Sonobuoys are air-launched sensors used for detecting submarines and ships in anti-submarine warfare. India and the U.S. are collaborating on co-production to enhance India's Undersea Domain Awareness. This technology boosts maritime security, especially with China's growing presence, and helps protect naval assets like aircraft carrier strike groups.
Nitric oxide (NO) regulates key physiological processes in plants, including nitrate uptake. By controlling high-affinity nitrate transporters (HATs), it influences nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Lower NO levels, achieved through genetic or pharmacological methods, enhance HAT activity, improving nitrogen uptake, reducing fertilizer use, boosting crop yields, and mitigating environmental pollution.
Tamil Nadu CM has announced a $1 million prize for deciphering the Indus Valley script, a long-standing mystery. The script, used between 3500-1300 BCE, is found on seals, pottery, and tools. Recent studies suggest cultural links between the Indus Valley and Tamil Nadu, urging further research and archaeological exploration.
Landslide dams form when a landslide blocks a river, creating a natural barrier that can lead to the accumulation of water upstream. The Alaknanda River, in particular, is highly vulnerable to such natural dams in the Garhwal region, which could have serious consequences for downstream areas.
An artesian condition occurs when water is trapped under pressure between impermeable layers of rock. When breached, this pressure forces water to the surface naturally, providing a sustainable water source, especially in arid regions. Artesian wells are crucial for irrigation and water supply in desert areas.
Climate change is intensifying the Earth's water cycle, leading to more evaporation, stronger storms, and extreme weather. This causes erratic rainfall, severe floods, and prolonged droughts, significantly disrupting ecosystems and water availability, with global implications for water management and human populations.