Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
A Bengaluru-based company has introduced FWD-200B, India’s premier indigenous bomber UAV. The medium-altitude, long-endurance craft boasts a maximum take-off weight of 498 kg and operates up to 9,000 ft above sea level. It’s equipped with optical surveillance gear and integrated with missile-like weapons for precision air strikes, marking a significant advancement in India’s defense technology.

Notes:
Researchers recently found that FLVCR2, a protein, facilitates the transportation of the essential nutrient choline into the brain. Choline plays a crucial role in cellular growth and metabolism, existing in both water and fat-soluble forms. While the body can produce choline in the liver, dietary intake is necessary to meet daily requirements. Rich sources include meat, fish, dairy, eggs, as well as various fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Notes:
Researchers utilized CRISPR-Cas9 to restore vision in individuals with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare genetic eye disorder causing blindness from birth. LCA affects 1 in 40,000 people, impairing light-sensitive cells due to a mutation in the CEP290 gene. The “BRILLIANCE” trial administered a single dose of CRISPR therapy, EDIT-101, which corrected the mutation, enabling proper function of the CEP290 protein, thus restoring vision by allowing the retina to perceive light.

Notes:
The World Bank’s ‘Recipe for a Livable Planet’ report outlines strategies for achieving net zero emissions in the agrifood system. It defines the agrifood system’s scope from farm to table, highlighting its significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, with developing countries and China, Brazil, and India being major emitters. India’s emissions are mainly from livestock. Despite increased climate financing, agrifood projects receive only 4.3%. The report suggests doubling investments to $260 billion yearly by 2030 for emissions reduction.

Notes:
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is set to build the Shinkun La Tunnel, spanning 4.1 km under the 16,580 feet high Shinku-La pass, linking Himachal’s Lahaul valley and Ladakh’s Zanskar valley. It will be the world’s longest high altitude highway tunnel. Costing Rs. 1,681.5 crores, it promises all-weather connectivity to Ladakh, shortening routes to border areas. Expected to streamline transportation, it will also provide security against long-range artillery shelling or missile firings.

Notes:
Google DeepMind unveils AlphaFold 3, an AI model co-developed with Isomorphic Labs. It accurately predicts molecular structures and interactions, including human DNA, aiding drug design and disease targeting. It models proteins, DNA, RNA, and small molecules, revealing their 3D structures and chemical modifications crucial for cellular functions. AlphaFold 3’s diffusion network assembly offers insights into biological complexities, aiding understanding of drug actions, hormone production, and DNA repair for improved medical research and treatment.

Notes:
DRDO and IIT Bhubaneswar are collaborating to advance research in electronics warfare, AI-driven surveillance, power systems, and radar systems. DRDO sanctioned nine projects from the ECS Cluster to IIT Bhubaneswar, with seven more awaiting approval, supported by ₹18 crore funding. This partnership signifies a significant step towards enhancing India’s capabilities in defense technology and fostering innovation in critical areas.

Notes:
Russian President Vladimir Putin reappointed Mikhail Mishustin as prime minister, continuing a technocratic leadership. Mishustin, credited with maintaining stable economic performance amid Western sanctions, submitted his Cabinet’s resignation as per Russian law during Putin’s fifth term inauguration. Mishustin, 58, a former head of Russia’s tax service, has kept a low political profile and is expected to retain most Cabinet members, although Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s fate remains uncertain.

Notes:
Researchers discovered that offspring of C. elegans worms, after consuming disease-causing bacteria, inherited the knowledge to avoid the same bacteria from birth. C. elegans, a nematode worm, matures from egg to adult in 3-5 days, offering insights into human and biological sciences. It was the first multicellular organism to have its genome sequenced and neural wiring mapped. With hermaphroditic reproduction, it can self-fertilize, aiding genetic studies.

Notes:
IFFCO partners with Marut Dronetech for Drone-as-a-Service (DAAS) in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, aiming to boost rural entrepreneurship and youth engagement. The collaboration targets to cover five lakh acres for agri input spraying. Marut Dronetech will deploy drones to dispense IFFCO agri-products. DAAS facilitates affordable drone tech access for farmers through rural entrepreneurs, promoting accessibility.