Context: Researchers at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) and the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute have engineered an advanced genome-editing system.

Key highlights

• Scientists have developed an enhanced genome-editing system that can modify DNA more precisely and more efficiently than existing CRISPR-based technologies.

• CRISPR occurs naturally in some bacteria, as a part of their immune system that limits infections by recognising and destroying viral DNA.

• This new system modifies DNA with greater precision and efficiency than existing CRISPR-based technologies.

Natural Origins and Repurposing of CRISPR

• CRISPR, originally part of the bacterial immune system, helps bacteria recognize and destroy viral DNA.

• Scientists have repurposed this mechanism to edit genomes in higher-order organisms.

• This innovation, which garnered a Nobel Prize, has significant applications in agriculture, healthcare, and more.

The Off-Target Problem in CRISPR-Cas9

• The CRISPR-Cas9 system, commonly used for gene editing, involves a guide RNA (gRNA) directing the Cas9 enzyme to specific DNA sequences.

• The enzyme then cuts the DNA, allowing the cell’s repair system to modify the genome.

• However, the widely used SpCas9 enzyme from Streptococcus pyogenes often recognizes and cuts unintended parts of the genome, leading to off-target effects.

• Although scientists have developed higher fidelity versions of SpCas9, these often come at the cost of reduced editing efficiency.

Introducing FnCas9 for Greater Precision

• Researchers have explored using the FnCas9 enzyme from Francisella novicida, which is highly precise but less efficient.

• To address this, the team at CSIR-IGIB engineered new versions of FnCas9 by modifying its amino acids to enhance its binding affinity with the PAM sequence.

• This modification allows the enzyme to bind more strongly to DNA, improving gene editing effectiveness.

Enhancing Flexibility and Efficiency

• The enhanced FnCas9, modified for greater flexibility, can access and edit harder-to-reach regions of the genome.

• Experimental results showed that this version of FnCas9 cuts target DNA more effectively than the unmodified version.

• It enhances the scope of CRISPR-based diagnostics and therapeutics by detecting more single-nucleotide changes in the DNA.

Therapeutic Applications and Testing

• The enhanced FnCas9’s suitability for therapeutic use was tested by a team at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute.

• They edited the genomes of human kidney and eye cells, finding that the modified enzyme performed better than SpCas9 and exhibited negligible off-target effects.

• The team also used this enhanced enzyme to correct a mutation in the RPE65 gene, which causes Leber congenital amaurosis type 2 (LCA2), an inherited form of blindness.

Surprising Efficiency in Treating Blindness

• Researchers isolated skin cells from an individual with LCA2 and reprogrammed them into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

• These cells, differentiated into retinal cells, showed normal levels of RPE65 protein after treatment with the enhanced FnCas9.

• The high efficiency and low off-target effects of the edited iPSCs indicated the potential for this technology to treat genetic disorders effectively.

Implications for the Research Community

• The development of an enzyme with high precision and minimal off-target effects is a significant advancement for the research community.

• This precision is crucial for correcting mutations in genetic diseases.

• The next focus for researchers is on developing proficient delivery systems to target cells’ nuclei accurately.

Toward Affordable Therapeutics

• The CSIR-IGIB team is adapting the system for various delivery methods and reducing the size of the enhanced FnCas9.

• Collaborations with Indian companies aim to scale up and manufacture affordable therapeutic solutions for multiple genetic disorders.

• This initiative, driven by indigenous intellectual property, positions India to develop cost-effective therapies for low- and middle-income countries.

Context: Recently, a study published in Nature Communications has gained attention for its unexpected findings about the ocean's role in climate change.

• The study reveals that a weaker ocean circulation might increase atmospheric CO2 levels, contrary to previous assumptions.

Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC)

• Definition: The Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) is a crucial component of global ocean circulation, moving water, heat, salt, carbon, and nutrients primarily in the north-south direction within and between ocean basins. It plays a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate.

Mechanism

• Northward Flow: In the Atlantic Ocean, warm and salty surface water is transported from the South Atlantic towards the Nordic Seas (near Greenland, England, and Northern Canada). Here, it cools, becomes denser, and sinks to form deep water currents that flow southwards towards Antarctica.

• Antarctic Contribution: Near Antarctica, even denser waters are formed. These waters flow north along the seafloor into the North Atlantic, where they rise and mix with other waters before flowing back to the south.

Significance

• The MOC is responsible for about two-thirds of the oceanic northward heat transport, making it essential for climate regulation.

• Changes in the MOC influence regional and global heat distribution, affecting climate and weather patterns.

• Cycle Duration: The entire circulation cycle of the MOC, also known as the oceanic conveyor belt, is extremely slow. It takes approximately 1,000 years for a parcel (any given cubic meter) of water to complete its journey along the belt.

Relation Between Climate Change and Ocean Circulation

• The Role of Overturning Circulation: Ocean overturning circulation acts as a global conveyor belt, moving water and nutrients across the ocean. It is a two-fold process.

• As surface waters absorb CO2 and cool, they become denser and sink into the deep ocean, transporting carbon away from the atmosphere.

• Deep waters upwell, bring nutrients and carbon back to the surface, where they support marine life and help regulate atmospheric CO2 levels.

• Traditional Views on Ocean Circulation and Climate Change: As climate change progresses, scientists predict a weakening of ocean overturning circulation due to various factors.

• Melting Ice Sheets: Particularly around Antarctica, melting ice sheets add freshwater to the ocean, disrupting circulation patterns.

• Temperature Changes: Global warming affects ocean temperature gradients, further impacting circulation.

• The traditional view is that weaker circulation would mean less carbon is stored in the deep ocean, but the ocean's carbon sink effect would stay balanced due to less carbon coming back up.

• New Insights from Research: New research reveals a complex feedback mechanism involving ocean circulation, iron availability, microorganisms, and ligands, showing that weaker ocean circulation could increase atmospheric CO2 levels contrary to previous beliefs.

• Ligands are organic molecules that bind with iron to keep it soluble and accessible for phytoplankton growth, but their availability can limit the effectiveness of iron fertilization efforts globally.

• Implications for Climate Change Mitigation: The study highlights the need to reconsider the ocean’s role in climate change mitigation, as weaker ocean circulation could reduce carbon sink effectiveness, leading to higher atmospheric CO2 and exacerbating global warming.

Context: The deadly landslide in Wayanad, Kerala, highlights the region's vulnerability, as identified by the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Landslide Atlas of India in 2023.

• Western Ghat: The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a mountain range that runs parallel to India's western coast. Spanning six states, it is known for its rich biodiversity, dense forests, and unique ecosystems. The region is crucial for monsoon weather patterns and houses numerous endemic species of flora and fauna.

• Eco Sensitive Zone(ESZ): An Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) is an area surrounding protected wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, or biodiversity hotspots that is designated to minimize human impact and preserve ecological balance. These zones restrict industrial activities, regulate tourism, and promote sustainable development to protect the environment and its native species.

About the Landslide Atlas of India

• A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope.

• Landslides are a type of "mass wasting," which denotes any down-slope movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.

• Landslides occur mainly in mountainous terrains where there are conducive conditions of soil, rock, geology and slope.

• The Landslide Atlas, prepared by ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre, evaluates landslide exposure in 147 districts across 17 states and 2 Union Territories based on socio-economic parameters.

Causes

• Natural Causes that trigger it include heavy rainfall, earthquakes, snow melting and undercutting of slopes due to flooding.

• Landslides can also be caused by Anthropogenic Activities such as excavation, cutting of hills and trees, excessive infrastructure development, and overgrazing by cattle.

• In India, rainfall-induced landslide events are more common.

Key Findings

• Kerala's Rankings: Wayanad ranked 13th, while Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode ranked 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th respectively.

• Top Ranking: Rudraprayag in Uttaranchal ranked first, focusing on landslide-prone areas in the Western Ghats and Himalayan regions.

Possible reasons behind Wayanad Landslide

• Heavy rainfall

• Extremely heavy rainfall, a fragile ecology particularly vulnerable to landslides, and steadily increasing population pressures all combined to trigger multiple landslides.

• The region received more than 140 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours between the mornings of Monday and Tuesday, about five times more than what is expected.

• Heavy rains during the monsoon season trigger landslides in Kerala almost every year.

Hilly terrain with sharp slopes

• The whole of western Kerala, which is a hilly terrain with sharp slopes, is susceptible to landslides.

• According to the landslide atlas released by the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) National Remote Sensing Centre in 2023, 10 out of the 30 most landslide-prone districts in India were located in Kerala, with Wayanad ranked 13th.

• The terrain here has two distinctive layers, a layer of soil sitting atop hard rocks.

• When a lot of rain happens, the soil gets saturated with moisture and water reaches the rocks and flows between the soil and the rock layers.

• This weakens the force that binds the soil to the rocks and triggers the movement.

Loss of green cover

• A 2021 study on landslide hotspots in India revealed that 59 per cent of the total landslides in Kerala occurred in plantation areas.

• Loss of forests increase the fragility of the terrain, especially in areas prone to heavy rains in the western ghats.

Climate change

• Climate scientists have pointed towards the warming of the Arabian Sea as one of the causes for the extremely heavy and unpredictable rain patterns in the state.

• The southeast Arabian Sea is becoming warmer, causing the atmosphere above this region, including Kerala, to become thermodynamically unstable.

• Scientists have noticed a trend of deep cloud systems forming due to the warming of the Arabian sea.

• This causes extremely heavy spells of rain in shorter periods of time, increasing the risk of landslides, especially when these intrude into land.

Vulnerability of Kerala

• Kerala is prone to heavy rains and flooding, with an estimated 14.5 per cent of land area seen as vulnerable.

• The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has identified 1,848 square kilometres, 4.75 per cent of the state’s total area, as High Landslide Hazard Zone.

• About 8 per cent of the area in the Western Ghats in the southern state is labelled as a critical zone for mass movements, including debris flow, landslides, rock falls and slumps.

• Western Ghats: High population and household density increase vulnerability despite fewer landslides compared to the Himalayan regions.

• Soil Cover: Landslides in the Western Ghats are primarily influenced by soil cover on steep slopes.

• Globally, landslides rank third in terms of deaths among natural disasters.

• India is among the four major countries where the risk of landslides is the highest.

About Madhav Gadgil Committee Report

• The Madhav Gadgil Committee Report, recommended that 64% of the Western Ghats be designated as ecologically sensitive zones.

• The report specifically highlighted the need to protect Kerala's highly sensitive areas, which were marked for no-development, and criticised the state government for ignoring these recommendations.

• The Madhav Gadgil Committee Report was submitted in 2011.

• However, the recommendations are not implemented yet.

Context: Ethiopia has recently eased foreign exchange curbs as part of a broad economic reform package.

• This move coincides with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) approval of a loan to Ethiopia, which is seeking a multibillion-dollar bailout.

Key Developments

• Currency Devaluation:

• The value of the Ethiopian currency, the birr, dropped by approximately 30% following the easing of forex curbs by the country’s central bank.

• Economic Reforms:

• The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) announced a shift towards a competitive market-based determination of the exchange rate. This reform aims to correct a long-standing economic distortion in Ethiopia.

• Under the new system, banks can now buy and sell foreign currencies at freely negotiated rates, with limited central bank intervention.

• IMF Support:

• The IMF board approved a four-year loan program worth around $3.4 billion to support Ethiopia’s economic reforms, with $1 billion immediately disbursed.

• IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva highlighted this as a landmark moment for Ethiopia, noting the country’s commitment to transformative reforms.

• Challenges:

• Ethiopia faces multiple economic challenges, including $28 billion of external debt, 20% inflation, and a shortage of foreign currency reserves.

• The country has been battered by armed conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate shocks.

• Future Plans:

• The NBE hinted at opening Ethiopia’s securities market to foreign investors, with further details to be announced soon.

• Other measures include allowing exporters and commercial banks to retain foreign exchange, increasing supply to the private sector, and introducing non-bank foreign exchange bureaus.

• Government Support:

• The government plans to temporarily subsidize essential imports like fuel, fertilizers, medicines, and edible oils.

• Financial support will be provided to low-income families and public service salaries will be bolstered.

Economic Impact and Outlook

• Mixed Reactions:

• Economist expressed concerns that the forex reforms might exacerbate the economic crisis by increasing inflation and noted that ensuring peace and security is crucial for attracting foreign investment.

• In contrast, business analyst was optimistic, suggesting that the financial cushion from international lenders could help stabilize the country’s currency and narrow the gap between official and black-market rates, potentially benefiting exports, including mining.

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court of India has launched a week-long special week-long Lok Adalat drive to address and resolve long-standing disputes as part of its 75th anniversary (diamond jubilee) celebrations. 

Purpose and Significance

• Enhancing Access to Justice: The primary objective of this special Lok Adalat drive is to make justice more accessible to the general public. The Supreme Court recognizes that a large number of cases remain unresolved due to various reasons, including lengthy court procedures and legal complexities. The Lok Adalat system offers a platform for parties to resolve their disputes without the need for prolonged litigation.

• Reducing Case Backlog: India’s judicial system faces a significant backlog of cases, with millions pending in various courts. The Lok Adalat drive is a strategic effort to address this issue by encouraging settlements in suitable cases. By facilitating quicker resolutions, the Supreme Court aims to alleviate the pressure on the judicial system and ensure timely justice for all.

Cases Covered

• The special Lok Adalat will focus on a variety of cases that are amenable to settlement. These include:

• Matrimonial Disputes: Issues related to divorce, child custody, and maintenance can often be resolved amicably through mediation.

• Property Disputes: Disagreements over property ownership, boundaries, and inheritance can be settled without resorting to lengthy litigation.

• Motor Accident Claims: Claims arising from vehicular accidents, which often involve compensation disputes, can be efficiently addressed in a Lok Adalat.

• Land Acquisition: Disputes related to land acquisition, especially those involving compensation amounts, can benefit from the Lok Adalat process.

• Compensation Claims: Various types of compensation claims, including those related to consumer disputes, can be resolved through mutual agreement.

• Service and Labor Disputes: Issues between employers and employees, including wrongful termination and wage disputes, are suitable for resolution in a Lok Adalat setting.

Lok Adalat Process

• Structure and Functioning: During this special drive, the Supreme Court will operate seven benches that will function as Lok Adalats. Each bench will consist of a combination of judges and legal experts, including:

• Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud: Leading the initiative, he emphasizes the importance of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

• Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra: These judges will assist in hearing cases and facilitating discussions between parties.

• Legal Representatives: Notable legal figures, including Supreme Court Bar Association president Kapil Sibal and Advocate-on-Record Association president Vipin Nair, will also be involved.

• Hearing Schedule: The Lok Adalats will commence hearings daily at 2 p.m., following the conclusion of the regular court proceedings. This schedule allows judges to dedicate time specifically to the Lok Adalat process, ensuring that cases receive focused attention.

Benefits and Outcomes

• Amicable Settlement: One of the key advantages of the Lok Adalat system is its emphasis on amicable settlements. Unlike traditional court proceedings, which can often be adversarial, Lok Adalats encourage collaboration and negotiation between parties. This approach fosters a more harmonious resolution to disputes, which can be particularly beneficial in sensitive cases like matrimonial disputes.

• Speedy Disposal of Cases: The Lok Adalat process is designed to be efficient, allowing for quick resolutions. By focusing on cases that are suitable for settlement, the drive aims to significantly reduce the time taken to resolve disputes. This efficiency is crucial in a legal system burdened by delays and backlogs.

• Cost-Effective Resolution: Litigation can be expensive, with costs accumulating over time due to prolonged court proceedings. The Lok Adalat offers a cost-effective alternative, as parties can resolve their disputes without incurring significant legal fees. This accessibility is especially important for lower-income individuals who may struggle to afford traditional legal representation.

• Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution: The special Lok Adalat drive is part of a broader push to promote alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in India. By showcasing the effectiveness of Lok Adalats, the Supreme Court aims to encourage more parties to consider mediation and arbitration as viable options for resolving disputes.

Conclusion

• The Supreme Court’s special Lok Adalat drive is a notable initiative aimed at improving justice delivery in India by facilitating amicable settlements and expediting dispute resolutions. Commemorating the Court’s 75th anniversary, the drive addresses case backlogs and enhances the judicial system’s efficiency. It highlights the Supreme Court’s commitment to innovation and a more responsive legal framework, emphasizing the importance of citizen and legal community participation. The initiative represents a significant move towards a more equitable and efficient justice system, using alternative dispute resolution methods to ensure timely and cost-effective justice.

Lt-Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair on Thursday( 1 August) took over as director general medical services (DGMS, Army), becoming the first woman doctor to be appointed to the position.

A woman, surgeon Vice-Admiral Arti Sarin, is already DGMS (Navy).

-Gen Nair, who also has distinction of three generations of her family having served in IAF over the last seven decades, was promoted to three-star rank of an Air Marshal (military doctors can be posted to another service) and took over as the director-general of hospital services (armed forces) in Oct last year.

Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera took over as the 22nd director general of Assam Rifles on Wednesday( 31 July).

He succeeds Lt Gen (retd) PC Nair, who relinquished the command of the force on superannuation from military service.

According to an official statement, Lt Gen Lakhera was commissioned from the Indian Military Academy into 4 SIKH LI on June 9, 1990, the unit which he subsequently commanded in lower Assam under the Red Horn division.

The General Officer is a postgraduate from Defence Service Staff College, Wellington and is an alumnus of the Higher Defence Management Course from College of Defence Management, Secunderabad.

He completed the prestigious National Defence Course from The Royal College of Defence Studies, London (UK).

Ride-hailing startup Rapido has raised a funding of $120 million Capital in its latest Series E funding round led by its existing investor WestBridge, thus making it the latest company to join the coveted unicorn club.

• The investor poured in the fresh capital through three of its related entities – Setu AIF Trust, Konark Trust, and MMPL Trust, as per regulatory filings.
• Rapido was founded in 2015 by Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli, and Rishikesh SR,.
• Rapido had raised $180 million in Series D funding round in April 2022, led by Swiggy, which valued the mobility startup at $800 million. Rapido has raised about $430 million to date. However, Swiggy has not participated in this round.
• The Hyderabad-based firm which started off as an auto and bike taxi aggregator, has also ventured into cabs. The company will expand its auto and cab offerings in newer cities across India.

Rohan Bopanna announced his retirement from Indian tennis after making an early exit from the Paris Olympics 2024.

The 44-year-old crashed out of the doubles after losing to the French pair of Gael Monfils and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the opening round on Sunday, July 28.

After an hour and 16 minutes, the duo of Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji lost the match 5-7, 2-6.

Bopanna also ruled out any chance of him taking part in the Asian Games in Japan. 

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the 'Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan' in accordance with the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, and disbursed the State Subsidy to the beneficiaries in Goa.

• The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana aims to increase the share of solar rooftop capacity and empower residential households to generate their own electricity.
• The scheme has an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore and is to be implemented till FY 2026-27.
• The Govt of Goa, under the Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan, with an initial investment of 35 Crore, In addition to the Central Financial Assistance, Goa Energy Development Agency will bear the balance cost of the Rooftop Installation up to 5kW for consumers consuming 400 or less units for the last one year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appreciated the book Call of the Gir written by Rajya Sabha Member Parimal Nathwani. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said he knows Mr Nathwani for his passion for wildlife.

• The Prime Minister said that this book will surely help all those interested in the majestic Gir Lion. MP Parimal Nathwani met the Prime Minister today and handed over his book to him.
• The book is based on Gir’s landscapes, which are known for the Asiatic lions.
• The book combines vivid photography and narratives to highlight the urgency of conservation efforts.

China and India have agreed to speed up negotiations over their border disputes and maintain peace and tranquillity in border areas as stand-offs along part of their Himalayan frontier enter their fourth year.

During the 30th round of border talks held in New Delhi on Wednesday(31 July 2024), the two sides also agreed to “focus on specific issues related to the China-India border, accommodate each other’s legitimate concerns and reach a mutually acceptable solution” soon, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement shortly after midnight on Thursday.

 They also agreed to “maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels, strengthen the construction of negotiation mechanisms.