31. ‘Metarhizium indicum’ which was seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Bird
[B] Fish
[C] Fungus
[D] Bacterium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fungus]
Notes:
A team of scientists led by the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhikode, have discovered a new species of insect pathogenic fungus.
The fungus, isolated from leafhopper pest of Malabar tamarind, has been named Metarhizium indicum to indicate its Indian origin. It is said to have a potential biocontrol application.
32. Which institution has developed a low-cost camera for multispectral imaging of flame –‘CL-Flam’?
[A] IIT- Madras
[B] IIT- Indore
[C] IISc Bengaluru
[D] IIT Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT- Indore]
Notes:
The CL-Flam is a low-cost camera for multispectral imaging of flame developed by IIT Indore in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and NASA-Caltech, USA.
It is capable of simultaneously capturing multiple spectral 3D images of 4 chemical species in a flame.
33. What is the name coined for the collection of marine debris in the Northern Pacific Ocean?
[A] High Sea Debris
[B] Mid Oceanic Debris
[C] Great Pacific Garbage Patch
[D] American Debris Stream
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Great Pacific Garbage Patch]
Notes:
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. It is also known as the Pacific trash vortex, spans waters from the West Coast of North America to Japan.
Marine debris is litter that ends up in the ocean, seas, and other large bodies of water. A recent study by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) shows that this giant collection of plastic trash has also become home to thousands of marine life, creating a new kind of ecosystem.
34. Which institution has developed a device named ‘Artsens’ to screen for cardiovascular diseases?
[A] IIT Delhi
[B] IISc Bengaluru
[C] IIT Madras
[D] NIT Tiruchirappalli
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIT Madras]
Notes:
Artsens is a device developed by researchers at the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) at IIT Madras, to screen for cardiovascular diseases.
This non-invasive device can be used non-experts for routine medical examinations. It is powered by a proprietary non-imaging probe and an intelligent computing platform.
35. Miguel Diaz-Canel, who was seen in the news, is the President of which country?
[A] Italy
[B] Cuba
[C] Israel
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cuba]
Notes:
Miguel Diaz-Canel recently became the first non-Castro leader in Cuba to be re-elected as president. He won a second five-year term in a parliamentary vote that had him as the sole candidate. The 62-year-old leader took over the reins in 2018 as Cuba’s first civilian leader after around 60 years of hegemony by the Castro brothers.
36. Which institution has released the Global Food Policy Report, 2023?
[A] International Food Policy Research Institute
[B] World Food Organisation
[C] Food and Agriculture Organisation
[D] NABARD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [International Food Policy Research Institute]
Notes:
The Global Food Policy Report, 2023 has been released by the International Food Policy Research Institute. According to the report, there is an increased need for investment beyond short-term to build food systems that are more resilient and equitable.
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) was established in 1975 and is headquartered at Washington, DC. The institute provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger.
37. What is ‘Magnaporthe oryzae’ which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Plant
[B] Fungus
[C] Bacterium
[D] Insect
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fungus]
Notes:
‘Magnaporthe oryzae’ is a fungus that causes ‘wheat blast’. It is currently destroying wheat crops in South America, threatening its food security in a major scale.
Scientists have warned that the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae could spread worldwide. Cases of infection have earlier been reported in Asia in 2016 and Africa in 2018.
38. Andrey Rublev, who has won the Monte Carlo title, is from which country?
[A] Serbia
[B] Russia
[C] Spain
[D] Switzerland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
Russia’s Andrey Rublev wins Monte Carlo title after winning the final against Denmark’s Holger Rune.
The player was deprived of his national flag after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 19-year-old Rune had defeated five Top 10 players to win the title in Paris last year.
39. Who is the first Indian woman to be named as a ‘Wisden Cricketer of the Year’?
[A] Smriti Mandana
[B] Harmanpreet Kaur
[C] Mithali Raj
[D] Deepti Sharma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Harmanpreet Kaur]
Notes:
Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian woman to be named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year. She led Mumbai Indians to win the inaugural Women’s Premier League in March.
Suryakumar Yadav was named Wisden’s Leading T20 Cricketer of the Year. At present, Suryakumar Yadav remains at number one position in the ICC T20 men’s rankings.
40. Which state adopted a resolution urging the Centre to extend quota for Dalit Christians?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Tamil Nadu Assembly has recently adopted a resolution urging the Centre to extend quota for Dalit Christians.
The resolution urged the Centre to amend the Constitution to extend statutory protection, rights, and concessions, including reservation, to Scheduled Caste members who have converted to Christianity.