Researchers discovered a new diatom genus, Indiconema, in the clean water rivers of India’s Eastern Ghats.
Diatoms are photosynthetic, single-celled organisms essential to the aquatic food chain and sensitive indicators of water health.
Indiconema, differing from others by having pore fields at both poles, was also found in the Western Ghats.
It is morphologically related to the East African genus Afrocymbella.
2. Recently, a team of wildlife experts has documented the presence of a ‘striped caecilian (Ichthyophis spp)’ in which national park for the first time? – Kaziranga National Park
Assam’s wildlife officials reported the first recording of the striped caecilian (Ichthyophis spp) in Kaziranga National Park during a recent herpetofauna survey.
Caecilians are elongated, limbless amphibians in the order Gymnophiona, resembling earthworms or snakes.
Named “Caecilian” meaning “blind,” they inhabit moist tropical and subtropical regions, mainly burrowing underground.
There are about 200 known species, mostly found in forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
Sports
3. Who took the first wicket hat-trick in T20 World Cup – 2024? – Pat Cummins
Blue Planet Prize – 2024 announced by Asahi Glass Foundation, Japan.
Blue Planet Award – given to individuals and organizations who have addressed global environmental problems through scientific research and its application.
Organisations & Institutes
7. Which institute recently signed an MoU with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to enhance road safety through AI? – IIIT, Delhi
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed an MoU with Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT Delhi) to enhance road safety using AI-based solutions to improve road sign availability on national highways.
The project will cover approximately 25,000 km. IIIT Delhi will conduct surveys to collect imagery and data on road sign conditions along selected highway stretches.
8. Recently, which institute has won joint second prize in the Trinity Challenge’s second competition for addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? – IIIT, Delhi
Mudgal Fort in Karnataka showcases India’s rich historical and cultural heritage, reflecting its architectural, cultural, and historical significance.
The fort has a 1,000-year history, linked to the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Bahmani Sultans, and Vijayanagara Empire.
It became a strategic battleground between the Vijayanagara Empire and Adil Shahi Sultanate, witnessing 11 battles due to its pivotal location in the fertile, mineral-rich Raichur Doab between the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers.
11. Wadhawan Port Project approved by the Cabinet, in which state is the Wadhawan Port Project located? – Maharashtra
Cabinet approves construction of Wadhawan Port Project in Wadhawan, Maharashtra.
This port will be built under greenfield projects (Greenfield projects mean that there is no existing port in the area and a new port will be built from scratch.)
It will be constructed by Wadhawan Port Project Limited (VPPL).
The total cost of construction of this port is Rs 76,200 crore, which will be used for land acquisition, main infrastructure, development of terminals.
