Why only some bacteria develop multi-drug resistance?
Context: A recent study subjected E. coli to fluctuating and steady environments, noting their evolutionary response in order to understand why some bacteria evolve multi-drug resistance while others do not. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)? What is Multi drug resistance? Findings of the recent study on […]
China cracking down on cryptocurrencies
Context: China has broadened a crackdown on its massive cryptocurrency mining industry with a ban on mines in a key southwestern province. Values of prominent cryptocurrencies are crashing and China’s crackdown against crypto-currencies, which are those that aren’t sanctioned by a centralised authority and are secured by cryptography, is said to have a lot to […]
China launches crewed spacecraft Shenzhou-12
Context: China launched a spacecraft Shenzhou-12, carrying three astronauts to part of a space station still under construction for the longest stay in low Earth orbit by any Chinese national. China is the third country after the former Soviet Union and the United States to carry out a manned mission on its own. Relevance: Prelims, […]
Sale of illegal HTBt cotton seeds doubles
Context: The illegal cultivation of herbicide tolerant (HT) Bt cotton has seen a huge jump in 2021, with seed manufacturers claiming that the sale of illegal seed packets has more than doubled since 2020. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology (Biotechnology, Genetically Modified crops), GS-III: Agriculture Dimensions of the Article: What are GM Crops? Regulating […]
National AI Portal (INDIAai)
Context: The ‘National AI Portal’, celebrated its first anniversary on May 28, 2021, in a virtual event attended by nearly 400 participants and dignitaries. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Significance of Artificial Intelligence: Pros and Cons of AI About the ‘National AI Portal’ What is […]
EnVision mission to Venus
Context: Following NASA’s footsteps, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that it has selected EnVision as its next orbiter that will visit Venus sometime in the 2030s. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology (Space Technology) Dimensions of the Article: About Venus Difference between Earth and Venus What is EnVision? Why are scientists interested in studying […]
World First: El Salvador makes bitcoin legal tender
Context: El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt bitcoin as legal tender after the country’s Congress, approved President Nayib Bukele’s proposal to embrace the cryptocurrency, a move that delighted the currency’s supporters. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology (Blockchain technology), GS-I: Geography (Maps) Dimensions of the Article: About El Salvador About […]
H10N3 bird flu
Context: China has confirmed the first instance of human infection from H10N3, a rare strain of a virus that normally infects poultry. Relevance: Prelims, GS-II: Social Justice (Health Related Issues), GS-III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: About H10N3 About Bird Flu About H10N3 H10N3 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which […]
NASA plans two new missions to Venus
Context: NASA announced plans to launch a pair of missions to Venus between 2028 and 2030 — its first in decades — to study the atmosphere and geologic features of Earth’s so-called sister planet and better understand why the two emerged so differently. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology (Space Technology and advancements in Space Technology) […]
World getting closer to Internet from the skies
Context: Following the successful launch of 36 satellites on May 28, OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation reached 218 in-orbit satellites. The company only has one more launch to complete before it obtains the capacity to enable its ‘Five to 50’ service of offering internet connectivity to all regions north of 50 degrees latitude. Relevance: […]