31-January-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

KANGAROO LIZARD SPECIES DISCOVERED IN WESTERN GHATS

SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: THE HINDU

A new species of tiny lizards, termed the “Agasthyagama edge” or northern kangaroo lizard, has been discovered in the biodiverse Western Ghats.

• It belongs to the Agamidae family.
• Initially sighted in 2015 during a search for the Mahabali frog, near a forest stream in Idukki.

                          

Unique Characteristics:

• Poor climbers due to a reduced fifth toe, these lizards are mainly terrestrial, avoiding tree climbing like other lizard species.
• They feed on small insects, this variety of kangaroo lizard runs fast and hides within dry leaves to evade predators.

Morphological and Genetic Differences:

• Initially assumed to be A. beddomii, further analysis revealed consistent morphological and genetic distinctions, confirming it as a new species.
• Geographic separation was identified, with the closest distributional records approximately 80 km apart.

Distinctive Features of the New Species:

• Uniform dull olive-brown body with a slightly darker head.
• White throat with a broad dark brown stripe on its dewlap and brick yellow scales on the outside.

INDIA NOMINATES 12 FORTS OF MARATHAS FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST

SUBJECT: ART AND CULTURE– SOURCE: THE HINDU

India has nominated the “Maratha Military Landscapes,” a network of forts, for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List for 2024-25.

List of Nominated Forts:

• The nomination includes 12 forts: Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, and Gingee in Tamil Nadu.
• Developed between the 17th and 19th centuries, these landscapes represent an extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by Maratha rulers.
• Distributed across diverse geographical and physiographic regions, the forts showcase the strategic military powers of Maratha rule.

Historical Significance:

• The Maratha military ideology originated in the 17th century during the reign of Shivaji Maharaj (1670) and continued through subsequent rules until the Peshwa rule until 1818 CE.

Cultural and Historical Heritage:

• This UNESCO nomination emphasizes the cultural and historical significance of the Maratha military landscapes, portraying a unique era in India’s military history.

AFTER FOUR YEARS OF SURVEY, INDIA’S SNOW LEOPARD COUNT PUT AT 718

SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT– SOURCE: THE HINDU

India has approximately 718 snow leopards in the wild, according to a four-year-long estimation exercise, marking the first baseline threshold for these elusive cats in the country.

The survey involved setting up camera traps in 1,971 locations and surveying 13,450 km of trails.

Geographical Distribution:

• Ladakh has the highest estimated number of snow leopards (477), followed by Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (nine).

Global Significance:

• The estimated number of Indian snow leopards constitutes approximately 10% to 15% of the global population of this species.

Survey Methodology:

• Camera traps were placed in strategic locations to capture images of snow leopards and identify individual cats based on scat, hair, and other body markers.
• The survey employed a statistical approach, similar to tiger surveys, using software to estimate the number of individual cats not captured on camera.

Conservation Status and Threats:

• The snow leopard is classified as ‘vulnerable’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
• Threats include human-wildlife conflicts, poaching, and challenges from free-ranging dogs. The survey contributes valuable data for snow leopard conservation efforts.

CENTRE STARTS SURVEY ON PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN WORKFORCE

SUBJECT: SOCIETY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE – SOURCE: THE HINDU

The Union Ministries of Labour & Employment and Women & Child Development have initiated a joint survey to assess and enhance women’s participation in the workforce in India.

Objective and Concerns:

• The survey aims to evaluate the prevalence of women-friendly practices in workplaces, such as running creches and ensuring equal pay for equal work.
• Concerns raised by international agencies and trade unions, including the International Labour Organization, about the declining participation of women in the Indian workforce led to this initiative.

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Data:

• The latest results from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), conducted by the Labour Bureau, indicate a notable increase in women’s participation from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 37% in 2022-23.

Survey Details:

• Conducted through government agencies like the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, the survey gathers information from subscribers of government schemes.
• Questions include inquiries about company initiatives for women, such as internal complaints committees, childcare facilities, equal pay policies, flexible working hours, and late-hour transportation facilities.

Confidential Approach:

• The survey maintains confidentiality by not seeking personal identification details, except for gender.
• It focuses on obtaining information about companies, their locations, and addresses to assess the implementation of women-friendly policies.

MITOCHONDRIAL COXIELLA EFFECTOR F

SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SOURCE: SCITECHDAILY

Researchers recently identified a novel protein named Mitochondrial coxiella effector F (MceF), which possesses antioxidant properties.

MceF is produced by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium.

Function of MceF:

• MceF aids in maintaining the health of human cells even when they harbor a significant bacterial load.
• After invading host cells, Coxiella burnetii releases MceF, which interacts with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), an antioxidant enzyme located in the mitochondria.
• This interaction enhances mitochondrial function by exerting an antioxidant effect, preventing cell damage and death that may result from pathogen replication within mammalian cells.

About Coxiella burnetii:

• Coxiella burnetii is a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium known for causing Q fever, a severe infection.
• It primarily spreads through contaminated aerosols from infected animals, affecting both humans and animals.
• The bacterium targets macrophages and monocytes, hindering the host’s immune responses.
• Even a single C. burnetii bacterium can cause illness in healthy individuals.

What is Mitochondria?

• Mitochondria are organelles responsible for generating most of the cell’s chemical energy needed for cellular functions.
• They produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), storing chemical energy.
• Mitochondria contain their own DNA and are inherited exclusively from the mother.

GENERATIVE AI

SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY– SOURCE: ECONOMIC TIMES

A recent report anticipates that Generative AI (genAI) is on track to become a $100 billion industry by 2026.

Understanding Generative AI:

• Generative AI, or generative artificial intelligence, represents a form of AI where algorithms autonomously generate content, spanning text, images, audio, and video.
• In contrast to traditional AI focusing on pattern recognition, generative AI innovatively produces entirely new content.
• Powered by foundation models, these AI systems can multitask, performing tasks like summarization, Q&A, and classification, having been trained on extensive datasets.

Generative AI Operation:

• Utilizes Machine Learning (ML) models to comprehend patterns and relationships in vast datasets of human-created content.
• Begins with a user-provided prompt, usually a text input, indicating the desired output.
• Various algorithms then generate content based on the prompt, showcasing the versatility of generative AI.

Popular Generative AI Tools:

• ChatGPT: Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT stands out as an AI chatbot proficient in generating written content and engaging in fluent conversations.
• Bard: Created by Google and relying on LaMDA language model technology, Bard is a generative AI chatbot adept at answering questions and creating content from text or image prompts.

Machine Learning (ML)

• Defined as a subset of AI, ML empowers machines to learn autonomously from data and past experiences, discerning patterns and making predictions without extensive human programming.
• ML applications continually learn and adapt, operating independently with minimal human intervention.
• ML algorithms learn directly from data, eschewing predetermined equations, enhancing their ability to evolve and adapt to new information.

INDIA-SAUDI JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE: SADA TANSEEQ

SUBJECT: SECURITY– SOURCE: NDTV

India and Saudi Arabia are jointly conducting their first-ever military exercise, “Sada Tanseeq,” in Mahajan, Rajasthan.

• The exercise, from January 29 to February 10, 2024, aims to train troops for joint operations in semi-desert terrain, aligning with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• Objectives include sharing best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for sub-conventional operations.
• Sada Tanseeq fosters interoperability, camaraderie, and mutual understanding between the Indian and Saudi military.
• Operational drills involve Mobile Vehicle Check Posts, Cordon & Search Operations, House Intervention Drills, Reflex Shooting, Slithering, and Sniper Firing.
• The exercise serves to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation between the two nations’ armed forces.