Lamprey Fish : Two New Species A recent study has uncovered two potential new species of lamprey fish in California waters. Lampreys are boneless, jawless fish with eel-like bodies that date back over 350 million years. They belong to a relic (primitive) group of jawless fish called Agnathans. They live in coastal and fresh waters […]
Category: Science and Technology Current Affairs
SLIM : Japan’s Moon Mission
SLIM : Japan’s Moon Mission Japan recently landed a spacecraft called SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) on the lunar surface, becoming the 5th country after the Soviet Union, the US, China and India to achieve a soft landing on the moon. SLIM was launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in September 2023 […]
Universal Service Obligation Fund
Universal Service Obligation Fund: Telecom service providers have urged the Ministry of Finance to suspend the universal service obligation fund (USOF) levy until the existing corpus is exhausted. USOF was set up by an Act of Parliament in December 2003 by amending the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. The objective of the USOF is to provide […]
Soil-Powered Fuel Cell
Soil-Powered Fuel Cell: A team from Northwestern University has developed a soil-powered fuel cell that harvests energy from microbes in the soil. This small fuel cell, about the size of a book, could be used to power underground sensors in applications like green infrastructure and precision agriculture. The researchers tested the fuel cell by using […]
National Essential Diagnostics List : Review
National Essential Diagnostics List : Review The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has begun the process of revising the current National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) and invited relevant stakeholders to offer suggestions on adding or deleting diagnostic tests to the current list by the end of February. National Essential Diagnostics List the essential and […]
Chang’e 6 Mission : Status
Chang’e 6 Mission : Status The China National Space Administration (CNSA) recently announced that the Chang’e 6 sample return mission is on track to land on the surface of the Moon in the first half of 2024. The Chang’e 6 mission is a planned lander designed to return samples from the lunar south pole. The […]
Paramyrothecium indicum : New Species Of Pathogenic Fungus
Paramyrothecium indicum : New Species Of Pathogenic Fungus Scientists recently discovered a new species of fungus in Kerala, named ‘Paramyrothecium indicum’ Paramyrothecium indicum is a new species of phytopathogenic fungus. Phytopathogens are parasites surviving on a plant host. Most of Paramyrothecium are phytopathogens. They are responsible for “serious plant diseases which might negatively affect crop […]
Gut Microbiota : Finding
Gut Microbiota : Finding Scientists are finding that the gut microbiota may be linked to heart health, some cancers, and even the colour of urine. The human gut microbiota refers to the trillions of microbes, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, that live in the human gut. Previously, people referred to the gut microbiota […]
One Vehicle One FASTag Initiative
One Vehicle One FASTag Initiative: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative. The National Highways Authority of India suggested tagging users to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process by the end of January 31 to avoid deactivation. The move aims to enhance the efficiency of the […]
Operation Amrith : Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention For Total Health
Operation Amrith : Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention For Total Health The Kerala Drug Control Department has initiated Operation Amrith (Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention For Total Health) to curb the overuse of antibiotics in the state. Pharmacies are required to maintain accurate records of antibiotic sales, display posters stating ‘antibiotics not sold without doctor’s prescription,’ and comply with […]
