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- The End-Permian Mass Extinction, which wiped out 80% of life on Earth around 250 million years ago, might not have been as devastating for plant life as previously believed, new fossil evidence suggests.
- About the End-Permian Mass Extinction (EPME):
- The End-Permian Mass Extinction (EPME), also referred to as the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event or "The Great Dying," stands as the most catastrophic extinction event in Earth's history. It occurred roughly 252 million years ago, marking the boundary between the Permian and Triassic periods. The Triassic Period, the first of the Mesozoic Era, lasted from 252 million to 201 million years ago.
- Cause:
- At this time, the supercontinent Pangea was in the process of splitting apart, but all landmasses were still largely grouped together, with newly formed continents separated by shallow seas. A massive volcanic event in the Siberian Traps is believed to have driven carbon dioxide levels to extreme levels. This eruption, one of the largest in Earth's history, spanned an area of about 2 million square kilometers, covering vast regions with lava. The massive volcanic activity likely released huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to global warming, with temperatures rising over 10°C on land and around 8°C on the surface of the oceans in a relatively short time. The eruption may have also released aerosols and ash clouds that blocked sunlight, halting photosynthesis and triggering the collapse of many food webs. These climatic shifts, combined with ocean acidification, caused a widespread collapse of marine ecosystems.
- Impacts:
- The EPME resulted in the extinction of approximately 90% of Earth's species, including over 95% of marine life and 70% of terrestrial species. Additionally, more than half of all taxonomic families at the time were wiped out. It remains the most severe of the five major extinction events that have shaped the planet’s history.
- In a positive development for conservationists, naturalists, and tribal communities, the first-ever honey harvest has recently taken place near the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the picturesque coastal Raigad district, just a short distance from Mumbai, India’s financial hub.
- About Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary:
- The Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Murud region of Raigad district in Maharashtra. Established to protect a part of the coastal woodland ecosystem of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary spans over 17,250 acres, consisting of forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Historically, this area was part of the hunting reserves of the Murud-Janjira princely state.
- The sanctuary features several patches of open grasslands, known locally as "mals," scattered across the region.
- Flora:
- The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of plant species, including Ain, Kinjal, Teak, Hirda, Jamba, Mango, and Ficus, among many others.
- Fauna:
- Phansad is rich in wildlife, with species such as leopards, hyenas, sambars, and mouse deer frequently seen in the area. Additionally, it is a haven for various bird species, including the Malabar Pied Hornbill, Black Eagle, Yellow Footed Green Pigeon, Pompadour Green Pigeon, and Forest Wagtail. The sanctuary also provides a habitat for the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), adding to the sanctuary's importance in biodiversity conservation.
- Although globally rare, Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) continues to be a significant health issue in Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh, primarily due to low measles vaccination coverage.
- About Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE):
- Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive and often fatal brain disorder associated with a previous measles (rubeola) infection. SSPE typically develops several years after an individual has had measles, even if they appeared to recover fully from the illness.
- Cause:
- Under normal circumstances, the measles virus does not cause damage to the brain. However, an unusual immune response to the virus, or potentially certain variants of the virus, can lead to severe neurological issues and death. This immune reaction triggers inflammation in the brain, causing swelling and irritation that may persist for years.
- SSPE has been reported worldwide but remains rare in Western countries. It is more commonly observed in males than females and predominantly affects children and adolescents.
- Symptoms:
- The initial signs of SSPE often include difficulties in school performance, memory problems, temper outbursts, distractibility, sleeplessness, and hallucinations. Muscle jerks may occur, particularly in the arms, head, or body. Over time, seizures develop along with uncontrollable muscle movements. Intellectual abilities and speech progressively decline. As the disease advances, muscle stiffness increases, and difficulty swallowing may occur, sometimes causing choking on saliva and leading to pneumonia. Vision loss, or blindness, is also a potential outcome. In the final stages, body temperature rises, and abnormalities in blood pressure and pulse are common.
- Treatment:
- SSPE is associated with high mortality rates, and currently, there is no known cure. Treatment mainly focuses on managing symptoms. Some antiviral medications and immune system boosters may be used in an attempt to slow the disease's progression, but these have not proven to be a definitive solution.