Science and Technology

 The recent “extreme” solar storm, caused by several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun, triggered spectacular auroras visible across the globe. These auroras, commonly known as the northern and southern lights, occur when solar particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field, producing colorful displays in the sky. The storm reached level five geomagnetic conditions—the highest on the scale—and was the first of its kind since 2003. Despite initial concerns, there were no major disruptions to power or communication networks, although there were reports of minor irregularities. The event sparked excitement worldwide, with people witnessing the phenomenon from various locations, capturing stunning photos of the night sky. While solar storms can pose risks to technology and even affect wildlife, this recent event served as a reminder of the Sun’s dynamic nature and its impact on Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is introducing a new feature that restricts users from taking screenshots of profile pictures on iOS. This measure aims to protect users’ privacy by preventing unauthorized sharing of profile photos. When users attempt to take a screenshot, a notification will inform them that the action has been blocked. While this restriction won’t prevent users from capturing images through other devices, it will deter casual sharing within the app. By stopping users from taking screenshots without permission, WhatsApp aims to reduce the risk of profile photos being misused or distributed. Additionally, WhatsApp is testing a “filter” feature that quickly lists users’ favorites from the chats tab on Android, enhancing user experience. Overall, these updates demonstrate WhatsApp’s commitment to enhancing privacy and user control within the app.

The main sources of water pollution include:

1. Industrial waste: Chemicals and toxins from factories and manufacturing processes can contaminate waterways.
2. Agricultural runoff: Pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste from farms can wash into rivers and lakes.
3. Sewage and wastewater: Untreated sewage and wastewater from households and industries can introduce pathogens and pollutants into water bodies.
4. Oil spills: Accidental releases of oil from ships or pipelines can harm marine ecosystems.
5. Plastic pollution: Disposable plastics like bottles and bags can break down into microplastics, which can harm aquatic life.

Water pollution can have serious impacts on ecosystems and public health. It can kill fish and other aquatic animals, destroy habitats, and disrupt food chains. Polluted water can also make people sick if they drink or swim in it, leading to diseases like cholera, dysentery, and skin infections. Therefore, it’s essential to prevent water pollution to protect both the environment and human health.

The differences between 3D printing and traditional manufacturing processes are:

1. Method:
   • 3D printing builds objects layer by layer using digital design files and materials like plastic, metal, or resin.
   • Traditional manufacturing processes involve subtractive methods (like cutting or drilling) or formative methods (like molding or casting) to create objects from raw materials.
2. Complexity:
   • 3D printing allows for intricate and complex designs, including hollow structures and moving parts, that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional methods.
   • Traditional manufacturing processes may have limitations in producing complex shapes or structures, requiring additional steps or assembly.
3. Customization:
   • 3D printing enables easy customization, as designs can be easily modified and printed on demand.
   • Traditional manufacturing often involves mass production of standardized products, with limited options for customization.
4. Material waste:
   • 3D printing typically generates less material waste compared to traditional manufacturing processes, which may produce more scrap material during machining or casting.