[Newsbits] 12 -19.04.2024: Llama 3, Saksham App, Kasthuri Cotton & More

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/ Health

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/ Diseases

Chagas disease, caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and spread by triatomine bugs, is a significant public health concern, particularly in Latin America. World Chagas Disease Day, observed annually on April 14 since 2020, aims to raise global awareness, promote early diagnosis, and encourage lifelong care for those affected. Despite its potentially fatal consequences, including serious cardiac, neurological, and digestive issues, Chagas disease often remains underdiagnosed, with less than 10% of those infected being detected. The World Health Organization and various health bodies focus on integrating the disease into primary health care systems, improving detection rates, and ensuring access to necessary treatments to combat this neglected tropical disease.

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The Kasturi Cotton initiative, launched by the Indian government in partnership with various textile bodies, aims to brand and elevate the global status of Indian cotton, known for its purity, softness, and luster. This initiative includes the recent setup of cotton test labs across six states to ensure the quality and traceability of Kasturi Cotton. It leverages blockchain technology and QR codes to provide end-to-end traceability across the supply chain, enhancing the traceability of garments and fabrics. This strategic move not only aims to improve the quality and competitiveness of Indian cotton on the global stage but also ensures sustainable practices and economic benefits for Indian farmers through premium pricing and enhanced market presence.

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/ Geography, Space

The “Hubble Tension” refers to a significant discrepancy in measurements of the universe’s expansion rate, depending on whether the measurements are taken from observations of the early universe or from more local, recent observations. The tension arises because different techniques suggest different expansion rates: observations of the early universe through the cosmic microwave background suggest a slower expansion rate than those measured more locally using the cosmic distance ladder, which involves Cepheid variable stars and supernovae. Efforts by the Hubble and the more recent James Webb Space Telescope to resolve this discrepancy have not eliminated it but confirmed the accuracy of each other’s measurements, suggesting the need for new physical theories or understanding of dark energy to explain the variance.

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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recently issued Yellow and Orange alerts in various parts of India due to an expected heatwave affecting states like Telangana, West Bengal, Odisha, among others, and another spell of heat from April 16 to April 20. In contrast, a Western Disturbance will bring rainfall and thunderstorms to northwestern states from April 18 to April 21. IMD utilizes a color-coded alert system ranging from Green (no warning) to Red (take action), to inform and prepare the public and authorities for different severity levels of weather conditions. This system is crucial for disaster management and minimizes potential damage from adverse weather events.

/ Diseases

The Men5CV vaccine, recently introduced in Nigeria, marks a significant advancement in the global fight against meningitis. This innovative vaccine, known as MenFive, is capable of protecting against five major strains of the meningococcus bacteria—A, C, W, Y, and X. The rollout, which started in March 2024, targeted over one million young people between 1 and 29 years old, especially in the regions hardest hit by the disease. This deployment is part of a broader initiative by the World Health Organization and other partners like Gavi and PATH, aiming to eradicate meningitis by 2030, enhancing both local and global public health security.

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