Camptothecin : Anti-Cancer Drug Researchers at the Indian Institutes of Technology Madras and Mandi have metabolically engineered Nothapodytes nimmoniana plant cells to increase production of anti-cancer drug camptothecin (CPT). Camptothecin is an important anti-cancer drug lead molecule for high-value drugs like Topotecan and Irinotecan. It is a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor extracted mainly from – […]
Category: Current Affairs
Israel Recently Deployed Sky Dew
Israel Recently Deployed Sky Dew: Israel recently deployed Sky Dew along the Lebanese border as tensions with Hezbollah escalated. Sky Dew is a massive balloon-like structure in the shape of a puffed aircraft. The high-altitude observation balloon acts as a detection radar blip for small unmanned aircraft and cruise missiles. It is one of the […]
India To Chair World Heritage Committee
India To Chair World Heritage Committee: India is set to take the reins as the chair of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee for the very first time. World Heritage Committee is a committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines […]
Lancet Study On Child Marriage In India
Lancet Study On Child Marriage In India: Lancet study on child marriage in India highlighted an overall decrease in child marriage across the country. However, it emphasized that certain states, specifically Bihar (16.7%), West Bengal (15.2%), Uttar Pradesh (12.5%), and Maharashtra (8.2%), collectively contributed to over half of the total headcount burden of child marriages […]
Bureau Of Indian Standards : 77th Foundation Day
Bureau Of Indian Standards : 77th Foundation Day The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), a body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Government of India, celebrated its 77th Foundation Day on 6th January 2024. BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016 for the harmonious […]
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) has been celebrated on 9th January every year since 2003 to honor the Indian diaspora and the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the country’s development. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma […]
Impact Of Logging And Climate Change On Biodiversity : IISc Research
Impact Of Logging And Climate Change On Biodiversity : IISc Research An IISc research investigating impacts of logging and climate change on biodiversity-rich tropical mountain forests has revealed intriguing ecological shifts. Analysis of insect-eating tropical bird data collected over 10 years showed logging is pushing smaller species to higher cooler elevations due to hotter temperatures […]
African Raptors : Population Declines
African Raptors : Population Declines A new study has revealed that 37 out of 42 African raptor species analyzed have experienced significant population declines of around 88% in the past 40 years. Out of these, 29 species constituting 69% have seen drops over 3 generation lengths that qualify them as globally threatened under IUCN criteria […]
Zosurabalpin : New Class Of Antibiotics
Zosurabalpin : New Class Of Antibiotics Researchers have identified a new class of antibiotics, specifically zosurabalpin, with the potential to combat drug-resistant bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii. This antibiotic was found to be effective against CRAB (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii)-induced pneumonia and sepsis in mouse models. Zosurabalpin, a drug candidate, was developed through the optimization of a tethered […]
Starlink Satellites With Direct-To-Cell
Starlink Satellites With Direct-To-Cell: SpaceX successfully launched the first set of Starlink satellites equipped with direct-to-cell capabilities. Direct-to-cell refers to a technology that enables communication signals, such as text messages, voice, and data, to be transmitted directly from space-based satellites to mobile devices (cell phones) without the need for traditional ground-based infrastructure. In the context […]
