CULTIVATION OF GM CROPS
Why in news? Area, production and productivity of Bt. cotton has increased steadily since its introduction in India, barring minor fluctuation in few years Details Most of the countries are signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Bio-safety which has well defined mechanism of regulation of Genetically Modified (GM) crops including bio-safety evaluation and environmental release. […]
NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION
What is National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)? The mission was set up to provide the country with supercomputing infrastructure to meet the increasing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups by creating the capability design, manufacturing, of supercomputers indigenously in India. The mission will nationally coordinate collaborative programme involving developers and users of supercomputing systems […]
COMPUTER BASED NANO MATERIALS AND FUTURE OF NANO-ELECTRONICS
Why in news? Researchers from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali have made computer based designs of nano-materials with superhigh piezoelectricity which can be the building blocks of futuristic nano-electronics for applications like ultrathin, next-generation nano-transistors. Piezoelectricity Piezoelectricity is the generation of electricity in certain materials upon application of pressure. Its applications have […]
NASA-Global Space Missions for UPSC Exam
Asteroid Impact Deflection Assessment Why in news? National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA) asteroid researchers and spacecraft engineers have come together to check the progress in the mission which is known as Asteroid Impact Deflection Assessment (AIDA). Details: An asteroid hit is widely acknowledged as one of the most likely, among all the causes […]
POACHING, NOT VIRUS, IS THE BIGGER THREAT, SAYS TIGER EXPERT
Why in news? Wildlife scientist cautions that a spurt in poaching during the lockdown period poses a greater threat to wildlife than the coronavirus (COVID-19). Background A tiger at the Bronx zoo in the U.S. tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The warning came after the advisory issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) […]
TWO CSIR LABS START SEQUENCING NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Why in news? India has shared nine whole genome sequences of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) with the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). Details: So far, 3,086 sequences of the virus isolated from humans have been shared by 57 countries. With 621, the U.S. has shared the most number of sequences, followed by the U.K. (350), Belgium (253) […]
RESEARCHERS FIND CELLS THAT MAY EXPLAIN LOSS OF SMELL IN COVID-19 PATIENTS
Why in news? Can a loss of smell be an early warning for a COVID-19 infection? Multiple reports have surfaced, primarily from Europe and the United States, from physicians and ear, nose and throat specialists, of COVID-19 patients complaining of an inability to smell — or anosmia. However, it is not clear whether neurons in […]
INDIA REVOKES BAN ON EXPORT OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE, OPPOSITION SLAMS
Why in news? The Government of India announced on 7th March 2020 that it had rescinded its earlier ban on the export of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which is now being used in countries such as the U.S. as a possible line of treatment for COVID-19, setting off a controversy over whether the two-day old […]
DRDO DEVELOPS BIO SUIT, SEALANT FOR SAFETY GEAR
Why in news? In a major breakthrough, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a special sealant as an alternative to seam sealing tape which is critical in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). A bio suit was also developed to keep medical and other personnel engaged in combating COVID-19 safe from the deadly virus, […]
DOCTORS WARY OF BCG VACCINE STUDY
Why in news? Doctors and scientists in India have expressed caution on a study, which argues that countries that have deployed the BCG-tuberculosis vaccine in their immunisation programmes have seen fewer deaths from coronavirus (COVID-19). What the Study showed? Note: The study, that hasn’t been peer-reviewed, but is available for public scrutiny. The Study argues […]