Science and Technology News: 14 December 2021

SciTech
14 December, 2021

Latest Science and Technology news:

80 day Chasing the Light expedition in Antarctica

NASA is tracking two British explorers who are dragging sleds across over 2,000 miles of Antarctica’s most remote region as part of an experiment to understand how future Mars explorers will cope. Over the 80 day “Chasing the Light” expedition, Justin Packshaw and Jamie Facer Childs will receive no outside assistance, and use no mechanical aids, relying solely on their own physical and mental strength to drag their 440lb sleds close to the Antarctic’s pole of inaccessibility – the point on the southern continent furthest from the sea. DailyStar

Exploring mission to Venus

A new privately-funded mission will see scientists send a probe to explore Earth’s neighboring planet, Venus, to see if it is home to life. Dubbed the Venus Life Finder Missions, the series of projects is led by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Sponsored by the Breakthrough Foundation, its principal investigator behind is Jewish-American scientist Sara Seager.  JPost

Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier is fracturing 

Scientists have warned that Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier is fracturing and could shatter like a ‘car window’. The huge glacier is around the same size as Great Britain and has been nicknamed the ‘Doomsday glacier’ because of the impact its melting would have on rising sea levels. Ladbible

 

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