Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The U.S. military has relocated Typhon missile launchers within the Philippines to improve mobility and survivability amid tensions with China and Russia. Typhon, or the Mid-Range Capability (MRC), is a mobile, surface-to-surface missile system developed by Lockheed Martin, United States. It features a modular design and can fire multiple missile types, including the SM-6 (500 km range) and Tomahawk cruise missiles (2,500 km range). The SM-6 strikes air and surface targets, while the Tomahawk is effective for land-attack and anti-ship missions. A full Typhon system includes four launchers, a command post, and support vehicles on trailers.

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Paraquat, also called paraquat dichloride or methyl viologen, is a widely used herbicide. It controls weed growth and desiccates crops like cotton before harvest. The World Health Organization classifies it as a Category 2 chemical, meaning it is moderately hazardous and irritating. Paraquat is banned in over 70 countries, including China and the European Union, due to its high toxicity. Despite the bans, it is still widely used in the US and India. Recently, paraquat poisoning gained attention after being used in a high-profile murder case in Kerala.

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Chinese researchers developed a new voice-based method for early Alzheimer’s detection. The study was led by Prof. Li Hai at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain condition that causes memory loss and cognitive decline. It affects thinking, learning, and organizing skills over time. It is the most common type of dementia, making up 60-80% of cases. The disease impacts brain regions responsible for thought, memory, and language.

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WHO announced that Guinea has eliminated the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, as a public health problem. This is the first neglected tropical disease eliminated in Guinea. HAT is caused by tsetse fly bites and can lead to fatal neurological issues if untreated. Guinea’s HAT cases resurfaced in the 1990s, prompting the launch of a national control program in 2002. Key strategies included mass screenings, vector control, and insecticide-impregnated mini-screens from 2012.

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NASA is set to launch SPHEREx, a revolutionary space telescope, to explore the universe’s origins. It will cost $488 million, far less than the $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Unlike JWST, which zooms in on deep-space objects, SPHEREx will survey the entire sky in 102 infrared colors. The telescope will take 600 images daily, completing four full sky scans in 27 months. SPHEREx will map 450 million galaxies, revealing how the universe evolved after the Big Bang. It will also study 100 million Milky Way stars, tracing life’s building blocks in space.

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The US Navy successfully tested the High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) laser weapon on the USS Preble in 2024. HELIOS, developed by Lockheed Martin, can destroy targets (Hard Kill) or disable electronics (Soft Kill). It generates over 60 kilowatts of energy, with upgrades reaching 120 kilowatts. The test zapped an aerial drone, confirming operational capability. Lasers offer a cheaper alternative to missiles, crucial in regions facing drone and missile threats. Challenges include power supply, weather conditions, and system integration. The Navy plans to expand laser weapons, aiming for cost-effective and efficient defense.

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Satya Nadella discussed Jevons Paradox, noting AI efficiency may increase demand and make it a commodity. Jevons Paradox states that technological progress making a resource cheaper often leads to higher demand rather than reduced use. It was proposed by William Stanley Jevons in 1865. Jevons observed that technology improving coal efficiency led to more coal being used, not less. Technological progress satisfies needs that couldn’t be met before due to lack of technology.

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Pakistan’s space agency SUPARCO is collaborating with China for the Chang’e-8 lunar mission in 2028. A 35-kg indigenous Pakistani rover will explore the Moon’s south pole as part of the mission. Chang’e-8 is part of China’s International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) project and aims to test technologies for a lunar science base. The mission will conduct surveys, lunar sample analysis, and resource utilization experiments. China has allocated 200 kg of payload capacity for international participation. This follows Pakistan’s iCube Qamar CubeSat launch on China’s Chang’e-6 mission in May 2024.

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NASA will launch the Pandora mission in 2025 to study the atmospheres of distant exoplanets. It will focus on clouds, hazes, and water, key factors for habitability. Pandora aims to fill gaps left by existing telescopes like James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), focusing on planetary transits to improve exoplanet models. The mission will explore planetary formation, evolution, and habitability. Pandora will use a specialized telescope to study light interactions with atmospheric particles, enhancing knowledge of planetary climates and chemistry.

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Measles, a highly contagious virus, is resurging in the U.S., especially in Texas, due to low vaccination rates and international travel. It is an airborne disease caused by a paramyxovirus, spreading through direct contact and the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract and can cause severe complications and death. Symptoms start with high fever for 4-7 days, followed by cough, runny nose, red eyes, and white spots in the mouth. A rash appears on the face and neck, then spreads to the whole body, lasting around five to six days before fading.