A recent study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has identified regions globally experiencing extreme heatwaves surpassing climate model predictions. These anomalies, spanning every continent except Antarctica, have been linked to thousands of deaths, agricultural failures, and severe wildfires in recent years, according to several reports. The research highlights the challenges in understanding and projecting the physical dynamics driving these unexpected temperature extremes, raising concerns about the adequacy of current climate models in estimating regional risks.

Heatwave Intensification and Global Hotspots

The study, led by Dr Kai Kornhuber, an adjunct scientist at Columbia Climate School and senior research scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, analysed data from the past 65 years. It identified areas where extreme heat is intensifying more rapidly than moderate temperatures, resulting in record-breaking maximum temperatures.

Examples include the June 2021 Pacific Northwest heatwave, where temperatures in Lytton, British Columbia, soared to 121.3 degrees Fahrenheit, causing a wildfire that decimated the town.

Regions most affected include northwestern Europe, parts of Asia such as central China, and regions in Australia, Africa, and South America, accoridng to sources. Northwestern Europe has seen the most consistent signals, with heatwaves contributing to 60,000 deaths in 2022 and 47,000 in 2023.

According to the study, summer peak temperatures in this region are increasing at twice the rate of average summer temperatures, exacerbated by the lack of widespread air conditioning.

Understanding the Underlying Mechanisms

Scientists attribute some of these extremes to disruptions in the northern hemisphere’s jet stream, which is influenced by Arctic warming. This destabilisation has created Rossby waves, trapping hot air over temperate regions.

Dr Samuel Bartusek, a co-author of the study, highlighted the interplay of factors behind the Pacific Northwest heatwave, including vegetation drying and atmospheric heat transport. However, the study acknowledges gaps in understanding, with some events described as “grey swans,” lying between predictability and randomness.

In a study published in the Science journal, researchers successfully tested the hearing of baleen whales for the first time. The controversial research, conducted in 2023, involved capturing two juvenile minke whales off the Norwegian coast. The whales, each measuring around 12 feet and weighing approximately one ton, were fitted with gold-plated electrodes on their skin to monitor brain responses to various sound frequencies. The findings suggest that baleen whales can hear ultrasonic frequencies far higher than previously assumed, a capability believed to aid in predator evasion, particularly from killer whales.

The project, referred to as the Minke Whale Hearing Project, has faced criticism from conservation groups and scientists. Concerns were raised regarding the stress and potential harm caused to the whales during their temporary captivity. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation sent open letter to the Norwegian government in 2021 urging the project’s cancellation, as per an NBC News report. Critics argued that alternative, non-invasive methods could yield similar findings without risking the welfare of the animals.

Despite opposition, the research was executed under stringent protocols, according to Brandon Southall, a marine acoustic consultant said to NBC News. He noted that the project adhered to best practices and contributed valuable insights into ocean noise management policies under regulations like the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Methodology and Challenges in Whale Capture and Testing

To facilitate testing, a complex trapping system was established along the minke whales’ migration route near Norway’s Lofoten Islands, as per the study. The team utilised over a mile of nets to guide the whales into a channel, where they were briefly held in a fish farm enclosure. Monitoring was conducted by a team of 12–15 personnel, including veterinarians. Blood samples, satellite tags, and neurological data were collected during sessions lasting 30 to 90 minutes before the animals were released.

Lead researcher Dr Dorian Houser, National Marine Mammal Foundation, emphasised the welfare measures in place during the interview with NBC News. He reported that the tagged whales resumed normal behaviours post-release, but one whale not tested died after becoming entangled in a net during a storm.

The study’s outcomes may influence future policies addressing underwater noise pollution. However, as noted by Susan Parks, professor of biology at Syracuse University to NBC News, the limited sample size and scope highlight the need for further research to understand the hearing capabilities of baleen whales across species and age groups.

The Union Cabinet of India approved two significant space missions: the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) and Chandrayaan-4, Nilesh Desai, Director of ISRO, revealed during a recent media interaction. These projects aim to expand India’s capabilities in planetary exploration and lunar science, aligning with the nation’s Space Vision 2047, which aspires to position India among the leading global space powers. According to reports, the missions will enable advancements in technology and science, with a focus on heavy-lift launch vehicles, human-rated systems, and re-entry technology.

Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM)

According to a Business Standard report, the VOM mission, planned for a March 2028 launch, will focus on studying Venus’s atmosphere, surface and interaction with solar activity. Scientists have emphasised its potential to address gaps in global Venusian data, such as surface topography, atmospheric dynamics, and sub-surface characteristics.

It has been reported that 16 payloads from Indian teams, as well as collaborative payloads involving international partners, have been selected to contribute to the mission.

The mission, estimated at Rs. 1,236 crore, will involve advanced techniques like aerobraking to position the spacecraft in a 200 x 600 km orbit around Venus. The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Deep Space Network will play a pivotal role in receiving and disseminating mission data.

Chandrayaan-4 Mission

Building on the success of previous lunar missions, Chandrayaan-4 is scheduled to return lunar samples from the Moon’s south pole. Reports suggest that the mission will demonstrate new technologies, including robotic sampling and docking procedures. The mission will involve five spacecraft modules launched via two LVM-3 rockets, with subsequent docking in Earth orbit.

The Rs. 2,104.06 crore mission has been designed to ensure the pristine condition of collected samples, facilitating detailed analysis on Earth. The advancements are expected to pave the way for future lunar exploration and human spaceflight.

Both missions highlight India’s focus on skill development, scientific collaboration, and self-reliance in space technology, according to sources.