Self-Amplifying mRNA Vaccine: A self-amplifying mRNA vaccine — one in which the delivered RNA multiplies inside the body — has shown promising results against Covid-19 in ongoing phase 1/2/3 trials. The vaccine, ARCT-154, has been developed by Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings, based in San Diego, California, and its trials are in progress in Vietnam. An mRNA […]
Category: Science and Technology Current Affairs
Phone Tapping In India
Phone Tapping In India: IPS officer Rashmi Shukla is facing an FIR in Mumbai and is being probed for allegedly tapping the phones of Rajya Sabha MP Raut and NCP leader Eknath Khadse in 2019, when she was heading the State Intelligence Department in Maharashtra. Section 5(2) says that “on the occurrence of any public […]
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes: Important Points
What Are Genetically Modified Mosquitoes? The US conducted an open-air study of genetically engineered mosquitoes which shows promising results. The aim of the study is to reduce the population of wild Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that are a vector for viruses such as chikungunya, dengue, zika and yellow fever. The mosquitoes had already been field-tested in […]
NASA-ISRO NISAR Mission
NASA-ISRO NISAR Mission: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States of America to jointly realise a satellite mission named ‘NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)’ for scientific studies of Earth. The NISAR mission is scheduled for launch in 2023. NISAR is optimised for studying […]
Mysterious Liver Disease Reported In Spain, Denmark And Netherland
Mysterious Liver Disease Reported In Spain, Denmark And Netherland: Some Cases of a Mysterious Liver Disease have been reported in Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands, besides the US and UK. Mysterious Disease: Children between the age of 1 to 6 years old have been the target of the disease. According to reports, the disease might […]
Draft Battery Swapping Policy
Draft Battery Swapping Policy: Government think-tank Niti Aayog has prepared a draft battery swapping policy. Under this, it has proposed offering incentives to electric vehicles (EVs) with swappable batteries, subsidies to companies manufacturing swappable batteries, a new battery-as-a-service business model, and standards for interoperable batteries, among other measures. The draft policy has suggested that the […]
Mugger Crocodile
Mugger Crocodile: The Indian Railways has delivered water to Pali district in western Rajasthan to ensure survival of Mugger Crocodile or Marsh Crocodile as the region’s water bodies have dried up due to a hot March. Scientific Name: Crocodylus palustris Description: An egg-laying and hole-nesting species, also known to be dangerous. Habitat: Mainly restricted to […]
Announcement On Setting Up 75 Digital Banking
Announcement On Setting Up 75 Digital Banking: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has reiterated her Budget announcement on setting up 75 digital banking units in 75 districts of the country this year. This is to take forward the government’s agenda of digital financial inclusion. Digital banking involves taking all traditional banking activity online — doing away […]
Imbalance In Nitrogen Availability : Report
Imbalance In Nitrogen Availability : Report According to a new report, an imbalance in nitrogen availability has been reported across the globe, with some places having an excess and others a shortage of the element. Reasons Causing the Decline Rising carbon dioxide levels and other global changes have increased demand for nitrogen by plants and […]
World’s First Crypto-Backed Payment Card
World’s First “Crypto-Backed” Payment Card: Crypto lender Nexo has collaborated with Mastercard to launch the world’s first “crypto-backed” payment card. This launch has signaled the move by financial and crypto networks to collaborate as digital assets are becoming more mainstream. Initially, the card will be available in selected European countries. It will allow users to […]
