Homo juluensis : Study Researchers have identified a new species of ancient humans, which they have named Homo juluensis, meaning “big head,” based partly on a very large skull found in China. Homo juluensis is a new species of ancient humans with distinctively large skulls. The species, known as “big head people,” lived 300,000 years […]
Month: December 2024
Nanobubbles
Nanobubbles: The Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change recently launched ‘Nano Bubble Technology’ for cleaning and purifying the water of the National Zoological Park, Delhi, to promote the health of aquatic animals. These are 70-120 nanometers in size, 2500 times smaller than a single grain of salt. They can be formed […]
PM-ABHIM
PM-ABHIM: The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare provided updates on the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. The PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PMASBY), which has now been renamed as PM-ABHIM is one of the largest pan-India Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) […]
UK’s Assisted Dying Bill
UK’s Assisted Dying Bill: The UK House of Commons voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, allowing terminally ill patients to request assistance to end their own lives.This landmark decision reflects ongoing debates about end-of-life rights and raises questions about ethical considerations and legal frameworks. Key Highlights of the UK’s […]
International Debt Report 2024
International Debt Report 2024: World Bank’s “International Debt Report 2024” highlights a worsening debt crisis for developing nations, with 2023 marking the highest debt servicing levels in two decades, driven by rising interest rates and economic challenges. Also, earlier in June 2024, a UNCTAD report, “A World of Debt 2024: A Growing Burden to Global […]
Profit-Oriented Research and R&D Challenges in India
Profit-Oriented Research and R&D Challenges in India: Google DeepMind released AlphaFold 3, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool for predicting protein structures. Unlike its previous open-source versions, AlphaFold 3’s full code was withheld, preventing scientists from fully understanding its workings or replicating its results.This decision has sparked discussions about the growing influence of for-profit funding(investors seeking […]
Contractor Rating Mechanism
Contractor Rating Mechanism: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a contractor rating mechanism to enhance the quality of highway maintenance.This initiative seeks to identify and address inefficiencies, improving ride quality and ensuring public safety on national highways.A performance-based rating mechanism for contractors maintaining national highways, assessing their work across defined parameters.
Kumhrar Site
Kumhrar Site: The Kumhrar site, linked to Mauryan history, is under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavation to uncover the 80-pillar assembly hall, the site of Emperor Ashoka’s third Buddhist Council.First excavated between 1912–15 by D.B. Spooner.Location: Kumhrar, near Patna, Bihar.
MH-60R Seahawk Multi-Role Helicopters
MH-60R Seahawk Multi-Role Helicopters: The United States has approved a $1.17-billion deal for support equipment and services for India’s MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters under its Foreign Military Sales programme.It is A variant of the Black Hawk helicopter tailored for naval operations.India contracted 24 MH-60R helicopters from the US in 2020 for $2.2 billion; nine have […]
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD): The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has launched an innovative Air Quality Dashboard to address the persistent issue of hazardous air pollution across the Indo-Gangetic plain and Himalayan foothills.The dashboard offers real-time tracking, advanced forecasting, and actionable insights to mitigate the health and environmental risks associated […]
