Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The new COVID variant, XEC, first detected in Germany in August 2024, is a recombinant variant formed by the fusion of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. It has shown a growth advantage over other variants and is spreading rapidly, with cases reported in 27 countries. XEC is expected to become the dominant variant globally due to its genetic similarities and mutations that enhance its ability to bind to human cells.

Notes:
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope shared a video of the spiral galaxy Caldwell 45 (NGC 5248). Spiral galaxies are collections of stars and gas, featuring spiral arms extending from their center. These galaxies contain young, hot stars and are known for their beautiful shapes. Around 60% of discovered galaxies are spiral, including the Milky Way. Spiral galaxies have a central bulge surrounded by a flat, rotating disk of stars. They are distinct from elliptical and irregular galaxies.

Notes:
The FDA has approved Cobenfy, an oral medication by Bristol Myers Squibb, for treating schizophrenia in adults. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder affecting thoughts, emotions, and social interactions. It primarily impacts young adults, with about 1 in 100 people affected, and men are twice as likely to develop it as women. Symptoms include psychotic (hallucinations, delusions), negative (loss of motivation, social withdrawal), and cognitive (attention and memory problems). While there’s no cure, antipsychotic medications and psychological therapies can effectively reduce symptoms and improve function.

Notes:
ESA will launch a satellite called DRACO (Destructive Reentry Assessment Container Object) mission in 2027 to study satellite disintegration during reentry. DRACO aims to help reduce space debris by collecting data on how satellites break apart. The mission will also study the environmental impact of reentry, including material interactions with the atmosphere.Deimos, a European company, will build the 200-kilogram satellite. DRACO will carry a 40-centimetre capsule with cameras and sensors to record data during reentry. The capsule will parachute down after reentry, sending crucial information before being lost at sea.

Notes:
Tsetse flies, genus Glossina, are found in 34 African countries, according to a new atlas by FAO. These blood-sucking insects give birth to larvae that pupate in the soil. Tsetse flies are classified into three groups: fusca (forest), morsitans (savanna), and palpalis (riverine). They inhabit areas along rivers, lakes, and dense forests, including rainforests. They transmit Trypanosoma parasites, causing sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in livestock. Nagana leads to billions of dollars in agricultural losses annually. Tsetse flies range from Northern Senegal to South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal province.

Notes:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. India is the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone. Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis and affects the eyes. It spreads through contact with secretions from the eyes, eyelids, nose, or throat of infected individuals. If untreated, it can lead to irreversible blindness. It primarily affects communities in poor environmental conditions, with 150 million people worldwide at risk, including 6 million who are blind.

Notes:
As Ukraine seeks Taurus missiles to counter Russia, the South Korean Air Force conducted a live fire drill with the German-origin Taurus missile. The Taurus missile is a precision-guided, long-range air-to-surface cruise missile developed in the mid-1990s by German and Swedish companies. It can strike stationary and semi-stationary targets with high accuracy. Weighing 1,400 kg and about 5.1 meters long, it can be launched from various platforms. The missile is powered by a turbofan engine, achieving subsonic speeds and good fuel efficiency.

Notes:
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud discussed nemaline myopathy, a genetic condition affecting his foster daughters. Nemaline myopathy, or rod myopathy, is a rare congenital disorder that weakens skeletal muscles. The condition is named after “nemaline,” referring to thread-like structures found in the muscle cells of affected individuals. It is a rare disorder, occurring in approximately 1 in 50,000 births. Symptoms include muscle weakness in the face, neck, and trunk, and difficulties in feeding and breathing. Diagnosis often involves painful procedures like muscle biopsies. While there is no cure, treatments such as physical therapy and respiratory support can help manage symptoms, underscoring the need for better awareness and medical resources in India.

Notes:
A Mumbai court ordered an ossification test to determine if a suspect in a political leader’s murder case is a minor. An ossification test analyzes bones to estimate age using x-rays of specific bones like the clavicle, sternum, and pelvis. These bones are chosen because they undergo significant changes as a person matures. For example, the clavicle fuses at certain growth stages, indicating age. The test is often used in forensic science and legal cases to establish age. It can also assess skeletal maturity in children with growth disorders.

Notes:
The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme. It aims to support over 400 planned lunar missions by space agencies and private companies in the next 20 years. The Moonlight programme will deploy a constellation of about five lunar satellites. These satellites will provide accurate autonomous landings, high-speed communication, and surface mobility on the Moon. The satellites will enable data transfer over a distance of 4,00,000 km (2,50,000 miles) between Earth and the Moon.