QUIZ – 2020: Insights Current Affairs Quiz, 31 October 2020

Solution: d)

Nanotechnology Applications in:

• Medicine: Researchers are developing customized nanoparticles the size of molecules that can deliver drugs directly to diseased cells in your body.
• Electronics: increase the capabilities of electronics devices while we reduce their weight and power consumption.
• Food: Nanotechnology is having an impact on several aspects of food science, from how food is grown to how it is packaged. Companies are developing nanomaterials that will make a difference not only in the taste of food, but also in food safety, and the health benefits
• Fuel cells: Nanotechnology is being used to reduce the cost of catalysts used in fuel cells
• Better Air Quality: Nanotechnology can improve the performance of catalysts used to transform vapours escaping from cars or industrial plants into harmless gasses.
• Better Water Quality: Nanotechnology is being used to develop solutions to different problems in water quality.

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Solution: c)

The spacecraft cemetery, known more formally as the South Pacific Ocean Uninhabited Area, is a region in the southern Pacific Ocean, where spacecraft that have reached the end of their usefulness are routinely de-orbited and destroyed. 

Solution: b)

Feluda is the acronym for FNCAS9 Editor Linked Uniform Detection Assay.

It has a sensitivity of 96 per cent and specificity of 98 per cent which means that the test can detect positive and negative cases both up to 96 or 98 per cent of the time.

The test uses indigenously developed CRISPR gene-editing technology. It is the world’s first diagnostic test that uses specially adapted Cas9 protein to successfully detect the virus.

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Solution: d)

AMR occurs naturally over time, usually through genetic changes. Antimicrobial resistant organisms are found in people, animals, food, plants and the environment (in water, soil and air). They can spread from person to person or between people and animals, including from food of animal origin. The main drivers of antimicrobial resistance include the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials; lack of access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for both humans and animals; poor infection and disease prevention and control in health-care facilities and farms;  poor access to quality, affordable medicines, vaccines and diagnostics; lack of awareness and knowledge; and lack of enforcement of legislation.

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Solution: b)

What is a Government Security (G-Sec)?

A Government Security (G-Sec) is a tradeable instrument issued by the Central Government or the State Governments. It acknowledges the Government’s debt obligation. Such securities are short term (usually called treasury bills, with original maturities of less than one year) or long term (usually called Government bonds or dated securities with original maturity of one year or more). In India, the Central Government issues both, treasury bills and bonds or dated securities while the State Governments issue only bonds or dated securities, which are called the State Development Loans (SDLs). G-Secs carry practically no risk of default and, hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments.

Treasury Bills (T-bills)

Treasury bills or T-bills, which are money market instruments, are short term debt instruments issued by the Government of India and are presently issued in three tenors, namely, 91 day, 182 day and 364 day. Treasury bills are zero coupon securities and pay no interest. Instead, they are issued at a discount and redeemed at the face value at maturity.

Retail participation in Government securities has been allowed since many years. But there are not many takers.

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