Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are collaborating to create a standardized lunar time system for the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon. This initiative addresses the need for unified timekeeping to coordinate international and private lunar missions. With upcoming missions from China, India, and private companies, a common lunar time system is essential for successful operation and coordination.

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At IIT Dharwad, a team led by Sudheer Siddapureddy and Ameer Mulla unveiled a fire rescue assistant drone at the DDANFR 2024 training, funded by NMICPS and TiHAN Foundation. The drone, designed for navigating small spaces and high temperatures, marks a significant advancement in fire safety. Prof. Siddapureddy highlighted the challenges of creating a device that is both compact and robust.

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IIT Kanpur’s Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) introduces UDAAN, a program aimed at propelling drone startups in India. UDAAN, a collaboration between SIIC, Drone CoE Kanpur, and Drone Federation of India, selects 20 startups annually for intensive acceleration. Participants gain access to R&D facilities, mentorship, financing, and industry connections. It supports startups in product development, market analysis, and growth planning.

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For the first time, ISRO will launch its latest large satellite, GSAT 20, on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. GSAT 20, a hi-tech communication satellite, weighs 4,700 kg and has a throughput capacity of 48 GBPS. It features 32 spot beams covering all of India, especially the Northeast. Owned by ISRO’s commercial arm NSIL, it uses SpaceX due to the limitations of India’s Launch Vehicle Mark 3.

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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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Ivory Coast is the first country to deploy the R21 malaria vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India and Oxford University. Authorized by multiple African countries, the vaccine aims to initially immunize 250,000 children, with plans to reach millions more with Gavi’s support. Recommended by WHO for children under five, the vaccine targets a disease responsible for over 600,000 deaths annually, predominantly in Africa.

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Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), inaugurated the Centre of Excellence on “Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G” at IITM Research Park, Chennai. This Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE)-India sub-centre aims to advance 6G technology with unprecedented speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced connectivity. It will unite academic and industry experts to innovate and shape global 6G standards and infrastructure. A workshop will foster collaboration on 6G R&D proposals.

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Kerala has issued technical guidelines for diagnosing and managing amoebic meningoencephalitis. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rare, often fatal infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri, found in freshwater. Symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, typically after exposure to warm, stagnant freshwater. PAM has a high mortality rate over 97%. Treatment remains uncertain but should involve amebicidal drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier.

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In July 2024, Minghao Nie from the University of Tokyo, Japan showcased a robot face covered in human skin tissue. This research, led by Shoji Takeuchi, aims to enhance robotic realism by incorporating living tissue capable of expressing emotions. The breakthrough allows robots to make facial expressions, combining biological materials with robotics to create more human-like machines.

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Scientists have developed an advanced genome-editing tool called enhanced FnCas9, which provides more precise and efficient DNA modifications than current CRISPR technologies. It cuts DNA more effectively with fewer off-target effects and can correct single-nucleotide changes better. In tests, enhanced FnCas9 successfully corrected a mutation causing inherited blindness in stem cells, showing high efficiency and potential for improving genetic diagnostics and therapies.