Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Russia is reportedly starting large-scale production of Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles. The Iskander (SS-26 Stone) is a road-mobile short-range ballistic missile system, first used in 2008 against Georgia. It is developed by Russia. It is designed for tactical strikes on small, high-value land targets. The missile is 7.3 meters long, weighs 3,750 kg, and has a 500 km range with a payload of 480-700 kg. It can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, travel at Mach 7, and reach over 30 miles in altitude. Equipped with decoys, maneuverable reentry, and self-targeting to bypass defense systems.

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The Supreme Court directed all States to address concerns on stockouts, procurement transparency, and drug quality of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) drugs for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). ART is a combination of medications that treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by reducing its levels in the body. HIV destroys CD4 cells (also called helper T-cells), weakening the immune system and increasing infection risk. ART cannot cure HIV but helps maintain a healthy immune system by preventing the virus from multiplying. A combination of two to four ART drugs improves effectiveness and reduces resistance. If viral load is low enough, HIV becomes undetectable in blood tests.

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The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) on Aditya-L1 detected an X6.3-class solar flare, a highly intense solar eruption. SUIT is a remote sensing payload on ISRO’s Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission. The mission was launched on September 2, 2023. Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) is developed by Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune with ISRO. SUIT captures full-disk and region-specific images of the Sun. It uses 11 calibrated filters across 200-400 nm wavelengths to study the Sun’s layers. It is positioned at Lagrange Point. It observes the Sun 24×7. SUIT studies solar atmosphere dynamics, focusing on jets, flares, filament evolution, and eruptions.

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IIT Bombay and Monash University, Australia, have developed a cost-effective sensor to detect toxic metals in water. The project received funding from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India. The sensor uses a copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF) called copper-tetra carboxyphenyl porphyrin (Cu-TCPP) for efficient detection. It can detect lead, cadmium, and mercury even in trace amounts. The MOF structure allows metal ion replacement without collapsing, improving detection capability. Tests on tap and lake water confirmed its accuracy. The sensor performs as well as or better than DNA-based sensors, with simpler design and efficiency.

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A global survey found that 56.6% of Indians aged 50+ know little about shingles, though over 90% have the virus. Shingles (herpes zoster) is a viral infection causing a painful rash or blisters, often in a band-like pattern. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox and can reactivate in adulthood. Shingles is not contagious, but the virus can spread to someone who never had chickenpox. Symptoms include pain, itching, fever, and fatigue. The Shingrix vaccine helps prevent shingles, and antiviral drugs can reduce its severity.

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Tanzania declared the end of its second Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak after 42 days with no new cases. MVD was first identified in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, when laboratory workers were exposed to infected green monkeys from Uganda. It is caused by the Marburg virus (MARV), a highly infectious RNA virus from the Filoviridae family, similar to Ebola. The African fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) is the natural reservoir of the virus, carrying it without symptoms.

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NASA reported that global sea levels rose faster than expected in 2024. The rise reached 0.59 cm per year, exceeding the expected 0.43 cm. The main causes are ocean warming, which leads to expansion, and meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets. In 2024, thermal expansion caused two-thirds of the rise, shifting from previous years when melting ice was the dominant factor. 2024 was the warmest year on record, with ocean levels at their highest in three decades. Since satellite monitoring began in 1993, global sea levels have risen by 10 cm, with the rate more than doubling.

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Drone Federation India (DFI) launch National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research (NIDAR) under the SwaYaan initiative to boost drone innovation. NIDAR aims to engage students and researchers in developing autonomous drones for real-world challenges. SwaYaan focuses on building human resources in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including drones. It was approved in July 2022. It targets training 42,560 participants through formal and non-formal programs to create a skilled drone workforce.

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IIT Guwahati developed India’s first VR-enabled metaverse platform for schools, called Gyandhara. Gyandhara provides an immersive and engaging learning experience. It helps students understand scientific and academic concepts that are difficult to grasp through traditional learning. The platform enhances education through virtual reality, making learning interactive and effective.

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Noma is a severe, gangrenous disease of the mouth and face, also called cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis. The World Health Organization classified it as a neglected tropical disease in December 2023. It mostly affects children aged 2–6 years suffering from malnutrition, infections, extreme poverty, poor oral health, or weakened immunity. It starts as a gum sore and rapidly destroys soft tissues, hard tissues, and facial skin. It is non-contagious and caused by polymicrobial organisms. Early treatment includes antibiotics, oral hygiene support, mouthwash, and nutrition supplements.