The year 2024 has been marked by remarkable developments across various domains, from cutting-edge scientific discoveries to significant technological advancements. Let’s delve into some of the intriguing terms in news and concepts that have captured headlines and sparked interest:
1. Men5CV:
- Nigeria has introduced Men5CV, a new vaccine against meningitis, marking a significant advancement in global health efforts.
- Men5CV is highly effective and represents a milestone in combating meningitis, particularly in Africa where the disease burden is high.
2. Tachyons:
- Tachyons are theoretical particles hypothesized to travel faster than light.
- They are thought to have imaginary mass, which suggests they could exceed the speed of light without violating known laws of physics.
3. Gaia-BH3:
- Astronomers have identified Gaia-BH3 as the most massive stellar black hole in the Milky Way galaxy.
- This discovery was made using data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission, showcasing the mission’s significance in astronomical research.
4. Kerogen:
- Kerogen is organic matter found in source rocks that cannot be extracted using traditional solvents.
- It constitutes a major portion of organic carbon in sediments and plays a crucial role in the formation of hydrocarbons through thermal processes.
5. Doxxing:
- Doxxing is a form of online harassment involving the unauthorized disclosure of personal information about individuals.
- This information can include full names, addresses, phone numbers, workplaces, and other private details, exposing victims to privacy violations and potential harm.
6. BepiColombo:
- BepiColombo is a joint mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) to study Mercury.
- The mission aims to explore Mercury’s magnetic field, surface composition, geological features, and interactions with solar winds.
7. Defence Attache (DA):
- A Defence Attache (DA) is a military officer representing their country’s defense interests at an embassy abroad.
- DAs promote bilateral military relations and safeguard national defense interests in the host country.
8. C-Dome:
- C-Dome is a naval defense system based on Israel’s Iron Dome technology, designed to protect against missile and rocket threats at sea.
9. Funding Winter:
- Funding Winter refers to a market phase characterized by reduced capital inflow, impacting startup valuations.
- During this period, startups may struggle to secure funding and achieve high valuations in the short to mid-term.
10. Shallowfakes:
- Shallowfakes are manipulated media content created using basic editing tools, unlike deepfakes which use advanced AI algorithms.
- They can still be used for malicious purposes such as spreading misinformation or harassment.
11. S.A.R.A.H.:
- S.A.R.A.H. (Smart AI Resource Assistant for Health) is an AI prototype developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with enhanced empathetic responses.
- It aims to support healthcare initiatives and improve access to health information.
12. Swell Wave:
- Swell waves are long-wavelength ocean waves caused by distant weather systems like storms.
- They travel over vast distances and play a role in shaping coastal landscapes and marine ecosystems.
13. Negative Leap Second:
- A proposed adjustment to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) involving subtracting one second to compensate for Earth’s changing rotational speed.
- This adjustment aims to align atomic timekeeping with astronomical time scales.
14. Reverse Flipping:
- Reverse Flipping refers to overseas startups relocating their domicile to India and listing on Indian stock exchanges.
- This trend is driven by potential higher valuations and market opportunities in India.
15. T-0:
- T-0 settlement refers to immediate settlement of funds and securities on the day of trade execution.
- It represents a shift towards real-time transaction processing in financial markets.
16. SIMA:
- SIMA (Scalable Instructable Multiworld Agent) is an AI agent capable of performing various tasks across different domains.
- It exemplifies the versatility of AI technologies in addressing complex challenges.
17. Juice Jacking:
- Juice Jacking is a cyberattack where public USB charging ports are compromised to steal data or install malware on connected devices.
- This attack exploits user trust in public charging facilities.
18. Cavum Clouds:
- Cavum Clouds, also known as hole-punch or fall streak clouds, form when aircraft pass through altocumulus clouds.
- The interaction causes supercooled water droplets to freeze, creating distinctive cloud formations.
19. Orans:
- Orans are sacred groves managed by rural communities in Rajasthan, serving as biodiversity-rich community forests.
- They are preserved for cultural and ecological reasons, playing a vital role in local traditions.
20. Parrot Fever (Psittacosis):
- Parrot Fever, or psittacosis, is a bacterial infection primarily affecting birds but can be transmitted to humans.
- It is caused by Chlamydia psittaci and can lead to serious respiratory symptoms in humans.
21. Sponge Iron (DRI):
- Sponge Iron, also known as Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), is produced by reducing iron ore using a reducing gas.
- The process involves converting iron ore into a metallic iron product, which is used as an alternative feedstock in steelmaking processes.
22. Wheat Blast:
- Wheat Blast is a severe fungal disease affecting wheat crops caused by Magnaporthe oryzae.
- The disease can lead to significant yield losses in wheat production, particularly in warm and humid climates.
23. eROSITA:
- eROSITA (extended ROentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array) is an X-ray telescope onboard the Russian-German Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) observatory.
- It is designed to survey the X-ray sky with high sensitivity, providing insights into cosmic phenomena such as black holes and galaxy clusters.
24. Frozen Smoke (Aerogel):
- Frozen Smoke, scientifically known as Aerogel, is an ultralight material derived from gels where the liquid component has been replaced with gas.
- It possesses exceptional properties such as high porosity, low density, and thermal insulation, making it useful in various applications including insulation and aerospace.
25. Grey Zone Warfare:
- Grey Zone Warfare refers to strategies employed in international relations that exploit the space between peace and open warfare.
- It involves using unconventional tactics to achieve strategic objectives without triggering a full-scale military response.
26. Smishing:
- Smishing is a form of phishing attack conducted via SMS or text messages.
- Attackers use deceptive messages to trick recipients into divulging personal information or downloading malware onto their devices.
27. Hanooman:
- Hanooman is a large language model (LLM) designed to respond in multiple Indian languages with capabilities in text, speech, and video generation.
- It aims to support various sectors including healthcare, governance, finance, and education with AI-powered solutions.
28. Qanat System:
- The Qanat System is an ancient water supply technology used in arid regions to tap underground water sources and channel water through underground tunnels.
- It has been historically employed in regions such as North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia to provide sustainable water access.
29. Mpemba Effect:
- The Mpemba Effect is the phenomenon where hot water can freeze faster than cold water under certain conditions.
- This counterintuitive observation has intrigued scientists and is attributed to complex factors including evaporation, convection, and supercooling.
30. FiloBot:
- FiloBot is an innovative climbing robot inspired by plant behaviors that climbs structures using a filament extension mechanism.
- It mimics natural growth patterns to navigate and scale vertical surfaces, showcasing bio-inspired robotics.
31. Alpenglow:
- Alpenglow is a natural atmospheric phenomenon where mountain slopes are illuminated with a reddish or rosy hue during sunrise or sunset.
- It occurs due to sunlight scattering and refraction in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating stunning visual effects.
32. Anthrobots:
- Anthrobots are bio-robots constructed from human tracheal cells capable of movement and self-assembly.
- They exhibit unique properties similar to living organisms, making them potential models for future biomedical applications.
33. DRESS Syndrome:
- DRESS Syndrome, or Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, is a severe drug allergy characterized by diverse clinical manifestations.
- It can lead to serious complications and requires immediate medical attention upon onset.
34. Swarm Drones:
- Swarm Drones refer to a collective group of drones that operate in coordination to achieve common objectives.
- They leverage swarm intelligence algorithms to communicate and collaborate autonomously, enabling various applications from surveillance to disaster response.
35. Watsonx.ai:
- Watsonx.ai is an AI tool developed by IBM and NASA for Earth monitoring and environmental analysis.
- It provides insights into environmental changes and supports decision-making using satellite data and AI algorithms.
36. BRAHMA-2D:
- BRAHMA-2D is a mathematical model designed to analyze flow dynamics in large braided rivers like the Brahmaputra.
- It aids in understanding river behavior and assists in the design of hydraulic structures for riverbank protection.
37. eSoil:
- eSoil is a bioelectronic growth substrate used in hydroponic environments to stimulate plant root systems electrically.
- It enhances plant growth and nutrient absorption in controlled agricultural settings.
38. Fjord Phantom:
- Fjord Phantom is a sophisticated malware targeting banking customers in Southeast Asia.
- It combines app-based attacks with social engineering tactics to deceive users and steal sensitive information.
39. Environmental DNA (eDNA):
- Environmental DNA refers to genetic material shed by organisms into their surroundings, providing insights into biodiversity and ecological health.
- It is used in molecular monitoring techniques to study and monitor various ecosystems.
40. Geoglyph:
- Geoglyphs are large ground designs created using durable landscape elements such as rocks or earth.
- They are cultural and artistic expressions found in various parts of the world, often associated with ancient civilizations.
41. Gamma-ray Burst:
- Gamma-ray Bursts (GRBs) are intense bursts of high-energy gamma rays originating from distant galaxies.
- They are among the most energetic events in the universe, thought to be associated with cataclysmic astrophysical phenomena such as supernovae or neutron star mergers.
42. Scattered Spiders:
- Scattered Spiders is a hacking group known for cyber intrusions targeting organizations worldwide.
- Also referred to by aliases like Starfraud and Muddled Libra, this group employs sophisticated tactics to breach security and exploit vulnerabilities.
43. Fractals:
- Fractals are complex geometric patterns that repeat at different scales, exhibiting self-similarity across magnifications.
- They are used in mathematics, art, and computer graphics to model natural phenomena and explore infinite structures.
44. E-Prime:
- E-Prime is a distinct layer within Earth’s core-mantle boundary, characterized by unique chemical composition resulting from surface water interactions.
- This layer contains hydrogen-rich materials and provides insights into Earth’s interior dynamics.
45. Airglow:
- Airglow is the natural emission of light by Earth’s atmosphere due to interactions with solar radiation.
- Unlike auroras, which result from charged particles, airglow occurs continuously and contributes to the Earth’s atmospheric radiance.
46. Digital Twin:
- A Digital Twin is a virtual representation of a physical entity, such as a product, process, or system, used for analysis and simulation.
- It enables real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and optimization of physical assets in various industries, from manufacturing to urban planning.
47. Radio Galaxies:
- Radio Galaxies are active galaxies emitting strong radio waves due to interactions between supermassive black holes and surrounding material.
- They play a key role in studying galaxy evolution and cosmic phenomena associated with black hole accretion.
48. R21/Matrix-M Vaccine:
- The R21/Matrix-M Vaccine is a novel malaria vaccine with high efficacy, developed to combat malaria in children.
- It represents a significant milestone in malaria prevention efforts and has been approved for use in several African countries.
49. Attosecond:
- An Attosecond is an incredibly short unit of time, equivalent to one quintillionth of a second (10^-18 seconds).
- Attosecond studies provide insights into ultrafast processes in atomic and molecular physics, enabling observations of electron dynamics.
50. Watermeal:
- Watermeal, also known as duckweed, is the smallest flowering plant found in aquatic environments.
- It serves as a food source for waterfowl and plays a role in nutrient cycling in freshwater ecosystems.
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