Russian Defense Ministry crosses the Siversky Donets River, aided by Russian militias in Luhansk
(Xinhua/IANS)
These are the top stories for the week.
Russia-Ukraine Crisis
Russia-Ukraine War – Potential Nuclear Winter Could Kill Billions of People and Transform the Earth
What happens if Russia and Ukraine’s ongoing conflict escalates into a nuclear crisis? Experts warn that even a minor nuclear war could lead to a catastrophic global nuclear winter, which could kill billions. The inevitable conflicts, climate changes, and diseases that could follow could cause more death to millions. Learn all about it.
FAQs about the International Space Station: Russian-Ukraine War and Subsequent US Sanctions threaten the ISS
The Russian space agency chief threatened to stop US cooperation on the ISS. This incident has sparked a lot of discussion. Many are left wondering if Russia will pull its funding and eventually cause the ISS to crash. Is that what will happen? Where could it crash if it does? India could be at risk These FAQs can be answered here.
Weather
India’s Summer 2022 Forecast: North and Central India will have warmer days than normal; South India will be more temperate than normal
The pre-monsoon period is upon us! Sunny days are coming with high temperatures expected to continue rising across India. Additionally, there is a high chance of heatwave-like conditions in the period March to May. The IMD has published a detailed, countrywide forecast of the next three months. You can read it here.
Wildlife
A green sea turtle
(Claire Fackler/NOAA)
Study shows that turtles can experience hearing loss due to noise pollution from the ocean.
We’ve all seen the heartbreaking images of turtles getting entangled in plastic bags, caught in fishing nets, or blackened in spilt oils. These are just a few of the many ways that human activities can cause damage to turtles. A new study has shown that underwater noise pollution can cause hearing loss in these gentle creatures. Continue reading.
Space
Close call: A risky asteroid was heading towards Earth, but luckily it changed its trajectory
Astronomers have just witnessed a Dont Look Up moment as they discovered an asteroid cruising towards Earth. Its trajectory revealed a collision in 2023. The potentially dangerous space-rock has changed its course since then, in a major plot twist. Learn all about it.
Watch the Sky: A Guide To The Spectacular Celestial Events Taking Place in March 2022
March is the best month to observe celestial phenomena and capture the beauty that exists in them. The Indian skies are mostly clear throughout March. We have compiled a list listing all major events that will brighten skies through March 2022. It’s available here.
Histories
The fifth mass extinction was achieved through artistic reconstruction of the asteroid shower in springtime.
(Melanie During/illustration by Joshua Knppe)
The Cretaceous Period was frozen by springtime 66 million years ago, bringing an end to the Dinosaur Era. Study
It’s springtime, the season that brings back the opening scenes of a wildlife documentary with vibrant animal and plant life and David Attenborough’s narration. Rewind 66 million year and the opposite happened! A new study has revealed that the asteroid responsible for the mass killings of dinosaurs hit Earth in springtime. Full story here.
IPCC Report 2022
Climate Crisis: Health and Cities, BiodiversityKey Takeaways From IPCCs Report On Impact, Adaptation, and Vulnerability
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading authority on assessing the climate crisis, released its latest comprehensive Report, Climate Change 2022. It warns of the dangers of continued emissions, and their implications on nature and humans, as well as offers options for adaptation. Here are the key takeaways.
Predictions of the IPCC Report for India: Dropping Crop Production, Water Scarcity and Reduced Labour Capacity.
India is one of the most vulnerable countries due to its population and geography. The nation is facing a wide range of devastating consequences, including economic shocks that could affect human survival, as well as impacted food production and shortages of vital resources. Here is a compilation of all the India-specific effects highlighted in the 2022 IPCC Report.
World Wildlife Day
The neutralized Shangdong and the stupa at Tsaba Valley
(Rigzen Dorjay/Nature Conservation Foundation)
From Traps to StupasConservation Story for Ladakhs Wolves Using Community Based PARTNERS Approach
Enforcement agencies used to consider local communities to be a threat to conservation not long ago. In recent years, conservationists have come to see them as partners and assets. Ladakh is one example of community-based conservation. This is where livestock rearing groups transformed traditional wolf traps in religious stupas to preserve wolves. Read more.
Ecosystem Restoration by Recovery of Key Species – A Case for Wetland Preservation
Wildlife SOS, a non-profit charity that rescues and rehabilitates wildlife in distress in India, writes about the importance of wetlands. You can read it here.
Here are some extinct animals with strange traits that lived on Earth for millions of years!
While behavioural research of existing wildlife provides insights into conservation, understanding how extinct animals thrived millions of year ago is equally important for studying evolution. This World Wildlife Day, we travel back in time to see some of the amazing behavioural traits of extinct animals that once roamed our planet. Read here.
Recent, Awe-Inspiring Jurassic World Dinosaur Findings That Have Reshaped Our Understanding
The fascinating world of the giant dinosaurs that lived on this planet millions upon millions of years ago was fascinating. It now lives only in our imaginations, but we see it on the silverscreen every now and again. We took a look at some amazing discoveries that scientists made to help solve complex mysteries about the evolutionary history and evolution of dinosaurs on 2022 Wildlife Day. Click here to read.
National Science Day
File photo: CV Raman
(IANS)
Here are some examples of its modern-day applications on the occasion of Raman Effect’s anniversary
Raman effect is the scattering light caused by a light beam hitting a substance. This causes the substance to change its colour. This concept was first recognized in India on February 28, 1928. This year, we honoured it by looking at modern-day applications. You can read it here.
Indian Science Wizards: Bhabha, Saha, Chandrasekhar and Bose
India has been a major contributor to scientific progress in the past century. This is thanks to a few outstanding scientists. We took a look back at the major discoveries made by Indian scientists during National Science Day. You can read it here.
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