Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
IIT Gandhinagar has launched the Centre for Narmada River Basin Management (cNARMADA) to study the Narmada River and its surroundings. The center will collaborate with IIT Indore and is supported by the Ministry of Jalshakti.
cNARMADA’s goal is to assess the current condition of the Narmada River’s ecosystem and identify issues affecting its health. The center will create a Condition Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) to closely study the river and its tributaries, analyzing the impact of human activities on the environment.

Notes:
The Prime Minister introduced 109 new seed varieties that are high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified. These varieties cover 61 crops, including 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops. Field crops include cereals, millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, and more. Horticultural crops include fruits, vegetables, plantation crops, spices, flowers, and medicinal plants. The new seed varieties are designed to consume less water while producing higher yields. One paddy variety requires 30% less water than usual, benefiting farmers.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh government plans to launch a toll-free number for Vidya Samiksha Kendras to improve education quality. The toll-free line will gather feedback, address concerns, and resolve school education inquiries using interactive voice response (IVR) technology. This initiative aims to increase public involvement and strengthen support for students at primary, upper primary, and composite school levels. Vidya Samiksha Kendras aim to leverage data and technology to significantly improve learning outcomes by analyzing data from over 15 lakh schools, 96 lakh teachers, and 26 crore students using AI and machine learning.

Notes:
Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum ones, can disrupt gut bacteria, causing dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is an imbalance in the microbiome, the community of microorganisms in our body. A balanced microbiome has diverse microorganisms without any dominating. Dysbiosis occurs when this balance is lost, affecting how microorganisms function in the body. It typically happens in the gastrointestinal tract due to infections, antibiotics, or diet. Dysbiosis increases vulnerability to infections and disrupts the microbiome’s essential functions.

Notes:
India and Israel have launched a joint project to establish a Centre of Water Technology at IIT Madras to enhance sustainable water management in India. The partnership is seen as a significant milestone, reflecting the growing collaboration between the two countries in addressing water scarcity issues. A Joint Statement of Intent was signed by the Embassy of Israel, IIT Madras, and the AMRUT mission, outlining the framework for the centre. The Centre will focus on innovation and research in urban water supply and technology. A capacity-building course on ’24/7 Water Supply in Urban Areas’ was held at IIT Madras as part of this initiative.

Notes:
Western Railway has added Kandivali and Dahisar stations to the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Launched in February 2023 by the Ministry of Railways, this scheme aims to redevelop railway stations across India. It focuses on long-term development with master plans and phased improvements. The scheme addresses each station’s unique needs, aiming to modernize them with better amenities, traffic flow, and signage. It seeks to transform stations into vibrant, well-equipped hubs and city centers over time.

Notes:
Bihar police recently seized 50 grams of californium, a highly radioactive element. Californium is a synthetic, silvery-white metal with atomic number 98, first synthesized in 1950 at the University of California, Berkeley. It is not naturally occurring and is produced by bombarding curium with helium ions. It is known for its intense radioactivity. Californium is valuable but hazardous. It is used in starting nuclear reactors, detecting metal fatigue in airplanes, and treating certain cancers. Californium’s isotopes include Cf-251, the most stable with a half-life of 898 years, and is used in various industrial and scientific applications.

Notes:
Dr. Virendra Kumar, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, inaugurated the 17th Divya Kala Mela in Raipur on 17 August 2024. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also attended and agreed to allocate 5 acres of land for a Divyangjan park in Raipur. The Mela, organized by the Ministry’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, runs from 16-23 August 2024. Over 100 Divyang artisans from 20 states/UTs will showcase their products. The event also includes job fairs and loan melas to support the economic empowerment of Divyangjan.

Notes:
A research team at Central University of Kerala, led by Dr. Ravi Kumar Kanaparthi, developed an advanced cyanide sensor to improve safety in drinking water and food. Cyanide is a dangerous toxin found in certain plants and foods like cassava, almonds, and apple seeds, and the WHO recommends keeping its concentration below 0.19 mg/L in drinking water. Recent cyanide poisoning incidents, like the death of 13 cows in Idukki, highlight the need for effective detection. The sensor changes color from yellow to colorless or bluish-green in the presence of cyanide, allowing for easy and accurate detection.

Notes:
India has sent about 1400 kg of anti-cancer drugs to Syria as part of humanitarian aid. This assistance aims to strengthen India-Syria relations and comes when Syria’s First Lady Asma Assad is battling leukaemia. The Indian Embassy in Syria is actively involved in this effort. This gesture showcases India’s commitment to supporting countries in need.