Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
A deadly strike on a playing field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights has heightened concerns about a possible new conflict. The Golan Heights is a rocky plateau in southwestern Syria, about 60 km from Damascus. It covers 1,000 sq km and is surrounded by the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee, Mount Hermon, the Wadi Al-Ruqqad River, and the Yarmuk River. It is considered occupied territory under international law.

Notes:
Researchers from the Korean Institute of Basic Science, South Korea have developed Nano-MIND, a magnetogenetics technology that allows precise, remote control of brain circuits using magnetism. Tested on mice, it can activate specific neurons to alter behaviors such as maternal instincts and feeding. This breakthrough advances brain research and could impact brain-computer interfaces and treatments for neurological disorders.

Notes:
Singapore and the United States have signed a 30-year civil nuclear cooperation agreement, called the 123 Agreement. This deal will allow Singapore to access detailed information and expertise on U.S. nuclear energy technologies, which are typically under export control. The agreement aims to enhance Singapore’s capabilities in nuclear energy and strengthen ties between the two countries in this field.

Notes:
Alarming tiger deaths and hunting incidents have been reported in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Located in Umaria district between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges, it became a national park in 1968 and a tiger reserve in 1993. Known for its valleys, hills, plains, and the historic Bandhavgarh fort, the reserve has tropical moist, deciduous forests with sal, mixed forest, grasslands, and bamboo.

Notes:
NITI Aayog’s report, “Strategy for the development of Seaweed Value Chain,” highlights the importance of seaweeds, marine plants thriving in water bodies, cultivated in aquaculture. The fishing and aquaculture sector contributes 1.5% to India’s GDP. Seaweed farming has economic significance for bioactive compounds in food and pharmaceuticals, environmental benefits in carbon sequestration and climate resilience, and nutritional value with essential minerals and vitamins.

Notes:
Genetic screening, now popular among athletes, identifies individuals at higher risk for certain disorders by analyzing changes in genetic material. It helps in determining traits and risk factors, allowing for preventive measures and early treatment. Initially used for detecting diseases, genetic tests entered sports in the late 1990s, revealing how genes influence performance traits like endurance and flexibility. About 66% of athletic differences are due to genetics, with the rest shaped by environmental factors.

Notes:
A four-ringed butterfly, the great four-ring (Ypthima cantliei), was rediscovered in Namdapha National Park after 61 years. Last seen in Assam in 1957, it was photographed during a 2018-19 survey. Identified by its morphology and habitat, this butterfly belongs to the Nymphalidae family, which has 6,000 species. India has 35 Ypthima species, with 23 in the northeast. China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar also host significant Ypthima diversity.

Notes:
Haryana’s Chief Minister announced the state’s procurement of all crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), making it the first in India to do so. Additionally, he waived Rs 133 crore in irrigation charges and promised Rs 137 crore in pending compensation for crop damage due to natural calamities. MSP, recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), ensures fair prices for farmers and promotes crop diversification.

Notes:
The “VIRAASAT” exhibition, celebrating the 10th National Handloom Day, is being held from August 3 to August 16, 2024, at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi. Organized by the National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) under the Ministry of Textiles, this event promotes India’s rich handloom traditions and supports weavers. National Handloom Day, established on August 7, 2015, commemorates the Swadeshi Movement of 1905 and the handloom sector’s socio-economic contributions.

Notes:
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has analyzed precipitation and drought trends using the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI). The SPI estimates wet or dry conditions based on long-term precipitation data, ideally over 30 years. It provides negative values for droughts and positive values for wet conditions. The index includes various timescales ranging from 1 to 72 months to assess the severity of conditions.