Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The 45th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) took place in Busan, South Korea, marking the country’s first hosting of this global conference. Attracting 3,000 participants from 60 nations, the event highlighted South Korea’s dedication to space exploration and international collaboration. Distinguished attendees included leaders from major space agencies, underscoring the significance of global interest in advancing space research and ambitious future projects.

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Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), inaugurated the Centre of Excellence on “Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G” at IITM Research Park, Chennai. This Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE)-India sub-centre aims to advance 6G technology with unprecedented speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced connectivity. It will unite academic and industry experts to innovate and shape global 6G standards and infrastructure. A workshop will foster collaboration on 6G R&D proposals.

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Brazil recently reported the world’s first death due to the Oropouche virus. This virus, a segmented single-stranded RNA virus, circulates in Central and South America and the Caribbean. It is primarily transmitted to humans through the Culicoides paraensis midge or Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, found in forested areas and near water bodies. Symptoms are similar to dengue, including fever, headache, joint stiffness, pain, and nausea. There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the virus. Currently, no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine exists for Oropouche virus disease.

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World Lung Cancer Day, observed on August 1st, raises awareness about lung cancer, highlighting its impact and educating the public on risks, symptoms, and treatments. The day advocates for early detection, better treatment options, and more research funding. This year’s theme, “Close the Care Gap: Everyone Deserves Access to Cancer Care,” emphasizes the need for equitable healthcare access for all cancer patients.

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Sucralose, a no-calorie artificial sweetener made from table sugar (sucrose), has been found to have no adverse impact on glucose or HbA1c levels and may even improve body mass index (BMI). It’s approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar and exceptionally stable. Most consumed sucralose (85%) passes through the body unchanged while the remaining 15% absorbed sucralose gets excreted quickly in urine without providing any calories.

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Bihar police recently seized 50 grams of californium, a highly radioactive element. Californium is a synthetic, silvery-white metal with atomic number 98, first synthesized in 1950 at the University of California, Berkeley. It is not naturally occurring and is produced by bombarding curium with helium ions. It is known for its intense radioactivity. Californium is valuable but hazardous. It is used in starting nuclear reactors, detecting metal fatigue in airplanes, and treating certain cancers. Californium’s isotopes include Cf-251, the most stable with a half-life of 898 years, and is used in various industrial and scientific applications.

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Sweden reported its first case of the dangerous Clade 1b variant of mpox, which has been causing a severe outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo since September 2023. The case was confirmed in Stockholm and contracted during a visit to Africa. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the risk of transmission in Sweden as very low due to the country’s high vaccination rate against mpox.

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A research team at Central University of Kerala, led by Dr. Ravi Kumar Kanaparthi, developed an advanced cyanide sensor to improve safety in drinking water and food. Cyanide is a dangerous toxin found in certain plants and foods like cassava, almonds, and apple seeds, and the WHO recommends keeping its concentration below 0.19 mg/L in drinking water. Recent cyanide poisoning incidents, like the death of 13 cows in Idukki, highlight the need for effective detection. The sensor changes color from yellow to colorless or bluish-green in the presence of cyanide, allowing for easy and accurate detection.

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India will train healthcare professionals to use the BPalM regimen for treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The BPalM regimen includes bedaquiline, pretomanid, linezolid, and moxifloxacin. Recommended by WHO in 2022, it’s already available in nearly 40 countries. The BPalM regimen is more effective, has fewer side effects, and shortens treatment time from 18-24 months to six months. It also helps prevent TB transmission, making it crucial for India’s goal to eliminate TB by 2025, as the country has 27% of global TB cases.

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An international group has proposed a lunar time standard to address time discrepancies on the Moon due to its unique gravity. Atomic clocks, crucial for precision in GPS, telecom, and research, are the most accurate timekeeping devices. These clocks measure time using the stable resonant frequencies of atoms like cesium-133. One second is defined by the vibration of a cesium atom 9,192,631,770 times. Atomic clocks work by introducing a microwave signal to cesium atoms, detecting emitted radiation, and adjusting timekeeping for continuous precision.