Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR) successfully conducted India’s first trial blast using the Dozer Push Mining Method, integrating digital technologies for enhanced safety and efficiency. The trial took place at Parsa East and Kanta Basan (PEKB) Coal Mine, Chhattisgarh, operated by Adani Enterprises. The method aims to optimize mining processes while controlling vibrations and flyrock. It uses automated machinery, including unmanned drill machines and large-sized dozers. The method is a cost-effective alternative to traditional mining techniques like truck-shovel and dragline methods.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Researchers discovered two rare Neuroptera species, Indophanes barbara and Glenochrysa zeylanica, in Kerala. Indophanes barbara, an antlion from the Myrmeleontidae family, does not build pits like other antlion larvae and lives in loose soil for protection. Adult Indophanes barbara resemble damselflies but can be identified by their long antennae and belong to holometabolous Neuroptera insects, unlike hemimetabolous damselflies. Glenochrysa zeylanica, a green lacewing from the Chrysopidae family, was rediscovered in Wayanad after 111 years and reported for the first time in India. Neuroptera, commonly called lacewings, are terrestrial insects with complex wing vein patterns.

Notes:
Taiwan will deploy advanced National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) in North Taiwan to protect Taipei. NASAMS is a medium-range, ground-based air defense system developed by Raytheon (USA) and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Norway). The system defends against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs, and air-to-surface threats. It protects high-value assets and population centers and has been part of the US capital’s air defense since 2005. NASAMS is the first networked short- and medium-range system, integrating with other defense equipment.

Notes:
Swiss researchers have developed a gene editing technique to potentially treat Stargardt disease, also known as Stargardt macular degeneration. This rare genetic eye condition causes progressive vision loss in children and young adults, usually bilateral, involving both eyes. The disease is characterized by excessive lipofuscin buildup over the macula, responsible for clear central vision. The disease is more common in males and affects 1 in 8000 to 10,000 populations. Currently, there is no cure for the disease.

Notes:
Scientists detected supersonic winds of 33,000 km/h on the gas giant exoplanet WASP-127b. WASP-127b is located 520 light-years away in the Milky Way and orbits a sun-like star every four days. It is a hot Jupiter, orbiting just 5% of the Earth-Sun distance, with one side always facing its star. Its atmosphere reaches 2,060°F and contains hydrogen, helium, carbon monoxide, and water. WASP-127b is 30% larger than Jupiter but only 16% of its mass, making it extremely puffy. It has the fastest equatorial jet stream winds recorded on any known planet.

Notes:
WHO announced that Guinea has eliminated the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, as a public health problem. This is the first neglected tropical disease eliminated in Guinea. HAT is caused by tsetse fly bites and can lead to fatal neurological issues if untreated. Guinea’s HAT cases resurfaced in the 1990s, prompting the launch of a national control program in 2002. Key strategies included mass screenings, vector control, and insecticide-impregnated mini-screens from 2012.

Notes:
China has successfully demonstrated artificial photosynthesis in space, with their astronauts on the Tiangong space station producing oxygen and rocket fuel using this technology. The astronauts used a process mimicking natural photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and rocket fuel components using solar energy. The experiment was conducted on China’s Tiangong space station. This breakthrough is considered a major step forward in space exploration, as it could enable future missions to generate necessary resources in space.

Notes:
IIT-Madras and ISRO developed and successfully booted the SHAKTI-based semiconductor chip, IRIS (Indigenous RISCV Controller for Space Applications). SHAKTI systems use RISC-V (reduced instruction set computer five), an open-source Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), for custom processor design. The project is backed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT under the Digital India RISC-V (DIRV) initiative. The goal is to promote indigenous microprocessor-based products with top security and transparency. IRIS is a significant step toward India’s self-reliance in semiconductor technology, especially for space applications.

Notes:
Engineers in Japan activated Reimei, the world’s first hybrid quantum supercomputer. It features a 20-qubit quantum processor integrated into Fugaku, the world’s sixth-fastest supercomputer. Unlike most quantum computers, Reimei uses trapped-ion qubits, which isolate charged atoms in an electromagnetic ion trap and use lasers for precise control. This hybrid system aims to handle complex calculations beyond traditional supercomputers. It is expected to advance research in physics and chemistry.