How does GPS work

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: TH   Context: The article discusses the functionality and significance of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Established by the U.S. Department of Défense in 1973, GPS is a constellation of 24 satellites orbiting the Earth, providing location information through a network of ground control stations and user devices.   …

Anthrobots

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: Nature  Context: Scientists have created tiny robots, called anthrobots, made from human tracheal cells capable of repairing damaged neural tissue. Unlike previous xenobots made from frog cells, anthrobots are self-assembling and formed from human tissue, potentially paving the way for personalized medicine.    How it works? The researchers grew …

Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance or RISUG

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: TOI    Context: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has successfully tested a long-lasting male contraceptive called “Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance” (RISUG).    About RISUG: RISUG is a non-hormonal injectable male contraceptive that blocks the production of sperm by creating a physical barrier in the vas …

CAR-T cell therapy

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: The Print   Context: India’s Drug Controller General (DCGI) has granted market authorization for CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T) cell therapy developed by ImmunoACT, a spin-off company from IIT-Bombay. This ground-breaking treatment, known as NexCAR19, is now approved for use in cases of relapsed-refractory B-cell lymphoma and leukaemia. The therapy’s …

NavIC

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: Economic Times  Context: The Indian government has announced its intention to make it mandatory for smartphones to integrate with India’s homegrown navigation system, NavIC The devices must either provide support for NavIC-powered chips or use NavIC chipsets. For 5G phones, mandatory NavIC support is required by January 1, 2025, …

arXiv

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: TH   Context: Recently, critique sparked a debate about the quality and impact of research shared on the arXiv platform. The article discusses the role and controversies surrounding arXiv, a widely used preprint server for scientific research papers.   About ArXiv:  ArXiv was created to enable researchers in various …

Indigenous ASTRA Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile

  Source: PIB  Context: The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) LSP-7, known as “Tejas,” successfully launched the indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile called ASTRA. The missile was fired from the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 20,000 feet and achieved all test objectives flawlessly. The test was closely supervised by the Aeronautical Development Agency …

Pfizer’s RSV vaccine

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: livescience  Context: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to Pfizer’s vaccine, Abrysvo, aimed at safeguarding new-borns from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by vaccinating pregnant individuals during the latter stages of pregnancy. Abrysvo has been authorized for use in adults aged 60 and above to protect them …

Demon particle

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: Business Standard  Context: Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a massless particle, often referred to as a “demon particle,” which could pave the way for the development of superconductors capable of functioning at room temperature. Superconductors, which can conduct electricity without resistance, currently require extremely low temperatures, often …

Gene-edited mustard

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: IE  Context: Researchers in India have made significant advancements in the breeding of mustard plants to create varieties with lower levels of glucosinolates, compounds that contribute to the pungency of mustard oil and meal. The low-glucosinolate mustard lines were developed using gene editing technology known as CRISPR/Cas9. By editing …

The issue with turmeric supplements

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: TH  Context: Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a medical advisory regarding the potential risk of liver injury associated with the use of medicines and herbal supplements containing turmeric or its active ingredient, curcumin. The advisory was prompted by 18 reports of liver problems received by TGA, linked to …

First-ever Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: PIB  Context: The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, is organizing a unique global summit on Traditional Medicine. This unprecedented event will bring together experts, practitioners, and dignitaries to explore the latest scientific advancements and evidence-based knowledge in the field of traditional medicine. This summit …

India’s first drone common testing centre

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: Business Line   Context: Tamil Nadu is establishing the country’s first Common Testing Centre for Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones). The initiative is led by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) as part of the TN Defence Industrial Corridor, aimed at nurturing the aerospace and defence industry ecosystem. The …

‘SAMUDRA’ mobile app

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: TH   Context:  The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), a division of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has introduced a new mobile application called ‘SAMUDRA’ – Smart Access to Marine Users for Ocean Data Resources and Advisories.    Features: This app offers comprehensive ocean-related information, benefiting seafarers …

US scientists achieve net energy gain for the second time in nuclear fusion reaction

Facts for Prelims (FFP)    Source: The Guadian   Context: US scientists have achieved net energy gain in a nuclear fusion reaction for the second time since their initial breakthrough last year. Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California replicated their achievement in an experiment at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), surpassing the …

Akira ransomware

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: TH   Context: The Akira ransomware is a type of ransomware that targets both Windows and Linux devices. It encrypts data on the affected devices, appends filenames with the “.akira” extension, and deletes Windows Shadow Volume copies to prevent data recovery. The ransomware also terminates Windows services to ensure uninterrupted …

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 …

Hygroelectricity

  Source: BBC  Context: Researchers are exploring the concept of hygroelectricity, which involves harvesting electricity from humid air.   Methods of generating hygroelectricity: Using tiny protein nanowires produced by bacteria to trap water molecules and create electrical charges, potentially providing usable electricity to power miniature computers or sensors. Another method involves passing humid air between …

Ferocious black holes reveal ‘time dilation’ in the early universe

  Source: IE  Context: Scientists conducted a study using observations of quasars, powerful black holes, to demonstrate “time dilation” in the early universe. The study showed that time passed only about a fifth as quickly as it does today, around 12.3 billion years ago when the universe was much younger.   About Quasars: Quasars are …