NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR)
Context: NASA and ISRO are collaborating on developing an SUV-sized satellite called NISAR, which will detect movements of the planet’s surface as small as 0.4 inches over areas about 100 sq. meters. The satellite will be launched in 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) into a near-polar orbit. Relevance: Prelims, […]
HOW EPIGENETICS ALTERS INHERITED GENETICS’ MESSAGE?
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? An exciting research paper on reprogramming to recover youthful epigenetic information and restore vision According to the paper a proposed cause of ageing is the accumulation of “epigenetic noise” that disrupts gene expression patterns lending to changes in inherent DNA function. The paper suggests that if one […]
PLASMODIUM OVALE MALARIA
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Plasmodium ovale – a very uncommon type of malaria, has been identified in a soldier in Kerala – who was posted in Sudan where Plasmodium ovale is endemic. Types of malaria Malaria is caused by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito, if the mosquito itself is […]
ELURU MYSTERY ILLNESS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? At least 550 people have fallen sick in Eluru town of Andhra Pradesh had fallen sick following an undiagnosed illness. Officials of the other teams which collected from the patients in Eluru found the presence of nickel and lead elements in the blood samples. More investigations should […]
‘HAVANA SYNDROME’ EXPLAINED
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? Nearly four years after a mysterious neurological illness, referred to as “Havana syndrome”, started to afflict American diplomats and intelligence operatives in Cuba, China, and other countries, a report by the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) has found “directed” microwave radiation to be its “plausible” cause. Introduction […]
THE RISE OF THE AI ECONOMY
Context: The pandemic has taught us many lessons and opened our minds to new ways of doing things, including understanding the potential of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Relevance: GS Paper 3: S&T developments and everyday applications & effects; Awareness in fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotech, Biotech, IPR […]
IN STANFORD RANKING, HOPE FOR INDIAN SCIENCE
Context: The government has plans to set up a National Research Foundation (NRF) with an aim to catalyse and energise research and innovation across all academic disciplines, particularly at the university and college levels. Relevance: GS Paper 3: Achievements of Indians in S&T; Indigenisation of technology & development of new technology. Mains Questions: Discuss the […]
SPIRAL GALAXY BARS MAY PREVENT NEW STARS
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Introduction Stars are fundamental building blocks of galaxies and the seeds of these stars are clouds of cosmic dust and gas. Stars are scattered all around the galaxies, and the galaxies themselves are of different types: star-forming spiral galaxies and non-star-forming lenticular and elliptical galaxies. In some spiral galaxies, the […]
RUDRAM MISSILE TO BE INDUCTED BY 2022
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology, Internal Security Challenges Why in news? India’s first anti-radiation missile ‘Rudram’ will be ready for induction into service by 2022 and will boost the Indian Air Force’s capabilities to knock out enemy radars and surveillance systems. The indigenous missile, being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for […]
Parliamentary panel asks Twitter for affidavit on geo-tagging glitch
Focus: GS-III Science and Technology Why in news? The Joint Committee of Parliament on the Data Protection Bill Sought an affidavit from Twitter inc, the US based parent company of the social media platform asking them as to why it showed Ladakh as a part of China. Geotagging Geotagging is the process of adding geographical […]