Current Affairs May 2014
Shrinking Antarctic ice moving Earth 400 km down
As per scientists, earth’s mantle under Antarctica is moving rapidly, changing the shape of the land at a rate that can be recorded by GPS. Researchers have explained for the first time why the upward motion of Earth’s crust in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula is currently occurring so rapidly.
Earlier studies have found that the Earth is ‘rebounding’ due to the overlying ice sheet shrinking in response to climate change. This movement of the land was understood to be due to an instantaneous, elastic response followed by a very slow uplift over thousands of years. But Global Positioning System (GPS) data has shown that the land in this region is actually rising at a phenomenal rate of 15mm a year – much greater than what can be accounted for by the present-day elastic response alone. And scientists have shown for the first time how the mantle below the Earth’s crust in the Antarctic Peninsula is flowing much faster than expected, probably due to subtle changes in temperature or chemical composition. This shows that the mantle can flow more easily and therefore responds much more rapidly to the reduction of load hundreds of kilometers above it, changing the shape of the land. So as the glaciers slenderize and the load in that localized area decreases, the mantle pushes up the crust.
Since 1995, several ice shelves in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula have melted and caused ice-mass unloading, leading to the solid Earth to ‘bounce back’. The ice puts downward pressure on the Earth and as this weight reduces the crust bounces back.
As per scientists, earth’s mantle under Antarctica is moving rapidly, changing the shape of the land at a rate that can be recorded by GPS. Researchers have explained for the first time why the upward motion of Earth’s crust in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula is currently occurring so rapidly.
Earlier studies have found that the Earth is ‘rebounding’ due to the overlying ice sheet shrinking in response to climate change. This movement of the land was understood to be due to an instantaneous, elastic response followed by a very slow uplift over thousands of years. But Global Positioning System (GPS) data has shown that the land in this region is actually rising at a phenomenal rate of 15mm a year – much greater than what can be accounted for by the present-day elastic response alone. And scientists have shown for the first time how the mantle below the Earth’s crust in the Antarctic Peninsula is flowing much faster than expected, probably due to subtle changes in temperature or chemical composition. This shows that the mantle can flow more easily and therefore responds much more rapidly to the reduction of load hundreds of kilometers above it, changing the shape of the land. So as the glaciers slenderize and the load in that localized area decreases, the mantle pushes up the crust.
Since 1995, several ice shelves in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula have melted and caused ice-mass unloading, leading to the solid Earth to ‘bounce back’. The ice puts downward pressure on the Earth and as this weight reduces the crust bounces back.
RBI permits foreign branches of banks to sell derivatives not allowed in India
Foreign branches and overseas subsidiaries of Indian banks have been allowed by the RBI to sell structured financial and derivative products in established financial centres even if these products are not permitted in India. However, these products like Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Bond Derivatives are not allowed in the domestic market.
As per earlier norms, banks were not allowed to offer structured financial products through their branches or subsidiaries outside India that are not specifically permitted in the domestic market.
This was the outcome of the review of an earlier December 2008 circular that made it mandatory for banks to get prior approval of the RBI by rendering details of the products, including their regulatory treatment prescribed by the host-country regulators.
Foreign branches and overseas subsidiaries of Indian banks have been allowed by the RBI to sell structured financial and derivative products in established financial centres even if these products are not permitted in India. However, these products like Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Bond Derivatives are not allowed in the domestic market.
As per earlier norms, banks were not allowed to offer structured financial products through their branches or subsidiaries outside India that are not specifically permitted in the domestic market.
This was the outcome of the review of an earlier December 2008 circular that made it mandatory for banks to get prior approval of the RBI by rendering details of the products, including their regulatory treatment prescribed by the host-country regulators.
Effectiveness of Medication is Gene-dependent: Research; that’s why a particular drug is effective for certain people but not for others.
A new research attempts to answer why a particular drug is effective for certain people but not for others. The research team has found that genes play a significant role. Scientists have generated a database associating 145 genetic regions with more than 400 molecules involved in metabolism in human blood. This compendium of genetic links with metabolism provides many new opportunities to understand the molecular pathways underlying associations with common, complex diseases.
Metabolic molecules, known as metabolites, include a wide range of different molecules such as vitamins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleotides. They constitute parts of, or are the products of, all biological pathways.
This new database of associations between genetic regions and metabolite levels provides a powerful tool to identify genes that could be used in drug and diagnostic tests for a wide range of metabolic disorders. It will help in drug discovery for metabolic disorders and also facilitate scientists to understand thebiology behind disease.
A new research attempts to answer why a particular drug is effective for certain people but not for others. The research team has found that genes play a significant role. Scientists have generated a database associating 145 genetic regions with more than 400 molecules involved in metabolism in human blood. This compendium of genetic links with metabolism provides many new opportunities to understand the molecular pathways underlying associations with common, complex diseases.
Metabolic molecules, known as metabolites, include a wide range of different molecules such as vitamins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleotides. They constitute parts of, or are the products of, all biological pathways.
This new database of associations between genetic regions and metabolite levels provides a powerful tool to identify genes that could be used in drug and diagnostic tests for a wide range of metabolic disorders. It will help in drug discovery for metabolic disorders and also facilitate scientists to understand thebiology behind disease.
“Exit polls” and “Post-Poll Survey”: Are both same?
Although both the two terms “Exit polls” and “Post-Poll Survey” are used in the same context i.e. prediction of elections, there is a technical difference between the two. Exit polls are done outside the polling stations immediately after voters exit the polling booths/station. A Post-Poll Survey, on the other hand, is conducted a day or two after the voting, preferably at the homes of the voters.
In terms of accuracy, a post-poll survey helps gauge the results better as they are held in the confines of somebody’s home. Unlike exit polls where voters are caught immediately after they come out from the booths, post-poll survey are based on relatively leisurely and detailed interactions.
Most agencies have switched to post-poll surveys to gain from the process, given that polls are mostly held in phases. Exit polls are conducted only when there are single-phase elections. Agencies, nowadays, utilize a mix of post-poll survey and exit polls on the last day of elections to generate immediate results.
Although both the two terms “Exit polls” and “Post-Poll Survey” are used in the same context i.e. prediction of elections, there is a technical difference between the two. Exit polls are done outside the polling stations immediately after voters exit the polling booths/station. A Post-Poll Survey, on the other hand, is conducted a day or two after the voting, preferably at the homes of the voters.
In terms of accuracy, a post-poll survey helps gauge the results better as they are held in the confines of somebody’s home. Unlike exit polls where voters are caught immediately after they come out from the booths, post-poll survey are based on relatively leisurely and detailed interactions.
Most agencies have switched to post-poll surveys to gain from the process, given that polls are mostly held in phases. Exit polls are conducted only when there are single-phase elections. Agencies, nowadays, utilize a mix of post-poll survey and exit polls on the last day of elections to generate immediate results.
No comments:
Post a Comment