‘Britcoin’ not bitcoin
Context: The British finance minister told the Bank of England (BoE) [Similar to RBI in India] to look at the case for a new “Britcoin”, or central bank-backed digital currency, aimed at tackling some of the challenges posed by cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology (Developments in Science and Technology, Application of […]
Copyright war: Oracle vs. Google case
Context: Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favour of Alphabet Inc.’s Google in a case where it was accused by Oracle of violating the country’s copyright law. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology (Intellectual Property Rights), GS-II: International Relations (Foreign policies and developments affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: The story so far More […]
ARIES facility to host the support centre for Aditya-L1
Context: The Indian programme to study the Sun and the region between the Sun and the Earth from space – Aditya-L1 – is due to be launched in 2022. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology (Space technology, Developments in Science and Technology) Dimensions of the Article: About Aditya-L1 What is Lagrange Point 1? Role of […]
NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR)
Context: NASA and ISRO are collaborating on developing an SUV-sized satellite called NISAR, which will detect movements of the planet’s surface as small as 0.4 inches over areas about 100 sq. meters. The satellite will be launched in 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) into a near-polar orbit. Relevance: Prelims, […]
HOW EPIGENETICS ALTERS INHERITED GENETICS’ MESSAGE?
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? An exciting research paper on reprogramming to recover youthful epigenetic information and restore vision According to the paper a proposed cause of ageing is the accumulation of “epigenetic noise” that disrupts gene expression patterns lending to changes in inherent DNA function. The paper suggests that if one […]
PLASMODIUM OVALE MALARIA
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Plasmodium ovale – a very uncommon type of malaria, has been identified in a soldier in Kerala – who was posted in Sudan where Plasmodium ovale is endemic. Types of malaria Malaria is caused by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito, if the mosquito itself is […]
ELURU MYSTERY ILLNESS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? At least 550 people have fallen sick in Eluru town of Andhra Pradesh had fallen sick following an undiagnosed illness. Officials of the other teams which collected from the patients in Eluru found the presence of nickel and lead elements in the blood samples. More investigations should […]
‘HAVANA SYNDROME’ EXPLAINED
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Nearly four years after a mysterious neurological illness, referred to as “Havana syndrome”, started to afflict American diplomats and intelligence operatives in Cuba, China, and other countries, a report by the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) has found “directed” microwave radiation to be its “plausible” cause. Introduction […]
THE RISE OF THE AI ECONOMY
Context: The pandemic has taught us many lessons and opened our minds to new ways of doing things, including understanding the potential of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Relevance: GS Paper 3: S&T developments and everyday applications & effects; Awareness in fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotech, Biotech, IPR […]
IN STANFORD RANKING, HOPE FOR INDIAN SCIENCE
Context: The government has plans to set up a National Research Foundation (NRF) with an aim to catalyse and energise research and innovation across all academic disciplines, particularly at the university and college levels. Relevance: GS Paper 3: Achievements of Indians in S&T; Indigenisation of technology & development of new technology. Mains Questions: Discuss the […]