Category: Science and Technology Current Affairs

National Academy of Medical Sciences: One of the critical gaps in cancer care in India is the lack of adequate diagnostic services, finds the latest report by the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS). National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) is a unique institution functioning as an apex body with the objective to foster and […]

India’s First Gene-Edited Sheep: Researchers from Kashmir have successfully developed India’s first gene-edited sheep using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, under a project funded by the ICAR. They edited the myostatin gene in a local Merino lamb, increasing muscle mass by 30%, similar to European Texel sheep. It contains no foreign DNA, making it non-transgenic.Gene Editing (or Genome […]

Bharat Forecasting System: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) will soon adopt the Bharat Forecast System (BFS), which offers the highest resolution among weather models. Bharat Forecasting System (BFS) is an indigenously built advanced weather forecasting system. It was developed by the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). It will provide forecasts with a 6 […]

IN-SPACe: The Tamil Nadu Cabinet recently approved a Space Industrial Policy, making it the third Indian state, after Karnataka and Gujarat, to promote growth in the space ecosystem and attract investments. IN-SPACe is a single-window, independent, autonomous agency under the Department of Space (DoS) created as part of India’s space sector reforms. It aims to […]

Semi-transparent Perovskite Solar Cell: The IIT Bombay researchers have developed a semi-transparent perovskite solar cell (PSC). It is layered over a traditional silicon-based solar cell, forming a 4-terminal (4T) tandem structure. The bottom sub-cell uses well-established silicon technology, while the top sub-cell features an indigenously developed halide perovskite semiconductor, enabling high light absorption and efficient […]

ICMR Launches First Stigma Scale for Sickle Cell Disease: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed the ICMR-SCD Stigma Scale for India (ISSSI), the country’s first tool to measure and address stigma faced by sickle cell disease (SCD) patients and their caregivers. The scale includes two components: ISSSI-Pt for patients and ISSSI-Cg for […]

Oil Spills: A Liberian-flagged cargo vessel carrying hazardous materials, including calcium carbide and diesel, sank off the Kerala coast, raising serious concerns over oil spills. Calcium carbide (CaC2) is a chemical that reacts with seawater to release acetylene gas, which is highly flammable and hazardous.Oil Spills refer to the release of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons into […]

China is set to launch its Tianwen-2 mission: China is set to launch its Tianwen-2 mission, which aims to survey and sample the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo‘oalewa. Tianwen-2 Mission launch Vehicle : Long March 3B rocket. Launch Site: Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, Sichuan Province, China. Agency: China National Space Administration (CNSA). Objective is Survey and […]

COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1: One case of the newly emerging COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 and four instances of the LF.7 type have been detected in India, according to Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) data. INSACOG was established by the Government of India in December 2020. It was jointly initiated by the Union Ministry of Health, and the […]

Autism Spectrum Disorder: According to the CDC (USA), the prevalence of autism has risen from 1 in 36 children (2020) to 1 in 31 (2022). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition caused by differences in brain development, affecting communication, social interaction, behaviour and learning patterns. Symptoms of ASD typically appear before the age […]