Mana La Excellence

S&T Current Affairs Revision

by D. Malleswari Reddy

Jan 2024- Feb 2024

1. XPoSAT- ISRO successfully launched the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite
(XPoSat) PSLV -C58 (60th flight of PSLV) at 650km. First dedicated satellite
from ISRO for researching and measuring X-ray emissions from celestial
sources like black holes and neutron stars. Second satellite globally to
study X-ray polarization, following NASA's Imaging X-ray Polarimetry
Explorer (IXPE) launched in 2021.
Polarisation of light is
a property shown
by transverse waves.
The light waves
which travel only in a
single plane are
known as polarized
light waves. The
process of
transforming
unpolarized light
waves to polarized
light waves is called
the polarisation of
light.
XPoSAT
XSPECT, one of its payloads, conducts spectral and timing studies of
soft X-ray emissions. Another payload, POLIX, measures X-ray
polarization from cosmic sources in the 8-30 keV energy range. XSPECT
tracks changes in soft X-ray emissions' spectral line intensities and
profiles, covering 0.8-15 keV energies. XSPECT successfully imaged
Cassiopeia A, capturing the expanding gas shell from a supernova
explosion.
Cassiopeia A is a
supernova remnant
located 11,000 light
years away, offering
insights into cosmic
phenomena. XPoSat's
observations can
provide valuable insights
into gamma-ray bursts
and other energetic
cosmic events.
Fourth stage of PSLV C58
lowered to about 350 km
altitude for conducting
PSLV Orbital
Experimental Module-3
(POEM-3) experiment;
ISRO successfully tests
Polymer Electrolyte
Membrane Fuel Cell on
PSLV-C58’s orbital
platform POEM3;
India’s space
telescope AstroSat
has for the first-time
measured X-ray
polarization from
the Cygnus X-1 black
hole. Cygnus X-1 is
one of the first
confirmed black
hole systems in our
galaxy.
2. Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)- India
joined SKAO; An ambitious multinational initiative to
build the world’s largest radio telescope spanning over a
square kilometre; A vast collection of thousands of
telescope antennas interconnected at sites in South
Africa and Australia; India's expertise in software
development, including the advanced 'Telescope
Manager,' derived from running the Giant Metrewave
Radio Telescope (GMRT), enhances SKAO's capabilities.
Participation in SKAO offers India opportunities to
deepen cosmic understanding, including insights into
galaxy evolution, stars, and black holes.
3. Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) base stations- India adopts
Open RAN for rural connectivity. Open RAN disaggregates base station
architecture. Open RAN allows: Mixing and matching components from
multiple vendors, Easy integration of new innovations and localized
solutions, Faster rollout of networks; Benefits: cost efficiency, flexibility,
innovation. Applications: rural broadband, private 5G networks, public Wi-
Fi, disaster management. Aligns with National Digital Communications
Policy 2018.
4. Cervical Cancer- Government initiative in
2024 budget to promote HPV vaccination for
girls aged 9-14. Cervical cancer is the second
most common cancer in Indian women.
Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
infections, often sexually transmitted. Over
120,000 women diagnosed annually, with
over 75,000 deaths. HPV vaccination
recommended for girls aged 9-14 by NTAGI.
Available vaccines: Gardasil and CERVAVAC.
India aims to save over 125,000 lives annually
by strengthening the immunization program.
5. Obelisks- Recently, researchers at Stanford University discovered a new
virus-like entity called obelisks. Microscopic entities in human mouth and
gut; Circular genetic material, self-organize into rods; Have RNA genome,
contain genes for proteins. Different from viruses and viroids; Likely rely
on bacteria or fungi as hosts for replication, without impacting the cell
function of the host; Found in human gut, mouth, dental plaque; Impact
on human health uncertain, more research needed.
6. Vyommitra- Half-humanoid
robot developed by ISRO; To
simulate human activities aboard
spacecraft; Functions: Monitor
parameters, perform life support
operations, respond to queries
using AI; India is planning to send
astronauts to low Earth orbit by
2025; Vyommitra's orbital mission
in 3rd quarter of 2024, crewed
mission likely in 2025.
7. The Future Circular Collider (FCC) - is a proposed €16 billion
expansion of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN; To probe deeper
into fundamental physics, investigate dark matter, supersymmetry, etc.
Benefits: Drive technological innovation, enhance international
collaboration.
Large Hadron Collider- World’s most advanced and powerful particle
accelerator ; Giant 27km long experimental underground machine; Fires
two beams of protons generated from D shaped superconducting
electro-magnets to collide at nearly the speed of light; To simulate
conditions that existed only factions of seconds after Big Bang; Project
with International collaboration; Discovered Higgs Boson aka God
Particle (a particle that gives other particles mass); Recently, discovered
3 new subatomic particles- a new kind of "pentaquark" and the first-
ever pair of "tetraquarks"; Quarks- elementary particles that combine in
groups of twos and threes to form hadrons such as the protons and
neutrons. Rarely, however, they can also combine into four-quark and
five-quark particles, or tetraquarks and pentaquarks
8. Neuralink- Founded
in 2016 by Elon Musk;
It achieved a milestone
(In Feb 2024) with first
human brain chip
implant; Aims to
develop advanced
neural interface
technology for treating
neurological disorders
and enhancing human-
AI symbiosis.
Brain Chip Implant: "Link" device monitors brain activity, inserted via
minimally invasive surgery using specialized robot. Applications- Addresses
epilepsy, Parkinson’s, spinal cord injuries; potential for sensory/motor
function restoration and cognitive enhancement. Challenges - surgical risks,
device safety, and ethical implications of cognitive enhancement.
9. Deep Technology- Interim Budget 2024-25 - Rs 1 lakh crore fund for
research and development initiatives; Aims to provide long-term, low-
cost, or zero-interest loans for R&D projects and support deep-tech
capabilities.
Deep tech refers to startups developing offerings based on tangible
engineering innovation or scientific discoveries; These innovations
disrupt existing markets or create new ones, requiring significant time
and capital for development. Deep tech startups in India raised USD
2.7 billion in venture funding in 2021 and now represent over 12% of
the country's startup ecosystem. The Draft National Deep Tech
Startup Policy (NDTSP) aims to create an enabling environment for
deep tech startups, focusing on areas like funding, intellectual
property, tax incentives, and talent nurturing. Challenges - high risk,
scarcity of specialized talent, market readiness, and insufficient
research funding
10. SWATI (Science for Women- A Technology & Innovation) Portal - The
government launched the SWATI portal in February 2024 to highlight
accomplishments of Indian women in STEMM fields. Women constitute
only 13-15% of researchers in STEMM in India, leading to a visibility gap
and hindering diversity and innovation; The portal allows self-registration
of profiles and provides dynamic analytics on women's distribution in
STEMM roles; It addresses inclusion challenges by guiding counselling
programs, enabling targeted opportunity initiatives, and empowering
women scientists.
11. BharatGPT- BharatGPT is a consortium, led by Reliance and top
Indian institutes (IIT, IISc), will launch Hanooman, an AI rival to ChatGPT;
It aligns with India's AI goals for a $1 trillion economy by 2036.
Hanooman targets Indian language diversity, knowledge, and
entertainment-education blend to compete globally. Reliance's tech
investments, including Jio Brain for AI integration, position it for rapid
adoption.
12. BHU’s Human DNA Bank- BHU (Banaras Hindu University) launched
the Human DNA Bank and is almost done with the Wildlife DNA Bank,
both part of Make in India. These banks advance genetic research, aiding
personalized medicine and wildlife conservation. Following Estonia's
model, they tackle hereditary diseases and improve healthcare with
tailored treatment plans. They also enhance disease control strategies
and preserve endangered species through genetic diversity.
13. Monkey Fever- Monkey Fever, or Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), is a
concern in Karnataka; caused by the KFD virus. Recent outbreaks have
led to fatalities. It spreads through tick bites or contact with infected
monkeys, small rodents, shrews, etc. Symptoms include fever,
headache, and muscle pain. Diagnosis involves PCR testing, and
treatment focuses on supportive care. Prevention includes vaccination
and avoiding tick exposure.
14. Gemini Chatbot- Google renamed its chatbot, Bard, as Gemini; It
introduces the Ultra 1.0 model, excelling in complex tasks like coding.
Seamlessly integrated with Google products, Gemini supports text,
speech, and image interactions, aiming for global accessibility and
expansion.
15. National Deworming Day 2024 (Feb 10th 2024) To deworm all pre-
school and school-age children between 1 and 19 years old. It aims to
optimize overall health, nutritional status, access to education, and life
quality of young children by providing them with deworming medication. It
is done once in 6 months (Twice a year); The initiative started in February
2015, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare leading its implementation.
Activities -administering Albendazole tablets to children in government and
government-aided schools and anganwadi centres, followed by a Mop-Up
Day for those who missed the dose. Deworming helps reduce malnutrition
address anaemia, supports physical and mental growth, and spreads
awareness about health and the eradication of Soil Transmitted Helminths
(STH).
STH, or intestinal worms, are parasites transmitted from soil and pose
significant health risks, especially to children. Reasons- poor hygiene,
contaminated food and water, and consumption of raw or uncooked
meat. Symptoms - digestive issues, weight loss, fatigue, and itchiness,
while long-term effects include stunted growth, anaemia, energy loss,
and organ damage. Prevention – Good sanitation, consuming cooked
food, using filtered water, and maintaining hygiene. Treatment - oral
medications like praziquantel for tapeworm infections and mebendazole
or albendazole for roundworm infections.
Globally, 24% of the population is infected with STH worms, with
around 241 million children in India at risk.
16. Pulse Polio Program 2024- (March 3,
2024) Nationwide Pulse Polio
Immunization drive aimed at administering
polio vaccines to children under 5 years
old. India launched the Pulse Polio
immunization program in 1995 as part of
the Universal Immunization Program,
aiming for 100% coverage. As of January
13, 2023, India has been polio-free for 12
years. Concerns of cases from Afghanistan,
Pakistan led to intense Polio Immunisation
in India.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly
contagious viral infection;
Affects the nervous system,
transmitted through
contaminated water, food, or
contact with infected
individuals; Symptoms include
flu-like symptoms, muscle
weakness, sensitivity to touch,
and in severe cases, paralysis.
Vaccine- Oral Polio Vaccine,
Inactivated Polio Vaccine
17. Coronoal Mass Ejection- Solar Wind- Aditya L1
The Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) payload on the Aditya-L1
satellite has detected the impact of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on
solar wind. PAPA is an energy and mass analyzer designed for in-situ
measurements of solar wind electrons and ions in the low energy range.
It has two sensors: the Solar Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP,
measuring electrons in the energy range of 10 eV to 3 keV) and the Solar
Wind Ion Composition Analyser (SWICAR, measuring ions in the energy
range of 10 eV to 25 keV and mass range of 1-60 amu). The sensors are
also equipped to measure the direction of arrival of solar wind particles.
The Aditya-L1 is India's first solar space observatory, orbiting about 1.5
million kilometers from Earth in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1
(L1) between the Earth and the Sun. It studies the solar atmosphere, solar
magnetic storms, and their impact on the environment around the Earth.
CMEs are massive eruptions of solar material and magnetic fields
from the Sun's corona, often associated with solar flares. They
travel at high speeds and can ause geomagnetic storms, affecting
satellites, power grids, and communication systems.
Solar wind is a continuous stream of charged particles emitted by
the Sun, flowing constantly into space. It consists mainly of protons
and electrons and interacts with Earth's magnetic field, causing
phenomena like auroras and the formation of the magnetosphere.
18. INSAT 3DS - GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission launched from SDSC-SHAR,
Sriharikota and placed the satellite in Geostationary Orbit; GSLV is a
three-stage launch vehicle with a liftoff mass of 420 tonnes. It includes
solid and liquid propellant stages, along with a cryogenic stage; INSAT-
3DS is a meteorological satellite funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences
(MoES). It aims to enhance meteorological observations and disaster
warning capabilities. Mission Objectives: Monitor Earth's surface and
environment, including oceanic observations; Provide vertical profiles of
meteorological parameters; Support Satellite Aided Search and Rescue
services.
19. YUVIKA 2024- ISRO's Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA) 2024
aims to inspire school children's interest in space science and
technology. Students in Class 9 can apply, undergo two weeks of
training, and participate in various activities, including interactions with
ISRO scientists.
20. 10000 Genome Project- The Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
completed the '10,000 Genomes Project,' sequencing genomes from
diverse Indian populations; Enables precision medicine and genetic
epidemiology studies tailored to India's population diversity; Project
conceptualized in 2020 under the National Biotechnology Development
Strategy 2015-20. 10,010 genomes sequenced from individuals across 28
states and 9 union territories; Implemented using a hub-and-spoke
model with three anchor institutes: CSIR-IGIB, IISER-RCGT, and ILS.
World’s first ethnically relevant genome database positioning India
among few countries with indigenous genomic information at population
scale;
Applications: Understanding
genetic diseases, enabling
preventive healthcare policies,
driving research in genomics,
precision medicine, and
agriculture; Potential to develop
targeted drugs, diagnostics, and
treatment protocols optimized
for Indian sub-groups,
revolutionizing healthcare.
21. Crew Gaganyan- PM revealed the identities of the four pilots
undergoing training for India’s first human space flight mission,
Gaganyaan- Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit
Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander S Shukla.
The mission (2024-2025), aims to send a crew of three individuals into a
400 km orbit for a three-day mission, with a safe return to Earth via
landing in Indian Ocean waters.
All The Best