Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
The 6th Meeting of the India-Japan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism took place in New Delhi on 29 May 2024. Key discussions involved regional terrorist threats, state-sponsored terrorism, and the misuse of technology by terrorists. Both nations emphasized enhancing cooperation through information exchange, capacity building, and multilateral cooperation. The next meeting will be in Tokyo at a mutually convenient date.

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:
The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and IIT Hyderabad have signed an MoU to collaborate on research and training. This partnership aims to innovate medical devices and address health issues for soldiers in diverse terrains. The agreement was signed by Lt Gen Daljit Singh and Prof. BS Murty, with IIT Hyderabad providing technical expertise through its Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, and Bioinformatics departments.

Notes:
The Centre for Science and Environment urges developed nations to meet climate finance commitments ahead of the 29th UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP). The 60th meeting of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB60) in Bonn, Germany, from June 3-13, 2024, will gather UNFCCC signatories, including national delegates and civil society. With around 6,000 participants, SB60 marks a pivotal moment between CoP28 and CoP29, setting the stage for future climate negotiations.

Notes:
In a world first, Chinese doctors transplanted a gene-edited pig’s liver into a man with severe liver cancer, marking a milestone in xenotransplantation. According to the reports, the patient exhibited no hyper-acute or acute rejection, maintained normal coagulation, and had restored liver function. The patient could walk freely post-transplant, showcasing significant progress in animal-to-human organ transplants.

Notes:
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are collaborating to create a standardized lunar time system for the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon. This initiative addresses the need for unified timekeeping to coordinate international and private lunar missions. With upcoming missions from China, India, and private companies, a common lunar time system is essential for successful operation and coordination.

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Scientists discovered that green-beard genes drive natural altruism in the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. These genes enable individuals to recognize and cooperate with each other, potentially causing harmful behavior towards those with different gene versions. Altruism in nature involves behavior where an animal acts in a way that may be harmful to itself but benefits others of its species.

Notes:
The central government has approved Assam’s plan for a new Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Kamrup district, with IIM Ahmedabad mentoring the project. This decision aims to bolster education and industry in the Northeast, where only one IIM currently exists. Assam’s collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad and provision of land underscores its commitment to advancing education and economic growth. The initiative is expected to benefit neighboring states like Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Notes:
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting now mandates a Self-Declaration Certificate (SDC) for all new advertisements. Following a Supreme Court directive, ads on TV, print media, or the internet require a valid SDC. Advertisers must submit SDCs via the Broadcast Seva Portal for TV/radio ads and the Press Council of India’s portal for print/digital ads. The SDC ensures ads are truthful and comply with regulatory guidelines.

Notes:
At IIT Dharwad, a team led by Sudheer Siddapureddy and Ameer Mulla unveiled a fire rescue assistant drone at the DDANFR 2024 training, funded by NMICPS and TiHAN Foundation. The drone, designed for navigating small spaces and high temperatures, marks a significant advancement in fire safety. Prof. Siddapureddy highlighted the challenges of creating a device that is both compact and robust.