Module 5 : science & Tech

1. Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a new strain of Coronavirus that

has not been previously identified in humans. The name of the new
virus is “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-
CoV-2)” and the name of the new disease is “COVID-19”.
▪ The data shows that the transmission rates of COVID are much higher than that of
SARS. COVID-19 already affected over 90,000 people and the actual figure could be
higher.
▪ The number of deaths were said to be more than 3,000 with fatality rate of around
3 to 4%.
▪ However, out of the three i.e., 2019-nCoV, SARS and MERS; the highest fatality rate
is for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and the least fatality rate is for
Novel Coronavirus.
▪ Approximately 35% of reported patients with MERS-CoV infection have died.
▪ If one looks at SARS, which started in China, affected around 8,000 people and killed
744 (with fatality rate of around 10%).
FATALITY RATES
▪ COVID-19 … 3%-4%
▪ SARS … 10%
▪ MERS … 35%
SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
CORONAVIRUSES WERE AROUND HOW SARS-CoV-2 SPREADS?
SINCE 1960s
▪ Coronaviruses were discovered in ▪ Between people who are in close
1960s. contact with one another (within
▪ Initially, they were not considered a about 6 feet).
threat, because they cause milder ▪ Through respiratory droplets
symptoms, such as cough and cold in produced, when an infected person
humans. coughs or sneezes.
▪ Coronaviruses are in general zoonotic ▪ It may be possible that a person can
i.e., they are transmitted between get COVID-19 by touching a surface
animals and people. or object that has the virus on it and
▪ The known Coronaviruses which are then touching their own mouth,
circulating in animals are many, but nose, or possibly their eyes, but this
till now only seven strains have been is not thought to be the main way
known to infect the human beings. the virus spreads.

HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION WHY THE TRANSMISSION RATE IS

IS ALMOST SIMILAR TO SARS MORE FOR SARS-CoV-2?
 ▪ During previous outbreaks due to
Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome
(MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS), human-to-human
transmission occurred through
droplets/contact and fomites
(clothes, utensils etc), suggesting that
the transmission mode of the SARS-
CoV-2 can be similar.
▪ Moreover, the pneumonia like
symptoms are almost similar to the
SARS outbreak of 2002-03.
WHAT ABOUT INCUBATION PERIOD?
▪ Symptoms like Fever, Cough,
Shortness of breath may appear 2-14
days after exposure.
▪ These estimates will be refined as
more data become available.
▪ The incubation period is the time
between infection and the onset of
clinical symptoms of disease.
▪ SARS primarily affected the lungs,
whereas SARS-CoV-2 caused
infection in the upper respiratory
tract or throat.
▪ As the infection for COVID-19 is
upper respiratory tract or throat, it
is easy for the infection to spread
from throat, than deep down the
lungs (the case of SARS).
▪ With COVID-19, every time a patient
coughs or sneezes, the droplets
containing the virus are released and
they tend to spread.
ENTIRE GENOME SEQUENCING OF
SARS-CoV-2 IS AVAILABLE
▪ It facilitates the researchers to
develop the vaccines much faster.
▪ With genome sequencing,
researchers can build synthetic
versions of the parts of viruses to
develop the vaccines without
needing complete samples of
pathogens.
▪ In the absence of genome
sequencing, laboratory work for
development of vaccines can start
only when actual stock of virus is
available.

BATS SERVE AS A NATURAL HOST FOR SEVERAL VIRUSES

▪ Bats serve as the natural hosts for numerous viruses, including Ebola virus, Nipah
virus, Coronaviruses, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle
East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and SARS-CoV-2 (most likely).
▪ These viruses, which cause harm to the humans, rarely affect the bats. This is the
case, even when the viral load is extremely high in bats.
▪ Bats avoid excessive virus induced inflammation, which often causes severe
diseases in humans. To explain further, the inflammatory response is dampened in
bats, irrespective of the variety of viruses that are present and the viral load.
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OF INTERNATIONAL CONCERN (PHEIC)
▪ WHO declared COVID-19 as a PHEIC.
▪ This is the sixth time, such outbreak was declared a PHEIC, since the relevant
legislation took effect in 2007.
 ▪ Previously, it was declared 5 times. One each for Swine flu, Polio, Zika and twice for
Ebola outbreaks in Africa.
▪ It is reviewed every three months.
ARE THEY ENFORCEABLE?
The recommendations are not enforceable. However, they are expected to be followed
by the international community. Moreover, there is considerable pressure on countries
to abide by the WHO’s advisories.
COVID-19 IS YET TO BE DECLARED AS “PANDEMIC”
▪ Declaring a pandemic is normally reserved for infectious diseases, which threaten
lots of people all over the world simultaneously. The latest example was 2009 Swine
Flu, which killed thousands of people.
▪ WHO looks at the following aspects, before declaring a disease “Pandemic”.
• Absence of universal vaccines
• Lack of standard treatment protocols
• Threatening lakhs of people all over the world simultaneously
• Virus is to be normally brand new
• Spreading from person to person in a sustainable and efficient way
• Transmission at a faster pace
WHO is cautious as the declaration of pandemic will have significant risk in terms of
amplifying unnecessary and unjustified fear and stigma, and paralyzing systems.

2. Measles is a contagious disease that spreads through coughing and

sneezing. The World has to eradicate measles by 2020. Globally
there is massive increase in the measles cases.
MEASLES
▪ It is highly contagious, infectious disease caused by the rubeola virus.
▪ It spreads through coughing and sneezing of an infected person.
▪ It makes a child vulnerable to life threatening. complications such as diarrhoea,
pneumonia and brain infections.
▪ The measles vaccine was introduced in India’s Universal Immunisation Programme
in 1985 and to further boost the program, a second dose was introduced in 2010.
▪ Now combination vaccine for measles and rubella was introduced in February 2017.
WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR INCREASE IN MEASLES CASES?
▪ The vaccination coverage should be 95% for two doses to achieve herd immunity,
according to WHO.
▪ However, in India in 2018 the coverage for the first dose was 90% and 80% for the
second dose. Hence measles vaccination coverage is not sufficient to achieve herd
immunity as it requires 95% coverage.
WHY MEASLES VIRUS IS DANGEROUS IN CHILDHOOD?
 ➢ Measles viruses kill immune cells, leaving the child vulnerable to infectious diseases
for 2 to 3 years.
➢ Measles starts with a cough, runny nose, red eyes, and fever. Then a rash of tiny,
red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.
HOW IT SPREADS?
➢ It is highly contagious. It spreads through coughing and sneezing of an infected
person.
MASSIVE INCREASE IN THE MEASLES CASES
With 30% increase in measles cases worldwide in 2018, WHO in January 2019, included
“vaccine hesitancy” as one of the 10 threats to global health.

WHAT ARE VACCINES? WHAT ARE ANTIBODIES?

▪ Vaccines are used to boost our
immune system and prevent
serious, life-threatening diseases.
▪ Vaccines stimulate the body to form
antibodies.
▪ Vaccines provide a build up of
antibodies before one gets sick.
▪ Antibodies are nothing but special
proteins produced by the body to
fight bacteria and viruses.
▪ Thereafter, if the same kind of disease
germs (for which we are vaccinated)
enter our body, these antibodies
attack the invading germs and destroy
them.
▪ It is the way to build up body’s natural
immunity to a disease and it keeps us
away from getting and spreading the
disease.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF DISEASES WHY THERE IS NO VACCINE FOR

WHICH CANNOT BE VACCINATED?
Vaccination is not there for genetic
disorders like haemophilia, albinism, colour
blindness etc. these are not caused by
bacteria or viruses.
COMMON COLD?
Common cold can be caused by more
than 100 different viruses. Hence,
vaccine for common cold will not work
because a specific antibody is effective
only against a specific kind of
bacterium or virus.

3. Herd immunity is a situation in which a sufficient proportion of a

population is immune (resistant) to an infectious disease and
makes spread of the disease from person to person unlikely.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE OF HOW COULD IT BE ACHIEVED?
HERD IMMUNITY?
 ▪ Because of Herd Immunity, outbreak of
the disease will be minimized as
majority of the population will be
resistant to the disease.
▪ Moreover, the individuals not
vaccinated could also get some
protection when herd immunity is
achieved.
▪ The level of vaccination coverage varies
from disease to disease. For example,
measles requires 95% vaccination
coverage.
▪ Herd Immunity may occur both
due to vaccination and naturally.
However, in majority of the cases,
it is due to vaccination up to
desired level.
▪ It is pertinent to note that when
there is circulation of the strain
over a long period, majority of the
population will develop antibodies
on their own, resulting in natural
herd immunity.

4. There is a global debate on vaccine hesitancy in view of the

increase in the global measles cases.
WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY VACCINE HESITANCY … PRIMARY
VACCINE HESITANCY? REASON!
➢ It refers to delay in acceptance or ▪ In some of the regions, the
refusal of vaccines despite availability primary reason is “Vaccine
of vaccination services. Hesitancy”.
➢ It is complex and context specific ▪ The increase in measles cases are
varying across time, place and vaccines. reported not only in African
➢ Social media is playing a crucial role in Countries, but also in other
spreading vaccine disinformation. regions, which include European
Countries.
▪ However, the vaccine gives
protection against measles virus
throughout lifetime.
Vaccine hesitancy i.e., concern about immunisation is among the WHO’s 10 Greatest
Public Health Threats of 2019.

5. Herbicide Tolerant Bt Cotton is being illegally cultivated across the

country.
▪ HT Bt Cotton is not recommended by Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
(GEAC). It is illegally cultivated in the country.
▪ However, GEAC recommended Bt Brinjal and GM Mustard, but the Government did
not approve them.
▪ Government till now has not approved any food crop.
▪ Illegal cultivation of transgenic crops attracts imprisonment up to 5 years and a fine
of up to Rs. 1 lakh under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
▪ It also attracts punishments under the Seeds Act, 1966.
 Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 allows a farmer to sow,
exchange and sell his seeds so long as he does not brand or put them into a packet.
WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF GEAC?
▪ Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is the recommendatory body, which is
under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
▪ It assesses the safety of the genetically modified plant and decides whether it is fit
for cultivation.
▪ It comprises experts and government representatives.
▪ The final decision is however taken by the Environment Ministry.

ABOUT BT COTTON IN INDIA, IT IS TRANSGENIC WITH

▪ In India Bt cotton is approved and
it is developed by US giant Bayer -
Monsanto.
▪ It involves insertion of two genes
from the soil bacterium, Bacillus
thuringiensis (Bt) into cotton
seeds.
▪ This modification codes the plant
to produce protein toxic to pink
boll worm and it makes the crop
resistant to pink boll worm
attack.
▪ The commercial release of hybrid
was sanctioned by the
Government in 2002.
▪ Bt cotton remains the only GM
crop allowed to be cultivated in
the country.
HYBRIDS!
▪ The prime difference between India and
other countries is that majority of the Bt
cotton growing countries mainly grow
open pollinated cotton varieties rather
than hybrids.
▪ This is due to the reason that open
pollinated variety seeds can be reused
by the farmers, whereas hybrids lose
their genetic stability, when the seeds
are replanted.
▪ Monsanto created donor Bt cotton
seeds and distributed them to seed
companies in India under specific
agreement mandating the payment of
royalties.
▪ Seed companies used these donor seeds
to install the desirable genetic traits into
the hybrid varieties.

ABOUT HTBT COTTON WHY FARMERS ARE CULTIVATING

HT Bt cotton involves the addition of
another gene CP4-EPSPS from another
soil bacterium Agrobacterium
tumefaciens.
HERBICIDE TOLERANT COTTON?
▪ HT Cotton allows the spraying of
herbicide, whereas it is not possible to
spray herbicide in other transgenic
varieties.
▪ Farmers use glyphosate as herbicide in
the agriculture sector.
▪ When glyphosate is sprayed, it kills
weeds but does not affect the HTBt
cotton plants. If herbicide tolerant

ISSUE OF BANNING AN AGRO-CHEMICAL PERMANENTLY
DEBATE ON THE USE OF
GLYPHOSATE
▪ There is a wider debate, whether
glyphosate is carcinogenic or not.
▪ Activists cite 2015 study of
International Agency for Research
on Cancer (IARC), which identified
it as carcinogenic.
▪ But till now, WHO has not issued
any advisory and several
countries like US, China, Brazil,
Canada are using it.
6. Quantum Supremacy and Quantum Computing are frequently into
the news.
QUANTUM SUPREMACY
▪ Quantum Supremacy is used in
the context of quantum
computers solving a task, which is
considered unsolvable for a
classical one.
cotton is not used, when glyphosate is
sprayed, it affects the cotton plants also.
▪ Due to its herbicide-tolerant nature,
farmers prefer HT cotton cultivation to
save money on using manual labour for
clearing weeds (de-weeding) under the
cotton crop.
▪ As per the news reports, farmers save
around Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 per acre
through savings on weeding costs.
▪ Moreover, at least 15% of the cotton
farmers in Maharashtra have grown
herbicide tolerant cotton this season.
WHETHER STATES HAVE POWER?
▪ As per the Insecticides Act, 1968, only
the Centre has the power to ban any
agro-chemical permanently.
▪ States can only put restriction on its
sale and use for a maximum period of
90 days.
▪ It is incidental to mention that when
Kerala extended the ban beyond 90
days of prescribed limit for glyphosate,
dealers of agro-chemical approached
the High Court of Kerala.
▪ The Kerala High Court held the ban
beyond 90 days as illegal and asked the
State Government to request the
Centre, if it wants a permanent
restriction.
QUANTUM COMPUTING
Quantum Computing is based on the
principles of quantum theory, which explains
the nature and behaviour of energy and
matter on the quantum (atomic and
subatomic) level.
 ▪ It is in the news recently when a Quantum Superposition and Quantum
team of researchers at Google Entanglement are the terms associated
described how they had used a with Quantum Computing.
Quantum Computer to complete
in 3 minutes a calculation that
would have taken a classical
machine 10,000 years to crunch
through.

QUANTUM SUPERPOSITION QUANTUM COMPUTING … STILL A

It is “the ability of a quantum system
to be in multiple states at the same
time, until it is measured. An
unobserved photon exists in all
possible states simultaneously. But
when observed or measured, it exists
only in one state”.
QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT
It means “quantum state of each
particle cannot be described
independently of the state of the
others, even when the particles are
separated by a large distance”.
QUESTION OF BASIC SCIENCE!
▪ There is some progress in Quantum
Computing, Quantum Communication
and Quantum Metrology using Quantum
Devices. But, for the time being,
Quantum Computing is a basic science
and not applied yet.
▪ Basic Science requires a lot of time
before it gives us application.
▪ For instance, the first idea of laser was
given by Einstein in 1916 and the first
laser came up in 1960. It took 44 years
between the basic discovery and the
invention.
▪ Sometimes, it takes less time, but on an
average 10-20 years.
▪ CERN involves thousands of researchers
from all over the World in high energy
physics and perform world-class
research in fundamental physics.

7. India conducted first-of-its-kind LiDAR-based offshore wind profile

measurement at the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat.
▪ Gulf of Khambhat and Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu Coast from Rameswaram to
Kanyakumari are the two potential regions primarily identified for off-shore wind
power.
▪ The Government’s target is to meet medium and long term offshore wind energy
establishment of 5 GW by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030.
WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY LiDAR?
▪ Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR), is the equipment that measures wind speeds
and direction at different heights by sending a laser beam and tracking the motion
of particles by capturing the light scattered back from the dust particles in the air.
 ▪ This works similar to a underwater sonar or a radar on ground and measures wind
speed and detects wind direction.

8. Regenerative Braking System (RBS) is into the news in the context

of Electric Vehicles.
SCIENCE BEHIND IT
▪ Regenerative Braking Systems are used in almost every electric vehicle or hybrid
electric vehicle.
▪ In RBS, when the vehicle slows down it converts its kinetic energy into a form which
can be used either immediately or stored until needed.
WHAT HAPPENS IN NORMAL BRAKING SYSTEM?
In the normal braking system, the brakes can be called friction brakes. Here, when we
apply the brakes, simply the energy is wasted to slow the vehicle by turning the kinetic
energy into thermal energy.