Aihole is western chalukyan site that is situated in Karnataka.
It was built between 450 and 650 C.E. that is situated on the banks of the river Malaprabha with the Meguti hill overlooking it.
It was known in ancient India as Aryapur or Ayyavole and was probably the earliest capital of the Chalukyas.
For two centuries it was at the centre of temple building.
There are over a hundred temples in Aihole, all marking the shift from rock-cut temple architecture to a form where stone blocks are placed on top of one another.
The oldest temple in Aihole is the Lad Khan temple.
The Aihole Inscription is a great source for reconstructing the history of the period and it records the achievements of Pulakesi II, especially his victory against Harshavardhana, the ruler of Northern India.
Monuments belonging to all the three religions –Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism are found here.
Badami and Pattadakkal are other important chalukiyan sites in its vicinity.
Farm Distress
According to a new study, giving direct income support (DIS) to farmers may be a better option than the price deficiency payment (PDP) scheme or higher minimum support price (MSP) to address farm distress.
DIS is easier to implement, more transparent, equitable and crop-neutral.
The study was not in favor of higher MSPs which are based on cost plus pricing as they distort market seriously.
The study was based on working paper authored by economist at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER).
ICRIER is an autonomous, policy-oriented, not-for-profit, economic policy think tank.
ICRIER’s office is located in the institutional complex of India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
Himalayan Yak
The Himalayan yak (Bos mutus) is a large wild bovid native to the Himalayas.
It is the lifeline of pastoral nomads in high altitudes of the Indian Himalayan region.
Yaks provide nomads milk, fiber and meat.
The long hair of yak has water-resistant properties and can be a good packing material.
According to IUCN Red list the yak is in the vulnerable category.
It is facing the threat of gradually rising temperatures in the region.
Yak is accustomed to very cold temperatures and can survive up to minus 40 degrees but finds is difficult when the temperature crosses 13 degrees.
Yak is susceptible to heat stress as it can efficiently conserve its body heat during cold weather conditions but has minimal body mechanism to dissipate heat by way of sweating.
Yak rearing needs to be preserved as this is the only source of livelihood for nomads.
Yak rearing is an eco-friendly livelihood for nomads who migrate to higher altitudes during summer and return to lower altitudes at about 3000 meters above sea level during winters.
In addition to climate-related factors, there is a reduction in grazing areas and degradation of pasturelands due to various developmental activities as well.
New technique developed to monitor coastal landforms
Indian Scientists have developed a remote sensing technique that uses satellite data to delineate between various coastal landforms like beaches, mangroves and marshes.
This method can help monitor and understand impacts of natural disasters as well as human activities on coastal ecosystem.
Distinguishing different landforms in coastal region remains a challenge due to their low lying nature, and absence of clear-cut boundaries between various landforms.
Scientists have used Object-Based Image Analysis to demarcate various landforms such as ridges, marshes, mangroves etc. surrounding the Krishna delta present on East coast of India.
This new technique deploys parameters like tone, texture, shape, context, proximity to the sea and height derived from satellite images for classification of landforms.
Combining the values of these parameters, a total of 11 landforms were given their peculiar characteristics and were differentiated.
Probiotic Yeast Strain
Humans face phosphorus deficiency despite consuming phosphorus-rich food because of the inability of human body to absorb it.
Scientists at National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, have identified a yeast strain that can improve absorption of phosphorus and make other vital minerals bioavailable.
Phosphorus is one of the vital minerals for all living beings including plants.
Livestock and humans exhibit deficiency of phosphorus and other minerals because humans and non-ruminant animals lack an enzyme called phytase that converts phytate into free phosphorus.
NCL researchers have identified the yeast strain called Saccharomyces cerevisiae which can effectively dephytinize the phytate to free phosphorus and also possess the probiotic properties.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system.
Pollution and Alzheimer's disease
Children and young adults living in polluted megacities are at significantly increased risk of developing Alzheimer's.
The scientists found heightened levels of the two abnormal proteins in the brains of young urbanites with lifetime exposures to fine-particulate-matter pollution (PM2.5).
Alzheimer’s is a irreversible, progressive, degenerative brain ailment that affects memory, behavior and thinking.
It is the most common form of dementia in the elderly and accounts for 60 to 80 per cent of dementia cases.
India Ageing Report 2017 states that the elderly population is growing at a faster rate of 3% may up the burden of Alzheimer's in India, as the disease primarily occurs in patients over the age of 65.
This new finding of affecting the younger generation is a precaution to the Government, Policy Makers and General Public.
Source: PIB, The Hindu, Business Line, Business standard
