Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
Recent research indicates that Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star, may have a companion star, “Betelbuddy,” influencing its brightness. This finding, led by astrophysicist Jared Goldberg, suggests that the companion star is responsible for Betelgeuse’s unusual dimming and brightening patterns by pushing aside dust. Betelgeuse exhibits two pulsation cycles, with the longer cycle linked to the companion’s orbit, challenging previous theories about its imminent supernova explosion.

Notes:
World Polio Day is observed on October 24, established by Rotary International to honor Jonas Salk, who developed the first polio vaccine. Polio is a highly infectious viral disease causing paralysis and even death, mostly in children, with no cure—only prevention through vaccination. India reported 741 polio cases in 2009, the highest worldwide.
The last polio case in India was in January 2011 in Howrah, West Bengal. India’s polio eradication success came through strong government coordination, international aid, effective messaging, and overcoming cultural challenges, inspiring its COVID-19 vaccination drive.

Notes:
The “Griha Arogya: Healthcare at Your Doorstep” initiative aims to offer free health check-ups and treatments, especially targeting underprivileged communities. Launched by Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the program addresses the financial barriers that deter people from seeking essential health screenings. The initiative emphasizes the importance of early detection of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension to improve treatment outcomes and promote healthier lifestyles among citizens.

Notes:
Scurvy, once common in the 15th century, is resurfacing today. It’s caused by a severe lack of vitamin C, which humans must get from food as we can’t produce it. Key sources of vitamin C are fresh fruits, vegetables, and fortified foods; cooking can reduce vitamin C levels. Symptoms include anemia, fatigue, bleeding, limb pain, swelling, gum ulcers, and tooth loss. Untreated scurvy can be fatal, but it’s treatable with oral or intravenous vitamin C supplements.

Notes:
The UN Emissions Gap Report is released annually by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The UN Emissions Gap Report tracks the gap between current emissions and the 1.5°C target. It highlights the urgent need for a 42% reduction in emissions by 2030 and 57% by 2035 to stay on target. The report links rising emissions to increased climate disasters, stressing the need for immediate action, especially from G20 nations, to support developing countries in transitioning to clean energy and addressing the impacts of climate change. The upcoming COP29 conference is crucial for setting new national climate action plans and increasing financial support.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved a Rs. 1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund for the space sector, managed by IN-SPACe Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center). IN-SPACe, launched in 2020, aims to enhance private sector involvement in space. The fund will help grow India’s space economy from $8.4 billion to a target of $44 billion by 2033. It addresses the challenge of limited funding for high-tech startups by supporting around 40 space startups. The fund will be deployed over five years, with Rs. 150-250 crore invested annually based on opportunities.

Notes:
Prime Minister Modi and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat. It is India’s first private military aircraft production facility. The complex will manufacture C295 aircraft, enhancing India-Spain relations and supporting ‘Make in India, Make for the World.’ The Airbus C295, originally designed by Spanish company CASA, is a medium tactical transport aircraft also suited for medical evacuations, disaster response, and maritime patrol.

Notes:
The ‘Act4Dyslexia’ campaign recently illuminated prominent monuments in Delhi, including Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament, in red to raise awareness about dyslexia. This initiative, supported by UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) and ChangeInkk Foundation, highlights the challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities, affecting about 20% of India’s population. The campaign aims to foster understanding and inclusivity, while also dispelling myths surrounding dyslexia, often mischaracterized as a “slow-learner syndrome.

Notes:
The 9th Ayurveda Day is observed on October 29, 2024 (Dhanteras), in over 150 countries. Prime Minister Modi launched health projects worth ₹12,850 crore to mark the occasion. Ayurveda Day, started in 2016, is celebrated on Dhanvantari Jayanti, honoring Dhanvantari, the mythological physician of the gods. Ayurveda, meaning ‘Knowledge of Life,’ aims for holistic balance in body, mind, and spirit. The 2024 theme, “Ayurveda Innovations for Global Health,” focuses on promoting Ayurveda’s role in tackling global health issues.

Notes:
India’s first Biomanufacturing Institute, BRIC-National Agri-Food Bio-Manufacturing Institute (BRIC-NABI), was inaugurated in Mohali. BRIC-NABI aims to advance the agri-food sector through biotechnology, supporting “Viksit Bharat” and “Make in India” initiatives. The institute focuses on high-yield crops, biofertilizers, and biopesticides to streamline research to commercialization. It promotes bio-based solutions like microbial fermentation for sustainable agriculture, improving crop yields, food quality, and alternative protein sources.