DPN Topics
AI powered weather forecasting from Google Subject: Science and Tech Section: Awareness in IT Context: Google’s DeepMind has developed an AI-powered weather forecasting model called GraphCast that can provide 10-day weather predictions in less than a minute. More about News: The model has shown a 90% verification rate and surpasses the accuracy of […]
U.S. data underscore benefits of chickenpox vaccination Subject: Science and Tech Section: Health Context: The U.K. government announced that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) had recommended a vaccine against chickenpox (varicella) should be added to routine childhood immunisation programme. JCVI’s recommendation comes nearly three decades after the U.S. introduced it in 1996, and a body of evidence emphasising the benefits of varicella vaccination. About Varicella Zoster Virus: Varicella-zoster […]
Kadalundi’s shrinking mudflat ecosystem keeps birds away Subject: Environment Section: Ecosystem Context: Kadalundi, a village on the southwest coast in Kozhikode district of Kerala, had about 8 hectares of nutrient rich intertidal mudflats in the early 2000s. Today, the expanse of mudflats in the estuary of the Kadalundipuzha river has reduced to about 1 hectare. This too is gradually being covered with sand, depriving prey to thousands of shorebirds that migrate from colder climes in winter to the village. About Mudflat Ecosystem: Mudflats refer to land near a water body that is regularly flooded by tides and is usually barren (without any vegetation). […]
Risk Weights in Banking Subject: Economy Section: monetary policy Risk weights in banking refer to the assigned measure of risk associated with various assets held by banks. These weights are used in the calculation of regulatory capital requirements, determining how much capital a bank needs to hold based on the riskiness of its […]
Extreme weather events may be driving replacement of native species with exotic ones Subject : Environment Section: Biodiversity Context: Extreme weather events are affecting land, marine and freshwater ecosystems by influencing the displacement of native species with non-native ones, a recent analysis has found. Key findings: The increasing frequency of extreme weather events […]
Sand and dust storms are increasing, human activities contribute 25% emissions: UNCCD Subject : Environment Section: International conventions Context: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) released policy recommendations on sand and dust storms during a five-day meeting in Uzbekistan. Sand and Dust Storms: It is a meteorological phenomenon characterised by strong and […]
India has a critical role in Dubai climate conference: UAE official Subject : Environment Section: International conventions Context: The 28th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC is going to be held in Dubai, UAE. Details: This year, the President of CoP 28 is Sultan Al-Jaber, who is also the […]
What a US-China climate deal means for COP28 Subject : Environment Section: International conventions Context: The United States and China announced an agreement to sharply increase clean energy, displace fossil fuels and reduce emissions that are warming the planet. About the deal: The United States is the biggest climate polluter in history, and […]
Why water reserves in southern India are fast depleting in 2023 Subject : Geography Section: Physical geography Context: According to a recent report from the Central Water Commission (CWC), water levels in India’s Southern states’ reservoirs are low compared to last year and compared to other regions of the country in 2023. Details: […]
HC quashes Haryana law for 75% quota in pvt sector jobs Subject :Polity Section: Constitution Context: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday set-aside the Haryana law providing 75% reservation for state domiciles in private sector, observing that “the state cannot direct private employers to do what has been forbidden to do […]