Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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China launched the world’s first self-driving satellites, Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and Gaojing-2 04, marking a milestone in its commercial space program. Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), these satellites can autonomously adjust their flight paths without ground control. They feature synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and high-precision radar, allowing them to return to orbit with 100-meter accuracy and perform formation-flying at sub-meter precision. The satellites will provide all-weather radar imagery for industries like natural resource management, disaster response, agriculture monitoring, and urban safety.

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The third Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite was launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The Copernicus Programme is an Earth Observation initiative managed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with the European Union (EU). It integrates data from satellites, ground stations, airborne, and sea-borne sensors to provide near-real-time information services. The programme offers free and open access to data for various applications. The Sentinel satellites are tailored to meet the needs of Copernicus services in areas like atmosphere, marine, land, climate, emergency response, and security. Copernicus aims to deploy nearly 20 satellites by 2030, funded and managed by the European Commission.

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Scientists in India successfully used gene therapy to treat severe hemophilia A, a rare inherited blood disorder. Hemophilia A is caused by a lack of clotting factor VIII, leading to difficulty in blood clotting. It is a sex-linked disorder carried on the X chromosome, resulting in prolonged bleeding from minor cuts or injuries. Treatment typically involves boosting or replacing missing clotting factors. Gene therapy offers a potential breakthrough by addressing the root cause of the disorder, improving clotting abilities in patients.

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The European Space Agency launched Proba-3 from India to study the Sun’s corona using artificial solar eclipses created by precise satellite alignment. An artificial solar eclipse mimics a natural one, using two satellites to block sunlight and create a controlled shadow. The Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) observes the Sun, while the Occulter (OSC) casts a shadow, maintaining millimetres-level alignment for up to six hours per orbit. It allows extended study of the Sun’s corona, far longer than natural eclipses. The mission aids in understanding corona mysteries, predicting geomagnetic storms, and mitigating satellite disruptions.

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A study by IBM highlights India’s growing interest in quantum computing, with active participation from students, developers, and institutions. Quantum computing uses quantum mechanics to solve complex problems beyond traditional computers’ capabilities. It leverages phenomena like superposition (qubits existing in 0, 1, or both states simultaneously) and entanglement (linked qubits affecting each other instantly). Quantum computers can handle tasks like cryptographic algorithms, simulations, and optimization far faster than classical systems. Unlike classical computers with binary bits, quantum computers use qubits, enabling exponentially faster computations for complex scenarios.

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IIT Madras has launched the AMOLED Research Centre (ARC) to develop next-generation AMOLED displays for smartphones, tablets, watches, and wearables. It is a National Centre of Excellence funded by MeitY, DRDO, and Tata Sons. AMOLED stands for Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode. The initiative supports India’s goal of establishing a display manufacturing industry. The Centre includes researchers from diverse fields and features a state-of-the-art cleanroom with advanced fabrication and characterization equipment.

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The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched India’s first Undergraduate Minor Program in Quantum Technologies, designed to prepare students for the quantum revolution. This program covers four verticals: Quantum Computation, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing, and Quantum Materials. It aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering a skilled workforce for innovation in quantum technologies. The curriculum emphasizes project-based learning and is open to engineering students from their third semester, ensuring practical experience and interdisciplinary appeal in this cutting-edge field.

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ISRO launched the “Space Docking Experiment” (SpaDeX) mission on 30 December from Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The mission aims to develop technology for docking, undocking, and power transfer between spacecraft. Two small spacecraft, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), each weighing 220 kg, will dock in a 476-km low-Earth orbit. The launch vehicle for this mission is Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C60 (PSLV-C60). The mission uses the indigenous “Bharatiya Docking System” and will make India the fourth country to achieve this feat. SpaDeX will support India’s future space exploration goals, including lunar missions and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station.

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Researchers from IIT Guwahati and Bose Institute, Kolkata, created an advanced injectable hydrogel for localized cancer treatment. The hydrogel acts as a stable reservoir, releasing anti-cancer drugs in a controlled way. It minimizes harm to healthy cells while targeting cancer effectively. The breakthrough is expected to revolutionize breast cancer therapy. The hydrogel is made from protein-based ultra-short peptides, stable at injection sites, and insoluble in body fluids. The peptides are biocompatible and biodegradable, ensuring safety and effectiveness.

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IIT-Madras has commissioned Asia’s largest shallow wave basin research facility at its Discovery campus in Thaiyur. The facility handles complex wave and current interactions, addressing challenges in Indian ports, waterways, and coastal engineering. Developed indigenously, it is supported by the National Technology Centre for Ports Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC). The facility can test coastal structures, post-impact analysis, solar floating plants, and climate change effects. It is equipped with a mobile wave maker, enabling multiple projects and international research collaborations. This facility strengthens IIT-Madras as a global leader in marine science and engineering.