Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2023

Notes:
According to a recent study, scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have created new sorghum varieties that can address the nutritional requirements of mothers and children in sub-Saharan Africa.
These advanced sorghum lines were developed by incorporating multiple traits into a single plant, offering great significance to the region where approximately 300 million people rely on sorghum as a crucial crop.

Notes:
A recent publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) points out that about 5% of birds found in the country are endemic and are not reported in other parts of the world.
The publication, titled 75 Endemic Birds of India, was recently released on the 108th foundation day of the ZSI. India is home to 1,353 bird species, which represents approximately 12.40% of global bird diversity. Of these 1,353 bird species, 78 (5%) are endemic to the country.

Notes:
A report by Climate Risk Horizons titled ‘Still Unprepared’ said that India’s major banks remain unprepared to confront climate risks.
This comes despite the country facing extreme weather events on 314 of 365 days in 2022. The analysis ranks banks on several criteria, including a Fossil Fuel Exclusion Policy, Emissions Disclosure, Climate scenario analysis and Net Zero Targets.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘Bhartiya Vastra evam Shilp Kosh’ – ‘A Repository of Textiles and Crafts’ e-portal during the National Handloom Day celebration in New Delhi.
Developed by National Institute of Fashion Technology -NIFT in partnership with the Ministry of Textiles, the portal aims to showcase India’s wide range of textiles and crafts in a unified catalog, reflecting the nation’s cultural richness.

Notes:
Scientists from IIT-Roorkee and GSI have unearthed the oldest fossilized remains of a plant-eating dicraeosaurid dinosaur in Jaisalmer, indicating India’s significant role in dinosaur evolution.
The new species is named ‘Tharosaurus indicus,’ and its fossils date back to 167 million years.

Notes:
India’s Defence Ministry has decided to replace Microsoft Operating System (OS) in all its computers that can connect to the Internet with Maya.
Maya, which has been developed by Indian government agencies within six months, and is aimed at preventing malware attacks by cybercriminals. The new OS will be backed by a protection system called Chakravyuh.

Notes:
The National Health Authority (NHA) has extended the Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS) of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission until December 31, 2023.
The scheme offers incentives to hospitals, diagnostic labs, and digital health solution providers to encourage digitization under the ABDM.

Notes:
The National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) will be renamed as the Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai (IIM Mumbai) after the IIM (Amendment) Bill 2023 was passed by both Houses of the Parliament.
This makes NITIE the 21st IIM in India and the second in Maharashtra, following IIM Nagpur.

Notes:
The World Health Organization has termed a potential threat as “Disease X,” representing an unknown disease with the capability to cause a global pandemic.
Currently undefined, the concept of Disease X brings with it a significant concern for its potential global impact. U.K. is establishing the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC), where scientists will work on preparing for “disease X”.

Notes:
Every year, World Lion Day is observed on August 10. The day was first established in 2013 by Big Cat Rescue – the world’s largest accredited sanctuary dedicated to lions.
The Day is observed annually on a global scale to raise awareness about their conservation and protection. It serves as a platform to educate people about the challenges faced by the lions across the world and to promote efforts to conserve them as well as to celebrate.