Current Affairs - Science

Electroencephalography (EEG) gained significant recognition due to the centenary of Hans Berger's pioneering work in 1924 when he recorded the first human EEG. This breakthrough marked a major advancement in neurological research. While earlier, in 1912, Vladimir Pravdich-Neminsky had achieved the first mammalian EEG using a dog, Berger's work with humans opened new possibilities for diagnosing and understanding brain functions and disorders.

New Zealand scientists may have made a breakthrough after discovering a spade-toothed whale washed up on a South Island beach. This species, considered one of the rarest in the world, has never been observed alive, making its population size, diet, and habitat largely mysterious. The discovery, based on the whale's distinctive physical features, including its skull, beak, and teeth, highlights ongoing efforts to understand marine biodiversity in the southern Pacific Ocean.

The termite mounds discovered in South Africa, dating back between 34,000 and 13,000 years, are recognized as the oldest inhabited mounds globally. These structures are crucial for their role in carbon storage through the transport of organic material deep into the soil, influencing the local carbon cycle. This discovery highlights South Africa as a significant site for understanding long-term ecological processes involving termites and their environmental impact.

ZSI scientists discovered Pisodonophis kalinga, a new species of eel, in the Palur canal located in Odisha's Ganjam district. Named after ancient Odisha, this snake-like eel species belongs to the Ophichthidae family and order Anguilliformes. It is notably found in the Chilika lagoon and the adjacent Palur canal and has been commonly referred to as the Kalinga snake eel by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Discovery of new species enriches biodiversity studies and underscores the importance of conservation efforts in regional ecosystems.

Recently, a team of herpetologists discovered the presence of the striped caecilian (Ichthyophis spp) in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve for the first time. This elongated, limbless amphibian belongs to the order Gymnophiona and is typically found in moist tropical and subtropical regions across Asia, making its sighting in Kaziranga a significant ecological discovery.