Amplified drying in South Asian summer monsoon precipitation due to anthropogenic sulfate aerosols.

A declining trend in Indian summer monsoon precipitation (ISMP) in the latter half of the 20th century is a scientifically challenging and societally relevant research issue. Heavy aerosol loading over India is one of the key factors in modulating the ISMP. Using the state-of-the-state-of-the-art chemistry-climate model, ECHAM6-HAMMOZ, the impacts of South Asian anthropogenic sulfate aerosols on the Indian summer monsoon precipitation were investigated against: (1) 2010 La Niña (excess monsoon), (2) 2015 El Niño (deficit monsoon) in comparison to (3) normal monsoon 2016. Sensitivity simulations were designed with 48% enhancement in South Asian SO2 emissions based on a trend estimated from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) satellite observations during 2006-2017. The model simulations showed that sulfate aerosols reduce ISMP by 27.5%-43.3 %, while simulations without sulfate loading enhanced ISMP by 23% in 2010 La Niña and reduction by 35% in 2015 El Niño. This paper reports that sulfate aerosols loading over India reduce precipitation by aerosol-induced direct and indirect effects by inducing atmospheric cooling, weakening in the convection, and reduction in moisture transport to Indian landmass. This paper emphasizes the necessity of alternate use of energy to reduce sulfate aerosol emissions to solve water issues in South Asia.

Absence of diarrhea in purge nut ingestion: A case series of eight children.

There are very few case reports in literature of J. curcas poisoning. Previously grown as an ornamental plant; it is presently being cultivated on a large scale for its seed oil, which is used as biodiesel. This has brought this plant in close vicinity to the human population, exposing them to the chance ingestion. We are presenting clinical and biochemical profile of eight children with J. curcas poisoning. The plant is commonly known to be a purgative and gastrointestinal irritant but the most conspicuous feature in our patients was absence of diarrhea. Lethargy, severe abdominal pain, inability to ingest anything, and intense thirst were the most prominent complaints in all children. The symptoms in all the patients were significant enough to merit admission and intravenous fluid therapy. Hematological and biochemical workup revealed neutrophilia and raised serum alkaline phosphatase in all patients while leukocytosis was observed in 5 of them. Electrocardiography was normal in all the patients.