1) Union Government launches augmented reality application `Sakaar`.
- Union Government has launched Augmented Reality technology based mobile application named `Sakaar` to highlight the achievements of the Department of Space.
- It was launched by Minister of State (MoS) in the Department of Atomic Energy Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi.
- Sakaar application and its multimedia content for Android devices is developed by Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU) of ISRO.
- The application consists of 3 Dimensional (3D) models of Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), RISAT, indigenous rockets such as PSLV, GSLV Mk-III etc. It also has videos of INSAT 3D-predicting cyclones, MOM launch and orbit insertion videos, 360 degree animated view of MOM, GSLV D5/ Cryo and Anaglyph of Mars surface.
What is Augmented Reality technology?
- Augmented Reality (AR) technology is computer-generated 3D models, animations, videos that augments (or supplements) the live direct view of a physical, real-world environment.
- With the help of device’s camera the real time augmentation and information is overlaying takes place which enhances user’s current perception.
- Essentially AR requires three basic elements for its functioning. They are AR application, AR Markers and Android OS enabled mobile with back camera.
2) Researchers create World’s thinnest bulb from graphene.
- Researchers have created the world’s thinnest light bulb using graphene as filament.
- It was created by team of scientist led by Young Duck Kim comprising members from Columbia University School of Engineering, Seoul National University and Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science.
About the Graphene bulb:
- It uses graphene, a perfectly crystalline form of carbon as a filament. The filament is attached to metal electrodes and suspended the strips above the substrate.
- After current is passed through filament it heats up to over 2,500°C and produces exceptionally bright light.
Applications:
- The new type of thinnest bulb can be used as broadband light emitter.
- It can also be integrated into chips which will pave the way towards the realisation of atomically flexible, thin and transparent displays.
- It will also help to boost graphene-based on-chip high speed optical communications.
3) Anti-Malarial compound DDD107498 that inhibits protein synthesis discovered.
- A novel anti-malarial compound DDD107498 that inhibits protein synthesis was discovered by the scientists. The study related to the discovery was published in the Journal Nature.
- It was found to target the translocation elongation factor 2 (eEF2) which is responsible for the GTP-dependent translocation of the ribosome along messenger RNA, and is essential for protein synthesis. This discovery of eEF2 as a viable anti-malarial drug target opens up new possibilities for drug discovery.
4) Micromax launches world’s slimmest, lightest 4G phone
- Homegrown handset firm Micromax launched its latest flagship Smartphone which it claims to be the world’s slimmest and lightest 4G device.
- With a thickness of 5.1 mm (end-to-end) and weighing 97 gm, the phone is priced at Rs. 17,999 and will be available from June-end across the country.
5) China launches world`s first electric plane BX1E.
- China has made the world`s first electric passenger aircraft that could be used in pilot training, tourism, meteorology and rescue operations.
- The BX1E has a 14.5-meter wingspan and a maximum payload of 230 kgs.
- It can fly at an altitude of 3,000 meters. The charging is completed within two hours, allowing a flight time of 45 minutes to one hour, at a maximum speed of 160 km per hour, Xinhua news agency reported.
- The plane, which has received airworthiness certificate, was designed by Shenyang Aerospace University and Liaoning general aviation academy in the northeastern Liaoning Province.
6) ISRO`s GAGAN to provide navigational support to Railways.
- ISRO will provide navigational support to the country’s Railways through ‘GAGAN’ (GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation) system.
- GAGAN is an indigenous navigational guide system developed by ISRO on the lines of GPS system of the US.
- By using GAGAN software system, a train will get to know the location of any unmanned level crossing by a warning signal.
- Once this warning signal is given, the train’s hooter will automatically start when it comes near an unmanned crossing.
About GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN):
- GAGAN was jointly developed by the ISRO and Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the advancement of air navigation. It is an indigenous navigational guide system developed on the lines of GPS system of the US.
- Presently, GAGAN signal is broadcasted through two Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites-GSAT8 and GSAT10. The system was launched in 2011 as a payload with GSAT-8.
- With this launch India had joined the club elite nations comprising of US, Europe and Japan who have the same level of space-based augmentation for navigational purpose.
7) Print Wikipedia, in 7,600 volumes, to sell for $500,000.
- In an ambitious project, a New York artist is creating a print edition of Wikipedia that runs to 7,600 volumes and is priced at $500,000.
- Michael Mandiberg, who teaches at the College of Staten Island and the Graduate Centre of the City University of New York.
- It has written software that parses the entirety of the English-language Wikipedia database and programmatically lays out 7,600 volumes, complete with covers, and then uploads them to print-on-demand site Lulu.com.
- An exhibition in New York’s East Village will show the entire 11GB compressed file being uploaded to the site.
8) HAL delivers Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft body.
- Continuing to contribute to the Indian space programme, defence PSU HAL said it has delivered `Orbiter Craft Module Structure` of Chandrayaan-2 to ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC).
- Chandrayaan-2 is a two module configuration spacecraft comprising of the `Orbiter Craft` and the `Lander Craft`.
- The Orbiter Craft Module structure weighs three tonne made out of a central composite cylinder, shear webs and deck panels.
- Note: India successfully launched Chandrayan – 1, on October 22, 2008.
9) Immunogen eOD-GT8 60mer can stimulate immune System to block HIV/AIDS infection in mice.
- Scientists have designed a new experimental HIV vaccine candidate that may stimulate the immune system to block infection from the deadly virus.
- New research led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and The Rockefeller University shows in mice that the vaccine candidate can stimulate the immune system activity necessary to stop HIV infection.
- The findings could provide key information for the development of an effective AIDS vaccine.
10) You can soon Change Tv Channels with your mind.
- A new technology that reads brain-waves to allow users to change TV channels with their mind has been developed in the UK.
- For its latest project, the BBC took a simple low cost brain-wave reading headset and, working with UK based user experience studio This Place, created a ‘Mind Control TV’ prototype.
- It allows users to open an experimental version of BBC iPlayer and select a TV programme to view, using nothing but their brain-waves.