MODERNA VACCINE Subject: Science & tech Context: The World Health Organization has given the go-ahead for emergency use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. Concept: The mRNA vaccine from the U.S. manufacturer joins vaccines from AstraZeneca, Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson in receiving the WHO’s emergency use listing. Similar approvals for China’s Sinopharm and Sinovac […]
VARIANTS OF CONCERN Subject: Science & tech Context: In many countries, including India, the VOC, by virtue of increased transmissibility, have kicked off new wave(s) of epidemic transmission. Concept: The term variant of concern (VOC) is a category used during the initial assessment of a newly emerged variant of a virus. Before this, […]
BIO SAFETY LEVELS Subject: Science & tech Context: Haffkine to sign MoU with Bharat Biotech for sharing technology. On April 28, the Maharashtra government had approved Rs 94 crore for the construction and setting up of a bio safety level 3 facility in Haffkine’sParel premises. Concept: Different Biosafety Levels Biosafety Level 1: It […]
BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE Subject : Science & tech Context : A number of symptomatic patients who tested false negative in RT-PCR assays have subsequently been confirmed Covid-positive in Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) tests. Concept : Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (also known as bronchoalveolar washing) is a diagnostic method of the lower respiratory system in which a […]
AEROSOL MODE OF TRANSMISSION Subject : Science & tech Context : This excessive high rate of transmission with increased disease severity means that the virus is more virulent, escaping immunity and spreading by other means than previously established mode such as droplets, urine or faecal matter. Concept : This new mode could be […]
TIANHE MODULE Subject: Science & tech Context: China launched the core module of its space station, kicking off a series of key launch missions that aim to complete the construction of the station by the end of next year. Concept: The Long March-5B Y2 rocket, carrying the Tianhe module, blasted off from the […]
GENERIC MEDICINE Subject: Science & tech Context: Hyderabad-based MSN Laboratories launched its branded generic, Favilow (Favipiravir) 800 mg. The higher strength Favilow 800 mg is priced at Rs 144 per tablet and will be available across pharmacies. Concept: A generic drug is a pharmaceutical drug that contains the same chemical substance as a […]
VACCINE WASTAGE Subject: Science & tech Context: In the days ahead, Indian adults below 45 will begin registering for a COVID vaccine that on paper will be available from May 1. Amid a crisis of vaccine supply, the Health Ministry had said that a little over one crore vaccines remain in stock with […]
ANTI MICROBIAL RESISTANCE Subject : Science & tech Context : Antimicrobial resistance: the silent threat . Tackling the problem would mean engaging the health, agricultural, trade and environment sectors. Concept : Anti microbial resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics, antifungals, […]
Ct VALUE Subject : Science & tech Context : Among various scientific terms that the Covid-19 pandemic has made part of the public vocabulary, one is the ‘Ct value’ in RT-PCR tests for determining whether a patient is positive for Covid-19. Concept : Short for cycle threshold, Ct is a value that emerges […]