Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The ISRO mission that successfully germinated lobia seeds (also known as cowpea seeds) in space is called the “CROPS” experiment, which stands for “Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies”. The seeds sprouted on the fourth day, with leaves visible by the fifth day, marking a major milestone in space research. The experiment aims to develop sustainable food sources for long-term space missions and test plant growth in microgravity and controlled environments. Success supports astronauts by enabling food growth, oxygen generation, and CO₂ recycling in space. It highlights India’s capability in managing complex life-support systems and contributes to global space farming initiatives.

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India has joined the Eurodrone programme as an observer state. Eurodrone, a twin-turboprop UAV, is designed for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) missions. It has a payload capacity of 2.3 tonnes, endurance of up to 40 hours, and operates in diverse environments, including severe weather. Conceived in 2022, it passed its preliminary design review in 2024 and aims to enter service by 2030. The drone supports ISTAR, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and airborne early warning missions. Eurodrone is Europe’s effort for collective defense, reducing reliance on US and Israeli platforms. The members are Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

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China has developed DeepSeek AI models named DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1 These models compete with ChatGPT and other leading AI systems DeepSeek is a free AI-powered chatbot created by Chinese entrepreneur Liang Wenfeng It was built at a lower cost than OpenAI models as it uses fewer advanced chips DeepSeek-R1 is trained on accurate sources but includes a censorship layer It outperforms AI models from Google Meta and Anthropic in quality DeepSeek is faster than GPT-4 and better at understanding regional idioms and cultural contexts

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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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World Leprosy Day is observed on January 30 to raise awareness and remove misconceptions about leprosy. Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infection caused by the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria, affecting skin and nerves. If untreated, it leads to permanent disabilities and social stigma. Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease affecting over 120 countries, with 200,000 new cases annually. It spreads through prolonged close contact with untreated cases, not through casual contact.

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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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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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The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid space telescope discovered a rare Einstein ring around the galaxy NGC 6505. NGC 6505 is an elliptical galaxy located 590 million light-years away in the Draco constellation. The discovery is considered extraordinary, especially for Euclid’s early data. An Einstein ring is a circular light ring formed due to gravitational lensing by a galaxy, dark matter, or a galaxy cluster.

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Uganda and WHO confirmed an outbreak of Sudan Virus Disease (SVD). It is a viral hemorrhagic fever, related to Ebola, caused by the Sudan virus (SUDV). It was first identified in Sudan in 1976. It exists in animal reservoirs in the region. It has a high fatality rate and spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. Symptoms start with fever, fatigue, and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and bleeding. There are no approved treatments or vaccines, but early supportive care improves survival chances.

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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.