1. What is the primary function of newly discovered type of brain cells named Ovoid?
[A] To play a role in recognition memory
[B] To regulate blood flow in the brain
[C] To enhance sensory perception
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To play a role in recognition memory]
Notes:
Researchers discovered a new type of brain cell called Ovoid cells. These neurons help in recognition memory by differentiating between new and familiar objects. They are named for their egg-like shape and are found in the hippocampus of humans, mice, and other animals. Ovoid cells activate when encountering something new, triggering memory storage. This discovery could help treat brain conditions like Alzheimer’s, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Epilepsy.
2. Which country has developed Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) fusion energy reactor?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] India
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) reactor set a world record by sustaining plasma for 1,066 seconds at 100 million degrees Celsius. EAST is crucial for advancing nuclear fusion research, aiming to provide clean, sustainable energy. It is a superconducting tokamak, a donut-shaped reactor developed by China for controlled nuclear fusion. EAST is the only tokamak in the world using both toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields for plasma confinement.
3. What type of disorder is Parkinson’s disease (PD) that was recently seen in news?
[A] Neurodegenerative
[B] Cardiovascular
[C] Autoimmune
[D] Metabolic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Neurodegenerative]
Notes:
A study identified 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-OHC), a cholesterol metabolite, as a key factor in Parkinson’s disease progression. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement. It weakens and damages nerve cells, leading to tremors, stiffness, and balance issues. As it worsens, patients struggle with walking, talking, and daily tasks. The disease mainly affects the substantia nigra, a brain region producing dopamine.
4. Which country has identified a new bat coronavirus named HKU5-CoV-2?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] Australia
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
Scientists at Wuhan Institute of Virology, China, discovered a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2. The virus shares similarities with SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to human ACE2 receptors, but its ability to spread among humans is uncertain. The virus belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, related to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), but its severity in humans remains unknown.
5. Who has become the first person with a physical disability to take part in a mission to the International Space Station?
[A] Nicholas Patrick
[B] Richard Peake
[C] John McFall
[D] Richard Garriott
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [John McFall]
Notes:
John McFall has become the first person with a physical disability to be medically certified for a long-duration mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The European Space Agency (ESA) approved his selection, marking a historic milestone in inclusive space exploration. McFall, a former Paralympian, lost his right leg at 19 in a motorcycle accident. He won bronze in the 100m sprint at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
6. Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), that was recently seen in news, is primarily used for which disease?
[A] Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
[B] Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
[C] Hepatitis
[D] COVID-19
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)]
Notes:
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.
7. Which institution has developed the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune
[C] Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune]
Notes:
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.
8. What is the primary objective of the Blue Ghost mission?
[A] To enhance understanding of the lunar environment
[B] To analyze the atmospheres of exoplanets
[C] To investigate Jupiter’s moon Europa
[D] To study the inner heliosphere and the solar wind
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To enhance understanding of the lunar environment]
Notes:
Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully landed in the Mare Crisium region of the Moon after a controlled descent. It carries 10 NASA payloads under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to boost private-sector lunar exploration. The mission aims to study the lunar environment, using a vacuum for soil collection and a drill measuring temperatures up to 3 meters deep. It will analyze heat flow, plume-surface interactions, and the Moon’s magnetic and electric fields to understand its geological history. The lander will function for 14 Earth days to conduct scientific studies and tech demonstrations.
9. Which country recently deployed a powerful Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) near the Myanmar border?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Thailand
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
China deployed a powerful Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) in Yunnan province near the China-Myanmar border. It has a surveillance range of over 5,000 km, covering the Indian Ocean and deep into Indian territory. It can detect and track ballistic missile launches in real time. Unlike traditional radars, it uses electronically controlled antennas for instant scanning. It can track multiple targets, including ballistic missiles, with high precision. LPARs play a key role in early warning systems and air defense networks.
10. 75/25 Initiative, that was recently seen in news, was launched on which day?
[A] World Health Day 2024
[B] World Diabetes Day 2023
[C] World Hypertension Day 2023
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [World Hypertension Day 2023]
Notes:
The 75/25 initiative has reached 89.7% of its goal, providing hypertension treatment to 42.01 million people and diabetes treatment to 25.27 million. It was launched on World Hypertension Day 2023. It aims to provide standardized care to 75 million individuals by December 2025. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) play a key role in delivering treatment. The initiative follows strategies under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). It focuses on improving healthcare access and managing lifestyle diseases effectively.