UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 29 May 2024

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: IUCN launched the Global Species Action Plan Online Knowledge Platform, known as GSAP SKILLS, at the Fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, Convention on Biological Diversity.
• About GSAP Skills:
  • The Global Species Action Plan (GSAP) SKILLS platform brings GSAP content online, enabling real-time updates of technical tools and resources. Its purpose is to facilitate global collaboration and partnerships by connecting decision-makers, species conservation practitioners, and experts at all levels. The platform’s objectives include providing real-time updates on technical resources and ensuring their accessibility and relevance. It also offers information on species conservation interventions, actions, and sub-actions for each Global Biodiversity Framework target, along with details on actors and technical tools.
  • Managed by IUCN, the platform meets the needs of governments and stakeholders for species conservation actions. Additionally, it receives support from the Ministry of Environment, the Republic of Korea, and the Tech4Nature Initiative launched by IUCN and Huawei in 2020.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/28/global-species-action-plan-online-knowledge-platform-gsap-skills/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: The Global Biodiversity Framework was indeed adopted during COP15, which highlights the global commitment to addressing biodiversity loss.
• Statement 2 is correct: The framework includes ambitious targets, such as protecting at least 30% of the world’s land and marine areas by 2030, known as the “30 by 30” target.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/28/global-species-action-plan-online-knowledge-platform-gsap-skills/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: About the Arab League:

• It is a regional organization of Arab states in the Middle East and parts of Africa. Formed in Cairo on March 22, 1945, it aims to promote Arab interests and coordinate political, cultural, economic, and social programs among its members. The League also seeks to settle disputes among member states and provide mutual military support. Its headquarters is in Cairo, Egypt, and its official language is Arabic. The League has 22 members, with founding members including Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. Four nations have observer status: Brazil, Eritrea, India, and Venezuela.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/28/manama-declaration/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: WIPO member states approved a historic new Treaty on intellectual property (IP), genetic resources (GR), and traditional knowledge (TK), following decades of negotiations.
• The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) was established in 1967 through the WIPO Convention, transforming the earlier United International Bureau for the Protection of Intellectual Property (BIPRI) into WIPO. As a specialized agency of the United Nations, WIPO serves as a global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information, and cooperation. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, WIPO boasts a membership of 193 member states, including India. WIPO administers several key treaties, such as the Berne Convention, Washington Treaty, Paris Convention, and the Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks, among others

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/28/wipo-treaty/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• AstroSat is indeed India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, but it was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), not NASA. Additionally, AstroSat observes celestial sources in various wavelengths of light, from ultraviolet to X-rays, not just visible light.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/28/astrosat-3/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: A recent study has unveiled a breakthrough in identifying and tracking renal diseases associated with nephrotic syndrome.
  • Employing a hybrid methodology, scientists discovered that anti-nephrin autoantibodies serve as a reliable biomarker for monitoring disease progression, offering the potential for personalized therapeutic strategies. Biomarkers, like blood pressure, are used in clinical assessments.
• A biomarker is a measurable indicator of a biological state or condition. These can be molecules, genes, proteins, or characteristics that can be detected and measured objectively. They are extensively used in various fields of medicine and biology, including diagnostics, monitoring disease progression, assessing treatment efficacy, and predicting patient outcomes.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/28/nephrotic-syndrome-2/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: Archaeologists from Ashoka University recently unearthed prehistoric artefacts made from fossil wood at the National Fossil Park in Ghugwa, Madhya Pradesh.
• About Ghughwa National Fossil Park:
  • Located in the Dindori district, Madhya Pradesh, was established as a National Park in 1983. Situated in a tropical dry deciduous landscape, it boasts fossilized plants dating back between 40 million and 150 million years ago. The park is renowned for its preserved fossils of various woody plants like eucalyptus, date palm, and neem, as well as climbers, leaves, flowers, fruits, and even dinosaur egg fossils.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/28/national-fossil-park-in-ghugwa-madhya-pradesh/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Stratovolcanoes, also known as composite volcanoes, are characterized by their steep slopes and conical shape, which are formed by alternating layers of lava flows, volcanic ash, cinders, and volcanic rocks. Unlike shield volcanoes, which are primarily composed of basaltic lava flows and have gentle slopes, stratovolcanoes exhibit a more explosive nature due to the viscosity of their magma. They often erupt with high explosivity, producing pyroclastic flows, lahars, and ash plumes. Therefore, option D is correct.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/28/indonesias-mount-ibu/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: Indonesia’s Mount Ibu on Halmahera island erupted, sending ash 4 km high with purple lightning flashing around its crater.
• About Mount Ibu
  • Mount Ibu is a stratovolcano on the northwest coast of Halmahera Island, Indonesia. It stands 1,377 meters above sea level and spans 16 km east-west and 13 km north-south. Known for frequent eruptions, it recorded 21,100 eruptions in 2023, making it the second most active volcano in Indonesia.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/28/indonesias-mount-ibu/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Option A is incorrect because antibodies are produced by B cells, not T cells. T cells are involved in cell-mediated immunity, while B cells are responsible for humoral immunity, which includes antibody production.
• Option B is incorrect because antibodies primarily function as defense molecules by recognizing and neutralizing foreign substances such as pathogens. While they can facilitate certain immune responses, they are not primarily involved in cell-to-cell communication.
• Option D is incorrect because antibodies can target various types of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. They are not restricted to bacterial infections.
• Option C is the correct answer because antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are specialized proteins produced by B cells in response to the presence of antigens (foreign substances). These antibodies bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction by other immune cells or neutralizing their harmful effects.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/28/nephrotic-syndrome-2/