1. The 55th GST Council meeting, chaired by the Finance Minister, made several key decisions. The tax rate on used electric vehicles (EVs) was raised to 18%. Penal charges by banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) were exempt from GST, while payment aggregators handling payments below Rs 2,000 are eligible for exemptions. The council also decided to keep Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) out of GST and exempted GST on direct sales of black pepper and raisins by farmers. Additionally, the compensation cess was reduced to 0.1% on supplies to merchant exporters, and caramelized popcorn was classified under a higher GST rate of 18%.
2. California and Washington recently approved bans on octopus farming, with Hawaii considering similar actions. Cephalopods, including octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish, are intelligent marine invertebrates with complex behaviors and unique anatomy. They possess advanced traits like camouflage, high intelligence, and specialized locomotion. With a unique circulatory system and blue blood, cephalopods thrive in diverse ocean environments. These creatures use jet propulsion for movement and have complex nervous systems, with neurons distributed in their arms. The growing concerns about octopus farming highlight ethical and environmental considerations regarding these creatures.
3. India’s Deep Ocean Mission achieved a milestone by imaging an active hydrothermal vent at a depth of 4,500 meters in the Indian Ocean. Hydrothermal vents are underwater hot springs, where seawater comes into contact with magma, heating up and releasing minerals like copper, zinc, and gold. These vents create unique ecosystems based on chemosynthesis. Hydrothermal vents, such as black and white smokers, contribute to the understanding of mineral resources and support diverse marine life. The discovery enhances India's ocean exploration, providing potential for future resource extraction and scientific advancements.
4. A recent study in Genome Research found that deletion mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) significantly contribute to muscle loss with age. These mutations impair mitochondrial function, reducing ATP production and leading to muscle cell atrophy. The study identified the formation of chimeric genes in older individuals, which accelerates mitochondrial dysfunction and aging. Understanding these mutations could lead to therapies that repair mtDNA and delay age-related muscle degeneration. Mitochondria play a critical role in energy production, and mtDNA mutations are a key factor in aging and cellular decline.
5. Sir Isaac Newton, born on December 25, 1642, revolutionized science with groundbreaking contributions in physics, mathematics, and optics. His three laws of motion laid the foundation for classical mechanics, and his Universal Law of Gravitation transformed the understanding of planetary motion. Newton's work on light and the creation of the reflecting telescope significantly advanced optics. His development of calculus alongside Leibniz has been vital for scientific progress. His book Principia (1687) remains a cornerstone of physics. Newton's work also influenced alchemy and chemistry, shaping modern scientific thought.
