Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2024

Notes:
Central Electronics Limited (CEL), recently granted “Mini Ratna” (Category-1) status, is a Govt. of India Enterprise under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology. Established in 1974, CEL aims to commercialize indigenous technologies from National Laboratories and R&D Institutions. CEL excels in solar energy systems, strategic electronics, and various high-tech areas, producing solar cells, railway signaling equipment, and components for defense applications.

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A new Android malware called ‘Snowblind’ targets users to steal banking credentials by bypassing anti-tamper mechanisms using the ‘seccomp’ security feature. Snowblind repacks apps to avoid detection and utilizes accessibility services to remotely view screens, disabling biometric and two-factor authentication. It primarily infects devices via apps from untrusted sources and is most active in Southeast Asia, posing a significant threat to banking app security.

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Researchers at Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala developed a method to produce activated carbon from coconut husks for supercapacitors. This sustainable, efficient solution leverages the high surface area of activated carbon, making it ideal for high-performance supercapacitors. These devices store and deliver charge through reversible adsorption and desorption of ions, enhancing electrochemical energy storage.

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Researchers at IISER Tirupati devised a method to generate hydrogen efficiently using methanol and formaldehyde. They employed nickel catalysts, readily available in the market, without needing bases or activators. This hydrogen production enabled selective partial transfer hydrogenation of alkynes, converting them into alkenes. The method supports the synthesis of bioactive molecules, marking a significant advancement in chemical synthesis and sustainable hydrogen generation technologies.

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US-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) and Blue Origin have partnered with India for their human spaceflight program. They will offer six seats on a future New Shepard mission to citizens from countries with limited space presence. New Shepard, a reusable suborbital rocket, will take the selected astronauts on an 11-minute journey past the Kármán line, the internationally recognized space boundary at 100 km.

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A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of Haryana and the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gandhinagar, in Panchkula. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister Manohar Lal, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh attended. This collaboration aims to enhance Haryana’s criminal justice system by leveraging NFSU’s expertise. Forensic teams will visit for serious offences, increasing the demand for forensic experts.

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The Bangladesh Navy signed a significant deal with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for an 800-tonne ocean-going tug, part of a $500-million line of credit from India for defence equipment. The contract was finalized in Dhaka, witnessed by GRSE and Bangladesh Navy officials. Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi’s visit to Bangladesh coincided with the deal, emphasizing bilateral defence ties and exploring new naval cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

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UNESCO introduced the New World Soil Health Index at an international conference in Morocco to standardize soil quality assessment globally. It aims to monitor soil degradation trends and improvements across different ecosystems. UNESCO will pilot sustainable soil management in ten Biosphere Reserves to develop best practices. Globally, soil degradation affects 75% of land, impacting 3.2 billion people, and is projected to reach 90% by 2050. In India, 32% of land is degraded, with 25% undergoing desertification due to various factors including deforestation and industrial pollution.

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Meta has introduced the Meta 3D Gen AI System, an AI tool that generates or retextures 3D objects in under a minute. It uses two sub-systems, Meta 3D AssetGen and Meta 3D TextureGen, to create high-quality 3D assets with high-resolution textures and material maps from user text prompts. Users can also input existing 3D meshes for retexturing. The system employs Physically-Based Rendering (PBR) techniques, producing results in about 30 seconds.

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Kerala has developed an inclusive sports manual to nurture the talents of differently abled children in sports. The programme encourages participation from individuals with various disabilities alongside those without. It marks a pioneering effort in India, aiming to support parents in facilitating sports activities for their children, fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities in sports participation.