Category Archives: Science & Technology

NATIONAL: HEALTH & MEDICAL: RESEARCH: The Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) in Lucknow, Develops Oral Pill to Cure Fractures

The Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) in Lucknow has developed an oral pill that will help in healing fracture in lesser time.

The phase-1 clinical trials of CDRI-1,500 molecule will begin soon.

CDRI’s senior principal scientist Divya Singh, said, “As accident rate in India is among the highest in the world, which leads to significant morbidity and mortality, development of this medicine which gives quick relief, has no side-effects and can heal fractures at a faster rate is much needed.”

She further said, “CDRI is presently working on two novel bone healing entities CDRI-1500 and CDRI-399. We have received all the required approvals from drug regulatory bodies and are ready for the phase-1 clinical trial of CDRI-1500.”

The scientist said CDRI-1500 is a first-in-class orally active fracture healing synthetic molecule. Currently, there is no orally active fracture healing synthetic molecule available nationally or internationally.

So far BMP2 molecule has been approved for fractures suffered by children and adults by the Food and Drug Administration. However, the use of BMP2 is restricted as it leads to numerous clinical complications and involves a very high cost, she added.

On the other hand, CDRI-1500 will not only be safe and economical but intake of this tablet will provide a quicker relief from pain as it promotes the expression of genes involved in bone regeneration and repair.

The main advantage of CDRI-1500 is that even its low dose has been found to be effective in healing fractures, she said.

“In our experiments, we found that the molecule promoted fracture healing in Sprague Dawley rats and New Zealand white rabbits at a very low dose given orally to rats and rabbits. We have received an Indian and US patent for the CDRI 1500 molecule,” Divya Singh added.

source/content: bhaskarlive.in / IANS (headline edited)

NATIONAL: INDIAs FIRST : GREEN ENERGY: Adani Green Energy (AGEL) becomes India’s First to surpass 10,000 MW renewable energy; Gautam Adani says proud to be India’s first ‘das hazari’

AGEL’s 10,934 MW operational portfolio will power more than 5.8 million homes and avoid about 21 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, the company said.

Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) on Wednesday announced that it has surpassed 10,000 megawatts (MW) of operational portfolio, delivering reliable, affordable, and clean power to the national grid. AGEL’s operational portfolio consists of 7,393 MW solar, 1,401 MW wind and 2,140 MW wind-solar hybrid capacity. “The milestone is a testament to AGEL and its development partners firmly moving towards the goal of 45,000 GW renewable energy by 2030,” the company said in a regulatory filing.

AGEL’s 10,934 MW operational portfolio will power more than 5.8 million homes and avoid about 21 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, it said.

“We are proud to be India’s first das hazari in the renewables space,” said Gautam Adani , Chairman of the Adani Group . “In less than a decade, Adani Green Engergy has not just envisioned a greener future but has actualised it, growing from a mere idea to explore clean energy to achieving a phenomenal 10,000 MW in installed capacity. This achievement is a demonstration of the rapidity and scale at which the Adani Group aims to facilitate India’s transition to clean, reliable and affordable energy. In our drive towards 45,000 MW by 2030, we are building the world’s largest renewable energy plant in Khavda — a 30,000 MW project unparalleled on the global stage. AGEL is not just setting benchmarks for the world but redefining them.”

Sumant Sinha-promoted ReNew has also crossed 10,000 MW of operational renewable energy capacity as of March 31 this year, according to sources in the company.

Tata Power Renewable Energy’s (TPREL) operational capacity is 4,471 MW, which includes 3,444 MW solar and 1,027 MW wind capacity. The total renewables capacity of TPREL has reached 9,018 MW (PPA capacity is 7,632 MW), including 4,547 MW projects under various stages of implementation, the company said recently.

AGEL’s operating portfolio is certified ‘single-use plastic free’, ‘zero waste-to-landfill’ and ‘water positive for plants with more than 200 MW capacity’.

In terms of its contribution to India’s renewable energy goals, AGEL is working on greenfield expansion in the sector, represents about 11 per cent of the country’s installed utility-scale solar and wind capacity, contributes to over 15 per cent of India’s utility-scale solar installations, and has created over 3,200 direct green jobs.

(With Inputs from Raghavendra Kamath, Financial Express)

source/content: financialexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL: SPACE & TECHNOLOGY: Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) announces successful deployment of sub-metre resolution optical satellite TSAT-1A from Kennedy Space Centre, Florida

TSAT-1A was launched from Kennedy Space centre aboard the Bandwagon-1 mission by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) announced the successful deployment in space of its sub-metre resolution optical satellite, TSAT-1A, by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite was placed in space as part of the Bandwagon-1 mission and was launched from Kennedy Space centre, Florida, U.S., at 11:16 p.m. UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on April 7.

“This achievement follows the collaboration signed between TASL and Satellogic in November 2023, leveraging Satellogic’s expertise to develop and integrate an advanced earth observation satellite in India and TASL’s capability to undertake complex system integration,” it said in a statement. “TSAT-1A will deliver high-resolution optical satellite images with increased collection capacity, dynamic range, and low-latency delivery through its multispectral and hyperspectral capabilities.”

The statement said that TSAT-1A was assembled in TASL’s Assembly, Integration and Testing plant at its Vemagal facility in Karnataka. “This milestone shows TASL’s commitment to the space sector. This is a first step. Our partnership with Satellogic has enabled us to deliver an assembled-and-tested-in-India, best-in-class, sub-metre optical satellite which was launched by SpaceX,” Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, TASL said in the statement.

Emiliano Kargieman, CEO of Satellogic said this illustrates the flexibility of Satellogic’s space systems programme, offering governments and enterprises the ability to tailor a proven satellite model for their specific needs, and reach orbit within a favourable timeframe.

On the Bandwagon-1 mission, SpaceX said that it was its first dedicated rideshare mission launched into a mid-inclination orbit. “While our Transporter rideshare missions launch to a sun-synchronous orbit, launching to a mid-inclination orbit fills in the gaps for our customers that wish to expand their coverage or complete unique objectives,” it said on social media platform ‘X’. “Mid-inclination orbit offers a higher revisit rate, meaning the time between flyovers of the same point is faster than what is seen with other orbits.”

In addition to TSAT-1A, the Bandwagon-1 mission also had 11 other spacecraft. These include Korea’s 425Sat, HawkEye 360’s Clusters 8 & 9, Tyvak International’s CENTAURI-6, iQPS’s QPS-SAR-7 TSUKUYOMI-II and Capella Space’s Capella-14, according to SpaceX.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL / KARANTAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY : Ramesh Kunhikannan, Founder of Kaynes Technololgy Makes It To Forbes List Of Billionaires 2024

He is the Founder of Mysuru’s Kaynes Technology that supplied power systems for the Chandrayaan-3’s lander and rover.

India reached a huge milestone last year, as the country became the first nation to land a spacecraft near the unexplored south pole of the moon.

Ramesh Kunhikannan, whose company contributed largely to the historic space mission, was named on the Forbes Billionaires List 2024 for the first time this year, thanks to the historic space mission. He is presently placed among the richest people across the globe along with Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mukesh Ambani with a whopping 1.2 billion US Dollars (approx. Rs. 10,011 crore) net worth.

Ramesh Kunhikannan is the Founder and Managing Director of Kaynes Technology India, headquartered in Mysuru.

The company is famous for manufacturing electronic products. The 60-year-old billionaire graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Mysuru.

He started his company in 1988 as a contract electronics manufacturer. His spouse and current company Chairperson, Savitha Ramesh, joined the company in 1996. The company presently hold a market capitalisation of Rs. 17,156 crore with its stocks priced at around Rs. 2,700, according to Value Search.

The 36-year-old company mainly supplies electronic systems and design services to automobile industries, aerospace, medical and defence. Kaynes’ services are mainly used for electronic controls in EVs, railway signals, etc.

The shares of the company have given a return of about 234 percent since its debut. The company assembles printed circuit boards and has eight factories in India.

Kaynes supplies 350 clients across the globe in the auto, aerospace and medical industries.

It is also one of the multiple companies which largely contributed to the achievement of Chandrayan 3. The company provided power systems for the Chandrayaan-3’s lander and rover. Following the successful completion of the mission, Kaynes Technology India’s shares skyrocketed from Rs. 1,719 in August 2022 to Rs. 2683.85 as of today.

Presently, Kunhikannan holds 64 percent of the company which is around 1.1 billion US Dollars (approximately Rs. 8.3 thousand crores) to his net worth.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: DEFENCE / NAVY: Kochi becomes US Navy’s latest docking station

Cochin Shipyard has signed a Master Shipyard Repair Agreement with the US Navy as part of an agreement reached during last year’s G20 summit for India to support the US Navy’s forward deployment.

US Naval ships will now dock at, and undergo repairs, at Cochin Shipyard according to a new agreement, part of a broader naval cooperation framework agreed between India and the US during last year’s G20 summit.

Officials of Cochin Shipyard, a Government of India undertaking, signed a Master Shipyard Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the United States Navy effective from April 05, 2024 as part of a larger plan for India to support the US’ forward naval deployment in Asia.

The move, along with similar agreements signed by L&T for Kattupalli Port near Chennai and Mazgaon Docs in Mumbai, will help the U.S. Navy to establish maintenance hubs for its assets in the Indo-Pacific region.

The agreement with L&T and Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders was signed last year. These shipyards are renowned for constructing some of the Indian Navy’s most advanced and largest warships.

The U.S. Navy’s decision to partner with Indian shipyards for maintenance and repair of its vessels is driven by the limited availability of suitable facilities within the Indo-Pacific region. Currently, the shipyards capable of servicing U.S. vessels are in East Asia and South East Asia, within range of Chinese forces, posing a potential security risk.

While facilities in Hawaii and the Continental United States are available, they are not easily accessible for forward-deployed assets.

The move comes in the wake of deepening security and defense ties between the two nations, particularly in the face of shared concerns regarding China’s activities in the region. India has taken a more proactive role in regional security, engaging in multilateral initiatives such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue alongside the U.S., Japan, and Australia.

The U.S. Navy operates a vast fleet of approximately 290 ships and submarines, as well as over 3,700 aircraft, deployed across the globe.

It has significant presence in the Indian Ocean, with the U.S. 5th Fleet headquartered in Bahrain. The fleet is responsible for US’ naval forces in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

In addition to the agreements with Indian shipyards, the U.S. has also been exploring the possibility of using private Japanese shipyards for maintenance and repairs.

The first instance of a U.S. vessel being maintained and repaired in an Indian shipyard occurred in 2022, when USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) docked at L&T’s Kattupalli shipyard in Chennai.

This event marked a new dimension in the growing Indo-U.S. strategic partnership, according to the Indian Ministry of Defence. Since then, two more U.S. vessels, USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE-9) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52), have undergone maintenance and repairs at the same shipyard.

The two countries have also been holding several joint exercises and engagements. They have also signed defense agreements such as the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for sharing of logistics support, secure communications, and geospatial intelligence.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: HEALTH & MEDICAL SCIENCES: INNOVATION: IIT-Guwahati researchers develop solutions based on Regenerative Therapies for Knee Tears

IT-G has created three hydrogel formulations that are blends of silk fibroin and other polymers, which can be used by doctors in clinics, to treat the meniscus injury.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology- (IIT) Guwahati, in collaboration with University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, has formulated three treatment solutions for a knee injury that has proven difficult to treat.

By developing these key regenerative therapies, the researchers have provided possible alternative solutions to manage the problem of a knee meniscus tear, an injury to tissue in one’s knee joints, the IIT-G said in a release.

“We have developed regenerative treatment approaches that would be tailored for the patient and help in rapid healing meniscus tears or replacing parts of the damaged tissue,” Professor Biman B Mandal, department of biosciences and bioengineering, IIT-G, said.

Trauma to the knee meniscus, a cushioning tissue in the knee joint, is a common yet complex problem. A tear in the tissue can make it difficult to walk, run or perform daily activities.

The 3 hydrogels

The IIT-G team has created three hydrogel formulations that are blends of silk fibroin and other polymers, which can be used by doctors in clinics, to treat the meniscus injury.

These components, especially silk, are well known for their strength, bioactivity and flexibility. They are also cost-effective compared to other materials such as commercially available polyurethane and collagen meniscus implants, the release said.

Out of the three, one is an injectable hydrogel, which can be injected in a minimally invasive manner directly into the meniscus site to expedite the healing of smaller injuries.

For treating larger full thickness complex meniscus tissue injuries, the researchers have created two 3D bio-printable inks that can be 3D printed into implants.

In the two bioink formulations, one carries commercially available growth factor loaded microspheres, the second carries patient derived factors which are released in a sustained manner aiding faster meniscus healing. Both formulations can be 3D printed into a partial or full sized meniscus and used for healing large portions of the meniscus.

3D printing, or bioprinting, has recently emerged as a popular futuristic method for tissue engineering. Here, the implant is customized as per the patient’s requirements.

The research aims to provide a more personalised and effective treatment for meniscus injuries, potentially improving the quality of life for millions of people.

The developments signal a significant advancement, providing solutions custom-made for each patient and could also potentially prevent future complications such as osteoarthritis.

The three approaches have been published in three manuscripts in international journals Applied Materials Today and Advanced Biology, co-authored by Mandal and his team of research scholars — Ashutosh Bandyopadhyay, Baishali Ghibhela, and Sayanti Shome and Dr Debajyoti Pal, Dr Samsamul Hoque and Professor Samit K Nandi from the University of Animal and Fishery Sciences.

source/content: moneycontrol.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL: PATENTS: IIT Madras records 92% jump in Indian patents granted during 2023

The number of international patents filed, including those granted under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, also recorded a significant increase, going up to 105 in 2023, from 58 in the preceding year.

The Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IIT Madras) saw a 92 per cent jump in the number of Indian patents granted in 2023, rising from 156 patents in 2022 to 300 in 2023.

Additionally, the number of international patents filed, including those granted under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), also recorded a significant increase, going up to 105 in 2023, from 58 in the preceding year. Furthermore, as many as 221 patents have already been filed during the current financial year (as of December 2023), including 163 Indian patents and 63 international patent applications (including PCT).

Since the institute’s inception, a total of about 2,550 IP (including patent) applications have been filed both in India (1,800) and abroad (750) so far, out of which about 1,100 are registered IPs/granted patents (about 900 Indian and 200 international). Interestingly, the institute started filing patent applications as early as January 1975 (granted in May 1977). The total number of IP applications filed crossed 1,000 in 2016, 2,000 in 2022, and 2,500 in 2023.

Lauding the faculty, researchers, and students on their pioneering and translational research, V Kamakoti, director of IIT Madras, said, “As we are marching towards our 100th year of Independence, for Bharat to become a superpower, it is very important to protect our ideas. In this direction, I congratulate the faculty and students and the Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR) who have put together a very comprehensive programme, by which we have created a record in the number of patents filed.”

Researchers at IIT Madras are generating IP in domains such as wireless networks, advanced materials, robotics, additive manufacturing technology, engine advancements, assistive devices, advanced sensor applications, clean energy, aerospace applications, polymer materials, thin films, catalysts, and biomedical applications, among other emerging technologies. The Office of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR) at IIT Madras coordinates the different aspects related to intellectual property and technology transfer. The centre collaborates with faculty, researchers, and students and also has a dedicated legal cell.

Elaborating on the institute’s support provided to researchers, Manu Santhanam, dean (ICSR) at IIT Madras, said, “The institute has made it easy for inventors to access existing patent information through an online AI-based patent search tool. This facility has helped the inventors not only to quickly evaluate the invention by themselves but also to improve their ideas and claims. The emphasis is also equally on the quality of the work being translated as IP. This is only possible because of the collaborative effort of our inventors and the IP team.”

source/content: business-standard.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: HEALTH CARE / CANCER : Group of Oncologists launch Free-of-Cost second opinion Helpline Number for Cancer Patients

The number — 9355520202 — will be operational from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday.

A free-of-cost second opinion helpline number for cancer patients has been launched by a group of oncologists under their “Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign”.

Cancer patients can call on this number to speak to oncologists directly or even do a video call to discuss about their treatment.

It can be accessed by anyone in the country and promises to be a game-changer in the fight against cancer, Dr. Ashish Gupta, who is heading the campaign, said.

“Second opinion is recommended to almost all patients who have been diagnosed with cancer as it is a matter of life and death. It is also important if their condition does not improve despite treatment or if their diagnosis or treatment is in doubt. For cancer treatment, costs may be high and differ from hospital to hospital, so cost is another important reason to get a second opinion,” Gupta said.

The helpline will serve as a valuable resource for individuals faced with the daunting challenge of cancer, offering them the opportunity to consult experienced oncologists without the burden of financial constraints, he said.

The free second opinion helpline will help in ensuring that patients receive the most accurate and up-to-date information about their condition and treatment options, Gupta said.

Sharing the reason behind starting this helpline number, he said there is been a rapid increase in the number of cancer cases in India and there is a dearth of healthcare facilities and healthcare doctors.

In the rapidly evolving field of cancer treatment, where new medicines and innovative therapies are continually emerging, a second opinion becomes invaluable, Gupta said.

“With continuous research, we are witnessing advancements in cancer care that were unimaginable just a few years ago. These breakthroughs translate into better outcomes and improved quality of life for cancer patients. The second opinion helpline ensures that patients can tap into these advancements and receive update on the most effective treatments available,” he said. PTI PLB ANB ANB

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: SPACE / MOON LANDING: Chandrayaan 3’s landing site name ‘Shiv Shakti’ gets International Astronomical Union (IAU) recognition

Chandrayaan 3’s moon lander’s landing site was named Shiv Shakti on August 26 by Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 26 had announced that the landing site of Chandrayaan 3’s moon lander would be named Shiv Shakti. Six months later, the internationally recognised body for nomenclature of celestial objects has officially granted it recognition.

International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature on Tuesday approved the name ‘Statio Shiv Shakti’ for the landing site of Chandrayaan’s Vikram lander.

Chandrayaan 3 — India’s moonshot

Chandrayaan 3, India’s third lunar mission, took off from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 14. After about a month, on August 23, the Vikram lander successfully touched down on the moon, along with the Pragyan Rover. This historic achievement positioned India as the first country to land near the lunar South Pole and only the fourth to achieve a controlled lunar landing.

Following 10 days of exploration on the lunar surface, both the lander and rover entered sleep mode. Meanwhile, the propulsion module remains in lunar orbit after separating from the lander.

What is Shiv Shakti point?

On August 26, PM Narendra Modi declared that the landing site of Chandrayaan 3’s moon lander would be named Shiv Shakti .

“In Shiv, there is a resolution for the welfare of humanity, and Shakti gives us strength to fulfil those resolutions,” said Modi, while announcing the name.

The IAU’s Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, where the name was officially published, described it as a compound word from Indian mythology representing the masculine (“Shiva”) and feminine (“Shakti”) duality of nature.

Why are celestial bodies named?

Planetary nomenclature is like naming places on Earth. It helps us identify and talk about specific features on planets and moons. This list, created by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), includes all the names given to different spots on planets, moons, and even some ring systems since 1919. It makes it easier for scientists to locate and describe these places.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE / GENOME: Scientists complete project to Sequence Genomes of 10,000 Indians in hope of tailored medicines

Consortium of scientists from 20 research institutions was engaged in project funded by department of biotechnology, and aimed at genome sequencing 10,000 representative Indians from across country.

Scientists have completed a project to sequence the genomes of 10,000 Indians to build a database that could provide fresh insights into links between genes and health and fuel advances towards personalised precision medicine.

The Indian project — similar to sequencing efforts in other countries — might help pinpoint potentially deleterious genetic mutations associated with specific diseases and provide clues that could be used to develop preventive health strategies or therapy tailored for specific individuals, project scientists have said.

A consortium of scientists from 20 research institutions was engaged in the project funded by the department of biotechnology (DBT), a unit of the Union science ministry, and aimed at genome sequencing 10,000 representative Indians from across the country.

“We have in India more than 4,600 anthropologically well-defined population groups — a diversity of genomes marked by multiple migrations as well as intermixing,” said K. Thangaraj, a scientist at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, a joint coordinator of the project.

“Only a large sequencing project can meaningfully capture the diversity in our population,” said Thangaraj whose study more than 15 years ago had established that the tribes in the Andaman islands are the descendants of modern humans who trudged out of Africa some 65,000 years ago.

The 10,000 genome sequencing effort will provide “a refence genetic database” for Indian populations that can serve as a detailed catalogue of genetic variations found in India, said Y. Narahari, the project’s joint coordinator in the Centre for Brain Science at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Preliminary findings from the project include a catalogue of 135 million genetic variants identified in a set of 5,750 genome samples, the discovery of disease-specific genetic variants that appear to influence the risk of high cholesterol, several cancers and certain heart diseases, Narahari said.

The project has also helped medical researchers identify genetic variants that are associated with resistance or ineffectiveness of certain medicines such as anti-coagulant drugs and anti-viral drugs. Such findings could in future guide doctors into tailoring treatment according to a person’s genetic makeup.

The catalogue of genetic variants may serve as a starting point for expanding precision medicine in the country, according to a document outlining possible outcomes of the 10,000 genome project. Links between specific gene variants and susceptibility to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions may be used to guide individuals into reducing their risk of disease.