SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. DEEP FAKES

Context:

• A Deep fake video showing an Indian actress has sparked outrage and concern over the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) to create realistic but fake videos, as known as deep fakes.

What are Deep fakes?

About:

• Deep fakes are synthetic media that use AI to manipulate or generate visual and audio content, usually with the intention of deceiving or misleading someone.

Deep fake Creation:

• Deep fakes are created using a technique called generative adversarial networks (GANs), which involve two competing neural networks: a generator and a discriminator.
• The generator tries to create fake images or videos that look realistic, while the discriminator tries to distinguish between the real and the fake ones.
• The generator learns from the feedback of the discriminator and improves its output until it can fool the discriminator.
• Deep fakes require a large amount of data, such as photos or videos, of the source and the target person, which are often collected from the internet or social media without their consent or knowledge.
• Deep fakes are a part of Deep Synthesis, which uses technologies, including deep learning and augmented reality, to generate text, images, audio and video to create virtual scenes.

Positive Applications of Deep Learning:

• Deep learning technology has enabled positive advancements, such as restoring lost voices and recreating historical figures.
• Deep learning techniques have been applied in comedy, cinema, music, and gaming to enhance artistic expression.
• Synthetic avatars of people with physical or mental disabilities will help express themselves online.
• It enhances medical training and simulation by generating diverse and realistic medical images. It also creates virtual patients and scenarios for simulating medical conditions and procedures, improving training efficiency.
• It can also be used to enhance the interaction and immersion of augmented reality (AR) and gaming applications.

Concerns Regarding the Deep fakes:

Deep fakes are a problem because they can be used for various malicious purposes, such as

• Spreading propaganda, and fake news;
• Influencing elections and public opinion;
• Blackmailing and extortion individuals or organizations;
• Damaging the reputation and credibility of celebrities, politicians, activists, and journalists; and
• Creating non-consensual pornography and revenge porn.
• Deep fakes can cause various harms, such as eroding trust in institutions, media, and democracy, and undermining the rule of law and human rights.
• Deep fake technology can violate the privacy, dignity, and reputation of individuals, and harm the mental health and well-being of the victims, especially women, who are often the targets of such malicious manipulation.

Spotting Deep fakes

• Unnatural Eye Movements: Look for irregular eye movements, as genuine videos have smoother eye coordination with speech and actions.
• Mismatches in Color and Lighting: Check for inconsistencies in lighting on the subject’s face and surroundings.
• Compare Audio Quality: Deep fake audio may have imperfections, so compare it with the video’s visual content.
• Strange Body Shape or Movement: Watch for unnatural body proportions or movements, especially during physical activities.
• Artificial Facial Movements: Identify exaggerated or unsynchronized facial expressions that don’t match the video’s context.
• Unnatural Positioning of Facial Features: Look for distortions or misalignments in facial features.
• Awkward Posture or Physique: Pay attention to awkward body positions, proportions, or movements that seem implausible.

What are the Global Approaches Related to Deep fake Regulation?

India:

• India does not have specific laws or regulations that ban or regulate the use of deep fake technology.
• India has called for a global framework on the expansion of “ethical” AI tools.
• Existing laws such as Sections 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act (2000) have provisions that may be applied to certain aspects of deep fakes, such as defamation and publishing explicit material.
• Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (1860) provides punishment for defamation.
• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, provides some protection against the misuse of personal data.
• The Information Technology Rules, 2021, mandate the removal of content impersonating others and artificially morphed images within 36 hours.
• India needs to develop a comprehensive legal framework specifically targeting deep fakes, considering the potential implications for privacy, social stability, national security, and democracy.

Global:

• The recent world’s first ever AI Safety Summit 2023 involving 28 major countries, including the US, China, and India, agreed on the need for global action to address AI's potential risks.
• The Bletchley Park Declaration declaration at the summit acknowledged the risks of intentional misuse and the loss of control over AI technologies.

European Union:

• The European Union's Code of Practice on Disinformation requires tech companies to counter deep fakes and fake accounts within six months of signing up to the Code.
• If found non-compliant, tech companies can face fines up to 6% of their annual global turnover
• United States:
• The U.S. introduced the bipartisan Deep fake Task Force Act to assist the Department of Homeland Security in countering deep fake technology.

China:

• China introduced comprehensive regulation on deep synthesis, effective from January 2023.
• Aimed at curbing disinformation, the regulation requires clear labelling and traceability of deep synthesis content.
• The Regulations impose obligations on the providers and users of so-called “deep synthesis technology”.

Tech Companies:

• Big tech companies like Meta and Google have announced measures to address the issue of deep fake content.
• However, there are still vulnerabilities in their systems that allow the dissemination of such content.
• Google has introduced tools for identifying synthetic content, including watermarking and metadata.
• Watermarking embeds information directly into content, making it resistant to editing, while metadata provides additional context to original files.

Way Forward

• Developing and implementing comprehensive laws and regulations that specifically target the creation and dissemination of deep fakes, while balancing the freedom of speech and expression.
• Enhancing the public awareness and media literacy of the potential risks and impacts of deep fakes, and encouraging critical thinking and verification of the sources and content of media.
• Creating and adopting technical solutions and standards that can detect, prevent, and remove deep fakes, such as digital watermarks, and block chain.
• Promoting ethical and responsible use of deep learning technology and synthetic media, and establishing codes of conduct and best practices for the creators and users of deep fakes.
• Fostering collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders, such as governments, media, civil society, academia, and industry, to address the challenges and opportunities posed by deep fakes.

2. EU'S LANDMARK AI LEGISLATION

Context:

• Recently, the European Union (EU) has set the stage for the world's first comprehensive legislation aimed at regulating the use of Artificial intelligence (AI).
• The EU's proposed framework will undergo a parliamentary vote in early 2024, potentially becoming enforceable by 2025.

What are the Key Components of the EU Framework for AI Regulation?

Safeguards in Legislation:

• Empowerment of Consumers: Ability for individuals to launch complaints against perceived AI violations.
• Restrictions on Law Enforcement Adoption: Clear boundaries on AI usage by law enforcement agencies.
• Strict Limitations on AI: Strong restrictions on facial recognition technology and AI manipulation of human behaviour.
• Penalties for Violations: Provision for tough penalties for companies found breaking the rules.
• Limited Biometric Surveillance: Governments permitted to use real-time biometric surveillance in public areas only in cases of serious threats like terrorist attacks.

Categorization of AI Applications:

• Four Risk Classes: AI applications classified into four risk categories based on their level of risk and invasiveness.
• Banned Applications: Mass-scale facial recognition and behavioral control AI applications are largely banned, with exemptions for law enforcement.
• High-Risk Applications: Allowed with certification and provision for backend technique transparency, such as AI tools for self-driving cars.
• Medium-Risk Applications: Deployable without restrictions, like generative AI chatbots, with explicit disclosure to users about AI interaction, transparency obligations, and detailed tech documentation.

Other EU's Regulatory Achievements:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Implementation: Enforced since May 2018, focusing on privacy and explicit consent for data processing.

Sub-Legislations: DSA and DMA:

• Digital Services Act (DSA): Focus on regulating hate speech, counterfeit goods, etc.
• Digital Markets Act (DMA): Identifying "dominant gatekeeper" platforms and addressing non-competitive practices and dominance abuse.

What is India's Strategy Regarding AI Regulation?

Stance:

• India is yet to have a comprehensive framework for regulating AI. However, India has shifted from a stance of not considering AI regulation to actively formulating regulations based on a risk-based, user-harm approach.

Advocacy for Inclusive and Responsible AI:

• India's initial national AI strategy, AIFORALL, aimed at inclusivity, debuted in 2018.
• NITI Aayog's National Strategy for AI (2018) included a chapter on responsible AI.
• In 2021, NITI Aayog issued a paper, ‘Principle of Responsible AI’. Seven broad principles were enumerated in the paper: equality, safety and reliability, inclusivity and non-discrimination, transparency, accountability, privacy and reinforcement of positive human value.
• In March 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology introduced India AI, the national program on AI, aimed at serving as a comprehensive initiative to cover all AI-related research and innovations.
• In July, 2023 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India issued a paper, that recommended setting up a domestic statutory authority to regulate AI through the lens of a “risk-based framework” and constitution of an advisory body with members from multiple government departments, academia and experts.

Major Sector-specific AI Frameworks in India:

Healthcare Sector:

• Indian Council of Medical Research issued ethical guidelines for AI in biomedical research and healthcare in June 2023.

Capital Market:

• SEBI issued a circular in January 2019 to guide policies and create an inventory for AI systems in the capital market.

Education Sector:

• National Education Policy 2020 recommends AI awareness integration in school courses

3. ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE

Context: 

• Artificial Intelligence has potential to revolutionize India’s healthcare model, making it a global leader in AI-driven healthcare solutions and healthcare more accessible and affordable.

More on News:

• India is now the world’s diabetes capital with over 100 million diabetics individuals and millions having hypertension, and youth are succumbing to heart attacks, cancer, respiratory issues, depression and more.
• The Indian healthcare AI industry is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40 per cent from 2019 to 2025, according to a NASSCOM analysis.
• While India is already one of the leading destinations for patients seeking care abroad, there is adequate headroom for growth.

About Artificial Intelligence:

• According to NITI Aayog, “AI refers to the ability of machines to perform cognitive tasks like thinking, perceiving, learning, problem solving and decision making.”
• AI uses various technologies such as computer vision, audio processing, cognitive robotics, speech analytics, language processing and machine learning techniques to derive AI-based solutions.
• AI has the capability to help human beings contribute more effectively to society and also helps bring in more timely, accurate and fast solutions.
• It has an immense potential to transform the healthcare landscape of India.

Healthcare Sector in India:

• Indian healthcare is known as one of the largest sectors, both in terms of employment and revenue generation opportunities.
• As per the NASSCOM report, the market size of healthcare industry in India was valued at $372 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 20% from 2023 to 2030.
• AI expenditure in India is expected to reach $11.78 billion by 2025 and add $1 trillion to India’s economy by 2035, as per a World Economic Forum report. The AI in Healthcare Market is projected to grow from $14.6 Billion in 2023 to $102.7 Billion by 2028.
• The pandemic not only pushed rapid advancements in technology but also propelled the AI related investment in the Indian medical and healthcare start-ups.
• Union Budget 2023-24: The healthcare sector has been allocated INR 89,155 crore to undertake all the new-age research and innovation-based healthcare initiatives on a massive scale.
• The government has also encouraged several industry players to invest in research and development in the priority areas including innovative technologies in healthcare.

Potential of AI in Healthcare:

• Medical imaging: AI in MRI and CT imaging is the new boon in the radiology segment which allows deep learning of every organ of the body under scan.
• For instance, the AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in Delhi has created a technology that uses artificial intelligence to detect oral cancer in its early stage.
• Analysis of Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Using this technology, it is possible to identify patients who are at a high risk of developing chronic diseases.
  • For instance, Apollo Hospitals teamed up with Microsoft to create an AI-powered cardiovascular disease risk score.
• Addressing the Healthcare Crisis: A report on the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence by the NITI Aayog showed that shortage of qualified healthcare professionals and non-uniform accessibility to healthcare across the country prevails.
  • For example, India has only 64 doctors available per 1,00,000 people compared to the global average of 150.
• Reduce Out of Pocket Expenditure: According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, almost half of all health spending in India is still paid by patients themselves directly at the point of treatment.
  • According to Harvard, using AI to make diagnoses may reduce treatment costs by up to 50% and improve health outcomes by 40%
  • According to research by Accenture, AI might save the Indian healthcare sector $4.4 billion by 2025.
• Accuracy in Patient Treatment: AI-powered Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solutions can minimise human error, streamline workflows, and ensure more accurate patient treatment.
• Early Diagnosis of Diseases: AI algorithms can be utilised in wearable devices, such as smart watches or fitness trackers, to continuously monitor vital signs, collect health data, and identify patterns or anomalies.
  • By analysing this data in real time, AI-powered smart devices can alert users and healthcare providers about potential health risks or early signs of diseases.
• Promoting Medical Value Travel (MVT): India has emerged as a global MVT hub, particularly in the fields of oncology, orthopaedics, and robotic surgery.
  • MVT is gaining strategic importance given its ability to create employment as well as earn foreign exchange.
• Precision Medicines: By using AI algorithms and patient data, tailor made treatment plans or personalised treatments for individuals can improve efficiency and efficacy.
• Quick Disease Prediction: Additionally, AI can help predict disease outbreaks, analyse health-care data, and optimise treatment plans, expediting health-care procedures, and revolutionizing drug discovery ultimately making health care more personalized and effective.

• Healthcare Management: AI optimizes hospital and healthcare facility operations by predicting patient admissions, managing bed allocations, and streamlining supply chain logistics.
  • Chat bots and virtual assistants enhance patient engagement and streamline administrative tasks.

Challenges:

In India, there are not many EHRs that are standardized, and the data is frequently jumbled and unfinished.

• Biases: There are AI models that use audio data to diagnose diseases such as Alzheimer’s. If these models are not trained with a wide range of accents, their outputs can be biased.
  • For example, an AI algorithm created in Canada used speech samples from only Canadian English speakers, putting English speakers of other accents in the country at a disadvantage.
• Privacy: Sensitive healthcare data may be jeopardized since AI systems must be educated on enormous volumes of data. Therefore, protecting healthcare data and guaranteeing that it is only used for specific purposes is a challenging task.
• Misuse: The linking of health data with other systems will create new avenues for discrimination.
  • For example, health insurance data can be leveraged by banks to evaluate eligibility for loans which could lead to discrimination in patient treatment.
• Ethical Issues- Accountability and Transparency: Determining liability in cases of AI-driven medical errors can be challenging. Is it the responsibility of the healthcare provider, the AI software developer, or a combination of both? A Comprehensive Legal framework must define liability and accountability.
• Cultural Acceptance: While AI offers remarkable capabilities, the expertise, intuition, and compassion of healthcare professionals which make a critical difference remain indispensable.
  • For example, an AI system may be able to allocate a patient to a particular care centre based on a specific diagnosis. However, it may not account for patient economic restrictions or other personalized preferences

Government Steps for Integrating AI in Healthcare:

The government of India has also created a national digital health infrastructure to implement the digital health systems across the country, which includes:

• Health locker: Digital national health database backed with cloud-based storage system which serves as a single source of health data for the nation.
• Personal Health Records (PHR): Allow data to be available for citizens and for medical research purposes.
• Digi Doctors: A digital directory of doctors along with their name, specialization, qualifications, number of years of experience.  

Way Forward:

• Boosting investments: AI integration into healthcare requires critical investments in the workforce, infrastructure, regulatory mechanisms, stakeholders, and business models.
• Promoting Telemedicine: Incorporating AI with telemedicine platforms can extend quality healthcare access to rural and underserved areas.
• Research & Development: Government must also invest in public and private organisations like NITI Aayog, Tata Institute of Healthcare, Apollo Hospitals, etc. to facilitate the research being done to integrate AI-based solutions into healthcare.
• Ensuring Data Security: Digital transformation success is not possible without security thus safeguarding of patient data against breaches or data loss and ensuring robust data security is the need of the hour.
• Data Standardization: Promoting the standardization of healthcare data formats by encouraging EHRs and interoperability between different healthcare systems and providers.

4. WI-FI 7 TECHNOLOGY

Context

In October 2023 U.S. based company Qualcomm suggested that India should adopt the newest Wi-Fi 7 technology.

About Wi-Fi 7

• Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, is a wireless technology that enables devices to connect to the internet and communicate with each other.
• The device utilizes radio waves to offer high-speed wireless internet and network connections.
• The transmission of Wi-Fi signals requires three mediums: a base station, a router, and accessing devices (Eg. Laptop).
• Wi-Fi 7 is set to launch as the next-generation Wi-Fi standard, based on IEEE 802.11be, which is known for its extremely high throughput (EHT).
• The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the largest technical professional organization globally dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

Key Features of Wi-Fi 7

• Lower Latency: This facilitates faster cloud-based operations such as file transfers and gaming.
• Multi-Link Operation (MLO): The system combines multiple channels on different frequencies to enhance network performance.
• Speed and Capacity: Wi-Fi 7 can theoretically support a bandwidth of up to 330 Gigabits per second per access point, four times faster than Wi-Fi 6.
• Backward Compatibility: The device connects to devices in 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands without the need for new hardware.
• The solution will not be limited to a single frequency but will utilize a mix of available spectrum frequencies.

Benefits of Wi-Fi 7

• Augmenting User Experiences: Wi-Fi 7 is capable of enabling the streaming of high-resolution content, including 8K videos.
  • The technology could also improve performance in cloud gaming, AR/VR, and other data-intensive activities.
• Medicinal Field: Tele-diagnostics and tele-surgery are two innovative medical technologies that allow for remote healthcare services.
• Addressing emerging technologies demands: Wi-Fi 7 has the potential to accommodate the increasing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, including smart home devices, wearables, and industrial IoT applications.
• Promising Developments in India: The enterprise sector is undergoing digital transformation, with fixed wireless connectivity, smartphone technology, and the potential of Artificial Intelligence, particularly Edge AI, playing a significant role.
• Alignment with India's Tech Adoption: Wi-Fi 7 facilitates India's swift adoption of cloud-based and wireless applications, promoting the government's digital initiatives for security and privacy.

5. CAR-T CELL THERAPY

Context:

• Following India’s approval of CAR-T cell therapy, a pioneering treatment for cancer, a patient recently underwent the procedure, achieving freedom from cancer cells, marking a significant advancement in cancer treatment accessibility in the country.

What is CAR-T Cell Therapy?

About:

• CAR-T cell therapy, also known as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, is a type of immunotherapy that uses a patient's own immune system to fight cancer.
• CAR T-cell therapy has been approved for leukaemias (cancers arising from the cells that produce white blood cells) and lymphomas (arising from the lymphatic system).
• CAR-T cell therapies, often referred to as 'living drugs’.

Procedure: It is a complex and personalised treatment process that involves:

• Collecting T cells: T cells, a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection, are extracted from the patient's blood through a process known as Apheresis.
• Genetic Engineering: In the laboratory, the T cells are genetically modified to express a special protein called a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) on their surface.
• This CAR is designed to recognize and bind to a specific antigen (marker) found on cancer cells.
• Expansion: The engineered T cells are multiplied in large numbers in the lab.
• Infusion: The expanded CAR-T cells are then infused back into the patient's bloodstream, where they can identify and attack cancer cells that express the targeted antigen.

About NexCAR19

• NexCar19 is a type of CAR-T and gene therapy developed indigenously in India by Immuno ACT, which is a company incubated at IIT Bombay.
• This therapy is tailored to target cancer cells bearing the CD19 protein, effectively marking these cancer cells for destruction.
• The therapy is for people with B-cell lymphomas who didn’t respond to standard treatments like chemotherapy, leading to relapse or recurrence of the cancer.
• B-cell lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes.
• Mechanism and Effectiveness: NexCAR19 is designed to target cancer cells expressing the CD19 protein, effectively eliminating them from the body. The therapy has shown promising results, with around 70% of patients exhibiting positive responses, particularly in cases of leukemia and lymphoma.

Significance:

• While the therapy is currently approved for patients aged 15 years and older, ongoing trials at Tata Memorial Hospital are exploring its potential application in pediatric cases as well.
• The therapy's unique attributes have demonstrated reduced toxicities such as neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome, ensuring enhanced safety for patients.
• High Remission Rates: For some patients with advanced cancers who have not responded to other treatments, CAR-T therapy can lead to high rates of complete remission.
• Personalised Approach: The therapy is tailored to each individual patient's cancer, making it a highly targeted treatment.

Challenges related to CAR-T Cell Therapy

• Preparation: The complexity of preparing CAR T-cell therapies has been a major barrier to their widespread adoption. The first successful clinical trial was conducted a decade ago, and India's first indigenous therapy was performed in 2021.
• Side Effects: While CAR T-cell therapy shows high efficacy, around 90% in certain types of leukemia and lymphomas, it is less effective in other cancer types.
  • Furthermore, potential side effects, including cytokine release syndrome (resulting in widespread immune system activation and damage to normal cells) and neurological symptoms (severe confusion, seizures, and speech impairment), are significant concerns.
• Affordability: The introduction of CAR T-cell therapy in India may encounter challenges related to cost and accessibility. Critics argue that developing this therapy in India may not necessarily make it cost-effective, as it could still be financially out of reach for many individuals.

What are T Cells?

• T cells, also known as T lymphocytes, are a type of white blood cell that play a central role in the immune response.
• T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity, which means they help the body recognize and respond to foreign substances, such as viruses, bacteria, and abnormal cells, such as cancer cells.
• There are two major types of T cells: the helper T cell and the cytotoxic T cell.
• As the names suggest, helper T cells ‘help’ other cells of the immune system, whilst cytotoxic T cells kill virally infected cells and tumors.

6. DIVERSE EPIGENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY PARTNERSHIP (DEEP)

Context:

• CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) is collaborating with research groups across the world on the Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP) project.

About Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP):

• It is a ground-breaking integrated genomics and epigenomics study to understand the genetics behind Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in diverse populations, including South Asians.
• The project is to uncover the effects of genomic and environmental diversity in disease risk observed in people across the world, including those in Asia, Africa and North and South America.
• It is a five-year international project.
• Researchers will be studying individuals representing diverse genetic and environmental contexts and learn which DNA methylation patterns contribute to their disease risk in each context
• The study will develop software and infrastructure and conduct advanced statistical analyses to build new resources.
• These new resources will sit alongside international health and genetics databases to look at trends in variation in DNA methylation.

Significance of this initiative

• This research will enable identification of disease-causing mechanisms that are common worldwide and those which are unique to particular groups or regions.
• It will help with answering questions such as whether medicines developed in one part of the world will be effective for all.
• Ultimately the DEEP study hopes to enable targeted interventions or treatments and reduce global health disparity and inequity.
• Significance for India: Through this, CCMB (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology) is expecting to understand the genetics behind Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in diverse populations especially in India and other South Asian countries.
• It helps in understanding implications for common diseases like type 1 and 2 diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, etc.

Challenges in implementing the Project

• Data Privacy and Security: Genomic data is highly sensitive and contains personal information.
• Ethical Considerations: Genome projects often involve human subjects, raising ethical questions about the informed consent of individuals and their long-term effects on the community.

• Data Storage and Management: The vast amount of data generated in genome projects requires advanced storage and computational resources.
• Dynamic Nature of the Genome: Understanding the dynamics of genome evolution, including factors such as mutation rates, selection pressures, and adaptation, poses challenges in tracking changes accurately.
• Integration of Clinical and Genomic Data: Connecting genomic data with clinical information, including electronic health records, poses integration challenges.

What is Epigenetic Epidemiology?

• Epigenetics: It is the study of how your behaviours and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work.
• Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change the DNA sequence, but they can change how body reads a DNA sequence.
• Epidemiology: It is the scientific discipline that examines patterns and factors related to health and disease in populations.
• It aims to understand how diseases spread, identify risk factors, and develop strategies for prevention and control.
• As a combination of the two, epigenetic epidemiology might be defined as ‘the part of epidemiology that studies the effects of epigenetic changes on the occurrence and distribution of diseases’.
• One common epigenetic modification is DNA methylation which involves the addition of a methyl group to the DNA molecule (refer to the info graphics).
• High levels of DNA methylation at a gene promoter region can lead to gene silencing, preventing the gene from being expressed.
•  For example, during stress, DNA may undergo increased methylation, leading to the suppression of those genes.

What is DNA methylation?

• It is a process where chemical groups attach to DNA in order to help to turn genes on and off.
• It is a type of epigenetic modification, helps the body to respond to environmental signals and ultimately contributes to whole system health and disease status.
• Understanding relationships between DNAm, genetics and environment is essential for understanding pathways of health, disease and consequences.

7. ULTRA PROCESSED FOOD

Context:

• A joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations revealed that the Ultra-Processed Food Sector in India experienced a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.37% in terms of retail sales value between 2011 and 2021.

WHAT IS ULTRA PROCESSED FOOD?

• Ultra-processed food is a category of highly transformed food products that goes beyond regular processing. It typically involves adding salt, sugar, and fat for enhanced flavor, but what sets it apart is the incorporation of five or more additional ingredients to the original product.
• These extra components often include flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, colors, and preservatives, all aimed at improving taste, prolonging shelf life, and providing convenience.

Examples:

• Unprocessed: Raw atta (flour).
• Processed: Dalia (porridge) with added salt and sugar.
• Ultra-processed: Cookies made from atta with various additional ingredients.

Health Implications

• Salt, Sugar, and Fat: Commonly added to processed food, contributing to taste but posing health risks.
• Negative Health Outcomes: Regular consumption of ultra-processed foods can lead to obesity, hypertension, cardiac issues, and lifestyle diseases.
• Gut Health Impact: Artificial chemicals in ultra-processed food harm gut health, potentially causing various problems from neurological issues to obesity.

Addictive Nature

• Taste Enhancers: Ultra-processed foods often contain taste enhancers that can lead to addiction.
• Rapid Absorption: Ultra-processing breaks down natural food quickly, leading to rapid absorption by the body.
• Sugar’s Impact: High doses of simple sugar trigger insulin release, causing hunger and cravings, contributing to sugar addiction.

Challenges in Curtailing Ultra-Processed food

• Lack of standard definition: Like absence of a clear definition of ultra-processed food or HFSS (High in saturated Fat, Salt and Sugar) food and their categorisation.
• Lack of a nutrition-based tax model: This model focuses on higher taxes for products which have sugar, salt or fat beyond recommended levels and lower taxes for the healthier options.
• The goods and services tax (GST) rates are not aligned with nutrition content in the food nor are they aligned with the product classification of the FSSAI.
• Lack of data: For certain subcategories like carbonated drinks by sugar content is not available, a detailed survey is needed to capture such data in order to undertake policy decisions.
• Lack of Subsidies and other fiscal incentives: For manufacturers for making healthy products and to consumers to encourage consumption.
•  

Key Highlights of the Report on Indian Ultra-Processed Food Sector

Pandemic Impact

• Temporary Disruption: Covid-19 Pandemic led to a decline in annual growth rate of Indian ultra-processed food sector from 12.65% (2019) to 5.50% (2020).
• Remarkable Rebound: The sector demonstrated resilience, bouncing back with an impressive 11.29% growth in 2020-2021.

Popular Food Categories

• Leading Categories: Notable ultra-processed food categories include chocolate and sugar confectionery, salty snacks, beverages, ready-made and convenient foods, and breakfast cereals.
• Retail Sales Volume: From 2011 to 2021, beverages accounted for the largest share in retail sales volume, followed by chocolate and sugar confectionery, and ready-made convenience foods.

Consumer Shifts

• Health-conscious Choices: During the pandemic, health-aware consumers transitioned from carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages to fruit and vegetable juices, possibly due to perceived immune-boosting properties.
• Sugar Concerns: Alternative beverages, while seen as healthier, may still contain significant levels of free sugars, highlighting the need for balanced consumption.

Recommendations from the Report on Indian Ultra-Processed Food Sector

Stricter Advertising and Marketing Regulations

• Focus on Children: Implement stringent regulations for advertising and marketing of products like sweet biscuits that appeal to children.

Addressing Salt Content in Salty Snacks

• Health Risks: High salt content in salty snacks poses health risks. Regulations should be put in place to address this issue effectively.

Defining High Fat Sugar Salt (HFSS) Foods

• Collaboration with FSSAI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) should collaborate with stakeholders to establish a clear and comprehensive definition of HFSS foods.

Taxation for Healthier Options

• GST Council Involvement: Link tax structure with HFSS food definition through the GST Council. Higher taxes can incentivize reformulated products and healthier alternatives by taxing items exceeding recommended fat, sugar, and salt levels.

Comprehensive National Nutrition Policy

• Addressing Under- and Over-Nutrition: Develop a robust national nutrition policy through consultations with stakeholders. Ensure comprehensive coverage of both under nutrition and diet-related diseases.

Healthier Lifestyle Promotion

• Reduce Ultra-Processed Food Consumption: Encourage a healthier lifestyle by advocating reduced consumption of ultra-processed foods and promoting higher intake of whole grains.
• Address Noncommunicable Diseases: Recognize low whole grain intake as a key dietary risk factor for noncommunicable diseases in India.

8. 25 YEARS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

Context:

• The International Space Station (ISS) turned 25 years old on November 20, 2023. The first module of the ISS launched into orbit in 1998.

What is International Space Station (ISS)?

• ISS is a large spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
• It is habitable spacecraft that orbits Earth at an average altitude of approximately 420 kilometers (260 miles).
• It serves as a unique and collaborative space laboratory, research facility, and living space for astronauts and cosmonauts from various countries.

What are the features of ISS?

Construction and Ownership

• The major partners include NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
• In 2022, Russia announced that it will pull out of ISS after 2024 and focus on building its own orbiting outpost.
• These agencies have contributed modules, components, and resources to construct and maintain the station.
• Size and Structure
• The ISS is quite large, with a mass of around 460 tons and a habitable volume roughly equivalent to the interior of a Boeing 747 aircraft.
• It consists of various interconnected modules and components, including laboratories, living quarters, and docking ports.

Orbit and Duration

• It travels at 8 kilometers (5 miles) per second. This means it orbits Earth every 90 minutes.
• It passes over our heads 16 times every 24 hours — travelling through 16 sunrises and sunsets.
• Missions typically last six months, although some crew members may stay for shorter or longer durations.

International Crew

• The ISS is continuously inhabited by a rotating crew of astronauts and cosmonauts from different nations.
• These crew members live and work on the station for several months at a time, conducting experiments, maintaining systems, and performing various tasks necessary to keep the station operational.

Why Is the Space Station Important?

• One of the primary purposes of the ISS is to conduct scientific research and experiments in the unique microgravity environment of space.
• Microgravity is often referred to as near zero gravity or weightlessness.
• Researchers from around the world use the station to study a wide range of fields, including biology, physics, astronomy, and Earth sciences.
• The ISS has contributed to our understanding of topics such as human health in space, materials science, and climate change.
• Human beings have been living in space every day since the first crew arrived.

India’s space station plan

• As per ISRO’s chairman, India’s proposed space station is envisaged to weigh 20 tonnes and serve as a facility where astronauts can stay for 15-20 days, and would be placed in an orbit 400 km above earth.
• Prime Minister of India directed that India should now aim for setting up ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ (Indian Space Station) by 2035.
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9. NASA'S ATMOSPHERIC WAVES EXPERIMENT

Context:

• NASA's unveiling of the Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) emerges amidst escalating disruptions in satellite communication and GPS systems, spotlighting the critical need to comprehend space weather.
• With Earth's extreme weather events influencing space phenomena via Atmospheric Gravity Waves (AGWs), AWE's imminent launch promises groundbreaking insights into these interconnected dynamics.

What are Atmospheric Gravity Waves (AGWs)?

• Gravity Waves: In a stable atmosphere, gravity waves are created when temperature contrasts between rising air and the surrounding atmosphere generate a force that pushes the air back to its initial location.
• Atmospheric Gravity Waves: AGWs are waves that travel within a stable atmospheric layer, particularly thriving in regions where air is moving upward, facilitating the creation of distinctive cloud formations.
• Remarkably, these AGWs extend into space, playing a role in shaping space weather.
• They are mostly generated by extreme weather events or disturbances causing vertical displacement of stable air.
• Thunderstorms, hurricanes, and regional topography contribute to the generation of AGWs in the lower atmosphere.

10. X-RAY POLARIMETER SATELLITE

Context:

• Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched its first X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XpoSat) to study X-ray polarisation and its cosmic sources, like Black holes, Neutron stars, and Magnetars.
• The mission is propelled by the PSLV-C58 rocket in Low Earth Orbit.

What is an X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XpoSat)?

Purpose:

• XPoSat is designed to study X-ray polarization in the medium X-ray band, offering insights into celestial sources' radiation mechanisms and geometry.
• This study is crucial for understanding the physics behind these celestial bodies.

Payloads:

• The satellite carries two main payloads, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing).
• POLIX will observe about 40 bright astronomical sources, while XSPECT will study the electromagnetic spectrum generated by different matter.

Development:

• Entirely built by two Bengaluru-based institutes—ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Centre and Raman Research Institute—XPoSat's development began in 2008, with a formal agreement signed with ISRO in 2015.

Global Context:

• XPoSat is only the world's second mission dedicated to X-ray polarization in the medium X-ray band. NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), launched in 2021, was the first such mission by a space agency.

National Contribution:

• XPoSat will be India's third space-based observatory, following the recently launched solar mission Aditya-L1 and AstroSat, which was launched in 2015. Its launch is seen as a significant stride for Indian astronomy and space research.

What is X Ray and How will it Study the Celestial Objects?

• X-rays are electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is 0.01-10 nanometres.
• Electromagnetic radiation is characterised by an electric field and a magnetic field vibrating perpendicular to each other.
• The polarisation of electromagnetic radiation refers to the orientation of these two fields as the radiation moves through space.
• X-rays can be polarised when they get scattered. Polarised X-rays are also produced when the path of a fast-moving charged particle is bent by a magnetic field.
• Measuring the polarization of X-rays using instruments like POLIX enables astronomers to understand the orientation and strength of magnetic fields in celestial objects. This, in turn, provides crucial insights into the nature and behavior of pulsars, regions around black holes, and other cosmic phenomena emitting X-rays.

Plasma waves

• Around planets that have a magnetosphere, something magical happens. If you listen with the right instruments, you can hear chirping and whistling, almost like the singing of birds at dawn and dusk. These so-called chorus waves have been recorded at Earth, and Jupiter, and Saturn; and observed at Uranus and Neptune.

About Discovery

• This is the first time that 'whistling' sound waves were found emitting from Mercury’s magnetic field. Chorus waves have been recorded on Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn, and observed at Uranus and Neptune.
• Other planets where such musical waves were found have thick atmospheres and radiation belts wherein solar particles become trapped.
• Mercury lacks thick atmosphere that could contain oxygen or a radiation belt where solar particles get trapped by the planet's magnetic field.
• Mercury, which was once believed to have a weak magnetic field, is now believed to have a strong one, as indicated by these "whistling" sounds.

Mercury's Characteristics

• Structure and Surface: It is the smallest and terrestrial planet in our solar system and doesn't really have an atmosphere.
• Mercury’s Neighbours: does not have any moons. It is the closest planet to the sun. Venus is Mercury’s neighbouring planet.
• Mercury has been known since ancient times because it can be seen without advanced telescopes.

11. NITROGEN-9 NUCLEUS

Context:

• Scientists discovered hints of the new isotope, called nitrogen-9, by smashing beams of oxygen isotopes into beryllium atoms in the U.S. National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory.

About Nitrogen-9 nucleus:

• It is characterised by seven protons and two neutrons – which is an unusually high proton-to-neutron ratio.
• This disparity has a critical effect on the isotope’s stability, influencing its decay processes as well as overall behaviour.
• For one, the high proton content places nitrogen-9 atoms beyond the conventional stability thresholds.
• Most nitrogen comes as the isotope nitrogen-14, with seven protons and seven neutrons. But physicists say they have glimpsed a far more elusive variant with just two neutrons.

What are Isotopes?

• These are atoms of a given element that vary only in the number of neutrons. This difference sets apart one isotope from another.
• Many isotopes are also unstable, especially those whose atoms have too few neutrons for the number of protons.
• Unstable isotopes are short-lived, and often decay by releasing some energy to achieve a more stable configuration.

What are nuclides?

• It is an analogous table for atomic nuclei characterised by a unique combination of protons and neutrons.
• A table or chart of nuclides is a two-dimensional graph of isotopes of the elements.
• One axis shows the number of neutrons (N) and the other shows the number of protons (Z) in each atomic nucleus.
• Each point on the graph denotes a nuclide.

12. WHAT IS THE E PRIME LAYER?

Context:

• Recently, a study by an international team of researchers revealed the formation of a new enigmatic layer – E prime layer at the outermost part of Earth's core.

About E prime layer:

• It was believed that a material exchange between the core and mantle is small.
• But the experiments revealed that when water reaches the core-mantle boundary, it reacts with silicon in the core, forming silica.

How did this layer develop?

• This latest research suggests that tectonic plates carrying surface water have transported it deep into the Earth over billions of years.
• Upon reaching the core-mantle boundary about 1,800 miles below the surface, this water initiates significant chemical changes, influencing the core's structure.
• Scientists have observed that subducted water reacts chemically with core materials under high pressure.
• This reaction leads to the formation of a hydrogen-rich, silicon-depleted layer at the outer core, resembling a film-like structure.
• Silica crystals generated by this process ascend and blend into the mantle, impacting the overall composition.
• These modifications in the liquid metallic layer could potentially result in reduced density and altered seismic characteristics, aligning with anomalies detected by seismologists.

Significance

• This discovery enhances researchers' comprehension of Earth's internal mechanisms, indicating a broader and more intricate global water cycle than previously acknowledged.
• The transformed layer in the core holds significant implications for the interconnected geochemical processes linking surface water cycles with the deep metallic core.

Earth Interior

13. AMYLOIDOSIS

Context:

• Scientists from the Institute of Advanced Studies in Science and Technology have successfully fabricated a 2D protein monolayer using lysozyme molecules, a model protein for studying diseases like Amyloidosis.

About Amyloidosis :

• It is a rare condition where the accumulation of amyloid protein in organs leads to dysfunction in vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system, and digestive tract.
• The study investigated the physical properties of lysozyme molecules at the air-water interface under varying surface pressure and subphase pH conditions.
• The compressible behaviour of lysozyme monolayers was correlated with the formation of stripe-like domains with increasing surface pressure.

Note:

• Lysozyme is a naturally occurring enzyme that protects against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It’s found in many bodily secretions, including:
• Tears, Saliva, Milk, Sweat, Mucus, Egg white, Nasal mucus, Gastric secretions.

14. EJECTA HALO

• Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) revealed that the "Chandrayaan-3 Lander Module generated a spectacular 'ejecta halo' of lunar material.

About Ejecta Halo:

• The Vikram lander of the Chandrayaan-3 mission landed near the south pole of the moon.
• During the action of descent stage thrusters and the consequent landing, a significant amount of lunar surficial epi regolith material got ejected, resulting in a reflectance anomaly or ejecta halo”,
• Scientists from Indian Space Research Organisation estimate that about 2.06 tonnes of lunar epi regolith were ejected and displaced over an area of 108.4 m² around the landing site
• Ejecta halo is an irregular, bright patch surrounding the lander.

Significance:

• This discovery sheds light on the behaviour of lunar materials during such events.
• It opens up new avenues for research and understanding lunar geology.

What is Regolith?

• It is a blanket of unconsolidated, loose, heterogeneous superficial deposits covering solid rock.
• Epiregolith is lunar rocks and soil, or regolith, or Moon dust.