Science Wrap: Increase in Indian tiger population, new malaria vaccine and 'below normal' monsoons

This week in science was dominated by a disastrous Russian volcano, a new malaria vaccine, increasing tiger numbers in India, and concerning news for Indians as the monsoon is expected to be "below normal" this year. 

1. India to get "below normal" rains in 2023. Who to blame? El Nino. 

El Nino is the weather phenomenon linked with warm ocean water that develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, including the area off the Pacific coast of South America. But now, there is an increasing chance of El Nino spreading across Asia and that doesn't spell good news for Indian monsoon. 

Due to the onset of the El Nino, India is anticipated to have monsoon rainfall that are below average in 2023. 

"We expect the upcoming monsoon to be 'below normal to the tune of 94 percent of the long period average," the weather agency Skymet stated. So, yes, for those yearning to get some raindrops away from the blazing sun, hate to be the bearer of bad news. 

2. Indian tiger population increases as new Project Tiger findings suggest

The most recent tiger census data indicates that tigers are moving into new habitats and estimates that there will be at least 200 more big cats in the wild in 2023 than there were in 2018. This is a conservative prediction, according to experts, and the final numbers, which will be released in two months, are likely to reveal a larger increase.

There are plenty of reasons to be happy about the report that Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented on April 9, 2023. It demonstrates a healthy increase in tiger populations and discloses new areas where tigers have been observed. The report mostly highlights India's success in tiger conservation, even as it raises concerns about some regions where tiger numbers are declining.

3. New malaria vaccine R21 aims to be a game changer

Scientists have apparently dubbed a newly developed malaria vaccine a "world-changer." This malaria vaccine, known as R21/Matrix-M, is the first to achieve efficacy levels higher than the target of 75% set by the World Health Organisation.

Ghana is the first nation to approve the new malaria vaccine, however the WHO is still debating whether to do so.

The vaccine was created at Oxford University and has been given the go-ahead in Ghana by the Food and Drugs Authority for use in infants between the ages of 5 and 36 months, who are most at risk of dying from malaria.

In an official statement, Oxford University stated, " "It is hoped that this first crucial step will enable the vaccine to help Ghanaian and African children to effectively combat malaria."

4. Intense active volcano erupts in Russia, shoots ash plumes 10 km into sky

(with inputs from Ayaan Paul for DailyO)

The Shiveluch volcano on the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia erupted today, sending a vast ash cloud 1,08,000 sq km wide into the sky. The eruption caused a red aviation warning from KVERT, which said ongoing activity could affect international and low-flying aircraft.

Some schools were closed, and residents were ordered to stay indoors due to the ash fall, which reached depths of up to 8.5 cm. Lava flows from the volcano melted snow, and caused a mudflow warning for a nearby highway.

ALSO SEE: Shiveluch Volcano erupts in Russia

The eruption was one of Kamchatka's largest and most active, with an estimated 60 substantial eruptions in the past 10,000 years. The smaller part of the volcano, Young Shiveluch, has been reported as extremely active in recent months.

Pictures showed the cloud billowing swiftly over the forests and rivers of the far east and of villages covered in ash. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but the volcano was still erupting 15 hours after the start of the eruption.