Category: Science and Technology Current Affairs

Brumation : Reptilian Survival Strategy Researchers have observed instances of brumation in various reptilian species across habitats. Brumation is the name to describe a period of dormancy or slowed activity in reptiles, much like hibernation in mammals. It typically occurs during colder months, when temperatures drop and food becomes scarce. During brumation, reptiles may retreat […]

High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS): The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) recently conducted successful tests on a High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS), marking a significant milestone in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) is a solar-powered UAV. It can generate solar energy and remain in the air […]

SWATI Portal: Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India launched “Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)” Portal. SWATI Portal is aimed at creating a single online portal representing Indian Women and Girls in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine). The database of the SWATI Portal will serve in policy-making to address the […]

Alaskapox : Orthopox Virus An elderly man from Alaska recently became the first person to die after contracting Alaskapox. Alaskapox is an orthopox virus that was first discovered in Alaska, USA, in 2015. It is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the same genus (Orthopoxvirus) as smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox. Orthopoxviruses are zoonotic viruses that […]

Ultracold Atoms: This technique eliminates 50% of unwanted interference fringes in images, crucial for understanding the quantum mechanics properties of cold atoms. Traditional imaging techniques suffer from interference fringes, reducing result quality and accuracy in parameters like atom number and temperature. The new algorithm, detailed in a recent paper in Applied Optics, significantly reduces interference […]

Aral Sea : Study NASA’s Earth Observatory posted a detailed analysis of the reason behind Aral Sea’s disappearance. Aral Sea stands at the boundary between Kazakhstan to the north and Uzbekistan to the south. It was once a large saltwater lake of Central Asia and the world’s fourth largest body of inland water. The remnants […]

Frozen Smoke : Discovery Researchers have developed a sensor made from “frozen smoke” that uses artificial intelligence techniques to detect formaldehyde in real time at concentrations as low as eight parts per billion, far beyond the sensitivity of most indoor air quality sensors. The frozen smoke, technically known as aerogel, is an extraordinary material. It […]

Kyasanur Forest Disease : Viral Infection Two people have died due to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a viral infection, in Karnataka. According to the health department, the first fatality due to monkey fever was reported in Shivamogga district on 8 January wherein an 18-year-old succumbed to the virus. The second fatality was reported at Manipal […]

Typbar Typhoid Vaccine: Phase-3 trial conducted in Malawi, Africa, a region endemic for typhoid fever, has demonstrated the long-term efficacy of Bharat Biotech’s Typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV), Typbar. Typbar TCV is the world’s first clinically proven conjugate Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is usually spread […]

Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Model: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has come up with a list of high-traffic density corridors for private developers to build and operate under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Model is a type of agreement often used in infrastructure projects, particularly in the construction and operation of public facilities or […]