Current Affairs - Technology

Wayanad district in Kerala has received an advanced X-band radar to bolster disaster preparedness following the devastating floods and landslides in July 2024 that claimed over 200 lives. The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the installation to improve monitoring and prediction of natural disasters. The X-band radar will track soil movements to predict landslides and monitor weather patterns, utilizing radio waves to detect objects and measure distance, velocity, and characteristics. This technology operates in the 8-12 GHz range, offering higher-resolution images and detecting smaller particles like rain droplets or fog. Its primary application is in meteorology, but its limitations are due to its shorter range.

SpaceX made headlines by successfully catching its Starship booster on its first-stage rocket after a recent test flight. This remarkable achievement highlights the company's advanced rapid reusability technology, which is vital for reducing costs associated with future Mars missions. The use of large mechanical arms, referred to as "Mechazilla," in this process underscores SpaceX's commitment to innovation in space travel. As SpaceX aims to establish a human presence on the Moon and Mars, this milestone significantly contributes to their long-term goal of making humanity a multi-planetary species.

Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper were recognized for their groundbreaking work in protein structure prediction, particularly with the development of AlphaFold2, an AI-driven system introduced in 2020. AlphaFold2 revolutionized the ability to predict how amino acid sequences fold into three-dimensional structures, solving a long-standing challenge in structural biology. This innovation has vast applications in drug discovery, biotechnology, and the understanding of diseases, as it provides insight into nearly every known protein structure.

The geomagnetic storm that lit up the night sky in parts of the US in early October originated from a solar flare that erupted from sunspot 3842 on October 3. South Africa's National Space Agency (SANSA) tracked this significant event, noting it was the strongest earth-facing solar flare recorded by SANSA in seven years. The agency also reported the brief disruption to high-frequency radio communications over the African region. SANSA's expertise and monitoring capabilities provide valuable insights into space weather events like geomagnetic storms, highlighting South Africa's role in space research and exploration.

Ahmedabad University has established The Climate Institute to address pressing climate-related issues, particularly in the Global South. The institute operates across three key verticals: Energy and Climate Change, Cities and Settlements, and Air and Water. Under the leadership of Founding Executive Director Dr. Balaji Srinivasan and Academic Director Professor Minal Pathak, The Climate Institute aims to advance climate, energy, and environmental education, research, and impact. This initiative underscores Ahmedabad University's commitment to tackling critical environmental challenges.