Science Wrap: Chandrayaan-3 launch date, revolutionary Alzheimer's drug and hottest day on Earth

This week in science saw a breakthrough for Alzhiemer's patients, India's moon program Chandrayaan-3 getting a launch date, Japan's radioactive dumping, and global warming records.

1. Chandrayaan-3 finally gets ready for next week’s takeoff 

Only three countries have been able to successfully land on the surface of the Moon. After a string of failed attempts like Chandrayaan-2, India finally aims to be the fourth country with the Chandrayaan moon orbiter program’s third project, Chandrayaan-3, all slated for a soft landing on the Moon on June 14. 

Finally, the Indian Space Research Organisation harbours hope after Chandrayaan-2’s flight failed four years ago. Taking off from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre, the spacecraft will have a lander and rover and will detach from the Propulsion Module after being injected into the Moon’s orbit. 

Chandrayaan-3 can reach its lunar destination by late August if the launch successfully happens on July 14. The spacecraft could take 45-48 days and reach the Moon by August 23 or 24.

2. First Alzheimer’s drug to slow down disease gets nod from FDA 

In what is being described as a breakthrough for patients with Alzheimer's, we now have a fully approved drug that can directly treat the condition instead of just its symptoms. On July 6, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval for lecanemab, or Leqembi, to treat Alzheimer's disease in persons in the early, mild stages of the neurodegenerative condition.

Teresa Buracchio, acting director of the Office of Neuroscience in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research told American media outlets that this step is the "first verification that a drug targeting the underlying disease process of Alzheimer’s disease has shown clinical benefit in this devastating disease".

However, this “safe and effective treatment” is only available in limited American markets and the manufacturers are looking to expand distribution to an estimated million people with early forms of Alzheimer’s. 

Leqembi was developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai and its American collaborator Biogen. After 18 months of treatment, Leqembi appeared to reduce decreases in memory and thinking by roughly 27% in studies examined by the FDA. As of now, no significant side-effects have been reported but it’s only the increased usage and distribution that will provide the bigger picture. 

3. Japan decides dumping Fukushima radioactive water into Pacific Ocean

On Friday, Japan's nuclear authority approved the release of radioactive water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. Yes, this is the same Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant that is now disabled after it suffered monumental damage from the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami of 2011. 

This clearance would allow Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), which operated the damaged nuclear power plant, to release more than a million tonnes of radioactive water into the sea.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a two-year evaluation found that Japan's plan for the discharge will have no environmental impact. The utility needed the certificate from the Japanese regulator to start the process.

Local fishing groups and organisations have opposed the initiative, fearing that their reputation will suffer even if their catch is not polluted. It is also opposed by organisations in South Korea, China, and some Pacific Island countries, citing safety and political concerns.

4. Was the 4th of July the hottest day on the planet? 

As wildfires plague America and global temperatures continue to rise, the US National Center for Environmental Prediction (which monitors global air temperatures) confirmed that July 3 was the hottest day on record. The temperature reached 17.01 degrees Celsius, a new high for Planet Earth.

And then came the 4th of July. The Center reported that the temperature went on to rise to 17.18 degree Celsius, yet another record-breaking high. And with the climate phenomenon of El Nino already increasing the potential of Earth getting “hotter”, we must gear up for 2024 being probably the hottest year on record. 

The official science panel of the UN assessed and reported that, in order to maintain the the Paris Agreement's warming limit, the world must slash 60% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, compared to 2019. This new aim was not mentioned in any of the six reports produced since 2018. A not-so-hopeful future awaits us...