Subject: Science and tech Context: Prime minister has virtually launched COVID-19 testing facilities in Noida, Mumbai and Kolkata. Concept: These facilities will ramp up testing capacity in the country and help in strengthening early detection and treatment, thus assisting in controlling the spread of the pandemic. These labs will also reduce turn-around-time and exposure of […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Russia is going to deploy Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic cruise missile on surface ships Concept: Cruise missiles differ from ballistic missiles in that they fly towards their target at lower altitudes, remaining within the Earth’s atmosphere throughout their trajectory. Cruise missiles are defined as “an unmanned self-propelled guided vehicle that sustains […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Apart from animal studies, organoids are now used by scientists to develop vaccines. Concept: Organoids are tiny, self-organized three-dimensional tissue cultures that are derived from stem cells. Such cultures can be crafted to replicate much of the complexity of an organ, or to express selected aspects of it like producing […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Researchers have always relied on using animals to understand various human diseases. Concept: Major reason to use animals is that they have been the genetic similarity with humans (mice share 98% of DNA with us), and humans have developed tools to edit genes in various animals. An animal model for […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Some individuals who had tested negative twice for the coronavirus, had, after a few weeks or months, has been tested positive, the second time around albeit with milder symptoms. Concept: A latent infection is when the virus in the body is dormant and does not replicate within the host. It […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: A recent serological survey in Delhi found the presence of coronavirus-specific antibodies in about 23% of the samples tested. Concept: The mere presence of antibodies does not mean that the person is protected against the disease. The important thing is the amount of antibodies present and whether it is neutralizing antibodies. A neutralizing […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified draft notification for amendment to Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1979 for inclusion of Hydrogen enriched CNG as an automotive fuel. Concept: H-CNG is a blend of hydrogen and CNG, the ideal hydrogen concentration being 18%. Compared to conventional CNG, use of H-CNG […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Researchers have found that the spike protein in coronavirus changes its form after it attaches itself to a human cell. Findings: Spike protein changes its form after it attaches itself to a human cell, folding in on itself and assuming a rigid hairpin shape Concept: Spike protein protrudes from the […]