CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Astronomers have recently identified ten unusual dead stars, known as "neutron stars," residing near the Milky Way's core.
• About Neutron Stars:
• Neutron stars are incredibly dense objects formed from the collapse of a massive star's core after it exhausts its fuel. During this collapse, protons and electrons merge into neutrons. If the collapsing core is between roughly 1 and 3 solar masses, the neutron pressure halts further collapse, resulting in a neutron star. Stars with greater masses form black holes instead. Neutron stars are scattered throughout the galaxy, often found alone or in binary systems, and measure about 20 km (12 miles) across. They typically have masses ranging from 1.18 to 1.97 times that of the Sun, with most around 1.35 solar masses. Many remain undetectable due to insufficient radiation. Most are seen as pulsars—neutron stars emitting regular pulses of radiation due to rapid rotation and strong magnetic fields. They also appear as rotating radio transients (RRATs), emitting sporadic radio bursts at intervals from minutes to hours, and as magnetars, which possess extremely strong magnetic fields.

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• Researchers have recently identified a new clade of Candida auris, raising the global total of known clades to six.
• About Candida Auris (C. auris):
• C. auris is a fungal pathogen known for its resistance to multiple drugs. It can lead to invasive infections in the human body, ranging from superficial skin infections to severe, life-threatening conditions like bloodstream infections. This fungus can infect various body parts, including the blood, wounds, and ears, and was first discovered in Japan in 2009. It is primarily contracted in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes, and is believed to spread through contaminated surfaces or direct person-to-person contact. Individuals with existing medical conditions, recent hospitalizations, or invasive devices are at higher risk. C. auris can either asymptomatically colonize regions like the skin or mouth or cause severe infections if it enters the bloodstream or wounds. Symptoms often mimic those of other diseases, complicating diagnosis, with common signs including persistent fever and chills. The mortality rate is estimated between 30-60%. Treatment usually involves antifungal drugs called echinocandins, but some strains are resistant to standard treatments, potentially requiring high doses of multiple antifungals.

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• A controversial bill aiming to amend 44 sections of the Waqf Act of 1995—including provisions for including non-Muslim individuals and Muslim women in central and state Waqf bodies—is expected to be presented in the Lok Sabha.
• About Waqf:
  • The Waqf Act of 1954 defines a Waqf as property dedicated to God for religious and charitable purposes. It involves the permanent dedication of movable or immovable property for purposes deemed pious or charitable under Muslim law. A Waqf can be established via a deed or recognized by its long-term use for such purposes. The income from a Waqf typically supports educational institutions, graveyards, mosques, and shelters. Once designated as a Waqf, the property is non-transferable, effectively transferring ownership to God. Waqfs can be public, serving general charitable purposes, or private, benefiting the owner's descendants. The creator of a Waqf, or Waqif, does not need to be Muslim but must adhere to Islamic principles.
• Governance of Waqf:
  • In India, Waqfs are governed by the Waqf Act of 1995. A survey commissioner identifies and documents Waqf properties through local investigations and public records. The management is overseen by a mutawali, unlike trusts under the Indian Trusts Act of 1882, which have broader and dissolvable purposes. Waqfs are specifically for religious and charitable uses and are intended to be perpetual.
• Waqf Board:
  • A Waqf Board is a legal entity with the power to acquire, hold, and transfer property. It can also engage in legal proceedings. Each state has a Waqf Board chaired by a government-appointed official and includes various members such as Muslim legislators and Islamic scholars. The board manages Waqf properties, recovers lost assets, and sanctions transactions involving immovable properties with a two-thirds majority vote. Custodians are appointed to ensure proper use of Waqf resources. The Central Waqf Council (CWC), established in 1964, oversees state Waqf Boards across India.
• Waqf Act 1995:
  • This legislation was enacted to enhance the administration and management of Waqf properties, establishing the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards. It mandates the registration of all Waqfs, maintains a central register, grants Waqf Boards the power to appoint executive officers, addresses encroachments, and requires annual budgets and property inspections.

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• The central government has recently unveiled the complete list of recipients for the inaugural Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2024 awards.
• About Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP):
• The RVP is a newly established set of awards introduced by the Government of India to honor achievements in Science, Technology, and Innovation.
• Objective: The awards aim to acknowledge the significant and inspiring contributions made by scientists, technologists, and innovators, whether individually or as part of a team, across various domains of science, technology, and innovation.
• Significance: The RVP represents one of the highest honors in the fields of science, technology, and innovation in India.
• Eligibility:
• Scientists, technologists, and innovators from government or private sector organizations, as well as individuals working independently, who have made groundbreaking contributions in research, innovation, or discovery in any science or technology field.
• Individuals of Indian origin residing abroad with exceptional contributions benefiting Indian communities or society are also eligible.
• Domains: Awards will be given in 13 categories, including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, and Others. Efforts will be made to ensure representation from each domain and gender parity.
• Award Categories:
• Vigyan Ratna (VR): Recognizes lifetime achievements and significant contributions in any field of science and technology.
• Vigyan Shri (VS): Acknowledges distinguished contributions in any science or technology field.
• Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): Awards young scientists up to the age of 45 for exceptional contributions in any science or technology field.
• Vigyan Team (VT): Given to teams of three or more scientists, researchers, or innovators who have made outstanding contributions through collaborative work in any field of science and technology.
• Selection Process: All nominations for the RVP awards are reviewed by the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC), chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.
• Award Ceremony: The awards will be presented on 23rd August, coinciding with National Space Day. Each award will include a Sanad (certificate) and a medal.

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• During a recent event for International Clouded Leopard Day, the Governor of Mizoram highlighted the pressing issues in wildlife conservation.
• About Clouded Leopard:
  • The clouded leopard is a wild cat native to the dense forests of the Himalayas, extending through mainland Southeast Asia to South China. There are two species: the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) and the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi).
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • This cat inhabits tropical evergreen rainforests, dry tropical forests, and mangrove swamps across Southeast Asia and the Himalayas. Its range includes southern China, Bhutan, Nepal, northeast India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Bangladesh. In India, it is found in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. It is also the state animal of Meghalaya.
• Features:
  • The clouded leopard is a medium-sized cat, measuring 60 to 110 cm in length and weighing between 11 and 20 kg. It is named for its unique coat pattern of cloud-like markings—ellipses outlined in black with darker centers—set against a base color ranging from pale yellow to rich brown. The clouded leopard has an exceptionally long tail, proportionate to its body, with black ring markings. Its stocky build, long canine teeth, and relatively short legs with broad paws make it a proficient climber, capable of navigating trees head-first. This solitary feline can also hang upside-down from branches.
• Conservation Status:
  • Both species of clouded leopards are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.

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• The intense wildfires currently sweeping through the United States and Canada have generated ‘pyrocumulonimbus’ clouds, which are capable of producing lightning and igniting additional fires.
• Formation of Pyrocumulonimbus Clouds:
• These clouds form under extreme conditions, such as intense wildfires or volcanic eruptions. The process begins with the intense heat from the fire warming the surrounding air, causing it to rise rapidly into the atmosphere. As this hot, buoyant air—laden with water vapor, smoke, and ash—ascends, it expands and cools. When the temperature drops sufficiently, the water vapor condenses onto the ash, forming a grey or brown cloud known as a pyrocumulus or ‘fire cloud’.
• If there is ample water vapor and the upward flow of hot air continues to intensify, these pyrocumulus clouds can develop into pyrocumulonimbus clouds. These formidable clouds can reach altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and create their own thunderstorm systems. Despite their capacity to generate lightning, pyrocumulonimbus clouds typically produce minimal rainfall. This lack of precipitation means they can ignite new fires far from the original blaze and generate strong winds that can accelerate and unpredictably spread the wildfire.
• Researchers suggest that climate change may be contributing to an increase in the frequency of these clouds. As global temperatures rise, wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe, which may lead to more frequent occurrences of pyrocumulonimbus clouds.

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• Recently, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change updated the Lok Sabha on the National Coastal Mission Scheme.
• Overview of the National Coastal Mission Scheme:
• Launch: The scheme was initiated in 2014.
• Framework: It was developed as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
• Objective: The scheme seeks to tackle the impacts of climate change on coastal and marine ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities by employing both adaptation and mitigation strategies.
• Components of the National Coastal Management Program:
• Management Action Plan: Focuses on the conservation of mangroves and coral reefs.
• Research & Development: Supports studies on marine and coastal ecosystems.
• Sustainable Development of Beaches: Includes the Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management Service.
• Capacity Building/Outreach Program: Provides training and awareness initiatives for coastal states and union territories on marine and coastal ecosystem conservation, including beach cleaning efforts.
• Implementation: The scheme is executed by the State Governments of coastal states and the administrations of Union Territories (UTs).

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• Astronomers are closely observing Eta Carinae, as it appears to be on the brink of a dramatic explosion.
• Overview of Eta Carinae:
  • Type: Eta Carinae is a hypergiant star, boasting a mass approximately 100 times greater than that of our Sun.
  • Location: Situated around 7,500 light-years away in the Carina Nebula, Eta Carinae ranks among the most massive and luminous stars known, making it a prime candidate for a potential supernova.
• Historical Context:
  • Great Eruption: Approximately 170 years ago, Eta Carinae experienced a significant outburst known as the Great Eruption, which briefly made it one of the brightest stars in the southern sky. This event led to the formation of the Homunculus Nebula, an hourglass-shaped cloud of gas and dust encircling the star.
• Unique Characteristics:
  • Natural Laser Emission: Eta Carinae is uniquely known for emitting natural laser light, adding to its mysterious allure.
  • Hubble Observations: The Hubble Space Telescope has recently captured detailed images of the surrounding nebula, revealing intricate features such as diffraction spikes and radial streaks that remain unexplained.
• Future Event:
  • Potential Supernova: When Eta Carinae eventually undergoes a supernova, it is expected to be an extraordinary event, potentially surpassing recent supernovae like SN 2006gy in brightness. This explosion will provide a spectacular light display visible from Earth and offer crucial insights into the life cycles of massive stars.

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• Recently, the Union Government reassured that the international Ramsar site, Bhoj Wetland in Bhopal, is not under threat of being removed from the Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of international importance.
• Location and Features:
  • Location: Bhoj Wetland is situated in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Composition: The site consists of two adjacent artificial reservoirs—the Upper Lake (Bhojtal or Bada Talaab) and the Lower Lake (Chhota Talaab).
  • Surroundings: The Upper Lake is bordered by Van Vihar National Park to the south, urban areas to the east and north, and agricultural fields to the west.
  • Significance: The Upper Lake serves as a crucial source of drinking water for Bhopal.
• Biodiversity:
  • Flora and Fauna: The lakes boast rich biodiversity, especially in macrophytes, phytoplankton, and zooplankton. They are home to over 15 species of fish and several vulnerable species, including turtles, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates.
  • Designation: Bhoj Wetland was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002.
• About the Ramsar Convention:
  • Purpose: Signed on February 2, 1971, the Ramsar Convention aims to preserve the ecological character of wetlands of international importance.
  • Naming: The convention is named after Ramsar, Iran, where the treaty was signed, and the sites designated under it are recognized as ‘Ramsar sites’.