Govt okays universal supply of fortified rice till December 2028; concerns regarding indiscriminate supply without health warnings remain Sub : Sci Sec: Health Context: The Centre has approved the continuation of universal fortified rice distribution under all Union government schemes, including Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), from July 2024 to December […]
Australia and New Zealand brace for looming bird flu threat Sub: Sci Sec: Health Context: Australia and New Zealand are on high alert for the potential arrival of a destructive strain of H5N1 avian influenza, known as clade 2.3.4.4b, which has devastated bird and mammal populations globally since its emergence in 2020. To […]
CCS clears deals for MQ-9B drones and submarines Sub : Sci Sec: Defence Context: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CSS) approved two high-profile deals for the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles from General Atomics of the U.S. and indigenous construction of two nuclear attack submarines. The purchase […]
Genome-Editing Advancements in Understanding and Treating Hereditary Cancers Sub :Sci Sec: Biotech Why in News Advances in CRISPR-based genome-editing techniques are improving the understanding of hereditary cancers, including how certain genetic mutations affect cancer development and resistance to targeted therapies. These breakthroughs offer promising new avenues for cancer treatment and personalized medicine. Global […]
The Discovery of microRNAs: A Landmark in Gene Regulation and its Implications for Medicine Sub: Sci Sec: Biotech Why in News The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNAs—small RNA molecules that play a critical role in gene […]
How Europe’s creating the moon on Earth Sub : Sci Sec: Space LUNA Analog Facility: Simulating the Moon on Earth Developed by the German Space Agency (DLR) and European Space Agency (ESA), the LUNA Analog Facility was unveiled in September 2024. Its purpose is to recreate the moon’s environment for training astronauts and […]
Ultrasound-Based Technique: A Revolutionary Approach to Cancer Detection Sub: Sci Sec: Health Why in News Scientists are pioneering a novel ultrasound-based method to detect cancers, which could potentially replace invasive biopsy procedures. This groundbreaking technique, which was recently presented at the joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Canadian Acoustical […]
Two months on, Meghalaya polio case shrouded in secrecy Sub : Sci Sec: Health Background: In 2017, the Indian government faced criticism for covering up Zika virus cases. Recently, there has been hesitance in disclosing details about a polio case detected in Meghalaya. Also, officials have gave conflicting statements about the case, raising […]