Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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New research revealed the largest diphtheria outbreak in Western Europe in 70 years started in 2022. The outbreak mainly affected vulnerable groups like migrants and the homeless. Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacteria produces a toxin that attacks the respiratory tract and can spread through the body. Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. It can also spread by contact with infected open sores or ulcers on the skin.

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Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes sudden, involuntary movements or vocal sounds called tics. It usually starts between the ages of 2 and 15, with the average age of onset around six. It affects around 0.3% to 1% of the global population, as highlighted in recent reports. The condition is more common in boys than in girls. Tics can be mild or severe and may include blinking, jerking, or making sounds. In severe cases, it can impact speech, daily activities, and overall quality of life.

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Scientists using the Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor (CLASS) telescope have detected a faint 13-billion-year-old microwave signal. The Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor (CLASS) telescope is located in Chile’s Atacama Desert. The signal comes from the Cosmic Dawn, the era when the first stars, black holes, and galaxies formed. Cosmic Dawn occurred between 50 million and one billion years after the Big Bang. This discovery helps scientists understand how early stars affected the universe’s structure and temperature. The recent detection gives valuable clues about the universe’s formation and the role of early cosmic objects.

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The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) recently launched the ‘Samarth’ Incubation Program to support startups in the Telecom and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. C-DOT is an autonomous telecom research and development institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. The program offers financial grants, advanced technical resources, and expert guidance to help startups grow from idea stage to commercial success. It focuses on building sustainable and scalable business models.

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A recent genomic study revealed the spread of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus or RYMV across African rice ecosystems, posing a serious threat to rice production. Rice Yellow Mottle Virus is a plant virus that affects rice and some related grasses. It first appeared in the mid-1800s in the Eastern Arc Mountains, now in Tanzania, a region rich in biodiversity. It is mainly found in Africa and is present in most rice-growing countries on the continent.

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Recently, scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, developed a next-generation device that produces green hydrogen using only solar energy. Green hydrogen is a clean fuel that can help decarbonize industries, power vehicles, and store renewable energy, but producing it affordably at scale has been difficult. The CeNS device splits water molecules using earth-abundant materials without fossil fuels or expensive resources, making it sustainable and scalable.

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Recently, France’s national blood agency, the French Blood Establishment (EFS), discovered a new blood group system called “Gwada negative,” officially recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). It is scientifically named EMM-negative and registered as ISBT042. The name “Gwada negative” refers to the Guadeloupean origin of the woman who carries this rare blood type. This blood group is defined by the absence of the EMM antigen, a high-incidence antigen usually present in almost all humans.

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Recently, India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history by piloting the Axiom-4 mission aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. He became the first Indian in 41 years to cross the Kármán line after Rakesh Sharma’s spaceflight in 1984. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shukla and called him the first Indian en route to the International Space Station (ISS). This marks a major milestone for India in human spaceflight and international space collaboration.

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Recently, in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, the Prime Minister of India announced that India has been declared free of Trachoma, a bacterial eye disease. Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through contact with the eyes, eyelids, or throat secretions of infected people. The World Health Organization (WHO) calls it a neglected tropical disease, affecting around 150 million people worldwide. In 2017, India was declared free from infective Trachoma, with surveillance continuing until 2024.

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Recently, China successfully tested its Feitian 2 hypersonic vehicle. Feitian 2 can switch between propulsion modes during flight for better performance. The vehicle uses a kerosene-hydrogen peroxide fuel mix. This positions China strongly in the global hypersonic technology race. Feitian 2 has potential uses in defense and civilian sectors.