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: […]
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 […]