Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
IIT Bombay scientists developed AroTrack, a portable and economical device for detecting water pollutants like phenol and benzene. AroTrack addresses increasing water pollution from industrialization, urbanization, and unregulated effluent discharge. It uses bacterial proteins from polluted environments to identify aromatic pollutants through ATP hydrolysis. A chemical reaction in the protein solution causes a color change, which the device detects. The compact device is slightly smaller than a small projector and highly robust. AroTrack is considered a potential game-changer for sustainable water pollution monitoring and management.

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World Fisheries Day is celebrated annually on November 21 to promote sustainable fisheries and recognize the role of small-scale fishers in food security and livelihoods. It originated in 1997 during the World Forum on Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers (WFF) in New Delhi, which led to the creation of the World Fisheries Forum. The FAO and WFF proposed the day, which was adopted by the FAO General Assembly in 2003. Fisheries provide over 20% of animal protein for 3 billion people globally but face threats like overfishing, climate change, and pollution. The day promotes responsible fisheries management and conservation.

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El Cajas National Park in Ecuador’s highlands near Cuenca is severely affected by wildfires due to a prolonged drought. The Ecuadorian government declared a 60-day national emergency to combat forest fires threatening the park’s ecology and water resources. The park spans 285.44 km², with altitudes ranging from 3100m to 4450m, and was declared a National Park on November 5, 1996. It features páramo vegetation, jagged hills, valleys, and 270 lakes, with Luspa as the largest. Rivers Tomebamba and Yanuncay originate here, feeding the Amazon Basin and draining to the Pacific.

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United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) published the State of the World’s Children 2024 (SOWC-2024) report. The report highlights that nearly 1 billion children face high risks from climate and environmental hazards. SOWC is UNICEF’s annual flagship report analyzing global issues affecting children, including conflict, child labour, and disabilities. The 2024 report, launched on World Children’s Day (November 20), focuses on “Listen to the Future,” amplifying children’s voices on their aspirations. By 2050, India, China, Nigeria, and Pakistan will account for over one-third of the global child population. India is projected to have 350 million children, the largest share globally, despite a 106 million decline.

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Researchers at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) developed a new technology for detecting HIV-genome derived G-Quadruplex (GQ). Current HIV tests often suffer from false positives and missed early infections. The new technology, GQ Topology-Targeted Reliable Conformational Polymorphism (GQ-RCP), improves reliability by targeting specific GQ structures. It was initially designed for detecting SARS-CoV-2 but has now been adapted for HIV. The fluorometric test offers higher reliability, reducing false positives and improving diagnosis.

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Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the VISION (“Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network”) Portal in New Delhi on November 21, 2024. The portal aims to empower underprivileged youth through education, skill development, and sustainable livelihoods. India has the third-largest startup ecosystem, growing from 350 startups in 2014 to 1.67 lakh in 2024. The Startup India programme, launched in 2016, nurtures innovation and supports startups, particularly for disadvantaged groups like SCs, STs, and women. The VISION Portal was developed by the Utsav Foundation, a Gurugram-based non-profit focusing on youth empowerment and skill development.

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Authorities have denied claims made in a media report about wild animals disappearing from Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary due to encroachments, calling them inaccurate and sensationalized. The sanctuary is located in Palghar district, Maharashtra, 75 km from Mumbai. It spans 85 sq. km., mostly hilly terrain, and serves as a corridor between Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. The area features dense forests, small rivers, and a mix of Dry Deciduous, Moist Deciduous, and Semi-Evergreen forests, with species like teak, bamboo, and mango trees.

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November is celebrated as Adoption Awareness Month, led by Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The 2024 theme is “Rehabilitation of Older Children through Foster Care and Foster Adoption,” focusing on older and special-needs children. A key event is being held in Lucknow on 21st November 2024. Activities include offline events like interactive sessions, cultural programs, and Q&A with adoptive parents and stakeholders. Online initiatives with MyGov India involve storytelling, poster-making, slogans, and surveys. CARA uses social media to promote legal adoption and foster care, ensuring brighter futures for children in need.

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Around 500 miners protested against the privatization of the Cayirhan coal mine and power plant near Ankara, Turkey. The Cayirhan mine is located in Ankara Province, Turkey and produces lignite, a low-grade coal. It supplies the nearby 620 MW Cayirhan coal-fired power station. The mine is vital for Turkey’s energy production and local employment. Proposed extensions have raised concerns over inefficiency, pollution, and environmental impact.

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The Union Minister of Power recently visited Nimoo Bazgo Power Station in Ladakh. It is located in Leh district, Ladakh. This hydropower project operates at high altitudes and challenging terrain. It is developed and operated by NHPC Limited with an installed capacity of 45 MW. The station uses the Indus River’s flow, ensuring eco-friendly and renewable energy generation. It supports Ladakh’s rapid development by providing stable green energy for residential and commercial use. Through CSR initiatives, the station promotes community development, infrastructure improvements, skill development, and environmental conservation.