VIRUS CASES DOUBLE IN INDIA IN FIVE DAYS, GEOFENCING APP TO HELP QUARANTINE
Why in news? The number of COVID-19 cases in India has doubled in the past week, with 328 more cases and 12 deaths reported on April 2. According to the Union Health Ministry, the tally now stands at 2,069 cases, with 53 deaths and 155 cured of the novel coronavirus infection. The Health Ministry said […]
PETRO-PRICES HIKED AS BS-VI FUEL KICKS IN
Why in news? Even as prices of international crude have dropped to the lowest in the last 18 years since 2002, state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) have increased the price of sensitive petroleum products like petrol and diesel in most Indian cities. The Central government had announced that from April 1, 2020, all vehicles sold […]
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE COMBINATION ALLOWED
Why in news? The Union Health Ministry has allowed the use of Hydroxychloroquine in combination with Azithromycin under close monitoring for patients with severe disease and requiring ICU management as per the revised Guidelines on Clinical Management of COVID–19. Details Hydroxychloroquine was previously under testing and was allowed to be administered only to doctors and […]
‘THREE QUASI-SUBSPECIES OF VIRUS IN CIRCULATION’
Why in news? A mixture of three quasi-subspecies of SARS-CoV-2 is in circulation in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on 31st March 2020. These imported variants showed no differences from how they behaved in the place of origin. Scientists are yet to classify a SARS-Cov-2 variant as an Indian strain. Explanation […]
TRIFED to launch a digital campaign
Why in news? To ensure tribal gatherers carry on their work safely, TRIFED has recently developed a digital communication strategy for promoting a digital campaign for Self Help Groups (SHGs) involved in this work. Details: UNICEF would provide the necessary support to be circulated to the SHG centers in the form of Digital Multimedia content […]
Biofortified carrot
Why in news? Madhuban Gajar, a biofortified carrot variety with high β-carotene and iron content developed by Shri Vallabhhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya, a farmer scientist from Junagadh district, Gujarat is benefitting more than 150 local farmers in the area. Details: The Madhuvan Gajar is a highly nutritious carrot variety developed through the selection method with […]
DST FUNDED STARTUP DEVELOPS CHEMICAL FREE SILVER BASED DISINFECTANT TO FIGHT COVID 19
Why in news? A Department of Science and Technology funded startup has developed chemical free silver based disinfectant to fight the COVID 19 pandemic. Details: Weinnovate Biosolutions, a Pune based startup supported jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has come up with a non-alcoholic aqueous-based Colloidal […]
NIF INVITE INNOVATIVE CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN CHALLENGE COVID-19 COMPETITION (C3)
Why in news? National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India has come up with a call inviting innovative citizens to participate in its Challenge Covid-19 Competition (C3). Details: The NIF has invited interested innovators to send in their creative ideas and innovations for […]
‘HACK THE CRISIS-INDIA’ HACKATHON
Why in news? Minister of State Human Resource Development (HRD) and IT Sanjay Dhotre launched Hack the Crisis – India, an Online Hackathon to find working solutions for overcoming COVID-19 pandemic. Details: This hackathon is part of a global initiative and is being organised by ‘Hack A Cause – India’ and ‘FICCI Ladies Organization Pune’ […]
DST approves 5 technology projects to combat Covid-19
Why in news? Recently, the Department of Science and Technology – Science and Engineering Board (DST-SERB) has approved several special research projects to urgently ramp up national R&D efforts against the epidemic. Details: About Technology Projects The first project is led by IIT-Bombay to search for potential metabolite biomarker signature for COVID infection and recognition of novel targets for therapy. The second project is led by […]