China

Mapping Source: DTE Typhoon Doksuri, China’s fifth and most powerful typhoon in 2023, has caused significant rainfall and flooding in Beijing and other provinces.   China is vulnerable to typhoons due to its long eastern coastline, warm ocean waters, and geographic location in the western Pacific basin. Typhoons tend to form in this region and …

New blood testing technology called GEMINI

   Context: Researchers have developed a new blood testing technology called GEMINI (Genome-wide Mutational Incidence for Non-Invasive Detection of Cancer) that uses genome-wide sequencing of single molecules of DNA combined with machine learning. This technology has the potential to enable earlier detection of lung and other cancers.   How it works? The GEMINI test starts …

Room-temperature superconductor

  Source: LM Context: Korean researchers claim to have developed a superconductor named LK-99 that operates at room temperature and ambient pressure, a significant breakthrough in the field of physics. Superconductors are materials that transmit electricity with nearly 100% efficiency and have various practical applications, such as in MRI machines and magnetic levitation trains. Room-temperature …

46,000-year-old worms brought back to life from Siberian permafrost

  Source: IE  Context: Scientists made a fascinating discovery in Siberia five years ago when they found and reanimated two kinds of frozen microscopic nematodes, or roundworms. A recent study reveals that these worms are 46,000 years old, frozen since the late Pleistocene era. Furthermore, one of them belongs to an entirely new species called …

Worldcoin

   Source: TH   Context: Worldcoin is an initiative to create a digital network where individuals can claim a stake and join the digital economy. The project involves scanning individuals’ irises through a device called “Orb” to collect biometric data and issue them a World ID. In exchange, participants receive a cryptocurrency called Worldcoin [WLD]. …

GOBARdhan Initiative

  Source: PIB  Context: The GOBARdhan initiative in India, aimed at converting waste to wealth through biogas and compressed biogas (CBG), has shown promising results and attracted significant investments.   More about the News: The Unified Registration Portal for GOBARdhan has received requests for over 1200 biogas plants, including 320 CBG plants in just 60 …

Indian companies can soon list on foreign exchanges

  Source: ET  Context: Indian companies will soon be allowed to directly list their securities on overseas exchanges in specified jurisdictions.   What is Listing on Stock Exchange? Listing on a stock exchange is the process by which a company’s shares or securities are made available for public trading on the exchange. It allows investors …

GI tags in News

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: TH  Context: The Geographical Indications Registry granted the GI tag to three famous products from Tamil Nadu.   In addition to these, seven other products from different regions of India also received GI tags, including Agra leather footwear Rajasthan’s Nathdwara Pichhwai Painting Kashmir’s Mushqbudji rice Bihar’s Marcha Rice Jammu Kashmir’s …

SDCs to Promote Tribal Culture

  Source: TH The Odisha government has implemented the Special Development Councils (SDCs) initiative to preserve and promote tribal culture while ensuring economic development. The SDCs focus on: Identifying and promoting important cultural markers of tribal identity, such as language, sacred groves, and tribal artisans Over 21 tribal proficiency centres have been established to educate …

A crisis of academic ethics in India

GS Paper 4  Syllabus: Application  of Ethics   Source: TH (Print Edition)  Context: The article discusses India’s potential in academic and scientific research while shedding light on prevalent unethical practices like data manipulation and plagiarism.   Ethical concerns regarding Indian educational institutions Prevalent data manipulation and plagiarism Lack of clear ethical codes Misuse of authority …

Draft National Tourism Policy

GS Paper 3  Syllabus: Economic sectors: Tourism  Source: PIB  Context: The Indian Ministry of Tourism has drafted a National Tourism Policy with key strategic objectives to enhance tourism’s contribution to the economy.   The key strategic objectives of the Policy are: To enhance the contribution of tourism to the Indian economy by increasing visitation, stay …