NEWS ALERT

Researchers generate the first complete, gapless sequence of a human genome
Scientists have published the first complete, gapless sequence of a human genome, two decades after the Human Genome Project produced the first draft human genome sequence. The complete, gap-free sequence of the roughly 3 billion bases (or "letters") in our DNA is critical for understanding the full spectrum of human genomic variation and for understanding the genetic contributions to certain diseases. The work was done by the Telomere to Telomere (T2T) consortium. The consortium used the now-complete genome sequence as a reference to discover more than 2 million additional variants in the human genome. These studies provide more accurate information about the genomic variants within 622 medically relevant genes. The full sequencing builds upon the work of the Human Genome Project, which mapped about 92 percent of the genome. The last 8 percent includes numerous genes and repetitive DNA and is comparable in size to an entire chromosome. Researchers generated the complete genome sequence using a special cell line that has two identical copies of each chromosome, unlike most human cells, which carry two slightly different copies. Two new DNA sequencing technologies emerged that produced much longer sequence reads. The Oxford Nanopore DNA sequencing method can read up to 1 million DNA letters in a single read with modest accuracy, while the PacBio HiFi DNA sequencing method can read about 20,000 letters with nearly perfect accuracy. Researchers in the T2T consortium used both DNA sequencing methods to generate the complete human genome sequence.

New method to convert plastic trash into clean hydrogen fuel
Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a new method for plastic waste to be converted into hydrogen based on pyrolysis, a high temperature chemical process. Using pyrolysis, plastic litter can then be converted into two main products, hydrogen and a form of solid carbon, called carbon nanotubes. Hydrogen is useful for generating electricity and powering fuel cells like those found in electric vehicles, with clean water as its only by-product. To further refine the new conversion method and to assess its commercial feasibility, the research team is test-bedding it on the NTU Smart Campus to treat local plastic waste, in partnership with Bluefield Renewable Energy, a local environmental firm that specialises in mobile waste to resources technologies. They seek to develop feasible solutions to economically scale up the conversion of waste plastics to hydrogen over the next three years. They will also explore the potential of other emerging technologies for decentralised waste management. The conversion of challenging waste streams into energy and valuable resources, such as syngas, biochar, activated carbon and carbon nanotubes will be investigated.

Ammonia production through electrochemical process to reduce carbon emissions
A team from Texas A&M University has furthered a method to produce ammonia through electrochemical processes, helping to reduce carbon emissions. This research aims to replace the Haber-Bosch thermochemical process with an electrochemical process that is more sustainable and safer for the environment. The researchers have proposed using the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) to produce ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen and water. The benefits of using an electrochemical method include using water to provide protons and the ability to produce ammonia at ambient temperature and pressure. This process would potentially require lower amounts of energy and would be less costly and more environmentally friendly than the Haber-Bosch process. The NRR works by using an electrocatalyst. For this process to succeed, nitrogen must bond to the surface and break apart to produce ammonia. In this study, the researchers used MXene, a titanium nitride, as the electrocatalyst. What differentiates this catalyst from others is that nitrogen is already in its structure, allowing for more efficient ammonia formulation.

Key to success of drug resistant bacteria discovered
Researchers from Columbia University have discovered how Gram-negative bacteria, which cause drug-resistant pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and surgical site infections in hospitalized patients - finish building a crucial component of their outer membrane that shields these pathogens from attacks by the immune system and antibiotics. The new findings could accelerate the development of novel drugs to counteract these potentially deadly bacteria, the source of countless infections in health care settings worldwide. Using cutting-edge single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, the team were able to determine the structures of the enzyme that links together the lipids and sugars (called an O-antigen ligase), in two different functional configurations. Then, combining genetic, biochemical, and molecular dynamics experiments, the team learned how the enzyme positions the lipids and sugars so that they can combine to form the protective membrane. The lipopolysaccharide component of the outer membrane is critical to the survival of Gram-negative bacteria.

New material could lead to efficient reuse of industrial waste heat
Researchers in Japan have found a common substance that can reversibly and rapidly store and release relatively large amounts of low-grade heat without decomposing. The research could lead to more efficient reuse of industrial waste heat. They used a layered manganese oxide mineral containing potassium ions and crystal water. The team fabricated their compound in the form of an insoluble black powder and then examined how its crystal structure changed when heated or cooled, and how much and how quickly heat energy was stored and released. Heating the material up to 200 degrees C dehydrated it by giving its stored water molecules the energy they need to be released into the surrounding atmosphere. When the dehydrated material was then cooled below 120 degrees C in a dry container and then exposed to humid air, it absorbed water molecules and released its stored heat. The material has a long lifetime, can reversibly store and release large amounts of heat per unit volume, and rapidly charges and discharges.

Freeze-thaw battery for seasonal storage of grid-scale energy
US Scientists have created a battery designed for the electric grid that locks in energy for months without losing much storage capacity. The "freeze-thaw battery," which freezes its energy for use later, can be used for seasonal storage: saving energy in one season, such as the spring, and spending it in another, like autumn. The battery is first charged by heating it up to 180 degrees Celsius, allowing ions to flow through the liquid electrolyte to create chemical energy. Then, the battery is cooled to room temperature, essentially locking in the battery's energy. The electrolyte becomes solid and the ions that shuttle energy stay nearly still. When the energy is needed, the battery is reheated and the energy flows. The freeze-thaw phenomenon uses molten salt electrolyte which liquid at higher temperatures but solid at room temperature. The freeze-thaw battery has retained 92 percent of its capacity over 12 weeks. The aluminium-nickel molten-salt battery uses abundant, common materials. The anode and cathode are solid plates of aluminum and nickel, respectively. They are immersed in a sea of molten-salt electrolyte that is solid at room temperature but flows as a liquid when heated. The team added sulfur - another common, low-cost element - to the electrolyte to enhance the battery's energy capacity. The separator, placed between the anode and the cathode, is made of simple fiberglass, possible because of the battery's stable chemistry. This cuts costs and makes the battery sturdier when undergoing freeze-thaw cycles. The battery's theoretical energy density is 260 watt-hours per kilogram - higher than today's lead-acid and flow batteries. A patent has been filed for this technology.

COVID-19 (WORLD)

Easier, faster assay to identify COVID-19 variants
A new study has found that the Novaplex SARS-CoV-2 Variant I, II, and IV real-time PCR assays (from Seegene Technology) wihtout RNA extraction can reliably detect SARS-CoV-2 in patient samples and identify known variants of interest and concern. Results from the PCR assays were comparable to those from the "gold standard" spike gene Sanger sequencing method. Researchers were also able to successfully streamline testing and reduce cost and turnaround time by processing samples without extracting RNA for testing. The I, II, and IV assays are designed to detect genetic mutations associated with the alpha, beta, delta, and epsilon variants of SARS-CoV-2. The results were 100 percent in agreement with the Sanger sequencing test. The RNA extraction-free method was 91.7 percent as sensitive as compared to the traditional RNA extraction method. While not included in this study, assays are now available to identify omicron-specific mutations.

Study shows COVID-19's lingering impacts on the brain
Researchers at Tulane University have conducted a first comprehensive assessment of neuropathology associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a nonhuman primate model. The team found severe brain inflammation and injury consistent with reduced blood flow or oxygen to the brain, including neuron damage and death. They also found small bleeds in the brain. Surprisingly, these findings were present in subjects that did not experience severe respiratory disease from the virus. The findings are also consistent with autopsy studies of people who have died of COVID-19, suggesting that nonhuman primates may serve as an appropriate model, or proxy, for how humans experience the disease. Neurological complications are often among the first symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be the most severe and persistent. They also affect people indiscriminately - all ages, with and without comorbidities, and with varying degrees of disease severity.

COVID-19 linked Arrhythmias
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect specialized pacemaker cells that maintain the heart's rhythmic beat, setting off a self-destruction process within the cells, according to a preclinical study by US researchers on an animal model as well as human stem cell-derived pacemaker cells. They showed that SARS-CoV-2 can readily infect pacemaker cells and trigger a process called ferroptosis, in which the cells self-destruct but also produce reactive oxygen molecules that can impact nearby cells. Arrhythmias have been noted among many COVID-19 patients, and multiple studies have linked these abnormal rhythms to worse COVID-19 outcomes. The researchers generated cells closely resembling sinoatrial node cells and showed that these induced human pacemaker cells are readily infected by SARS-CoV-2. The researchers also observed large increases in inflammatory immune gene activity in the infected cells. The team found that the pacemaker cells, in response to the stress of infection, showed clear signs of ferroptosis, which involves accumulation of iron and the runaway production of cell-destroying reactive oxygen molecules. The scientists were able to reverse these signs in the cells using compounds that are known to bind iron and inhibit ferroptosis. This suggests use of antiviral drugs that block the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in all cell types.

India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 1.86 billion
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 1.86 billion 14/4/22 https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1816895 India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 1.86 billion on 14 April 2022. More than 23.8 million vaccine doses have been administered to 12-14 years age group so far. More than 25 million Precaution (third) doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries (HCWs, FLWs and Over 60 years) for COVID vaccination have been administered so far.

Low contact resistance metal-semiconductor interface for next generation transistors
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Nanoscience and Technology (INST) have computationally designed a low contact resistance metal-semiconductor interface with 2D monolayers for next-generation transistors, which can boost device performance. They have suggested new 2D semiconducting monolayers (MgX X=S, Se, Te) having high charge carrier mobility. The proposed monolayers are unique as they synergistically combine flexibility, spintronic and piezoelectric properties, making them sought after in futuristic self-powered nanoelectronics devices. The response of these new 2D monolayers to the application of vertical external electric fields can be exploited in electronic devices to store information. The buckled structure with broken inversion symmetry has led to emergence of high out-of-plane piezoelectricity in these monolayers, which can be utilized in generating piezo potential via the application of vertical strain. The piezo potential is capable of regulating the current flow, thereby rendering MgTe monolayer-based devices self-powered.

Pinaka Rocket Systems successfully flight-tested
Pinaka Mk-I (Enhanced) Rocket System (EPRS) and Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) rocket systems have been successfully flight-tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Army at Pokhran Firing Ranges. A total of 24 EPRS rockets were fired for different ranges during the last fortnight. Required accuracy and consistency was achieved by the rockets meeting all trial objectives satisfactorily. With these trails, the initial phase of technology absorption of EPRS by the industry has successfully been completed and the industry partners are ready for user trials/series production of the rocket system. The Pinaka rocket system has been developed by Armament Research and Development Establishment, Pune supported by DRDO’s High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune. The EPRS is the upgraded version of Pinaka variant with advanced technologies with enhanced range to meet the emerging requirements. After establishing the performance efficacy of the enhanced range version of Pinaka, the technology was transferred to the industries viz. Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Economic Explosives Limited Nagpur. Rockets manufactured by MIL under Transfer of Technology from DRDO were flight tested during this campaign. Different variants of munitions and fuzes which can be used in the Pinaka rocket system were also successfully test evaluated in the Pokhran Field Firing Range.

Test of Anti-Tank Guided Missile ‘HELINA’
The indigenously-developed Anti-Tank Guided Missile ‘HELINA’ was again successfully flight-tested from Advanced Light Helicopter on April 12, 2022. This is the second successful flight-test in successive days. The missile engaged the simulated tank target accurately. With the flight-test, consistent performance of the complete system, including Imaging Infra-Red Seeker, has been established, which will enable the induction of the ‘Helina’ into the Armed Forces. Earlier, validation trials of the ‘Helina’ were conducted at Pokhran in Rajasthan, which proved the efficacy of the missile in desert ranges.‘Helina’ is the third generation, fire and forget Anti-Tank Guided Missile that can engage targets both in direct hit mode as well as top attack mode. The system has all-weather day and night capability and can defeat battle tanks with conventional armour as well as with explosive reactive armour.

CRISPR technique unveils therapeutics strategies for HIV
Scientists at Northwestern University used a new CRISPR gene-editing approach to identify 86 genes that may play a role in the way HIV replicates and causes disease, including over 40 that have never been looked at in the context of HIV infection. The study proposes a new map for understanding how HIV integrates into our DNA and establishes a chronic infection. They seek to further develop the technology to enable genome-wide screening where they independently knock out or turn on every gene in the human genome to identify all potential HIV host factors, which would bring them even closer to curative strategies.

Recyclable pollen-based paper for repeated printing and ‘unprinting’
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a pollen-based 'paper' that, after being printed on, can be 'erased' and reused multiple times without any damage to the paper. The process of making pollen-based paper is similar to traditional soapmaking, which is much simpler and less energy-intensive. Using potassium hydroxide, the scientists first converted sunflower pollen grains into soft microgel particles and casted it into a 22 cm x 22 cm mould for air-drying. This forms a piece of paper that is about 0.03 mm in thickness or about half the thickness of the human hair. To 'stabilise' the paper and to render it insensitive to moisture, the scientists immersed it in acetic acid. The paper could pass through the printer without any tear or damage. While the colours of the image printed on pollen paper differed slightly from the same image printed on conventional paper, the image resolution and clarity on both types of paper were comparable. The paper could be unprinted by immersing the paper and rubbing it gently in a common lab reagent that is alkaline for two minutes and then left to shrink in ethanol for five minutes, and air-dried. After treating it with acetic acid, the paper was ready for printing again. This process of treating pollen paper with acid, printing, then rinsing off the printed image, could be repeated another eight times without any loss of the paper's structural integrity or the quality of the printed images. Apart from sunflower pollen, the NTU scientists found that pollen grains from camellia and lotus could also be used to make a paper-like material, similar to the sunflower pollen paper. Their work thus shows that more than one type of pollen could be used to create pollen-based alternatives to conventional paper.A patent application has been filed for this technology.

Converting plastic waste for carbon-capture
Researchers at Rice University have found a technique to turn waste plastic into an effective carbon dioxide (CO2) sorbent for industry, by heating plastic waste in the presence of potassium acetate to produce particles with nanometer-scale pores that trap carbon dioxide molecules.These particles can be used to remove CO2 from flue gas streams. The porous particles able to hold up to 18 percent of their own weight in CO2 at room temperature. The method works well for polypropylene and high- and low-density polyethylene, the main constituents in municipal waste.The researchers estimate the cost of carbon dioxide capture from a point source like post-combustion flue gas would be $21 a ton, far less expensive than current processes which cost $80-$160 a ton. The sorbent can be reusedby heating to about 75 degrees Celsius whichreleases trapped carbon dioxide from the pores, and regenerates about 90 percent of the material's binding sites.To make the material, waste plastic is turned into powder, mixed with potassium acetate and heated at 600 C for 45 minutes to optimize the pores, most of which are about 0.7 nanometers wide. Higher temperatures led to wider pores. The process also produces a wax byproduct that can be recycled into detergents or lubricants.

Space based Solar Power project
European Space Agency (ESA) is working on the concept of collecting solar power up in orbit, where sunlight is up to 11 times more intense than across European territory, then beaming it down to the ground for use. A new project looks into designing solar-power satellites, which would become the largest structures ever built in space. Solar energy generation has grown far cheaper and more efficient in recent years, but fundamental limitations will always remain - of power only during the daytime, and absorption of much of the sunlight by the atmosphere. The idea is to capture solar energy and convert it into microwave radiation to be beamed to earth, moon, other space platforms, and for remote and military applications. This technology could provide the flexibility and reliability required for science and exploration missions where other power sources are limited, for example rover missions during the lunar night.

Solar Nanowire-Nanotube Purification Filter for Clean Drinking Water
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new water purification filter that combines titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanowires and carbon nanotubes powered by nothing but sunlight.The TiO2 nanowires by themselves can efficiently purify water in the presence of sunlight. But interweaving the nanowires with carbon nanotubes forms a composite material that adds an extra layer of decontamination by killing off human pathogens such as bacteria and large viruses. When UV light – from sunlight – hits the filter, it causes it to produce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). These include hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxide (OH), and oxygen (O2-), and are known to be effective pathogen killers. The researchers tested their device with E. Coli, bacteria, and foud it efficient at removing all the pathogens from water, and showed promising results even for eliminating micropollutants, such as pesticides, drug residues, cosmetics etc. This could lead to very efficient water purification devices, which needs only sunlight and could be easily scaled-up for use in remote areas.

NATO to launch €1 Bn fund for dual use technologies
NATO has launched a new research programme called DIANA to bring industry, start-up companies and academia together to research new dual-use technologies that address both societal problems and national security issues. The Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) is focusing on technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data processing, quantum-enabled technologies, autonomy, biotechnology, novel materials and space. In its initial stage, DIANA will run a network of more than 10 accelerator sites and over 50 test centres in innovation hubs across NATO alliance countries. The aim is to give innovators the means to bring dual use technologies closer to the market. Pilot activities will start by summer 2023, with the aim of being fully up and running in 2025. There is also a complementary €1 billion venture capital fund for early stage start-ups. The plans for DIANA were approved at a meeting of NATO defence ministers. The nine technologies NATO wants to advance are AI; data and computing; autonomy; quantum-enabled technologies; biotechnology and human enhancements; hypersonic technologies; space; novel materials and manufacturing; and energy and propulsion. These are all strategic for NATO if it is to maintain technological dominance. The plan is for DIANA to launch challenge calls for non-dilutive financing that does not require start-ups to give up equity or ownership in their company. Mentoring, technology testing and potential contract opportunities will be available to go hand in hand with the financing. This will be delivered through network of innovation hubs across the alliance.

Climeworks raises CHF 600 million for Carbon capture
ETH spin-off Climeworks specialised in technology that filters CO2 directly from the air has secured CHF 600 million in investment in its latest equity round, allowing it to invest in new large-scale air capture facilities. Using direct air capture technology developed at ETH, Climeworks filters excess carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. The latest injection of funding will be mainly invested in new large-scale air capture facilities and additional employees – a move that will significantly accelerate capacity to permanently remove CO2 from the air. Anpress information bureau indiaother ETH spin-off company Synhelion uses solar reactors to transform CO2 filtered from the air into climate-neutral fuels. Synhelion is now planning to build its first industrial-scale facility for producing climate-friendly kerosene in Germany.

Minamata Convention review by COP4
The 4th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP4) to the Minamata Convention (2013) was held in Bali, Indonesia on 21-25 March 2022. It adopted 11 decisions that set the course of implementation in the years to come. Discussions focused on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASGM), the largest source of mercury emissions into the environment, even more than emissions from coal-fired power plants, which come second. In ASGM, the use of mercury affects many people around the world, including some in remote communities, women of childbearing age, and child miners. Parties agreed to consult with indigenous peoples and local communities in the development of national action plans under the Convention. The meeting also highlighted the wide range of products that account for mercury in the environment, and the levels of human exposure. Detailed negotiations on products from lamps to dental amalgam focused on how and when countries will eliminate the use of mercury-added products and processes. Parties took steps towards setting up the first ‘effectiveness evaluation’ of the Convention, which will assess the real impacts of parties’ efforts. The meeting adopted a non-binding Bali Declaration on Illegal Trade in Mercury.

India calls on Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members for affordable scientific solutions
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh called upon the countries of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to join hands to innovate affordable scientific solutions for common challenges like ensuring food, affordable healthcare and energy access for its people. Addressing the SCO meeting through virtual mode, Dr Singh said that the member countries must jointly address emerging challenges of environmental problems like climate change and biodiversity loss. The Minister conveyed the best wishes for a successful summit in the historic city of Samarkand in September 2022 under the Chairmanship of Uzbekistan and assured India’s full support and active participation in all jointly agreed activities that will be organised during the SCO Samarkand Summit.

56th Session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Working Group III (WGIII) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) convened online from 21 March to 4 April to approve the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of its technical report on climate change mitigation. WGIII is responsible for assessing methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and removing GHGs from the atmosphere, focusing on mitigation strategies across all sectors. The SPM presents the key findings of the 3675-page report, “Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change.” Key findings include: (1) net anthropogenic GHG emission have increased since 2010 across all major sectors globally, with an increasing share of emissions from urban areas; (2) the unit costs of several low-emission technologies have fallen continuously since 2010; (3) without a strengthening of policies, GHG emissions are projected to rise beyond 2025, leading to a median global warming of 3.2°C by 2100; (4) accelerated and equitable climate action in mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts is critical to sustainable development; (5) there is a strong link between sustainable development,vulnerability, and climate risks; (6) in all countries, mitigation efforts embedded within the wider development context can increase the pace, depth and breadth of emissions reductions; and (7) international cooperation is a critical enabler for achieving ambitious mitigation goals. The AR6 Synthesis Report,which summarizes the most relevant findings from the reports of the three working groups of the IPCC is currently under review and due for approval at IPCC-57 in Geneva, 26-30 September 2022. It is a key input to the 27th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the UNFCCC to be held in Egypt, 7-18 November 2022.

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