Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Microsoft unveiled Majorana 1, its first quantum computing chip, to improve stability, speed, and practicality in quantum computing. The chip utilizes Majorana particles, an exotic quantum state, to minimize computational errors and enhance reliability. It is developed by Microsoft, with validation from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), U.S.

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Researchers at Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a method to reduce anion migration in CsPbX3 perovskite nanocrystals. Perovskite nanocrystals have the same structure as calcium titanium oxide (CaTiO3). They follow the chemical formula ABX₃, where ‘A’ and ‘B’ are cations, and ‘X’ is an anion. These crystals can be designed with various physical, optical, and electrical properties. They are used in optoelectronics, including solar cells, photodetectors, and LEDs. Perovskite LEDs combine the benefits of OLEDs and QLEDs, making them promising for next-generation lighting.

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Scientists at Wuhan Institute of Virology, China, discovered a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2. The virus shares similarities with SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. HKU5-CoV-2 can bind to human ACE2 receptors, but its ability to spread among humans is uncertain. The virus belongs to the merbecovirus subgenus, related to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), but its severity in humans remains unknown.

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Clinical neuroscientists have treated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in a baby before birth. SMA is a genetic disorder affecting motor neurons, causing progressive muscle weakness. It has five types (0-4), classified by age of onset and severity. Symptoms include muscle weakness, especially near the body’s center, but do not affect involuntary muscles like the heart. It is caused by SMN1 gene mutations, leading to motor neuron loss. It affects 1 in 10,000 births and is a leading genetic cause of infant deaths.

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Maharashtra’s state minister is suffering from Bell’s Palsy, a condition causing temporary facial paralysis. It results from inflammation or irritation of the facial nerve (seventh cranial nerve) controlling facial muscles. It is often linked to viral infections, but the cause is usually unknown (idiopathic). It can affect anyone, but is more common in adults. Symptoms include facial drooping, difficulty with facial expressions, drooling, and issues with closing the eyelid or smiling.

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A child died of measles in rural West Texas, marking the first US measles death in 10 years. The outbreak began last month, with 124 cases reported across nine counties. It started in a rural Mennonite community in Gaines County, where many children are unvaccinated and home-schooled. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory tract. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash covering the body. Severe cases can be fatal. The virus spreads through breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Vaccination is an effective protection against measles.

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Scientists have developed a new gene therapy for Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), a rare genetic disorder. MSUD is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme complex needed to break down branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) like leucine, isoleucine, and valine. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, requiring both parents to pass on the gene mutation. The disorder prevents proper amino acid metabolism, leading to neurological symptoms and life-threatening brain damage.

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Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully landed in the Mare Crisium region of the Moon after a controlled descent. It carries 10 NASA payloads under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to boost private-sector lunar exploration. The mission aims to study the lunar environment, using a vacuum for soil collection and a drill measuring temperatures up to 3 meters deep. It will analyze heat flow, plume-surface interactions, and the Moon’s magnetic and electric fields to understand its geological history. The lander will function for 14 Earth days to conduct scientific studies and tech demonstrations.

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IIT Bombay and Monash University, Australia, have developed a cost-effective sensor to detect toxic metals in water. The project received funding from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India. The sensor uses a copper-based metal-organic framework (MOF) called copper-tetra carboxyphenyl porphyrin (Cu-TCPP) for efficient detection. It can detect lead, cadmium, and mercury even in trace amounts. The MOF structure allows metal ion replacement without collapsing, improving detection capability. Tests on tap and lake water confirmed its accuracy. The sensor performs as well as or better than DNA-based sensors, with simpler design and efficiency.

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A global survey found that 56.6% of Indians aged 50+ know little about shingles, though over 90% have the virus. Shingles (herpes zoster) is a viral infection causing a painful rash or blisters, often in a band-like pattern. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox and can reactivate in adulthood. Shingles is not contagious, but the virus can spread to someone who never had chickenpox. Symptoms include pain, itching, fever, and fatigue. The Shingrix vaccine helps prevent shingles, and antiviral drugs can reduce its severity.