GENOMIC SEQUENCING Subject : Science & tech Context : Of the 14 Covid-19 samples processed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to check genome sequencing, eight have tested positive for the new variant found in the UK, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Concept : Genome: It is an […]
UK APPROVES OXFORD VACCINE Subject: Science & tech Context: The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in the UK, with the first doses due to be given on Monday. There will be 530,000 doses available from next week, and vaccination centres will now start inviting patients to come and get the jab. […]
GENOMIC SURVEILLANCE CONSORTIUM Subject: Science & technology Context: In the wake of a mutated variant of coronavirus detected in the UK, a genomic surveillance consortium has been formed for laboratory and epidemiological surveillance of circulating strains of the SARS-CoV-2 in India, the Centre said on Saturday. Concept: Indian government has set up a […]
Pneumosil: India’s first indigenously created vaccine Subject : Science & tech Context: Recently, Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) unveiled India’s first indigenously developed pneumococcal vaccine – Pneumosil. Concept : SII’s pneumococcal vaccine is developed through a collaboration spanning over a decade with the health organisation PATH and the Bill and Melinda Gates […]
MUTATION OF VIRUS Subject: Science & tech Context: The coronavirus variant circulating in the UK is defined by many mutations. Concept: A mutation means an alteration in genetic material. In an RNA virus such as SARS-CoV-2, proteins are made of a sequence of amino acids. Such a virus contains some 30,000 ‘base pairs’, […]
ISRO DEVELOPING GREEN PROPULSIONS Subject: Science & tech Context: Scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have reported progress in the development of an environment-friendly propellant to power satellites and spacecraft. Concept: The effort is to replace the conventional hydrazine rocket fuel, a highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical, with a greener propellant for […]
NANOMICELLES: using nanotechnology for cancer treatment Subject: Science & tech Concept: With the advance in nanotechnology, researchers across the globe have been exploring how to use nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery. Similar to nanoshells and nanovesicles, nanomicelles are extremely small structures and have been noted as an emerging platform in targeted therapy. Nanomicelles […]
PINK BOLL WORM Subject : Science & tech Context :With the cotton season in Maharashtra is about to end, this year also saw the continual attacks of Pink Boll Worms (PBW) on the crop. Concept : It is an insect known for being a pest in cotton farming. The pink bollworm is native […]
DRY RUN FOR COVID 19 VACCINES Subject : Science & tech Context : The Centre is gearing up for the roll out of COVID-19 vaccine across the country, with four States all set to initiate a dry-run for vaccine administration next week, the Union Health Ministry said . Concept : Andhra Pradesh, Assam, […]