GS PAPER: III

Pico-flare jets: A Possible Source of Solar Flare

Why in the news?

Researchers recently detected small jets of charged particles called pico flare jets.

What are pico-flare jets?

• A pico-flare jet is a small jet of charged particles that is expelled from the outer regions of the sun’s atmosphere.
• They are named after their small size, which is about one trillionth the size of the largest solar flares.

What are the effects of pico flare jets?

Picoflare jets are thought to be a source of the solar wind, which is a stream of charged particles that flows from the sun.

The solar wind has a number of effects on the solar system, including:

• Producing aurorae on Earth and other planets.
• Disrupting the Earth’s magnetic field.
• Damaging electronics in satellites and on the ground.

Do You Know?

• ‘Pico’ is an order of magnitude that denotes 10^­(-12), or one trillionth of a unit.

Analysis:

The discovery of pico flare jets is significant because it provides new insights into the origin of the solar wind. It also suggests that pico flare jets may play a role in other space weather events, such as geomagnetic storms.

GS PAPER – III

What is the Principle of Reciprocity?

Why in news?

Scientists and engineers have recently discovered a wide variety of exciting applications of the principle of reciprocity.

What is reciprocity?

• Reciprocity is a principle in physics that states that if a signal can be transmitted from Point A to Point B, the same signal can also be transmitted from Point B to Point A, simply by exchanging the positions of the source and the destination.

Scientists found a wide range of applications of this principle, including:

• Antennas: Reciprocity can be used to test the far-field pattern of an antenna, which is a measure of how well the antenna can receive signals from different directions.
• Radars, sonar, seismic surveys, and MRI scanners: Reciprocity can be used to simplify the testing and operation of these devices.
• Spying: Reciprocity can be used to design antennas that can only receive signals, but not transmit them.
• Lasers: Reciprocity can be used to design lasers that are resistant to back-reflection, which can damage the laser.

Do You Know?

Non-reciprocity is a property of a device that allows signals to travel in only one direction which also finds its application in Quantum Computing.

GS PAPER – III

How Gresham’s Law Impacted Sri Lanka’s Currency Crisis?

Why in news?

Recently, the Gresham’s Law came into play during the economic crisis in Sri Lanka last year, during which the Central Bank of Sri Lanka fixed the exchange rate between the Sri Lankan rupee and the U.S. dollar

What is Gresham’s Law?

• Gresham’s law is an economic principle that states that “bad money drives out good.”
• This means that when two currencies are in circulation, people will tend to spend the less valuable currency and hoard the more valuable currency.

How does Gresham’s law work?

• First, people are naturally more likely to spend money that they don’t value as much. This is because they are less likely to miss the money if they spend it.
• Second, the less valuable currency is often easier to counterfeit.

Examples of Gresham’s law

• Gresham’s law has been observed in many different countries and at different times. One famous example is the hyperinflation in Germany in the 1920s. During this period, the German government printed so much money that it became worthless. As a result, people stopped using the German mark and started using other currencies, such as the U.S. dollar.

Analysis:

Gresham’s law is an important economic principle that can have a significant impact on a country’s economy. When a government tries to fix the exchange rate between two currencies, it can create an environment where Gresham’s law takes hold. This can lead to inflation, economic instability, and a loss of confidence in the currency.

GS PAPER – I

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards

Why in news?

After nearly a year’s delay, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has publicised the list of winners of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) awards for 2022, considered among the prestigious prizes for science in India.

About the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards?

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize is the highest award given in India for outstanding contributions to the field of science and technology.

• The award is given by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• The award is named after Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, the first Scientific Adviser to India and renowned for his contributions to the development of science.

The eligibility criteria for the award are as follows:

• The person applying for the award must be a citizen of India.
• The candidate must have made outstanding contributions in their field.
• The candidate must be at least 40 years of age.

Prize: The award consists of a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a gold medal, and a citation.

Analysis:

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize is an important award for recognizing and encouraging excellence in the field of science and technology in India. The award honors the scientists and engineers of India who have made significant contributions in their field.

GS PAPER – II

Survey reveals only 16% of those above 50 took any adult vaccines

Why in news?

While childhood immunisation is rather well accepted in the community, what with proper protocols in place for delivery of the primary and booster doses for children, the same level of acceptance is sorely lacking in the area of adult vaccination, a recent survey in 16 cities revealed.

Key findings of the survey

• The survey conducted by the Association of Physicians of India (API) and Ipsos in 16 cities among adults aged 50 years and older revealed that although 71% of adults (50 years and above) surveyed were aware of adult vaccination, only 16% had taken any adult vaccines.
• It appears as if the crucial vaccination falls between two stools, as doctors lay the blame on the fact that formal guidelines are not available to enforce adult immunisation, and that their patients did not welcome it.
• The public reasons that their doctors do not make firm recommendations that they take their vaccines regularly.
• Interestingly, 69% of adults and their caregivers (76%) do not ask doctors about adult vaccination because they believe that if they needed it, their doctors would recommend it.
• Certain misconceptions about adult vaccination also hold back adults from getting vaccinated.
• Many (50%) believe that multiple doses of vaccines can make them dependent on vaccines, and 58% of patients and 62% of their caregivers feel that there are better ways than vaccination to protect themselves or their parents/in-laws from diseases.
• 58% of patients feel there are better ways than vaccination to protect themselves.

About the survey

• The second part of the survey was conducted with shingles patients aged 50 or older to understand the level of awareness and impact of this condition on patients.
• Shingles, or Herpes Zoster, is a painful condition caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus that resides in 90% of adults aged 50 years or older.
• The survey, was supported by GSK, and conducted with 1,950 adults above 50 years of age; 409 caregivers (children/ spouses of children); and 345 doctors from February to March 2023. The qualitative part of the survey was conducted with 30 adults above the age of 50 years and their caregivers, and 30 doctors, from January to February 2023.

Way forward

• Measures need to be taken to increase the confidence of doctors in recommending vaccination for adults aged 50 years or older.
• A good deal depends on the doctors that seniors consult. Awareness of the importance of adult vaccination is key. But it is still better in cities than it is in rural areas.
• The flu injection must be taken once every year, particularly by those who have lung issues. Just as with children, vaccinations not only prevent death but also prevent recurrent infections and visits to the doctor.