ANTIMICROBIAL NANOPARTICLES ON PPES, MASKS
Why in news? As part of Nano Mission programme, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has approved support for upscaling an antiviral nano-coatings for use as appropriate material for producing anti-COVID-19 Triple Layer Medical masks and N-95 respirator in large quantities. Silver is known to have strong antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungus, and […]
REVIEW OF DARE/ICAR, TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT VIA ICAR-KVK
Why in news? The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, took a review meeting of the Department of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on 23rd April. He emphasised on enhancing the reach of technologies amongst farmers and reach out to maximum number of farmers through the network of […]
ANTHURIUM, A FLOWER WITH HIGH MARKET VALUE
Why in news? Vasini Bai, A woman innovator from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has developed ten varieties of Anthurium, a flower with high market value, by cross-pollination. About Anthurium Anthurium (Anthurium spp.) is a vast group of beautiful blooming plants available in a wide range of colors. The plants of the varieties are having high demands due […]
NEW MODEL TO PREDICT IONOSPHERIC ELECTRON DENSITY
Why in news? The Indian Institute of Geomagnetism researchers have developed a model that will predict electronic density of ionosphere which is important for Communication and Navigation needs. Details about the new model The new Artificial Neural Networks based global Ionospheric Model has been developed using long-term ionospheric observations to predict the ionospheric electron density […]
SURPLUS RICE AVAILABLE WITH FCI ALLOWED TO BE CONVERTED TO ETHANOL
Why in news? It was approved in a meeting of NBCC on 20th April that the surplus rice available with Food Corporation of India (FCI) may be converted to ethanol for utilization in making alcohol-based hand-sanitizers and in blending for Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme. Is this allowed? National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 under Para […]
Plasma Therapy for Corona / Covid-19 for UPSC Exam
Why in news? Several countries, including India, are seriously looking at plasma therapy as a potential treatment for Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Plasma therapy uses blood donated by recovered patients to introduce antibodies in those under treatment. After China and the US, India has given a go ahead for framing a […]
CLUES TO BLAZAR EMISSION MECHANISMS
Why in news? Researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) conducted the first systematic study on the gamma-ray flux variability nature on different types of blazars. Their study could provide clues to the processes happening close to the black hole, not visible through direct imaging. What are blazars? At the centre of most galaxies, […]
INDIA MUST ADOPT PLANS THAT AVERT THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO
Forecast of a Contraction in Economy Forecasting the sharpest contraction in world output since the Great Depression of the 1930s, the IMF slashed its projection by 6.3 percentage points from its January forecast for 3.3% growth to a 3% decline. In contrast, the recession of 2009 saw world output contract by a mere 0.1%. In […]
A SHOT OF HOPE WITH A GAME CHANGING VACCINE
Gravity of the situation Over the initial phase of the national lockdown (March 24 to April 14), India reported a 20-fold increase in confirmed SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 cases (468 to >10,000), and a 36-fold increase in deaths (9 to 330). Increased testing may partly account for this; but testing is still inadequate and this data represent underestimates. […]
EXPLAINED: TYPES OF HUMAN CORONAVIRUSES
What are coronaviruses? Coronaviruses are a large family of single-stranded RNA viruses that cause diseases in animals and humans. In humans, the viruses usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses such as the common cold. In the last two decades, more aggressive coronaviruses have emerged that are capable of causing serious illness and even […]