Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Paraquat, also called paraquat dichloride or methyl viologen, is a widely used herbicide. It controls weed growth and desiccates crops like cotton before harvest. The World Health Organization classifies it as a Category 2 chemical, meaning it is moderately hazardous and irritating. Paraquat is banned in over 70 countries, including China and the European Union, due to its high toxicity. Despite the bans, it is still widely used in the US and India. Recently, paraquat poisoning gained attention after being used in a high-profile murder case in Kerala.

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IIT-Madras researchers have extracted silicon carbide (SiC) from simulated moon soil, aiding future lunar habitat construction. Silicon carbide (SiC), also called carborundum, is a synthetic crystalline compound of silicon and carbon. It is extremely hard, has high thermal conductivity, and offers excellent resistance to wear, oxidation, and chemical reactions.

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United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Suzetrigine, a new non-opioid painkiller. Opioids are drugs derived from the opium poppy plant or designed to mimic them. Examples include oxycodone, morphine, codeine, heroin, and fentanyl. They bind to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking pain signals and creating euphoric sensations. While effective for pain relief, opioids carry a high risk of addiction and dependence. Suzetrigine offers an alternative to opioids, reducing the risk of opioid addiction.

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Researchers have developed a self-actuating drug delivery system for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It releases therapeutic agents only when needed by targeting inflammation in joints. RA is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy cells, mainly affecting joints in hands, wrists, and knees. Symptoms include chronic pain, joint damage, unsteadiness, and deformity; it can also affect organs like the lungs, heart, and eyes. The system uses microspheres loaded with methotrexate, a common anti-rheumatic drug. It includes polymer-lipid hybrid micro-composites, ensuring high drug efficiency and responsiveness to inflammation-related enzymes.

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Uganda and WHO launched a historic clinical trial for a vaccine against the Sudan species of Ebola virus. Ebola is a deadly disease caused by orthoebolaviruses (formerly ebolavirus). It was first discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The virus mainly affects humans and primates like gorillas, monkeys, and chimpanzees. It is found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and poses a major health threat.

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Researchers have warned that AI chatbots are vulnerable to indirect prompt injection attacks. This technique tricks chatbots into executing malicious commands. It exploits large language models (LLMs) by embedding harmful instructions in documents or emails. Attackers can manipulate chatbots to search for sensitive data or alter long-term memory settings. These attacks appear benign but can lead to serious security risks.

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ISRO has developed a 10-tonne vertical propellant mixer for solid motors, making India’s space sector more self-reliant. It is the world’s largest solid propellant mixing equipment, designed by Satish Dhawan Space Centre with Central Manufacturing Technology Institute. The mixer enhances productivity, quality, and efficiency in heavy solid motor production. It weighs around 150 tonnes and measures 5.4m in length, 3.3m in breadth, and 8.7m in height. It features hydrostatic-driven agitators and remote operation via PLC-based SCADA control. Solid propulsion is crucial for India’s space transportation, requiring precise mixing of hazardous ingredients.

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Russia has developed an mRNA-based personalized cancer vaccine, set for free distribution by early 2025. mRNA vaccines provide genetic instructions to help the body produce antigens that trigger an immune response. Unlike traditional vaccines, this is not preventive but treats existing cancer by targeting tumor-specific antigens. It trains the immune system to attack cancer cells by producing proteins similar to tumor antigens.

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The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) on Aditya-L1 detected an X6.3-class solar flare, a highly intense solar eruption. SUIT is a remote sensing payload on ISRO’s Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission. The mission was launched on September 2, 2023. Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) is developed by Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune with ISRO. SUIT captures full-disk and region-specific images of the Sun. It uses 11 calibrated filters across 200-400 nm wavelengths to study the Sun’s layers. It is positioned at Lagrange Point. It observes the Sun 24×7. SUIT studies solar atmosphere dynamics, focusing on jets, flares, filament evolution, and eruptions.

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IIT Madras researchers developed a framework to enhance protection of critical infrastructure from ballistic missile threats. The framework helps designers improve the ballistic resistance of reinforced concrete (RC) panels. Findings were published in the journal Reliability Engineering & System Safety. Researchers used computational simulations to study missile impacts on RC. RC is used in military bunkers, nuclear power buildings, bridges, and runways.