Zoonotic Diseases: The World Health Organization (WHO) has formed a high-level expert panel ‘One Health’ to study the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases like H5N1, avian influenza, MERS, Ebola, Zika, and possibly the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The panel will advise global agencies on how future outbreaks, especially due to zoonotic diseases, can be […]
Category: Science and Technology Current Affairs
National Award 2021 : Technology Development Board (TDB)
National Award 2021 From Technology Development Board (TDB): A Bangalore-based startup has received the National Award 2021 from the Technology Development Board (TDB) for developing a commercial solution for the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to chemicals and fuels. The startup has received funding under the Nano Mission. The startup developed efficient catalysts and methodologies […]
Zebrafish and Induced Hibernation
Zebrafish: New research in zebrafish has demonstrated how induced hibernation (torpor) may protect humans from the elements of space, especially radiation, during space flight. The researchers exposed zebrafish to radiation like what would be experienced on a six-month journey to Mars. They observed signs of oxidative stress (imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals), DNA damage, […]
Data Protection In India
Data Protection In India: The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has sent a notice to WhatsApp asking it to withdraw a controversial update to its privacy policy which might be a threat to the Data Protection of Indians. According to WhatsApp’s updated privacy policy, users would no longer be able to stop the app […]
Kyasanur Forest Disease
Kyasanur Forest Disease: A new point-of-care test has been found to be highly sensitive in the rapid diagnosis of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD). This disease is also known as monkey fever. Point-of-care Test: It is developed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Virology. It includes a battery-operated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analyser, […]
DIPCOVAN
DIPCOVAN: Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed an antibody detection-based kit ‘DIPCOVAN’, the DIPAS-VDX COVID-19 IgG Antibody Microwell ELISA for sero-surveillance. The DIPCOVAN kit can detect both spike as well as nucleocapsid (S&N) proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with a high sensitivity […]
Coviself : Self Testing Kit
Coviself: Self Testing Kit: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approved India’s first self-use Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for Covid-19 named as CoviSelf. It is developed by MyLab Discovery Solutions, a Pune-based molecular company. ICMR is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, and is one of […]
Mucormycosis : Epidemic Under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897
Mucormycosis: An Epidemic Under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897: The Union government has asked the States to declare mucormycosis, the fungal infection being reported in COVID-19 patients, an epidemic under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897. Declaring the black fungus infection seen in COVID-19 patients an epidemic would lead to health facilities screening for it and reporting […]
NASA-ESA Solar Orbiter Spacecraft
NASA-ESA Solar Orbiter Spacecraft: NASA and European Space Agency’s spacecraft has captured the first solar eruption on the Sun’s surface. These eruptions are also known as coronal mass ejections (CME). If these eruptions on the Sun’s surface are big enough, they can cause billions of tons of plasma and electrically charged particles to dash towards […]
Medicine From The Sky Project : Telangana
Medicine From The Sky Project: Telangana: The Telangana government has selected 16 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) for pilot testing the ambitious ‘Medicine from the sky’, the first-of-its-kind project. The project involves the delivery of medicines through multiple drones. The project is being launched following the approval granted by the Civil Aviation Ministry. The Ministry has […]
