Science and Technology News: 12 December 2021

SciTech
12 December, 2021

Latest Science and Technology news:

Canyon Diablo Space Rock

After spending 50,000 years on Earth, a meteorite got the chance to visit space again for almost three days, during the all-civilian Inspiration4 mission in September. Pilot Sian Proctor shared a video on Twitter Friday (Dec. 10) showing a fragment of the immense Canyon Diablo space rock that slammed into northern Arizona, forming Barringer Crater. Space.com

Ross Ulbricht sold NFT for $5.8 million

Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht has sold a non-fungible token (NFT) for nearly $5.8 million worth of Ethereum (ETH) to the decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) attempting to free him.  Dailyhodl

Geminid Shower

The Geminid shower happens each December when the Earth travels through debris left by an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon. Dust in the debris trail burns up in Earth’s atmosphere, producing streaks of light in the sky. Meanwhile, Comet Leonard – otherwise known as C/2021 A1 – could become visible towards the west in the evenings from Tuesday or Wednesday. Stuff.co.nz

Don’t look Up – Netflix movie about impending catastrophe

“Don’t Look Up” is a new Netflix movie. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence are astronomers trying to warn world leaders and the population in general about the impending catastrophe. Forbes See Official Trailer below

 

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: ₹2,499.00 You Save:  (58%). 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