India to soon get LiGO to catch gravitational waves (GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Centre has cleared the way for the construction of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in the country. The facility will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore by the year 2030.
- The facility will observe the gravitational waves traveling in the vastness of space from some of the most violent and energetic processes in the Universe and hitting Earth.
What are Gravitational Waves?
- LIGO is a physics experiment that derives its roots in the theories of Albert Einstein, who said that when two massive objects collide they create a ripple in space and time in such a way that ‘waves of undulating space-time would propagate in all directions away from the source’.
- These cosmic ripples known as gravitational waves travel at the speed of light, carrying with them information about their origins, as well as clues to the nature of gravity itself.
- The strongest gravitational waves are produced by cataclysmic events such as colliding black holes, stars exploding at the end of their lifetimes, and colliding neutron stars.
What Is LIGO?
- The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) is the world's most powerful observatory that exploits the physical properties of light and of space itself to detect and understand the origins of gravitational waves.
- At the moment there are two such observatories that are separated by a distance of 3000 kilometers that work in tandem to pick up these gravitational waves.
- Gravitational wave interferometers rely on the world's most stable high-power lasers, the most precisely figured mirrors, ultraquiet vibration isolation systems, and sophisticated hierarchical feedback systems to pick up these waves emanating from the furthest reaches of the universe.
- Each LIGO detector consists of two arms, each 4 kilometers long, comprising 1.2-meter-wide steel vacuum tubes arranged in an ‘L’ shape, and covered by a 10-foot wide, 12-foot tall concrete shelter that protects the tubes from the environment.
LIGO in India:
- LIGO-India will be an advanced gravitational-wave observatory to be located in India as part of a worldwide network. It is envisaged as a collaborative project between a consortium of Indian research institutions and the LIGO Laboratory in the USA, along with its international partners.
- LIGO-India received the government's in-principle approval in February 2016. Since then, the project reached several milestones toward selecting and acquiring a site and building the observatory.
- The United States will provide key components for the lab worth USD 80 million, which amounts to Rs 560 crore.
- The LIGO-India project will be built by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology, with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Science Foundation, the US, along with several national and international research and academic institutions.
Way Forward:
- The information gathered by LIGO India could be used in the field of gravitation, relativity, astrophysics, cosmology, particle physics, and nuclear physics
World Health Day: How AI is transforming diagnostics, treatment planning, disease prediction
(GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)
Context:
- The healthcare industry is experiencing massive transformation, and one of the primary drivers of this change is the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies.
- In particular, AI and ML are having a significant impact on diagnostics, treatment planning, and disease prediction.
Faster Diagnostics:
- One area where AI and ML are making a significant impact is in diagnostics. Medical images, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, are being analyzed with the help of deep learning algorithms. These algorithms can identify patterns in the images that may be too complex for the human eye to detect, leading to faster and more accurate diagnoses.
- AI-powered diagnostic tools are being used to detect breast cancer. By analyzing mammograms, machines can identify early signs of breast cancer.
- This technology has the potential to save lives by detecting breast cancer in its early stages when it is more treatable.
Enhanced treatment Planning:
- AI and ML are put to use in creating more personalised treatment plans for patients. By analyzing large datasets, machines can identify patterns and predict how a patient may respond to a particular treatment. This information can then be used to create a tailored treatment plan that is more likely to be effective.
- AI-powered tools are being used to create personalised cancer treatment plans. By analyzing a patient's genetic makeup, medical history, and other factors, machines can identify the most effective treatment options for that patient.
- This approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the side effects of treatment.
Quick Disease Prediction
- Another area where AI and ML are making a significant impact is disease prediction. By analyzing large datasets, machines can identify risk factors and predict which patients are most likely to develop a particular disease. This information can be used to develop preventive measures or early interventions.
- For example, AI-powered tools are being used to predict the likelihood of a patient developing Alzheimer's disease.
- By analyzing brain scans and other medical data, machines can identify patterns that indicate a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. This information can be used to develop preventive measures, such as lifestyle changes or early intervention with medication.
World Health Day:
- World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 every year to raise awareness about the importance of health. The day also marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948.
- World Health Day 2023 will focus on the theme, 'Health for All,' marking the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO).
House panel apprised of collusive threat from China and Pakistan
(GS Paper 2, International Relation)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Parliamentary standing committee on defence was apprised by the Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary of the possible collusive threat from both China and Pakistan and the former’s role in expansion of the Pakistan’s Navy.
Details:
- The Indian Navy currently has a strength of around 130 ships and submarines and while the target is to have a 200-ship Navy, given the current trajectory, it is likely to have 155-160 ships.
- The Chinese Navy, with around 355 ships, has grown to be the world’s largest Navy in terms of numbers.
- As per the standing committee report tabled in Parliament; in four-five years, the Chinese Navy will have a strength of about 555 ships. The name of China or Pakistan weren’t directly mentioned and left blank in the report while describing them.
Present strength of Indian Navy:
- The Indian Navy currently has 143 aircraft and 130 helicopters. In addition, 43 ships and submarines are under construction at various shipyards, while initial approval exists for the indigenous construction of 51 ships, six submarines and 111 Naval Utility Helicopters.
- The number of assets required for various types of aircraft is calculated based on Indian Navy’s envisaged tasks and missions, available surface assets, areas of interest and other factors promulgated in the Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) 2012-27.
- However, there is a shortfall of planes and helicopters for reconnaissance and transport, which is being mitigated through progressive procurement.
Expansion of China & Pakistan:
- In a decade, China has grown from having 250 navy ships to more than 350 and has become the largest navy in the world.
- Along with their numbers, their operations have expanded and at any point of time, five to nine of their ships are operating in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and their research vessels are also operating, which can influence our security.
- From now to 2030, the Pakistani Navy is projected to expand by 50% with China playing the biggest role in the expansion. Hence, it is imperative that the Indian Navy expand its capability.
Way Forward:
- The committee stated that the Ministry should assess the threat perception which has increased many folds in view of hostile nations in the neighbourhood and the increase in trade in the Indian Ocean Region.
Mission to map rural India’s cultural assets covers over one lakh villages
(GS Paper 1, Culture)
Why in news?
- In a bid to harness the unique cultural heritage of rural India, the government has identified and documented distinctive features of more than one lakh villages across the country.
Key Highlights:
- In this cultural asset mapping, villages have been broadly divided into seven-eight categories based on whether they are important ecologically, developmentally or scholastically, if they produce a famous textile or product, and if they are connected to some historical or mythological events such as the Independence struggle or epics like the Mahabharata.
- Ecological: The ecological category, for example, includes the Bishnoi village near Jodhpur in Rajasthan, which is a case study for living in harmony with nature, and Uttarakhand’s Raini village, which is famous for the Chipko movement.
- Developmental: There are also villages that have developmental importance like Modhera in Gujarat, which is the first solar-powered village in India.
- Historical: Suketi in Himachal Pradesh, Asia’s oldest fossil park, and Pandrethan in Kashmir, the village of Shaivite mystic Lal Ded, are also classified for their historical importance.
National Mission for Cultural Mapping (NMCM):
- The entire exercise has been carried out under the Mera Gaon Meri Dharohar (My Village My Heritage) programme of the National Mission for Cultural Mapping (NMCM).
- The NMCM aims to develop a comprehensive database of art forms, artists and other resources across the country.
Survey process:
- The Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) said it has undertaken the cultural asset mapping of these villages through field surveys.
- Detailed field surveys were carried out by joint teams of the Culture Ministry and the Common Services Centres (CSC), under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MEITY) to create the dossiers.
- The survey documents the cultural identity of the villages by involving citizens to share what makes their village, Block or district unique.
- The survey process involves a CSC Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) conducting meetings with locals and then uploading interesting facts about their village, its places of interest, customs and traditions, famous personalities, festivals and beliefs, art and culture, etc., on to a special application.
What’s next?
- The IGNCA plans to cover all the 6.5 lakh villages in the country.
