Friday, August 29, 2025

India-China Collaboration on Global AI Governance

India-China Collaboration on Global AI Governance



Recent developments in 2025 mark a very important moment in India-China relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin is the first since the Galwan Valley clash. Beyond diplomatic recalibration, this visit aims to encourage cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) governance. Both nations seek to influence global AI rules, reflecting the interests of the Global South rather than just the Western world.

Context of India-China Relations

India and China have faced geopolitical tensions, especially after border conflicts. Despite mistrust, both countries recognise the strategic value of working together. The SCO summit offers a platform to prioritise economic ties and emerging technologies over disputes. AI is a key area of focus given its growing global importance.

Significance of AI in Global Governance

Artificial intelligence is central to the next industrial revolution. It impacts sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and manufacturing. While AI promises growth and innovation, it also raises ethical and geopolitical concerns. Currently, Western countries dominate AI governance frameworks through entities like OECD, G7, EU, and the UN. The Global South lacks a unified voice in shaping AI rules.

India’s AI Initiatives and Vision

India’s AI market is rapidly expanding, expected to reach $8 billion by 2025 with over 40% annual growth. Government programmes such as IndiaAI Mission (2024), National Strategy for AI (2018), and AI for India 2.0 (2023) focus on ethical AI use, inclusivity, and skill development. India champions equitable AI access, especially for developing nations, and actively participates in global partnerships like the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI).

China’s AI Leadership and Governance

China aims to be the global AI leader by 2030, with a core AI industry valued over USD 140 billion. It has established comprehensive AI governance frameworks emphasising fairness, security, and inclusivity. Initiatives like the Global AI Governance Initiative (2023) and Shanghai Declaration (2024) promote South-South cooperation and equitable AI benefits. China treats AI as an international public good with priorities including data access and safety standards.

Potential for India-China AI Cooperation

Despite political differences, India and China have strong incentives to collaborate on AI governance. India’s focus on ethics and inclusivity complements China’s industrial strength and infrastructure. Both advocate for AI policies that reflect developing countries’ realities. Shared goals include reducing the digital divide, promoting fair data sharing, and supporting sustainable development.

Future Prospects

A bilateral AI task force could focus on ethics, safety, and technology transfer. Co-hosting a Global South AI Forum under the United Nations could amplify their collective voice in global AI negotiations. This partnership could prevent AI governance from being dominated solely by the Global North. Together, they can establish an AI order that is inclusive, diverse, and aligned with global societal needs.



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Thursday, August 28, 2025

Arctic Sea Ice Loss Slows Temporarily


Arctic Sea Ice Loss Slows Temporarily



Recent studies reveal that the pace of Arctic sea ice loss has slowed over the past two decades. This slowdown is temporary and linked to natural climate variability rather than a reversal of global warming trends. Scientists warn that the melting will accelerate again, possibly exceeding previous rates. The findings underline the complex interaction between human-induced climate change and natural climate cycles.

Arctic Sea Ice Decline

Arctic sea ice has been a key indicator of climate change for over 50 years. Since the 1980s, the region has lost more than 10,000 cubic kilometres of sea ice due to rising global temperatures. This melting is primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities such as burning fossil fuels. The loss of sea ice contributes to global warming by reducing the Earth’s reflective surface.

Recent Slowdown in Ice Loss

From 2003 to 2023, the rate of sea ice loss slowed to about 0.35 million square kilometres per decade. This contrasts with the peak melting rate of approximately 1.3 million square kilometres per decade between 1993 and 2012. The slowdown does not indicate recovery but reflects natural climate variability affecting the Arctic environment.

Role of Natural Climate Variability

Natural climate patterns like the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and Atlantic Multidecadal Variability influence Arctic sea ice. These patterns cause fluctuations in sea surface temperatures that can temporarily cool Arctic waters. This cooling reduces ice melt for periods lasting several years. Such internal climate variability operates alongside human-driven warming and can mask or amplify long-term trends.

Climate Models and Future Projections

Climate models simulate both historical and future Arctic conditions. They show that slowdowns in sea ice loss are expected to recur even under high greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Current projections estimate a 50% chance the slowdown lasts another five years and a 25% chance it continues for ten years. After this, melting is likely to accelerate sharply.

Implications of Accelerated Melting

When the slowdown ends, models predict an additional loss of 0.6 million square kilometres of sea ice per decade beyond the long-term average. This rapid decline will intensify global warming, contribute to sea level rise, and disrupt Arctic ecosystems. The loss of sea ice also affects weather patterns globally by altering atmospheric circulation.

Urgency for Climate Action

Despite the temporary slowdown, human greenhouse gas emissions remain at unprecedented levels, driving global temperature rise. The study emphasises that natural variability should not delay efforts to reduce emissions. Immediate climate action is essential to mitigate severe impacts on the Arctic and the global environment.




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Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Bloom Syndrome

Bloom Syndrome



Bloom Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with fewer than 300 cases reported worldwide. Recently, a 12-year-old girl in Chennai underwent a bone marrow transplant using stem cells from her younger brother, marking medical intervention in India. This disorder affects DNA repair mechanisms, leading to multiple health challenges and a high risk of cancer.

Genetic Basis and Inheritance

Bloom Syndrome is caused by mutations in the BLM gene. This gene produces a protein essential for maintaining DNA structure during replication and repair. When mutated, cells lose the ability to fix damaged DNA, causing abnormal cell growth. The condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Both parents must carry the mutation for a child to be affected. It is most common among the Ashkenazi Jewish population but occurs worldwide.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms vary widely but often include poor growth before and after birth. Affected individuals typically have below-average height and head size, with distinct facial features such as a narrow face, prominent ears, and a high-pitched voice. Skin sensitivity to sunlight causes red rashes and abnormal pigmentation. Insulin resistance can lead to diabetes. Immune deficiencies increase vulnerability to infections like ear and lung infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Other issues include hypothyroidism, developmental delays, and fertility problems in adults. Intellectual abilities are usually normal but learning disabilities may occur.

Health Complications

People with Bloom Syndrome face a markedly increased risk of cancer, often developing it early in life. By age 40, over 80% develop cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, gastrointestinal cancers, skin cancer, Wilms tumour, and osteosarcoma. The risk of cancer is 150 to 300 times higher than in the general population. These cancers appear more frequently and at younger ages.

Diagnosis and Management

Diagnosis is confirmed through cytogenetic analysis, which detects chromosome abnormalities. There is no cure for Bloom Syndrome. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications. This includes careful fluid management in infants, antibiotics for infections, immune globulin therapy for immune deficiencies, and regular monitoring for diabetes and thyroid problems. Patients are advised to avoid sun exposure and have frequent dermatological check-ups. Cancer screening is essential due to the high risk.

Bloom Syndrome in India

Though rare, cases have been reported in India. Medical literature documents a few instances, including children and adults with respiratory complications and other symptoms. The recent bone marrow transplant in Chennai marks advances in treatment options available in the country.

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Monday, August 25, 2025


Lunar Module Launch Vehicle



The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is advancing its space capabilities with the development of its heaviest rocket, the Lunar Module Launch Vehicle (LMLV). Expected to be ready by 2035, this rocket will support lunar missions, including India’s first crewed Moon mission planned for 2040. The LMLV will carry up to 27 tonnes to the Moon and 80 tonnes to low Earth orbit (LEO). This marks leap in India’s space exploration ambitions.

Early Rocketry Efforts

Before ISRO’s formal establishment, India experimented with rockets. In 1963, the US Nike Apache sounding rocket was launched from Thumba. Sounding rockets reach the upper atmosphere but cannot enter orbit. ISRO’s first indigenous launch vehicle, the SLV-3, was developed under A P J Abdul Kalam’s leadership. Its maiden launch in 1979 failed, but the subsequent 1980 launch successfully placed the Rohini-1 satellite in orbit, making India the sixth space-faring nation.

Development of Launch Vehicles

The SLV-3’s limited payload led to the Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), which added strap-on boosters to increase capacity. Despite initial failures, ASLV paved the way for more advanced rockets. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), first successfully launched in 1994, became ISRO’s reliable workhorse. With a payload capacity of 1,000 kg, it launched key missions like Chandrayaan-1 (2008) and Mangalyaan (2013).

PSLV Configurations and Impact

PSLV comes in three main variants – the generic version with six strap-ons, the core-alone (PSLV-CA) without strap-ons, and the most powerful PSLV-XL with extended strap-ons. This versatility has enabled ISRO to deploy diverse satellites for both India and international customers. PSLV also supported India’s entry into satellite navigation, vital for civilian and defence uses.

Advancements with GSLV and Cryogenic Engines

The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) addressed PSLV’s payload limits by delivering heavier satellites to higher orbits. GSLV uses indigenous cryogenic engines, burning liquid hydrogen and oxygen, developed after the US denied technology transfer in the 1990s. The GSLV Mark-III (LVM-3), tested successfully in 2014, can place 4,000 kg in geostationary orbit. It launched GSAT-19 (2017), Chandrayaan-2 (2019), and Chandrayaan-3 (2023).



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Saturday, August 23, 2025

NASA’s Surya AI

NASA’s Surya AI




NASA launched Surya, an advanced artificial intelligence model designed to transform space weather prediction. Developed alongside IBM and trained on nine years of Solar Dynamics Observatory data, Surya offers early and accurate forecasts of solar flares and eruptions. These solar events can disrupt satellites, power grids, aviation, and GPS systems on Earth. By making Surya open-source, NASA aims to encourage global collaboration to enhance protection against space weather hazards.

About Space Weather and Its Impact

Space weather originates from solar eruptions such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These release charged particles and magnetic energy that travel through the solar system. When they reach Earth, they can damage satellites, cause power outages, disrupt aviation routes, and endanger astronauts. Predicting these events is vital for safeguarding modern technology and infrastructure.

Surya – NASA’s AI Model for Solar Forecasting

Surya uses machine learning to analyse vast solar data sets. Unlike traditional models, it detects subtle solar activity patterns and predicts eruptions up to two hours in advance. This improves forecast accuracy and lead time, offering better preparedness against space weather threats. Surya’s open-source nature encourages researchers worldwide to develop new applications and improve forecasting.

Technical Challenges in Modelling the Sun

The Sun’s complexity arises from simultaneous phenomena occurring at varied scales and durations. Traditional models fragmented the system due to computational limits. Surya combines spectral block layers and a long-short transformer backbone to capture broad and fine solar details. Overcoming memory constraints and merging frequency-aware with time-series modelling were key innovations enabling this comprehensive approach.

Scientific Use Cases

Surya successfully reproduced the St. Patrick’s Day geomagnetic storm of 2015, accurately capturing its coronal mass ejection. It excelled in four research tasks – forecasting active region emergence, predicting strong solar flares, estimating solar wind speeds up to four days ahead, and forecasting extreme ultraviolet spectra. Surya outperformed existing models by up to 16% in flare prediction, demonstrating its scientific value.

Collaborative Development

The project united experts from NASA centres, universities, industry, and research institutes. Collaboration was essential for bridging AI and heliophysics expertise. Supported by the National Science Foundation and NVIDIA, Surya represents a pioneering step toward AI-assisted heliophysics. Its open-source framework aims to elevate global research and improve space weather resilience.





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Friday, August 22, 2025

Saltwater Crocodile Population Rises In Sundarbans

Saltwater Crocodile Population Rises In Sundarbans



The 2025 survey by the Forest Department reveals rise in saltwater crocodile numbers in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR). The increase is most notable in the hatchling category, a rare sight in this challenging mangrove terrain. This growth indicates improving conditions for one of the largest reptiles on Earth.

Population Growth Overview

The estimated saltwater crocodile population in SBR ranges from 220 to 242 individuals in 2025. This shows an increase from the 204 to 234 range recorded in 2024. Direct sightings in 2025 counted 213 crocodiles, including 125 adults, 88 juveniles, and 23 hatchlings. This is a marked rise from the previous year’s 71 adults, 41 juveniles, and only 2 hatchlings. The encounter rate stands at one crocodile per 5.5 kilometres of creek.

Survey Methodology

The study covered 1,168 kilometres of creeks, which is 64% of the water channels in SBR. It employed systematic surveys, GPS mapping, and habitat analysis to ensure accurate data collection. These methods helped identify population distribution and habitat preferences of the saltwater crocodiles in the region.

Habitat Preferences

Saltwater crocodiles favour creeks and rivers with high tide widths below 180 metres. They show tolerance to varying water salinity, especially during winter months. However, rising salinity levels could threaten their habitat, reducing suitability and posing risks to their conservation in the Sundarbans.

Ecological Role

As hypercarnivorous apex predators, saltwater crocodiles play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health. They help clean waterways by feeding on carcasses and wild remains, thus contributing to the balance of aquatic life in their habitats.
Conservation Efforts

West Bengal has led crocodile conservation since the 1970s. The Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project, started in 1976, has released 577 crocodiles into the wild by 2022. Such efforts have contributed to the steady population growth observed in recent years. Odisha’s pioneering conservation work also complements these regional efforts.

Climate Change Challenges

The Sundarbans face threats from climate change, including rising salinity and habitat loss. These factors may impact the long-term survival of saltwater crocodiles. Continuous monitoring and adaptive conservation strategies are essential to mitigate these risks.



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Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Sliteye Shark Recorded in Great Chagos Bank

Sliteye Shark Recorded in Great Chagos Bank




The sliteye shark has been recorded for the first time in the Great Chagos Bank. This coral atoll is the largest of its kind globally. The discovery reveals the rich and largely unexplored biodiversity of the Chagos Archipelago and its Marine Protected Area. Researchers captured images of the shark in deep seagrass habitats on the southern rim of the Bank. This finding adds new knowledge about the species and its habitat preferences.

Discovery of Sliteye Shark in Chagos

Scientists used Baited Remote Underwater Video systems to record two sliteye sharks. They were found only 11 kilometres apart at depths between 23 and 29 metres. The species is known for its narrow, slit-like eyes, which help it see in low light. Although usually found in deeper waters, the sliteye shark can also live in shallow, clear seas. This is the first time it has been documented in the Great Chagos Bank.

Significance of Deepwater Seagrass Habitats

The sliteye shark was discovered in seagrass meadows first mapped in 2016. These meadows lie deeper than previously expected, revealed by satellite tracking of green turtles. Over 110 fish species use these underwater grasslands for food and shelter. The presence of sliteye sharks shows these habitats support diverse marine life. Scientists show the importance of deepwater seagrass ecosystems for ocean biodiversity.

Physical Features and Distribution of Sliteye Shark

The sliteye shark (Loxodon macrorhinus) is a small-bodied requiem shark. It grows up to 95 cm in length with a slender body and long narrow face. Its large eyes have slit-like pupils that help in dim environments. The shark has small, smooth-edged teeth and pale grey colouring with a white belly. Its range covers tropical waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans, including coasts of India, Australia, Japan, and East Africa.

Conservation Status and Threats

The sliteye shark is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Its population is expected to decline by nearly 30% over 15 years. The main threat is heavy fishing pressure in coastal waters. The discovery in Chagos raises questions about the species’ abundance and habitat use. Protecting deepwater seagrass habitats is critical for conserving this shark and other marine species in the Indian Ocean.

Implications

This discovery strengthens the case for conserving the Great Chagos Bank and its ecosystems. Deepwater seagrass meadows are vital for many marine species. Their protection helps maintain biodiversity and ecological balance. The findings encourage further research on lesser-known habitats and species. They also show the need to manage fishing and human activities sustainably in marine protected areas.


Sliteye shark
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Celebrating Dr. Narjes Sadeghiamirshahidi’s Remarkable Research Journey #GlobalBestAchievementsAwards #WorldResearchAwards

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