Double Mutant Coronavirus Variant: Genome sequencing of a section of virus samples by a consortium of 10 laboratories across the country, called the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG), has revealed a unique “double mutant” coronavirus variant — with a combination of mutations not seen anywhere else in the world. The new variant has been […]
Category: Science and Technology Current Affairs
National Health Mission (NHM) : FY 2019-20
National Health Mission (NHM): The Union Cabinet was apprised of the progress under National Health Mission (NHM) during FY 2019-20. The Cabinet noted that NHM has envisaged new Initiatives in 2019-20 as: Social Awareness and Actions to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) initiative was launched to accelerate action to reduce deaths due to childhood pneumonia. Surakshit Matritva […]
What is Parosmia? Covid-19
Parosmia: Some people may experience parosmia as a symptom of COVID-19. Parosmia is a medical term used to describe a condition in which affected individuals experience “distortions of the sense of smell”. A person with parosmia can detect certain odours, but they might experience the smell of certain things as different and often unpleasant. For […]
Covishield : Interval Between Doses
Covishield: The government has decided to increase the interval between the first and second doses of Covishield to up to eight weeks in its ongoing vaccination drive against Covid-19. Covishield is Serum Institute of India’s version of AZD1222, the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca in collaboration with the University of Oxford. Some data from global trials […]
What is Diptheria Disease? Global Rise
Global Rise Of Diptheria: A recent study has found that Diphtheria, which is a relatively easily-preventable infection, could become a major global threat. The number of diphtheria cases reported globally has been increasing gradually. In 2018, there were 16,651 reported cases, more than double the yearly average for 1996-2017 (8,105 cases). Indian Scenario: According to […]
What is Rajasthan Model Of Public Health?
Rajasthan Model Of Public Health: The Chief Minister of Rajasthan announced the implementation of the Rajasthan Model of Public Health that would include a Right to Health as well as measures for preventive, primary and curative care as envisioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Rajasthan Model of Public Health: The Mukhya Mantri Chiranjeevi Yojana […]
High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs)
High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs): Indian scientists have developed a highly reliable HEMT from gallium nitride (GaN). This is the first-ever indigenous HEMT device and is useful in electric cars, locomotives, power transmission and other areas requiring high voltage and high-frequency switching. This would reduce the cost of importing such stable and efficient transistors required […]
First Moving Supermassive Black Hole Discovered
First Moving Supermassive Black Hole: Scientists have discovered the first moving supermassive black hole whose mass is about three million times that of our Sun. The black hole was traveling within its own galaxy (J0437+2456) which is around 228 million light-years away from Earth. Scientists studied 10 faraway galaxies with supermassive black holes in the […]
National Non-Ferrous Metal Scrap Recycling Framework, 2020
National Non-Ferrous Metal Scrap Recycling Framework, 2020: The Ministry of Mines has issued a National non-ferrous metal scrap recycling framework, 2020 in a bid to cut down the scrap imports. It also seeks to use a life cycle management approach for better efficiency in the mineral value chain process. Objectives of the Recycling Framework: To work […]
Genome Mapping In Indian Ocean
Genome Mapping In Indian Ocean: National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is going to launch the first-of-its-kind project of Genome Mapping in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean is the third largest water body in the world, covering about 20% of the Earth’s water surface. Aim: To gather samples for genome mapping of microorganisms in the […]
