Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease shortly after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, passed away from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). HPS is a rare infectious disease that starts with flu-like symptoms and can cause severe lung and heart issues. It is mainly transmitted by rodents through airborne particles from their urine, droppings, or saliva. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, and abdominal issues, with a 38% mortality rate if respiratory problems develop. There is no specific treatment, but early medical care can improve survival chances.

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A study in Odisha found that melioidosis cases peak during and after the monsoon season. Melioidosis is a bacterial disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, which lives in soil and surface water in tropical and subtropical regions. It is endemic in Southeast Asia, northern Australia, the Indian subcontinent, and parts of China. Also known as Whitmore’s disease, it has a high Case Fatality Rate (16%-50%). It spreads through contact with contaminated soil, air, or water.

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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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The Government of India launched the BioSaarthi initiative to help Indian biotech startups grow in domestic and global markets. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled the initiative in New Delhi on 21 March 2025. The event marked the 13th Foundation Day of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). The Minister also released the “India Bioeconomy Report 2025.” It connects startups with experienced mentors, including Indian diaspora experts. The initiative aims to boost innovation, industry-academia collaboration, and global success for Indian biotech startups.

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Researchers in Sweden have discovered a new type of magnetism called altermagnetism. It combines the properties of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets in one material. Conventional magnets like iron and nickel rely on aligned spins, while antiferromagnets cancel magnetic forces. Altermagnets have zero net magnetization like antiferromagnets but also show spin splitting like ferromagnets. They can increase the speed of memory devices and improve the efficiency of electronic systems.

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On March 22, 2025, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe reached 6 million km from the Sun, setting a new record for the closest spacecraft approach. It was launched on August 12, 2018, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It aims to study the Sun’s corona, solar wind, and magnetic field. The probe follows a highly elliptical orbit, using Venus’ gravity to move closer to the Sun. It is the fastest human-made object, reaching speeds of 692,000 km/hr. It will ultimately come within 6.16 million km of the Sun, about seven times closer than any previous spacecraft.

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The Euclid Space Telescope captured images of galaxies in different shapes. Named after ancient Greek mathematician Euclid, it is part of ESA’s Cosmic Vision Programme. It was launched by SpaceX Falcon 9. Its operational lifespan is at least 6 years. It is positioned 1.5 million km above Earth at the Lagrange Point 2 (L2). It is 4.7 meters tall and 3.7 meters in diameter, with image quality four times sharper than ground-based telescopes. Its mission includes studying dark energy, dark matter, and the universe’s large-scale structure in 3D.

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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) raised concerns over the economic viability of GSAT-18 due to underutilisation of six transponders until 2027. The committee recommended that the Department of Space exercise greater financial prudence in satellite projects using public funds. A revenue loss of ₹117 crore was reported due to idle transponders. GSAT-18 is a communication satellite launched by ISRO on October 5, 2016. It was launched using the Ariane-5 VA-231 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, with a liftoff weight of 3,404 kg. The satellite has a 15-year mission life (until 2032) and was injected into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

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The Government of India will establish the Second National Gene Bank to conserve 10 lakh crop germplasm for future food and nutritional security. This initiative is part of the “Investing in Innovations” theme of Union Budget 2025-26. A Gene Bank stores seeds, pollen, and plant tissues to protect plant species, aid crop breeding, and ensure biodiversity conservation. India’s First National Gene Bank was established in 1996 by Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi. It is the second-largest Gene Bank globally, housing 4,71,561 accessions of 2,157 species.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) could help speed up the diagnosis of Coeliac Disease, an inherited autoimmune disorder. It is caused by an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Eating gluten triggers intestinal damage, leading to malabsorption of nutrients. Symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating, and anemia. In children, it can affect growth and development. 1 in 10 people with a first-degree relative having the disease are at risk. 1 in 100 people worldwide are affected. The only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet.