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DELHI UPSC SECRETS

#LBSNAA
Superfast Series
By UPSC Topper

Current
Affairs
June 2024
Science and
Technology
United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of
Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) to boost research and
development in the emerging area.

Quantum Science and

Technology is an interdisciplinary
field that harnesses the principles
of quantum mechanics to
develop new technologies with
potentially transformative
capabilities.
There are three fundamentals of quantum computing-
Superposition, Entanglement and Qubits.

Superposition: The ability of a particle to hold two <states= at the

same time. It is a fundamental principle where a quantum system
can exist in multiple states simultaneously.

Entanglement: The strange property of quantum systems. If one

particle is entangled with another and measures the spin of the first
one (which resolves into either value), the entangled particle will
instantly resolve into the same value.
Qubit or Quantum Bit: A basic unit of quantum information. It is a
two-state quantum-mechanical system, one of the simplest
quantum systems displaying the peculiarity of quantum
mechanics.
Major International Quantum Computing Collaborations

Quantum Technologies Flagship: 2018, by the European Union (EU)

The AUKUS Quantum Arrangement: 2022, with an aim to accelerate

investments in <generation after-next= quantum capabilities.

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue: 2021, Quad leaders. To establish a

Working Group to ensure that the standards and frameworks for key
technologies are governed by <shared interests and values=

CERN Quantum Technology Initiative: The European Council for

Nuclear Research’s (CERN) Quantum Technology Initiative is a
comprehensive R&D and academic programme initiated in 2020
Various Government Initiatives:

Quantum Computing Applications

Lab (QCAL): It was launched by the
Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY) in
collaboration with Amazon Web
Services (AWS). It aims to
accelerate the adoption of
quantum computing in India by
providing access to quantum
computers, tools, and resources to
researchers and developers.
The National Mission on
Quantum Technologies and
Applications (NM-QTA): It was
launched in 2020 with the goal of
creating a strong quantum
technology ecosystem in India.

National Quantum Mission: With

a total cost of Rs.6003.65 crore
from 2023-24 to 2030-31, it aims
to nurture and scale up scientific
and industrial R&D and create a
vibrant & innovative ecosystem in
Quantum Technology (QT).
Uttar Pradesh holds a remarkable
position in India’s renewable energy
landscape, with the potential to
generate 24% of the nation’s
compressed biogas (CBG).

Biogas: It is an energy-rich gas

produced by anaerobic decomposition
of biomass. It is produced from sources
like agriculture residue, cattle dung,
sugarcane press mud, municipal solid
waste, and sewage treatment plant
waste, among others.
CBG is a renewable gaseous fuel
produced through the anaerobic
digestion of organic matter like
agricultural residues, animal dung,
food waste, and municipal solid waste.

It requires purification of biogas (to

remove impurities like carbon dioxide,
hydrogen sulfide, and moisture).

This refined and compressed gas,

containing over 90% methane,
becomes CBG, boasting properties
similar to conventional compressed
natural gas (CNG).
Fuel Gas Composition Source Properties

High energy density,

Compressed environmentally cleaner,
CNG Primarily Methane (CH₄)
natural gas requires storage at high
pressure.

Primarily Methane (CH₄), Cooled to -162°C to become

Liquefied
LNG with small amounts of liquid, has higher energy density
natural gas
Ethane by volume compared to CNG.

Renewable, produced from

Methane (CH₄), Carbon
Organic waste anaerobic digestion, contains
Biogas Dioxide (CO₂), Trace
decomposition impurities like H₂S that require
gases (H₂S)
removal.

Primarily Methane (CH₄), Clean-burning, emits lower CO₂

Natural Small amounts of Ethane, Fossil fuel compared to other fossil fuels,
Gas Propane, Butane, deposits requires pipelines for
Nitrogen distribution.
The EU’s recently passed AI Act, which will be rolled out in phases
over the next two years, has ignited a battle over data transparency.

The EU9s AI Office plans to release a template for organisations to

provide <detailed summaries= of the content/ data used by
organisations to train their AI models following a consultation with
stakeholders.

There is a growing call for tech companies to pay fairly, the

copyrights holders for data used by them to train their AI models.

Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer

Recently, over 6.6 lakh pensioners utilized 8Facial Authentication
Technology9 in 2023-24 to verify their digital life certificates (DLCs) for
EPFO pensions.

Employees9 Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is a statutory body

established under the Employees9 Provident Fund and Miscellaneous
Provisions Act of 1952.

Facial Authentication Technology systems are being tested at airports

in Kolkata, Varanasi, Pune, Vijayawada, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad as
part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation9s Digi Yatra initiative.
Indian Highways Management Company Limited has invited Global
Expression of Interest (EOI) from innovative and qualified companies to
develop and implement GNSS based Electronic Toll Collection system
in India.

It is a toll collection method without barriers, using Global Navigation

Satellite System (GNSS) technology. Calculates tolls based on the
distance vehicles travel on tolled highways.

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS): This system is a network of

satellites.
Google Deepmind has unveiled the third major version of its
<AlphaFold= - AlphaFold 3, artificial intelligence model, designed to
help scientists design drugs and target disease more effectively

It expands beyond proteins to provide accurate predictions for protein

interactions with other biomolecules in living cells - such as DNA, RNA,
and small molecules.

AlphaFold is an AI tool developed by Google’s DeepMind in 2018 to

predict how proteins fold.
Proteins are the polymers of α-amino acids and they are
connected to each other by peptide bond or peptide linkage. There
are twenty amino acids found in the body, which assist in producing
thousands of distinct proteins in the body.

Proteins may have one or more polypeptide chains.

Each polypeptide in a protein has amino acids linked with each

other in a specific sequence and it is this sequence of amino acids
that is said to be the primary structure of that protein.

Any change in this primary structure i.e., the sequence of amino

acids creates a different protein.
Original AlphaFold was trained on the thousands of sequences and
protein structures present in the protein data bank, a giant protein
repository where scientists submit experimentally determined protein
structures.

AlphaFold 3 uses a diffusion model, which is what image-generating

software also uses.

The model works by first training on protein structures, adding noise to

the data, and then trying to de-noise it.
Researchers have examined multi-drug resistant pathogens on the
International Space Station (ISS), with potential implications for
astronaut health as well as on Earth.

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and NASA’s

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are participating in the project.

The International Space Station (ISS), launched on November 20, 1998,

stands as the largest man-made structure in space. It functions as a
living space for astronauts, a role it has continuously fulfilled since 2011.
Enterobacter bugandensis is a newly discovered species in the
Enterobacter genus, identified in 2013 from bloodstream infection cases
in Uganda.

The International Space Station (ISS) is about the size of an American

football field, measuring 357 feet (108 meters) from end-to-end. It's
larger than a six-bedroom house in terms of living space.
Researchers from the Physical Research
Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad have
found three new craters on Mars. The
craters are located in the Tharsis volcanic
region

The International Astronomical Union

(IAU) Working Group for Planetary System
Nomenclature has approved the naming
of these craters based on PRL’s
recommendation.
IAU is an international non- governmental organization that aims to
advance astronomy globally.

Establishment: 1919 in Brussels, Belgium. Headquarter: Paris, France.

Impact Crater: A depression formed by the high speed impact of a

smaller body on a planet, moon, or other solid object.

Volcanic Crater: A bowl-shaped depression caused by volcanic

activity, usually located above a volcano’s vent.

Explosion Crater: A crater formed by an explosion near or below the

ground surface.
Pit Crater: A depression formed by the collapse of the surface above a
void or empty chamber.

Subsidence Crater: A depression caused by the collapse of the roof of

a cavity created by an underground explosion, usually nuclear.
Names of Newly Discovered Craters on Mars

Lal Crater
Named After: Prof. Devendra Lal, a distinguished Indian
geophysicist and former director of PRL (1972 1983).

Mursan Crater Named After: Mursan, a town in Uttar

Pradesh, India.

Hilsa Crater Named After: Hilsa, a town in Bihar, India.

Indian Space Research Organization Releases Images of the Sun
Captured by Aditya-L1 Payloads.

The images were taken by (SUIT) and (VELC)

SUIT (Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope): Designed to image the solar

photosphere and chromosphere in the near ultraviolet (UV) spectrum
and measure variations in solar irradiance in the near UV range.

VELC (Visible Emission Line Coronagraph): Aims to study the solar

corona and the dynamics of coronal mass ejections.
Launched in 2023, Aditya-L1 is India’s inaugural space mission aimed
at observing the Sun from a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1
(L1) of the Sun-Earth system, located approximately 1.5 million
kilometers from Earth.

At Lagrange points, the gravitational force exerted by two massive

bodies, such as the Sun and Earth, exactly balances the centripetal
force necessary for a small object to orbit with them.

L1 offers the advantage of unobstructed and continuous observation of

the Sun, without any occurrences of occultation or eclipses. There are
five Lagrange points, of which three are unstable (L1, L2, L3) and lie
along the line connecting the two large masses, while two are stable
(L4, L5).
The mission was launched aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
XL (PSLV-C57) and carries seven payloads.
SpaceX’s Starship rocket recently had its
first fully successful test flight, with both the
booster and spacecraft gently landing in the
ocean after an hour-long flight.

Starship is a two-stage heavy lift vehicle

designed for carrying crew or cargo to Earth
orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The entire rocket system is nearly 120

meters tall, making it the largest rocket ever
flown.
Role of Private Sector in Sace in India

Skyroot Aerospace: Skyroot became partner with ISRO in 2021. It has

access to ISRO’s facilities for developing and testing subsystems.

Bellatrix Aerospace: This aerospace company focuses on propulsion

systems and other satellite propulsion technologies. This innovation helps
in satellite deployment and maneuverability.

Dhruva Space: Dhruva Space provides satellite bases services and builds
small satellites.

Pixxel Space India Pvt Ltd: It aims to create a constellation of earth

observation satellites.
Recently, scientists at the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV),
Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, have developed a novel
way of generating non-infectious Nipah virus-like particles (VLPs) in
the laboratory, which mimic the wild type Nipah virus (NiV).

The zoonotic virus Nipah is a highly pathogenic paramyxovirus, with a

fatality rate of up to 80% in affected humans.

Nipah virus can be spread to people from infected bats, infected pigs,
or infected people. The natural hosts of the virus are fruit bats, also
known as flying foxes.
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are molecules that closely resemble viruses,
but are non infectious because they contain no viral genetic material.

VLPs carry most of the characteristics of the virus, except their ability
to replicate (because it lacks the viral genome).
Rocket with a 3D- printed engine has been launched
by space start-up Agnikul Cosmos Private Limited.

The Rocket named, Agnibaan SubOrbital Technology

Demonstrator (SOrTeD) comprises a single piece 3D-
printed engine designed and built indigenously, is
launched from Sriharikota.

Sub- Orbital Launch: The mission was designed to

reach a height of about 8 kilometres before splashing
into the sea.
Private launch provider Skyroot, achieved its first sub-orbital launch
in 2022

Private Launchpad: Agnibaan SOrTeD is India9s first launch from a

private mobile launchpad, called 8Dhanush9, established by Agnikul.

Agnibaan SOrTeD is also India9s first semi-cryogenic engine powered

rocket launch

The vehicle can fly payloads ranging from 30 kg to 300 kg

Recently, an Indian-American astronomer Shrinivas Kulkarni was
awarded the Shaw Prize for Astronomy in 2024 for his work on the
physics of astronomical transients.

Transients are astrophysical phenomena that change their

brightness over a relatively short time

There are many kinds of astronomical transients, all of them united by

phenomena that are violent in some measure.
Kinds of Transients:
Supernovae : when the outer layers of large stars blow up while their cores
implode because the stars have run out of elements to fuse. Many a
supernova has been known to become so bright that it emits light more
intensely than the stars in the rest of its host galaxy combined.

Active galactic nucleus (AGN) : The centers of massive galaxies host

supermassive black holes. Sometimes, these black holes actively feast on
matter in their orbit. Interactions between the black holes and the matter
in this process cause the latter to acquire energy and glow with a
changing brightness.

Fast radio burst (FRB) : FRBs are very energetic sources 10-times as much
energy as the Sun,which usually only last on the order of milliseconds.
Recently, the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) completed the
third Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV)
Landing Experiment (LEX) at the
Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in
Chitradurga, Karnataka.

Pushpak RLV is designed as a fully

reusable single-stage-to-orbit
(SSTO) vehicle, utilizing advanced
technology derived from earlier
prototypes such as the X-33, X-34,
and the upgraded DC-XA.
 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a
new three-step process to remove heavy metal contaminants, such as
arsenic, from groundwater.

Three processes are:

Adsorption: Separating arsenic from water using a biodegradable
absorbent.

Bioremediation: Reducing pollutant concentration.

Environmentally Friendly Disposal: Ensuring safe disposal of removed

heavy metals.
Arsenic in Drinking Water
The safe limit for arsenic in drinking water is 10 parts per billion (ppb).
This guideline helps ensure safe consumption and reduces health risks
from long-term exposure.

Fluoride in Drinking Water

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a provisional limit
of 1.0 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) for fluoride in drinking water.

Arsenic in Agricultural Water

For water used in agriculture, the allowable limit for arsenic is 0.10
milligrams per liter (mg/l).
Heavy Metals
It is defined as the metallic elements with high density compared to
water. It comprises metalloids like arsenic.

The toxicity due to heavy metal is very challenging as it is soluble in

water and easily absorbed by living organisms

Examples: Iron, copper, tin, and precious metals such as silver, gold,
and platinum
Recently, Twelve nations have signed the Zero Debris Charter at the
ESA/EU Space Council to make space activities debris neutral by 2030.

The Zero Debris Charter is written by and for the global space
community with the aim of shaping the global consensus on space
sustainability.

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal,

Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom have all pledged
to adhere to the charter.
India’s Efforts to mitigate
Space Debris : Debris-Free
Space Missions (DFSM) by
2030: The Indian Space
Research Organisation
(ISRO) is committed to
ensuring that all future
space missions are
designed to be debris-free
by 2030.
System for Safe & Sustainable Space Operations Management
(IS4OM): It aims to enhance the safety and sustainability of space
operations.

Space Situational Awareness Control Centre (SSACC): ISRO has set up

a SSACC to protect its high-value assets from close approaches and
collisions with inactive satellites, pieces of orbiting objects, and even
near-earth asteroids.
Recently, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences
(CCRAS) launched <PRAGATI- 2024= (Pharma Research in AyurGyan
And Techno Innovation).

PRAGATI-2024 aims to encourage joint research endeavors between

CCRAS and the Ayurvedic pharmaceutical industry

The CCRAS operates as an independent body under the Ministry of

AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and
Homeopathy), Founded in 1978, its mission is to organize, coordinate,
advance, and advocate for research.
CCRAS has devised morbidity codes and standardized terminologies to
establish uniformity in Ayurvedic practice.

AYUSH Research Portal: An extensive repository of Ayurvedic research,

encompassing data on medications, case reports, and clinical trials.
Recently, the Vice-President of India (Articles 63–71 ) visited
National Aerospace Limited (NAL) facilities and laid the foundation
stone of the Centre for Carbon Fiber and Prepregs in Bengaluru.

NAL is a research organization in India specializing in aerospace

research and was established by the Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research in 1959. Its primary focus is developing civilian
aircraft in India

Carbon fiber is a material that is made by heating fibers of carbon

to a high temperature in the absence of air.
At present, India does not manufacture carbon fiber domestically,
depending entirely on imports from nations like the US, France, Japan,
and Germany.

Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Carbon fibers surpass steel in

tensile strength while maintaining a much lighter weight.

Superior Elastic Modulus: Comparable to or surpassing metals such

as aluminum and steel, carbon fibers exhibit remarkable stiffness.

Minimal Thermal Expansion: Carbon fibers experience little expansion

or contraction with temperature changes, making them ideal for high-
temperature uses.
Prepreg carbon fiber: Prepreg
carbon fiber refers to unidirectional
carbon fiber sheets that have been
impregnated with resin prior to use.
A recent US study on Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrum (PFNS) is
significant for updating the design of India’s second stage of its
nuclear power program.

PFNS refers to neutrons emitted immediately after a Pu-240 nucleus

captures a neutron but before it stabilises

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number
of protons (i.e., atomic number, <Z=) but a different number of neutrons,
meaning that their mass number, <A=, varies.
A recent US study on Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrum (PFNS) is
significant for updating the design of India’s second stage of its
nuclear power program.

PFNS refers to neutrons emitted immediately after a Pu-240 nucleus

captures a neutron but before it stabilises

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number
of protons (i.e., atomic number, <Z=) but a different number of neutrons,
meaning that their mass number, <A=, varies.
When a Pu-239 nucleus captures a neutron, it can either undergo
fission or transform into Pu-240. Pu-240 is commonly found in nuclear
reactors and nuclear weapon test fallout.

Plutonium is produced from Uranium-238 in nuclear reactors.

Plutonium-239 is a weapon-grade fissile material used in nuclear
weapons. Both Pu-239 and Pu-240 are by-products of nuclear reactor
operations and nuclear bomb detonations.
Nuclear fission occurs when a neutron collides with a large atom,
causing it to become excited and split into two smaller atoms, known
as fission products.

Uranium and Plutonium are preferred as fission fuels in nuclear

reactors due to their ease of initiation and control. In these reactors, the
energy released from fission heats water into steam.
Nuclear fusion occurs when two atoms collide to create a heavier
atom, such as when two hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium. This
process mirrors the sun’s energy production, generating vast amounts
of energy—significantly more than fission.

PFBR utilises plutonium from CANDU reactor spent fuel, which contains
Pu-240. Reprocessed spent fuel from the PFBR will also contain Pu-240.

Plutonium containing more than 19% Pu-240 is categorized as reactor-

grade.
Three Stage Nuclear Programme of India:

Stage I: Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)

Pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) are used in the first phase of
India’s three-stage nuclear power development. These reactors create
plutonium-239 as a byproduct in addition to power.
Stage II: Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) z Fast breeder reactors (FBRs) are used
in the second phase of India’s three-stage nuclear power development.

Composition and Type of Fuel: Type of Fuel: FBRs use a mixed oxide (MOX)
fuel composed of plutonium-239 recovered from spent fuel from the first
stage and natural uranium.

Fission Process: In order to produce energy in FBRs, plutonium-239

undergoes fission.

Breeding Fuel: FBRs are able to <breed= more fuel than they consume
because uranium-238 in the mixed oxide fuel transmutes to more
plutonium-239.
Stage III: Thorium Based Reactors
In the third stage of India’s three-phase nuclear power programme, self-
sustaining reactors powered by uranium-233 and thorium-232 will be
deployed.

Features of Reactors:
Refueling: Reactors classified as thermal breeder reactors are able to be
refuelled with naturally occurring thorium following the initial fuel charge.

Fuel Composition: The main fuel used in the reactor is thorium-232, which
is converted to uranium-233 to provide energy.
Researchers at the Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science
(IISc) have developed a new method for producing recombinant proteins.
The new method utilizes monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common food
additive, as a safer alternative to methanol in the production process.

Recombinant proteins are artificially produced proteins. It is generated

using cells engineered to contain a specific gene of interest.
The role of Reverse Transcriptase has been discovered in some recent
research in bacterial defense against bacteriophages.

When the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae is infected by

bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria), they use a non-coding
RNA with specific structures that could bind to reverse transcriptase
and instruct cells to create DNA.

The discoveries showed information could flow the other way, too, with
RNA giving rise to DNA.
It is a chronic autoimmune condition

In this disease, White blood cells mistakenly attack cells in the gut,
causing ulcers in the mucosa.

As a result a child with IBD may develop fever, loose stools and bloody
diarrhea. IBD can develop at any age but usually appears before age
35.

Impaired absorption of macro and micronutrients. Weight loss, muscle

mass reduction, anaemia, and vitamin deficiencies may occur.
Types of IBD

Ulcerative Colitis: It affects only the large bowel.

Crohn’s Disease: It can affect any part of the gut, from the mouth to
the anus.

Indeterminate Colitis: It is used when it is challenging to distinguish

between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
The Indian Council of Medical Research has invited Expressions of
Interest for the joint development and commercialisation of low dose
or pediatric oral formulation of hydroxyurea to treat sickle cell
disease in children

India ranks first with the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease in
South Asia, with over 20 million sickle cell affected individuals residing
in the country.
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood
disorder that affects the production
of hemoglobin, the protein in red
blood cells that carries oxygen
throughout the body.

Anaemia, pain crisis, fatigue,

jaundice, delayed growth, and
increased susceptibility to infections.

World Sickle Cell Day: It is celebrated

on June 19
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Chad has
successfully eradicated the gambiense form of human African
trypanosomiasis (HAT).

Chad has become the first country of the year and the 51st worldwide
to eliminate a neglected tropical disease (NTD)
HAT is commonly known as sleeping sickness.

Disease Causing Agent: Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is

caused by protozoan parasites.

Transmission: Infected tsetse flies.

The disease is typically fatal if untreated, causing symptoms like

fatigue, headaches, and, in severe cases, coma.
Chad

It is a landlocked country
in north-central Africa.
It is largely a semi-desert
country.
Capital: N’Djamena
Bordering Nations:
Sudan, Niger, Libya and
Central African Republic.
Rivers: Chari and Logone
Highest point: Mount
Koussi
Studies identified <green-beard= genes that help individuals recognize and
cooperate with those carrying the same gene variant, fostering altruism
and preventing exploitation within groups.
Fog Computing:
Fog computing is a distributed computing system that stores and
processes data between the cloud and the data source. It's also known as
edge computing

SupTech
Supervisory technology, or SupTech, is the use of AI and data analytics to
oversee and manage financial institutions.

Hydrogen Line
The hydrogen line is an important instrument in modern astronomy from
studying distant stars to looking for extraterrestrial intelligence
Anti-aligned spins give the atom more energy than aligned spins.
When the electron flips its spin, the atom releases this excess energy as
electromagnetic radiation with a 21 cm wavelength.
This emission appears as a characteristic line in some detectors, known as
the <hydrogen line.=

PraVaHa
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed Computational
Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software named (PraVaHa).
PraVaHa stands for 8Parallel RANS Solver for Aerospace Vehicle Aero-
thermo dynamic Analysis9
DigiYatra
Digi Yatra is an innovative program for airport passengers that uses facial
recognition to streamline processing from entry to boarding. The Ministry
of Civil Aviation

Purple Rain
NASA9s MAVEN orbiter captured stunning purple auroras on Mars9 nightside.
Due to Mars9 lack of magnetic field, the aurora patterns were different.
Auroras are colourful lights that are visible when energy particles
emanating from solar storms travel down the magnetic field lines of a
planet. As Earth9s planet is shielded by a robust magnetic field, these lights
are normally restricted to regions near the poles.
TRISHNA Mission
ISRO recently announced a satellite mission, TRISHNA.
This mission is a joint infrared earth observation satellite mission between
India and France.
TRISHNA refers to Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-Resolution
Natural Resource Assessment. The Primary Goal of this mission is to
monitor surface temperature and water management globally.
Tentative Launch: 2025
Mission Lifespan: 5 years
Xylitol
Xylitol, a common artificial sweetener found in products like sugar-free
chewing gums and toothpaste, may elevate the risks of blood clots, heart
attacks, and strokes.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is found in small amounts in fruit and
vegetables and is used in sugar-free gum, toothpaste and baked goods.
Divya Drishti
A start-up Ingenious Research Solutions Pvt Ltd. created an AI tool called
8Divya Drishti,9 with support from the Centre for Artificial Intelligence &
Robotics (CAIR), a Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO)
laboratory located in Bangalore.

8Divya Drishti9 is an AI tool that combines facial recognition with immutable

physiological parameters like gait and skeleton, forming a strong
biometric authentication system.
Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS)
Recently, health officials are concerned about the outbreak of <flesh-
eating bacteria,= known as Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), in
Japan, where almost 1,000 cases have been reported nationwide. STSS is a
rare but severe bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus
bacteria.
DELHI UPSC SECRETS

#LBSNAA
Superfast Series
By UPSC Topper

Current
Affairs
JULY 2024
Sciecne-Tech. CA
Recently, a UK-based teenager, Oran Knowlson, has become the first
person in the world to be fitted with a brain implant to help bring his
epileptic seizures under control.

Epilepsy causes irregular seizures and is caused by abnormal

electrical activity in the brain.

The neurostimulator delivers constant electrical impulses to the brain

to disrupt or block abnormal seizure causing signals. The doctor
inserted two electrodes deep into his brain until they reached the
thalamus — a relay station for all the motor and sensory information.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): The device
uses DBS, which is also utilised for
movement disorders associated with
Parkinson’s, and other neurological
conditions.

The most common surgical procedure for

epilepsy is the removal of a small portion
of the temporal lobe during a procedure
called a temporal lobe resection. More
than 70 percent of people who have this
surgery at NYU Langone become seizure-
free or enjoy a marked improvement in
seizure control.
Recently, a study led by University of Arizona Health Sciences
researchers published in the journal Brain, demonstrated for the first
time functional sexual dimorphism in nociceptors.

Activation of nociceptors likely produces the same perception of pain

in men and women. What is different is how the nociceptors are
activated.
Nociceptors are the nerve cells
responsible for perceiving pain.
Nociceptor cells have bare nerve endings
and they are found across skin, bones,
joints, and muscles.

The receptors detect extreme pressure,

temperature, and chemical signals
released by the body when it is injured, turn
them into electrical signals, and relay them
to the brain via the spinal cord. The brain
finally reads the message and perceives
pain.
The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) has recommended a total
ban on two antibiotics: Chloramphenicol and nitrofurans.

In 2018, FSSAI banned the use of several antibiotics and veterinary

drugs, including nitrofurans and chloramphenicol, in processed meat,
poultry, eggs, seafood, and fishery products.

The DCC’s recommendation needs final approval from the Drugs

Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). DTAB is the highest authority on
drug regulations in India.
Misuse of these antibiotics in animals can
cause development of antibiotic-
resistant bacteria and the global health
issue of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic, but it

can have adverse effects like Bone
marrow depression, Nausea,
Hypersensitivity reactions. Nitrofurans are
a group of drugs.

Nitrofurantoin, a common nitrofuran

derivative, is used for treating urinary tract
infections.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Kolkata bench directed the
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) to investigate groundwater
contamination in Sukinda Valley, Jajpur district, Odisha.

Chromium = Silver grey colour shiny hard metal, Compounds are

toxic. Uses = Stainless steel, anti corrosive, green glass colouring,
leather tanning, yellow pigment/ Painting etc.

Hardest element after diamond and boron. Trivalent chromium is safe

for humans. Cr3 safe, Cr6 (hexavalent) is harmful.
Sukinda Valley Area:

Sukinda Valley in Odisha contains 97% of India’s chromite ore

deposits. It is also known as the land of <black diamond=.

Approximately 70% of surface water and 60% of drinking water contain

hexavalent chromium at levels more than double national and
international standards.

The Brahmani River, the main water source for residents, is heavily
contaminated.
A new study published by the researchers of the Shenyang Agricultural
University (SAU) in the journal Current Biology shows that Wolbachia
bacteria had manipulated the wasp Encarsia formosa to entirely get
rid of its males.

Wolbachia bacteria are present in insect eggs but absent in sperm.

As only Females can transmit Wolbachia to their offsprings, Wolbachia
have evolved ways to manipulate their insect hosts to produce more
female than male progeny.
This year marks 100 years of electro-encephalo-
graphy (EEG) in human medicine. It measures
electrical activity in the brain by tracking the
movement of electrically charged particles
(ions).

It measures voltage changes (in microvolts) and

the frequency of variations (in hertz).

German psychiatrist Hans Berger (1873–1941)

discovered the electroencephalogram (EEG) in
1924
Applications:
Diagnosing epilepsy
Monitoring anaesthesia effects
Studying sleep patterns
Assessing neurological activity during a coma
Confirming brain death
Scientists are preparing for a clinical trial to test the safety and
effectiveness of mitochondrial donation. This procedure offers a cure
for Mito disease.

There are two types of Mito:

Nuclear DNA Fault: Caused by faulty genes in nuclear DNA, inherited
from either parent.

Mitochondrial DNA Fault: Caused by faulty genes in mitochondrial

DNA, inherited only from the mother. The severity can vary widely.
Commonly Affected Organs: Heart, brain, and muscles, as they require
a lot of energy.

Childhood Impact: Mito in children often affects multiple organs,

progresses quickly, and can be fatal.

Prevalence: Around 1 in 5000 people suffer from genetic mitochondrial

disease.

Mitochondrial donation is a new IVF technique that helps people with

faulty mitochondrial DNA have children who are genetically related to
them without passing on the defective DNA.
 It is a rare but lethal central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
infection caused by free-living amoebas found in freshwater, lakes,
rivers and occasionally in brackish water and soil (Some free-living
amoebas, such as Naegleria fowleri, can also be found in brackish
water and soil).

The amoeba enters through the nasal channels and destroys brain
tissue with patients typically having a history of swimming, diving,
bathing, or playing in warm, generally stagnant, freshwater during the
previous one to 9 days.

Treatment = Miltefosine => Antimicrobial cocktail

Institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) approved a
wireless network architecture for affordable broadband access in rural
areas which is developed by a research team at IIT bombay.

The IEEE-2061 network also includes a CN and AN similar to cellular

networks. A key capability of the system is that it allows a device to
move from a Wi-Fi base connectivity to a macro-BS connectivity
without any service disruption.
Access Network:
Definition: The access network connects individual devices (like mobile
phones, computers, or IoT devices) to the telecom provider's network.
Includes cell towers, fiber optic connections, DSL lines, and Wi-Fi
routers.

Core Network:
The core network forms the backbone of the telecom provider’s
infrastructure, responsible for routing data and providing connectivity
between access networks and external networks (like the internet).
Physicists at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Europe reported the
most precise mass measurement of the Top Quark at 172.52 GeV/c2
having implications for the whole universe.
Top Quark is the most massive fundamental particle scientists have
found to date. It is 10-times heavier than a water molecule. The top
quark is a very unstable particle and breaks up into lighter, more
stable particles in less than 10^-25 seconds.

The top quark’s mass is crucial for understanding the Higgs boson,
the most massive subatomic particle that interacts strongly with the
Higgs field to give particles their mass.

A boson is a <force carrier= particle that comes into play when

particles interact with each other, with a boson exchanged during
this interaction.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has shortlisted two of its
four trained Gaganyaan astronauts for a Axiom-4 Mission to the
International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with United States’
NASA.

Axiom - 4 Mission
It will take the Indian astronauts to the ISS. This is the fourth private
astronaut mission of NASA and a private US company Axiom Space.
Gaganyaan:

The project envisages

demonstration of human
spaceflight capability by
launching a crew of 3 members to
an orbit of 400 km for a 3 days
mission and bringing them back
safely to earth, by landing in
Indian Ocean waters.

India as the fourth nation to achieve human spaceflight capability,

following Russia, the US and China.
The Space Exploration and Research Agency
(SERA), US based, in collaboration with Blue
Origin announced that India is a partner in their
human spaceflight program.

SERA will offer six seats on a future mission of Blue

Origin’s New Shepard, a reusable suborbital rocket.

New Shepard will take astronauts on an 11-minute

trip past the Kármán line (100 km), experiencing
weightlessness before descending back.
Researchers have used James Webb Space Telescope observations to
conduct detailed examinations of the atmospheric conditions on
brown dwarfs.

Brown Dwarfs are celestial bodies that are bigger than a planet but
smaller than a star - closest to us and are relatively common and
about 1,000 are known.
Like planets, but unlike stars, brown dwarfs can also have clouds
made out of precipitates in their atmospheres. Unlike Earth’s water
clouds, the clouds on brown dwarfs are much hotter and likely made
up of hot silicate particles.

They give off their own light due to their sheer heat, just like embers in
a fire glowing red because of how hot they are. Unlike stars, brown
dwarfs do not have nuclear fusion occurring at their core.

James Webb Telescope: Developed by: NASA with the assistance of

the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

It is placed at Lagrange point 2.

A team of Italian scientists has confirmed the presence of caves on the
surface of the moon. Researchers analyzed radar measurements by
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and compared the results with
lava tubes on Earth.

Such places could serve as a natural shelter for astronauts, protecting

them from cosmic rays and solar radiation as well as from
micrometeorite strikes.
Lava tubes are formed in the presence of volcanic eruptions, where
flowing lava cools down and crusts on the surface. This crust insulated
the flowing lava inside, allowing it to flow for great distances before
solidifying.

Over time, these tubes may collapse due to seismic activity or impact
events, creating a chain of pits and holes known as <skylights=
extending away from the volcanic features.

Lava Tubes Pits have been observed throughout the Solar System,
including the Moon, Mars, and Mercury which are similar to lava tubes
on Earth.
NASA’s LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter)

Launch: It was launched in 2009 initially for 2 years but is continuing to

orbit the Moon. LRO was NASA’s first lunar orbiter since Lunar
Prospector in 1998.

Primary Goal: LRO created a 3D map of the Moon, as part of a program

to identify future landing sites and resources including deposits of
water ice shadowed in polar craters.

THe LRO has found new life as a forward scout for the Artemis program,
NASA’s project to return humans to the moon’s surface.
Recently, IIT Madras and
the Jawaharlal Nehru
Centre for Advanced
Studies, Bengaluru
broke minerals down
into nanoparticles from
microdroplets of water.
Neutrinos/Ghost Particle: Neutrinos are a type of subatomic particle.
They don’t have an electric charge, have a small mass, and are left-
handed (a physics term meaning the direction of its spin is opposite
to the direction of its motion).

Reason for them to be called Ghost Particles: The rarity of interactions

with other particles makes them almost impossible to track.

They are the second-most abundant particles after photons

(particles of light) and the most abundant among particles that
make up matter. Neutrinos are generally produced when leptons
interact with matter.
NOvA Overview: NOvA stands for 8NuMI Off-axis νe Appearance9. It is
located in Minnesota, United States.

Function: NOvA creates a beam of neutrinos.

Management: NOvA is managed by the Fermi National Accelerator

Laboratory.
 Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Artificial Intelligence
launched an Artificial Intelligence Preparedness
Preparedness Index (AIPI)
Index (AIPI) Dashboard.

World Zoonoses Day is observed every year on

July 6th. It commemorates Louis Pasteur, who
administered the first successful rabies vaccine,
World Zoonoses Day a zoonotic disease, on July 6, 1885.

These are infectious diseases that can pass

between animals and humans
 Li-Fi, developed by Velmenni, utilizes light for secure
wireless communication, supported through funding under
Velmenni’s Li-Fi
India’s iDEX initiative. LiFi (Light Fidelity) is a wireless
technology
communication technology that utilizes visible light,
particularly LED bulbs, for data transmission.

Researchers have devised a technique to manufacture

environmentally friendly supercapacitors using activated
carbon sourced from coconut husks, an abundant
agricultural waste material.
Supercapacitors

A supercapacitor, also referred to as an ultracapacitor, is

an advanced energy storage device known for its high-
power density.
 India’s drug regulator’s expert committee has granted
approval for the launch of tirzepatide, a new weight loss
drug.
Tirzepatide and
Semaglutide These polypeptides increase GLP-1 levels, which, when
released in the gut, activate neurons that modify gut
function, leading to a sensation of fullness/satiety
without excessive eating.

CHAPEA Project: A part of NASA’s Crew Health and

NASA’s CHAPEA Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) project, it was
Project the first of three planned simulations to understand
Mars’s challenges for space explorers.
DELHI UPSC SECRETS

#LBSNAA Students’ review!

Superfast Series
By UPSC Topper

Current
Affairs
AUGUST 2024
SCIENCE & TECH.
New-age gateway devices like e-cigarettes and vaping pens, Electronic
Nicotine Delivery Systems, or ENDS, heat-not-burn (HNB) devices and
other heated tobacco products (HTPs) are modern alternatives to
traditional smoking.

These are devices that do not burn or use tobacco leaves. Instead, they
vaporise a solution using a battery. This vapour is then inhaled by the
user.
The use of such devices Impacts lung damage and the spread of e-
cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI). A 2018 study
found the use of electronic cigarettes daily was associated with a 79%
increase in heart attack risk after other variables were taken into
account.

Mental health challenges: Challenges such as depressive symptoms,

anxiety, perceived stress, and suicide-related behaviours among
adolescents are associated with such new-age gateway devices

Regulation of e-Cigarettes in India: Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes

Act, 2019 The Act seeks to prohibit the production, trade, storage, and
advertisement of electronic cigarettes.
National Space Day is
celebrated on 23rd August in
India to commemorate the
successful landing of
Chandrayaan-3 on the
Moon.

The theme for National

Space Day 2024 is 8Touching
Lives while Touching the
Moon: India’s Space Saga9.
Space Mission Details

- Launch: September 2, 2023

- Mission: To study the Sun
- Reached orbit around the Earth-Sun Lagrange point (L1) on January 6,
Aditya L1
2024 - Completed first orbit around L1 on July 2, 2024 - Studied a solar
storm in May 2024 in collaboration with ground observatories and lunar-
orbit spacecraft.

- Launch: October 21, 2023 - Tested: Crew Escape System (CES) to

separate and decelerate before splashdown - Crew module recovered by
Gaganyaan TV-D1
INS Shakthi - Focus: Training astronaut candidates ("Gaganyatris") for
spaceflight.

- Launch: January 1, 2024 - Study: Polarisation of radiation -

Instruments: XSPECT and POLIX began operating after launch (January
XPoSat
5 and 10, 2024) - Notable: Second space-based X-ray polarimeter after
NASA’s IPEX (2021).
 - Launch: February 17, 2024 onboard GSLV - Significance: Proven GSLV's
INSAT-3DS capability before the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)
mission (expected in 2025).

- Tests: Two landing experiments (LEX-02 and LEX-03) conducted on

March 22 and June 7, 2024 - Details: Pushpak vehicle dropped from a
RLV-TD Chinook helicopter to simulate space landing conditions - Significance:
Success in tests cleared the way for Orbital Return Flight Experiment
(OREX).

- Launch: August 16, 2024 - Details: Third development flight

successfully placed EOS-08 and SR-0 Demosat satellites in orbit -
Completion: SSLV development declared complete after two consecutive
SSLV
successful test flights; greenlit for industry transfer - Payload Capability:
Launch of satellites up to 500 kg to low Earth orbits with flexibility for
multi-satellite configurations.
 - Report: Project report submitted in February 2024 - Design: Three-
Next-Generation stage launch vehicle with semi-cryogenic, liquid, and cryogenic engines -
Launch Vehicle Significance: NGLV to replace GSLV; PSLV already under private
(NGLV) production - Pre-burner ignition tests for the semi-cryogenic engine
successfully completed in May 2024.

- May 1, 2024: ISRO transferred commercial satellite activities to NSIL -

Agreement: Signed with SpaceX to launch GSAT-20/GSAT-N2 in August
NewSpace India
2024 - Partnership: Public-private production of LVM-3 initiated and
Limited (NSIL)
launch service agreement signed with an Australian company for SSLV
launches.
 - Agnikul Cosmos: Launched SoRTeD-01 vehicle on March 21, 2024
(India's first semi-cryogenic engine launch). - Skyroot Aerospace:
Private Space Preparing for Vikram 1 launch; earlier tested engines (May-July 2024)
Missions and launched Vikram S on November 18, 2022. - Dhruva Space and
Bellatrix Aerospace: Conducted experiments on PSLV-C58 mission,
turning its fourth stage into an orbiting small satellite.

- Released norms for space activity authorisation (May 3, 2024) -

Granted satellite broadband licence to Eutelsat OneWeb (November 21,
2023) - Issued first ground station service licence to Dhruva Space (July
IN-SPACe
15, 2024) - FDI policy amended to allow 100% direct FDI in spaceflight
sectors, with caps for satellite manufacturing (74%) and launch
infrastructure (49%).
The Pragyan rover (part of Chandrayaan-3 mission) has found crucial
evidence to further strengthen the claims of moon’s surface being
composed of magma during its formation 4.5 billion years ago

Note: Name of the lander is = Vikram

Landing point = Shiv Shakti

The 23 measurements were taken by Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer

(APXS) onboard the rover
Lunar Magma Ocean Hypothesis Theory

The moon was formed out of a giant collision which melted several
kilometres of the moon’s surface and entirely covered it by an ocean of
hot magma at its inception, which took millions of years to cool and
solidify into rocks.

The experiment showed that the moon9s surface 8regolith9 was mainly
uniform and primarily composed of ferroan anorthosite (FAN), a type
of lunar rock.
The Regolith is a layer of rock fragments that covers the exposed
surfaces of airless bodies in space, such as the Moon.

Pragyan Rover has confirmed the Hypothesis for high altitude regions as
well near the lunar south pole.

Presence of Anorthosites (FAN): The presence of Anorthosites (a

lightweight silica mineral) also points that the moon had a liquid, lava
crust in the beginning allowing lighter elements to stay afloat and the
heavier ones to sink to the bottom.
Chandrayaan-3:

Launched: The mission was launched on July 14, 2023 and touched
down near the lunar south pole on August 23, 2023.

August 23 was celebrated as National Space Day henceforth. It is India’s

third lunar mission as well as second attempt to achieve a soft landing
of a robotic lander on the moon’s surface

India has become the fourth country to soft land on the Moon after the
United States, the erstwhile Soviet Union, and China and the first to
touch down near the lunar south pole.
Payloads on the Rover:

The LASER Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) will determine the

chemical and mineral composition of the lunar surface.

The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) will determine the

composition of elements such as magnesium, aluminium, silicon,
potassium, calcium, titanium, and iron in the lunar soil and rocks.
Indian astronomers use the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT)
to discover 34 new giant radio sources (GRSs).

Giant Radio Sources (GRS) are among the largest structures in the
universe. They are powered by supermassive black holes at their
centres, which are millions to billions of times heavier than the Sun.

These black holes emit powerful jets of hot plasma that create
massive radio-emitting lobes, extending well beyond the visible parts
of the galaxy.
National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA)

Location: Pune University Campus, India. It is a part of the Tata

Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.

Research Focus: The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research (NCRA-TIFR) is a institute for radio
astronomy in India,

Key focus of the Institute includes: Radio astronomy and

instrumentation, including studies of the Sun, pulsars, interstellar
medium, active galaxies, cosmology, and more.
Key Telescopes

Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT): The world’s largest meter-

wavelength telescope, located in Khodad, 80 km from Pune.

Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT): A large cylindrical telescope located near

Udhagamandalam, India.
Recently, scientists have proposed Ladakh as a potential site for the
country’s first analogue research station where conditions of the
Moon and Mars can be emulated to test experiments.

This initiative aligns with India’s ambitious space programme, which

includes plans for a space station by 2035 and Gaganyaan mission.
An analogue research station simulates
conditions on other planetary bodies like
the Moon or Mars, allowing scientists and
engineers to conduct research and test
technologies in an environment that closely
mimics those extraterrestrial settings.

IAO: The Indian Astronomical Observatory

(IAO) or Hanle Observatory is a high-
altitude astronomical observatory located
in Hanle valley, UT Ladakh, India. It is
operated by the Indian Institute of
Astrophysics.
Scientists have found frost atop Mars’ tallest volcano, Olympus Mons,
indicating the presence of a sparse but active water cycle on the Red
Planet.

NASA’s Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and

Heat Transport (InSight) (2018)

Objective: InSight aims to study the deep interior of Mars to understand

the formation of all rocky celestial bodies, including Earth and the Moon.
The mission is supported by several European agencies:

France’s CNES: Centre National d’Études Spatiales.

Germany’s DLR: German Aerospace Center.
UKSA: United Kingdom Space Agency.

The data suggests a layer of fractured igneous rock, possibly granite,

located 10-20 km beneath Mars’ surface, with its cracks filled with liquid
water. Water likely seeped from the surface billions of years ago when
Mars had rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Mars Overview
Fourth Planet: Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-
smallest in the Solar System.
Size Comparison: Approximately half the size of Earth.
Day Length: A Martian day, called a "sol" (solar day), is 24.6 hours,
slightly longer than Earth’s 23.9-hour day.
Axial Tilt: Mars has a 25-degree axial tilt, similar to Earth’s 23.4-
degree tilt, resulting in distinct seasons on both planets.

Geographical and Physical Features

Olympus Mons:
The largest volcano in the Solar System.
Three times taller than Mt. Everest, with a base the size of New
Mexico.
Atmospheric Composition:
Thin atmosphere, primarily composed of carbon dioxide,
nitrogen, and argon.
Moons of Mars:
Mars has two small moons: Phobos and Deimos.
Mars Missions
Indian Mars Mission
Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) or Mangalyaan: Launched by India in
2013.
International Mars Missions
1. Curiosity Rover - NASA (2011)
2. MAVEN - NASA (2013)
3. ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter - European Space Agency/Russia (2016)
4. Hope Mars Mission - United Arab Emirates (2020)
5. Tianwen-1 - China (2020)
6. Mars 2020 (Perseverance Rover) - NASA (2020)
The solar cycle is an approximately 11-year period marked by variations
in the Sun’s activity, including changes in sunspot numbers, solar
radiation, and ejections of solar material.

This cycle alternates between phases of minimum and maximum

activity, with synchronised fluctuations in sunspots, solar flares, and
coronal loops.

Solar Cycle 25 is the current solar cycle. | It is the 25th solar cycle since
sunspot observations began in 1755.
The EOS-08 Earth Observation Satellite was
launched by the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) onboard the Small
Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 from the
Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The SSLV-D3 is the third and final

development flight with ISRO declaring
development process of SSLV completed.
The satellite will operate in a Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an
altitude of 475 km with an inclination of 37.4°, and has a mission life of 1
year.

The SR-0 DEMOSAT developed by Space Kidz India which was also
placed in the intended orbit was also onboard the vehicle.

The satellite carries three payloads ie,

Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR): It will image in Mid-Wave IR
(MIR) band and in Long Wave IR (LWIR) band during day and night for
various applications like Satellite based surveillance, Disaster
Monitoring, Environmental Monitoring, Fire Detection, Volcanic
activities and Industrial and power plant disaster.
Global Navigation Satellite System- Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R):
It will demonstrate the capability using GNSS-R based remote sensing
to derive applications like Ocean Surface Winds, Soil moisture,
Cryosphere applications over Himalayan Region, Flood detection, In-
land water body detection, etc.

SAC and SiC UV Dosimeter: It will monitor the UV irradiance at the View
Port of the Crew Module in Gaganyaan Mission and to use as a high
dose alarm sensor for UV Radiation.
The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Jupiter Icy Moons
Explorer (JUICE) in 2023.

The JUICE mission will explore Jupiter’s three large moons: Callisto,
Europa, and Ganymede, which are believed to have subsurface oceans.

This mission follows NASA’s Galileo mission from the 1990s but aims to
delve deeper into Jupiter’s moons and their ability to harbour life.
Other Missions to Jupiter

Galileo (NASA): It was the first spacecraft to orbit a gas giant from 1995
to 2003.

Juno (NASA): This spacecraft arrived at Jupiter in 2016.

Europa Clipper (NASA): This mission is set to launch in October 2024.

A recent study from India has highlighted the potential benefits
of using sucralose, a non-nutritive sweetener, as a substitute for
sucrose (table sugar) among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.

Sucralose is made from real sugar and is a zero calorie artificial

sweetener that often comes in a yellow packet and is marketed
as Splenda.

Sucralose is blended with other calorie-free sweeteners such as

dextrose and maltodextrin to reduce its excessive sweetness.
Sucralose is made from sugar in a multistep chemical process in which
three hydroxyl groups are replaced with chlorine atoms and is 600 times
sweeter than real sugar with almost no calories.

Sucralose is also altered so that most of it passes through our body

instead of being stored to later use as energy.
Forever Chemicals: Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

These are a class of synthetic man-made chemicals.

They are called <forever chemicals= because the bonds in their chemical
compounds are so strong they don’t degrade down for hundreds to
thousands of years. Example: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)

They are used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist
heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.
They pose a negative health effect such as decreased immune system
performance and vaccine response, infant and child learning and
developmental issues, certain cancers, decreased fertility, endocrine
disruption etc.

PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS are transferred to fetus through cord blood and to
infant through breast milk
India9s first cultures of indigenous methanotrophs 8Methylocucumis
oryzae9 from rice fields and wetlands have been isolated and described
by the scientists.

The methanotroph had a characteristic oval and elongated shape,

similar to that of a cucumber, and thus is also called 8methane eating
cucumbers9

Size: It has a remarkably large size compared to other bacteria and is

equal to the size of a small yeast (3-6 µm).
it has a strict mesophilic nature and cannot grow above 37ºC while
most of the other methanotrophs can tolerate or grow at 37ºC or even
at 40ºC.

Methanotroph can restrict the net emission of Methane to the

environment. These bacteria oxidize up to 20% of the produced methane
in rice field habitats.

Aerobic methanotrophs, or methane-oxidizing bacteria use methane as

the sole source of carbon and energy to oxidize methane to carbon
dioxide and water. Methane is oxidized to methanol and further to
formaldehyde.
India is preparing to introduce the BPaL (bedaquiline, pretomanid, and
linezolid) regimen for all patients with multi/ extensively drug-resistant
tuberculosis (M/XDR-TB).

The regimen shortens treatment duration from 18-24 months to about

six months and simplifies the process to three daily tablets, compared
to the previous regimen of 14 drugs.
The International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee of the
World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox as a <Public Health
Emergency of International Concern= (PHEIC)

Mpox, an infectious zoonotic disease (disease that is transmitted

between humans and animals) is one of the species of pox virus (such
as smallpox and cowpox). Pox viruses are oval shaped and have
double-strand DNA
Causative agent: An orthopoxvirus.

Transfer Agent: Animals like squirrels, dormice and certain types of

monkeys and rats carry the virus and transmit through bites, scratches
or bush meat preparation.

Endemic: It is endemic to countries in central and west Africa with

tropical climates and rainforests.

Two vaccines currently in use for small pox and Mpox namely, (JYNNEOS
vaccine and ACAM2000) are recommended by WHO.
The FSSAI has launched an initiative titled <Micro and Nano-Plastics as
Emerging Food Contaminants= to develop standardised methods for
detecting micro and nano-plastics in Indian food products, assessing
their prevalence and potential consumer risks.

Microplastics

About: Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that measure less than 5
millimetres in size.
Bioaccumulation: Bio-accumulation refers to the gradual buildup of
substances, such as heavy metals, pesticides, or persistent organic
pollutants (POPs), in an organism’s tissues over time.

Biomagnification: Biomagnification refers to the increasing

concentration of microplastics (and associated toxins) as they move up
the food chain.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Concerned Act :The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS
Act).

Concerned Ministry: It operates under the Ministry of Health & Family

Welfare, Government of India.

Headquarters: Delhi. z Established in: Established in 2008, FSSAI began

functioning effectively in 2011.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a technique that
reveals brain activity by measuring blood oxygen levels.

Non invasive: It is a non invasive technique to observe the brain’s

activity.

Distinction from Traditional MRI: Unlike traditional MRI, which focuses on

brain structure, fMRI captures brain activity during specific functions or
tasks.
In Budget 2024, the Union Finance Minister announced plans to develop
Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) as part of India’s push to expand its
nuclear energy capabilities.

About Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs)

Refers: BSRs are compact nuclear reactors designed to generate

electricity on a smaller scale compared to traditional large nuclear
power plants.
Based On: The BSRs will be based on India’s tried and tested 220-
megawatt pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology, of
which 16 units are already operational in the country.

Design: The design of BSMRs is ongoing at the Bhabha Atomic Research

Center in Mumbai.

BSRs offer several advantages over conventional large-scale nuclear

plants. They are more flexible in terms of siting, can be deployed faster,
and are potentially more cost-effective. These reactors could be
particularly useful for providing power to remote areas or serving as
captive power units for large industries like cement and steel.
India selects 2 crew members for the Axiom-4 mission to the
International Space Station.

The Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of ISRO has entered into a Space
Flight Agreement (SFA) with NASA-identified service provider Axiom
Space for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the ISS.

Axiom Mission 4 (or Ax-4) is a private spaceflight to the International

Space Station. It is operated by Axiom Space and uses a SpaceX Crew
Dragon spacecraft. Axiom-4 will continue to establish a sustainable
human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Hayflick Limit

Biomedical researcher Leonard Hayflick, who

discovered that normal somatic cells can
divide (and thus reproduce) only a certain
number of times, died recently.

About Hayflick Limit:

Discovery: In the early 1960s, Leonard Hayflick

discovered that somatic (non reproductive)
cells stop dividing after approximately 40-60
divisions, a phenomenon now known as the
Hayflick Limit.
Reason for Aging: Hayflick posited that this cessation in cell division
contributes to aging. As senescent cells, which have stopped dividing,
accumulate, the body begins to age and decline.

In Built Clock: This discovery implies the existence of an in-built cellular

clock in humans and other organisms, determining the potential
lifespan.

Maximum Lifespan: The "ultimate Hayflick limit" for humans is around 125
years. Beyond this limit, factors like diet, exercise, or genetic
interventions cannot significantly extend the human lifespan.
Oropouche Fever

Brazil has reported its first-ever deaths from Oropouche fever

Oropouche fever:

About: Oropouche fever is an emerging zoonotic arboviral disease

caused by the Oropouche Virus (OROV), first discovered in Trinidad and
Tobago in 1955.

Transmission: It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected

midge, commonly the Culicoides paraensis midge, or mosquito.

There is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

INS Tabar

INS Tabar arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia, for a four-day visit to

participate in the 328th Russian Navy Day Parade celebrations.

MPX Exercise: Conducted the Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with

Russian Navy Ship Soobrazitelny, featuring complex naval maneuvers,
communication drills, Search & Rescue tactics, and Replenishment at
Sea serials.
Long-Range Glide Bomb <Gaurav=

India has carried out a <successful= maiden flight test of Long-Range

Glide Bomb (LRGB) Gaurav from a Su-30 MK-I fighter jet of the Indian Air
Force.

Gaurav’ is an air launched 1,000 kg class glide bomb capable of hitting

targets at long distance. GAURAV has been designed and developed
indigenously by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.
New Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre

Recently, the Indian Defence Minister inaugurated the Maritime Rescue

Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Chennai.
Exercise
Location Participants Key Activities/Objective
Name

Air combat missions involving Su-

Indian Air Force (IAF) and
Udara Kuantan, 30MKI (IAF) and Su-30MKM (RMAF)
Royal Malaysian Air Force
Shakti 2024 Malaysia fighter jets; improve interoperability
(RMAF)
and effectiveness.

Maduruoya,
Indian Army (Rajputana Conduct joint military operations
Mitra Shakti Southern
Rifles) and Sri Lankan under Chapter VII of the UN
2024 Province, Sri
Army (Gajaba Regiment) Mandate; deployment of K9 units.
Lanka
 Multinational, including
Collaboration among global military
KHAAN Ulaanbaatar, India (MADRAS
forces to enhance peacekeeping
QUEST Mongolia REGIMENT), USA,
skills.
Mongolian Armed Forces

Tamil Nadu Air forces from Australia,

Promote cooperation, strategic
Tarang and France, Germany, Japan,
alignment, and exchange of
Shakti Rajasthan, Spain, UAE, UK, USA, and
knowledge and best practices.
India others

Enhance preparedness and

operational capabilities in
Parvat Mountain Strike Corps of
Ladakh, India mountainous terrains, particularly
Prahaar the Northern Command
along the Line of Actual Control
(LAC).
DELHI UPSC SECRETS

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Current
Affairs
SEPTEMBER 2024
SCIENCE & TECH
The Union Cabinet has approved funds for four space projects of ISRO in
line with the Vision 2047 mapped by the space agency.

1. Chandrayaan 4 Mission
2. The Venus Orbiter Mission
3. Gaganyaan and Bhartiya Antriksh Station (The Indian Space
Station)
4. Next Generation Launch Vehicle
ISRO was established on 15th August 1969, replacing the
Indian National Committee for Space Research
(INCOSPAR) set up in 1962.
Located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is regarded as the founder of

the Indian space program and was instrumental in
establishing ISRO.

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (1963–1972) was ISRO's first

chairman.
Motto: "Space technology in the service of humankind."
Initially, ISRO was under the
Department of Atomic
Energy (DAE). In 1972, the
Department of Space was
created, and ISRO was
brought under it.

The first satellite, Aryabhata,

was launched on 19th April
1975 from the Soviet Union.
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
– Primary launch center.

Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), Kerala –

Focused on sounding rockets.

Sounding rockets are small, low-cost rockets that carry scientific

instruments into space to perform experiments and take
measurements
Budget: The project was approved for Rs 2,014 and is slated for
launch in 2027 for a period of 36 months.

Goal: To lay the foundation for India’s plan to land astronauts on the
Moon by 2040.

Modules: The mission will have five modules across two separate
launches and is designed to land on Moon, collect samples, store
them in a vacuum container, and bring them back to Earth.
Tentative date for launch is March 2028 for the Venus mission, when
the Earth and Venus will be at their closest.

It will be India’s second planetary mission after the Mars Orbiter

Mission in 2014.

Budget: The project has been approved for R 1,236 crore.

Mission Objective: To study the, Surface and Subsurface Stratigraphy:
It involves understanding of its geological history and resurfacing
processes.

Atmosphere: It will study the composition, dynamics, and chemistry

of Venus’ thick atmosphere, including the enigmatic phenomena like
the greenhouse effect.

Ionosphere: The mission will also examine how Venus’ ionosphere

interacts with solar irradiance and solar wind, contributing to our
knowledge of planetary atmosphere

The interaction of the planet with the sun.

The Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS) is planned to be India’s own
space station for scientific research which is planned to be
operationalised by 2035

Currently, the only two functioning space stations are the US-led
International Space Station and China’s Tiangong.

The Cabinet has approved the development of the first module of

the Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS-1) by December 2029.
The Revised Gaganyaan Programme: Initially approved in December
2018, the mission aims for human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
and focuses on completing eight missions by December 2029.

Budget: Both the Gaganyaan mission and the setting up of the

Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS) is approved at the cost of Rs 20,193
crore
It aims to increase ISRO’s launch capability from the current 10
Tonnes to the low earth orbit to 30 Tonnes to the low earth orbit.
India’s existing launch vehicles, including PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, and SSLV,
can launch satellites up to 10 tonnes to LEO and 4 tonnes to Geo
Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)

This launch vehicle is one of the requirements for setting up the

Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS).

Budget: The project will cost Rs 8,239 crore and will have three
development flights with a target of 8 years for the completion of the
development phase.
ISRO has finalized the design of
a humanoid skull for testing
spaceflight conditions and
safety of the Gaganyaan crew
module ahead of the
Gaganyaan mission scheduled
for 2025.
The ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and
Employment) Policy for Fostering High Performance
Biomanufacturing’ proposed by the Department of Biotechnology
has been approved by the Union Cabinet.
Themes: The policy will focus on 6 main themes to boost
biomanufacturing.
Bio-based chemicals and enzymes
Functional foods and smart proteins
Precision biotherapeutic
Climate resilient agriculture
Carbon capture and its utilisation
Futuristic marine, and space research

The Policy will strengthen initiatives such as 8Net Zero9 carbon

economy & Project LIFE (8Lifestyle for Environment) and will promote
India on a path of accelerated Green Growth
The National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) is using Next
Generation Sequencing (NGS) and genotyping technology to identify
and conserve indigenous cattle breeds.

NIAB is located in Hyderabad, Telangana and established in 2010.

NIAB focuses on advanced research in animal genetics and

biotechnology.
NGS is a modern DNA sequencing method that has transformed
genomic research.

Genotyping is the process of identifying genetic differences by

analysing an individual’s DNA sequence.

NGS is more advanced than Genotyping.

The Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC)
in Gandhinagar has published the only fully mapped
genome of the Chandipura Vesiculovirus (CHPV).

The Chandipura Virus is a member of the

Rhabdoviridae family which includes the rabies virus.

Primary Vector: Female Phlebotomine sandfly.

Additional vectors: Mosquitoes, and ticks.
The government has
launched a drive across the
state for vector control and
containment of the
Chandipura virus -
Malathion Powder (a type of
Pesticide) is being sprinkled
in the villages for disease
control.
Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST)
have developed an affordable method to remove toxic chromium from
industrial wastewater.

Sunlight is used as a catalyst to convert the toxic Cr(VI) into the less
harmful Cr(III).

Microfluidic Technology: The method uses a continuous flow

photoreduction process with the help of microfluidic reactors and TiO2
nanoparticles.
Chromium is known for its strong resistance to corrosion and its
hardness.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is very toxic and can cause serious

health problems such as lung cancer, allergies, and eczema. For
trivalent chromium (Cr(III)), the limit is 5 mg/L.
In a recent study published by the National Institutes of Health,
researchers found that brain samples taken in early 2024 contained an
alarming average of 0.5% plastic by weight.

Microplastics are defined as synthetic solid particles sized ranging from

1 micrometer to 5 millimeters (mm), which are insoluble in water.
The proposal for establishing the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE)
for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality
(AVGC-XR) in Mumbai has been cleared by the Union Cabinet.
A protein called dynamin related protein 1 (Drp1) controls
mitochondrial division.

Excessive Drp1 activity causes mitochondria to fragment, leading to

cellular dysfunction and death. By reducing Drp1 activity in lab models
of Parkinson’s, including cell cultures and animal models, researchers
were able to restore normal mitochondrial function, protect neurons
from disease, and improve motor function in rats.
Mitochondria are membrane-bound organelles in cells that produce
most of the energy required for the cell’s biochemical activities. They
generate energy by combining oxygen with molecules like sugars
and fats obtained from food. The energy produced by mitochondria is
stored in a molecule known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily

affects nervous system and movements. The disease is characterised
by loss of control on movements and body balance.
This 6-month all-oral treatment regimen comprises bedaquiline,
pretomanid, linezolid, and moxifloxacin.

It has been introduced under the National TB Elimination Programme

for eliminating the disease under the Sustainable Development Goals.
It is a technology designed to
harness solar energy more
efficiently by using a
parabolic-shaped reflector.

These systems can operate

at temperatures up to 300°C,
which allows for higher
thermal efficiency due to
reduced heat losses.
The European Space Agency/Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
BepiColombo mission has successfully completed its fourth of six
gravity assist flybys at Mercury.

It is an international mission consisting of two spacecraft riding

together to Mercury to orbit and study the planet from unique vantage
points.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Florida, carrying 4 American
member into orbit to attempt the world’s first private spacewalk.

A spacewalk or an <extravehicular activity (EVA)= is a period of activity

spent outside a spacecraft by an astronaut in space.

The first-ever spacewalk was carried out on March 18, 1965, by the
Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov.
Located beyond low-Earth orbit, these radiation belts were discovered
in 1958 by astrophysicist James Van Allen who helped uncover the key
to enabling exploration of the outer solar system.

Van Allen calculated that it was possible to fly through the weaker
regions of radiation to reach outer space.

The Earth’s magnetosphere traps the high energy radiation particles

and shields the Earth from the solar storms and the constantly
streaming solar wind that can damage technology as well as people
living on Earth.
Launch Date: 2020 (Nov)

Part of Chang’e lunar exploration program.

Objective: collecting samples from the surface of the moon for

analysis. Focuses on studying geological features of the moon and its
mineral composition.

Landing: Successfully landed on Mons Rumker region. This region is a

volcanic region in the Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of Storms) on the
moon’s near side.
India’s third home-built 700 MWe nuclear power reactor has achieved
criticality and is expected to start commercial electricity generation
soon.

Criticality is the point where a nuclear reactor achieves a self-

sustaining chain reaction, with nuclear fission occurring at a steady
rate.
A pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) is a nuclear power reactor,
commonly using unenriched natural uranium as its fuel, that uses
heavy water (deuterium oxide D2O) as its coolant and moderator

PHWR Development in India: India’s first PHWR was constructed in the

late 1960s at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-1), built
through Indo-Canadian collaboration.
Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR):

Fuel: Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel, made from plutonium and depleted
uranium.

Coolant: Liquid sodium, with no moderator.

Example: The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam is

part of India’s second stage in its three-stage nuclear program.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
introduced the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack, providing
Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) via a distributed infrastructure to
enhance digital trust and service delivery.
Blockchain: A digital ledger technology that stores data in encrypted,
tamper-proof <blocks= linked in a chronological <chain.= Example:
Bitcoin uses blockchain to securely track decentralized transactions.

Blockchain Technology Stack: The layers of technology required to

build and run a blockchain, including infrastructure, core blockchain
protocols, smart contracts, and APIs.

NBFLite – a lightweight blockchain platform for startups and academia

to prototype applications.

Praamaanik – a blockchain-based solution for verifying mobile app

origins.
National Blockchain Portal – supporting blockchain initiatives across
India.

Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) is a cloud-based service where third

parties provide infrastructure and tools to build and use blockchain
applications

Vishvasya (BaaS) is a part of the broader National Blockchain

Framework provided under National Strategy on Blockchain.
Planetary Protection is the idea to preserve the biospheres of the
earth and the body against contamination by 8alien9 microbial life,
during an interplanetary mission.

Tanager-1 Satellite launched by SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. To track

methane and carbon dioxide emissions. It will track these emissions by
measuring hundreds of wavelengths of light that are reflected by
Earth9s surface.

It will be able to measure point-source emission on a global scale.

2024 PT5:

It is a small asteroid that temporarily orbits earth.

Asteroids are small, rocky or metal objects that orbit the Sun.

Known as: Mini-moon

Likely originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt

NIDHI i-TBI

The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing innovations

(NIDHI) program was launched in 2016. To nurture start-ups through
scouting, supporting and scaling innovations.

It is an umbrella programme conceived and developed by the

Innovation & Entrepreneurship division, Department of Science &
Technology.
India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (IGEIC)

Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

(MeitY), launched the IGEIC, a key initiative under the vision of Viksit
Bharat@2047.

Location: Trivandrum, Kerala

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis, also known as <rat fever=, is caused by a type of bacteria

in the urine of animal carriers, particularly rats. Caused by the
Leptospira bacteria, which is primarily found in the urine of infected
animals.

The carriers of the disease can be either wild or domestic animals,

including rodents, cattle, pigs, and dogs. Symptoms range from fever,
chills, headache to severe conditions affecting the liver, kidneys, lungs,
and brain.

The disease spreads through contact with the urine of infected

animals or contaminated soil and water.
Metformin

A study titled 8Metformin decelerates ageing clock in male monkeys9

found that metformin, a common diabetes drug, slows ageing in male
monkeys, particularly in their brains.

Metformin is an anti-diabetic medication (biguanide). It is widely used

to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and polycystic ovarian syndrome
(PCOS).

It was first introduced for diabetes treatment in France during the

1950s. Metformin is derived from guanidine, a compound found in
Goat9s Rue, a herbal medicine that has been used in Europe for a long
time.
DELHI UPSC SECRETS

#LBSNAA Students’ review!

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Current
Affairs
OCTOBER 2024
SCIECNE & TECH.
Precision medicine is revolutionising personalised healthcare, relying on
advanced technologies like genomics, gene editing, and mRNA
therapeutics.

Precision medicine focuses on personalised healthcare

A biobank is a repository that stores biological samples, such as blood,

DNA, cells, tissues, and organs, for research purposes. India currently
has 19 biobanks

NexCAR19: India's first CAR-T cell therapy developed domestically,

approved in 2023 for cancer treatment.
Genome India: It is a national project, funded by the Department of
Biotechnology. It was launched in 2020.

Objective: It aims to sequence 10,000 genomes from healthy individuals

across India.
Phenome India: It is the initiative of the Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR).

Launch date: 2023 (Dec)

Objective: This project aims to develop India-specific risk prediction

models for diseases like liver diseases, and cardiac conditions.
The Paediatric Rare Genetic
Disorders (PRaGeD) Mission

It is a pan India initiative.

Funded by: Department of

Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of
Science and technology.

Objective: Developing art facility to

study Paediatric Rare Genetic
Diseases.
Prime Minister
virtually launched
three Param Rudra
Supercomputing
Systems under the
National
Supercomputing
Mission (NSM).
National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)
Launch Year: The National Supercomputing Mission was launched in
2015 as a seven Year programme with a total Budget of Rs. 4500 Crore.

Goal: to enhance India’s research capacity by connecting institutions

into a supercomputing grid, using the National Knowledge Network
(NKN) as the backbone.
NKN: A high-speed network connecting academic institutions and R&D
labs across India to enable data sharing and collaboration.

Implementing Bodies:
The mission is jointly steered by the Department of Science and
Technology (DST) and the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).

C-DAC Pune and IISc Bengaluru are the primary implementing agencies.
PARAM Rudra Supercomputers are developed indigenously by the
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the
National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).

The 3 supercomputers, developed indigenously at a cost of ₹130 crore,

have been deployed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata
Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune: It will utilize the
supercomputer to study Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other
astronomical phenomena.

Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi: It will advance

research in fields such as material science and atomic physics.

S.N. Bose Centre in Kolkata: It will drive advanced research in areas

including physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.
About HPC Systems 8Arka9 and 8Arunika9:

The newly launched HPC systems will enable the development of high-
resolution models to improve predictions related to:

Tropical cyclones
Heavy precipitation
Thunderstorms
Hailstorms
Heat waves
Droughts and other weather phenomena
High Performance Computing
HPCs: Designed for specific tasks, often within a company or
institution. They offer high processing power but may not be as
powerful as supercomputers.

Speed Difference: Supercomputers typically operate at petaflop

speeds (quadrillions of floating-point operations per second), while
HPCs may operate at teraflop speeds (trillions of floating-point
operations per second).

This difference in speed is crucial for tasks requiring intensive

calculations.

Supercomputers focus only on performance whereas HPCs balance

performance with efficiency and cost.
Supercomputers are high-performing mainframe systems capable
of solving complex computations by splitting tasks into multiple
parts and processing them simultaneously.

The processing speed of supercomputers is measured in petaFLOPs

(floating point operations per second), where one petaFLOP equals a
thousand trillion operations per second.

Global Supercomputer Rankings: China leads the world in the

number of supercomputers, followed by the US,

India’s first supercomputer was PARAM 8000 developed in 1991.

First Indigenously Assembled Supercomputer: PARAM Shivay,

installed at IIT (BHU).
The world’s first Government-funded Multimodal Large Language
Model (LLM) Initiative known as BharatGen was recently launched.

BharatGen is an initiative that will create generative Artificial

Intelligence (AI) systems that can generate high-quality text and
multimodal content in various Indian languages.

Spearheaded by IIT Bombay under the National Mission on

Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) of the
Department of Science and Technology (DST)
The four key distinguishing features of
BharatGen are:

The multilingual and multimodal

nature of foundation models;
Bhartiya data set based building,
and training;
Open-source platform and
Development of an ecosystem of
generative AI research in the
country.
Large Language Model (LLM):

Large Language Model (LLM) is a type of artificial intelligence model

designed to understand, generate, and interact with human language.

These models are trained on vast amounts of text data.

They are capable of performing tasks such as translation,

summarization, question-answering, and text generation.

Examples: GPT(Generative Pre-trained Transformer) , BharatGen

National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-
ICPS)

It is a comprehensive Mission aimed at transforming ideas into market-

ready products and fostering advanced technologies.

A Cyber-Physical System (CPS) integrates physical processes with

computational algorithms and networked sensors to monitor and
control these processes in real time.

This technology bridges the physical and virtual worlds, facilitating

seamless interaction between humans and machines.
Implemented by: The Department of Science & Technology (DST)
Focus Areas: The mission will focus on four key areas:
Technology Development
Human Resource Development (HRD) & Skill Development
Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Start-up Ecosystem Development
International Collaborations
To prevent floods and landslides as
recently seen in Kerala9s Wayanad district
in the future, the Union Ministry of Earth
Sciences approved the installation of an X-
band radar in Wayanad.

It is based on the Doppler effect, which

describes the change in frequency of a
signal when the source and observer are in
relative motion. If objects move closer, the
frequency increases
L-band radar: Low frequency (1-2 GHz), long wavelengths (15-30 cm),
suitable for detecting large-scale weather patterns.

S-band radar: Operates at 2-4 GHz, with wavelengths of 8-15 cm. It is

useful for both near and far-range weather detection due to its
resistance to signal attenuation.

C-band radar: Works within 4-8 GHz frequency and 4-8 cm wavelength,
primarily used for short-range weather observations.

X-band radar: Focuses on smaller particles and shorter range weather

monitoring, due to its 8-12 GHz frequency and 2-4 cm wavelength.
The shorter wavelength allows X-band radar to detect smaller particles,
such as rain droplets and soil, providing high-resolution imaging.

Mission Mausam: The Indian government plans to add 56 additional

Doppler radars, modernising its meteorological infrastructure under the
₹2,000 crore 8Mission Mausam9 initiative.

India, in collaboration with NASA, is developing the NISAR satellite

(NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), which is expected to launch in
2025.

NISAR will combine L-band and S-band radars to produce high-

resolution maps of the Earth9s surface, helping track natural processes
such as land deformation and environmental changes.
CRISPR-Cas9 is a popular genome editing tool because it is faster,
cheaper, more accurate, and more efficient than other methods. It was
adapted from a natural defence mechanism used by bacteria to fight
viruses.

Bacteria store viral DNA segments in their genome, forming CRISPR

arrays. These arrays help them recognize and cut the DNA of attacking
viruses using the Cas9 enzyme.

Scientists have adapted this process to target and edit specific DNA
sequences in human cells using guide RNA and the Cas9 enzyme.
Stem cells are specialised human cells with the remarkable ability to
develop into various cell types, including muscle cells, brain cells, and
insulin-producing cells.

This versatility makes them promising candidates for regenerative

medicine, offering hope for treating a wide range of diseases and
injuries.
Multipotent: These stem cells can give rise to multiple cell types within a
lineage.

Pluripotent: These stem cells can give rise to all cell types in an adult.

Totipotent: These stem cells can give rise to all embryonic and adult
lineages.

Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs): Derived from early-stage embryos, ESCs

have the potential to become any cell type in the body.

Adult Stem Cells: Found in specific tissues and organs, adult stem cells
play a role in tissue maintenance and repair.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas can no
longer make insulin or the body cannot effectively use the insulin it
produces.

Type 1: An autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system

attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Type 2: A condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or

doesn’t produce enough insulin.
Sex sorting technology for cattle is a method used to separate sperm
cells based on their sex chromosomes, allowing farmers to choose the
sex of their offspring.

Recently, the Prime Minister has introduced a Unified Genomic Chip for
cattle, along with indigenous technology for sex-sorted semen
production.
It’s a microchip that analyses the genetic makeup of animals, providing
valuable insights into their traits, health, and potential offspring.

Developed by: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)

under Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.

Two Versions: The chip comes in two versions

Gau Chip: Designed for Cattle

Mahish Chip: Designed for Buffalo
Scientists have developed a <smart= insulin NNC2215 that can adjust in
real time to changes in blood sugar levels, a long-sought <holy grail= in
diabetes treatment, according to research published in the journal
Nature. About Smart Insulin (NNC2215)

Smart insulin is a drug designed to circulate in the body and turn on

when it’s needed and off when it’s not.
Recently, A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carrying NASA’s Europa
Clipper spacecraft lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in
Florida.

The Europa Clipper is NASA’s largest spacecraft for planetary

exploration, with an estimated mission cost of $5.2 billion

Aims: To place a spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter to perform a detailed

investigation of Europa.
Jupiter is Fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in the solar system.

Jupiter formed 4.6 billion years ago from the dust and gases left over
from the Sun’s formation. Has the fastest rotation, completing a spin on
its axis in just 10.5 hours. Takes approximately 12 Earth years to orbit the
Sun.

Jupiter has 95 officially recognized moons. The four largest moons (Io,
Europa, Ganymede, Callisto) were first observed by Galileo in 1610.
Ganymede, the largest moon, is bigger than Mercury.

Great Red Spot: A giant storm, larger than Earth, that has been active for
hundreds of years. Discovered by the Voyager mission in 1979, Jupiter
has a faint ring system.
Europa is a moon of Jupiter that’s considered one of the most promising
places in our solar system to search for life beyond Earth.

Size: Slightly smaller than Earth’s moon and its diameter is about one-
quarter that of the Earth.

Potential for Primitive Life: Scientists believe Europa could potentially

harbour microbial life near thermal vents at the ocean floor, similar to
life forms found in Earth’s deep oceans.
ESA’s Euclid Mission: The ESA’s Euclid Mission is a space telescope
designed to explore the composition and evolution of the dark universe.

Dark Matter: A mysterious substance that makes up a significant

portion of the universe. While it has gravitational effects, it does not
interact with light or any part of the electromagnetic spectrum, making
it invisible.

Dark Energy: A hypothetical form of energy believed to permeate all of

space, causing the accelerated expansion of the universe.
The Euclid mission launched on July 1, 2023 from Cape Canaveral,
Florida.

The Euclid mission’s goals include: Creating a 3D map of the universe’s

large-scale structure

Observing billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light years away

Exploring how the universe has expanded

Revealing more about the role of dark matter, dark energy, and gravity

The Euclid mission will travel to the Sun Earth Lagrange Point 2 (L2), 1.5
million km from Earth.
Despite decades of research, experiments like LZ, XENON-nT, and
PandaX-4T have failed to detect dark matter, leading to growing
skepticism in the physics community.

What is Dark Matter?

Non-charged particles that do not interact via electromagnetic
forces.
Invisible but has mass, influencing galaxies through gravity.
Makes up 27% of the universe, while dark energy (68%) drives cosmic
expansion.
Early Discoveries
1930s: Fritz Zwicky observed fast-moving galaxies, hinting at dark
matter.
1970s: Vera Rubin confirmed dark matter’s presence via galaxy
rotation studies.

Direct Detection Experiments

1. LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) (2023)
Set strict limits on dark matter properties but faced challenges
like neutrino fog, which creates background noise.
2. XENON-nT (Italy)
Uses liquid xenon to detect dark matter interactions.
No conclusive results but improved detection limits
PandaX-4T (China)
Similar approach to XENON-nT; no direct detection but refined
constraints on dark matter candidates.

Key Challenges
Neutrino Fog: Background noise from neutrinos interferes with dark
matter signals.
Sensitivity Limits: Future detectors may struggle to distinguish dark
matter from neutrinos.

While no experiment has directly detected dark matter, research

continues to refine its possible properties.
Haber-Bosch Process
Hundred million tonnes of nitrogen are now removed from the
atmosphere and converted into fertilizer via the Haber-Bosch
process, adding 165 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen to the Soil.

Haber-Bosch process. The Haber-Bosch process involves the

transformation of Atmospheric nitrogen (N2 ) into ammonia (NH3 )
via a reaction with hydrogen (H2 ).
 In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers
at Purdue University have successfully levitated fluorescent
nanodiamonds (FNDs) in a vacuum and spun them at ultra-high
speeds, paving the way for new applications in various industries.

Fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) are nanometre-sized diamonds

composed of carbon nanoparticles.

Medical Diagnostics: FND helps in High-resolution imaging for cellular

and molecular visualisation.

Track Cells: In biology, scientists use FNDs to track cells and their
progeny over long periods.
A report titled <Nonylphenol — An Endocrine Disrupting Chemical= was
released by Toxics Link, an environmental research organisation, and the
US-based non profit Environmental Defense Fund.

The report highlights the widespread use of Nonylphenol Ethoxylates

(NPEs) and Nonylphenol (NP) in India and the associated
environmental and health risks
What are surfactants?

The term surfactant comes from the word surface active agent. They
are amphiphilic molecules and are thus absorbed in the air-water
interface.

At the interface, they align themselves so that the hydrophobic part is in

the air and the hydrophilic part is in water.

This will cause a decrease in surface or interfacial tensions

India is enhancing cloud physics research for weather modification
through Project Mausam, under which a cloud chamber is being
established at IITM, Pune.

Cloud Chamber: A Key Tool for Cloud Physics

Invented by Charles Thomson Rees Wilson (1911).

Structure: A closed cylindrical chamber where water vapor and

aerosols are injected.

Function: Under controlled conditions, clouds form inside the

chamber, allowing scientists to study cloud droplet and ice particle
formation.
 Significance: Helps understand cloud formation, precipitation, and
weather patterns.

India’s Cloud Seeding Experience

CAIPEEX project demonstrated rainfall enhancement through cloud
seeding:
Up to 46% (±13%) in specific areas.
Around 18% (±2.6%) over a 100 sq. km region in rain shadow areas.

Mission Mausam: Strengthening Weather Forecasting

Budget: ₹2,000 crore initiative by the Union Cabinet.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
Objective: Improve weather prediction and climate change response
in India.
 A WHO team reached Deeg, Rajasthan, after seven children died of
diphtheria within a month. In response, large-scale vaccination
drives were launched, targeting children, as diphtheria is a vaccine-
preventable disease.

About Diphtheria
Cause: A bacterial infection by Corynebacterium diphtheriae,
producing a toxin that affects the upper respiratory tract, heart, and
nerves.

Transmission: Spreads via respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing)

or contact with infected wounds.
 Symptoms: Fever, sore throat, swollen glands, weakness, and a grey
coating in the throat, leading to breathing difficulties.

Complications: Can cause heart inflammation, nerve damage, and is

fatal in 30% of untreated cases, especially in children under five.

Prevention and Treatment

Vaccine Preventable: Diphtheria vaccines are given as part of the
DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) combination vaccine under
India’s Universal Immunization Program.
Treatment:
Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT) neutralizes the bacterial toxin.
Antibiotics prevent bacterial growth.
Supportive care helps manage complications like airway obstruction
and myocarditis.

Vaccination Coverage
Global: 84% of children received 3 doses of the diphtheria vaccine in
2023, leaving 16% under-vaccinated.
India: DPT3 coverage rose to 93% in 2022, the highest ever.
India Eliminates Trachoma as a Public Health Problem: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared that India
has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem.

Diseases Eliminated by India

Smallpox: Eradicated globally in 1980 (India’s last case in 1975).
Polio: India declared polio-free in 2014 (last case in 2011).
Trachoma: Declared eliminated in 2017.
Trachoma
Cause: A bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Impact: If untreated, it leads to irreversible blindness.
WHO Classification: Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
Spread:
Through personal contact (hands, clothes, bedding, surfaces).
By flies that carry the infection from an infected person’s eye or
nose discharge.
WHO SAFE Strategy for elimination:
Surgery
Antibiotics
Facial cleanliness
Environmental improvement
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
Group of infections common in low-income regions of Africa, Asia,
and the Americas.
Caused by viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms.
Neglected because they receive less global health attention.
WHO’s list includes 17 NTDs, such as Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease,
dengue, dracunculiasis, cysticercosis, etc.
Body Roundness Index (BRI): A newer metric that measures health
risk by taking both height and waist circumference into account.

BRI provides a more nuanced understanding of body fat distribution,

particularly abdominal fat, which is linked to greater health risks.
Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE)
World's highest Cherenkov telescope, located in Hanle, Ladakh.
Detects Cherenkov radiation from high-energy gamma and cosmic
rays.
Built by BARC; boosts India9s standing in astrophysics.
Aims to study supernovae, black holes, gamma-ray bursts.
Space-Based Surveillance (SBS) Mission
Phase III approved; aims to launch 52 spy satellites for national
security.
Managed by National Security Council Secretariat & Defence Space
Agency.
SBS-1 (2001) & SBS-2 (2013) launched reconnaissance satellites like
Cartosat, RISAT.
Enhances surveillance for Army, Navy, Air Force.
Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO)
China9s $300M neutrino lab in Guangdong, operational by 2025.
Will study neutrino mass hierarchy, solar processes, Earth's
radioactive decay.
Built underground with a giant light-detecting sphere.
Aims to improve understanding of particle physics and nuclear
reactions.
SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment)
ISRO9s autonomous space docking mission with 8Chaser9 and 8Target9
satellites.
Tests in-orbit docking, essential for future missions like Gaganyaan.
Two 400 kg satellites will align and connect in space.
Enhances India9s space technology & satellite servicing.
White Dwarf Star Discovery
First rocky planet found orbiting a white dwarf, a dead star’s core
remnant.
White dwarfs form when stars exceed nuclear fuel limit
(Chandrasekhar limit: 1.44x Sun’s mass).
Heavier stars become neutron stars or black holes.
Mechazilla – SpaceX Rocket Recovery System
400-ft robotic arm structure at Starbase, Texas, to catch Super
Heavy booster mid-air.
Enhances rocket reusability, reduces costs & environmental damage.
Enables faster turnaround for SpaceX’s Starship missions.
Murine Typhus in Kerala
First case in Kerala of flea-borne bacterial disease Rickettsia typhi.
Spread via infected flea bites from rodents like rats, mice,
mongooses.
Common in tropical coastal areas; symptoms include fever, rash,
joint pain.
Treated with antibiotics (Doxycycline); no vaccine available.
Marburg Virus Outbreak (Rwanda)
Ebola-like hemorrhagic virus outbreak kills six in Rwanda.
Origin: Found in African fruit bats & green monkeys; first discovered in
1967, Germany.
Transmission: Direct contact with infected fluids; fatality rate 24-88%.
No vaccine or cure available.
India’s First Biopolymer Facility (Pune)
Praj Industries set up India’s first biopolymer plant.
Biopolymers are natural, eco-friendly alternatives to plastics.
Includes DNA, proteins, starch, cellulose; used in packaging,
biomedical fields.
DELHI UPSC SECRETS

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SCIENCE & TECH.
The Ministry of Science and Technology launched India’s first Artificial
Intelligence (AI) data bank at the 7th Edition of the ASSOCHAM AI
Leadership Meet 2024.

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Bank is a centralised repository of

high-quality, diverse datasets designed to support the development,
testing, and deployment of AI systems.

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India

(ASSOCHAM) is a non governmental trade association and advocacy
group that represents businesses, chambers, and associations in India.
The Adarsh Gaushala, Gwalior MP has achieved a landmark feat with
the establishment of India’s first modern, self-sufficient gaushala that
houses a state-of-the-art Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant.

Capacity: It can process 100 tons of cattle dung daily to produce 2-3
tons of Bio-CNG. 10-15 tons of bio-manure for organic farming.
Compressed Biogas (CBG)

It is a renewable gaseous fuel produced through the anaerobic

digestion of organic matter like agricultural residues, animal dung,
food waste, and municipal solid waste.

Production :It requires purification of biogas to remove impurities like

carbon dioxide ,hydrogen sulphide ,and moisture.

This refined and compressed gas ,containing over 90% methane

,becomes CBG ,boasting properties similar to conventional
compressed natural gas CNG.
The significant rainfall deficit and its impact on the Hokersar wetland in
Kashmir Valley, impacting migratory bird populations.

Hokersar wetland is situated in the Kashmir Valley.

Known as: The 8Queen Wetland of Kashmir9,

Ramsar Site: Recognized as a Ramsar site, known for its ecological

importance.

Unique Features: Contains the last reedbeds of Kashmir, which serve

as critical habitats for various bird species.
Recently, Department of Science and Technology (DST), launched
Operation Dronagiri.

Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Objective: Demonstrate the applications of geospatial technologies to

improve citizens9 quality of life and ease of doing business.
Bacterial Computers Developed at Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics,
Kolkata

Bacterial computers, also known as cell-based computers, are a type

of biocomputers where genetically engineered bacterial cells, such as
Escherichia coli, perform computational tasks. Unlike conventional
silicon-based computers that use electricity and binary codes (0s and
1s), bacterial computers rely on biochemical processes within living
cells.
How Do Bacterial Computers Work?

Genetic Circuits: Specially designed DNA sequences function like

software, instructing bacterial cells to process inputs and generate
outputs.

Chemical Inputs and Outputs: Problems are encoded as chemical

signals, and bacteria respond by producing measurable outputs
like fluorescent proteins or other biomolecules.

Natural Cellular Functions: They utilize mechanisms like gene

regulation, metabolic pathways, and protein expression to execute
computations.
Advantages of Bacterial Computers
1. Parallel Processing: A large number of bacterial cells can perform
computations simultaneously, increasing efficiency.
2. Energy-Efficient: They do not require electricity, reducing energy
consumption.
3. Biodegradable and Sustainable: Unlike silicon-based chips,
bacterial computers have a minimal environmental footprint.
4. Potential for Biomedical Applications: Could be used in disease
detection, drug development, and synthetic biology research.
Potential Applications
Medical Diagnosis: Bacterial computers can detect diseases by
responding to biomarkers in the human body.
Environmental Monitoring: Engineered bacteria can sense
pollutants and report their presence.
Biomanufacturing: Can be used for the controlled production of
pharmaceuticals and biofuels.
Cryptography and Data Storage: DNA-based encoding offers a
new way to store and process information securely.
Bactoneurons are genetically engineered bacteria that function as
artificial neurons in a biological neural network, processing chemical
signals as inputs and producing outputs like fluorescent proteins.

These engineered bacteria can be combined to form computational

systems capable of solving problems, similar to how artificial neural
networks in traditional computers work.
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has
announced the launch of the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation
and Research (PAIR) Programme.

Established by: Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act

2023.

Recommended by: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Apex body for: Providing strategic direction for scientific research in

India.
Governing Board of ANRF

Headed by: Prime Minister of India.

Vice Presidents: Union Ministers for Science and Technology and
Education.

Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR)

programme:

Objective: To enhance research and innovation capabilities in Indian

universities with limited research infrastructure.
Wave Life Sciences, a Massachusetts-based biotech company,
recently became the first to treat a genetic disorder by editing RNA at
the clinical level.

RNA’s role in gene expression and interference, essential for CRISPR-

Cas9’s success, has brought it to the forefront of precision medicine.

The three types of RNA modifications are addition, deletion, and

substitution.
BSNL, the state-owned telecom provider, has introduced India’s first
direct-to-device satellite internet service, aiming to provide
broadband connectivity to remote areas.

About Direct-to-Device Satellite Technology:

It is a connectivity solution that allows devices to directly

communicate with satellites in orbit, bypassing traditional ground-
based cellular towers.
Global Examples of Direct-to-Device Satellite Technology

SpaceX’s Starlink: Aims to provide global satellite internet coverage,

including direct-to-cell capabilities.

AST SpaceMobile: Developing a satellite-based cellular network for

direct connection to standard mobile phones.

Lynk Global: Focuses on direct-to-phone satellite communication for

emergency and remote areas.

Constellation Network: Building a satellite-based network for IoT device

connectivity.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown Mayan city
hidden within Mexico’s dense jungle using LiDAR (Light Detection and
Ranging) technology.

Mayan civilization

This civilization was a Mesoamerican culture. z Known for: Ancient

temples, glyphs (written script), sophisticated art, architecture,
mathematics, and astronomical systems.

Geography: It covered areas including southeastern Mexico and

northern Central America.
Types of LiDAR

Topographic: It maps earth surface and captures land features above

water.

Bathymetric: This lidar measures underwater and maps the seafloor.

Scientists who developed Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC)
onboard Aditya-L1 precisely estimated the onset time of a Coronal
Mass Ejection (CME) that erupted on the Sun on July 16.
Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)

A Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is a massive release of plasma and

magnetic field from the Sun’s corona into space.

Cause: CMEs are caused by the sudden reconfiguration of the Sun’s

magnetic fields, which leads to an explosive release of energy.

Frequency: CMEs are more frequent during the peak of the Sun’s 11-
year solar cycle.

Characteristics: They consist of billions of tons of charged particles

(plasma) that travel at speeds of hundreds to thousands of kilometers
per second.
The Proba-3 mission has achieved a significant milestone as its twin
spacecraft were successfully stacked in their launch configuration
at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR), India.
About Proba-3
World’s First Precision Formation Flying Mission
Proba-3 is the world’s first mission to demonstrate advanced
precision formation flying techniques in space.
Launch Details
Mission Lead: European Space Agency (ESA)
Launch Date: Scheduled for December 2024
Launch Vehicle: Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO)
PSLV-XL rocket
PSLV-XL Rocket
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
A versatile launch vehicle developed by ISRO.
PSLV-XL
An enhanced version of the PSLV, designed to carry heavier
payloads into higher orbits.
Launch Capacity
Can launch satellites weighing up to 1.7 tonnes into a Sun-
synchronous orbit.
Mission Objectives
Demonstrate Precise Formation Flying
The mission aims to test and refine precision flying techniques
in space.
Sun’s Corona Observation
Proba-3 will enable groundbreaking observations of the Sun’s
corona by creating an artificial eclipse through coordinated
satellite movements.
The Proba-3 mission consists of two small satellites:
1. Coronagraph Spacecraft
Designed to directly observe the Sun’s corona, the outermost
layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.
2. Occulter Spacecraft
Acts as a blocking disk, creating an artificial eclipse to allow
detailed observations of the faint corona.
 India reported a slight decrease in the estimated number of
tuberculosis (TB) cases and deaths in 2023, according to the
Global TB Report released by the World Health Organisation.

Key Findings of the Report:

High Disease Burden: India continues to hold the highest global
burden of TB, with over a quarter (26%) of the world’s cases,
totaling approximately 28 lakh in 2023.
About Tuberculosis (TB)
Causal Agent: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Prevention: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is given to
babies or small children to prevent TB.
Transmission: Airborne infection, spreads through close contact in
poorly ventilated, crowded spaces.
Symptoms of Active Lung TB:
Cough with sputum, sometimes containing blood, Chest pains,
Weakness, Weight loss, Fever and Night sweats
 The Indian Council of Agricultural Research National Research
Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRC Equine) in Hisar, Haryana has been
granted World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Reference
Laboratory status for Equine Piroplasmosis.

Equine Piroplasmosis
Cause: A tick-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites Babesia
caballi and Theileria equi.
 NTPC announced successful synthesis of CO2 captured from flue
gas with hydrogen produced from a Proton Exchange Membrane
(PEM) electrolyzer, which was then converted into methanol.

Flue Gas?

A mixture of gasses formed as a byproduct of combustion in power

plants. Primarily composed of Carbon dioxide (CO2), Water vapor
(H2O), Nitrogen (N2) and Oxygen (O2)

May also contain pollutants such as Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen

oxides (NOx) and Particulate matter (PM).
Methanol (CH₃OH), often referred to as methyl alcohol or wood
alcohol, is the simplest alcohol. It’s a clear, colorless, and
flammable liquid with a distinct odor.
Bengaluru city’s first digital population clock, which displays real-
time estimates of the population of Karnataka and India, was
inaugurated at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC).

Project Collaboration and Objectives:

The population clock is a joint initiative between ISEC and the Union
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Population Research Centres (PRCs):

Established by: the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW),

Government of India.

Mandate: Provide research-based inputs for Health and Family Welfare

Programs and Policies.
Union Minister inaugurated the <Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student
Innovation and Outreach Network= (VISION), portal.

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Science and Technology

Aim: To nurture education, skill development, and innovation among

underprivileged children by democratising access to the startup
ecosystem.
Recently, the Union Minister of Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra
Singh formally launched the first indigenous antibiotic
<Nafithromycin= for resistant infections.

Nafithromycin is the first indigenously developed antibiotic in India,

brought to market under the trade name Miqnaf by Wockhardt
Pharmaceuticals.

Developed by: Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council

(BIRAC), a division of the Department of Biotechnology

Aim: To address critical health challenges like Antimicrobial Resistance

(AMR).
Israel has developed PyPIM software that enables computers to
process data directly in memory, bypassing the need for the central
processing unit (CPU).
The world’s first wooden satellite was launched into space by Japan
in an early test of using timber in lunar and Mars exploration.

The satellite is named LignoSat after the Latin word for <wood=

Built by: It was developed by Kyoto University and homebuilder

Sumitomo Forestry (1911.T)

Material Used: Honoki, using a traditional Japanese crafts technique

without screws or glue. Honoki is a kind of magnolia tree native to
Japan and traditionally used for sword sheaths.
Mission: The satellite will be flown to the International Space Station on
a SpaceX mission and later released into orbit about 400 km (250
miles) above the Earth.

LignoSat will stay in orbit for six months.

South Korea has become a top testing ground for the sweetener
allulose, a potential rival to sugar substitutes like Stevia.

Allulose: A low-calorie sweetener found naturally in fruits like figs and

kiwis; chemically similar to sugar but with 70% of its sweetness and
almost zero calories.

About Stevia: Derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant,
native to South America.
First Ever Space Exercise 8Antariksha Abhyas – 20249 hosted by Defence
Space Agency begins in New Delhi=. z A three day Exercise to war-
game the growing threats from and to Space Based Assets and
Services.
India marked a significant achievement by launching GSAT-20 aboard
SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket.

GSAT-20 is a Ka-band satellite designed to provide high-speed

broadband internet connectivity, digital video transmission, audio
transmission and in-flight connectivity across India.

Ka-Band: Operates in radio frequencies ranging from 27 to 40 GHz,

enabling high-speed data transfers with wide coverage via focused
spot beams.
Aphantasia is a condition where individuals have very limited or no
ability to visualise mental images.

It is not a disability but simply a variation in how some people process

mental imagery.
Nova, an AI-powered humanoid, is revolutionizing education at a
government school in Punalur, Kerala.

It is an AI-powered humanoid. Clad in a brick-red sari, she uses her

signature synthesized voice to engage with 74 lower primary students
DELHI UPSC SECRETS

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SCIENCE & TECH.
MACE Telescope: India's Groundbreaking Gamma-Ray Observatory

Overview:
The MACE (Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment) telescope,
inaugurated in Hanle, Ladakh, is India's state-of-the-art ground-based
gamma-ray telescope.

It is a significant leap forward in the field of high-energy astrophysics

and gamma-ray astronomy.
Key Features of MACE:
World’s Highest Imaging Cherenkov Telescope:
Location: Situated at an altitude of 4.3 km above sea level in
Ladakh.
Size: It boasts a 21-meter wide dish, making it Asia’s largest
imaging Cherenkov telescope and the second-largest globally.

Advanced Construction and Technology:

Mirror Panels: Equipped with 356 honeycomb-structured mirror
panels, each coated with silicon dioxide for durability and
environmental protection.
High-Resolution Camera: Contains 1,088 photomultiplier tubes to
amplify faint signals, ensuring high-quality imaging.
 Movable Structure: Mounted on a 180-tonne structure with an
altitude-azimuth system, allowing movement in both horizontal and
vertical planes, thus offering wide-sky coverage.

Gamma-Ray Detection:
Uses Cherenkov radiation produced when high-energy cosmic
gamma rays interact with Earth's atmosphere.

Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope (IACT): MACE

operates in this mode to study gamma rays with energies greater
than 20 billion electron volts (GeV).
Indigenous Development:
The telescope was designed and developed in India by leading
institutions like the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), and Indian Institute of
Astrophysics (IIA).
Applications and Research Objectives:

Study of High-Energy Gamma Rays:

MACE aims to investigate gamma rays originating from exotic
cosmic phenomena, such as:
Pulsars
Supernovae
Black holes
Gamma-ray bursts
The telescope also focuses on gamma-ray emissions beyond the
Milky Way, including sources like blazars and gamma-ray pulsars.
Dark Matter Research:
MACE is designed to search for Weakly Interacting Massive
Particles (WIMPs), a proposed candidate for dark matter.
It explores gamma rays generated by WIMP annihilation in regions
like galaxy clusters or near the center of the Milky Way.

Contribution to High-Energy Astrophysics:

MACE offers valuable insights into particle physics, gamma-ray
astronomy, and cosmology.
It supports the validation of existing astrophysical theories and
could potentially challenge prevailing hypotheses about the
universe’s fundamental structure.
Technological Advancements in Astronomy:
MACE sets a new standard for ground-based gamma-ray
observatories, laying the foundation for future collaborative
research in Indian astrophysics and beyond.
India plans to launch its first quantum satellite within the next 2-3 years
to enable quantum communications, according to the Chairman of the
Mission Governing Board of the National Quantum Mission.

This initiative is poised to revolutionize secure communication networks

by leveraging the principles of quantum physics.
What is a Quantum Satellite?

A quantum satellite is a communication satellite that utilizes the

principles of quantum mechanics to ensure ultra-secure
communication.

Quantum Mechanics: The core principle behind quantum satellites is

quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where two particles (e.g.,
photons) become linked, such that the state of one instantly
influences the state of the other, even if they are separated by vast
distances.
Key Features of Quantum Satellites:

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD):

QKD is a process where quantum keys are distributed between
two parties to enable secure communication.
The key feature of QKD is its ability to detect eavesdropping
attempts. If an eavesdropper tries to intercept the quantum
communication, the system will detect the tampering and abort
the transmission, thus ensuring data security.
Entangled Photons:
Quantum satellites, like China’s Micius satellite (launched in 2016),
generate entangled photon pairs for secure communication.

These entangled photons enable quantum cryptography, which

ensures that any unauthorized attempts to intercept the
communication are immediately detectable.
Purpose:
The main objective of quantum satellites is to ensure the security
of messages transmitted over long distances, especially in
environments with multiple networks, preventing unauthorized
interception.

This technology would be a breakthrough for communication

security, as it addresses vulnerabilities in conventional encryption
methods.
Astronomers have recently discovered a protoplanetary disk in the GG
Tau A system, a triple-star system located 489 light-years from Earth.
This discovery is significant as it provides new insights into how planets
might form in multi-star systems.
Key Highlights of the Discovery:

Protoplanetary Disk:
The disk is made up of gas and dust that swirl around the stars,
forming the potential building blocks of planets.
Researchers from NISER (National Institute of Science Education
and Research) in Odisha, India, conducted this study using
advanced radio telescopes located in Chile’s Atacama Desert.
Emissions of Key Molecules:
The study detected emissions from molecules within the disk,
which helped researchers analyze its composition.
Special focus was given to the mid-plane of the disk, where
temperatures are extremely low (12-16 K), enabling the freezing of
carbon monoxide and causing gas and dust particles to clump
together. This clumping is a crucial step in planet formation.

Disk Temperature and Clumping:

The low temperatures allow gases like carbon monoxide to freeze,
promoting the agglomeration of dust and gas4key ingredients
for the formation of planets.
About the GG Tau A System:
Triple-Star System:
GG Tau A consists of three interacting stars. These stars influence
each other gravitationally, which plays a significant role in
shaping the protoplanetary disk.

Young Age:
The system is relatively young, only around 135 million years old,
making it an ideal candidate for studying the early stages of
planetary formation.

Planetary Birthplace:
The gas and dust disk around GG Tau A is the birthplace of
potential planets, offering an invaluable opportunity to study how
planets form in complex multi-star environments.
Star Interactions:
Unlike single-star systems like our Solar System, GG Tau A's stars
interact with each other. These interactions make the planet
formation process more unpredictable and complex, providing
researchers with an opportunity to understand how multiple stars
affect the disk's behavior.

Unique Forces:
The gravitational forces between the three stars in GG Tau A
create unique conditions that make the protoplanetary disk
behave differently compared to those in single-star systems. This
helps scientists explore how planet formation might differ in more
complex environments.
Recent data from NASA9s James Webb Space Telescope (Webb)
confirmed the faster-than-expected expansion of the universe, aligning
with findings from the Hubble Space Telescope. This phenomenon is
known as the Hubble Tension.

Key Findings:
Faster Expansion Ç : The universe is expanding 8% faster than
predicted, challenging existing scientific models.

Hubble Constant: The expansion speed is measured by the Hubble

Constant. Observations show it at 73 (expected: 67-68).
Dark Energy & Dark Matter:
Dark Energy (69% of the universe) accelerates expansion.
Dark Matter (27% of the universe) affects gravity on stars and
planets.
Possible Explanations:
Unknown Forces: Hidden elements like dark radiation or new forces
may influence the cosmos.
Gravity9s Behavior: Gravity might behave differently on a cosmic
scale.
How It Was Measured  :
Scientists used Cepheid stars as cosmic mile markers to measure
galaxy distances.
Webb9s confirmation of Hubble9s findings ruled out measurement
errors.
Historical Context L :
The Big Bang started the universe9s expansion 13-14 billion years ago.
In 1998, scientists found that expansion is accelerating due to dark
energy.

Award-Winning Research · :
Adam Riess, a Nobel laureate, co-discovered the accelerated
expansion and leads this study.
Ten new dark comets were recently discovered using the Dark Energy
Camera (DECam) on a telescope in Chile.
What Are They?
Dark comets resemble asteroids (no bright coma) but move like
comets (e.g., sudden accelerations).
First Discovery:In 2016, 2003 RM was identified as the first dark
comet, nicknamed "The Asteroid that Wanted to be a Comet."
In 2017, NASA discovered 8Oumuamua, an interstellar object that
acted like a comet but looked like an asteroid.
Categories:
Inner Dark Comets:
Found in the inner solar system, with circular orbits and smaller
sizes (tens of meters or less).
Outer Dark Comets:
Similar to Jupiter-family comets, they have elliptical orbits and
are larger (100m or more).
Characteristics:
Elusive:
No glowing tails, just faint points of light, resembling asteroids.
Orbit:
Follow elliptical paths, some even reach the Oort Cloud beyond
Pluto.
Size:
Usually small, from a few meters to a few hundred meters wide.
Spin:
Spin rapidly and disperse gas and dust in all directions, making
them less visible.
 Composition/Age:
Older or more solid, with no tail formation over time.

Significance:
Planet Formation:
Dark comets could offer insights into Earth's formation, the origin
of water, and even the beginning of life.
Abundance:
A 2023 study suggests that 0.5% to 60% of Near-Earth Objects
(NEOs) might be dark comets from the asteroid belt between
Mars and Jupiter.
Study Overview:
Three papers published in Nature by eDyNAmiC explored how ecDNA
forms and contributes to cancer progression and drug resistance.
Sample size: Nearly 15,000 cancer patients from the UK's 100,000
Genomes Project.
Cancer types studied: 39 tumor types, including liposarcomas,
brain tumors, and breast cancers.
Key Findings:
Widespread Presence:
17% of tumor samples had ecDNA, especially in liposarcomas,
brain tumors, and breast cancers.
 Post-Treatment Prevalence:
ecDNA prevalence increased after chemotherapy and was linked
to metastasis and worse outcomes.
"Jackpot Effect":
Clustering of ecDNA in daughter cells boosts gene interactions,
supporting cancer growth and gene preservation, providing a
growth advantage.
About ecDNA:
Definition:
ecDNA is DNA found outside chromosomes in the nucleus,
discovered in the 1960s.
Types:
Includes spcDNA, MicroDNA, t-circle/c-circle, ERC, and ecDNA.
Structure:
Large circular DNA particles (>500 kilobases) containing genes
and regulatory regions.
Lacks centromeres, so it segregates randomly during cell division.
ecDNA & Cancer:
Prevalence:
Present in up to 40% of cancer cell lines and 90% of brain tumor
samples.
Oncogenes:
ecDNA is a source of amplified oncogenes, driving cancer growth.
These oncogenes are not fixed in chromosomes but move freely
and interact with other ecDNA hubs to enhance gene expression.
Cancer Evolution:
Transcription of ecDNA leads to increased oncogene presence (4
times more than chromosomal DNA), accelerating tumor
evolution and helping drug resistance.

Treatment Implications:
New Treatment:
A drug (BBI-2779) blocked CHK1 protein, selectively killing cancer
cells with ecDNA, reducing tumors in mice with stomach cancer.
Potential for ecDNA-driven cancers like glioblastoma, ovarian, and
lung cancers.
Recent Success: Scientists in India have reported successful use of gene
therapy to treat severe haemophilia A, a hereditary condition causing
spontaneous and severe bleeding episodes.

About Haemophilia A:
Definition:
Haemophilia A is a genetic bleeding disorder caused by
insufficient levels of factor VIII, a protein essential for blood
clotting.
Cause:
It results from mutations in the F8 gene on the X chromosome.
Prevalence:
Mainly affects males because they have only one X chromosome,
so a defective gene from the mother causes the condition.
Females can have the condition if they inherit two defective
copies (one from each parent), but this is rare.
Gene Therapy for Haemophilia A:
Gene Therapy:
A new treatment involves using gene therapy, such as Roctavian,
to address the factor VIII deficiency.
How it works:
The therapeutic gene is delivered to the body using an adenovirus
vector, which targets the liver to produce the missing factor VIII
protein.
FDA Approval:
Roctavian was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
in 2023 for commercial use.
 Researchers from University of Bristol and UK Atomic Energy Authority
(UKAEA) have developed the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery,
capable of powering devices for thousands of years.

About the Carbon-14 Diamond Battery:

Battery Mechanism:
Utilizes the radioactive decay of carbon-14, which has a half-life of
5,700 years, ensuring a long lifespan.
Works similarly to solar panels, but instead of capturing light, it
harnesses fast-moving electrons within a diamond structure to
generate energy.
 The battery is encased in a diamond, absorbing short-range
radiation and generating low electricity without leakage.
Applications:
Electrical Appliances:
Suitable for low-power devices but unsuitable for high-power
electronics (like laptops or smartphones).
Space:
Ideal for powering space missions, especially radio frequency
tags used for spacecraft tracking.
Can provide long-lasting power for satellites and payloads.
Medical Devices:
Can power medical devices like pacemakers, hearing aids, and
ocular devices.
Nuclear Waste Management:
By extracting carbon-14 from nuclear waste, it helps manage
radioactive material, reducing both radioactivity and storage
costs.
ISRO achieved a major milestone with the sea-level hot test of the CE20
cryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil
Nadu.

Cryogenic Engine: Uses liquefied gases (fuel and oxidizer) kept at

extremely low temperatures to remain in a liquid state.

Development: Created by Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, it powers the

upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3).
Fuel and Oxidizer Used:
Liquid Oxygen (LOX): Acts as the oxidizer (liquefies at -183°C).
Liquid Hydrogen (LH2): Serves as the fuel (liquefies at -253°C).
The reaction between LOX and LH2 generates thrust.

Features:
Engine Restart Capability: Equipped with a multi-element igniter,
allowing mid-mission restarts, crucial for missions like Gaganyaan.
Nozzle Protection System: Prevents flow separation in the nozzle,
reducing vibrations and enhancing performance.
High Efficiency: Offers increased thrust and enhances payload
capacity.
Applications:
Primary Use: Powers the upper stages of rockets for placing satellites
or spacecraft into orbit.
Upgraded Thrust:
Initially qualified for 19 tonnes of thrust.
20 tonnes for Gaganyaan mission (India’s first manned
spaceflight).
22 tonnes for C32 stage, boosting payload capacity of the LVM3
rocket.
 A recent study published in Science Advances showed that lower
sulphate concentrations and low temperatures (-35°C) reduce the
acidity of particulate matter (PM), leading to increased production of
hydroxymethanesulphonate (HMS) in the atmosphere.

About Hydroxymethanesulphonate (HMS):

Formation of HMS: It forms when sulphur dioxide (SO₂) reacts with
formaldehyde (CH₂O) in the presence of liquid water. It was once
thought to form only in warm conditions, but the study found it can
form even in extremely cold temperatures.
Secondary Aerosol: HMS is a secondary aerosol, meaning it forms in the
atmosphere from reactions of primary pollutants like sulphur dioxide.
Impact on PM2.5: HMS increases the acidity of particulate matter
(PM2.5), which promotes the formation of other secondary aerosols,
worsening air pollution.

Applications of Hydroxymethanesulphonate (HMS):

Environmental Science:
Key in studying the formation and properties of atmospheric
aerosols, especially during haze events.

Air Quality Monitoring:

Serves as an indicator of certain pollutants, helping assess air
quality.
Industrial Use:
Potential precursor for chemical reactions and could be used as a
sulfonating agent in organic synthesis.

Water Treatment:
Could be used in water treatment processes, such as removing
pollutants or controlling water chemistry.

Biochemistry:
Useful in biochemical research for studying enzyme kinetics and
other biological processes.
Researchers from IISER Pune developed a hybrid aerogel that can
efficiently extract gold from electronic waste (e-waste) and
contaminated water.

About the Hybrid Aerogel:

Function: The hybrid aerogel is designed to selectively capture gold
ions from e-waste and water.
Composition: It combines:
Zirconium-based metal-organic polyhedral.
2D imine-linked covalent organic framework.
Synthesis: The aerogel was created by covalently linking two crystalline
materials using iron nitrate salt, which takes 2-5 minutes at room
temperature.
Efficiency:
It can extract up to 99% of gold ions from e-waste.
Achieved 1689 mg/g extraction under daylight and 2349 mg/g
under blue light.

What Are Aerogels? E

Aerogels are ultralight, highly porous materials with extremely low
density.
They are made by replacing the liquid component in gels with a
gas, maintaining structural integrity.
 Silica aerogels (most common) consist of 3D intertwined clusters,
with 97% air in the structure, making them poor heat conductors and
highly effective thermal insulators.

Types of Aerogels:
Silica Aerogel: Most common, made from silica.
Carbon Aerogel: Made from organic materials, good electrical
conductivity.
Metal Oxide Aerogels: Made from metal oxides like alumina and iron
oxide.
Polymer Aerogels: Made from organic polymers, offering flexibility.
Hybrid Aerogels: Combine multiple materials, offering enhanced
properties.
 IIT Madras has unveiled the world’s most detailed 3D images of the
foetal brain, called Dharini.
Key Highlights of Foetal Brain Mapping:
Dharini is an open-access dataset featuring over 5,000 brain
sections and 500+ brain regions.
Focuses on rapid brain growth during the second trimester (14-24
weeks of pregnancy).
Indigenous Innovation:
Technologies for freezing, slicing, imaging, and digitization were
developed entirely by IIT-Madras researchers.
Implications for Neurological Research:
Understanding Disorders: The data can help uncover the causes of
developmental disorders such as autism, offering insights into brain
growth at the cellular level.
Gene-Environment Link: It provides a platform to study how genes
and environmental factors influence brain chemistry.

Focus on Maternal Health:

Vulnerabilities During Pregnancy: The foetal brain is highly sensitive to
maternal nutrition, stress, and infections.
Public Health Message: Highlights the importance of addressing
maternal health, education, nutrition, and environmental factors for
optimal foetal development.
National Relevance:
India's Childbirth Statistics: India accounts for 25 million child births
each year (nearly one-fifth of the world’s total).
Challenges: Despite government initiatives, many pregnant women in
India lack adequate nutrition and healthcare.
The atlas supports evidence-based policymaking to improve
maternal and child health.

This groundbreaking research not only advances our understanding of

brain development but also serves as a vital tool for improving public
health and supporting policy changes to benefit millions of mothers and
children in India. h 
A recent study by scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and
Technology (INST), Mohali, has uncovered a critical new dimension in the
spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It shows how nanoplastics can
facilitate the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of antibiotic resistance (AR)
genes, particularly within the human gut microbiota.  

Key Highlights of the Study:

Impact of Nanoplastics: Polyethylene terephthalate bottle-derived
nanoplastics (PBNPs) can facilitate the transfer of antibiotic
resistance (AR) genes among bacteria.
This includes beneficial gut bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus,
through a process called horizontal gene transfer (HGT). ò y
HGT: This process allows the transfer of genetic material between
bacteria, including cross-species AR gene propagation, such as
from E. coli to Lactobacillus acidophilus. N Ï

Risks to Gut Health: Beneficial gut bacteria may act as reservoirs for
AR genes, which could potentially transfer resistance to harmful
pathogens in the gut, complicating treatment options. ï s

Call for Action: The study emphasizes the need for stricter plastic
usage policies and improved waste management to mitigate the
risks posed to human microbiome health and reduce the
environmental impact of nanoplastics.  '
About Nano-Plastics:
Definition: Nanoplastics are plastic particles smaller than 1
micrometer in size, often produced when larger plastic materials
break down due to environmental and mechanical forces.  

Sources of Nano-Plastics:
Single-Use Plastic Bottles (SUPBs): Breakdown of polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) bottles. “
Industrial Microplastics: By-products from manufacturing
processes that degrade into nanoplastics. Þ
Environmental Degradation: Fragmentation of plastic waste in
ecosystems such as oceans and soil.  )
Pathways to the Body:
Ingestion: Through contaminated food and water. s –
Inhalation: Airborne particles from pollution. !
Dermal Contact: Absorption through skin exposure in plastic-
contaminated environments. $

Impact of Nano-Plastics on Cellular Level:

Oxidative Stress: Nanoplastics induce the formation of reactive
oxygen species (ROS), which causes cellular damage and triggers
stress response genes in bacteria.  ”
 Membrane Damage: Nanoplastics cause physical damage to
bacterial membranes, which promotes the secretion of outer
membrane vesicles (OMVs), enhancing the bacteria's potential to
transfer genes. Ï ’

Gene Transfer Facilitation:

Direct Transformation Pathway: Nanoplastics act as carriers for AR
plasmids, promoting direct gene transfer between bacteria. ò
OMV-Induced Pathway: Nanoplastics enhance OMV secretion,
which carries AR genes across bacterial species, further
promoting resistance. Ï
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):
Definition: Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms
evolve mechanisms to survive exposure to antibiotics, making
treatments ineffective. It is a global health threat. x
Drivers of AMR:
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human healthcare and
livestock. y ❌
Environmental contamination with antibiotics and resistant
bacteria.  o
Impact on Public Health:
Reduced efficacy of antibiotics, leading to ineffective treatments.
Ø ❌
Increased prevalence of multidrug-resistant infections,
complicating medical treatments. ƒ Ï
 Higher healthcare costs and mortality rates. § ƒ

Findings from the INST Study:

The study highlights how nanoplastics contribute to the spread of

antibiotic resistance, adding a new challenge to the already significant
issue of AMR. It underscores the need for more stringent environmental
controls to reduce plastic pollution and curb the rise of resistant
infections. ' 
India is set to enhance its digital connectivity with the launch of two new
submarine cable systems: India Asia Xpress (IAX) and India Europe
Xpress (IEX). These new cables will increase the Internet links between
India and Asia, as well as India and Europe.  å
About IAX and IEX Connections:
India Asia Xpress (IAX):
Connects Chennai and Mumbai with Singapore, Thailand, and
Malaysia in Asia. 
India Europe Xpress (IEX):
Links India with France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Djibouti in
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.  

About Submarine Cables (SMC):

What Are Submarine Cables?:

Submarine cables (also called SMCs) are fiber optic cables laid
on the ocean floor. They transmit optical signals, providing high
bandwidth and enabling long-distance transmission.  Ð
Importance of Submarine Cables:
They form the backbone of global communications, enabling
connectivity between continents and markets.  Í
Key Features:
Outer Protective Layer: Protects the cables against environmental
hazards such as:
Deep-sea pressure 
Corrosion 
Marine activity 
Core Fibre Strands: Designed for high-speed data transmission
with minimal signal loss. ⚡ 

Submarine Cable (SMC) Connectivity in India ú :

India's Infrastructure:
India hosts 17 international subsea cables that connect through 14
landing stations in cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin, Tuticorin,
and Trivandrum. Ê 
 Mumbai and Chennai have the highest concentration of submarine
cable landing stations. é ¼

Regulation of Submarine Cable Connectivity ⚖ Ë :

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issues International

Long-Distance (ILD) licenses to operators.
ILD licensees (with prior approval from DoT) are authorized to:
Set up Cable Landing Stations.
Lay submarine cables within Indian territory.
Internet Service Licensees (under the Unified License) can:
Install, operate, and commission International Internet Gateways
using submarine cables. 
About Optical Fibre   :

Composition: Made of glass or plastic to transmit information as light

pulses. }
Working Principle: Operates on Total Internal Reflection, where light
travels through the core by continuously bouncing off the cladding.

Data Transmission: Optical fibres enable the rapid transfer of vast
amounts of data with minimal loss of optical power. Ç ª
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently
launched Nano Bubble Technology to purify and clean the water at the
National Zoological Park in Delhi, aiming to enhance the health of
aquatic animals. Ë 
About Nano Bubble Technology:
What Are Nano Bubbles?
Nano bubble technology uses ultra-fine bubbles (less than 200
nanometers in diameter) that are nearly invisible to the naked
eye.  /
These tiny bubbles can be generated through methods like centrifugal
force, ultrasound, and electrolysis. ⚡ ÿ
How It Works:

Suspension and Stability:

Due to their small size and high surface energy, nanobubbles
stay suspended in water for long periods, making them stable
and effective in water purification. ÿ Ā

Surface Charge:
They carry a strong negative charge, which helps in attracting
and breaking down impurities like algae, organic waste, oil,
and grease. Ā $
Oxygen Enrichment:
Nanobubbles increase the dissolved oxygen levels in water,
which helps in breaking down organic matter, thereby
improving the water quality.  —

Oxidative Effects:
When nanobubbles collapse, they generate hydroxyl radicals,
which are powerful oxidizing agents that can degrade
pollutants and kill harmful pathogens. ” Ï
Advantages of Nano Bubble Technology:

Pollutant Removal:
Effectively removes pollutants like algae, organic waste, oil, and
grease. 9 
Energy Efficiency:
More energy-efficient than traditional purification methods,
making it a cost-effective solution.  ⚡
Eco-friendly:
Chemical-free, making it an environmentally friendly option for
water purification. '
Google DeepMind has developed GenCast, a machine-learning-based
weather forecasting system that outperforms traditional weather
prediction models, offering faster, more accurate forecasts.  

About GenCast:
What is GenCast?
GenCast is a machine-learning-driven weather prediction model,
trained using historical reanalysis data spanning from 1979–2018.
¹ ⏳
 The system utilizes a diffusion model approach, which is also
employed in AI image generation, to create more accurate forecasts.
G b

How It Works:
Ensemble Forecasting: GenCast generates multiple forecasts by
starting with random noise and refining it using a neural network.
This process helps produce diverse predictions, which are then
combined to determine the best estimate and assess the
uncertainty in predictions.  G
The model focuses on forecasting atmospheric variables such as:
Temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed at the
surface and at 13 different heights in the atmosphere.  —
Performance and Efficiency:
GenCast has been shown to outperform traditional numerical
weather prediction systems, including the European Centre for
Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) system.  
The model can generate forecasts for up to 15 days in just 8
minutes using a tensor processor unit (TPU), which is significantly
faster than traditional general circulation models (GCMs). ⚡ :
Training GenCast took only 5 days on 32 TPUs, showcasing its
computational efficiency. ª ⚡
Key Advantages of GenCast:

Speed: Produces forecasts in minutes, a drastic improvement over

traditional methods. ⏱
Accuracy: Outperforms other established weather models, leading to
more reliable predictions. û ·
Cutting-Edge Technology: Uses machine learning and AI to refine
predictions and offer more detailed, tailored forecasts. G 
Google’s Willow Chip ª 

Willow Chip: Google’s next-gen quantum computing chip, solving a

complex computation in under 5 minutes, which would take a
supercomputer 10 septillion years. ⏱ 
Uses superconducting transmon qubits, which act like artificial
atoms. ⚛
Applications: Drug discovery, fusion energy, and battery design for
sustainability. y ⚡
Disease X Outbreak Ï

Disease X: A new, unknown disease in DR Congo in December 2024

has killed 400+ people.  ƒ
Disease X: Term coined by WHO in 2018, referring to unknown
pathogens with pandemic potential.  
Origin: Came into focus after the Ebola outbreak (2014-2016).
Mirror Microbes  Ï

Mirror Microbes: Scientists create synthetic bacteria with mirror-

image building blocks. O 
Applications: More resilient microbes for industrial use in
decomposition or fermentation. T
Chirality: Biological molecules have left and right orientations,
impacting interactions. ?
Risks: Mirror bacteria could evade immune systems, causing
dangerous global ecosystem disruptions. h
Dinga Dinga Disease 7

Dinga Dinga: A mysterious disease causing tremors, fever, and

weakness in Uganda.
Symptoms include involuntary dance-like shaking, high fever, and
fatigue. C r
Affects mainly women and girls, with no fatalities yet. ❌
Treatment: Antibiotics work, and most recover within a week. y
IRIS² Satellite Network % 
IRIS²: A European satellite internet constellation for high-speed,
secure connectivity. 

Comprises 290 satellites, providing global coverage for government,
private, and civilian use.  Ð
Focuses on maritime, railway, aviation, and rural connectivity. é É
✈
Supports applications like crisis management, remote healthcare,
and smart energy grids. ⚡ Ö
Jupiter’s Moon Io’s Volcanic Secrets  A
Io: The most volcanic body in the solar system, with 400 volcanoes.
 
New discovery: Io's volcanoes are fed by individual magma
chambers, not a global magma ocean. 
Causes of volcanic activity: Tidal flexing from Jupiter's gravitational
pull and internal heating. 
Implications: Reshapes theories on planetary evolution and helps
understand moons like Europa and Enceladus.  š
Polar Sundial at VSSC L %
Polar Sundial: Designed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) for
the Rocket Garden in Kerala. Ç
Features: Tells Indian Standard Time (IST) and local solar time,
correcting for the analemma pattern. ´ 
The gnomon is a 3D-printed miniature of the RH200 rocket. Ç
Uses analemmatic correction to adjust for solar time differences
throughout the year.  L
India's First Bio-Bitumen National Highway Þ '
Inauguration: India’s first bio-bitumen national highway opened on
the Nagpur-Mansar Bypass (NH 44) in Nagpur District. 
About Bio-Bitumen:
A sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-based bitumen.

Made from organic materials like bio-char, bio-oil, and others. 4
5
Helps reduce road construction costs, create jobs, and reduce
pollution (especially from stubble burning). Ÿ "