Multi-Utility Legged Equipment (MULE)

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Why in News?

Robotic MULEs (Multi-Utility Legged Equipment) are being inducted into the Indian Army.

Features

• Surveillance Capabilities: Equipped with thermal cameras and various sensors, enabling effective surveillance operations.
• Communication Range: Operates up to 10 kilometres from its base using Wi-Fi or Long-Term Evolution (LTE).
• Combat Integration: Can be armed with small weapons, allowing engagement with the enemy and reducing human risk.
• Reconnaissance Support: Remotely controlled, providing real-time footage to military posts for enemy identification.
• Terrain Versatility: Capable of operating in diverse terrains such as snow and mountains, with the ability to climb slopes up to 45 degrees and steps up to 18 cm high.

Similar Developments

• China: Inducted gun-equipped robotic dogs into its military, demonstrated during a joint military exercise with Cambodia.
• United States: Integrated robotic dogs into the military and state police departments.

 

 

Multi-Omics in Transforming Diagnosis and Treatment of TB and Cancers in India

 

Why in News?

India's use of genomics has significantly transformed diagnoses, management, and treatment of diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and cancers, driven by advanced technologies and data analytics.

 

Key Initiatives

 

• Genome India Project: Launched in January 2024, this project involves sequencing 10,000 genomes from 99 ethnic groups to create a reference genome for the Indian population. This helps in identifying novel genes and understanding inherited disorders and diseases.

 

• Consortium for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB): Focuses on sequencing TB bacteria to identify mutations, correlate treatment outcomes, and develop a sequence-based method to predict drug resistance.

 

• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): Sequencing 3,000 genomes to understand genetic diseases and create population-specific databases.

 

Research and Development

 

• AI and Machine Learning: Used to analyze extensive datasets from proteomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics to develop multi-omics approaches.
• National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG): Conducting research to detect mutations and correlate them with treatment outcomes. Scientists are also creating a genetic map for the Indian population.
• Genomic Surveillance Consortium (INSaGOG): Sequencing around 32,000 samples to identify genetic patterns in COVID-19 and other diseases.

 

Disease-Specific Efforts

 

• Tuberculosis: Genomic analysis to understand drug resistance and epidemiology, leading to better treatment and reduced adverse events.
• Cancers: The Indian Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and other initiatives are using genomics to characterize cancer genomes, identify variants linked to risk and treatment response, and facilitate the discovery of novel biomarkers.

 

Rare Genetic Disorders

 

• Program for Rare Genetic Disorders (PaGeD): Aims to identify genetic causes of rare diseases and develop therapies for children. Newborn screening and family management of genetic disorders are key focuses.

 

AI and Multi-Omics

 

• Algorithm Development: AI and machine learning algorithms are being developed to enhance genomic analysis, predict diseases, and aid in personalized treatment plans.
• Clinical Trials: Genomic profiling is being used to select appropriate drug combinations for patients based on their genetic makeup.

 

Antimicrobial Resistance

 

Metagenomics: Helps analyze antimicrobial resistance by sequencing the genetic material of microbes. This assists in understanding resistance patterns and developing targeted therapies.

 

Future Directions

 

• Population-Specific Genomic Databases: Continued efforts to create comprehensive genetic maps to better understand the genetic basis of diseases in the Indian population.

 

• Integration of Multi-Omics: Combining various omics data to provide a holistic view of health and disease, leading to personalized and precise medical interventions.

 

Prolonged Exposure to Coal Mining: Health Impacts and Economic Implications

 

Survey Details

 

• Conducted by: National Foundation for India.
• Sample Size: 1,200 households.

 

Health Impacts on Coal Miners

• Respiratory and Skin Diseases: Prolonged exposure to coal pollutants leads to widespread respiratory issues (chronic bronchitis, asthma) and skin diseases (eczema, dermatitis, fungal infections).

 

• Affected Districts: The survey covers six districts: Koriya and Raigarh (Chhattisgarh), Dhanbad and Ramgarh (Jharkhand), and Angul and Jajpur (Odisha).

 

Vulnerable Populations

 

• High-Risk Areas:
  • Dhanbad and Ramgarh have higher incidences of lung and skin diseases due to more people living close to mining zones.
  • Populations living closer to mines are more susceptible to health issues.

 

Economic Implications

• Shift from Coal: The global transition away from coal is expected to cause significant job losses and economic downturns in coal-dependent regions.

 

• Renewable Energy:
  • India is committed to sourcing nearly 500 GW of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
  • Despite this, coal remains a major source of power, with nearly half of India’s installed capacity (205 GW) being coal-powered.
  • Renewable energy accounted for 71.5% of the record 13.6 GW power generation capacity added in India in the January-March quarter.

 

Socio-Economic Disparities

 

• Income Disparities: Social and economic disparities vary across districts, with inconsistent income levels and irregular wage patterns.
• Affected Communities: Districts like Dhanbad and Koriya, reliant on coal production, report lower incomes and more economic vulnerability.

 

Future Outlook

• Just Transition: The study emphasizes the need for a "just transition" to ensure that those dependent on coal mining are effectively and sensitively transitioned to new jobs in the renewable energy sector.