Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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A study in Odisha found that melioidosis cases peak during and after the monsoon season. Melioidosis is a bacterial disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, which lives in soil and surface water in tropical and subtropical regions. It is endemic in Southeast Asia, northern Australia, the Indian subcontinent, and parts of China. Also known as Whitmore’s disease, it has a high Case Fatality Rate (16%-50%). It spreads through contact with contaminated soil, air, or water.

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The European Space Agency (ESA) shut down the Gaia space observatory on March 27, 2025. It was launched in 2013 by European Space Agency (ESA). Gaia aimed to create the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way. Originally named Global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics (GAIA), later simplified to Gaia. It is positioned at Lagrange Point 2 (L2), 1.5 million km from Earth, for an unobstructed view.

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The Indian Council of Agricultural Research -Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) developed an orange-fleshed sweet potato variety (SP-95/4) to improve tribal food security in Kerala and other states. It successfully passed final trials in Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Kerala. It contains 8 mg/100g of Beta-carotene, helping combat Vitamin A deficiency in tribal areas. The average tuber weighs 300 grams and has a fusiform shape, making it ideal for processing. The project, currently on 10-15 acres, aims to expand to 100 acres by 2025 with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding. Research trials confirmed its high yield potential in multiple states, including Odisha and Karnataka.

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A recent international multicentre clinical study found that Semaglutide, a medicine for type 2 diabetes and obesity, can lower the risk of major heart-related events by 14%. Semaglutide is a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) that acts like a natural hormone to control blood sugar and appetite. It helps treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) by boosting insulin and lowering blood sugar levels. It also supports weight loss when combined with proper diet and exercise. Semaglutide is available as injections and oral tablets.

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The European Space Agency (ESA) will launch the Biomass satellite mission by the end of April 2025 using the Vega C rocket from French Guiana. Biomass is the seventh Earth Explorer satellite under ESA’s climate and Earth systems programme. It will study global forests, measuring carbon levels and forest health to understand their role in the carbon cycle. The satellite uses radar to quantify forest biomass and carbon content from space. It will also create detailed 3D models of forest structures and monitor changes over time, helping climate research and forest conservation efforts.

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The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment in Germany has made a major advance in particle physics as of April 2025. Neutrinos are neutral subatomic particles formed in radioactive decay and nuclear reactions like those in the sun and stars. The KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino) experiment, located in Karlsruhe, Germany, aims to measure the mass of the electron antineutrino, which is produced during beta decay. The latest results from KATRIN have reduced the upper limit of neutrino mass to less than 0.45 electron volts, marking a 50% improvement.

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Startup QNu Labs has launched the world’s first unique platform called Q-Shield. Q-Shield allows smooth cryptography management across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid setups. It offers a full solution to secure sensitive data both while moving (in transit) and when stored (at rest). It helps enterprises safeguard their critical infrastructure. Critical Infrastructure includes key sectors like the Communications Sector and Energy Sector, where any threat or disruption can harm national security and the economy.

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India is seen as a major contributor to setting global rules for responsible space behavior, as stated by Marjolijn van Deelen, European Union (EU) Special Envoy for Space, at the Global Technology Summit. Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapons are used to disable or destroy satellites for strategic defense purposes. These weapons can disrupt satellites used for surveillance, communication, navigation, or early warning. ASATs are divided into Kinetic Energy ASATs, which destroy satellites by direct impact, and Non-Kinetic ASATs, which use methods like cyber-attacks or lasers. ASATs can be launched from the ground, aircraft, or even other satellites. So far, the United States, Russia, China, and India have tested ASAT weapons. India’s ASAT test, called Mission Shakti, was carried out in March 2019 by hitting a satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 300 km altitude.

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the second docking of its two satellites, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), under the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission. SpaDeX is a technology demonstration mission by ISRO to validate the ability to dock and undock small satellites in low-Earth orbit. The mission used two satellites, each weighing around 220 kg, launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C60 into a 460 km circular orbit. The primary objective of SpaDeX was to develop and demonstrate the capability for spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking. Secondary objectives include testing electric power transfer between docked spacecraft, developing spacecraft control systems, and testing payload operations after undocking for deep-space missions.

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In a big step towards clean nuclear energy, China has launched the world’s first Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR) in Wuyi City, Gansu Province, located in the Gobi Desert. This thorium-based reactor started in October 2023 and generates 2 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The project received a $444 million investment since 2011 and is a major shift in global nuclear innovation during China’s trade tensions with the United States (US). China plans to build a 10 MW version by 2030, showing long-term goals in clean energy. Thorium is safer than uranium, creates less radioactive waste, and cannot be easily used for weapons. It must be turned into Uranium-233 (U-233) to be used in reactors, making it complex but promising for safe and sustainable energy.