Subject: Science and tech Context: There is fear of kidney failure in following a ketogenic diet. Concept: The ketogenic diet is one of the most popular weight loss diets the world over. It is a high-fat, moderate-protein and low-carb diet that helps in weight loss by achieving ketosis — a metabolic state where the liver […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: India successfully tests ‘game changer’ SMART torpedo system for anti-submarine warfare Concept: Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) is a missile assisted release of lightweight anti-submarine torpedo system for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations far beyond the torpedo range. All the mission objectives (of SMART) including missile flight upto the […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Three scientists who discovered the virus Hepatitis C have won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology. Concept: Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Coronavirus vaccine Covaxin will use adjuvant Alhydroxiquim-II to boost immune response and longer lasting immunity. Concept: An adjuvant is a substance that is co-injected with antigen in order to help stimulate and enhance the adaptive immune system into producing antibodies against the antigen. Adjuvants affect the immune response in various […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: A successful trial of the nuclear capable Shaurya missile was conducted by India Concept: Shaurya is a land-based parallel of the submarine launched K-15 missile. These ballistic weapons belong to the K missile family — codenamed after late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam — which are launched from Arihant class of nuclear submarines. […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Earlier this week, there was an appeal to legalise CBD oil in India Concept: CBD oil is an extract from the cannabis plant. The two main active substances in it are cannabidiol or CBD and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The high that is caused by the consumption of cannabis is […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Delhi’s third sero-surveillance report threw up a surprise of sorts, with the overall seroprevalence falling. According to experts this could be attributed to “diminishing antibodies”. A significant decrease in seroprevalence was seen in Northeast, North and Central districts as per the survey report, while a slight increase was seen in […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is constantly mutating, but one mutation in particular has caught the eye of researchers for its abundance. Named D614G, this mutation has been found more transmissible than most others Concept: A gene mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene, such that the […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: BrahMos surface-to-surface supersonic cruise missile was successfully flight tested for designated range in Odisha Concept: BrahMos is a cruise missile, meaning it can be guided towards a pre-determined land- or sea-based target. With a capability to attain speeds 2.8 times that of sound (Mach 2.8), BrahMos is classified as supersonic […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Around 7% of India’s adult population may have been exposed to the coronavirus till the last fortnight of August, according to the second national sero-survey by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Concept: Sero-surveys use tests that examine the liquid part of blood, or ‘serum’. And these tests detect an immune response […]