NIV DEVELOPS ELISA TEST TO DETECT ANTIBODIES
Why in news? The Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) has developed an immunological assay — enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) — to detect antibodies that the body develops in response to infection by the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus. Details This is the first time India has developed an indigenous ELISA test for coronavirus. This kit was validated […]
MASSIVE REVAMP OF FOREST MINISTRY UNITS
Why in news? The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has introduced a massive restructuring plan that entails merging the 10 regional offices of the MoEF&CC and 19 centres of the Forest Survey of India (FSI), National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and Central Zoo Authority (CZA) into just […]
NORMS ISSUED FOR RESTART OF INDUSTRIAL UNITS: NDMA
Why in news? The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a series of guidelines for restarting manufacturing industries after the lockdown period. Certain economic activities have already been allowed on gradual lifting of restrictions in some zones. Highlights of the guidelines Instructions have been issued on safekeeping of hazardous and flammable materials. Guidelines also […]
INDIA SET TO COVER THE GLOBE WITH EXPORTS OF MASKS
Why in news? India is expected to emerge as one of the main exporters of masks with the habit of its wearing catching up on people worldwide in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the major suppliers are China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil and Argentina. Opportunity for India India can be a fantastic […]
NFHS FOR POPULATION SURVEILLANCE FOR CORONAVIRUS
Why in news? There have been proposals for the use of the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) framework to ascertain the prevalence of COVID-19. It has been suggested that the scientific and logistical infrastructure of India’s National Family Health Survey (NFHS) be leveraged to conduct a random sample-based population surveillance to track coronavirus. Used earlier […]
DEEP-SPACE ICE ON A COMET
Why in news? Deep-space ice formed in one of the coldest parts of the cosmos has been found in our solar system. 21-Borisov was in the news in the past: It was the first such identified interstellar comet to have come close to the Sun from another stellar system. Details Deep-space ice was carried on […]
SAL FOREST TORTOISE HABITAT
Why in news? Also known as the elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata), the sal forest tortoise, recently assessed as critically endangered, is heavily hunted for food. 23 of the 29 species of freshwater turtle and tortoise species found in India come under the threatened category in the IUCN red list and are under severe existential threat […]
INDIAN GREY WOLF SIGHTED
Why in news? A group of conservationists studying and camera-trapping leopards in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary has stumbled upon an Indian grey wolf (Canis lumpus pallipes). Why is it significant? This is reckoned to be its first-ever documentation of Indian grey wolf in Chamarajanagar district. What is significant is that this indicates the presence of all four […]
MASS HATCHING OF OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLES: RUSHIKULYA ROOKERY
Why in news? Mass hatching of Olive Ridley turtles began at Odisha’s Rushikulya rookery, a major nesting site of these marine turtles, on 7th May night. Details Thousands of hatchlings came out of the nests buried in sand to crawl towards the sea to start their long journey. On an average 80 to 100 turtles hatch […]
PHASE-2 TRIAL WITH THREE DRUGS OFFERS HOPE
Why in news? A phase-2 trial involving participants with mild to moderate coronavirus (COVID-19) illness found no detectable virus within an average seven days of starting treatment with a three-drug regimen compared with 12 days in people in the control group. Details Lopinavir-ritonavir is used for treating HIV, ribavirin for treating chronic hepatitis C virus, […]