Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
India has recently become an affiliate member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF). The IMDRF was established in 2011 to promote international medical device regulatory harmonization. Its members include regulatory authorities from countries like the U.S., Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, and WHO. Membership reduces complexity for manufacturers and promotes public health through collaboration. It supports innovation and timely access to new medical devices. India will participate in IMDRF Open Sessions to share experiences and discuss regulatory strategies. This will strengthen India’s medical device regulatory system and ensure public health protection.

Notes:
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has delivered 100 Control Centres for the Air Defence Control and Reporting system (Akashteer) to the Indian Army. These control centres will play a crucial role in protecting the country from aerial threats like missile and rocket attacks. The successful delivery highlights India’s commitment to strengthening its military self-reliance. It also emphasizes the modernization of India’s defense infrastructure, enhancing overall security capabilities.

Notes:
The Negro River, a main tributary of the Amazon, recently dropped to its lowest level in 122 years. It is one of the largest tributaries of the Amazon River and one of the world’s largest rivers by discharge. Originating from eastern Colombia, it flows through Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil before joining the Amazon at Manaus. The river spans about 1,400 miles, with 850 miles in Brazil. The river was named “Negro” for its dark water due to decomposed organic matter and tannins. It is the world’s largest blackwater river. The Central Amazon Ecological Corridor, a giant protected area, surrounds it.

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The Karnataka State Wildlife Board recently approved the declaration of Hesaraghatta grassland as the Greater Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve. This decision aims to protect green spaces in Bengaluru amid urban expansion. The area encompasses 5,010 acres, including multiple lakes and forest areas. The move addresses long-standing demands for environmental conservation and follows a previous rejection of the proposal in 2021, which was reconsidered due to a High Court directive.

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The Union Cabinet approved the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat, on 9 October 2024. This complex will be developed in two phases at the ancient Indus Valley site of Lothal. It aims to be an international tourist destination showcasing India’s maritime heritage from ancient to modern times. The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in collaboration with the Gujarat government, is overseeing the project under the Sagarmala scheme. Built on 400 acres, it will cost approximately Rs 4500 crore, with work beginning in March 2022.

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Two foreign climbers, Michelle Theresa Dvorak (USA) and Fay Jane Manners (UK), were rescued from 6,015 meters near Chaukhamba III peak in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. Chaukhamba is part of the Gangotri Group in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand. It is located west of Badrinath, near the head of the Gangotri Glacier.

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As Ukraine seeks Taurus missiles to counter Russia, the South Korean Air Force conducted a live fire drill with the German-origin Taurus missile. The Taurus missile is a precision-guided, long-range air-to-surface cruise missile developed in the mid-1990s by German and Swedish companies. It can strike stationary and semi-stationary targets with high accuracy. Weighing 1,400 kg and about 5.1 meters long, it can be launched from various platforms. The missile is powered by a turbofan engine, achieving subsonic speeds and good fuel efficiency.

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A silver crown, gifted by Prime Minister Modi in March 2021 to the Jeshoreshwari Temple in Bangladesh, was stolen during Durga Puja. The Jeshoreshwari Temple is significant as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas located across India and neighboring countries. Despite being damaged in the 1971 conflict, its sacred pillars remain significant. The Goddess’ palm, in Abhaya mudra, is believed to hold immense spiritual power, attracting devotees seeking blessings.

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AI-generated synthetic medical images offer an ethical, scalable, and cost-effective solution for healthcare. These images are created by AI or computer algorithms, not by traditional imaging devices like MRI or CT scans. Techniques like generative adversarial networks (GANs), diffusion models, and autoencoders are used to construct these images. In healthcare, AI creates new medical scans or radiological images that mimic real ones but are not based on actual patient data.

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The Ministry of Defence is seeking more funds to expand the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme. iDEX stands for Innovations for Defence Excellence and is a key initiative by the Ministry of Defence. iDEX was launched in April 2018 to promote self-reliance and innovation in defence and aerospace. It engages various sectors, including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes, and academia.