Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
A small asteroid named 2024 PT5 will temporarily orbit Earth from September 29 to November 25, 2024. It is also known as a “mini-moon”. It changes its path due to Earth’s gravity. It was detected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on August 7, 2024. It likely originated from the Arjuna asteroid belt, which contains rocks orbiting near Earth. 2024 PT5 is expected to return in January 2025 and again in 2055. It will provide valuable data on near-Earth asteroids, helping predict future encounters and impacts. Asteroids are small, rocky or metallic objects that orbit the Sun, distinct from planets or comets.

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The U-WIN Portal, developed by the Union Health Ministry, digitizes vaccination services and is currently operational on a pilot basis. It aims to digitize vaccination services and maintain vaccination records for pregnant women and children up to 17 years old. As of September 16, 2024, over 6.46 crore beneficiaries are registered, with more. The portal supports 11 regional languages, including Hindi, for easy access. It also helps in creating Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs for citizens.

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The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) has launched India’s first comprehensive cancer multi-omics data portal. This platform offers open access to data from Indian cancer patients to improve cancer research and treatment. It includes DNA, RNA, and protein profiles of breast cancer patients, linked with clinical outcomes. Currently, the portal has data from 50 breast cancer patients, with plans to expand to over 500 patients next year. The data is freely available under India’s PRIDE guidelines, promoting ethical sharing. ICGA is a national initiative supported by a public-private-philanthropic partnership with over 50 experts contributing.

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Researchers from JNCASR and ICAR-NBAIR have created a sustainable pheromone dispenser that ensures a controlled release rate of pheromones, significantly reducing pest control costs. This innovation utilizes a mesoporous silica matrix, allowing for stable pheromone release and improved efficiency in pest management. The technology aims to benefit farmers by transitioning from laboratory research to large-scale industrial production, thus enhancing agricultural practices while promoting environmentally friendly methods in pest control.

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The Quad countries—India, the US, Australia, and Japan—launched the Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative to tackle cancer. It aims to combat cervical cancer through expanded screenings and HPV vaccinations. This collaborative effort among India, the United States, Australia, and Japan addresses a significant health crisis in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing initially on cervical cancer, a largely preventable disease. India will contribute 10 million to the WHO’s Global Initiative on Digital Health and provide 7.5 million in HPV tools and vaccines. An AI-based treatment protocol is being developed, along with support for radiotherapy and capacity building in the Indo-Pacific region.

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World Maritime Day, organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), is celebrated annually on the last Thursday of September. In 2024, it falls on September 26. The theme for this year is “Navigating the future: safety first!” This day emphasizes the significance of maritime activities and the industry’s contributions to global development, raising awareness about safety measures and innovations in the maritime sector.

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Israel is requiring control of the Philadelphi corridor as a condition in ceasefire talks with Hamas. The Philadelphi corridor is a narrow strip of land about nine miles long and 100 meters wide along the Gaza-Egypt border, including the Rafah crossing. It was designated as a demilitarized zone after Israel withdrew its settlements and troops from Gaza in 2005. The corridor stretches from the Mediterranean Sea to the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel. After the Israeli withdrawal, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority were responsible for the area.

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China has restricted the export of antimony citing ‘national security’ concerns. Antimony is a critical mineral, a silvery white, brittle solid that poorly conducts heat and electricity. It is not abundant and occurs in small amounts in over 100 mineral species. China produces 88% of the world’s antimony. Antimony is essential in electronics for semiconductor devices and in plastics as a heat stabilizer. It improves solar panel stability against UV exposure and is used in batteries and flame-retardant materials, paints, and glass.

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Ratapani Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is aiming to gain the status of a tiger reserve, with government support. It is located in Raisen and Sehore districts, covering 825.90 sq km. The sanctuary features rocky forests and an aquatic environment in the Vindhya Hills, parallel to the Narmada River. Kolar River forms its western boundary. It includes Bhimbetika, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for rock shelters and paintings. The sanctuary also has historical and religious sites like Ginnourgarh Fort, POW camp, and Ratapani Dam.

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The National Health Accounts Estimates for India 2021-22 report indicates that Maharashtra recorded the highest total health expenditure among Indian states. The total health expenditure per capita rose significantly from Rs 3,638 in 2013-14 to Rs 6,602 in 2021-22, reflecting increased investment in healthcare. The report also highlighted a notable shift in government health expenditure as a share of total health expenditure, which rose from 28.6% to 48% during the same period, indicating improved financial protection for households.