Glyphosate-based herbicides Subject: Science and Technology Context: In the past two years, three US juries have awarded multimillion-dollar verdicts to plaintiffs who asserted that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, gave them non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. Concept: Generic glyphosate is ubiquitous around the globe. Farmers use it on a […]
Consumer genomics Subject: Science and Technology Context: the Covid-19 pandemic given a boost to direct-to consumer (DTC) genome sequencing services Concept: DTC genomics, where a lab provides sequencing (and, if called for, genetic counselling) services directly to the consumer, without the intervention of a doctor. Technique of DTC genomics /genome sequencing: ‘single nucleotide […]
Electroporation physical Transfection Subject: Science and Technology Context: a team of researchers from IIT-Madras, in collaboration with scientists from the UK and Taiwan, have achieved a signal breakthrough in doing transfection. Concept: Transfection is the process of introducing foreign genetic substances such as nucleic acids into cells, is often needed for gene research […]
Clinical Trials Registry India (CTRI) Subject: Governance / Science & tech Context: Recently, the Ministry of AYUSH has announced that the Ayurveda Dataset on Clinical Trials Registry India (CTRI) Portal will be launched. Concept: The Ayurveda Dataset of CTRI has been jointly developed by ICMR and Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences […]
Pregnant women vaccinated against COVID-19 Subject: Science and Technology Context: Pregnant women in India are now eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Union Health Ministry giving the approval based on recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) Concept: Infection during pregnancy may result in rapid deterioration of health […]
J&J jab creates more antibodies against Delta variant than Beta Subject: Science & tech Context: Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot vaccine elicited more antibodies against the Delta variant, the most dominant form of the SARS-CoV-2 in India, than against the Beta variant, which was first isolated in South Africa. Concept: It has been developed […]
ZyCov-D will be the world’s first DNA vaccine against infection with SARS-CoV-2 Subject : Science & tech Context : Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila has applied to Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the national drugs regulator, seeking emergency use authorisation (EUA) for ZyCov-D, its Covid-19 vaccine. Concept : ZyCoV-D, designed and developed by Zydus […]
Covid 19 Antibody Test Subject : Science & tech Context : Covid-19 antibody test not to be used to evaluate immunity, says doctors Concept : There are two types of tests that can determine if one has developed antibodies against a virus: a laboratory test, requiring a healthcare professional to take a blood […]
Govt gives nod for Cipla to import Modern’a Vaccine Subject : Science & tech Context : Mumbai-based pharma company Cipla has received regulator’s approval to import Moderna’s Covid-19 Vaccine for restricted emergency use in India, sources told news agency PTI. Concept : Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted permission to Cipla […]