Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
A study in the Journal of Applied Ecology found that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) do not align with the core habitats of diadromous fish, which migrate between saltwater and freshwater. Examples include the allis shad and European eel. Diadromous fish are categorized as anadromous, catadromous, amphidromous, or potamodromous based on their migration patterns. These species face threats from human activities such as pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.

Notes:
Researchers discovered a new dinosaur species, Musankwa Sanyatiensis, on Lake Kariba’s shoreline in Zimbabwe. This is the fourth dinosaur species found in Zimbabwe and the first named from the Mid-Zambezi Basin in 50 years. Dating back to the Late Triassic period, 210 million years ago, this 390 kg sauropodomorph was a long-necked, bipedal dinosaur related to those in South Africa and Argentina.

Notes:
Cambodia plans to commence construction on the Funan Techo canal, a 180-kilometer project funded by China. This canal will link Kep, a coastal province, to the capital Phnom Penh via the Bassac River, diminishing reliance on Vietnamese ports for international shipping. It aims to boost Cambodia’s connectivity and trade autonomy.

Notes:
Wipro 3D and ISRO have successfully 3D-printed the PS4 rocket engine for the PSLV’s 4th stage, marking a significant advancement in space technology. Dr. V Narayanan of ISRO praised this achievement. The PS4 stage’s advanced navigation and control systems enable precise orbital placements for various satellite missions. The collaboration utilized Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) and Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technology, streamlining production and improving structural integrity.

Notes:
New research reveals Tmesipteris oblanceolata, a fork fern species, boasts the largest genome known. A genome encompasses an organism’s complete genetic information. This fern contains 160 billion base pairs, surpassing the human genome by over 50 times. Belonging to an ancient plant group predating dinosaurs, it’s exclusive to New Caledonia and nearby Pacific islands, thriving in rainforest canopies.

Notes:
The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, observed annually on June 4th, highlights children’s suffering worldwide. Established on August 19, 1982, this day focuses on the pain endured by innocent children. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), founded in 1997, aims to end violence against children. In 2018, the refugee crisis saw over 70 million people, including children, fleeing conflict. In 2019, the UN reported 357 killings and 30 disappearances of human rights defenders.

Notes:
Hundreds sheltered in evacuation centers after Mount Kanlaon erupted in the central Philippines. Mount Kanlaon, a 2435m stratovolcano on Negros Island, is the highest mountain on the island and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Known for its pyroclastic cones and craters, the biologically diverse volcano has erupted multiple times since 1886, with phreatic explosions causing minor ashfalls. It influences major river systems on Negros Island.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke’ campaign in New Delhi on World Environment Day, June 5, 2024. The initiative aims at afforestation to combat land degradation and preserve water resources. It symbolizes Earth as a mother, emphasizing sustainable development. Modi planted a peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park, urging citizens to enhance forest cover for a better planet, aligning with the principle of sustainable development for present and future generations.

Notes:
The TRISHNA mission, a collaboration between ISRO and CNES, aims to monitor surface temperature and water management globally. Its objectives include detailed monitoring of energy and water budgets, assessing urban heat islands, and detecting thermal anomalies. The mission features two primary payloads: CNES’s Thermal Infra-Red sensor and ISRO’s VNIR-SWIR payload. Operating in a sun-synchronous orbit, TRISHNA will significantly enhance climate monitoring and urban planning over its 5-year operational life.

Notes:
The Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army marked World Environment Day with “Go Green Initiatives” in North Bengal and Sikkim, including the launch of a plastic waste management plant in East Sikkim. Part of the Sadbhavana initiative, the project aims to promote sustainability and local economic development by recycling plastic waste into road materials and bricks. This effort creates jobs for villagers and aligns with the Army’s commitment to environmental sustainability, aiming to eliminate landfills by 2027.