Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
The 2024 World Wildlife Crime Report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime revealed rhinos and cedars as the most trafficked species from 2015-2021. Established in 1997, the UNODC combats drug abuse, trafficking, and crime worldwide. It strengthens international cooperation, promotes crime prevention, and aids criminal justice reform to combat transnational organized crime and corruption.

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The recent death of a Kadar tribesman in Tamil Nadu’s Anamalai Tiger Reserve due to an elephant attack has shocked indigenous communities and conservationists. Kadars, a small tribal group in South India, have historically coexisted with wild elephants. They are traditional forest dwellers, residing along the border of Cochin in Kerala and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. They rely on forest resources for sustenance, practicing specialized trades like honey collection for trade.

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The Indian Army is set to receive new Russian Igla-S VSHORAD systems by May’s end. Developed by Russia, it’s a handheld MANPADS for individual or crew use, targeting low-flying aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. Components include the 9M342 missile, 9P522 launching mechanism, and others. With a range of 500m to 6km and altitude capability of 3.5km, it enhances India’s air defense, crucial in mountainous areas.

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RoseTTAFold, an AI software from the University of Washington, could transform target discovery and drug interaction understanding. Developed at the Institute for Protein Design, it employs generative diffusion-based architectures to predict structural complexes. This ‘three-track’ neural network integrates sequential patterns in proteins, amino acid interplay, and probable 3D configurations. It can forecast structures and interactions among protein, DNA, and RNA combinations, offering profound potential for scientific advancement.

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New genetic research reveals South Africa’s Mpumalanga-based leopards trace their ancestry back to an ice age nearly 1 million years ago. Mitogenomes, distinct DNA molecules outside the cell nucleus, hold maternal genetic information, inherited solely from mothers to offspring. Abundant and easily extractable, mitogenomes offer a reliable means to trace species lineage as genes mutate consistently over time.

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According to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 60% of the world’s coral reefs have experienced heat stress severe enough to cause bleaching in the past 12 months, which is a record. This is the fourth mass coral bleaching event on record, with the previous three occurring between 1998 and 2017. Bleaching can make reefs more vulnerable to disease and harm the biodiversity they support.

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The inaugural Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, held in Paris on May 14, 2024, drew over 1,000 delegates from nearly 60 countries. The summit highlighted the critical health and environmental impacts of traditional cooking methods used by over a billion Africans. Despite progress in China, India, and Latin America, clean cooking remains elusive in Africa, where over 70% of people in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana rely on biomass.

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Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India and the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board rediscovered the Sri Lankan golden-backed frog (Hylarana gracilis) in Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, after two centuries. This sanctuary, part of Project Elephant, houses Asian elephants and features diverse flora and fauna. The frog, once considered endemic to Sri Lanka, highlights ancient biogeographical connections dating back 15 million years.

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There are many gaps in the Scheme for Care and Support to Victims. The Scheme for Care and Support to Victims by the Ministry of Women and Child Development aids minor pregnant girl child victims under the POCSO Act. Funded by the Nirbhaya Fund, it offers integrated support from case reporting until age 18, with possible aftercare until 23. Features include health insurance, legal aid, and financial assistance of ₹6,000 initially and ₹4,000 monthly under Mission Vatsalya.

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Ukraine launches counteroffensives against Russian occupation in Kharkiv. Russian shelling since 2022 targets critical infrastructure like power plants and schools. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, hosts numerous universities and is vital to the nation’s industry.