Science and Technology News: 08 December 2021

SciTech
8 December, 2021

Latest Science Technology news:

MIT Sea Grant work with local oyster farmers

Working directly with oyster farmers, MIT students are developing a robot that can flip heavy, floating bags of oysters, helping the shellfish to grow and stay healthy. Scitechdaily

Microbial Brazil nut effect

A phenomenon where microbe-generated gas bubbles create granular fluctuations at the wet sandy floors of rivers, oceans, and lakes has revealed more about the distribution of materials at the bottom of waterbodies.  Phys.org

Keep numbers of crown-of-thorns starfish in check

Published today in Nature Communications, the study found the abundance of the coral-eating starfish increases in places where fish species which are known to eat the starfish are removed. Phys.org

Office Metaverse

Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of the respondents felt an “office metaverse” would boost flexibility, while just over a third believed it would help reduce bias in favour of those working regularly in the office. Thetimes

Alexa Together for elderly

Amazon launched Alexa Together, which is their effort to help aging consumers, as well as caregivers, family members, or friends who are helping take care of someone. It’s a subscription service, it costs $19.99 a month, $199 a year. USA Today

Wireless earbuds

Earbuds are basically a pair of tiny speakers that you wear inside your ears. At low volumes, they’re useful little devices.

Buy on Amazon

Keep yourself plugged all day as the Airdopes 441 provide, Talk time/music time – 5 Hours per bud , Charging Time – 1.5 Hours, Standby Time – 70 Hours. It is equipped with IWP (Insta Wake N’ Pair) Technology that powers on the earbuds and puts them into connection mode as soon as one opens the lid of the carry case. It is IPX7 rated for resistance against water and sweat to provide a carefree listening experience

Price: ₹1,999.00 You Save: ₹4,000.00 (67%). Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

 

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