Here are today’s most important updates from the realm of Science and Space.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath announced updated timelines for upcoming space missions. The India-US joint NISAR project will be launched in 2025. The highly anticipated Gaganyaan manned space mission is expected to launch in 2026. The Chandrayaan-4 sample return mission is slated for 2028. Chandrayaan-5, a collaborative moon-landing mission with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) will be launched after 2028. This mission would feature an Indian lander along with a Japanese rover demonstrating international partnerships. ISRO is also preparing for manned lunar mission and India's own space station within next two decades. ISRO chief stressed on the “need for private sector involvement” for a “significant shift in the landscape of India's space exploration efforts”.
A team led by scientists at MIT in the United States has detected large molecules comprising carbon in a “distant interstellar cloud of gas and dust”. The observation shows that “complex organic molecules (with carbon and hydrogen) likely existed in the cold, dark gas cloud that gave rise to our Solar System,” as mentioned in the press release. The molecule detected is known as Pyrene, which is a class of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH). Scientists have also found traces of PAH in visible and infrared light. Basically, Carbon chemistry played a pivotal role in decifering life on Earth. “We are gradually building a picture of how life on Earth evolved,” lead author mentioned.
A recent study by Climate Trends consultancy indicated that rising temperatures, unprecedented rainfall along with extreme weather events are hampering the temperate fruit yields like apples and peaches in Uttarakhand. The state, one of the major producer of pears, peaches, plums, apricots, and apples, has witnessed a drastic reduction with fruit yields decreased by 54% between 2016 and 2023. Climate change has disrupted critical phases such as flowering, fruit setting, as well as ripening, according to the report. Consequently, the farmers are currently focusing on tropical fruits like guava, dragon fruit cultivation as adaptation strategies, while slowly moving away from less productive temperate fruits.
Regular consumption of 2 handfuls (ounces) of pistachios may help your eyes prevent blue light damage and risk of age-related vision problems, as confirmed by a recent study. Scientists at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University reported that pistachios contain sufficient amounts of plant-based pigment lutein, which enhances Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD). This filters harmful blue (visible) light and reduces risks of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness in older adults. Pistachio is also helpful in reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.
