Daily News Digest:23 November 2020

OLDEST KNOWN HUMAN-MADE NANOSTRUCTURES DISCOVERED

Unearthed from an archaeological site in Keezhadi, Tamil Nadu, scientists discovered the oldest known human-made nanomaterials in the “unique black coatings” of ancient pottery shards dated to 600 BC. These coatings are made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which have enabled the layer to last more than 2600 years.

LONGEST MIGRATING SMALL BIRD WILLOW WARBLER SPOTTED IN INDIA FOR THE FIRST TIME

Willow Warbler was seen for the first time in the Vellayani-Punchakkari rice fields in Kerala, India. It is one of the longest small migratory birds that breed throughout northern and temperate Europe and the Palaearctic. It weighs around 10 g. The long wing feathers used to migrate long distances.

STATES, UTs TO DESIGNATE NODAL AGENCY FOR PROTECTION OF WATER BODIES- NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT)

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed all States and Union Territories (UT) to designate a nodal agency for the restoration of water bodies. A Bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel instructed that under the oversight of Chief Secretaries of the States/UTs, the designated nodal agency may hold its meeting by January 31 to survey the situation and plan further steps.

INDIA-INTERNATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL OF SHILLONG WILL NOT BE CELEBRATED DUE TO COVID-19PANDEMIC

Shillong the capital of Meghalaya hosts the only Cherry Blossoms festival in India known as the India International Cherry Blossom Festival. It attracts a record number of tourists annually in Shillong but has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19 pandemic.

5 TECHNOLOGIES RECOMMENDED BY THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE OF JAL JEEVAN MISSION

A Multi-disciplinary Technical Committee set up under the Jal Jeevan Mission has recommended 5 technologies in order to provide field-level solutions to the states. The 5 technologies are: Johkasou technology, Grundfos AQpure, Janajal Water on Wheel, Presto Online Chlorinator, FBTec.

NATIONAL PHARMACY WEEK

Delhi Pharmaceutical Trust in collaboration with the Indian Pharmaceutical Association celebrated the 59th National Pharmacy Week between Nov 16, 2020, and Nov 22, 2020. It was celebrated under the theme "Pharmacists: Frontline Health Professionals". The Indian Pharmaceutical Association has been organizing the National Pharmacy Week during the third week of November every year.

RORIDOMYCES PHYLLOSTACHYDIS

The new species of mushroom named Roridomyces phyllostachydis was first seen near a stream in Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong in East Khasi Hills district. Later it was seen at Krang Shuri in West Jaintia Hills district in August. It is a bioluminescent or light-emitting variety of mushroom thus it is now one among the 97 known species of bioluminescent fungi in the world. The new species is the first mushroom in the Roridomyces genus to be found in India.