Context: In the last week of July, researchers in South Korea said they had discovered that a material called LK-99 is a room-temperature superconductor. Independent researchers will have to check whether LK-99 is really a room-temperature superconductor before it is accepted as a legitimate claim.
What are Superconductors?
Superconductors are materials that when cooled to temperatures ranging from near absolute zero (0 degrees Kelvin, -273 degrees Celsius) have zero resistance or do not resist the flow of current.
The temperature at which electrical resistance is zero is called the critical temperature (Tc) and this temperature is a characteristic of the material.
E.g., Aluminium, niobium, magnesium diboride, yttrium barium copper oxide etc.
However, every superconductor made so far has required extraordinarily high pressures (millions of Pascal), and very low temperatures. E.g., Aluminium becomes superconducting at temperatures less than (minus) –250° C.
Hence, scientists have been looking for such materials for decades which can remain superconductors at room temperature.
Important properties of Superconductors:
Electronic effect (Infinite conductivity with Zero resistance) - The material will transport an electric current with zero resistance.
(When the temperature of superconductors is reduced below a critical temperature, its resistance suddenly reduces to zero and thus it offers infinite conductivity). E.g., Mercury becomes a superconductor below 4 kelvin.
Magnetic effect (Complete expulsion of Magnetic field) - Superconductors are diamagnetic i.e., they oppose the magnetic field or do not allow the magnetic field lines to penetrate them. (This phenomenon is called Meissner effect)
However, there is a certain value of the magnetic field (critical magnetic field) beyond which the superconductors lose superconductivity and convert into conductors.
Applications:
Elimination of the loss of energy: Superconductorscan be used to make longer-lasting batteries and more-efficient power grids.
Need: Presently, a portion of the electricity generated at every power plant is lost during transmission because the wires and cables that carry the current have electrical resistance.
Significance of Superconductors: Once an electric current passes over a superconducting material, it can continue to flow without receiving power from any source as none of the energy involved is lost as heat.
Potential applications include- Magnetic-energy storage systems, magnetic levitation trains, superconducting magnetic refrigerators, etc.
Huge potential for revolutionary technologies, including efficient quantum computers, as superconductors can exhibit quantum phenomena.
A star exists in a delicate equilibrium between opposing forces:
Outward energy and pressure resulting from nuclear fusion
Gravitational pull inward due to its considerable mass.
As long as a star can sustain nuclear fusion, releasing more energy than needed for the fusion process, it remains stable.
However, when this balance tips and the star's fusion can no longer counteract the force of gravity, a pivotal shift occurs.
Gravity gains the upper hand, causing the star to collapse rapidly, leading to a sudden explosion of its outer layers - an event known as a core-collapse supernova.
A substantial amount of energy, radiation, and elemental matter is ejected into the surrounding space during the supernova event.
Characterized by the explosive demise of a massive supergiant star, a supernova can release a staggering energy output of up to 10^44 joules, comparable to the Sun's cumulative energy emission over its 10-billion-year lifespan.
This cataclysmic process generally leads to the fusion of iron within the star's core, reaching the point where the binding energy of the iron group elements is the highest. Consequently, no further energy can be extracted from nuclear fusion.
Where Do Supernovas Occur?
Supernovas frequently occur in distant galaxies, but their observation within Milky Way galaxy is hindered by obstructive dust.
Back in 1604, Johannes Kepler made a notable discovery, identifying the most recent observed supernova within the Milky Way.
Notably, NASA's Chandra telescope has since uncovered the remnants of a more recent Milky Way supernova that erupted over a century ago.
Variants of Supernovae:
The first variant of a supernova is observed in binary star systems.
Within these systems, two stars orbit a shared point. Specifically, a carbon-oxygen white dwarf, one of the binary stars, siphons matter from its companion.
Over time, this white dwarf accumulates an excess of matter, leading to an eventual explosive demise and the birth of a supernova.
The second class of supernova transpires as a single star concludes its life cycle.
As nuclear fuel depletes, a portion of the star's mass streams into its core.
Gradually, the core's immense weight becomes untenable against its own gravitational pull.
Consequently, the core undergoes a catastrophic collapse, giving rise to a monumental supernova explosion.
It's important to note that while our sun is a lone star, its mass is insufficient to trigger a supernova event.
Significance:
One variety of supernova has yielded crucial insights for scientists, underscoring the concept of an expanding universe that perpetually accelerates its growth.
Moreover, researchers have deduced that supernovas play a pivotal role in the universal dispersion of elements.
When a star undergoes explosion, it propels elemental matter and debris into space.
The heavy metals present in Earth's crust, including valuable elements like gold and uranium, owe their origins to the intense conditions within certain supernovae, which occurred eons ago.
Context: India's Computer Emergency Response Team issued an alert for ransomware called Akira. The ransomware, found to target both Windows and Linux devices, steals and encrypts data, forcing victims to pay double ransom for decryption and recovery.
About Ransomware
It is a type of malicious software (malware) designed to block access to a computer system or data until a ransom is paid to the attacker.
Its attacks can target individuals, businesses, or even government organizations. It has quickly become the most prominent and visible type of malware.
It is typically spread through spear phishing emails that contain malicious attachments in the form of archived content (zip/rar) files.
Other methods used to infect devices include drive-by-download, a cyber-attack that unintentionally downloads malicious code onto a device, and specially crafted web links in emails, clicking on which downloads malicious code.
It also spreads through insecure Remote Desktop connections.
About Akira Ransomware:
It is designed to encrypt data, create a ransomware note and delete Windows Shadow Volume copies on affected devices.
The ransomware gets its name due to its ability to modify the filenames of all encrypted files by appending them with the akira extension.
The ransomware is designed to close processes or shut down Windows services that may keep it from encrypting files on the affected system.
It uses Virtual Private Network (VPN) services, especially when users have not enabled two-factor authentication, to trick users into downloading malicious files.
Mechanism of Akira ransomware
The ransomware deletes the Windows Shadow Volume copies on the affected device. These files are instrumental in ensuring that organisations can back up data used in their applications for day-to-day functioning.
Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) facilitates communication between different components without the need to take them offline, thereby ensuring data is backed up while it is also available for other functions. Once the ransomware deletes the VSS files it proceeds to encrypt files with the pre-defined the akira extension.
The ransomware also terminates active Windows services using the Windows Restart Manager API, preventing any interference with the encryption process. It is designed to not encrypt Program Data, Recycle Bin, Boot, System Volume information, and other folders instrumental in system stability. It also avoids modifying Windows system files with extensions like .syn. .msl and .exe.
Once sensitive data is stolen and encrypted, the ransomware leaves behind a note named akira_readme.txt which includes information about the attack and the link to Akira’s leak and negotiation site.
Each victim is given a unique negotiation password to be entered into the threat actor’s Tor site. Unlike other ransomware operations, this negotiation site just includes a chat system that the victim can use to communicate with the ransomware gang.\
Prevention measures against Akira Ransomware
CERT-In has advised users to follow basic internet hygiene and protection protocols to ensure their security against ransomware. These include:
Maintaining up-to-date offline backups of critical data, to prevent data loss in the event of an attack.
Update all operating systems and networks regularly, with virtual patching for legacy systems and networks.
Companies must establish Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance, Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Sender policy for organizational email validation, which prevents spam by detecting email spoofing.
Strong password policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) must be enforced.
There should also be a strict external device usage policy in place and data-at-rest and data-in-transit encryption along with blocking attachment file types like .exe, .pif, or .url to avoid downloading malicious code.
Periodic security audits of critical networks/systems, especially database servers.
Context: In July, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, formally re-introduce Worldcoin, a project of his that was eclipsed by the popularity of ChatGPT.
About Worldcoin project
It is a crypto project that aims to create a global identity and financial network for everyone. It is an initiative to create a digital network in which everyone can claim some kind of stake, and join the digital economy.
It uses a device called an orb, Worldcoin volunteers known as ‘Orb operators’ that scan a person’s iris pattern to collect their biometric data and help them get a World ID through the World app.
With the app, scanned participants can collect a cryptocurrency called Worldcoin (WLD) at regular intervals or make transactions with their World ID where possible. This process is called proof of personhood and makes sure that people do not sign themselves up multiple times in exchange for crypto.
It was co-founded by Altman and Alex Blania in 2019 to provide every human being on Earth with a share of its digital token.
It uses a technology known as zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to maintain user's privacy and user data was encrypted.
Individuals who want to receive a World ID are not required to share their name, phone number, email address, or home address.
Images collected by the Orb are used to generate a unique iris code. By default, these images are immediately deleted once the iris code is created, unless the user opts into Data Custody.
Working of Worldcoin
Users need to be willing to scan irises and/or get their own irises scanned. Volunteers sign up to be “Orb operators” in their locality and receive basic training and a biometric device with which to scan irises.
The scan is converted into a string of numbers known as a hash in such a way that it’s impossible to recreate the scanned image even if the hash is compromised.
The Orb sends the iris hash and a hash of the user’s public key to Worldcoin servers. If the person hasn’t signed up before, the hashes are added to the database and the company’s Ethereum blockchain.
Challenges to Worldcoin
Concerns exist about the privacy and security of biometric data and potential misuse for other purposes because it might be shared with third parties such as vendors, service providers like banks, or even the police and government when necessary.
Recently, according to a TechCrunch report, hackers installed password-stealing malware on the devices of multiple Worldcoin Orb operators, granting them complete control over the operators’ dashboards. This raises concerns about the security and privacy of the iris-scanning technology.
Questions arise about the feasibility and scalability of reaching unbanked or underbanked populations.
Doubt on the value and utility of the Worldcoin token, and whether it can compete with other cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies.
Global expansion of Worldcoin
During its initial rollout phase, the Worldcoin project plans to offer its services in 35 cities spanning 20 countries, showcasing its dedication to providing inclusive digital identities to people worldwide.
India has taken a significant step forward in embracing Worldcoin's identity verification technology. With 18 locations already equipped with the Orb device for sign-up, the country serves as a prominent and crucial testing ground for this innovative endeavor.
Context: Bedaquiline has now become the cornerstone to cure drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). Last week, a major barrier for drug-resistant TB care ended, when Johnson & Johnson’s patent on bedaquiline expired in July.
Bedaquiline is an antibiotic drug used in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), particularly in cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB).
About Patent
It is an exclusive right granted by the Government to the inventor to exclude others to use, make and selling an invention for 20 years.
It is granted for:
new invention
involves an inventive step that did not exist before
such a thing has not existed before and has industrial applications.
When a patent is granted on a particular invention, it means that no other person can either produce or sell those inventions in the market for commercial purposes without the approval of the creator of such invention.
India grants legal protection to various inventions through the Patents Act, 1970.
The main aim to enact patent law is to encourage inventors to contribute more in their field by awarding them exclusive rights for their inventions.
An invention is considered new if, on the date of filing the application, any such invention is not known to the public in any form, i.e. oral, writing, or any other form.
It is a territorial right, so it can only be applied in the country where it has been granted.
Any legal action against infringement or infringement of patent rights can only be taken in that country. To obtain patent protection in different countries, each country must apply for a patent.
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) provides a way to file an international patent application in which a patent can be filed through a single patent application in a large number of countries.
A patent owner has the right to grant a license for use or even sell the ownership of a patent.
The Patents Act, 1970 was amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005 regarding extending product patents in all areas of technology including food, medicine, chemicals and microorganisms.
Working of Pharmaceutical Patent System
The drug patent system was created to reward pharma companies for innovation, ensure returns on investment, and ultimately promote innovations that make human life better and easier. This monopoly right was given only for a certain number of years to the inventor of the patent, which, after the expiration of this duration, is taken away from them and the technology or the product becomes easily accessible to any other person and he may not earn any more profit from his own creation.
Ever-green patenting
Ever-greening of patents is a process whereby the time of the rights in the patent is extended without any enhancement in the therapeutic efficacy of the Drug.
This is done by making minor changes to the original drug, such as a new formulation or a slight modification in dosage, and then filing for a new patent.
This allows the company to maintain its exclusive right to manufacture and sell the drug, even if it is essentially the same as the original.
This can limit competition from generic manufacturers and keep drug prices high, making access to essential medicines difficult for those who cannot afford them.
Indian law about the evergreening of patents in India
Section 3(d) of the Indian Patents Act states that the mere discovery of a new form of a known substance that does not result in the enhancement of the efficacy of that substance, or the mere discovery of any new property or new use for a known substance, or the mere use of a known process, the machine, or apparatus unless such known process results in a new product or employs at least one new reactant, is not considered to be an invention.
Section 3(e) of the Indian Patents Act states that a substance obtained by a mere admixture resulting only in the aggregation of the properties of the components thereof or a process for producing such substance is not patentable.
Context: The Defence Acquisition Council, the apex decision-making body for the acquisition of military equipment, cleared proposals to buy three additional Scorpene.
Scorpene Submarines
The Scorpene submarines are conventional attack submarines, meaning that they are designed to target and sink adversary naval vessels.
Capable of launching a large array of torpedoes and missiles.
Equipped with a range of surveillance and intelligence-gathering mechanisms.
They have a state-of-the-art SONAR suite and sensor suite permitting outstanding operational capabilities.
They have a length of 220 feet and height of approximately 40 feet.
They can reach the top speeds of 11 knots (20 km/h) when surfaced and 20 knots (37 km/h) when submerged.
Scorpene class submarines use diesel electric propulsion systems.
This propulsion system alternates between using diesel (for functioning on the surface) and electric (for functioning underwater).
They can operate independently without refuelling for approximately 50 days, after that they need to come on surface to recharge batteries.
Scorpene Vs Nuclear Submarine
Scorpene Submarine
Nuclear Submarine
conventional submarines are restricted in submerged endurance as per their battery capacity which powers them, they need to resurface to recharge.
Nuclear submarines theoretically have unlimited endurance. A nuclear reactor on a submarine has an operational life of up to 30 years.
As refueling is required they come to surface more often.
These submarines only need to come to the surface for replenishing supplies for the crew.
Diesel electric technology has improved the range of conventional submarines as well as their stealth. But they are slower than the nuclear submarine.
They are able to move much faster than conventional submarines.
Cost of building and operating of conventional submarine is almost half in comparison to Nuclear Submarine.
Nuclear submarines are expensive and require a significant amount of specialised experience to operate.
These submarines are almost silent, with the only noise coming from the shaft bearings, propeller, and flow around the hull.
They are comparatively noisy, the reactor is always running, creating steam noise, which can be heard on sonar.
Project 75(I)
Project-75 (India), also known as P-75(I), is a military acquisition initiative by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The initiative aims to procure diesel-electric attack submarines with fuel cells and Air-Independent Propulsion System (AIP) for the Indian Navy to build India's naval strength and develop indigenous submarine-building capabilities.
Conventional diesel-electric submarines such as the Scorpene etc. are under this project.
Under this program six conventional submarines are to be built with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems that will allow them to stay underwater for longer.
Context: A long drawn PIL has prevented Centre from permitting Genetically Modified mustard to be cultivated commercially.
GM Mustard
It is an Herbicide Tolerant (HT) mustard variety that has undergone genetic modification. It has two alien genes —"barnase" and "barstar"; isolated from a soil bacterium called Bacillus, amyloliquefaciens. It enables the breeding of high-yielding commercial mustard hybrids.
The first gene (‘barnase’) codes for a protein that impairs pollen production and renders the plant into which it is incorporated male-sterile.
This plant is then crossed with a fertile parental line containing, in turn, the second ‘barstar’ gene that blocks the action of the barnase gene.
The resultant F1 progeny is both high-yielding and also capable of producing seed/ grain, due to the barstar gene in the second fertile line.
Genetically Modified Crops
GM is a technology that involves inserting DNA into the genome of an organism. To produce a GM plant, new DNA is transferred into plant cells. Usually, the cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into plants. The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA.
Biotechnologists insert select genes at a location in the DNA of a plant to develop a GM crop.
The insertion makes a GM crop express traits that it ordinarily would not.
For instance, GM mustard has been altered to withstand the broad-spectrum plant-killer or herbicide Glufosinate.
Some methods used in Genetic Modification
Conventional Breeding Vs Genetic Modification
Benefits of GM Crops
GM crops have reduced chemical pesticide use by 37%, increased crop yields by 22%, and increased farmer profits by 68% (As per Klumper and Qaim, 2014).
GM crops have also reduced Carbon dioxide emissions(mostly through no-till farming practices) by 24.5 million kg per annum (As per the study by Graham Brookes and Peter Barfoot, 2020).
As per FAO study done in 2022, The long and safe track record of GM crop cultivation and consumption of foods derived from them over the past 28 years (1994 to 2022) attest the safety of GM foods to Humankind.
Global cultivation of GM Crops which shows the benefit of the GM crops
GM crops are cultivated in 29 countries in an area of 190 million hectares.
Forty-three countries import foods, oils and feed derived from GM crops.
Nine non-food GM crops and twenty-two GM food and feed crops are cultivated and consumed globally.
India commercialized insect pest-resistant Bt-cotton in 2002 that brought about a significantly positive change in cotton production, export and textile industry.
It has greatly reduced the use of toxic pesticides.
As a result of the adoption of Bt cotton, India is now the largest cotton producer in the world.
Long-term research suggests that Bt cotton has provided only fleeting benefits to farmers, while enormously increasing their costs of cultivation and risk.
Use of Termination technology which shuts off the reproductive abilities of seeds, making second generation seeds sterile.
Due to the royalty charges to multinational corporations, genetically modified seeds are expensive.
Technical Expert Committee (TEC) appointed by Supreme Court found HT crops completely unsuitable in the Indian context and warned of serious harm to the environment, rural livelihoods and sustainable agriculture if they were released.
A Parliamentary standing committee report exposes gaps in which government ignores several things like biosafety, biodiversity and food and seed sovereignty and farmers livelihoods.
According to activists and farmers, GM mustard is an herbicide-tolerant crop and toxic chemicals sprayed on the plant would impact the health of the people consuming it.
According to critics GM Crops are environmentally unsustainable and does not suit Indian agricultural conditions.
There are no separate regulatory guidelines and protocols for HT crops.
The parliamentary standing committees unanimously highlighted major weaknesses in the regulatory system.
The committee found that GM crops have an impact on health and environment and these aspects were overlooked while approving Bt Brinjal trials in India.
Excessive production of genetically engineered crops will eventually render them useless as the pest will generate immunity to the toxin.
Mechanism to get approval for Genetically Modified Crops in India
There is a well-established regulatory framework for approval of Genetically Modified (GM) crops as per “Rules for the Manufacture/Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989” under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 in the Country.
Evaluation of each application of GM crop is done mandatorily on a case-to-case basis after a thorough examination of health, environment, food and feed safety assessment studies undertaken in a systematic and scientific manner as per prescribed guidelines, manuals and standard operating procedures stipulated by various regulatory agencies under the Rules, 1989 from time to time.
The data generated by the applicants is reviewed at every step in the development process of GM crops by various Statutory Committees under the Rules, 1989 such as Institutional Biosafety Committee, Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation and Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee.
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change is the final authority to pass the GM crop for cultivation and use.
Way Forward
A rapidly developing country like India with a burgeoning population cannot afford to ignore sustainable technologies like GM crops for drought tolerance, nutrient use efficiency, especially that of nitrogen, and thermotolerance.
The concerns about the development of antibiotic resistance, horizontal gene transfer, “terminator gene”, adverse effects on health etc., should be dispelled convincingly by various global scientific committees and experts and accordingly the crops should be introduced.
The GMO regulatory System in India formulated well-defined protocols and procedures to subject a GM organism to a plethora of tests that often takes several years. The procedure should be made more effective using technological improvements with separate regulations for HT crops.
There is an urgent need of GM labelling laws in India as mentioned by the parliamentary standing committee.
Context: India’s ISRO is launching Chandrayaan-3 mission to moon. However, along with ISRO other space faring nations are also planning mission towards moon. This article explores the reasons behind the same.
Moon
Moon is the only satellite of Earth.
It is devoid of atmosphere and rotates.
Moon revolves around the Earth in around the same time as Earth rotates on its axis.
Tidal locking is a phenomenon by which a body has the same rotational period as its orbital period around a partner. Since, moon rotates the Earth at the same time as it takes to orbit Earth. Thus, we can see only one side of the moon.
Recent missions planned or executed for Moon
Chandrayaan-3 by India's ISRO which is equipped with lander and rover.
Luna 25: Russia's moon lander mission scheduled in 2023.
Artemis Program of NASA (USA): Aims to send a manned mission to Moon by 2025.
China plans to send a manned mission to Moon by 2030.
SLIM Mission: It is small scale exploration mission by JAXA (Japan) designed for pinpoint landings on the Moon's surface, reduction in size and weight of equipment used in Moon landings and investigation into Moon's origins.
Ispace: It is a Japanese startup aiming to have a lander on Moon in 2023.
Private American aerospace companies Intuitive Machines and Astrobotic Technology each aim to place a lander on moon.
India has ratified the Artemis Accords which establishes a framework for cooperation in civil exploration and peaceful use of Moon, Mars and other astronomical objects.
Reasons behind increased focus on Moon
Moon is being seen as a vital stepping-stone for interplanetary exploration.
Moon has presence of rare minerals and elements including titanium and helium-3 that could be used to build nuclear fusion plants.
Moon has presence of frozen water which can be harnessed for sustaining a population and agriculture.
There is a race among nations to figure out how to get these precious resources and transport them to Earth.
Recent findings about Moon
Characteristics of far side of moon:
Far side of the moon has a dramatically different landscape as compared to the face of moon visible from Earth. Far side has a thicker crust by almost 20 km.
The far side of the moon is also more densely pockmarked, with millions of more asteroids and comets having crashed into this half.
Far side of moon has almost no characteristic dark spots which are less reflective volcanic basalt plains.
Water on Moon
Chandrayan-1 (India's first lunar mission) carried two instruments provided by NASA for surveying the poles of moon for possible traces of water ice.
The instruments were (i) Moon Mineralogical Mapper - An infrared spectrometer & (ii) MiniSAR - Miniature Synthetic Aperture Radar.
These instruments gave a definitive proof of presence of water ice in more than 40 craters on the poles of moon indicating potential for life, for research stations or settlements, perhaps even crops.
Scientists believe that water is concentrated in the craters at the poles of moon because they don't receive any sunlight. On other parts of moon, a combination of low pressure and daytime temperatures of 120 degree celsius vaporises water.
However, in 2020 NASA's SOFIA Observatory found the first evidence of water on moon in a sunlit spot, indicating presence of water on the Moon was widely distributed.
Moon's soil
Lunar soil, also known as regolith, contains a number of familiar elements such as iron, silicon, potassium, manganese and magnesium. However, it does not contain organic matter such as microbes and insects.
Lunar soil is hydrophobic i.e., it repels rather than absorbs water.
Lunar soil has been exposed to extremely unhealthy amounts of solar radiation.
Last year, scientists on Earth succesfully grew plants in lunar soil brought back to Earth by NASA's Apollo missions in the 1970s. However, scientists found that plants in lunar soil were growing slower, had stunted roots and leaves and developed red spots. This was due to much higher exposure to salt or heavy metals. However, drought tolerant plants fared better in lunar soil.
Context: A team of doctors from Tamil Nadu along with scientists from Japan have developed a disease-modifying treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disease, using a food additive - a beta-glucan produced by the N-163 strain of a yeast Aureobasidium pullulans.
About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
DMD is a rare genetic disease that affects only male children.
There are approximately 5,000 patients in Japan and 80,000 in India.
Muscles need lubricant. Dystrophin, an enzyme secreted in the muscles, helps in wear and tear and regeneration of muscles.
Because of the genetic disorder, muscles cannot produce dystrophin.
This damages and weakens the muscles, and patients become wheelchair-bound in their early teens and die prematurely.
Boys born before 1970 had a median lifespan of around 18 years.
After anti-inflammatory medications and steroids, longevity increased.
Disease-modifying treatments have prolonged the lifespan but despite that, patients die when they are aged 28 to 30 years.
Currently, available treatments are gene therapy, Exon-skipping and disease-modifying agents (anti-inflammatory medicines such as steroids).
There was no adverse reaction in the participants and it potentially delayed the progress of the disease without side effects to the liver and kidneys.
Context: In a study called “Generative AI at Work” (involving over 5,000 customer support agents in the Philippines), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) economists showed that AI tools boosted worker productivity by 14% and improved consumer satisfaction, leading to better treatment of customer service agents and increased employee retention.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines and is concerned with developing computer-operated machines that can complete tasks that typically require human intelligence.
Generative AI Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a form of AI that can autonomously generate new content, such as text, images, audio, and video.
Benefits of AI
AI through automated decision-making by can reduce error in decision making.
AI can automate repetitive tasks and with generative AI, even creative tasks can be done efficiently and fast.
In health sector with the help of AI patient monitoring including elderly patient monitoring, early diagnosis and process simplification can be done efficiently.
AI will "augment" the productivity of the labour force with the help of technologies and by automating some tasks and roles.
We can solve complex problems by leveraging AI's ability to analyse massive volumes of data quickly and spot patterns that we wouldn't otherwise be able to.
Intelligent automation (AI) can help by establishing a new virtual workforce that is capable of problem-solving and self-learning while increasing labour productivity.
Personalization enabled by AI will improve customer satisfaction and experience, which in turn will boost engagement and assist businesses in better consumer targeting and economic growth.
AI can assist early warning systems and disaster management by analysing historical data, patterns, and trends and monitoring real-time data to identify potential dangers.
Through assistive-personalised technology, monitoring of environmental changes, etc., AI can enhance people's quality of life.
Challenges of AI
Labour replacement by AI technologies. E.g., Chatbot replaced human assisted consumer support
A research paper titled “Robots and Jobs: Evidence from US Labor Markets” of MIT and Boston University found that robot adoption has a negative effect on workers, on average — it reduces the labour share, employment and wages.
The adverse effects of AI primarily affect blue-collar workers and individuals with lower levels of education as they lack the required skill in AI driven economy.
“Tasks, Automation, and the Rise in U.S. Wage Inequality”, report document that between 50% and 70% of changes in the U.S. wage structure over the last four decades can be attributed to relative wage declines of worker groups specialised in routine tasks in industries experiencing rapid automation
Automation by AI may reduce labour share and wages, especially when productivity gains from automation are small.
There are distributional concerns of over automation due to AI which may cause inequality among workers and possible serious negative impacts on social welfare. E.g., tax challenge in AI
McKinsey Global Institute’s research suggests that AI may intensify competition and deepen the technological divide among firms.
Early adopters of AI may gain significant advantages, leading to a winner-takes-all scenario.
AI could be highly disruptive as it is more likely to displace middle-class, white-collared jobs which constitute the major proportion of Indian population; in comparison to earlier technological advancements displaced people from lower-paid farm jobs to higher-paid factory floor jobs.
AI could create deep challenges for society, including in the labour market, politics, data privacy, crime and warfare; these challenges are difficult to anticipate and plan for.
Opportunities for India
The PwC report suggests that the greatest economic gains from AI will come from China, with a projected 26% boost to GDP by 2030. Thus, India should focus more on education and training in AI to take advantage of the demographic dividend and new opportunities that emanate from it.
Governments should step up their cyber regulations with respect to the new challenges posed by AI and may also need tax capital to balance the returns from capital and labour to reduce the displacement and distributional effects.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can transform the productivity and GDP potential of the Indian economy. Strategic investment in different types of AI technology is needed to make that happen.
Way Forward
Regulation on the use of AI should be balanced and provide ample opportunities for the required investments in AI.
With ever-growing advancements in AI are now a reality and equipping ourselves with the latest tools will help us forge ahead along with everyone else.
Context: France has already made a delivery of a number of SCALP long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, a military source told after President Emmanuel Macron announced the supplies.
Types of Missiles
Ballistic Missiles
Ballistic missiles are powered initially by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target. Ballistic missiles can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads.
There are four general classifications of ballistic missiles based on their range, or the maximum distance the missile can travel:
Short-range: less than 1,000 kilometers (approximately 620 miles), also known as “tactical” ballistic missiles.
Medium-range: between 1,000 and 3,000 kilometers (approximately 620-1,860 miles), also known as “theater” ballistic missiles.
Intermediate-range: between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometers (approximately 1,860-3,410 miles)
Long-range: more than 5,500 kilometers (approximately 3,410 miles), also known as intercontinental or strategic ballistic missiles.
Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) can fly much further than the minimum range; for example, Russia could hit Chicago with an ICBM launched from the Krasnoyarsk ICBM base, which is located 9,156 kilometers (5,689miles) away.
Cruise Missiles
Cruise missiles are unmanned vehicles that are propelled by jet engines, much like an airplane. They can be launched from ground, air, or sea platforms.
Cruise missiles remain within the atmosphere for the duration of their flight and can fly as low as a few meters off the ground. Flying low to the surface of the earth expends more fuel but makes a cruise missile very difficult to detect.
Cruise missiles are self-guided and use multiple methods to accurately deliver their payload, including terrain mapping, global positioning systems (GPS) and inertial guidance, which uses motion sensors and gyroscopes to keep the missile on a pre-programmed flight path.
As advanced cruise missiles approach their target, remote operators can use a camera in the nose of the missile to see what the missile sees. This gives them the option to manually guide the missile to its target or to abort the strike.
Storm Shadow is a long-ranged, air-launched, conventionally armed, deep-strike supersonic missile, which is manufactured by the France-based MBDA Missile Systems.
Range: More than 250 km.
It is capable of being operated day and night in all weathers and is designed to destroy high-valued stationary targets such as airbases, radar installations, communications hubs and port facilities.
It is equipped with fire-and-forget technology and offers high-precision deep strike capability as it features a sophisticated navigation system that includes inertial navigation (INS), a global positioning system (GPS) and terrain reference navigation for better control over the path.
The missile features the BROACH (Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge) warhead — a high-technology warhead, which first cuts the surface of the target, penetrates into it and then explodes.
Context: In a paper published on June 21, researchers at Microsoft announced that they had figured out a way to create an elusive kind of particle that could potentially revolutionise quantum computing.
Supercomputing
Supercomputing technology comprises supercomputers, the fastest computers in the world. Supercomputers are made up of interconnects, I/O (input/output) systems, memory and processor cores.
Unlike traditional computers, supercomputers use more than one central processing unit (CPU).
These CPUs are grouped into compute nodes, comprising a processor or a group of processors—symmetric multiprocessing (SMP)—and a memory block.
A supercomputer can contain tens of thousands of nodes. With interconnect communication capabilities, these nodes can collaborate on solving a specific problem.
Nodes also use interconnects to communicate with I/O systems, like data storage and networking.
Supercomputing is measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS). Petaflops are a measure of a computer's processing speed equal to a thousand trillion flops. And a 1-petaflop computer system can perform one quadrillion (1015) flops. From a different perspective, supercomputers can be one million times more processing power than the fastest laptop.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is a rapidly emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for classical computers.
Qubit
A qubit (or quantum bit) is the quantum mechanical analogue of a classical bit. In classical computing the information is encoded in bits, where each bit can have the value zero or one. In quantum computing the information is encoded in qubits. A qubit can hold a one, a zero or crucially a superposition of these.
A quantum computer can use individual electrons as qubits – its fundamental units of information. Information can be encoded in some property of each electron, like its spin.
Quantum Superposition
A quantum state in superposition can be seen as a linear combination of other distinct quantum states. This quantum state in superposition forms a new valid quantum state.
Quantum Entanglement
A pair or group of particles is entangled when the quantum state of each particle cannot be described independently of the quantum state of the other particle(s). The quantum state of the system as a whole can be described; it is in a definite state, although the parts of the system are not.
Concepts associated with Quantum computing
Spin
Qantum particles exhibit an intrinsic angular momentum component which is known as spin.
Anti-Particle
Dirac’s equation predicted the existence of an antiparticle for each particle, such that if the two meet, they annihilate each other. Based on his prediction, scientists found the first antiparticle, the positron (or the anti-electron), in 1932.
Bound state
The Bound state of a particle is that particular state in which two particles are energetically forbidden to be separated at large distances or potentially bound in that state.
Ground state
It is the state of a particle with lowest possible energy. Usually, particles do not show any degeneracy at ground state.
Degeneracy
Degeneracy in quantum mechanics means that a system can have multiple states at the same energy.
Topological System
Topology systems are concerned with the properties of a geometric object that are preserved under continuous deformations, such as stretching, twisting, crumpling, and bending; that is, without closing holes, opening holes, tearing, gluing, or passing through itself.
Topological Degeneracy
In topological systems, the system has multiple states at the lowest or ground state energy, i.e., the quantum system can exist in two (or more) possible states at its lowest energy.
Fermions
These particles have half integer quantum spin like 1/2, 3/2, 5/2, etc. This is why any particle, even something as large as an entire atom, can be a fermion, just its total quantum spin needs to have a half-integer value.
Non-Abelian Statistics
Under these rules, changing the order of steps in which you perform a task changes the task’s outcomes.
For example, say you have an algorithm that performs a series of steps in the order A-B-C-D. If the algorithm played according to the rules of non-Abelian statistics, A-C-B-D would give a different result from A-D-B-C.
Majorana Fermions and Majorana Zero Modes (MZM)
The quantum rules that apply to a single fermion also apply to pairs, or bound states. When the bound states are their own antiparticles – i.e., if they meet, they annihilate each other – they are Majorana fermions. Physicists call such bound states Majorana zero modes.
To be a Majorana zero mode, any bound state should satisfy two conditions
It should obey the Dirac equation.
It should be its own antiparticle.
Majorana Zero Modes helping in Computing
Quantum computers have a big problem, they’re very fragile and slight disturbances in the surrounding my result in the change of the quantum state of the particle and can result in change of the information.
Majorana zero modes are a mathematical construction that allows electrons to be described theoretically as being composed of two halves.
From a quantum computing perspective, if an electron can be split into two parts, then the information it encodes as a qubit will be protected from local perturbations.
Which makes Majorana Zero modes much more stable than most other qubits.
Also, MZM follows non-Abelian statistics which makes the outcome also dependent on the path taken in computation. So, the calculation done by MZM will have one more degree of freedom.
Current status of MZM
Indian Institute of Science associate professor Anindya Das said, “While topological quantum computing remains the ultimate goal, the existence of Majorana fermions hasn’t been settled yet. The result will need to be independently confirmed.”
