Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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A new non-contact wearable device developed by researchers from the United States and South Korea can monitor health by measuring skin flux without touching the skin. The device is about the size of a smartphone and tracks molecular movements like vapour leaving the body and chemicals entering through the skin. It was developed under the leadership of Professor John A. Rogers at Northwestern University, USA. It creates a small sealed microclimate next to the skin and uses wireless electronics and tiny sensors to detect water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A remote-controlled valve adjusts the chamber’s openness for accurate comparisons.

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The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has recently released detailed data, infographics, and graphical summaries on over 100 bacterial genomes under the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative. A genome is the complete genetic material of an organism, made of unique DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) or RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) sequences. These sequences are made of chemical units called nucleotide bases, and identifying their order is known as genomic sequencing. The ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative was launched in November 2024 by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC). It is coordinated by BRIC-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), West Bengal. Data contributions come from 13 BRIC institutions and two bodies: International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad.

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Scientists recently found signs of ancient wildfires, called palaeofires, from the Permian Period about 250 million years ago in the Godavari Basin. Palaeofires are wildfire events recorded in ancient rocks, helping us understand Earth’s past vegetation, climate changes, and coal formation. The study covered a long geological timescale, from the Late Silurian to the present Quaternary Period. Researchers used methods like Palynofacies analysis, Raman Spectroscopy, Rock-Eval Pyrolysis, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy to study tiny fossils and charcoal. They clearly identified charcoal formed on-site (in situ) and transported charcoal (ex situ), solving a major geological debate. They also found that sea-level changes affected how fire residues were preserved—more intact during sea-level drops (regressive) and more scattered during sea-level rise (transgressive).

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On April 2, 2025, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reported that asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 3.8% chance of hitting the Moon on December 22, 2032. YR4 is a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) discovered in December 2024 using the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile. It is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO) because its orbit brings it close to Earth—within 1.3 times the Earth-Sun distance. In February 2025, YR4 triggered NASA’s highest-ever asteroid impact alert. Infrared data from the James Webb Space Telescope estimates its size at around 65 metres, similar to a 10-storey building. Since it is below 140 metres in size, it is not labeled a “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid.” Earlier, it had a 1% chance of hitting Earth, but updated analysis now shows almost no threat to our planet.

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Astronomers from the Russian Academy of Sciences recently detected 11 new Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) using the Spektr-RG (SRG) space observatory. AGNs are regions at the centers of galaxies emitting extremely high levels of electromagnetic radiation, often outshining the galaxy itself. This emission comes from matter being consumed by a supermassive black hole or intense star formation activity. AGNs are essential for understanding galaxy formation and evolution due to their immense energy output.

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A recent large-scale study from South Korea, published in the European Heart Journal, found that people vaccinated against shingles have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus stays dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate later in life when the immune system weakens. Shingles appears as a painful rash with blisters, usually on one side of the body, and can cause symptoms like burning, headache, and fever. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a nerve pain that can last for months. Shingles is not directly contagious but the virus can infect someone who never had chickenpox. It mainly affects people over 50 or those with weak immune systems.

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The recent approval by the United States to sell AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Turkey has raised serious concerns in India due to changing regional security dynamics. AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is a state-of-the-art missile with beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) and surface-to-air missile (SAM) capabilities. It is developed by Raytheon Technologies, a top US defence company. The missile is designed to engage and destroy enemy aircraft at long distances before visual contact is made. It is a key component in modern air combat systems and significantly boosts the air power of its users.

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West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected for the first time in mosquitoes in the United Kingdom, as confirmed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The virus was found in Aedes vexans mosquitoes from wetlands near the River Idle in Nottinghamshire during July 2023 under the Vector-Borne RADAR surveillance program. WNV spreads mainly between birds and mosquitoes but can occasionally infect humans and horses. Most human cases show no symptoms, but about 20% may have flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, WNV can cause serious brain conditions like encephalitis or meningitis. The current public health risk is very low, with no widespread transmission found.

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The BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) missile is nearing flight testing with an extended range of 800 km. It is a smaller, lighter, and more versatile supersonic cruise missile. BrahMos-NG is designed to be used on fighter aircraft, ships, and submarines. It is jointly developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyenia under BrahMos Aerospace. The missile aims to be miniaturized, stealthier, and more agile for ultra-precise strikes on land and sea targets.

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The United States Air Force (USAF) recently conducted a successful test of the LGM-30G Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). This missile is nuclear-capable and can deliver a warhead to any part of the Earth. “L” in LGM means silo-launched, “G” stands for surface attack, and “M” means guided missile. Minuteman III was introduced in the 1970s and was the first U.S. missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs). It is the only land-based missile in the U.S. nuclear triad. It was developed by Douglas Aircraft Company, now part of Boeing. Although it was designed for ten years of use, it has been upgraded and remains active. A new system, called Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), will replace it around 2029. The U.S. currently maintains about 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.