Science and Technology News: 4 November 2021

SciTech
4 November, 2021

Latest Science Technology news:

  1. This year, the annual Taurid meteor shower is expected to peak during the late evening of Nov. 4 and last through the early morning of Nov. 5, producing spectacular streams of stars in the sky. People
  2. A group of European researchers are working on methods that goes from sunlight and air to kerosene. Thanks to a small installation on the roof of a lab in Zurich, the team has been producing small amounts of different fuels using some mirrors and a handful of reaction chambers. Ars Technica
  3. Beijing is charging forward toward potential revolutions in the areas of extracting energy in space and mining space materials and could leave the US behind, former CIA space analyst Tim Chrisman has said in an interview. JPost
  4. A group of scientists from Syracuse University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Riverside, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, the University of New Mexico, the University of Ottawa, the University of Science and Technology of China, and Stanford University recently co-authored a paper on the Late Ordovician mass extinction (LOME), the first or oldest of the “big five” mass extinctions. Natureworld
  5. A recent report from The Information suggests that Apple TV+’s subscriber numbers hover around 40M worldwide, with roughly half of those being paid users. Research firm Parrot Analytics suggests that Apple TV+’s share of the on-demand streaming market rose in 2021 to 5.4%, up from 3.5% a year earlier, making it the fifth-largest distributor of digital original series in the world. Imore
  6. The Apple Mac Mini M1 is available on a discount on Amazon. Apple-designed M1 chip for a giant leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance. 8-core CPU packs up to 3x faster performance to fly through workflows quicker than ever. Price: ₹57,990.00, You Save: ₹6,910.00 (11%). Price may vary depending on day of access.

 

Compiled from Google Trends

 

Startup
24 February, 2024

Byju’s, once heralded as a flagship in India’s edtech sector, is grappling with severe financial and operational challenges, marked by a dramatic valuation drop. The company, which sought to stabilize its operations and finances, is now raising funds at a valuation significantly lower than its peak. This development comes amid efforts to address a substantial debt burden, with Byju’s proposing a repayment plan for its $1.2 billion loan. Investor confidence appears shaken, with some stakeholders pushing for drastic changes in leadership to navigate the crisis effectively. The turmoil reflects broader sectoral pressures and raises questions about the sustainability of high-growth trajectories in the edtech industry

Energy
10 February, 2024

Australia’s energy market is witnessing significant transitions and investments aimed at bolstering renewable energy infrastructure and securing gas supplies. Key developments include a $179 million investment by the Queensland Government for community battery projects, Santos’ $5.7 billion gas pipeline project following a legal battle win, and a $206 million energy savings package for NSW households. Additionally, the Australian government has secured new gas supply deals to support the east coast market, emphasizing the role of gas in transitioning to a renewable grid.

India 2024
9 February, 2024

The latest opinion polls, including the Mood of the Nation survey by India Today, predict a comfortable victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), with a projected win of 335 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections. This forecast suggests a slight decrease from the 2019 elections but still ensures a majority. The survey, involving interviews with over 149,000 respondents, reflects Modi’s enduring popularity based on his nationalist policies and economic reforms. Other polls echo these findings, although seat projections vary slightly. The opposition INDIA alliance is expected to secure a significant number of seats, yet not enough to challenge the NDA’s majority. These predictions highlight a political landscape that remains largely favorable to Modi and the BJP as the election approaches