A collaboration between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has resulted in the NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite, which is set to launch in a few months. This mission, designed to track and monitor Earth’s dynamic surface, will use synthetic aperture radar technology to measure changes in land and ice formations. Capable of delivering precise data down to centimetre-level accuracy, NISAR will contribute significantly to understanding natural disasters, ice-sheet movements, and global vegetation shifts.

Unique Dual-Band Technology

According to an official press release by NASA, NISAR is equipped with two radar systems: the L-band with a wavelength of 25 centimetres and the S-band with a 10-centimetre wavelength. This dual-band configuration enables detailed observations of various features, from small surface elements to larger structures. These advanced radars will collect data frequently, covering nearly all land and ice surfaces to provide a comprehensive view of Earth’s transformations.

Technology and Data Applications

As per reports, synthetic aperture radar technology, first utilised by NASA in the 1970s, has been refined for this mission. The data from NISAR will support ecosystem research, cryosphere studies, and disaster response initiatives. Stored and processed in the cloud, the data will be freely accessible to researchers, governments, and disaster management agencies.

Collaboration Between NASA and ISRO

The partnership between NASA and ISRO, formalised in 2014, brought together teams to create this dual-band radar satellite. Hardware was developed across continents, with final assembly in India. ISRO’s Space Applications Centre developed the S-band radar, while NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory provided the L-band radar and other key components. The satellite will launch from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre and will be operated by ISRO’s Telemetry Tracking and Command Network.

NISAR’s deployment highlights international collaboration in addressing global challenges, promising transformative insights into Earth’s changing landscapes.

Velvet ants, despite their name, are not ants but parasitic wasps known for their painful stings. These insects, often called “cow killers” due to the intensity of their sting, possess a potent venom capable of acting on different molecular targets depending on the species they encounter. Their defensive mechanisms, which include venom, warning colours, tough exoskeletons, and unique sounds when threatened, have made them nearly invincible to predators. This versatility has intrigued researchers studying their venom’s effects on various creatures.

Study Highlights Dual Mechanisms in Velvet Ant Venom

According to a study published in Current Biology, velvet ant venom operates differently across species. Researchers, including Lydia Borjon, a sensory neurobiologist at Indiana University Bloomington, found that distinct peptides in the venom affect mammals and insects in unique ways. Experiments conducted on the venom of the scarlet velvet ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis) revealed that specific peptides target sensory neurons differently in insects and mammals.

As reported in Science News, in insects, a peptide called Do6a specifically activates neurons sensitive to harmful stimuli. However, in mammals such as mice, pain is triggered by two less abundant peptides, Do10a and Do13a. These peptides activate a broad range of sensory neurons, inducing a generalised pain response. The findings suggest that velvet ants’ venom tailors its effects based on the biology of the recipient, showcasing a rare example of multi-target venom.

Broader Implications of the Research

Joseph Wilson, an evolutionary ecologist at Utah State University, noted to Science News, that velvet ants’ extensive defensive arsenal could be linked to evolutionary pressures from unknown predators, particularly insects. He suggested that while their venom effectively deters a wide range of species, its evolution might have been influenced by specific ecological interactions. Sam Robinson, a toxinologist at the University of Queensland, highlighted that this type of broad-spectrum venom, though rare, may not be unique, as most venoms are tested on limited species.

The study provides new insights into venom evolution and raises questions about the ecological factors driving the development of such complex defensive strategies.

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A bacterial parasite has been observed to influence plant cell behaviour in a way that enhances its own transmission through sap-feeding insects. This adaptation alters plant responses. It was observed that it attracts female insects to males already present, which promotes the parasite’s survival. The discovery highlights a unique interaction among plants, bacteria, and insects, with significant implications for understanding how pathogens manipulate host biology for their benefit.

Study Links SAP54 Protein to Insect Behaviour

According to a study published in eLife, phytoplasmas—bacterial pathogens responsible for plant diseases—rely on effector proteins to facilitate transmission via leafhoppers. The research focused on SAP54, a virulence protein known to induce leaf-like flower structures on infected plants. It was revealed that SAP54 affects the feeding and reproductive behaviour of leafhoppers in a sex-dependent manner.

Dr. Zigmunds Orlovskis, an independent project leader at the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, explained to phys.org that previous research had shown leafhoppers were drawn to infected plants, but the mechanisms behind this attraction were unclear. Recent findings suggest that male leafhoppers play a key role in this interaction.

Female Attraction Depends on Male Presence

Experiments demonstrated that SAP54-altered plants hosted more leafhopper offspring, but only in the presence of males. Female leafhoppers exhibited increased feeding activity on SAP54 plants when males were present but showed no preference otherwise. Further investigations indicated that smell and sound did not influence the behaviour, leading researchers to focus on genetic changes in the plants.

Key Genetic Pathways Identified

As per reports in phys.org, it was found that SAP54 suppressed the plant’s defence mechanisms, particularly when exposed to male leafhoppers. This suppression was linked to a transcription factor, SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP), which appeared crucial for attracting females to male-colonised plants.

Insights into Parasite Strategies

Professor Saskia Hogenhout, Group Leader at the John Innes Centre, noted that the findings illustrate the parasite’s ability to manipulate host and vector interactions, enhancing its life cycle efficiency. The study underscores the complexity of plant-pathogen-insect relationships and provides new insights into the strategies employed by parasites for survival and propagation.