Current Affairs 21 August 2024

CONTENTS

1. Climate Change Impacts on Panama Canal Operations
2. Report Reveals Deceptive Patterns in Indian Apps
3. Study Predicts Dramatic Rise in Global Cancer Cases and Deaths by 2050
4. Maharashtra Launches Ladki Bahin Yojana for Women’s Empowerment
5. Parvovirus B19
6. South American lungfish
7. Court of Arbitration for Sport

 Climate Change Impacts on Panama Canal Operations

Context:

The Panama Canal, an essential artery for global maritime trade, is currently facing operational challenges due to persistent drought conditions amplified by climate change. The drought has notably decreased water levels in Lake Gatun, which is crucial for the canal’s operation. This reduction in water levels has sparked extensive discussions on developing long-term strategies to ensure the continuous functionality of the canal, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of environmental changes on critical global infrastructure.

Relevance:

GS I: Geography

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Impact of Climate Change on the Panama Canal
2. Key Facts about the Panama Canal

Impact of Climate Change on the Panama Canal:

• Drought Conditions: A significant drought starting in early 2023 has resulted in the driest October since the 1950s, with rainfall 43% below the norm.
• Reduced Canal Traffic: December 2023 saw a reduction in canal traffic, down from 36-38 to just 22 ships per day due to diminished water levels in Lake Gatun.
• Vessel Limitations: The lower water levels have led to limitations on the size and weight of ships that can traverse the canal, increasing the risk of larger vessels running aground.
• Operational Challenges: Ships require more water to be lifted in the canal locks, impacting their ability to navigate through the canal efficiently.
• Economic Impact: Representing 5% of global shipping, disruptions in the canal significantly impact the global supply chain, causing delays, increased fuel consumption, and economic downturns.
• Alternate Routing: Some vessels are compelled to navigate around South America, taking longer routes to their destinations.

Key Facts about the Panama Canal:

• Geographic and Functional Details:
  • The canal is an 82-kilometer artificial waterway in Panama, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
  • It traverses the Isthmus of Panama, playing a crucial role in global maritime trade by saving around 12,600 km on voyages between New York and San Francisco.
  • The canal began operation on August 15, 1914.
• Engineering and Operation:
  • The canal employs a sophisticated system of locks and elevators to transport ships between the oceans, which are at different elevations.
  • The Pacific Ocean is slightly higher than the Atlantic, necessitating the use of locks to adjust ship elevations for seamless passage.
  • There are a total of 12 locks within the canal, supported by artificial lakes and channels to manage water levels and ship movements effectively.

-Source: Indian Express

Report Reveals Deceptive Patterns in Indian Apps

Context:

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), in partnership with Parallel, a product design studio, has recently published a report detailing the widespread use of deceptive design patterns in major Indian applications. The study identifies the use of one or more of twelve specific deceptive or “dark” patterns that manipulate user behavior. These findings raise significant concerns about user experience and transparency, highlighting the need for regulatory scrutiny and possibly revised standards to ensure fair digital practices.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Dark Patterns in Digital Products
2. About Dark Patterns
3. Regulatory Framework Against Misleading Practices

Dark Patterns in Digital Products

• The ASCI (Advertising Standards Council of India) study exposes several manipulative strategies used by Indian applications to influence user actions.
• This tactic uses color contrasts to direct user attention to specific choices, subtly guiding decisions while minimizing other options visually.
• It’s reported that a significant 45% of prominent Indian applications employ such tactics.
• This involves using guilt or social pressure to sway decisions, like presenting the option to “Upgrade now” as more sensible than opting out.
• Unwanted items are automatically added to shopping carts, such as charity donations, requiring users to opt-out actively.

Additional Deceptive Techniques

• Privacy Deception: Tricks users into disclosing more personal information than they intended.
• Drip Pricing: Gradually introduces additional fees throughout the transaction process.
• Subscription Trap: Entices users into recurring payments without clear acknowledgment of the terms.

Significance and Impact

• Raising Awareness: The study aims to alert marketers and designers to these deceptive practices that could be integrated unintentionally into app designs.
• Importance of Reviewing Guidelines: Encourages adherence to standards set by ASCI and the Department of Consumer Affairs to ensure fair digital practices.
• Tools for Ethical Design: Marketers are encouraged to use platforms like the Conscious Patterns website to evaluate their applications and obtain a “conscious score” to ensure user protection is balanced with business objectives.
• Need for Ethical Practices: Highlights the crucial role of designers and marketers in fostering ethical design in applications, emphasizing that responsibility often falls on specialized designers.

About Dark Patterns:

• In 2010, the British user experience researcher Harry Brignull introduced the term “dark patterns.”
  Although profit-driven dark patterns had started to emerge by then, consumers were not fully aware of the consequences related to their privacy, as well as the expenditure of their time, energy, and money.
• Examples of these dark patterns have now become widespread. They include the automatic selection of travel insurance when booking flight tickets, the obligatory requirement to provide email addresses or phone numbers to access e-commerce websites, which are subsequently used for unsolicited text messages or emails that are difficult to block, and birthday greetings designed to encourage users to purchase gifts for themselves.
• In today’s era, characterized as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, major internet technology companies have systematically amassed the behavioral data of digital users to market their own products or third-party offerings. This has resulted in profits that often surpass the combined Gross Domestic Products of multiple nations.

Global Efforts to regulate dark patterns:

• With a growing awareness of the excessive profit-driven tactics employed by online e-commerce, governments are rushing to establish regulations for this industry and its trading practices.

Efforts by India:

• The Indian guidelines provide specific instructions for recognizing and preventing deceptive tactics such as
  • false urgency,
  • stealthily adding items to a shopping cart (basket sneaking),
  • using guilt or pressure to manipulate decisions (confirm shaming),
  • compelling users into actions they may not want (forced action),
  • and ensnaring users in subscription traps on online platforms.
• According to a 2021 report from the Advertising Standards Council of India, it was estimated that more than half of e-commerce websites employed these dark patterns to promote their products.
• Up until now, India’s initiatives to oversee this industry have primarily focused on preventing tax evasion and safeguarding the concerns of traditional physical retailers.

Regulatory Framework Against Misleading Practices

Prohibition of Misleading Practices

• Ban on misleading or coercive dark patterns.
• Encouragement for ethical sales and user retention strategies.

Scope of Application

• Applicability to all Indian platforms in the commerce sector, including advertisers and sellers.
• Inclusion of e-commerce, websites, and apps under the guidelines.

Identified Dark Patterns (as per CCPA Notification)

• Creating unwarranted urgency or scarcity to prompt immediate purchases.
• Non-consensual addition of items at checkout leading to increased payments.
• Employing fear or shame to manipulate user decisions for profit.
• Mandating additional purchases or personal data sharing.
• Overcomplicating subscription cancellation and obscuring options.
• User interface manipulation to deviate users from their initial intent.
• Providing misleading outcomes contrary to advertised promises based on user interactions.
• Initial price concealment, with post-confirmation disclosure or conditional service access.
• Disguising ads as other content to deceive users into engaging.
• Constant disruptive interactions aimed at profit.
• Intentionally using perplexing language to confuse users.
• Inducing recurring payments under SaaS models.
• Deceiving users into purchasing unnecessary malware removal services through ransomware or scareware.

-Source: The Hindu

Study Predicts Dramatic Rise in Global Cancer Cases and Deaths by 2050

Context:

A recent publication in the journal “Cancer” has revealed a concerning forecast for global health, predicting an 84.3% increase in cancer cases among men and a 93.2% rise in cancer deaths by the year 2050, relative to the data from 2022. This significant expected increase highlights a severe public health challenge that will demand comprehensive strategies and enhanced medical infrastructure to manage the growing burden of cancer effectively. This study serves as a call to action for global health authorities to prioritize cancer research and healthcare planning to address this looming crisis.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Cancer
2. Key Insights from the Cancer Study
3. Cancer Prevalence in India

About Cancer

• Cancer is a widely feared disease that leads to many deaths globally, including in India where more than a million people suffer from it annually.
• The mechanisms behind the development, treatment and control of cancer have been extensively studied in the field of biology and medicine.
• In healthy individuals, cell growth and differentiation are tightly controlled, but in cancer, these regulatory mechanisms break down.
• Normal cells have a property called contact inhibition, which prevents them from growing uncontrollably when in contact with other cells.
• However, cancer cells appear to lose this property, leading to the uncontrolled growth and division of cells, resulting in tumors.

Types of Tumors

• Tumors are of two types:
  • Benign 
  • Malignant
• Benign tumors normally remain confined to their original location and do not spread to other parts of the body and cause little damage.
• The malignant tumors, on the other hand are a mass of proliferating cells called neoplastic or tumor cells. These cells grow very rapidly, invading and damaging the surrounding normal tissues.

Causes of Cancer

• Cancer is caused by the transformation of normal cells into cancerous neoplastic cells. This transformation can be triggered by physical, chemical or biological agents called carcinogens.
• These agents include ionizing radiations such as X-rays and gamma rays, non-ionizing radiations such as UV rays, and chemical carcinogens found in tobacco smoke.
• Cancer-causing viruses, known as oncogenic viruses, also have genes called viral oncogenes that can contribute to the development of cancer.
• Additionally, certain genes called cellular oncogenes or proto oncogenes in normal cells can be activated under certain conditions, resulting in the oncogenic transformation of cells.

Key Insights from the Cancer Study

• Projected Increases by 2050: The study forecasts that the number of cancer cases in men will reach 19 million, with deaths likely to hit 10.5 million.
• Significant Growth in Specific Cancers: Mesothelioma cases are predicted to rise by 105.5%, prostate cancer deaths by 136.4%, and testicular cancer will see a rise of 22.7% in incidences and 40% in deaths.
• Dominance of Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is anticipated to continue as the predominant cancer in terms of both new cases and deaths, expecting an over 87% increase from 2022 figures.
• Disparities Observed: In 2022, there were about 10.3 million cases and 5.4 million deaths globally, with a significant proportion of these cases being in adults aged 65 and older.
• Impact of HDI: The report suggests a 50.2% increase in cancer cases in very high HDI countries and a 138.6% increase in low HDI countries by 2050.
• Rising Death Rates: Cancer deaths are set to increase by 63.9% in very high HDI countries and 141.6% in low HDI countries.
• Mortality-to-Incidence Ratios: High mortality-to-incidence ratios were noted, especially in older men and in countries with low HDI, indicating poor prognosis for these groups.

Cancer Prevalence in India

• Current Statistics: In 2022, India reported 1,413,316 new cancer cases, with a slightly higher proportion of female patients.
• Leading Cancers: Breast cancer leads with 192,020 new cases, making up 13.6% of all cases and 26% among women.
• Other Common Cancers: Following breast cancer are cancers of the lip and oral cavity, cervix, uterine, lung, and esophageal.
• Regional Impact of Smokeless Tobacco: Smokeless tobacco products are linked to a significant percentage of oral cavity cancers in India, as reflected in the global data where India accounts for 32.9% of the deaths.
• Global Context: India represents 23% of the global deaths from cervical cancer, with a five-year survival rate at 51.7%, which is lower compared to more developed countries.

-Source: Down To Earth

Maharashtra Launches Ladki Bahin Yojana for Women’s Empowerment

Context:

The Government of Maharashtra has introduced the Ladki Bahin Yojana, also known as the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, a key welfare initiative aimed at supporting women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to these women, facilitating their journey towards self-reliance and socio-economic development. Through such measures, the initiative seeks to empower women by offering them the resources needed to improve their living standards and contribute more effectively to their communities.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Ladki Bahin Yojana
2. Benefits of the Ladki Bahin Yojana

Ladki Bahin Yojana

• The Ladki Bahin Yojana aims to empower women by offering a monthly stipend. This financial aid is intended to help them meet basic necessities, improve life quality, and support gender equality.
• The program encourages women’s participation in various socio-economic activities, promoting comprehensive personal and community growth.

Eligibility Criteria for Ladki Bahin Yojana

• Must be a permanent resident of Maharashtra.
• The family’s annual income must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh.
• Women employed in government roles or those paying income tax are not eligible.

Age Requirement

• The program is open to women aged 21 to 65, ensuring a wide demographic including young adults to seniors benefits from the scheme. 

Benefits of the Ladki Bahin Yojana

• Monthly Stipend: Qualified women receive ₹1,500 monthly.
• LPG Provision: Annually, three free LPG gas cylinders are distributed.
• Educational Aid: Fee waivers are available for girls from OBC and EWS backgrounds for college admissions.
• Broad Eligibility: Includes women aged 21 to 65, catering to those who are married, widowed, divorced, abandoned, or destitute.

-Source: Indian Express

Parvovirus B19

Context:

The US centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a healthy advisory due to concerning rise in cases of parvovirus B19.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Parvovirus B19:

• Parvovirus B19 is a widely spread illness, particularly affecting individuals with compromised immune systems.
• Often referred to as “slapped cheek” syndrome due to the distinctive redness it causes on the cheeks.
• Known historically as ‘Fifth disease’, it ranks fifth among common rash-associated childhood diseases.

Transmission Methods:

• The virus is primarily transmitted through airborne droplets expelled when an infected individual coughs or sneezes.
• It can also spread through blood or blood-contaminated products.
• Infected pregnant individuals can transmit the virus to the fetus via the placenta.

Potential Complications:

• Children: Typically mild in children, requiring minimal treatment.
• Adults: The infection can escalate into serious conditions in adults, particularly pregnant women, potentially leading to severe fetal health issues.
• Immune-compromised Individuals: More severe in those with certain types of anemia or compromised immune systems.

Symptoms of Parvovirus B19:

• Many individuals show no initial symptoms.
• Symptoms vary significantly based on the age at infection onset.
• Includes the ‘slapped cheek’ rash in children and joint pains in adults.

Treatment Approaches:

• Infections typically resolve without intervention.
• Symptomatic Relief: Treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms like fever, itching, and joint discomfort.

-Source: Indian Express

South American lungfish

Context:

Recent study revealed that the South American lungfish genome grew massively during the past 100 million years.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

South American Lungfish:

• Known scientifically as Lepidosiren paradoxa, this species is a freshwater lungfish.
• It represents the closest living link to the first land vertebrates, sharing a lineage that dates back over 400 million years.
• Predominantly found in the sluggish and still waters of Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana, and Paraguay.

Genetic Characteristics:

• Exceptional Genome Size: Possesses the largest genome recorded in any animal, with its DNA capable of extending up to 60 meters if stretched out, compared to about 2 meters for the human genome.
• Comparative Genome Size: The lungfish’s genome is over 50 times larger than that of humans.
• Repetitive DNA: Approximately 90% of its genome consists of repetitive sequences.

Historical and Biological Insights:

• Emerged during the Devonian Period, a crucial era in evolutionary history when aquatic life began transitioning to terrestrial forms.
• This period marked the evolution of fish with specialized lungs and robust fins, setting the stage for the rise of tetrapods.

Adaptive Features:

• Respiratory Adaptation: Unlike typical fish that rely solely on gills, the South American lungfish has developed lung-like organs to aid in breathing.
• Habitat Adaptation: Thrives in oxygen-poor environments such as the swampy regions of the Amazon and Parana-Paraguay River basins, supplementing its aquatic oxygen intake with air-breathing.

-Source: The Hindu

Court of Arbitration for Sport

Context:

Recently, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics for exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

• The CAS was founded in 1984 and operates under the governance of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS).
• Serves as an autonomous institution aimed at resolving disputes related to sports through arbitration or mediation, using procedures tailored specifically for the sports community.

Functions of CAS

• Dispute Resolution: Specializes in resolving legal disputes within the sports sector by issuing arbitral awards, which are legally enforceable similar to traditional court judgments.
• Mediation Services: Offers mediation for dispute resolution whenever applicable, promoting amicable settlements.
• Event-Specific Tribunals: Establishes temporary tribunals for major sporting events like the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, applying specially crafted procedural rules for each instance.

Types of Disputes Addressed

• Handles cases directly or indirectly associated with sports, including commercial disputes such as sponsorship contracts and disciplinary matters stemming from decisions by sports bodies, like doping violations.

Eligibility to File a Case

• Who Can File: Any individual or legal entity, such as athletes, sports clubs, federations, event organizers, sponsors, or media broadcasters, with the legal capacity to initiate proceedings can approach CAS for resolving their disputes.

-Source: Hindustan Times