World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day
Context: ‘World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day’ is to be observed on 30th January as declared by the World Health Assembly. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: What are Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)? Government’s efforts regarding NTD About the World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day declaration World Health Assembly (WHA) What are […]
Our inheritance from the Neanderthals
Context: Studies show that we, Human Beings (Homo Sapiens) have inherited regions of host genomes from Neanderthals, which are an extinct species of hominids that were the closest relatives to modern human beings, that increase the risk of getting severely ill and protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology (Genetics and Biotechnology), […]
Data Protection in India & WhatsApp’s privacy policy
Context: Instant messaging platform WhatsApp may face legal action in India by May 25 if it does not send a satisfactory reply to a new notice sent by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology asking the company to withdraw its latest privacy policy update. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Cyber Security), Science and Technology […]
Zebrafish, induced torpor and spaceflight
Context: Researchers showed that zebrafish has demonstrated how induced hibernation (torpor) may protect humans from the elements of space, especially radiation, during space flight. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology (Important developments in Space technology) Dimensions of the Article: Zebrafish Highlights of the study Zebrafish Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a small (2-3 cm long) freshwater […]
Declare mucormycosis an epidemic, Centre tells States
Context: The Union government has asked the States to declare mucormycosis, the fungal infection being reported in COVID-19 patients, an epidemic. An infection called white fungus or Candidiasis has also been found to affect some people and Covid-19 patients are more prone to white fungus as it affects the lungs and similar symptoms are created […]
Kyasanur forest disease: ICMR develops new test
Context: A new point-of-care test developed by ICMR-National Institute of Virology has been found to be highly sensitive in the rapid diagnosis of Kyasanur forest disease (KFD), also known as monkey fever, which is an emerging public health problem in the country. Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology, GS-II: Social Justice (Health related issues) Dimensions […]
China landed a spacecraft on Mars
Context: China landed a spacecraft on Mars carrying its first Mars rover in a big boost to its space ambitions. Relevance: GS-III: Science and technology (Space Technology, Important developments in Space technology) Dimensions of the Article: About China’s Tianwen-1 China’s advancements in space Previous Mars missions Why Mars exploration? Mangalyaan About China’s Tianwen-1 China launched […]
Israel’s Iron Dome rocket defence system
Context: Israeli Iron Dome aerial defence system just intercepted a Hamas Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that crossed from Gaza into Israel. Within a three-day span in early May 2021, Hamas had fired more than 1,500 rockets from Gaza all the way into Israel. The night sky over Israel had been ablaze with interceptor missiles from […]
India variant of Covid Concerns and Classification
Context: The World Health Organisation classified a coronavirus variant first identified in India as a “global variant of concern”. This variant called B.1.617 was classified as a variant under investigation (VUI) by authorities in the UK earlier in May 2021 and it has already spread to more than 17 countries. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology […]
U.S. to support IP waiver for COVID-19 vaccines
Context: The United States will support an initiative at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to waive Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) protection for COVID-19 vaccines. The news will support the increased production of vaccines globally as countries, including India, continue to reel under the impact of the pandemic. The initiative was first floated by […]