Current Affairs Quiz-December, 2019

Notes:
The World Design Organization is all set to launch its new global programme World Design Propolis in Bengaluru, aimed at implementing holistic progress in megacities across the world and making them sustainable. The announcement was made at the ongoing three-day Kochi Design Week (KDW), India’s largest design conclave that kicked off at Bolgatty Island in Kochi.

Notes:
Blue Sky Analytics won the Space Oscars awards on the international competition Copernicus Masters. The awards were presented in a ceremony during the European Space Week held at Helsinki, Finland. Blue Sky Analytics became the has become the first Indian Startup to win the Space Oscars award presented by the European Space Agency.

Notes:
The scientists at the IIT Hyderabad had developed a memristor sensor for detecting the bovine serum albumin, which is analogous to the human serum albumin. The memristor or ‘Resistive Random Access Memory’ device is capable of changing its resistance state with voltage (called SET and RESERT switching). It is made up of metal electrodes and uses titanium dioxide as the active material.

Notes:
The supersonic cruise missile BrahMos was recently test fired from Odisha’s Chandipur Integrated Test Range. The land based version of the missile was launched from mobile autonomous launcher at Complex- III of the facility. The launch facility is located on the Abdul Kalam Island.

Notes:
CECRI (Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi) developed a self-powered sensor for glucose. It makes use of an enzyme called glucose oxidase. Unlike conventional sensors, it doesn’t required batteries to power its function. The sensor was developed by coupling a polymer with the catalytic enzyme.

Notes:
The Cuba government is to get the office of Prime Minister after more than 40 years. The last Prime Minister of the Central American country was Fidel Castro who abolished the post after becoming the president. The Cuban Prime Minister is to be the head of the government with a 5 year term.

Notes:
The star Nakambe is in the constellation Eridanus (the River). The star was named by the International Astronomical Union based on the suggestions of Burkina Faso. The star is named after a major river in the African nation. The name was arrived at through the ‘NameexoWorlds’ contest.

Notes:
Gabon is a country adjacent to the Gulf of Guinea. It is located on the west coast of the African continent. The gulf is noted for its frequent piracy events. In December, 4 ships were attacked by pirates in Libreville, capital of Gabon.

Notes:
DNA Analysis Centre in Chandigarh, which was recently inaugurated, was set up under the Nirbhaya Fund Scheme. This centre will provide facility for Sexual Assault and Homicide Unit, Paternity Unit, Human Identification Unit and Mitochondrial DNA unit. It will be well-equipped with modern DNA Profiling tools and equipment. It has the capacity to examine 2000 cases per year.

Notes:
St Mark’s Basilica is in Venice, Italy. It is a 11^th century structure which is also known as the Church of Gold. It was damaged during the tidal event called Acqua Alta of Venice. It was recently estimated that the damages amount to over 5 million Euros.