Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024
31. Recently, which institution has developed a new method to study the Sun’s magnetic field?
[A] Indian Institute of Science
[B] Indian Institute of Astrophysics
[C] Indian Institute of Remote Sensing
[D] Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences
[B] Indian Institute of Astrophysics
[C] Indian Institute of Remote Sensing
[D] Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences
Correct Answer: B [Indian Institute of Astrophysics]
Notes:
Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) astronomers developed a method to study the Sun’s magnetic fields using the Kodaikanal Tower Tunnel Telescope. The study focused on a sunspot region with complex features like multiple umbrae and a penumbra. Observations were made using Hydrogen-alpha and Calcium II spectral lines, revealing magnetic field differences at various atmospheric heights. The Tunnel Telescope’s 3-mirror Coelostat setup allowed precise Sun tracking and improved data accuracy. Solar magnetic fields are generated by the movement of electrically charged particles, affecting sunspots, prominences, and coronal loops.
Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) astronomers developed a method to study the Sun’s magnetic fields using the Kodaikanal Tower Tunnel Telescope. The study focused on a sunspot region with complex features like multiple umbrae and a penumbra. Observations were made using Hydrogen-alpha and Calcium II spectral lines, revealing magnetic field differences at various atmospheric heights. The Tunnel Telescope’s 3-mirror Coelostat setup allowed precise Sun tracking and improved data accuracy. Solar magnetic fields are generated by the movement of electrically charged particles, affecting sunspots, prominences, and coronal loops.
32. Recently, in which city of Uttar Pradesh was the Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) Project inaugurated?
[A] Ayodhya
[B] Lucknow
[C] Varanasi
[D] Kanpur
[B] Lucknow
[C] Varanasi
[D] Kanpur
Correct Answer: C [Varanasi]
Notes:
The Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark led to the creation of the Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) in Varanasi. This partnership involves India’s Department of Water Resources, IIT-BHU, and Denmark to improve small river management. SLCR focuses on rejuvenating the Varuna River using sustainable methods and collaboration. The initiative combines a hybrid lab at IIT-BHU and a living lab on the Varuna River to test solutions. SLCR includes strong institutional and review mechanisms to ensure high standards. The Indo-Danish Joint Steering Committee provides strategic guidance, while a Project Review Committee oversees quality control.
The Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark led to the creation of the Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) in Varanasi. This partnership involves India’s Department of Water Resources, IIT-BHU, and Denmark to improve small river management. SLCR focuses on rejuvenating the Varuna River using sustainable methods and collaboration. The initiative combines a hybrid lab at IIT-BHU and a living lab on the Varuna River to test solutions. SLCR includes strong institutional and review mechanisms to ensure high standards. The Indo-Danish Joint Steering Committee provides strategic guidance, while a Project Review Committee oversees quality control.
33. What kind of vessel is ‘ICGS Sujay’, recently in news?
[A] Fast patrol vessel
[B] Offshore Patrol Vessel
[C] Pollution control vessel
[D] Hovercraft
[B] Offshore Patrol Vessel
[C] Pollution control vessel
[D] Hovercraft
Correct Answer: B [Offshore Patrol Vessel]
Notes:
ICGS Sujay, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Indian Coast Guard, recently visited Jakarta, Indonesia. It is stationed in Paradip, Odisha, under the Coast Guard Region (North-East) command and frequently deployed for various missions. The 105-meter vessel is equipped with a 30mm CRN 91 gun, advanced navigation, communication systems, and sensors. The ship is designed for extended deployment in maritime zones, conducting missions like surveillance, search and rescue, and law enforcement.
ICGS Sujay, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Indian Coast Guard, recently visited Jakarta, Indonesia. It is stationed in Paradip, Odisha, under the Coast Guard Region (North-East) command and frequently deployed for various missions. The 105-meter vessel is equipped with a 30mm CRN 91 gun, advanced navigation, communication systems, and sensors. The ship is designed for extended deployment in maritime zones, conducting missions like surveillance, search and rescue, and law enforcement.
34. Recently, where was the ‘National Conclave: Sangathan Swasthya Samriddhi’ inaugurated?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] New Delhi
[C] Chennai
[D] Bhopal
[B] New Delhi
[C] Chennai
[D] Bhopal
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the ‘National Conclave: Sangathan Swasthya Samriddhi’ in New Delhi. The event focuses on women’s roles in food, nutrition, health, and WASH. Health and nutrition are highlighted as essential for the nation’s development, with women playing a key role. Self-help groups are recognized as important for the country’s progress. Discussions emphasized the need for better basic health facilities and the idea that a healthy population leads to national growth. Women, including self-help groups from across the country, are attending the conclave.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the ‘National Conclave: Sangathan Swasthya Samriddhi’ in New Delhi. The event focuses on women’s roles in food, nutrition, health, and WASH. Health and nutrition are highlighted as essential for the nation’s development, with women playing a key role. Self-help groups are recognized as important for the country’s progress. Discussions emphasized the need for better basic health facilities and the idea that a healthy population leads to national growth. Women, including self-help groups from across the country, are attending the conclave.
35. Recently, the Zoological Survey of India collaborated with which state to tag horseshoe crabs for conservation and habitat protection?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Bihar
[C] Odisha
[D] Rajasthan
[B] Bihar
[C] Odisha
[D] Rajasthan
Correct Answer: C [Odisha]
Notes:
The Zoological Survey of India and Odisha Forest Department are tagging horseshoe crabs to study their population, habitat, and migration. Horseshoe crabs are ancient marine arthropods, known as “living fossils,” related to scorpions and spiders. They live in shallow coastal waters and spawn on intertidal beaches during high tides. Global species include the Vulnerable American Horseshoe Crab, Endangered Tri-spine Horseshoe Crab, Coastal Horseshoe Crab, and Mangrove Horseshoe Crab. India has two species: Coastal Horseshoe Crab and Mangrove Horseshoe Crab, found mainly along the northeastern coast in Odisha and West Bengal.
The Zoological Survey of India and Odisha Forest Department are tagging horseshoe crabs to study their population, habitat, and migration. Horseshoe crabs are ancient marine arthropods, known as “living fossils,” related to scorpions and spiders. They live in shallow coastal waters and spawn on intertidal beaches during high tides. Global species include the Vulnerable American Horseshoe Crab, Endangered Tri-spine Horseshoe Crab, Coastal Horseshoe Crab, and Mangrove Horseshoe Crab. India has two species: Coastal Horseshoe Crab and Mangrove Horseshoe Crab, found mainly along the northeastern coast in Odisha and West Bengal.
36. What is ‘Anti-hyperhydrogen-4’, recently mentioned in news?
[A] Antimatter nucleus
[B] Optical infrared telescope
[C] Bacterial infection
[D] Corrosive liquid
[B] Optical infrared telescope
[C] Bacterial infection
[D] Corrosive liquid
Correct Answer: A [Antimatter nucleus]
Notes:
Scientists detected the heaviest antimatter nucleus, anti-hyperhydrogen-4, at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) in New York. The discovery came from over 6 billion collision events at the particle accelerator. This finding could help understand why the universe is mostly matter, despite equal creation of matter and antimatter during the Big Bang. Antimatter is like ordinary matter but with opposite electric charges, often called “mirror matter.” Antimatter particles include positrons (positive electron counterparts), antiprotons, and antineutrons. Matter and antimatter annihilate each other on contact, releasing energy. Antimatter is created in particle accelerators and naturally occurs in the universe.
Scientists detected the heaviest antimatter nucleus, anti-hyperhydrogen-4, at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) in New York. The discovery came from over 6 billion collision events at the particle accelerator. This finding could help understand why the universe is mostly matter, despite equal creation of matter and antimatter during the Big Bang. Antimatter is like ordinary matter but with opposite electric charges, often called “mirror matter.” Antimatter particles include positrons (positive electron counterparts), antiprotons, and antineutrons. Matter and antimatter annihilate each other on contact, releasing energy. Antimatter is created in particle accelerators and naturally occurs in the universe.
37. ‘Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus’, recently seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Lizard
[B] Dinosaur
[C] Whale
[D] Frog
[B] Dinosaur
[C] Whale
[D] Frog
Correct Answer: B [Dinosaur]
Notes:
A new dinosaur species named Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus has been discovered in Kyrgyzstan, dating back about 165 million years. It is a large theropod found in the Middle Jurassic Balabansai formation in the northern Fergana Depression. This predator, from the Callovian age, was around 7 to 8 meters long. It had a distinctive protruding ‘eyebrow’ on the postorbital bone, suggesting a horn-like structure. Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus belongs to the Metriacanthosauridae family, known for high-arched skulls and slender hindlimbs. It is the first large Jurassic predatory dinosaur found between central Europe and East Asia.
A new dinosaur species named Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus has been discovered in Kyrgyzstan, dating back about 165 million years. It is a large theropod found in the Middle Jurassic Balabansai formation in the northern Fergana Depression. This predator, from the Callovian age, was around 7 to 8 meters long. It had a distinctive protruding ‘eyebrow’ on the postorbital bone, suggesting a horn-like structure. Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus belongs to the Metriacanthosauridae family, known for high-arched skulls and slender hindlimbs. It is the first large Jurassic predatory dinosaur found between central Europe and East Asia.
38. Scrub Typhus, recently seen in the news, is caused by which pathogen?
[A] Virus
[B] Fungus
[C] Bacteria
[D] Protozoa
[B] Fungus
[C] Bacteria
[D] Protozoa
Correct Answer: C [Bacteria]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya recently tested positive for Scrub Typhus. Scrub Typhus, or bush typhus, is caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is transmitted through bites from infected chiggers (larval mites). Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, a rash, and a scab-like area at the bite site. There is no vaccine for Scrub Typhus. It commonly affects rural areas in Southeast Asia, China, the Indian subcontinent, and Northern Australia.
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya recently tested positive for Scrub Typhus. Scrub Typhus, or bush typhus, is caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is transmitted through bites from infected chiggers (larval mites). Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, a rash, and a scab-like area at the bite site. There is no vaccine for Scrub Typhus. It commonly affects rural areas in Southeast Asia, China, the Indian subcontinent, and Northern Australia.
39. Recently, which country unveiled new ‘Suicide Drones’ amid rising tensions with the US and South Korea?
[A] United States
[B] North Korea
[C] China
[D] Japan
[B] North Korea
[C] China
[D] Japan
Correct Answer: B [North Korea]
Notes:
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has supervised tests of new suicide drones developed domestically. These drones, capable of targeting ground and sea objectives, have varying striking ranges. Kim Jong-un has encouraged further development of diverse suicide drones for infantry, special operations, and strategic reconnaissance. He also emphasized integrating artificial intelligence into unmanned aerial vehicles. This move comes amid rising tensions with the US and South Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has supervised tests of new suicide drones developed domestically. These drones, capable of targeting ground and sea objectives, have varying striking ranges. Kim Jong-un has encouraged further development of diverse suicide drones for infantry, special operations, and strategic reconnaissance. He also emphasized integrating artificial intelligence into unmanned aerial vehicles. This move comes amid rising tensions with the US and South Korea.
40. Which country has recently banned 156 Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) drugs?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bhutan
[D] Myanmar
[B] Nepal
[C] Bhutan
[D] Myanmar
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The Indian government has banned 156 Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) drugs. FDC drugs combine two or more Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in one pill, capsule, or injection. They are commonly prescribed for conditions like tuberculosis, diabetes, and hypertension to make it easier for patients by reducing the number of pills they need to take daily. The banned FDCs were considered “irrational” because they do not offer additional therapeutic benefits. Some combinations in these FDCs include ingredients that do not work well together or contain unnecessary components.
The Indian government has banned 156 Fixed-Dose Combination (FDC) drugs. FDC drugs combine two or more Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) in one pill, capsule, or injection. They are commonly prescribed for conditions like tuberculosis, diabetes, and hypertension to make it easier for patients by reducing the number of pills they need to take daily. The banned FDCs were considered “irrational” because they do not offer additional therapeutic benefits. Some combinations in these FDCs include ingredients that do not work well together or contain unnecessary components.