Current Affairs Quiz - February 2022

Notes:
Chinese researchers have claimed to develop an artificial intelligence nanny (AI Nanny), which can monitor and take care of embryos as they grow into foetuses in an Artificial womb.
The artificial womb, or “long-term embryo culture device”, is a container where the researchers grow mouse embryos in cubes filled with nutritious fluids. The AI technology helps to detect the smallest signs of change in the embryos and make changes. This may help in solving birth defects.

Notes:
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Cross border Insolvency (1997) is the most widely accepted legal framework on cross-border insolvency.
The Economic Survey suggested the adoption of UNCITRAL Law with certain modifications. It has been adopted by 49 countries such as Singapore, UK, US, South Africa and Korea. Insolvency Law Committee had recommended the adoption of UNCITRAL.

Notes:
Researchers have discovered a tiny new species of cynipid gall wasp in the branches of a live oak tree. It is the first insect species to be described alongside its fully sequenced genome.
The researchers are studying how the nonstinging wasps may have been impacted by Houston’s historic February 2021 freeze. The wasp was named Neuroterus Valhalla, after the location of its original discovery, as it was discovered at Valhalla, a student hangout at Rice University, USA.

Notes:
The Union Budget announced that 2,000 km of the rail network will be brought under ‘Kavach’ technology in 2022-23.
Kavach is an indigenously developed anti-collision device (ACD) network. It is SIL4 certified which means there is a probability of a single error in 10,000 years. 400 new Vande Bharat trains will be introduced, and 100 PM Gati Shakti cargo terminals will be built in the next three years.

Notes:
The Union Budget has announced a new scheme called ‘Vibrant Villages programme’, which aims to boost the infrastructure of the villages along India’s border, especially with China.
Under the programme, additional funding will be provided, existing schemes will be converged. Activities include housing, tourist centres, road connectivity, provisioning of decentralised renewable energy, DTH access for Doordarshan and educational channels, and livelihood support.

Notes:
As per a recent study by UK researchers, it has been found that Climate change is driving plants to flower earlier and earlier.
The average first flowering date of UK plants is a month earlier than it was before 1986. As per the research team, Plants flowering too early could be disastrous for hibernating and migrating animals, and for crops.

Notes:
Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), a New Delhi-based rights group released the India Press Freedom Report 2021. As per the report, at least six journalists being killed, many more physically assaulted, and media houses being targeted.
Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura topped the list of States and Union Territories where journalists and media houses were targeted in 2021.

Notes:
The Government has appointed former civil servant Ravi Mittal as the chairperson of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).
M S Sahoo, the first Chairperson completed his five-year term on September 30, 2021. In October 2021, IBBI Whole Time Member Navrang Saini was given the additional charge as the Chairperson.

Notes:
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a 3,000-km long route of infrastructure projects connecting China’s northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Gwadar Port in the western province of Balochistan in Pakistan.
Pakistan recently signed a new agreement with China to begin the second phase of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Notes:
Chhattisgarh government launched the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana’.
It is a financial assistance scheme of the Chhattisgarh government for landless labourers of rural areas with around 3.55 lakh beneficiaries receiving Rs 2,000 each in their bank accounts as the first instalment under the plan. It was launched by Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi.