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- Scientists have recently identified Schistura sonarengaensis, a newly discovered species of loach in the South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, near the Bangladesh border.
- Key features of Schistura sonarengaensis include its distinctive appearance, characterized by prominent eyes and 13-26 vertically elongated to circular black blotches along a greyish-black mid-lateral stripe, set against a dull white or pale-beige body. Unlike typical cave-dwelling species which often exhibit adaptations like loss of eyes or pigmentation, Schistura sonarengaensis shows reduced pigmentation compared to its surface-dwelling relatives, yet retains its prominent eyes. Notably, despite their pale coloration, these cave-dwelling fish are not blind, distinguishing them from other cave species found in nearby regions such as the Jaintia and Khasi Hills.
- The Health Ministry recently directed both the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to implement measures preventing surrogate advertising of tobacco and alcohol-related products by sportspersons.
- Surrogate advertising is a marketing technique where a brand promotes products indirectly under the guise of promoting another product of the same brand. This practice is used when direct advertising of certain products is restricted by law or societal norms.
- In India, surrogate advertising is widespread, with brands using their names and logos to promote products like music CDs and soda in place of their restricted products such as liquor and tobacco. This strategy allows brands to maintain visibility and uphold their brand image without directly advertising the restricted products.
- Recently, the Central Government authorized state governments to procure rice directly from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) without needing to participate in e-auctions under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) for domestic sales.
- The OMSS is a program overseen by the Food Corporation of India, which periodically releases surplus food grains such as wheat and rice from the central pool into the open market. This initiative serves multiple purposes, including maintaining buffer stocks, fulfilling obligations under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), and supporting Other Welfare Schemes (OWS).
- Under the OMSS, the FCI conducts e-auctions where interested parties such as traders, bulk consumers, and retail chains can bid for specified quantities of grains. Eligible bidders can bid for a minimum of 10 metric tons (MT) to a maximum of 100 MT of wheat, and a minimum of 10 MT to a maximum of 1000 MT of rice.
- In the Budget for 2024-25, it was announced that a policy would be introduced to promote pumped storage projects aimed at enhancing electricity storage capabilities.
- Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) is a form of hydroelectric energy storage that operates through a straightforward mechanism involving two water reservoirs situated at different elevations. Here’s how it works:
- During periods of surplus electricity, such as off-peak hours or when renewable sources like solar and wind generate excess power, this surplus energy is utilized to pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir.
- When electricity demand increases, water is released from the upper reservoir back to the lower reservoir, passing through turbines that generate electricity.
- The process of pumping water back to the upper reservoir (recharge) requires energy input.
- Researchers have recently uncovered a remarkable find—a vampire star residing in the star cluster M67 within the constellation Cancer. This star has been rejuvenating its youth by siphoning material from a companion.
- These intriguing stars are recognized by astronomers as Blue Straggler Stars (BSS), commonly observed within star clusters. They stand out because they appear younger than neighboring stars, contradicting conventional models of stellar evolution.
- The mystery surrounding their youthful appearance has long intrigued scientists, who theorize that these stars might sustain their vigor by accreting material from nearby companions. Such pairs are also termed Symbiotic Binaries due to their close association.
Initially, the vampire star begins as the smaller companion, gradually absorbing material from its partner. Eventually, this process transforms it into a larger, rejuvenated blue star, known as a blue straggler. This phenomenon exemplifies the dynamic and complex interactions that occur within stellar systems.
- NASA's Psyche spacecraft has successfully transmitted a near-infrared laser beam containing test data from nearly 16 million kilometers away in a recent experiment.
- The Psyche mission, led by NASA, focuses on exploring a metallic asteroid known as 16 Psyche, which measures approximately 140 miles (225 kilometers) in diameter. Scheduled to enter orbit around 16 Psyche in 2029, the spacecraft will spend two years conducting comprehensive studies, including mapping the asteroid's topography, capturing surface images, and conducting various scientific measurements. The primary goal is to gather insights into the asteroid's composition and to deepen our understanding of the formation processes of metallic core asteroids and planets.