Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Research on biosurfactants in food industries highlights challenges in their large-scale commercialization. Biosurfactants are surface-active molecules produced by microorganisms, either on their surface or secreted. They help microorganisms attach or detach from surfaces, regulate bacterial movement, and quorum sensing. These eco-friendly molecules are stable across various pH, temperature, and salinity, making them suitable for food use. They are used in bakeries, salad dressings, and for removing heavy metals from vegetables. Biosurfactants can also serve as natural antioxidants in food products to prevent spoilage.

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ESA’s Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) has completed a unique lunar-Earth flyby to gain momentum for its journey to Venus and then Jupiter. The mission explores Jupiter and its moons: Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede, which might have conditions that support life. JUICE, launched in 2023 by the European Space Agency (ESA), is expected to reach Jupiter by 2031 after an eight-year journey. This mission marks the first-ever lunar-Earth flyby combined with a double gravity assist maneuver.

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India celebrated its first National Space Day on August 23, 2024. This day marks the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram Lander on the Moon’s southern polar region. India is the first country to land in this uncharted region and the fourth overall to achieve a lunar landing. The theme for the celebration is “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga.”

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A person in New Hampshire, USA, recently died after contracting the rare Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus. EEE is a rare but serious and often fatal infection caused by the EEE virus, leading to brain inflammation (encephalitis). EEEV can infect various animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The virus spreads to humans and horses through the bite of infected mosquitoes that feed on both birds and mammals. EEE cases are rare in humans but can cause severe illness. Symptoms can include headaches, high fever, chills, vomiting, disorientation, seizures, and coma, with a 30% fatality rate.

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A Soyuz spacecraft carrying two Russians and an American recently docked at the International Space Station (ISS). The Soyuz is a Russian spacecraft and the longest-running human spacecraft program in history. It transports cosmonauts and astronauts to and from the ISS, weighing 7 tonnes, and can carry three people. It also brings supplies like food and water. One Soyuz remains docked at the ISS as an emergency escape pod. The spacecraft has three modules: the Orbital Module for crew living, the Descent Module for safe reentry, and a third for life support. The Soyuz rocket launches the capsule, which reaches space in nine minutes.

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The Square Kilometer Array (SKA), the world’s largest radio telescope, has started its first observations, marking partial functionality. SKA is an international mega science project aiming to build the most sensitive radio telescope to explore advanced scientific goals. It is located in Australia (SKA-Low) and South Africa (SKA-Mid), with its operational headquarters in the UK. SKA-Low in Australia consists of 1,31,072 antennas, each two meters tall, and operates in the 50-350 MHz frequency range. SKA-Mid in South Africa includes 197 large parabolic dish antennas and works in the 350 MHz – 15.4 GHz range, offering the largest observational bandwidth.

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Recently, six people have died in Rwanda due to a Marburg virus outbreak. Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates. MVD is caused by the Marburg virus, similar to the Ebola virus, both from the Filoviridae family. The virus was first identified in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, linked to infected green monkeys. The African fruit bat is the reservoir host, and transmission occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids.

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Researchers at IIT Madras have discovered a new method to treat retinal tears and diabetic retinopathy using mild laser-induced convection to improve drug delivery into the retina. They conducted simulations to study different treatment types, focusing on heat and mass transfer. This innovative approach could benefit around 11 million people in India with retinal disorders. Currently, laser-based techniques are employed to treat conditions like retinal tears, diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion.

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Scientists found carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on Pluto’s largest moon, Charon. Charon is half the size of Pluto, measuring 1,214 km across, discovered in 1978. It’s named after the ferryman of dead souls in Greek mythology. Charon’s mass is over one-tenth of Pluto’s, and the two form a double dwarf planet system. The distance between Pluto and Charon is 19,640 km. Both bodies are tidally locked, always facing each other in same side. Charon completes one orbit of Pluto in 6.4 Earth days.

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SpaceX achieved a milestone by landing its Starship rocket using the “Mechazilla” structure. Mechazilla is a 400-ft rocket-catching structure at SpaceX’s Starbase. It has two large mechanical arms, called “chopsticks,” to catch the returning Super Heavy booster midair. After launch, the booster separates, descends with controlled thrusters, and is caught by Mechazilla’s arms. This method enables reusable and efficient rocket recovery. It reduces launch costs and boosts sustainability by allowing quick refurbishment and reuse of the booster.