Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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A recent study found that kidlins, adapter proteins in cell membranes, could offer a new cancer treatment pathway. The Kindlin family, with three distinct members, transfers mechanical cues to biochemical signals, interacting with structural proteins and receptors. Mutations in these proteins, caused by carcinogens like nicotine and UV rays, can disrupt cell signaling and mechanical homeostasis, affecting the body’s balance and function.

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Researchers have recently identified a new clade of Candida auris, increasing the total number to six globally. Candida auris is a multi-drug-resistant fungal pathogen that can cause a range of infections, from skin infections to severe, life-threatening bloodstream infections. It was first identified in Japan. It spreads mainly in healthcare settings through contaminated surfaces or person-to-person contact. The fungus can either colonize parts of the body without symptoms or cause serious infections if it enters the bloodstream or wounds.

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Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum ones, can disrupt gut bacteria, causing dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is an imbalance in the microbiome, the community of microorganisms in our body. A balanced microbiome has diverse microorganisms without any dominating. Dysbiosis occurs when this balance is lost, affecting how microorganisms function in the body. It typically happens in the gastrointestinal tract due to infections, antibiotics, or diet. Dysbiosis increases vulnerability to infections and disrupts the microbiome’s essential functions.

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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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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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Kerala is experiencing a surge in Leptospirosis cases, affecting nearly all districts. Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called leptospires, which are transmitted from animals to humans. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to humans, typically through cuts or abrasions on the skin. Human-to-human transmission is very rare. This disease is common in tropical and subtropical regions with high rainfall. To manage the outbreak, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a Programme for Prevention and Control of Leptospirosis.

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The Union Health Ministry recently introduced the BPaLM regimen for treating Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) under the National TB Elimination Program. The BPaLM regimen combines four drugs: Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and optionally Moxifloxacin. Pretomanid is a new anti-TB drug approved for use in India. The regimen is safer, more effective, and patient-friendly compared to traditional treatments. It is an all-oral treatment with fewer side effects and a shorter duration of just six months, compared to the previous 20-month treatments for drug-resistant TB.

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WHO released its first-ever guidance to address antibiotic pollution from manufacturing processes, a major factor in the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) crisis. Wastewater from antibiotic manufacturing contains residues that pollute water bodies and land, contributing to AMR. Currently, antibiotic pollution from manufacturing is mostly unregulated, and quality standards do not address environmental emissions. AMR occurs when pathogens no longer respond to medicines, a natural process accelerated by overuse of antimicrobials. The rise of “superbugs” worsens healthcare, particularly for patients with multiple diseases.

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Indian scientists have developed a sustainable pheromone dispenser that allows controlled release, potentially reducing pest control costs. Pheromones are chemical substances secreted by an individual and detected by others of the same species, particularly in bodily secretions like sweat. They are categorized as ecto-hormones, meaning they are released outside the body. Various animals use pheromones to trigger behaviors, while some fungi and algae use them in reproduction to attract complementary cell types.

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India’s Prime Minister launched three Param Rudra Supercomputing Systems and a High-Performance Computing system for weather and climate research. These supercomputers were developed indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission at a cost of Rs 130 crores. The supercomputers are deployed in Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata to enhance research across fields like physics, material science, and astronomy. Pune’s GMRT will use it for Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) research, while Delhi’s IUAC and Kolkata’s S N Bose Centre will focus on material science and cosmology. The National Supercomputing Mission was launched in 2015 to meet growing computational needs.