HOW POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS POLLUTE THE AIR?
Why in news? Recent findings from researchers at the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi on the efficacy of a specific air purifier technology have revealed more about a class of pollutants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. Details: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can associate with other particulate matter, […]
‘TERMINATOR TAPE’ CAN PULL DOWN DEAD SATELLITES AND MINIMIZE SPACE DEBRIS
Details: Tethers Unlimited has demonstrated an easy solution to get rid of satellites once they are of no use. The solution involves a 230-feet long strip of conductive tape, which is delightfully called the Terminator Tape. The Terminator Tape is a small module about the size of a notebook. Weighing less than two pounds, it […]
SOLAR PANEL COULD GENERATE ELECTRICITY EVEN BY NIGHT
Context and News University of California explained how a new kind of thermoradiative cell could design an anti-solar panel to generate power at night Details According to a study published in the ACS Photonics, it is possible to design solar panels that can produce energy during the night A regular solar cell generates power when […]
MAHARASHTRA TOPS LIST OF STATES HIT BY GLOBAL MEDICAL DATA LEAK
Why in news? Medical details of over 120 million Indian patients have been leaked and made freely available on the Internet, according to a recent report published by Green bone Sustainable Resilience, a German cybersecurity firm. PACS servers Greenbone’s original report says the leak was facilitated by the fact that the Picture Archiving and Communications […]
GOVT. TO LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE TB BY 2025
Details and Context: Presenting the Budget for 2020-21,The finance minister has proposed to expand Jan Aushadhi Kendras to all districts of the country to provide medicines at affordable rates Proceeds from taxes on medical devices would be used to support setting up of hospitals Viability gap funding will be provided for setting up hospitals in […]
PRIVATE PLAYERS ALLOWED TO SET UP DATA PARKS
Why in news? Union Budget for 2020-21 has made a provision for private players to get into data center market Details All ‘public institutions’ at the gram panchayat level, such as anganwadis, health and wellness centres, government schools, PDS (public distribution system) outlets, post offices and police stations will be provided with digital connectivity Fiber […]
NASA DECOMMISSIONS SPITZER SPACE TELESCOPE AFTER 16 YEARS OF OPERATION
Focus: GS-3, Prelims Why in news? Spitzer, which was launched in 2003, studied some of the most distant galaxies ever detected with the light from some of the cosmic bodies travelling for billions of years to reach the telescope, NASA said. Details: Spitzer showed the importance of infrared light in understanding our universe, both in […]
MORE MEN THAN WOMEN IN STEM
Focus: GS-3 Why in news? Masculine culture, insufficient early exposure to science play a role Details: Across the world, there are more men who are active in science, technology, engineering and medicine (STEM) than women In the labour market, or in places where high level qualifications are demanded, men candidates engage in self-promotion, and are […]
CHEER FOR SCIENCE AS KEY DEPARTMENTS GET A RAISE
Focus: GS-3 Why in news? Key departments get 13% more than what was spent last year. Details: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) posted the largest increase, with an outlay of ₹2,786 crore, a 17% increase from the ₹2,381 crore it spent last year The Department of Science and Technology got a 14% hike, at ₹6,301 […]
BATS HARBOR MANY VIRUSES
Focus: Prelims, GS-3 Why in news? Bats are being considered as a vector for Novel Coronavirus Details: Bats serves as natural hosts for numerous viruses including Ebola virus, Nipah virus, coronaviruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and the 2019 novel coronavirus that has infected nearly 10,000 people […]