Threat of toxic cough syrups remains, more nations hit: WHO Subject: Science Section: Health Context: There is an ongoing global threat posed by toxic cough syrups, and WHO is now working with six more countries than previously revealed to track the potentially deadly children’s medicines. Content: The UN agency has already named nine countries where tainted syrups may have been on sale. The […]
Unique space telescope designed by Pune scientists ready for Sun mission Subject: Science and tech Section: Space Context: The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT), a unique space telescope developed by Pune’s Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), is now ready and has been delivered to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The […]
WASH in healthcare facilities can help prevent antimicrobial resistance Subject: Science and technology Section: health Context: The importance of preventing infections has become more crucial, with the existing antibiotics becoming increasingly ineffective due to the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the thin and dry drugs in the pipeline. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): […]
Reflections on Artificial Intelligence, as friend or foe Subject : Science and technology Section: Awareness in IT Concept : Uses and Limitations of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): Current AI systems excel in narrow tasks, displaying superhuman performance and becoming valuable aids to humans. However, their performance declines when confronted with more general […]
Are non-communicable diseases increasing in India? Subject : Science and technology Section: Health Concept : The new national estimates for diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCD) shows that 31 million more Indians became diabetic in four years (2019-2021). Non-communicable diseases Non-communicable diseases are diseases that are not spread through infection or through other […]
Glenmark pharma slashes breast cancer drug price by 70% Subject: Science and Technology Section: Health Context: The price of breast cancer drug Trastuzumab is reduced to ₹15,749 for a 440 mg vial from ₹54,000. Details: The drug is marketed in India as ‘Trumab’. Trastuzumab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat the aggressive […]
Outer space needs a regulatory clean-up Subject : Science and technology Section: Space technology Concept : The recently announced Indian Space Policy, 2023 is bound to revolutionise the space sector. The policy redefines the role of primary government agency, ISRO, and opens the sector for private entities. These developments are signs of the […]
RSS’s farmer’s body asks Haryana government to immediately withdraw permission for testing of GM Crops Subject : Science and technology Section: Biotechnology Concept : Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS)-affiliated farmers’ body, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) wrote a letter to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, demanding immediately the withdrawal of the permission given by […]
The status of transgenic crops in India Subject : Science and technology Section: Biotechnology Concept : Three States, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana, have deferred a proposal, approved by the Centre’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), to test a new kind of transgenic cotton seed that contains a gene, Cry2Ai, that purportedly makes cotton […]
New chikungunya vaccine Subject: Science and technology Section: Health Concept: A new clinical study shows promising results of a Phase III chikungunya vaccine trial, the first time the shot has been tested in humans. Chikungunya Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) that causes fever and severe joint […]