The Piezoelectric Effect in Liquids
Context: For the first time, scientists have reported evidence of the piezoelectric effect in liquids. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: Details: What is the piezoelectric effect? Why is the effect in liquids surprising? What new applications are possible? -Source: The Hindu
Launch Vehicle Mark- 3 (LVM-3)
Context: Recently, Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) LVM3 or GSLV-Mk3 successfully put into space 36 satellites of Bharti-backed OneWeb. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: About Launch Vehicle Mark- 3(LVM-3): What are the launch vehicles used by ISRO? Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV): Since its initial launch in 1994, PSLV has […]
About Depleted Uranium
Context: Just days after the British government said that it would provide Ukraine with armour-piercing rounds containing depleted uranium, Russian President announced plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in neighbouring Belarus. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: Depleted Uranium Which countries have depleted uranium munitions? What are the risks of using […]
India’s CAMPA at odds with new IPCC report
Context: The Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a U.N. expert body, states that not degrading existing ecosystems in the first place will do more to lower the impact of the climate crisis than restoring ecosystems that have been destroyed — a finding that speaks to an increasingly contested policy in […]
India’s Push For Semiconductors
Context: The Union Government has disbursed around ₹1,645 crore in performance-linked incentives (PLI) for electronics manufacturers so far, as part of its efforts to bring in more of the electronics supply chain to India. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: Why is the government encouraging semiconductor manufacturing? National Security: Economic Growth: […]
OneWeb India-2 Mission
Context: In its second commercial launch, ISRO’s (Indian Space Research Organisation) heaviest launch vehicle LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3) will launch a fleet of 36 OneWeb satellites, completing the first generation of the huge broadband constellation. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: About LVM3-M3/OneWeb India-2 Mission About OneWeb Constellation Significance: -Source: […]
First Abort Mission of Gaganyaan
Context The Lok Sabha has been informed that the first of Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight, will be aborted in May of this year. Relevance GS Paper-3: Awareness in the fields of Space Mains Question What is the Gaganyaan programme, and what are the possible effects of the Gaganyaan programme on India’s future in scientific research […]
What is Generative AI?
Context: Generative artificial intelligence has become a buzzword this year, capturing the public’s fancy and sparking a rush among Microsoft and Alphabet to launch products with the technology they believe will change the nature of work. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: What is generative AI? What is it good for? […]
What Are Enzyme Laccase?
Context: Recently, researchers from S. N. Bose National Center for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata, tested the efficacy of the laccase enzyme in degrading some standard dye molecules. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: What are enzymes? Laccase Enzyme for Dye Effluent Treatment The laccase enzyme, produced by certain fungi, has the […]
Biological Risk Factors for Late-Life Depression
Context: Late-life depression (LLD) is caused by multiple factors working together. It has three broad risk factors — biological, psychological, and social. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: Biological Risk Factors for Late-Life Depression Late-life depression (LLD) is a complex mental health disorder that affects many elderly people. Although the causes […]