CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• In a momentous return, India is set to host the prestigious International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) next year, marking a significant event after a hiatus of 42 years.
• About International Air Transport Association (IATA):
  • Established in 1945 in Havana, Cuba, with 57 founding members, IATA stands as a formidable international trade association representing the global airline industry.
  • With a mission to "represent, lead, and serve the airline industry," IATA's influence extends across the globe.
  • It champions the interests of airlines on a global scale while setting industry standards that streamline processes, bolster safety measures, enhance passenger experiences, drive cost efficiencies, improve operational effectiveness, and contribute to sustainability objectives.
  • Currently boasting a membership of approximately 330 airlines, IATA commands authority over more than 80% of the world's air traffic.
  • Among its members are the foremost passenger and cargo carriers worldwide.
  • Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, IATA operates as a hub of aviation excellence.
• Functions:
  • IATA's multifaceted role encompasses various facets of aviation activities, playing a pivotal role in shaping industry policies concerning critical aviation issues, including environmental sustainability.
  • The association serves as a vocal advocate for airlines worldwide, challenging unjust regulations and fees, holding governing bodies accountable, and advocating for judicious regulations.
  • Driven by the aim of reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiencies, IATA strives to simplify operations and elevate passenger experiences across the board.
  • It provides invaluable support to airlines, ensuring adherence to established norms for safe, secure, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
  • With a diverse array of goods and professional services, IATA offers expert assistance to all stakeholders within the aviation industry.
  • The annual IATA AGM & World Air Transport Summit, held in June each year, serves as a cornerstone event, formalizing industry stances on pertinent issues while spotlighting emerging challenges within the sector.

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• Recently, scientists made a remarkable discovery on Sheybarah Island, located on the northeastern shelf of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia: living stromatolites—ancient geological formations crafted by algae.
• About Stromatolites:
  • Stromatolites, also known as stromatoliths, are stratified structures formed in shallow water through the entrapment, binding, and solidification of sediment particles by microbial biofilms, particularly cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae.
  • As sediment accumulated in shallow waters, layers of bacteria developed atop it, intertwining with sediment particles and gradually constructing layers upon layers, ultimately forming mounds.
  • These formations typically exhibit thin, alternating light and dark layers, displaying flat, hummocky, or dome-shaped characteristics.
  • Stromatolites were prevalent during the Precambrian era, more than 542 million years ago.
  • While most stromatolites are marine in origin, certain specimens from Proterozoic strata, dating back over 2 ½ billion years, suggest they thrived in intertidal zones, freshwater ponds, and lakes.
  • Living stromatolites are a rarity, confined to select saline lagoons or bays across the globe.
  • Western Australia boasts international renown for its diverse array of stromatolite sites, encompassing both living specimens and fossilized remnants.
  • Shark Bay in Western Australia stands as one of only two locations worldwide where living marine stromatolites endure.
• Importance:
  • Stromatolites offer invaluable insights into Earth's ancient past, serving as some of the oldest records of life on the planet, with fossilized remains dating back more than 3.5 billion years.
  • Moreover, these biological structures played a pivotal role in the Great Oxygenation Event over two billion years ago, catalyzing the introduction of oxygen into the atmosphere and reshaping the planet's environmental landscape.
  • Cyanobacteria, through photosynthesis, generate oxygen as a byproduct, constituting the primary source of atmospheric free oxygen.
  • As stromatolites proliferated around 2.5 billion years ago, they gradually facilitated the transition of Earth's atmosphere from a carbon dioxide-rich composition to the oxygen-rich milieu characteristic of the present day.
  • This transformative shift laid the groundwork for subsequent evolutionary milestones, notably the emergence of life based on eukaryotic cells, distinguished by their nucleus-containing structure.

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• Recently, ICAR achieved a significant milestone by introducing commercially viable herbicide-tolerant (Ht) basmati rice varieties designed to combat weeds effectively.
• About Direct Seeded Rice (DSR):
  • DSR represents a contemporary approach to rice cultivation, wherein seeds are directly sown into the fields, supplanting the traditional method of transplanting seedlings from nurseries.
  • This method is hailed for its efficiency, sustainability, and the manifold benefits it extends to farmers, the environment, and the economy at large.
• About Herbicide-Tolerant Basmati Rice:
  • ICAR spearheaded the commercialization of non-genetically modified (non-GM) Ht basmati rice varieties, revolutionizing weed management practices.
  • These specially developed varieties permit the direct application of the herbicide Imazethapyr owing to a unique mutation in the ALS gene.
• Scientific Discourse:
  • Recent studies advocate for eco-friendly hand weeding practices at specific intervals (e.g., 20 and 40 days after sowing) in DSR, asserting its superiority in enhancing yields compared to herbicide applications.
  • ICAR's research underscores the efficacy of manual weeding over repetitive herbicide use, advocating for sustainable weed control strategies conducive to higher seed yields.
• Weed Diversity and Risks:
  • While Imazethapyr targets select broadleaf weeds (BLW), its indiscriminate use may foster the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds, posing a significant threat to rice production and food security.
  • This echoes challenges encountered with Bt-Cotton and pink bollworm resistance, highlighting the need for judicious weed management practices.
• Historical Context:
  • In regions like the North Western Plains (e.g., Punjab, Haryana), DSR has long been employed for cultivating Basmati rice, diverging from the water-intensive transplanted rice practices popularized during the Green Revolution.
  • The advent of DSR heralded a paradigm shift in rice cultivation, mitigating ecological concerns associated with water-intensive farming methods.
• Innovations in DSR:
  • Groundbreaking innovations in DSR, notably the TAR-VATTAR technology pioneered at IARI Karnal from 2014 to 2017, harness climatic cues and efficacious herbicides like Pendimethalin to curtail costs and conserve water resources.
• Recent Adoption and Impact:
  • The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated labor shortages, prompting a surge in DSR adoption across Punjab, affirming its viability and resilience.
  • The Haryana government's concerted efforts in promoting DSR adoption have yielded substantial water conservation dividends, with a reported saving of 31,500 crore liters in 2022 alone, underlining the transformative potential of this innovative rice cultivation technique.

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• Smart rings, the discreet yet powerful wearables, are revolutionizing health tracking and more within a barely noticeable device.
• Compact yet potent, smart rings harness cutting-edge technology condensed into a ring-sized marvel.
• They boast an array of functionalities akin to their bulkier smartwatch counterparts, seamlessly monitoring health metrics and controlling various devices.
• Equipped with sophisticated sensors, these ingenious rings meticulously track vital signs such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep patterns, step count, and stress levels.
• Data collected is seamlessly transmitted to a connected smartphone app, affording users the ability to scrutinize trends and chart progress towards their wellness objectives.
• Beyond health monitoring, smart rings enhance convenience with features like gesture controls and haptic feedback for notifications.
• For instance, a mere flick of the finger can dim smart lights or cue up a playlist, while subtle vibrations alert users to incoming calls or messages, eliminating the need to constantly reach for their phone.
• What can Smart Rings Do?
  • One of the standout features of smart rings is their unobtrusive yet constant health monitoring capability, requiring minimal user intervention.
  • They offer personalized breathing exercises and guided meditations to bolster mood and well-being.
  • Smart rings seamlessly integrate contactless payment functionalities for added convenience.
  • With built-in gesture recognition, users can execute intuitive gestures like twisting or tapping the ring to perform actions such as adjusting thermostats, unlocking doors, or turning off lights.
  • For heightened security, smart rings can double as access badges, granting effortless access to doors and gates with a simple touch of the finger.