NATIONAL:
1. Infantile Hypophosphatasia
Why in news – A child was diagnosed with the rarest of rare diseases Infantile Hypophosphatasia (HPP) in India recently.
Key Points –
• It is a rare genetic disease.
• Patient’s bones and teeth demineralize, making her fragile and prone to fractures.
• It is caused by mutations in the ALPL gene.
• This is the only gene that causes HPP.
• When a mutation occurs, the protein may be faulty, inefficient, or absent, as in HPP.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Hurricane Otis
Why in news – Hurricane Otis made landfall on the coast of southern Mexico.
Key Points –
• It is the fastest intensifying hurricane in the Eastern Pacific since 1966.
• Hurricanes are tropical storms that form in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters when the sea surface temperature is typically above 26 degrees Celsius.
2. David’s Sling (Magic Wand)
Why in news – Israel is using its David’s Sling air-defense system to intercept a Hamas rocket.
Key Points –
• It is a highly sophisticated and state-of-the-art anti-missile defence system.
• At the core of David’s Sling lies the “Stunner” or “SkyCeptor,” an advanced multi-mission interceptor.
• It complements other systems like Arrow 2, Arrow 3, Iron Dome, and Iron Beam.
• Iron Dome shoots down short-range rockets, and Arrow shoots down long-range ballistic missiles.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI)
Why in news – PM Narendra Modi chaired the meeting of the 43rd edition of PRAGATI (2015) recently.
Key Points –
• It is an interactive and integrated platform chiefly established to consider the grievances of the common man.
• Objectives - Project implementation, Project monitoring and Grievance redressal.
• It is a 3-tier system including PM, Secretaries of the GOI, and State Chief Secretaries.
• Designed by: PMO with the National Informatics Centre.
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Roman Space Telescope
Why in news – NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will be launched to explore Milky Way Galaxy.
Key Points –
• It is designed to unravel the secrets of dark energy and dark matter, search for and image exoplanets, and explore many topics in infrared astrophysics.
• Planned launch: 2027.
• It has a field of view that is 100 times greater than the Hubble infrared instrument, capturing more of the sky with less observing time.
• It has a 2.4m telescope, the same size as Hubble’s, but with a view 100 times greater than Hubble’s.
2. Calixcoca Vaccine
Why in news – Brazil scientists developed a new ‘vaccine’ Calixcoca” Vaccine, for cocaine addiction.
Key Points –
• It promises to prevent the addictive effects of cocaine or crack.
• Calixcoca functions by inducing an immune response that generates antibodies capable of binding to cocaine molecules in the bloodstream.
• This binding process results in the enlargement of cocaine molecules, rendering them too large to pass into the brain’s “reward centre” or mesolimbic system.
• This area of the brain is typically stimulated by cocaine to release dopamine, the pleasure-inducing neurotransmitter.
• Consequently, individuals who receive the vaccine will not experience the desired euphoric effects of cocaine, potentially assisting them in breaking the cycle of addiction.
3. Haemoglobin
Why in news – Scientists found that Haemoglobin is not used only in blood.
Key Points –
• A new study reported that chondrocyte-cells that make cartilage make hemoglobin and form hemoglobin bodies (Hedy).
• Previously, it was understood that haemoglobin was used only by Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
• Haemoglobin in Chondrocytes carries oxygen and is essential for their survival.
• Haemoglobin in the chondrocytes stores oxygen and supplies it to the cells when required.
Value Addition –
• Haemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in the blood of animals that transports oxygen to the tissues.
• It is present in RBCs of vertebrates.
• All vertebrates except cold-water ice fish transport oxygen via hemoglobin.
• Haemoglobin develops in cells in bone marrow that become RBCs.
• RBC (aka erythrocytes) carries oxygen from lungs to every cell in body.
• Red blood cells don't have a nucleus like white blood cells, allowing them to change shape and move throughout your body easier.
4. Nanophotonic Electron Accelerator (NEA)
Why in news – Scientists fired up Nanophotonic Electron Accelerator (NEA), World's smallest particle accelerator.
Key Points –
• NEA consists of a small microchip containing an even smaller vacuum tube which is made up of thousands of individual pillars.
• Aim - to utilise the energy given by accelerated electrons in targeted medical treatments for cancer.
• NEA is similar to Large Hadron Collider (LHC) as both create a magnetic field to accelerate particles.
Value Addition –
• Particle accelerators are devices that speed up charged particles, (protons or electrons), at high speeds, close to speed of light.
• They are essential for fundamental research for an improved understanding of matter, discovery for particle and nuclear physics and for sciences that use x-rays and neutrons.
• They also have applications related to health, environmental monitoring, food quality, etc.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Curcuma Kakchingense
Why in news – A new flowering plant species Curcuma kakchingense was discovered in Manipur.
Key Points –
• Location: Kakching district, Manipur.
• It was found dwelling along the bank of the Sekmai River of Kakching district.
• It is distinguished by having lemon-yellow coloured rhizomes with a very bitter taste, and glabrous dark reddish-brown bladeless sheaths.
• Curcuma is important for its use in cuisines, traditional medicines, spices, dyes, perfumes, cosmetics, and as ornamental plants.
2. Global Declaration of River Dolphins
Why in news – 11 countries signed the first-of-its-kind Global Declaration of River Dolphins by 2030.
Key Points –
• 11 River dolphin range countries - Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru and Venezuela.
• Aim - halt and reverse the decline of all river dolphin species in both Asia and South America.
• Declaration has 8 pillars of protection e.g., protected areas, Eradicating unsustainable fishing practices, Engaging local communities and Indigenous Peoples etc.
• River Dolphins are top predators in some of the world’s greatest river systems and important indicators of river’s health.
Value addition –
SECURITY:
1. Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023
Why in news – A joint bilateral training exercise between the Indian and Malaysian Armies was held recently.
Key Points –
• Venue - Umroi Cantonment, Meghalaya.
• It is a follow-up to the previous edition held in Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia, in November 2022.
BIHAR:
1. Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion Policy, 2023
Why in news – The Government of Bihar has introduced the Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion Policy, 2023.
Key Points –
• It has been built upon the success of the Ethanol Production Promotion Policy, 2021.
• This policy expands the scope of biofuels production by including Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG)/bio-CNG manufacturing units.
• Aim –
(a) utilization of agricultural residues, animal dung, food waste, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), and sewage water to generate renewable automotive fuel.
(b) Promote and incentivize investment in fuel-grade standalone new/green-field Ethanol and CBG manufacturing units in Bihar.
(c) Increase the income of farmers producing feedstock/raw material for biofuels production.
(d) Create local employment opportunities through the establishment of new Ethanol and CBG industries.
• Benefits - The selected unit can get capital subsidy up to 15%, maximum up to Rs 5 crore.
POINTERS:
• Who has provided an alternative facility of postal ballot for the elderly, disabled and corona-infected people - Election Commission of India.
• Who has become the quickest bowler to take 40 wickets in the ODI Cricket World Cup - Mohammed Shami.
• Which bank has unveiled the 'XpressWay' digital platform for swift and efficient banking services - HDFC Bank.
• Where India and EU ships conducted joint activities in an effort to reinforce maritime security cooperation in support of the region - Gulf of Guinea.
• Which state government has set up URIDA to implement the CM Grid Scheme - Uttar Pradesh.
• Which country has launched the Shenzhou-17 manned spacecraft – China.
• Who has organized the 'Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2023' - Indian Army.
• Which city has hosted the Green Tourism Conclave For Responsible Tourism In Northeast – Shillong.
• Which IIT and Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate increased collaboration in developing education programs with a focus on research to foster talent development in the Indian aerospace sector - Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
• Who has been elected as Malaysia's next king - Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
Click here to download Current Affairs English PDF
Click here to download Current Affairs Hindi PDF