Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The first annual review meeting of Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) 2.0 projects was held at SKUAST, Srinagar, Kashmir. RuTAG, launched in 2004 by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), supports rural development through Science & Technology interventions. It focuses on demand-driven solutions, addressing grassroots technology gaps, upgrading technology, and providing training and demonstrations. RuTAG 2.0, launched in 2023, aims to translate innovations into market-ready products. The initiative seeks to drive transformative changes in rural areas, ensuring sustainable development and empowering communities through accessible and impactful technologies.

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iHub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) at IIT Ropar launched the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Gateway and Node System under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems. It is a cost-effective system that connects Bluetooth-enabled sensors to cloud platforms. The system supports real-time data transmission and environmental monitoring. It enables advanced analytics across sectors like agriculture, logistics, and environmental resilience, offering efficient and seamless operation for various applications.

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African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious pig disease, has been reported in Kerala’s Kottayam district, prompting culling measures and infected zone declarations. ASF has a 100% mortality rate in pigs and is caused by a large, double-stranded DNA virus of the genus Asfivirus in the family Asfarviridae. The virus can survive long periods in pork and meat products but poses no risk to human health or food safety. ASF originated in sub-Saharan Africa and has spread to Asia and Europe; it was first confirmed in India in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in 2020. With no cure, vaccine, or prevention available, culling is the only effective control measure.

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India’s first analog space mission, named Hab-1, was tested in Ladakh to simulate space conditions for astronaut training. This mission is part of ISRO’s preparations for the Gaganyaan project, which aims to send astronauts into low-Earth orbit. Hab-1 is designed to replicate the limited living conditions expected on the Moon or Mars, featuring essential amenities like a kitchenette and a dry toilet. The extreme environment of Ladakh, with its rocky terrain and high altitude, provides an ideal setting for such simulations, helping to prepare astronauts for future missions.

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ISRO is set to launch 24 scientific experiments on the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) satellite under the SpaDeX Mission. The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) aims to develop autonomous space docking technology. The mission will use PSLV-C60 to demonstrate docking with two spacecraft: Chaser (SDX01) and Target (SDX02). This technology is vital for future lunar missions, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), and advanced space programs. The spacecraft will separate, align into the same orbit, and achieve docking to demonstrate power transfer before undocking for further operations. The mission’s orbit is 470 km at a 55-degree inclination.

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IIT Bombay developed a shockwave-based, needle-free syringe for painless drug delivery, reducing skin damage and infection risks. The syringe uses high-energy shockwaves to create a microjet of liquid drug that penetrates the skin without needles. It consists of a driver, driven section, and drug holder, powered by pressurized nitrogen gas. Effective in tests on rats, it showed deeper tissue penetration with minimal skin damage. The device supports over 1,000 uses, needing only nozzle replacements, making it cost-effective. It could accelerate immunization drives like Mission Indradhanush and lower risks of needle-related infections.

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Google launched the quantum processor ‘Willow,’ advancing quantum computing to solve practical problems. Willow has 105 physical qubits and operates at near absolute zero temperatures (-273.15°C). It features better error correction and faster performance than other quantum computers. The coherence time of Willow’s qubits is around 100 microseconds, improved by error correction. Willow’s architecture enables lower error rates with more qubits. It outperformed classical computers in testing, completing a Random Circuit Sampling task in minutes.

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China is experiencing an outbreak of respiratory infectious diseases, including rhinovirus and human metapneumovirus (HMPV). HMPV cases, especially among children under 14 in northern provinces, are rising. HMPV symptoms include cough, congestion, fever, fatigue, and breathing difficulties; it can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia in vulnerable groups. There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for HMPV; preventive measures like handwashing and avoiding contact are advised.

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Researchers from IIT Guwahati and Bose Institute, Kolkata, created an advanced injectable hydrogel for localized cancer treatment. The hydrogel acts as a stable reservoir, releasing anti-cancer drugs in a controlled way. It minimizes harm to healthy cells while targeting cancer effectively. The breakthrough is expected to revolutionize breast cancer therapy. The hydrogel is made from protein-based ultra-short peptides, stable at injection sites, and insoluble in body fluids. The peptides are biocompatible and biodegradable, ensuring safety and effectiveness.

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IIT-Madras has commissioned Asia’s largest shallow wave basin research facility at its Discovery campus in Thaiyur. The facility handles complex wave and current interactions, addressing challenges in Indian ports, waterways, and coastal engineering. Developed indigenously, it is supported by the National Technology Centre for Ports Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC). The facility can test coastal structures, post-impact analysis, solar floating plants, and climate change effects. It is equipped with a mobile wave maker, enabling multiple projects and international research collaborations. This facility strengthens IIT-Madras as a global leader in marine science and engineering.