FIRST MERGER OF TWO BLACK HOLES WITH UNEQUAL MASSES DETECTED
Why in news? In another first, scientists at the LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors announced a signal from Blackhole Mergers unlike anything they’ve ever seen before – While many black hole mergers have been but this particular signal was the first where the two black holes had distinctly different masses. Details The event, dubbed […]
SEWAGE SURVEILLANCE CAN ESTIMATE COMMUNITY SPREAD
Why in news? Sampling sewage for viral particles is a time-tested method of environment surveillance and is routinely resorted to for understanding circulation of several viruses — wild and vaccine-derived polio, rota virus, Hepatitis E and typhoid — in the community. Now, researchers in France have found that sewage surveillance can help in understanding the […]
NO NEW COVID CASES AFTER MAY 16 IN INDIA, SAYS STUDY
Why in news? A study showed that the lockdown had slowed the rate of transmission and increased the doubling time, the period it took for cases to double, to about 10 days. Though India continues to show a rising trend in cases, this projection also showed a forecast that says new cases would cease by […]
PLASMA THERAPY TO BEGIN IN KARNATAKA
Why in news? The first plasma therapy in Karnataka for COVID-19 patients will begin on 25th April 2020, and will be carried out jointly by the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMRCI) and the HCG Hospital. Read about Plasma therapy here:
CSIR LAB DEFENDS SANITISATION TUNNEL
Why in news? In the wake of several advisories advocating against the use of sanitisation tunnels as part of efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Pune-based CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) and the Mumbai-based Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) issued a joint statement on 23rd April 2020 asserting that the advisories “did not […]
INDIAN TEST KITS MUST FOR RELIABILITY
The need of the hour For reliable antibody testing kits, India will have to make its own, according to independent epidemiologists and biotechnologists. Much like home-based pregnancy tests, antibody tests are valuable because they give results quickly and only needs a pinprick’s worth of blood. However, they can only detect antibodies produced by the immune […]
ORGANIC-INORGANIC HYBRID NANOCOATINGS FOR DISPOSABLE MASKS
Why in news? The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has approved support for large scale production of organic-Inorganic hybrid nanocoating for disposable masks. Why is this Nanocoating needed? The N95 masks available in the market are capable of filtering out all types of particles, including viruses and bacteria, but they are expensive and need […]
COVID 19 MAY CAUSE LOSS OF SMELL AND TASTE
Why in news? Scientists of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jodhpur have explored the neuroinvasive nature of the COVID 19 virus SARS-CoV-2 highlighting that loss of smell and taste of infected patients makes their entire Central Nervous System (CNS) and the underlying structures in the brain more prone to viral infection with devastating effects. Details […]
NTPC LAUNCHES HYDROGEN FUEL BUS AND CAR PROJECT
Why in news? NTPC Ltd, India’s largest power producer and a central PSU under Ministry of Power, has invited Global Expression of Interest (EoI) to provide 10 Hydrogen Fuel Cell (FC) based electric buses and an equal number of Hydrogen Fuel Cell based electric cars in Leh and Delhi. Details The move to procure Hydrogen […]
RUHDAAR: A LOW-COST MECHANICAL VENTILATOR
Why in news? A team of engineering students from IIT Bombay and other institutes have come up with a low-cost ventilator using locally available materials. 3-D printing and laser-cutting technologies also were instrumental in the success of the prototype. Why are Ventilators important right now? Among those getting infected by COVID-19, around 80% will experience […]