- TACKLING THE FATTY LIVER DISEASE EPIDEMIC
- The growing burden of fatty liver disease, particularly Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
- Prevalence and Burden: Global Prevalence: MASLD affects approximately 25-30% of the global population.
- India Specific Data: In 2022, a meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of fatty liver among Indian adults was 38.6%, and among obese children, it was around 36%.
- Link with Metabolic Syndrome: MASLD is closely linked to metabolic syndrome, which includes conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
- Prevalence rates among individuals with these conditions are significantly high:
- Diabetes: 55.5%-59.7%
- Obesity: 64.6%-95% § Severe Metabolic Syndrome: 73%
- Pathophysiology: Excessive carbohydrate intake, especially refined carbs and sugars, leads to metabolic problems.
- Persistent high insulin levels due to excessive carb intake cause insulin resistance.
- Insulin resistance promotes the conversion of excess glucose into fatty acids, which are stored in the liver, leading to fatty liver.
- Progression and Complications:
- Simple fatty liver can progress to more severe conditions like steatohepatitis and cirrhosis.
- Advanced stages may require liver transplantation.
- Diagnosis and Screening: Early stages of fatty liver disease often go undetected due to the lack of symptoms.
- Comprehensive health screening is crucial for early diagnosis:
- Physical Examination: Includes height, weight, BMI, abdominal girth, and waist-to-hip ratio.
- Blood Tests: Include blood count, sugar profile, blood lipid profile, liver function tests, and kidney tests.
- Ultrasound of the Abdomen: Important for detecting fatty liver.
- Advanced Liver Tests: Liver fibrosis assessment using technologies like vibration-controlled transient elastography.
2. INDIA SECOND IN NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS
- Critical environmental issue regarding nitrous oxide (N2O) emissionsand their impact on climate change:
- Global and National Emissions: Global Contribution: India is the second-largest emitter of N2O, contributing nearly 11% of global man-made emissions in 2020. China is the largest emitter at 16%.
- Historical Increase: N2O emissions from human activities have increased by 40% over the past four decades, with significant growth between 2020 and 2022.
- Sources of N2O Emissions: Agriculture: The primary source of N2O emissions is agricultural activities, particularly the use of nitrogen fertilizers (such as ammonia) and animal manure. These sources contributed 74% of total anthropogenic N2O emissions in the last decade.
- Environmental Impact: Radiative Forcing: N2O emissions from human activities account for 6.4% of the effective radiative forcing of greenhouse gases, contributing approximately 0.1 degree Celsius to current global warming.
- Atmospheric Concentration: In 2022, the concentration of atmospheric N2O was about 25% above pre-industrial levels. In comparison, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) was 417 parts per million (ppm) in 2022.
- Comparison with CO2: Concentration: The current level of CO2 in the atmosphere is significantly higher than that of N2O, making CO2 reduction a higher priority for many countries.
- Longevity and Impact: Despite its lower concentration, N2O is a potent greenhouse gas that stays longer in the atmosphere and has a higher global warming potential than CO2.
- Urgency of Action: Scientific Warnings: Scientists have been warning about the rapid rise of N2O emissions and the need for urgent action to mitigate its impact on climate change.
- Policy Recommendations: Experts suggest changing cropping systems and production practices to reduce N2O emissions.
3. TROPICAL BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY IN SRIRANGAM
- Despite the searing summer heat, over 40,000 people visited the Tropical Butterfly Conservatory in Srirangam in the months of April and May.
- Set in a 27-acre site, the conservatory is considered to be Asia’s largest such facility set in a natural habitat.
- The park is home to 129 species of butterflies throughout the year, and has over 300 types of plants and trees.
- The Blue Tiger (Tirumala limniace), Crimson Rose (Pachliopta hector), Emigrant (Catopsiliapomona) and Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus) were among the commonly sighted butterfly species at the conservatory this year.
- The Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus), Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) and Rufous Treepie (Dendrocittavagabunda), were the birds seen at the park this year.
4. CASSINI MISSION 2024
- Cassini–Huygens, commonly called Cassini, was a space-research mission by NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency
- It was a space probe to study the planet Saturn and its system, including its rings and natural satellites.
- Cassini mission, which orbited Saturn between 2004 and its final fiery crash into the planet in 2017.
5. INDO PACIFIC ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK FOR PROSPERITY (IPEF) MINISTERIAL MEETING
- Indian delegation led by Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Sunil Barthwal participated in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Ministerial meeting held in Singapore on 6 June 2024.
- IPEF was launched on 23 May 2022 at Tokyo, Japan, comprising of 14 countries – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and USA.
- The IPEF seeks to strengthen economic engagement and cooperation among partner countries with the goal of advancing growth, economic stability and prosperity in the region.
- The framework is structured around four pillars relating to
- Trade (Pillar I)
- Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar II)
- Clean Economy (Pillar III)
- Fair Economy (Pillar IV).
- India had joined Pillars II to IV of IPEF while it has maintained an observer status in Pillar-I.
ONE LINER
- Global Gender Inequality Index released by World Economic Organization – India ranks 129th.
- Manniyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaappom Project – to provide green manure seeds – Chief Minister’s announcement
