Contents
- New drug for amoebiasis in the offing
- IMD releases a report on Super Cyclonic Storm “Amphan”
NEW DRUG FOR AMOEBIASIS IN THE OFFING
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology
Why in news?
A team of researchers have developed new drug molecules against the protozoa that causes amoebiasis.
What is Amoebiasis?
- Amoebiasis, also known amoebic dysentery, is an infection caused by any of the amoebae of the Entamoeba group.
- Amoebiasis can be present with no, mild, or severe symptoms.
- Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloody diarrhea.
- Prevention of amoebiasis is by improved sanitation, including separating food and water from faeces.
- There is no vaccine.
- Amoebiasis is present all over the world, though most cases occur in the developing world.
Details of the drug research
- This protozoan is anaerobic or micro-aerophilic in nature such that it cannot survive high concentrations of oxygen.
- However, during infection, it faces a high surge of oxygen inside the human body.
- The organism synthesizes large amounts of cysteine to counter oxidative stress.
- This pathogen deploys cysteine as one of the essential molecules in its defence mechanism against high oxygen levels.
- The researchers have characterized and determined the molecular structures of the enzymes that help synthesize cystine.
IMD RELEASES A REPORT ON SUPER CYCLONIC STORM “AMPHAN”
Focus: GS-I Geography
Why in news?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released a report on Super Cyclonic Storm “Amphan”.
crossed West Bengal coast in 2020 as a very severe cyclonic storm across Sundarbans.
Highlights of the report
- The Super Cyclonic Storm (SuCS) “AMPHAN” (pronounced as UM-PUN) was the first SuCS over the Bay of Bengal, after the Odisha SuCS of 1999.
- It originated from the remnant of a Low-Pressure Area which occurred in the near Equatorial Easterly wave over south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal (BoB).
- Then concentrated into a depression (D) and a Deep Depression (DD).
- Next was intensifying into Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS), into Very Severe Cyclonic Storm (VSCS), into Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm (ESCS), and finally into Super Cyclonic Storm (SuCS).
What is Meteorology?
The branch of science dealing with the atmosphere and its various phenomena, along with weather and weather forecasting can be defined as Meteorology. Other subjects related to meteorology are Seismology, Geography, Geology, etc.
India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the national meteorological service of the country and it is the chief government agency dealing in everything related to meteorology, seismology and associated subjects.
- IMD was formed in 1875 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
- IMD is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.
- Worldwide there are six regional specialised meteorological centres (RSMCs) and five regional Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs) mandated for issuing advisories and naming of tropical cyclones.
- The India Meteorological Department is one of the six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) to provide tropical cyclone and storm surge advisories to 13 member countries under WMO/ESCAP PTC Panel (World Meteorological Organization / The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific – Panel on Tropical Cyclones PTC).
IMD’s Tasks
- IMD undertakes observations, communications, forecasting and weather services.
- In collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation, the IMD also uses the IRS series and the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) for weather monitoring of the Indian subcontinent.
- IMD was first weather bureau of a developing country to develop and maintain its own satellite system.
