START OF ASSEMBLY OF THE ITER
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, GS-II International Relations Why in news? The ITER Organization is celebrating the Start of Assembly of the ITER Tokamak with a ceremony. Highlights of Indian PM’s message ITER and global participation of scientists and engineers are a perfect illustration of the age-old Indian belief – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the entire […]
KRCNET AND MOBILE APP “MAUSAM” LAUNCHED
Focus: GS-III Science and technology Why in news? Under the Digital India initiative of Government of India, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) aims to develop a World-Class Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCNet). Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) launched the mobile App “Mausam” for India Meteorological Department. Details KRCNet Portal The traditional libraries of the MoES […]
OF MICE AND SARS-COV-2
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Introduction Science and research have always relied on using animals to understand various human diseases, and the primary reasons have been the genetic similarity between animals and humans (mice share 98% of DNA with us), and that we have developed tools to edit genes in various animals. Animal model for […]
WHAT IS AFRICAN SWINE FEVER?
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Introduction The porcine industry in Assam suffered major losses during the COVID-19 lockdown, which was followed by an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF). What is African Swine Fever? African Swine Fever (ASF) does not affect humans but can be catastrophic for pigs. The current outbreak of ASF in India […]
IS SARS-COV-2 A LATENT VIRUS WHICH CAN RECUR?
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Introduction Ever since cases of ‘reinfection’ — people who had tested negative for COVID-19 testing positive again after a while — emerged the question of latency of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is being hotly debated. What is a latent viral infection? A latent viral infection is an infection that is inactive […]
SEROLOGICAL SURVEY AND WHAT IS HERD IMMUNITY?
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Introduction Results of a recent serological survey in Delhi are being interpreted to suggest that more than 45 lakh people in Delhi could so far have been infected (while the official confirmed cases are only around 1.25 Lakh cases) with the novel coronavirus, and that “herd immunity” could be approaching. […]
HOW ‘CORONA’ OF THE VIRUS CHANGES SHAPE?
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Introduction Researchers have found that the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 — the ‘corona’ in the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 disease — changes its form after it attaches itself to a human cell, folding in on itself and assuming a rigid hairpin shape. The researchers have published their findings in the […]
CHINA LAUNCHES TIANWEN-1 MARS ROVER MISSION
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? The Tianwen-1 mission launched atop a Long March 5 rocket and is now on its way to Mars. Details: Tianwen-1 Tianwen-1 is China’s first fully homegrown Mars mission. The success of the mission will make China the third country to achieve a Mars landing after the USSR […]
FALL IN HOSPITALISATIONS IN 2017-18
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Latest survey on the state of India’s health by the National Statistical Office shows that – Fewer Indians reported ailments or required hospitalization in 2017-18 as compared to 2014. Details The NSO Survey shows that the number of Indians reporting ailments dropped by more than 2% points […]
OXFORD VACCINE FOR COVID: A RAY OF HOPE
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Scientists at Oxford University say their experimental coronavirus vaccine has been shown in an early trial to prompt a protective immune response in hundreds of people who got the shot. What is the Oxford Vaccine? The AZD1222 coronavirus vaccine candidate, formerly known as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, is made […]