DPN Topics
More than 18700 mpox cases detected in Africa since January: health agency Sub: Sci Sec: Health Mpox Outbreak in Africa: As of 2024, Africa reported 18,737 suspected or confirmed mpox cases, including 1,200 cases in a single week. The outbreak includes three virus strains, with the new Clade 1b being more deadly and […]
Microplastics found in Indian salt & sugar brands. But they’re everywhere, even in the air we breathe Sub: Sci Sec: Health Context: Toxics Link, an environmental NGO, conducted a study on microplastics (MPs) in several sugar and salt brands in India. The study detailed the types, shapes, sizes, and colours of MPs in […]
Plant pandemics: They could be hastened due to deadly and global pathogenic spread Sub: Sci Sec: Health Pathogen/Disease Impact Affected Regions Key Facts Fusarium Wilt Pushing bananas to the verge of extinction Central America, Tropical America, Caribbean, West Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia, India TR4 strain is lethal to over 80% of banana […]
Expert Explains: How James Webb Space Telescope has raised questions in cosmology Sub: Sci Sec: Space Context: Images from the James Webb Space Telescope are puzzling – instead of newborn galaxies, the early phases of the Universe appear to be full of adult-sized galaxies. This discovery could demand a more comprehensive rethink of […]
Remembering the ‘Great Calcutta Killings’: When Jinnah’s ‘direct action’ caused a bloodbath Sub: History Sec: Modern India Context: A year before colonial rule in the subcontinent ended, Calcutta (now Kolkata) witnessed a bloodbath which claimed thousands of lives. The ‘Great Calcutta Killings’ of 1946, which went on from August 16 to 19, were […]
Egg, sperm donors have no parental right on child: What Bombay HC held Sub: Science Sec: Health Context: The Bombay High Court on reiterated that a sperm or egg donor cannot claim to be a biological parent of a child born through their gamete, and will have no legal right. Background: This came […]
You’ve lost weight taking new obesity drugs. What happens if you stop? Subject: Sci Sec: Health Context: Many people struggle to pay for weight-loss drugs, have difficulty finding it to purchase or just don’t want to stay on a drug longer than they believe they need to. Will lowering my dose help me […]
All-night streetlights can make leaves inedible to insects: What a new study says Subject: Env Sec: Pollution Context: Artificial lights that run all night, such as streetlights, can make leaves grow so tough that insects cannot eat them, which could threaten urban food chains, according to a new study. The study, ‘Artificial light […]
Centre launches new system to understand cropping patterns, impact of weather Subject: Schemes Sec: Geo Context: The Union Agriculture Ministry has launched a digital geo-spatial platform, Krishi-Decision Support System (DSS) in New Delhi, which will share real-time data-driven insights on weather patterns, soil conditions, crop health, crop acreage and advisories with all stakeholders […]
ISRO launches SSLV: What is the aim behind developing Small Satellite Launch Vehicles? Sub: Sci Sec: Space sector Context: ISRO successfully launched the third developmental flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3) from Sriharikota, placing the Earth observation satellite EOS-08 into orbit. This marks the completion of the SSLV Development Project, allowing […]