Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Russia announced plans to launch the Venera-D mission to revisit Venus before 2036. Preliminary design work will begin in January 2026 under the new national space programme. The mission is being developed in collaboration with the Lavochkin Association. It will include a lander, a balloon probe, and an orbital spacecraft for comprehensive study of Venus. The design phase will take two years to complete. The launch is expected between 2034 and 2036, with the exact date decided after the design phase.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, are developing a nanotechnology-based tool for early detection of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a rapidly growing neurological disorder in India, often diagnosed after significant neurodegeneration. The team focused on α-synuclein, a protein that changes from harmless to toxic forms, damaging brain cells. They created gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), ultrasmall particles coated with amino acids to selectively bind normal or toxic protein forms. The tool enables early-stage detection, improving treatment, quality of life, and reducing healthcare costs.

Notes:
Gaza has recently reported a surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), raising health concerns. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system controls muscle movement, pain, temperature, and touch sensations. It is also called Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP). It commonly affects people between 30 and 50 years of age. It usually follows viral or bacterial infections, vaccination, or surgery.

Notes:
Israeli defense technology firm Elbit Systems recently launched its advanced JUPITER space camera aboard the National Advanced Optical System (NAOS) satellite. The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. JUPITER supports military operations, environmental monitoring, scientific research, and wide-span observation missions. It features a large aperture, lightweight design, high-resolution panchromatic channel for black-and-white imaging, and a Near Infrared (NIR) channel for vegetation, water, and material analysis. The camera can capture continuous long image strips covering large areas efficiently.

Notes:
A team of Indian and international researchers has discovered a new diatom species named Climaconeis heteropolaris in Udupi estuarine waters. It was found where the Sita and Swarna rivers meet before entering the Arabian Sea, Karnataka. Diatoms are photosynthetic, single-celled microscopic algae forming a key part of phytoplankton. They are found in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and oceans worldwide. Some float freely in water, while others attach to plants, rocks, or sediments as benthic diatoms. Diatoms produce oxygen, support aquatic life, and generate up to 50% of global atmospheric oxygen annually. They are vital in nutrient cycling of both marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Notes:
Cholesterol, a fat-like substance, can control the spin of electrons, a quantum property crucial for next-generation spintronic devices. Spintronics uses electron spin to develop energy-efficient electronics and bioelectronic devices. Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), developed cholesterol-based nanomaterials for spintronic and quantum applications. Cholesterol’s intrinsic handedness (chirality) and flexibility allow precise control over molecular properties. This innovation could enable energy-efficient memory chips and greener quantum technologies.

Notes:
Researchers at Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, developed a multifunctional wound-healing pad. The pad is based on the red ivy plant, locally called murikooti pacha, scientifically Strobilanthes alternata of the Acanthaceae family. Scientists at the Centre of Excellence in Phytochemical Nanotechnology of JNTBGRI isolated a new molecule, acteoside, from red ivy for the first time. Acteoside shows high efficacy even at 0.2% concentration and is the key ingredient in the pad. The pad uses electro-spun nanofiber layers made from biodegradable, non-toxic, FDA-approved polymers. Red ivy has long been used in traditional medicine for treating cuts and wounds.

Notes:
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (AHEL) launched Apollo Athenaa, Asia’s first dedicated cancer centre for women, at Defence Colony, New Delhi. The centre was inaugurated by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with Dr. Prathap C Reddy and Preetha Reddy of Apollo Hospitals Group. GLOBOCAN 2022 data shows 54% of cancers in Indian women are breast and cervical, highlighting urgent need for specialised care. The centre provides services like preventive screenings, advanced diagnostics, surgical oncology, breast oncoplasty, fertility preservation, reconstructive care, onco-psychology, nutrition, physiotherapy, and palliative care.

Notes:
A viral infection called Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is spreading rapidly among children in Delhi and Haryana, prompting advisories. It is a highly contagious illness caused by a virus. It causes blister-like rashes on hands and feet, painful mouth sores, and sometimes rashes on chest, back, arms, legs, genitals, and buttocks. It mostly affects infants and children under 5 years, spreading quickly in schools and daycare. It is different from foot-and-mouth disease in animals, caused by a different virus. Transmission happens through unwashed hands, saliva, mucus, feces, or blister fluid. No cure or vaccine exists; recovery usually takes 7–10 days with basic care. Complications are rare, but children under 2 may take longer to recover.