo — the energy reflected back to space from its surface — and the circularity of its orbit, which affects how much energy it receives from its host star such that they counteract each other was also proposed by the scientists. Higher a planet’s albedo, the more light and energy are reflected off to space, leaving less at the surface to warm the world and aid possible life and if planet’s orbit is irregular, then more intense is the energy it gets when passing close to its star in its elliptic journey.A planet in the inner edge of the habitable zone should be in higher albedo to cool the world while planets on outer edge of habitable zone will need higher level of orbital eccentricity to generate energy needed for life.

Scientists have discovered an immune system gene associated with higher rates of amyloid plaque buildup in brains of patients with Alzheimer’s and those at risk for developing the disease. IL1RAP has been associated with greater amyloid plaque accumulation over the past two years and has greater impact than APOE- e4 allele associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.

A fresh technology for monitoring carbon dioxide and storing it to prevent the gas from reaching the atmosphere has been discovered by scientists. This could reduce GHG emissions and lower global warming. The unique traces from signature of noble gases has been used to monitor CO₂ stored underground.CO₂ emissions from energy generation such as coal burning cause increasing global climate change. CCS or carbon capture and storage techniques are associated with storing the gas in deep aquifers to prevent it from reaching the atmosphere. The new technique discovered can provide a cheap way to fingerprint injected phases in large scale carbon storage projects.

A single neuron/nerve cell in a normal adult brain may have more than 1000 genetic mutations, many of which could be harmless, according to new research by Maryland-based Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) scientists. The mutations manifest after the brain becomes fully developed. For the study, the scientists isolated and sequenced the genomes of 36 neurons from healthy brains donated by three adults after their deaths and sequenced DNA that they isolated from cells in each individual's heart. They found each never cell’s genome was unique with more than 1000 point mutations that change a single letter of the genetic code. These mutations have a unique signature of their own and occur when cells are expressing the genes.

Rubber duck shaped comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (67P) is composed of a larger and smaller lobe separated by thin, neck region resulting from the merger of distinct objects. Till this time, it was unclear whether comet 67P was formed by the fusion of 2 objects or a concentrated localised erosion of a single object. Scientists have demonstrated that its peculiar shape is the result of low speed collision between completely developed comets, as per high resolution images taken from OSIRIS/Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System between August 6, 2014 and March 17, 2015 to find out more of the layers of material seen all over the nucleus.

Chocolate which is healthy can be eaten as medicine, as per scientists who have used herbal technologies to create the medicinal version which only has 35% fat. Cacao, the key ingredient in chocolate, contains a variety of antioxidants and minerals, which perform health benefits such as lowering BP and stroke risk. A new de-bittering agent has been used in the form of a small herb from Bolivia and Peru which can make cacao sweeter. This new chocolate was unveiled at the World Chocolate Forum in London, which has no sugar, sweeteners or heavy percentage of fat.

The limit of industry’s capacity to shrink transistors beyond a certain size in the semi conductor business is called red brick wall. But IBM scientists have now found a new way to make transistors smaller through the use of parallel rows of carbon based nanotubes. Advancement is based on a fresh way to connect super thin metal writes to nanotubes, making it easier to shrink the width of the wires without increasing electrical resistance.

On Gandhi Jayanti, Change dot org, the largest social change platform in the world launched its website in Hindi to promote better access in India. With over 30 lakh users and over 350 campaigns in India, it is the most advanced form of digital campaigning. Some of the most famous figures who have started petitions on Change dot org include Milind Deora, Kirron Kher and Sonakshi Sinha.

Researchers from Russia have discovered that water reserves on moon are the result of asteroids functioning as delivery vehicles and not falling ice comets as study using computer simulation has found. Scientists have made the discovery that a massive asteroid can deliver greater amounts of water to the lunar surface than cumulative fall of comets over a billion year period. The simulation has also shown that when short period comets fall, most of the water evaporates and less than 1 percent of it remains in impact point. Fall of asteroids containing water can generate deposits of chemically bounded water located within lunar craters.

China on 30th September 2015 launched a 20th new generation satellite to support its global navigation and positioning network launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the south-western province of Sichuan. A Long March-3B carrier rocket carried the satellite.This satellite brings China closer to developing a GPS like the US and it also featured a hydrogen atomic clock, which is another first for China. Some other global navigation satellite systems include IRNSS (India), GPS (United States), GLONASS (Russia), DORIS (France) and QZXX (Japan).

Australian communities have taken a step closer to high speed internet following launch of a 0.5 billion dollar satellite named Sky Muster launched from the French Guiana on October 1, 2015. This is one of the largest communication satellites in the world for delivering broadband to Australia. NBN satellite service will provide speeds and new growth in education, social connectivity, health and business.

Humans are surrounded by electrosmog, which refers to invisible clouds of electromagnetic radiation enabling mobile and Wi-Fi networks and it can also power small devices. Former science minister Paul Drayson has developed an energy harvesting system referred to as Freevolt which employs the use of an antenna to draw power from numerous wavebands of electromagnetic spectrum while fitting into a credit card sized unit. Technology was placed inside a personal air pollution sensor referred to as CleanSpace. This allows individuals to monitor air quality around them. Sensor referred to as Tag pairs with mobile app to monitor CO levels and transport choices selected by each individual. This marks the first time a commercial device powered only by ambient radio frequency energy has been developed. Personal air quality sensor has been developed in view of the problems faced during air pollution.

Britain has approved 10 womb transplant operations following the successful birth of a baby from the transplanted womb in Sweden on September 2014. This is the first baby in the world born to a woman using the same womb from which she was herself born. Operation is perfect for those who do not have the chance of carrying their own baby due to lack of a viable womb.

The decision to pick out a constant hum or sudden bursts made by cells is associated with voltage across cell membranes and input from certain regions of the brain under specific conditions. This has been demonstrated by scientists M. Sengupta and V. Thirumalai from NCBS in Bengaluru. Cerebellum, a small structure at the brain’s base controls acquisition of new motor skills, balance and coordination. Permitting these functions are nerve cells referred to as Purkinje cells neatly arranged in simple layers within the cerebellum. The tune theory shows cells receive signals from varied brain parts and send out messages to deeper layer of cerebellum.