Antarctic ice thicker than previously thought: study

Groundbreaking 3D mapping of previously inaccessible areas of the Antarctic has found that the sea ice fringing the vast continent is thicker than previous thought.

Two expeditions to Antarctica by scientists from the U.K., U.S. and Australia analysed an area of ice spanning 5,00,000 metres squared, using a robot known as SeaBed.

They survey discovered ice thickness average between 1.4m and 5.5m, with a maximum ice thickness of 16m. Scientists also discovered that 76 per cent of the mapped ice was ‘deformed’ — meaning that huge slabs of ice have crashed into each other to create larger, denser bodies of ice.

The team behind the research, published in Nature Geoscience , have hailed it as an important breakthrough in better understanding the vast icy wilderness. The findings will provide a starting point to further work to discover how ice thickness, as well as extent, is changing. Previously, measurements of Antarctic ice thickness were hindered by technological constraints.

SeaBed, an autonomous underwater vehicle (or AUV), was used by the research team to analyse ice thickness at an underwater depth of 20 to 30 metres. Driven in a “lawnmower” pattern, the two-metre long robot used upward-looking sonar to measure and map the underside of sea ice floes. Oceanography robots are usually focussed on the sea floor.

The mapping took place in 2010 and 2012. It took researchers to the coastal areas of the Weddell, Bellingshausen, and Wilkes Land regions of Antarctica. The teams came from the British Antarctic Survey, the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies in Tasmania and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the U.S.

Dr. Guy Williams, from IMAS, said the research is an important step in gauging changes to Antarctic ice. “Sea ice is an important indicator of the polar climate but measuring its thickness has been tricky,” he said. “Along with the satellite data, it was a bit like taking an X-ray of the ice although we haven’t X-rayed much of it, just a postage stamp.”

As well as tracking alterations due to climate change, the research will be of interest to marine biologists due to the creatures, such as krill, that inhabit the region.

Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research

The Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) has been set up by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The AcSIR has been set up through an Act of Parliament named the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research Act, 2011. This has come into force w.e.f. 3rd April, 2012. The AcSIR is an institution of national importance. It imparts instructions and awards degrees in frontier areas of cross and trans-disciplinary Science and Technology. Since its initiation, over 2503 courses have been formulated by the AcSIR. Student enrolment under different courses since 2011, include: 2667 for Ph.D. in science; 418 for Ph.D. in Engineering; 484 in Integrated M.Tech. - Ph.D. programme; 24 in Integrated M.Sc. - Ph.D. programme; and 10 in Advanced Diploma. of these, 312 M.Tech. (Engg.) students and 66 Ph.D. students have been awarded degrees until date. Environment Friendly Technologies Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Resources are collaborating through joint expert committee meetings, inter-ministerial consultations and delegations to articulate research and development priorities to come up with energy efficient and environment friendly technologies. Three multi institutional networked virtual Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centres on solar energy, second generation biofuels and building energy efficiency. The research carried so far has resulted in 72 publications in peer reviewed journals and a patent has also been filed. Department of Biotechnology has set up 3 Bio-energy Centres viz. (i) DBT-Institute of Chemical Technology Centre for Energy Bio-Sciences at Mumbai for developing biotechnologies for improved bio fuel production (ii) DBT-IOC Centre for Advanced Bio-Energy Research at Faridabad for research, development and deployment of technologies and (iii) DBT-ICGEB Centre for Advanced Bio-Energy Research at New Delhi for higher lipid and bio mass yield.

Carlsen reigns supreme again

Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand’s bid to regain the title was foiled in Sochi, Russia, with a game to spare. The gifted young Norwegian, Magnus Carlsen, produced a result similar to the one seen in Chennai last year when he dethroned the genial Indian in his own backyard. But unlike the clash last November, the latest war of the pieces for the crown was closely fought, with the valiant Anand gaining praise from the chess world. He was far more proactive in his approach and not intimidated by the strongest player on the planet. Anand bounced back immediately to avenge the defeat suffered in the second game. There were times when he made Carlsen look vulnerable if not outright beatable. The Norwegian did admit to being inconsistent in the 12-game match that he won after emerging stronger in the penultimate encounter. It was equally true that Anand had his chances in Game 6 where he failed to capitalise on one of Carlsen’s rare blunders, and in Game 11 where he went for an unequal exchange when he could have held the game with careful play. Anand’s positive intent was hard to miss, and Carlsen described the match as “much tougher than last time”. He said: “I am happy and relieved. I’m very happy with the way I pulled myself together.” Devastated after the loss of the title last year, Anand earned the right to challenge Carlsen by winning the Candidates tournament in March this year. He went on to claim the prestigious Bilbao Masters title to show that his form was far better than it was 12 months ago. Carlsen, on the other hand, had been performing a shade below his own lofty standards. Therefore, going by the form of the two players, the match was expected to provide much closer battles — and it did. The decisive difference between two of the finest players in the cerebral sport was Carlsen’s ability to deal with pressure and complications better. It was not often that Carlsen yielded much ground, but whenever he did so, Anand failed to cash in on the opportunity. At key moments, Carlsen proved stronger than Anand. Though the difference between the players’ performance was marginal, Anand’s mistakes proved decisive while Carlsen’s less-than-optimal moves went unpunished. To the 23-year-old’s credit, he dealt with the game-turning moments better than Anand did at age 44. If Carlsen thought Anand ran him close till the end, the Indian was gracious after the match. “I have to admit Magnus was superior. His nerves held up better. All things taken into account, he just played better,” said Anand. Whether the Indian maestro will get another chance to challenge the Norwegian, remains to be seen. But age is certainly not on Anand’s side. Justice C.K.Prasad, Retd. Judge of the Supreme Court of India appointed as Chairman Press Council of India

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of Section 5 of the Press Council Act, 1978 (37 of 1978), the Central Government hereby notifies the nomination of Justice C.K. Prasad, retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India, as the Chairman of the Press Council of India.

Delhi Declaration’ at closing of PPD International Conference focuses on Youth to harness Demographic Dividend

Sh J P Nadda, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, chaired the closing session of the 11th International Inter-ministerial Conference on Population and Development being organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with the Partners in Population and Development (PPD), here today. The Delhi Declaration was passed at the end of the two-day international conference which saw participation of Health Ministers and senior officers from 26 member countries of PPD. The Delhi Declaration acknowledges the strategic value of Partners in Population and Development, which currently includes 26 member countries currently representing nearly 60% of the world’s population, to the attainment of national, regional and global goals on health, population and sustainable development through South-South Cooperation. It emphasizes the importance of demographic dividend as a critical window of opportunity for improving equitable population, health and socioeconomic outcomes, with a focus on investments and appropriate alignment of national legislation, policies and resource allocation for adolescents and youth, as well as older people. With the Delhi Declaration, the member countries have agreed to create an enabling environment, through laws, policies and entitlements, for children, adolescents, youth, women and men across the life course to realize their rights. They have also agreed to accord highest priority to institutionalize investments in the demographic dividend by integrating population issues into national development plans across sectors, including health; nutrition; education and skills development; employment for inclusive economic participation and resilience. The 26 member countries have committed to develop comprehensive, multi-sectoral plans to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls and ending gender inequality and discrimination in laws (formal and customary) and in policies. Recognize the importance of sexual and reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health services, as well as the importance of engaging men and boys, as entry points to address violence against women and girls.

Global Warming

The Government has conducted a scientific study on climate change caused by global warming and its impact on monsoon. Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Govt of India had undertaken the Indian second National Communication to UNFCCC during 2009-2011(NATCOM-II). The communication had been a national effort which involved many multi-disciplinary scientific groups. Ministry of Earth Sciences carried out scientific studies on projected climate change and variability under Global and Regional Climate Change (GRCC) government programme under which programme a dedicated Centre for Climate Change Research (CCCR) within the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, was established. Monsoon rainfall varies on different spatial and temporal scales. Extreme rainfall events that occur at some isolated places (viz. heavy rainfall over Mumbai or in Rajasthan) are highly localized and are part of the natural variability of the Indian monsoon system itself. Although, some recent studies hint at an increasing frequency and intensity of extremes in rainfall during the past 40-50 years, their attribution to global warming is yet to be established. Moreover, the report of the Inter- governmental Panel on Climate Change and our country`s own assessment using regional climate models indicate that the extremes rainfall events are likely to be more frequent in the later part of the 21st century all over the world including India. As regards other extreme weather phenomena, there are many other reasons for their occurrence, which cannot always be related to climate change. Although, the monsoon rainfall at all India level does not show any trend but on regional scale, areas of increasing trend is discerned. It is not clear if this increasing trend in the heavy rainfall events is attributable to global warming. Summary of the observed long term changes so far include: (i) Mean annual surface air temperatures show a significant warming of about 0.5 degree C/100 years during the last century. (ii) No significant long-term trends are reported in the frequencies of large-scale droughts or floods in the summer monsoon season. (iii) The average seasonal rainfall over India has shown decline in the last five decades, especially after 1970, that is not found to be statistically significant. Further over core monsoon zone, the contribution from increasing heavy rain events is offset by decreasing moderate events and hence on the long term the change is not appreciable. Many studies have discussed the possible reasons for recent weakening monsoon. Studies were undertaken in four climate sensitive regions of the country, viz. Himalayan Region, Western Ghats, North Eastern Region, Coastal Areas to assess the possible impacts on the four sectors viz. agriculture, water, forests and health. A Report entitled, Climate Change & India: A 4X4 Assessment – A Sectoral and Regional Assessment of Impact of Climate Change in 2030s, has been released by the Government during November, 2010 under the aegis of the Indian Network of Climate Change Assessment (INCCA). Global warming has been attributed largely to the increase in concentration of greenhouse gases mainly from anthropogenic activities. The Government has initiated the National Action Plan on Climate Change in specific areas for addressing long term and integrated strategies for achieving key goals of sustainable development in the context of climate change, so as to reduce its adverse impacts. Government of India is setting up a National Institute for Climate Change Studies and Actions (NICCA) under Climate Change Action Programme (CCAP) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change with an objective to support all scientific, technical and analytical studies relating to climate change policy and implementing strategies. The institute has an outlay of Rs. 25 crores for the 12th Five Year Plan out of an allocated budget of Rs. 290 crores for CCAP

Forecasting of Natural Calamities

Forecasting of Natural Calamities

The Government has latest scientific techniques to forecast the natural calamities in the country as far as the Hydro-meteorological hazards (Cyclones; heat wave/cold wave; Heavy rainfall events; Thunderstorms) and Tsunami are concerned. Improvement of weather forecasting services is a continuous process. As part of its XI five year plan, Government had implemented a comprehensive modernization programme for Earth System Science Organization-India Meteorological Department (ESSO-IMD) covering upgradation of (i) observation systems (ii) advanced data assimilation tools (iii) advanced communication and IT infrastructure (iv) high performance computing systems and (v) intensive/sophisticated training of IMD personnel to facilitate the implementation of advanced global/regional/meso-scale prediction models for improving the accuracy of weather forecasts in all temporal and spatial scales and for quick dissemination of weather forecast assessments/warnings to the users. Operational implementation of improved forecast suite of models after the commissioning of the High Performance Computing (HPC) systems have enhanced the weather forecasting capacities through assimilating all available global satellite radiance data for the production of forecast products at 22Km grid globally and 9Kms/3Kms grid over India/regional/mega city domains. The performance evaluation of the updated global/meso-scale forecast systems for the past 5-7 years have demonstrated enhanced forecast skill by about 18% quantitatively as far as the track and landfall forecasts of the tropical cyclones are concerned. As and when the cyclone systems move in to the 500Km surveillance range of DWRs, identification of strong wind zones and pockets of heavy rainfall within the core cyclone area is carried out and their rapid changes are monitored on continuous basis. IMD currently operates 5- Doppler Weather Radars (DWR) at Chennai, Machilipatnam, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Sriharikota on the east coast along with a network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) for continuous weather surveillance over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. ESSO-IMD has operationalized its location specific nowcasting weather service across the country. This service activity currently covers 147 urban centres on experimental basis under which nowcast of severe weather (Thunderstorms; heavy rainfall from lows/depressions over the land) in 3-6h range is issued. Origin, development/movement of severe weather phenomena are regularly monitored through DWRs and with all available other observing systems (AWSs; ARGs; Automatic Weather Observing Systems-AWOS; satellite derived wind vectors, temperature, moisture fields etc. Integrated Agro-meteorological Advisory Service (AAS) is rendered now on twice-weekly basis in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), institutions of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) etc. Realized weather of the previous week and quantitative district level weather forecast for next 5-days in respect of rainfall, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity and clouds as well as weekly cumulative rainfall forecast are provided. Further, crop specific advisories, generated in partnership with SAUs and ICAR, to help the farmers are issued and widely disseminated. The AAS of ESSO-IMD has been successful in providing the crop specific advisories to the farmers at the district/agro-climatic zone level twice weekly through different print/visual/Radio/ IT based wider dissemination media including short message service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response Service (IVRS) facilitating for appropriate field level actions. Government feels that the upgradation of the observing system, high performance computing, communication, forecast/warning systems, product dissemination systems etc. should become a part of continuing process by which state-of-the art science and technology tools shall be made accessible to the scientists engaged in weather research and forecasting towards enhancing the service quality.

New Foreign Trade Policy to address slowdown concerns of exporters: Commerce Secretary

New Foreign Trade Policy to address slowdown concerns of exporters: Commerce Secretary

The ensuing Foreign Trade Policy will address the exporters’ concerns of slowdown in several key markets like European Union and Japan even as a lot of policy developments and diversification measures are being worked out to deal with the unveiling challenges of merchandise exports, Commerce Secretary Shri Rajeev Kher said today . Releasing Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC)’s India Strategy Paper for Engineering Exports, Shri Kher said while a steep fall in engineering exports in October, after a good run in earlier months, came as a “shocker” to him, there is no room for pessimism as “a lot of policy developments....are happening. Besides, the focus on manufacturing is going to throw opportunities in sectors like Defence and Technology”. He said the government is aware of the challenges being faced by the exporters in the backdrop of slowdown in EU, Japan and China, but the policy measures would target new markets like Africa, South East Asia and CIS countries. Shri Kher emphasised on the value chain movement by exporters for staying competitive in the global markets. In this context, the liberalisation in the FDI policies underway would help exporters move up the value chain and help them gain scaling essential for the international markets. According to the EEPC India Strategy Paper, India will need to ride on the back of the FDI inflows along with high-end technology particularly from large enterprises to boost engineering exports to just about double the country’s engineering exports to USD 126 billion by 2018-19. India’s engineering exports in the year FY 2018-19 will remain between US$86 billion to US$126 billion from US$62 billion in 2014. “While the US$126 Bn aspiration might be considered aggressive in light of the current economic scenario but a number of factors give us reason to think otherwise,” the EEPC India paper done by consultancy major KPMG , pointed out. Large foreign enterprises have important role to play in the develop­ment of innovation hubs in the nation. Often these enterprises be­come champions of innovation like Hewlett-Packard, Lockheed, and Google in the USA and Samsung and LG in South Korea. In order to create strong innovation hubs, the Government may attract large innovation oriented engineering firms to India, the paper said. The India Engineering Sourcing Show (IESS), scheduled during December 16-18 in Mumbai will focus on the way Indian firms are adapting to technology and moving up the value chain. Besides, the presence of global companies at the IESS-IV presents great opportunities for the home grown firms to connect with the international businesses. Foreign direct investment inflows not only provide capital but they also add to resources that can be invested in, bridge the gap between domestic savings and investments, generate employment and contribute to the exchequer in the form of taxes. Importantly by attracting top companies via the FDI route, one can adopt technology and best management practices thereby increasing productivity and output. In the Indian engineering context, it is seen that sectors which have attracted FDI have performed better than average. The paper recommended that an unambiguous environmental and pollution laws and time bound action for same clearance should be spelt out by the government. It also suggested tax incentives to the expatriates for the export oriented units. This may attract expatriates of multinational engineering firms to work out of India. The paper noted with concern that no significant reshuffle in terms of skill and technology intensity is observed in the Indian engineering exports basket over the years and India continues to be an exporter of products of low and me­dium skill and technology. Overall India has not performed well in product categories which require high technical know-how and skills, which is in line with Heckscher-Olin hypothesis which states that labour abundant countries produce and export more labour intensive goods and capital abundant nations manufacture and export more capital intensive goods. It can be seen from the average export and import volume data for the three year period from 2010 to 2012, that India exports more low skill and technology intensive products to USA than high skill and technology intensive products. Sharing these concerns, EEPC India Chairman Mr Anupam Shah said, “Capabilities which are required to be developed are easy access to raw materials, cheaper raw materials, technology up -gradation and product innovation, lower logistic cost and better infrastructure, skilled workforce and favourable terms of trade to increase”. The EEPC India-KPMG paper said India imports more high skill and technology intensive engineer­ing products from Germany and China than it exports to these na­tions. China’s high skill and technology intensive exports to India are approximately fifteen times larger than India’s high skill exports to China (considering average volume for the period from 2010 to 2012).