Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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IIT-Madras researchers have extracted silicon carbide (SiC) from simulated moon soil, aiding future lunar habitat construction. Silicon carbide (SiC), also called carborundum, is a synthetic crystalline compound of silicon and carbon. It is extremely hard, has high thermal conductivity, and offers excellent resistance to wear, oxidation, and chemical reactions.

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ISRO successfully launched the navigation satellite NVS-02 on January 29 aboard GSLV-F15 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota. This was ISRO’s historic 100th launch, marking a major milestone. GSLV-F15 used an indigenous cryogenic stage to place the satellite in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). This was the 17th flight of the GSLV series and the 11th using ISRO’s cryogenic engine. NVS-02 will replace IRNSS-1E and enhance India’s navigation capabilities.

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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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Pune district in Maharashtra is the worst-hit region for Zika virus in India, with 125 out of 151 cases reported in 2024. Maharashtra recorded 140 cases, followed by Karnataka (10) and Gujarat (1). The Zika virus is spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which also transmit dengue and yellow fever. It can cause microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. The virus was discovered in the Zika Forest, Uganda (1947), and the first human case was reported in 1952. A major Zika outbreak occurred in Brazil (2015).

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Researchers have developed a self-actuating drug delivery system for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It releases therapeutic agents only when needed by targeting inflammation in joints. RA is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy cells, mainly affecting joints in hands, wrists, and knees. Symptoms include chronic pain, joint damage, unsteadiness, and deformity; it can also affect organs like the lungs, heart, and eyes. The system uses microspheres loaded with methotrexate, a common anti-rheumatic drug. It includes polymer-lipid hybrid micro-composites, ensuring high drug efficiency and responsiveness to inflammation-related enzymes.

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Astronomers discovered Gaia BH3, a massive black hole close to Earth, using the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Gaia telescope. Gaia Mission, launched in 2013, aims to create the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way, surveying 1% of its 100 billion stars. It orbits the Sun at Lagrange Point 2 (1.5 million km from Earth), avoiding atmospheric distortion. Gaia scans the sky every two months using two telescopes. It helps detect exoplanets, main belt asteroids, and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) by tracking stellar movements and brightness changes.

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Engineers in Japan activated Reimei, the world’s first hybrid quantum supercomputer. It features a 20-qubit quantum processor integrated into Fugaku, the world’s sixth-fastest supercomputer. Unlike most quantum computers, Reimei uses trapped-ion qubits, which isolate charged atoms in an electromagnetic ion trap and use lasers for precise control. This hybrid system aims to handle complex calculations beyond traditional supercomputers. It is expected to advance research in physics and chemistry.

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IIT Guwahati researchers have developed a water-repellent, conductive textile that converts electricity and sunlight into heat to keep wearers warm in extreme cold. It helps prevent blood clotting, breathing issues, and weak immunity caused by prolonged cold exposure. The textile is made by spraying ultra-thin silver nanowires onto cotton fabric, making it lightweight, flexible, and durable. A lotus leaf-inspired coating makes it waterproof, stain-resistant, and oxidation-proof, ensuring long-lasting performance. It maintains 40°C-60°C for 10+ hours using a battery or solar energy.

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Meta introduced Project Waterworth, the world’s longest undersea cable system. It spans 50,000 km, connecting the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other regions. The cable reaches depths of up to 7,000 meters in deep waters. Advanced burial methods will protect it in high-risk coastal areas. It strengthens global digital connectivity by opening three new oceanic corridors. The project enhances economic cooperation, digital inclusion, and internet reliability worldwide.

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NASA is preparing for the PUNCH mission, a first-of-its-kind solar mission to study the solar atmosphere. PUNCH (Polarimetry to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) will be launched by SpaceX. It consists of four suitcase-sized satellites, each weighing 64 kg, placed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The mission will use three Wide Field Imagers and one Narrow Field Imager to capture polarised and unpolarised images. It will provide 3D measurements of the corona and solar wind using light polarisation. The data will help improve space weather predictions and protect space missions. The mission is expected to last two years.