Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 01 October 2024 | Download PDF

• The 2024 Ramanujan Prize has been awarded to Ruochuan Liu, a distinguished expert in p-adic Hodge theory from Peking University, China. 
• This prize recognizes young mathematicians from developing countries for their significant contributions to mathematics.

About the Ramanujan Prize:

• The Ramanujan Prize has been awarded annually since 2005 to recognize young mathematicians from developing countries. 
• It is jointly administered by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and the International Mathematical Union (IMU).
• Eligibility Criteria: The prize is awarded to researchers under 45 years of age on December 31 of the award year, who have conducted outstanding research in challenging conditions in a developing country. It is open to all branches of the mathematical sciences.
• Prize Amount: The Ramanujan Prize includes a cash award of $10,000.
• Selection Committee: The prize selection committee comprises eminent mathematicians appointed through consultations between ICTP and IMU.

• Archaeologists employing artificial intelligence (AI) have recently uncovered 303 previously unknown geoglyphs near the Nazca Lines in Peru.

About:

• This significant discovery nearly doubles the number of recognized figures at the iconic 2,000-year-old archaeological site. 
• The newly identified geoglyphs, which depict a variety of subjects including parrots, cats, monkeys, killer whales, and even decapitated heads, date back to approximately 200 BCE.

Discovery Details

• Research Team: The discovery was made by a team from the Japanese University of Yamagata’s Nazca Institute, in collaboration with IBM Research.
• Geographical Scope: The new figures are smaller than the well-known geometric patterns from the Nazca period (AD 200-700), which cover over 400 square kilometers of the Nazca plateau.
• Cultural Significance: These geoglyphs provide insights into the transition from the Paracas culture to the Nazca civilization, known for creating famous figures like the hummingbird, monkey, and whale. This site is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the second most popular tourist attraction in Peru after Machu Picchu.

• In a significant development, India has overtaken Japan to become the third-largest power in the Asia Power Index, marking a notable shift in its geopolitical standing.

Overview of the Asia Power Index:

• The Asia Power Index, launched by the Lowy Institute in 2018, is an annual assessment of power dynamics within the Asia-Pacific region. 
• It evaluates 27 countries based on their capacity to shape and respond to external circumstances. 

Criteria for Power Measurement:

The Asia Power Index employs two main categories for measuring power: resource-based and influence-based determinants.

Resource-Based Determinants:

• Economic Capability
• Military Capability
• Resilience
• Future Resources

Influence-Based Determinants:

• Economic Relationships
• Defense Networks
• Diplomatic Influence
• Cultural Influence

A country’s overall power score is calculated as a weighted average of these eight measures, incorporating 131 individual indicators

• Recent research has revealed fascinating insights into the evolutionary adaptations of sea robins, a type of bottom-dwelling fish known for their unique “walking” abilities.

Key Findings

• Modified Pectoral Fins: The so-called “legs” of sea robins are actually modified pectoral fins, with three on each side of their bodies.
• Sensory Organs: Researchers discovered that these appendages function as sensory organs, capable of detecting both mechanical and chemical stimuli.

Discovery and Investigation:

• Initial Discovery: Corey Allard, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, encountered these unique fish while visiting Cape Cod’s Marine Biological Laboratory in 2019.
• Research Goals: Allard and his team aimed to investigate the functional aspects of sea robins’ legs and the genetic factors influencing their development.

Distinct Species and Their Adaptations

• Two Species Identified: The research identified two distinct species of sea robins, each with different leg structures and functions.
• Prionotus carolinus: Features shovel-shaped legs covered in papillae, resembling taste buds, which aid in digging for prey.
• P. evolans: Possesses rod-shaped legs lacking papillae, primarily used for locomotion and probing.

Sea Robins: 

• Classification: Sea robins belong to the family Triglidae, which is part of the order Scorpaeniformes. They are closely related to scorpionfish and lionfish.

Physical Characteristics:

• Body Structure: Elongated bodies with armored bony heads and a long, tapering tail section.
• Fins: Two dorsal fins and large, fan-shaped pectoral fins that resemble bird wings. These pectoral fins have three detached fin rays, allowing them to “walk” along the seafloor.
• Size: Most species range from 12 to 18 inches in length, with some reaching over 24 inches.
• Habitat: Sea robins are primarily benthic fish found in temperate and tropical waters, often at depths up to 660 feet. They inhabit diverse environments from shallow salt marshes to deeper ocean floors.

• The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched a decade ago, is recognized as one of India’s most significant mass movements for cleanliness.
• To commemorate the completion of 10 years of the Swachh Bharat Mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the Swachh Bharat Diwas 2024 programme. 
• This event will be held on 2nd October, 2024, marking the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. 

Swachhata Hi Seva 2024: ‘Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata’

• The theme for Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 is “Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata,” which highlights the nation’s collective responsibility towards cleanliness, public health, and environmental sustainability.

About:

• Launch Date: October 2, 2014, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Vision: Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, aimed at promoting cleanliness and sanitation across India.

Primary Objectives:

• Eliminate open defecation.
• Improve solid waste management.
• Foster behavioral change regarding sanitation practices.

Phases of Implementation:

• Phase 1 (2014-2019): Achieve ODF status.
• Phase 2 (2020-2025): Sustain ODF status and enhance waste management practices.

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