March 2024

Scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough by developing the world’s first 3D-printed brain tissue that mimics natural brain behaviour. This innovation holds great promise for advancing research into neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. How it was made? Unlike traditional methods, the scientists employed a unique approach, stacking layers horizontally and using a softer “bio-ink” gel to support brain cells. The resulting tissue allows neurons to grow and communicate with each other effectively. This breakthrough could revolutionize stem cell biology, neuroscience, and our understanding of various brain disorders.   3D printing technology is also revolutionizing the future of multiple industries. It works by adding layers of material on top of each other. 3D printed objects prevent the waste of excess materials and are faster and cheaper to produce.3D printing is possible with the help of 3D in computing. A computer-generated graphic that provides the perception of depth similar to a real-world object. Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-generated images (CGI) using computer technology to create 3D images. These images can also be printed with 3D printing. 3D printers are able to produce high quality three-dimensional objects such as prosthetic legs, and human organs. Industries of all types benefit from 3D technology, including real estate, architecture, healthcare, automotive, aeronautics, research and retail. This technology is commonly used in movies, video games, graphics and virtual reality (VR) projects like the metaverse. The process of creating a 3D image depends on the type of graphic, how it will be deployed and what 3D modelling software will be used to create it. Both CAD and CGI use the following two steps to create 3D images: A computer-generated 3D model of a physical object provides a mathematical representation of the object, serving as a blueprint for producing the final image. Designers use various techniques with these models. A common technique is non-uniform rational B-spline, which provides mathematical representations of curve and surface geometries, including standard shapes, such as cubes or pyramids. A newer approach to modelling is digital sculpting, also called 3D sculpting. Digital sculpting providing tools that help make manipulating digital forms a more organic process.  After a model has been completed, rendering is applied to create a realistic image that integrates effects such as lighting, shadow, reflections, textures, materials and other details to make the image as photorealistic as possible. Rendering can be done in advance or in real time. For example, rendering done in advance might be used for a website’s graphics or a motion picture, whereas real-time rendering might be used for gaming or an interactive product catalogue.

Background Ocean circulations (currents, waves, tides) are continuous, directed movements of ocean water. It is a key regulator of climate by storing and transporting heat, carbon, nutrients, and freshwater all around the world. Various forces acting upon this ocean circulation, such as breaking waves, wind, Coriolis force, temperature and salinity differences, tides, depth contours, shoreline configurations and interaction with other currents influence a current’s direction and strength. The temperature of the water at the ocean surface (Sea surface temperature) an important physical attribute of the world’s oceans which varies mainly with latitude, with the warmest waters near the equator and the coldest waters in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Oceans have a fever- here’s why Record Rise in global ocean temperature (Oceans fever) is hot topic for geographics and environmentalist. As the oceans absorb more heat, sea surface temperature increases, and the ocean circulation patterns that transport warm and cold water around the globe change. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) the average global sea surface temperature (SST) for February 2024 stood at 21.06 degree Celsius, the highest ever for previous this month in a dataset going back to 1979. The previous 20.98 degree Celsius SST record temperature was set in august 2023. Based on the historical record, increases in sea surface temperature have largely occurred over two key periods: between 1910 and 1940, and from about 1970 to the present. Sea surface temperature appears to have cooled between 1880 and 1910. Major reasons behind the oceans getting warmer – Since the middle of the 19th century after Industrial Revolution human activities such as the increased burning of fossil fuels has released high levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. which trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. As a result, the average global temperature has risen at least 1.2 degree Celsius above pre-industrial times. Almost 90 per cent of the extra heat trapped by GHGs has been absorbed by the oceans, which has made oceans steadily warmer over the decades. Some other reasons also contributing in Ocean fever- El Niño: El Nino unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific region. But the current high global average SST However begun to rise well even developed fully before the ongoing El Nino and remains unusually high even now after as the weather pattern has peaked and begun to wane.  This weather pattern, causing abnormal long-lasting warming of waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, contributes to both ocean and global temperature rises. Roll of Sahara Desert dust – According to a report the dust typically forms a giant shadow that shades the Atlantic water form sun rays and reduces ocean temperatures. But for some time now there is less dust blowing off the Sahara Desert of due to weaker than average winds leading to increased sunlight absorption and higher ocean temperatures. Reduction in sulphur dioxide emission: – International regulations 2020 reduced the amount of allowed sulphur in marine shipping fuels to reduce sulphur dioxide (health-damaging air pollutant). Earlier which  sulphate aerosols in the atmosphere and act like a cloud, preventing solar radiation from reaching the ocean surface, sunlight absorption and higher ocean temperatures. Consequences of such Ocean Fever- To mitigate the impacts of rising sea surface temperatures, urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is vital. which exacerbating marine ecosystem damage and intensifying storms. Reducing emissions can slow these trends, as emphasized by the World Meteorological Organisation’s reports. (WMO) warned in its Global climate report-2023  that 66 % chances that at least one of the year between 2023 and 2027 would cross the threshold of 1.5-degree Celsius above pre industrial level.

On 12 March 2024 the first phase of India’s Atmospheric Research Testbed in Central India (ART-CI) was inaugurated at Silkheda in Sehore district, located about 50 km northwest of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the facility will house 25 high-end meteorological instruments for studying vital cloud processes associated with the monsoons over central India’s Monsoon Core Zone (MCZ). How is this likely to help the study of the Indian monsoon, and why was it needed? What is the Atmospheric Research Testbed (ART)? The ART is an open-field, focused observational and analytical research programme at Silkheda. The facility aims to conduct ground-based observations of weather parameters like temperature, wind speeds, etc. and in-situ (on-site) observations of the transient synoptic systems – like low-pressure areas and depressions that form in the Bay of Bengal – during the southwest monsoon season from June to September. Studying these systems and their associated cloud parameters will be used to generate high volumes of data over a long period. It can then be compared with the existing weather models so that improvements can be made to obtain accurate rainfall predictions. The setup at ART will also be used for calibrating and validating various satellite-based observations, part of weather predictions and forecasting. Spread over 100 acres, the ART has been developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences for Rs 125 crore. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, is in charge of the operations. Under the first phase, remote sensing-based and in-situ measurements using 25 meteorological instruments have commenced. In the second phase, ART will deploy instruments such as a radar wind profiler and balloon-bound radiosonde, and soil moisture and temperature measuring equipment. Why is having an Atmospheric Research Testbed important? At present, 45% of India’s labor force is employed in the agriculture sector and much of Indian agriculture is rain-fed. Cultivation along the Monsoon Core Zone (MCZ), which spans the central India region from Gujarat to West Bengal, is primarily rainfall-fed. The southwest monsoon season accounts for 70 percent of the country’s annual average rainfall (880mm). Throughout India, the majority of Kharif cultivation is undertaken between July and August, which see an average monthly rainfall of 280.4mm and 254.9mm (1971–2020 average), respectively. During this four-month-long season, several rain-bearing synoptic systems, namely the low pressures or depressions, develop in the Bay of Bengal. Inherently, these systems move westwards/North westwards over to the Indian mainland and pass through the MCZ, causing bountiful rainfall. Why is it important to have data about monsoons over central India? Studies have correlated the all-India rainfall performance to the rainfall received over the central India region, highlighting its importance. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues rainfall forecasts for the country’s four homogeneous regions – north, west, east and south peninsular India. In addition, it issues a special rainfall forecast for the MCZ, which is considered India’s food bowl. However, there is still limited understanding about the role of these synoptic systems, their associated cloud physics, cloud properties and their overall role in enhancing the monsoon rainfall. Central India, therefore, acts as a natural laboratory for scientists and meteorologists to perform a hands-on study of the Indian monsoons. They can record data and make observations about the allied systems, clouds, and other associated physical and atmospheric parameters. Additionally, climate change is driving erratic rainfall patterns in the Tropical regions, like India. It has also strengthened the low-pressure systems, which are aided by high temperatures. This results in very heavy rainfall recorded along their trajectory during the monsoons. Now, with ART, scientists will be able to generate and obtain long-term observations on cloud microphysics, precipitation, convection, and land-surface properties, among a host of other parameters. This information will be assimilated and fed into the numerical weather models to enhance forecast output, especially the rainfall forecasts. More accurate forecasts will ultimately help the farming community plan their activities better. Why Madhya Pradesh? The ART has been established at Silkheda, a location that falls directly in line with the path of major rain-bearing synoptic systems. This will facilitate direct monitoring and tracking. Besides, the locality is pristine and free of anthropogenic and other pollutants, making it the best site in central India for setting up sensitive, high-end meteorological instruments and observatories for recording data. What instruments are ART equipped with? To obtain continuous observations of convection, clouds, and precipitation, and monitor the major modes of variabilities, the ART is equipped with over two dozen high-end instruments, radars and more. At 72 metres, ART will house India’s tallest meteorological tower. Some of the instruments deployed are an aethalometer for performing aerosol studies, a cloud condensation nuclei counter, a laser ceilometer to measure cloud sizes, a micro rain radar to calculate raindrop size and its distribution, and a Ka-band cloud radar and a C-band doppler weather radar to help track the movement of rain-bearing systems over this zone.