CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Scientists have revealed that establishing a universal standard for measuring and quantifying non-local quantum correlations is unattainable.
• Understanding Quantum Nonlocality:
  • Classical physics operates under the assumption of locality, but nonlocality is a characteristic of various interpretations of quantum mechanics. Nonlocality refers to the phenomenon where objects seem to instantaneously "know" about each other’s state, regardless of the distance separating them—potentially even across billions of light years. This suggests a universe where particles may be arranged in anticipation of future events, defying the limitations set by the speed of light, which Einstein proposed as the ultimate speed limit for information transfer.
  • This notion contradicts the "principle of locality" (or Einstein's "principle of local action"), which asserts that distant objects cannot directly influence each other and that interactions are confined to immediate surroundings—a foundational concept in physics.
  • Nonlocality arises from entanglement, a phenomenon where particles that have interacted become deeply correlated. These entangled particles effectively lose their individual identities, behaving as a unified entity. Nonlocality implies that what we perceive as separate parts of the universe might actually be connected in an immediate and profound manner.

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• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has identified 189 “high-risk” glacial lakes and has finalized a plan for mitigation measures to address the risks associated with them.
• About Glacial Lakes:
  • Glacial lakes are bodies of water that form from the melting of glaciers. They typically appear at the base of a glacier but can also develop on, within, or beneath it. According to ISRO, glacial lakes are classified into four main types based on their formation: moraine-dammed, ice-dammed, erosion-based, and 'others'.
• Formation of Glacial Lakes:
  • Glaciers shape the land as they move, carving out depressions and grooves. As they transport rock and soil, they create ridges of debris called moraines. Most glacial lakes emerge when a glacier retreats, allowing meltwater to accumulate in the depression left behind. However, glacial lakes can also form behind natural dams made of ice or terminal moraines.
  • An ice dam forms when a glacier, which can advance up to 100 times faster than typical glaciers, blocks meltwater by sealing off a valley or fjord, preventing drainage. Moraine dams can be either dense and stable, supporting large lakes for extended periods, or leaky, causing gradual drainage into surrounding rivers.
  • While glacial lakes are vital freshwater sources for rivers, they also pose significant hazards, particularly through Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). GLOFs occur when natural dams fail, releasing large volumes of water suddenly and causing severe flooding downstream.

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• Recently, Sphen, the well-known gentoo penguin celebrated for his same-sex partnership with Magic, passed away at the age of 11 in Australia.
• About the Gentoo Penguin:
  • Scientific Name: Pygoscelis papua
  • Habitat: Native to the Southern Hemisphere, primarily found between 45° and 65° south latitude.
  • Major Locations: They reside on the Antarctic Peninsula and several sub-Antarctic islands, with notable populations on the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.
  • Distinctive Features: Gentoo penguins are easily recognized by the white wedges around their eyes, connected by a line across the head. Their heads are predominantly black, with small white flecks of feathers.
  • Habitat Preference: They favor coastal areas where they can readily access food while remaining close to their nesting sites.
  • Communication: Gentoo penguins use various vocalizations, including honks and brays, to identify each other within their colonies.
  • Conservation Status: The gentoo penguin is classified as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List, reflecting a stable population.

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• Recently, the Zoological Survey of India and the Odisha Forest Department have initiated a tagging project for horseshoe crabs to investigate their population dynamics, habitats, and migratory patterns.
• About Horseshoe Crabs:
  • Description: Horseshoe crabs are ancient marine arthropods, often described as "living fossils," that dwell in shallow coastal waters with soft sandy or muddy substrates. Despite their name, they are more closely related to scorpions and spiders than to true crabs.
  • Breeding: They primarily spawn on intertidal beaches during the high tides of the summer-spring seasons.
• Species of Horseshoe Crabs:
• Global Distribution:
  • American Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus): Found along the eastern coast of the USA and in the Gulf of Mexico; classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
  • Tri-spine Horseshoe Crab (Tachypleus tridentatus): An Endangered species located in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Coastal Horseshoe Crab (Tachypleus gigas): Inhabits the coastal waters of India, Southeast Asia, China, and Japan.
  • Mangrove Horseshoe Crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda): Found in the Sundarbans mangroves of West Bengal and other regions of the Indo-Pacific.
• India's Species:
  • Tachypleus gigas and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda are the two species present in India, predominantly found along the northeastern coast, especially in Odisha and West Bengal.
• Conservation Status:
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Horseshoe crabs are listed under Schedule IV, providing them with legal protection.
  • IUCN Red List:
  • American Horseshoe Crab: Vulnerable
  • Tri-spine Horseshoe Crab: Endangered
  • Coastal and Mangrove Horseshoe Crabs: Currently classified as Data Deficient.