Category: Science and Technology Current Affairs

Mitochondrial DNA Mutations : Study A recent study published in Genome Research highlights that deletion mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) play a significant role in age-related muscle loss. Findings on the mtDNA Mutations: Deletion mutations in mtDNA reduce its size and functionality, gradually eroding mitochondrial efficiency. These mutated mtDNA molecules outcompete healthy ones, leading to […]

Marburg Virus Disease : Outbreak Rwanda has successfully contained and declared its first-ever outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) officially over after a 42-day period without new cases. This achievement was confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO). MVD is a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus, with no approved […]

Conservation of Cephalopods: California and Washington have approved bans on octopus farming. Hawaii is considering similar action against raising octopus, a member of Cephalopods, demand for food.Cephalopods are a class of ocean-dwelling intelligent invertebrates that includes cuttlefish, squid and octopus.

Undersea Cable Network: India is set to launch two new cable systems in the coming months namely India Asia Xpress (IAX) and India Europe Xpress (IEX).IAX connects Chennai and Mumbai with Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia in Asia while IEX connects them with France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Djibouti.They are high-capacity optic fibre cables laid […]

China dominating the critical minerals sector: In 2023, the Ministry of Mines identified 30 critical minerals vital for India’s economic growth and security. The report noted complete import dependency for 10 minerals, with China dominating the critical minerals sector.Critical minerals are those minerals which are essential for economic development and national security, the lack of […]

Didi Ki Library Initiative: The “Didi ki Library” initiative, launched in Bihar under the World Bank-supported JEEViKA project, aims to bridge educational gaps in rural areas.A network of community libraries established in rural Bihar to support education and career development for underprivileged children and youth.

Cirus Reactor: The Cirus reactor, operational since 1960, was pivotal in India’s nuclear program, driving scientific innovation and enabling the 1974 “Smiling Buddha” nuclear test.Uses of Cirus Reactor is isotopes for medicine, agriculture, and industry,Advanced condensed matter studies.

Kejriwal Launches Dr Ambedkar Scholarship for Dalit Students Abroad: Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP supremo, unveiled the Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship, a scheme designed to fund Dalit students from Delhi who wish to pursue higher education in top foreign universities. The announcement, made in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections, aims to honor Babasaheb Ambedkar […]

SpaDeX Mission: ISRO is preparing to launch a record 24 scientific experiments on board the POEM satellite under the Spadex Mission. The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) is a groundbreaking mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aimed at developing autonomous space docking technology. The mission involves PSLV-C60 as the launch vehicle to demonstrate in-space […]

Aerogel: A group of researchers from Pune have developed a novel hybrid aerogel capable of easily extracting gold from electronic waste. Aerogels are among the lightest solid materials. They are created by combining a polymer with a solvent to form a gel, and then removing the liquid from the gel and replacing it with air. […]