Scientists developed a new strain of rice that could boost the crop yields by 20%. They have identified the mysterious gene in rice that helps its roots to absorb phosphorus more efficiently. The gene will be now transferred to contemporary varieties of rice using classic methods of cross-breeding, not genetic engineering.

What is the need of this strain and how it will help?

• Many soil types bond tightly to phosphorus, due to this tight-bonding only a minute quantity of the mineral is absorbed by the plant roots. To meet the needs of Phosphorus, farmers seek help of phosphorus fertilizers. But in poor countries, this option costs too much, which means the plant is left undernourished and it leads to low yields. The new strain will help solve this problem by making the roots of the plant efficiently absorb the mineral, reducing the cost burden and boosting the yield.

Lakshya-1, which is the Air Force version of micro-light pilot-less target aircraft successfully test-flown from the launch complex-2 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Orissa. The test was done to test the validity of its engine and duration enhancement. Lakshya is part of the Indian Air Force since 2000.

Significant features of Lakshya-1

• 6-foot long aircraft
• Remote-controlled from the ground
• Provides training to both airborne and air defense pilots.
• Advanced digitally controlled engine and is a
• Sub-sonic
• Re-usable aerial target system
• Launched by a solid propellant rocket motor
• Sustained by a turbojet engine
• 30 to 35 minutes flight time

Vijay Kumar who won silver medal in shooting event and Yogeshwar Dutt who clinched Bronze in wrestling at London Olympics will be conferred with country’s highest sporting honour Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for the year 2012.

Can Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award be conferred on more than one person in a year ?

• Usually the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award is conferred on only one sportsperson in one calendar year but the rule can be relaxed in special circumstances such as an Olympic medal.

Arjuna Awards, the second highest sports award in the country will be bestowed on 25 sportspersons.

Sportspersons for Arjuna Awards:

• Deepika Kumari (Archery)
• Laishram Bombayla Devi (Archery)
• Sudha Singh (Athletics)
• Kavita Ramdas Raut (Athletics)
• Ashwani Ponnappa (Badminton)
• Parupalli Kashyap (Badminton)
• Aditya S Mehta (Billiards and Snooker)
• Vikas Krishan (Boxing)
• Yuvraj Singh (Cricket)
• Sardar Singh (Hockey)
• Yashpal Solanki (Judo),
• Anup Kumar (Kabaddi)
• Samir Suhag (Polo)
• Annu Raj Singh (Shooting)
• Omkar Singh (Shooting)
• Joydeep Karmakar (Shooting)
• Deepika Pallikal (Squash)
• Sandeep Sejwal (Swimming)
• Ng. Sonia Chanu (Weightlifting)
• Narsingh Yadav (Wrestling)
• Rajinder Kumar (Wrestling)
• Geeta Phogat (Wrestling)
• M. Bimoljit Singh (Wushu)
• Deepa Mallick (Athletics - Paralympics)
• Ramkaran Singh (Athletics - Paralympics)

Vayalar Ravi took the seat as Union Minister for Science and Technology. He was given the charge by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was holding the position passed away.

Charles L. Bennett, a professor of physics and astronomy at Johns Hopkins University, US, received the Gruber Cosmology Prize 2012.

Why is Cosmology Prize awarded ?

• The $ 500000 prize was given to acknowledge his outstanding contribution to the world of physics.

NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe:

Bennett led a 26-member team that worked on NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe. The findings of the study aided in much clear understanding of the age, shape and structure of the universe. Charles L. Bennett has done pioneering studies confirming that our universe was born in a hot Big Bang.