A SPONGE-LIKE SINGLE-CELL ANCESTOR
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Introduction The Smithsonian Institution points out that an environment devoid of oxygen, and high in methane, was not fit for animal life, though it could ‘host’ microorganisms which could cope with the incoming sunlight and use it to generate energy for living. This was around 3.4 billion years (Byr)ago, about […]
DETECTING RNA VIRUS USING RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Researchers have turned to Raman Spectroscopy to detect RNA viruses present in saliva samples. It is a study to analyse non-infectious RNA viruses using conventional Raman Spectroscopy without using any additional reagent to enhance the signal. Significance of the Study It has been reported that novel coronavirus […]
WHAT ARE SCIENTISTS SAYING ABOUT A NEW VIRUS STRAIN IN CHINA?
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Newspapers and television channels reported that a new strain of H1N1 (also known as swine flu) had started infecting workers and the recommendations of scientists were that it must be controlled with a great deal of urgency as it had the potential of becoming yet another pandemic. […]
AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? The Prime Minister has launched Aatmanirbhar Bharat Innovation Challenge, to identify the best Indian Apps that are already being used by citizens and have the potential to scale and become world class Apps in their respective categories. This is to help realise the vision of the government […]
AIRBORNE RESCUE POD FOR ISOLATED TRANSPORTATION (ARPIT)
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Prelims Why in news? The Indian Air Force has designed, developed and inducted an Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation (ARPIT). This pod will be utilised for evacuation of critical patients with infectious diseases including COVID-19 from high altitude area, isolated and remote places. Significance in terms of Aatmanirbhar Bharat […]
FROM PINAKA TO ASTRA: DAC APPROVED NEW WEAPONS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Internal Security Why in news? The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister cleared several proposals worth close to Rs 39,000 crore that will boost the combat capabilities of all three services—Army, Navy and the Air Force. The most prominent of these proposals include missile systems for the three […]
ICMR AND LAUNCH OF ‘COVAXIN’
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has tied up with Bharat Biotech India (BBIL) to “fast-track” trials of the Hyderabad firm’s Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin. ICMR chief wrote to all the trial sites stating that all of the clinical trials had to be completed by August 15 […]
DRUG DISCOVERY HACKATHON 2020 (DDH2020)
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? The Union Government launched Drug Discovery Hackathon 2020 (DDH2020). Drug Discovery Hackathon 2020 (DDH2020) The Drug Discovery Hackathon is a joint initiative of MHRD’s Innovation Cell (MIC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and supported by Centre for […]
DATA THEFT, SECURITY ISSUES KEY IN SELECTING 5G VENDORS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Internal Security Why in news? With the US communications department tagging Chinese telecom vendors Huawei and ZTE as a “national security risk” it points to concerns over data theft and security implications shaping the crucial call on deciding 5G vendors for India. Explaining the Concerns Fifth-generation telecom (5G) technology is […]
ACCELERATE VIGYAN SCHEME
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Accelerate Vigyan (AV) Scheme: Why in news? The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has launched a new scheme called ‘Accelerate Vigyan’ (AV), to provide a single platform for research internships, capacity building programs, and workshops across the country.The AV will work on mission mode, particularly with respect to its […]