Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus first identified in Uganda’s West Nile region in 1937. It spreads to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes, which often acquire the virus from migratory birds. Ukraine has reported a significant outbreak, with health officials warning of a critical situation as cases and fatalities rise. Symptoms can include fever and muscle aches, and while many infections go undetected, severe cases can occur. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for WNV.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 8th India Mobile Congress at Bharat Mandapam during the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024. The event was organized by the Department of Telecommunications, the Union Ministry of Communication, and the Cellular Operator Association of India. It highlighted India’s innovation in Quantum technology, Circular Economy, 6G, 5G use cases, IoT, cybersecurity, and more. Over 400 exhibitors and about 900 startups participated from over 120 countries. The congress featured over 900 technology sessions and discussions with over 600 speakers. India Mobile Congress is Asia’s largest digital technology forum, showcasing cutting-edge solutions and services.

Notes:
A new Centre of Excellence in Ayurveda Research will be established at CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) in Pappanamcode, Kerala. This center aims to scientifically test and validate Ayurvedic products to meet international standards. It will ensure that Ayurvedic formulations meet international quality, safety, and efficacy standards. This initiative is crucial for supporting Ayush enterprises and positioning Kerala as a hub for high-quality Ayurvedic products, amid the growing global acceptance of Ayurveda in modern health-care systems

Notes:
The Five Eye Alliance has supported Canada, urging India to cooperate with its legal process. The alliance is a multilateral intelligence-sharing network among five English-speaking countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. It was formed after World War II, based on the UK-USA Agreement of 1946. The alliance is known for global surveillance using satellites, telephone networks, and fiber optic cables.

Notes:
A study by researchers from South Africa and the UK found that artificial nests improve African penguins’ breeding success. African penguins have a black stripe, unique black chest spots, and pink glands above their eyes that turn pinker as they heat up. Males are larger than females and have bigger beaks. Penguins live near the shore and breed, molt, and rest in coastal habitats from Namibia to South Africa. They naturally breed in guano burrows, which shield them from heat. They feed on sardines and anchovies. Their average lifespan is 20 years. IUCN lists them as endangered due to habitat threats from global warming.

Notes:
Scientists have discovered that Gliese 229B, found 30 years ago, is actually twin brown dwarfs orbiting each other. Brown dwarfs are called “failed stars” as they are lighter than stars but heavier than gas giant planets. They are larger than planets like Jupiter but smaller than stars. Brown dwarfs gather material like stars, not planets, and have hot clouds, possibly made of silicates. They retain lighter elements like hydrogen and helium but have low metal content. Lacking enough mass to burn nuclear fuel, they don’t radiate starlight.

Notes:
A new orchid species, Coelogyne tripurensis, was discovered in Jampui Hills, Tripura. It comes from moist broadleaf forests in the Indo-Myanmar Biodiversity Hotspot. The genus Coelogyne has around 600 species, native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Islands. These orchids are mostly epiphytic, valued for their ornamental appeal and easy growth. The new species belongs to the Fuliginosae section, known for showy flowers and a unique labellum. High phenotypic plasticity makes species in this group hard to classify.

Notes:
India is close to eliminating Kala-azar as a public health issue, maintaining cases below one in 10,000 for two consecutive years, meeting WHO elimination criteria. Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, is caused by the Protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani and transmitted by infected female sandflies. The disease mainly affects impoverished populations and is linked to malnutrition, poor housing, and weakened immune systems. Symptoms include irregular fever, weight loss, spleen and liver swelling, and severe anemia, which can be fatal if untreated. Diagnosis uses clinical signs and tests like the rK39 kit, while treatment involves various anti-parasitic medications.

Notes:
The 15th ITU Kaleidoscope Academic Conference began on 21 October at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. ITU Kaleidoscope 2024 is an international conference organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It fosters dialogue between academics, researchers, and industry in information and communication technologies (ICT) to promote innovation and collaboration. The event gathered global researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore ICT solutions and discuss emerging trends. The focus is on future technologies that impact global communication networks and standardization. The theme of the conference is “Innovation and Digital Transformation for a Sustainable World.”

Notes:
Four-time Olympian Deepika Kumari won a silver medal in the women’s recurve event at the 2024 Archery World Cup Final in Tlaxcala, Mexico. She lost 6-0 to Chinese archer Li Jiaman in the final. Li Jiaman was part of the Chinese archery team that won silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 18th Archery World Cup Final was organized by World Archery and took place on 19-20 October 2024 in Tlaxcala, Mexico.