Recognition for Cusat PhD scholar
Her award-winning poster titled 'Upper Tropospheric Humidity and Cloud Radiative Forcing: A Tropical Perspective' was prepared under the guidance of her PhD supervisor Ajil Kottayil, Scientist D, at the ACARR, and Viju. O. John, Climate Product Expert, EUMETSAT, Germany, according to a release issued by the varsity.
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The Hindu
17-07-2025
- The Hindu
Shifting of Atmospheric Sciences dept. to main Cusat campus opposed
A section of the faculty, students, and alumni of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has opposed the move to shift the department from the Lakeside (Marine) campus in the city to the university's main campus in Thrikkakara. They said the strength of the programme lies in its natural and necessary integration with other Earth Science disciplines such as Physical Oceanography and Geology, which were housed on the Marine campus. The university authorities revealed the decision was taken because the lab and radar facilities required for the course were located on the main campus. Former students had urged the authorities not to shift the department, stating that Meteorology was not a stand-alone subject. Its strength lay in its integration with allied Earth Science fields. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences were inherently interconnected, particularly in understanding large-scale systems such as climate change, monsoons, and weather prediction. They said separating these disciplines across campuses would fragment the curriculum and weaken research collaborations. The authorities pointed out that the decision to shift the department from the lakeside campus to the main campus had been taken on the basis of a recommendation by a subcommittee of the Syndicate. They said a major research facility like the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR) was located on the main campus. The shifting had been suggested to ease the woes that arose from carrying out various departmental functions from two campuses. The integration would resolve the problem, they added. Those opposing the relocation pointed out that the radar centre primarily served as a data collection centre and that the analysis of atmospheric data could be done remotely from anywhere in the world.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
Animals that went into the space before humans did
Scientists were worried about the effects of prolonged weightlessness on the human body. Some experts questioned whether humans could survive extended periods without gravity. To address these concerns, American and Russian scientists turned to animal testing. The story of animals in space is a fascinating one, filled with bravery, sacrifice, and scientific discovery. According to NASA's history of animals in space, the first animals were launched into space in the 1940s and 1950s. Scientists also sent monkeys, chimps, and dogs into space to assess the feasibility of travel and ensure their safe return. These early missions provided critical data on biological responses to spaceflight, paving the way for human exploration. Over time, the variety of animals expanded to include mice, turtles, and even insects, each helping to answer new scientific questions. From dogs to worms: Animals that traveled to space 1. Dogs by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo Laika: A small stray dog from Moscow became the first animal to orbit the Earth in 1957. Laika's mission marked a significant milestone in space exploration . Although Laika did not survive the flight, her sacrifice contributed significantly to our understanding of space travel. Source: Wikipedia Belka and Strelka: In 1960, Belka and Strelka, two Soviet space dogs, became the first animals to orbit the Earth and return safely. Their successful mission marked a significant breakthrough in space exploration. 2. Monkeys Albert II: In 1948, Albert II, a rhesus macaque, became the first primate in space. Launched by the United States, Albert II's flight reached an altitude of 83 miles. The V-2 rocket carrying Albert II was a significant milestone in the exploration of space and the study of the effects of space travel on living organisms. Unfortunately, Albert II did not survive the flight, dying on impact due to the failure of the parachute system. Ham the Chimp: In 1961, Ham, a chimpanzee, became the first of his kind in space. Launched on a Mercury-Redstone rocket, Ham's suborbital flight lasted 16.5 minutes, including 6.6 minutes of weightlessness. Despite technical issues, Ham performed well and came down safely. Source: Wikipedia Enos: Enos, a chimpanzee, became the first primate to orbit the Earth in 1962. Launched as part of the Mercury program, Enos's mission demonstrated the feasibility of orbital spaceflight. Gordo: In 1958, Gordo, a squirrel monkey, embarked on a groundbreaking journey aboard a Jupiter rocket. Reaching an altitude of 600 miles, Gordo's flight marked a significant milestone in space exploration. He tragically lost his life due to a malfunctioning flotation device, but his mission provided crucial insights. Navy doctors analysed signals from Gordo's respiration and heartbeat monitors, concluding that humans could potentially withstand similar space travel conditions. 3. Spiders Spiders: In 1973, the effects of zero gravity on web spinning behavior were studied by sending two European garden spiders into space. Studying the spider's ability to adapt to microgravity environments provided valuable insights into the consequences of space travel on living organisms. 4. Reptiles and amphibians Tortoises: In 1968, two Russian tortoises orbited the moon with wine flies and mealworms and were the first animals to orbit the moon. The tortoises survived the journey, and the study provided valuable insight into the consequences of space travel on living organisms. Source: Wikipedia Frogs: Frogs were sent to the moon in 1970 to study motion sickness and adaptability in microgravity environments 5. Worms Source: Wikipedia Nematode Worms: Nematode worms have been the subject of space research, on which many conclusions have been drawn regarding the effect of microgravity on the development and behavior of this species. These little creatures have made a significant contribution to the consequences of space travel on living organisms. 6. Mice In 1959, four black mice were launched on Discoverer 3, a US spy satellite mission. Unfortunately, the mice died when the Agena upper stage malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to crash into the Pacific Ocean. This mission was notable for being the only Discoverer flight with an animal payload. Also read | Scientists discover oldest rocks on Earth, over 4.16 billion years old
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- The Hindu
Kanjirappally taps technology for disaster preparedness
With landslides and flash floods on the rise due to extreme rainfall events, the eastern high ranges of Kottayam are gearing up for a tech-enabled defence by installing rain gauges to establish an early warning system to improve disaster preparedness. As part of this initiative, the Wayanad-based Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology has begun a preliminary study to identify the most vulnerable zones within the Kanjirappally Block. According to officials, rain gauges will be installed in these areas to monitor rainfall trends and assess the risk of potential landslides and floods. 'The project also includes detailed mapping of the region, dividing it into 2.5-sq.-km grids based on rainfall data. This grid-based approach will help pinpoint disaster-prone areas and support the development of focused mitigation and preparedness plans,' they said. With precipitation levels regularly exceeding that of neighbouring regions, the Kanjirappaly region is susceptible to climate change-induced hazards. Officials have identified the hill tracts of Vagamon, Kootickal, Enthayar, Elamkadu, Koruthodu and Kanamala as priority zones where the risk of cloudbursts and landslides is especially high. A couple of weeks ago, the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and the Environmental Resources Research Centre (ERRC) joined forces to deploy an automated landslide warning system in the region. Supported by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, three Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been set up in Theekoy, Poonjar Thekkekara, and Moonnilavu panchayats, all located within the Meenachil river basin. These AWS units continuously track key environmental parameters such as wind speed, humidity, temperature, rainfall, soil moisture, and soil temperature. The real-time data is transmitted to servers at CUSAT, where it is analysed for early signs of potential disasters.
