Category: Science and Technology Current Affairs

Alaskapox : Orthopox Virus An elderly man from Alaska recently became the first person to die after contracting Alaskapox. Alaskapox is an orthopox virus that was first discovered in Alaska, USA, in 2015. It is a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the same genus (Orthopoxvirus) as smallpox, monkeypox, and cowpox. Orthopoxviruses are zoonotic viruses that […]

Ultracold Atoms: This technique eliminates 50% of unwanted interference fringes in images, crucial for understanding the quantum mechanics properties of cold atoms. Traditional imaging techniques suffer from interference fringes, reducing result quality and accuracy in parameters like atom number and temperature. The new algorithm, detailed in a recent paper in Applied Optics, significantly reduces interference […]

Aral Sea : Study NASA’s Earth Observatory posted a detailed analysis of the reason behind Aral Sea’s disappearance. Aral Sea stands at the boundary between Kazakhstan to the north and Uzbekistan to the south. It was once a large saltwater lake of Central Asia and the world’s fourth largest body of inland water. The remnants […]

Frozen Smoke : Discovery Researchers have developed a sensor made from “frozen smoke” that uses artificial intelligence techniques to detect formaldehyde in real time at concentrations as low as eight parts per billion, far beyond the sensitivity of most indoor air quality sensors. The frozen smoke, technically known as aerogel, is an extraordinary material. It […]

Kyasanur Forest Disease : Viral Infection Two people have died due to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a viral infection, in Karnataka. According to the health department, the first fatality due to monkey fever was reported in Shivamogga district on 8 January wherein an 18-year-old succumbed to the virus. The second fatality was reported at Manipal […]

Typbar Typhoid Vaccine: Phase-3 trial conducted in Malawi, Africa, a region endemic for typhoid fever, has demonstrated the long-term efficacy of Bharat Biotech’s Typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV), Typbar. Typbar TCV is the world’s first clinically proven conjugate Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is usually spread […]

Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Model: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has come up with a list of high-traffic density corridors for private developers to build and operate under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Model is a type of agreement often used in infrastructure projects, particularly in the construction and operation of public facilities or […]

DigiReady Certification: The Quality Council of India (QCI) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) announced the launch of the DigiReady Certification (DRC) portal. DigiReady Certification aims to assess and certify digital readiness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) entities. By leveraging this online self-assessment tool, MSMEs can evaluate their preparedness to seamlessly onboard […]

MXenes : Study Researchers recently reported on the potential of using MXene coatings that can guide microwaves in space and lighten satellite payloads. MXenes, first discovered in 2011, are ceramics that comprise one of the largest families of two-dimensional (2D) materials. Unlike most 2D ceramics, MXenes have inherently good conductivity and excellent volumetric capacitance because […]

Open Network Digital Commerce: The Centre has on boarded 11 fair price shops on the state-run e-commerce portal Open Network Digital Commerce (ONDC). It is an open-source network set up to enable buyers and sellers to transact with each other irrespective of the e-commerce platform on which either of them are registered. It will enable […]