Recently, researchers have detected High-energy cosmic neutrinos under Mediterranean Sea.

About Neutrinos

• Nature: Subatomic particles (often called as ghost particles) that have zero electrical charge, zero size, almost zero mass and almost zero interaction.
• Occurrence:  Second-most abundant particles after photons (particles of light) and most abundant among particles found in universe.  
• Detectability: Difficult to detect as they only interacts with matter via weak nuclear force. 
• Feature: Undisturbed by even the strongest magnetic field; Travel in straight lines from their source etc.

Meta has introduced its world’s longest undersea cable system - Project Waterworth.

About Project Waterworth

• Length: 50,000 km subsea cable will connect five continents, enhancing connectivity between U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other regions.
• Depth: Cable will reach depths of up to 7,000 meters in deep waters.
• Techniques: Enhanced burial methods will be used in high-risk areas, like shallow coastal waters, to protect cable from ship anchors and other hazards.
• Significance: 
  • Strengthen scale and reliability of world’s digital highways by opening three new oceanic corridors with high speed connectivity. 
  • Facilitate greater economic cooperation, digital inclusion etc.

Multilateral naval exercise Komodo started in Bali, Indonesia.

About Exercise Komodo

• Aimed at enhancing maritime interoperability and regional security cooperation.
• INS Shardul and Long Range Maritime Surveillance P8I aircraft will participate in it.
• First launched in 2014, it is a non-combat military exercise organized by Indonesian Navy to foster maritime cooperation among friendly nations.

As per a study, loggerhead turtle can learn and remember the magnetic signature of different geographic regions.

About Loggerhead Turtles 

• Appearance: Large heads with powerful jaws.
• Habitat: Subtropical and temperate waters in Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Oceans, and Mediterranean Sea.
• Lifespan: 70 to 80 years or more.
• Behavior
  • Like all sea turtles, they are marine reptiles and must come to surface to breathe air.
  • Carnivores and only occasionally consuming plant material.
  • Remarkable navigators, often returning to feeding sites after long migrations. 
• Conservation Status
  • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • IUCN: Vulnerable

New study has uncovered a significant pause in coral reef growth in the Gulf of Aqaba during the late Holocene period.

About Gulf of Aqaba (Gulf of Eilat)

• Location: Northeastern extension of Red Sea, penetrating between Arabia peninsula & Sinai Peninsula. 
  • Tiran Strait connects Gulf of Aqaba with Red Sea.
  • It is integral part of East African Rift System.
• Bordering countries: Israel, Jordan, Egypt & Saudi Arabia.
• NEOM Brine Pools (salty underwater lakes) have been discovered in Gulf of Aqaba.

IIT Kanpur develops an innovative Solar Dehydration Technology aimed at preserving agricultural produce using sustainable energy.

About Solar Dehydration Technology

• It is a process that uses sunlight to remove moisture from the food.
• It allows farmers to preserve fruits & vegetables for longer periods through solar energy.
• Significance:
  • Provides cost-effective solutions to fluctuating market prices, hence boosting farmer’s income.
  • Reduces wastage, increases shelf life & enhances marketability of produce. 

Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying in collaboration with WOAH have set a roadmap for Public-Private Partnerships in Livestock Sector.

About WOAH (HQ: Paris, France)

• Genesis: An intergovernmental organisation founded in 1924.
• Mission: Ensure transparency on global animal diseases; Collect, analyse and disseminate veterinary scientific information; Encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases etc.
• Membership: 183 members including India.
• Governance: World Assembly of Delegates is highest authority.
• International standards: WOAH is WTO reference organisation for standards relating to animal health and zoonoses.

Researchers have discovered a new type of brain cells, named Ovoid cells.

About Ovoid cells

• Type of neuron that plays a fundamental role in recognition memory — the process by which the brain differentiates between new and familiar objects and forms long-term memories.
• Ovoid cells, named for their distinct egg-like shape, are present within the hippocampus of humans, mice, and other animals. 
• These cells activate whenever we encounter something new, triggering a process that stores objects in memory.
• Finding could aid in the treatment of brain conditions related to object recognition, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Epilepsy.