Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2024

Notes:
Close to 100 hectares of forest were recently destroyed by fire in the Sulthan Bathery forest range within the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS), located in Wayanad, Kerala. Established in 1973, the sanctuary spans approximately 344.44 sq. km and is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It shares borders with protected areas in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is home to various tribes and boasts diverse flora, including teak, rosewood, eucalyptus, and silver oak.

Notes:
India will deploy defense attaches in Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Philippines, Armenia, and Poland to bolster strategic ties. This initiative aligns with India’s goal to expand global partnerships amid rising geopolitical tensions. Notably, India aims to strengthen defense relations with the Philippines to counter China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. Recent deals include a USD 375 million agreement for BrahMos missiles. High-level discussions emphasize mutual security and development goals.

Notes:
NASA’s PACE satellite, launched into Sun-synchronous orbit, now shares high-quality Earth observation data publicly. Equipped with the Ocean Colour Instrument (OCI), alongside polarimeters SPEXone and HARP2, it enhances aerosol, cloud, and ocean research. OCI’s broad spectral range aids in phytoplankton identification. This data facilitates studies on oceanic life, air particles, fisheries health, algal blooms, pollution, and climate change impacts on the atmosphere and oceans, advancing scientific understanding.

Notes:
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) developed a novel hydrogel to remove microplastics from water. This hydrogel, with a unique polymer network, binds and degrades microplastics using UV light. It comprises three polymer layers: chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyaniline, combined with copper substitute polyoxometalate nanoclusters acting as catalysts. Microplastics, typically less than 5mm, are categorized as primary (from commercial products) and secondary (resulting from larger plastic breakdown due to environmental factors).

Notes:
The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) issued a safety alert regarding Nimesulide, an anti-inflammatory drug. IPC, an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, updates drug standards regularly. It publishes the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP), setting standards for drug identity, purity, and strength for human and animal healthcare. Additionally, IPC promotes the rational use of generic medicines by publishing the National Formulary of India.

Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian Army jointly conducted successful field tests of the indigenously developed Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) system. Designed by DRDO, it includes the MPATGM, launcher, target acquisition device, and fire control unit. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the achievement, marking a significant stride towards self-reliance in defense technology. Tests at the Pokhran Field Firing Range on April 13, 2024, showcased remarkable missile and warhead performance.

Notes:
In 2023, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport secured a spot among the world’s top 10 busiest airports, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport leading the list. Ranked tenth, Delhi’s airport saw significant traffic, amidst a global total passenger forecast nearing 8.5 billion. This marks a notable recovery of 93.8% from pre-pandemic levels, highlighting resurgence in air travel post-COVID-19. The list was released by the Airports Council International (ACI), reflecting a promising trend in global aviation.

Notes:
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh for collaboration in research and technology. The MoU focuses on semiconductors, quantum technologies, and drones. It aims to strengthen the synergies between BEL and IIT-Mandi, and to improve the quality and range of solutions BEL provides to its customers. The MoU also supports the indigenization of products and a solution supplied by BEL to its customers, and is in line with the Government of India’s “Make in India” initiative.

Notes:
Astronomers have identified Gaia-BH3, the most massive known stellar black hole in the Milky Way. Discovered through data from the Gaia mission, it causes an unusual ‘wobbling’ of its companion star. Confirmed by ground-based observatories, it boasts a mass 33 times that of our sun, located 1,926 light-years away in Aquila. Gaia-BH1, another nearby black hole, has nearly 10 solar masses. Sagittarius A* remains the galaxy’s most massive black hole.

Notes:
The Bhandasar Jain Temple, a ghee-made marvel in Bikaner, Rajasthan, was built by Jain merchant Bhandasa Oswal. Dedicated to the 5th Tirthankara, Sumatinatha, it’s under Archaeological Survey of India protection. During a drought, 40,000 kilograms of ghee substituted water in its construction. Its red sandstone structure, adorned with intricate yellow-stone carvings, stands three stories tall. The sanctum is crowned with a shikhara, while ornate paintings and frescoes depict Tirthankaras’ lives.