Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming rod bacterium commonly found in soil and water. It is the most common type of Pseudomonas causing human infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, and post-surgery sites. Researchers from Germany found that P. aeruginosa shows bistable expression of the glpD gene, meaning activity varies among genetically identical cells. This variation affects its infection-causing ability, as shown in tests on moth larvae and mouse immune cells. Targeting glpD gene’s variable expression could help combat hospital-acquired P. aeruginosa infections. This discovery highlights new directions for infection control and antibiotic strategies.

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NASA announced that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered a new 29th satellite of Uranus, named S/2025 U1. The moon has an estimated diameter of 10 kilometres and orbits Uranus at a distance of about 56,000 kilometres. S/2025 U1 will receive an official name from the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in the future. Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun and the third-largest planet in the solar system. Uranus is an ice giant, composed mainly of hydrogen, helium, water, methane, and ammonia. Uranus now has 29 moons, with five major moons: Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon.

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CEREBO is a hand-held, portable, non-invasive brain injury diagnostic tool developed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Medical Device & Diagnostics Mission Secretariat (MDMS), AIIMS Bhopal, NIMHANS Bengaluru, and Bioscan Research. It is designed for Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) and detects intracranial bleeding and edema within a minute. The device is safe for infants and pregnant women and usable by paramedics and unskilled personnel. CEREBO provides colour-coded, radiation-free, cost-effective results where CT or MRI scans are inaccessible or delayed. It can be deployed in ambulances, trauma centres, rural clinics, and disaster response units.

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Turakapalem village in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, has seen 29 deaths due to Melioidosis. It is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei found in soil and water. The government has declared a public health emergency in the area. The disease is seasonal, with 75–85% of cases during the rainy season. It has a high case fatality rate (CFR) of 16% to 50% in endemic regions. Endemic areas include Southeast Asia, northern Australia, Indian subcontinent, southern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Currently, no vaccine is available, but early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

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Chinese researchers have developed a bone glue named Bone-02, unveiled on 10 September 2025 in Zhejiang Province. It can repair fractures and shattered bone fragments in just 3 minutes, even in blood-rich environments. The glue is bio-absorbable, removing the need for a second surgery to remove implants. It may replace metal implants like plates and screws used in conventional surgeries.

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Recently, Central University of Rajasthan (CUoR) conducted the first successful wheat cultivation in arid land using desert ‘soilification’ technology. The experiment aims to stop the expansion of western Rajasthan’s Thar desert towards the National Capital Region. Desert sand was converted into soil using polymers and indigenous bioformulation, enhancing water retention and soil structure. The project was supported by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and the State Horticulture Department. The experiment proves that even barren desert land can become productive with biotechnology.

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On the 10th National Ayurveda Day, the Ministry of Ayush inaugurated India’s first Integrative Oncology Research and Care Centre (IORCC) at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa. The IORCC is a first-of-its-kind centre combining Ayurveda, Yoga, Panchakarma, and modern oncology for holistic cancer care. The centre provides patient-centric rehabilitation aimed at reducing side effects, enhancing recovery, and improving quality of life. It is established in collaboration with Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) – Tata Memorial Centre. The facility will act as a hub for research, training, and clinical care in integrative oncology.

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In Punjab, incessant rainfall and floods stopped farmers from spraying anti-fungal medicines. This has led to the emergence of false smut disease, locally called haldi rog, in paddy crops. False smut is a major fungal disease of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens. The fungus attacks during the flowering stage, but symptoms appear after panicle emergence. Infected grains show black fungal growth, later covered with yellow fungal mass. It reduces seed germination and significantly lowers yield depending on infection level.

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A new analysis of NASA’s Cassini spacecraft data shows that Saturn’s moon Enceladus may support life. Cassini was a joint mission of NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), and Italian Space Agency (ASI). It was launched on October 15, 1997, to study Saturn and its moons in detail. The mission had NASA’s Cassini orbiter and ESA’s Huygens probe, which landed on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. Cassini studied Saturn’s atmosphere, rings, and magnetosphere, along with Titan’s surface and atmosphere. It provided key insights into Saturn’s cloud properties, ring composition, and planetary evolution.

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On October 12, 2025, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated newly developed pulse and barley varieties at the 118th All India Farmers Fair and Agricultural Industry Exhibition held at GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) in Uttarakhand. The varieties were developed by GBPUAT students to improve crop productivity and farmer income. Pant Urd-13 and Pant Urd-14 are improved urdbean (black gram) varieties with higher yield and better disease resistance. Pant Matar 554 is a high-yielding pea variety designed to enhance farmers’ earnings. Pant Jau 1106 is a new barley variety introduced to diversify crop options for farmers in the region.