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Protecting Global Pollinators – Key Facts

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  Pollinators are vital for agriculture and food security as they contribute to over 75% of food crops and flowering plants but these small insects face numerous threats including pesticides, pollution, climate change, and habitat loss which exacerbates these challenges. Importance of Diverse Pollinator Habitats Diverse habitats with ample flowers can reduce disease spread among pollinators. When pollinators share habitats, they risk transmitting pathogens. A study in Switzerland revealed elevated pathogen levels in wild bees sharing flowers with managed honey bees. Pathogen Spillover and Spillback Pathogen spillover occurs when diseases transfer from managed to wild pollinators. This can lead to increased virus prevalence in wild species. Managed honey bees can carry viruses that infect wild populations, worsening their health. Research indicates that this phenomenon is important in regions with overlapping habitats. Bees in India India hosts over 700 bee species, including four nat
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Dicliptera srisailamica: New Flower Species Discovered

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  Botanists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have identified a new flower species, which took place in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The species, named Dicliptera srisailamica, was found in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve. The research was led by scientist L. Rasingam from the BSI’s Deccan Regional Centre. Taxonomy and Family Dicliptera srisailamica belongs to the Acanthaceae family. This family includes 223 known species worldwide. In India, the Dicliptera genus has 27 species. Eight of these species are endemic to India. Andhra Pradesh is home to seven recorded species of Dicliptera. Description of the Plant Dicliptera srisailamica is an erect herb. It can grow up to 90 cm tall. The stems are four-angled and covered in fine hairs when young. The leaves are ovate with prominent veins. They have smooth margins. The plant produces small, pink, bi-lipped flowers in clusters. Flowering Period The flowering period for Dicliptera srisailamica is from
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Breakthrough in Quantum Magnetic Materials

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  Recent advancements in material science have revealed a novel method for creating quantum magnetic materials. Researchers have focused on a ruthenium-based framework. This marks an important stride towards realizing the elusive ‘Kitaev quantum spin liquid state’. About Quantum Spin Liquids Quantum spin liquids differ fundamentally from conventional magnets. Traditional magnets rely on ordered electron interactions. In contrast, quantum spin liquids exhibit disordered magnetic properties. They function through quantum entanglement rather than classical magnetic behavior. This unique characteristic allows for a more complex understanding of magnetic interactions. The Role of Ruthenium-Based Frameworks The research utilizes a ruthenium-based framework. This framework is crucial for achieving the desired magnetic properties. It allows for the engineering of materials that can explore quantum states of matter. The open structure of this framework enables scientists to manipulate interacti
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Influenza Trends and Health Advisory 2024

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  Recent data from the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) marks important respiratory illness trends. Influenza A and B viruses are the primary culprits, affecting 75.4% of patients with Influenza-Like Illness (ILI). The report indicates a notable increase in fever cases during the winter and monsoon months across Tamil Nadu. Influenza Virus Circulation Testing of 326 respiratory samples revealed that Influenza A (H1N1) accounts for 44% of reported cases. Influenza B and other strains are also present but to a lesser extent. The presence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) A and B was noted in 9% of cases, which cause mild illness. Current COVID-19 Situation SARS-CoV-2 is circulating at an all-time low, which suggests a reduced risk of severe COVID-19 cases in the community. The focus remains on influenza viruses, which are currently more prevalent.The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme indicates a seasonal pattern. Illnesses peaked during the monsoon months following a dec
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More green space could reduce preventable deaths in deprived areas

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The provision of just 1% more green space in the most deprived urban neighborhoods in 3 out of the 4 UK nations may be linked to around 40% fewer preventable deaths in these areas, finds research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.Green space is unequally distributed in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, with the lowest amounts in the most deprived areas, the findings show, prompting the researchers to suggest that green space investment might be an important public health strategy for tackling health inequalities. Spending time in green space, such as grassland, woodland, and parks, is not only associated with lower rates of death and ill health, and improved wellbeing, but also with environmental benefits, note the researchers. In Europe, access to green space tends to be poorer in areas of deprivation. But data on the distribution of these spaces in disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods across the UK isn't known, they add. The researchers t
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Fossil fuel CO2 emissions increase again in 2024

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  The 2024 Global Carbon Budget projects fossil carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions of 37.4 billion tonnes, up 0.8% from 2023.Despite the urgent need to cut emissions to slow climate change, the researchers say there is still "no sign" that the world has reached a peak in fossil CO2 emissions. With projected emissions from land-use change (such as deforestation) of 4.2 billion tonnes, total CO2 emissions are projected to be 41.6 billion tonnes in 2024, up from 40.6 billion tonnes last year. Over the last 10 years, fossil CO2 emissions have risen while land-use change CO2 emissions have declined on average -- leaving overall emissions roughly level over that period.This year, both fossil and land-use change CO2 emissions are set to rise, with drought conditions exacerbating emissions from deforestation and forest degradation fires during the El Niño climate event of 2023-2024.With over 40 billion tonnes released each year at present, the level of CO2 in the atmosphere continues to
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NAWO-DHAN: New Horticulture Agribusiness Initiative

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  The Agriculture department is initiating a pilot project under the NAWO-DHAN scheme. This project aims to enhance horticulture agribusiness. It targets land owners and cultivators who have shown interest. An expression of interest (EoI) was released in October. So far, 22 land owners and 149 cultivators have responded. The response includes offers for 1,600 acres across 11 districts. Project Overview NAWO-DHAN stands for New Agriculture Wealth Opportunities Driving Horticulture Agribusiness Networking. The project focuses on increasing food crop production in Kerala. It aims to utilise land that is currently fallow or unused. The initiative will engage farmer groups through Service Level Agreements (SLA). This approach treats farming as a service, ensuring no transfer of land ownership. Selection Process The Agriculture department is currently shortlisting farmers. This selection is based on technical and financial criteria. The goal is to identify suitable candidates from the 149 cu
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