Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The WHO has issued a warning about the superbug hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp). hvKp is a drug-resistant bacteria that can cause severe, fast-spreading infections even in healthy people. It is found in the environment, like soil and water, as well as in the upper throat and gut of animals and humans. It can lead to infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, and meningitis.

Notes:
IIT Indore has developed footwear for military personnel using Tribo-Electric Nanogenerator (TENG) technology. TENG technology converts mechanical energy from walking into electrical energy through the triboelectric effect, which generates electricity from friction. This technology acts as a portable and renewable energy source. The stored energy can power small electronics, wearable devices, IoT devices, and medical devices.

Notes:
Drug-resistant fungal infections, especially Trichophyton indotineae, are a growing health concern in India. Trichophyton indotineae, known as ringworm or jock itch, was first identified in India and has spread globally. It belongs to genotype VIII within the T. mentagrophytes/T. interdigitale species. Inappropriate use of steroid creams has made this strain difficult to treat. Symptoms include persistent, treatment-resistant rashes, often misdiagnosed as eczema. Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment worsen the condition and increase community transmission. Resistant cases may require alternative treatments like itraconazole, with close healthcare monitoring.

Notes:
The US centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory due to a rise in parvovirus B19 cases.
Parvovirus B19 is highly contagious, especially in people with weakened immune systems. It’s also known as “slapped cheek” illness due to the red cheeks it causes and as “Fifth disease” for being fifth on the list of childhood illnesses with a rash. The virus spreads through airborne droplets from coughs or sneezes, blood, or contaminated blood products.
Pregnant individuals can transmit the virus to the fetus through the placenta.

Notes:
A study found large amounts of liquid water deep within Mars’ rocky crust, a major breakthrough in understanding the planet. This is the first evidence of liquid water on Mars’ surface beyond the known ice at the poles. The study, titled “Liquid water in the Martian mid-crust,” was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) by scientists from the University of California. The discovery could enhance knowledge of Mars’ water cycle, climate history, and potential for life. Water is located 10-20 km deep, believed to have seeped from the surface billions of years ago. If widespread, this water could fill an ocean 1-2 km deep across Mars.

Notes:
An international group has proposed a lunar time standard to address time discrepancies on the Moon due to its unique gravity. Atomic clocks, crucial for precision in GPS, telecom, and research, are the most accurate timekeeping devices. These clocks measure time using the stable resonant frequencies of atoms like cesium-133. One second is defined by the vibration of a cesium atom 9,192,631,770 times. Atomic clocks work by introducing a microwave signal to cesium atoms, detecting emitted radiation, and adjusting timekeeping for continuous precision.

Notes:
ISRO has designed the skull for Vyomitra, a female half-humanoid set to be part of the Gaganyaan mission in 2025. The uncrewed Gaganyaan mission will send Vyomitra into space as part of a 3-day orbit with a crew of 3, landing them safely in seawater. Humanoids are robotic systems resembling humans, used in space to perform tasks like cleaning solar panels or fixing equipment. Vyomitra’s skull is made of a flexible, lightweight aluminum alloy, weighing 800 grams and measuring 200mm x 220mm. The humanoid will have a human-like upper body with movable arms, a face, and a neck.

Notes:
Recently, five people fell unconscious and were hospitalized in Visakhapatnam while shifting acetanilide bags between containers. Acetanilide is a synthetic organic compound with the formula C8H9NO, also known as N-phenylacetamide or acetanil. It is a white, odorless solid related to acetic acid and was first used as a fever-reducing drug in 1886.
Acetanilide was used for pain relief, including headaches and cramps, but has been largely replaced by acetaminophen (paracetamol) due to toxic side effects that affect hemoglobin function. It is still used as an intermediate in producing dyes, rubber, and other chemicals.

Notes:
The Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) in Gandhinagar published the first fully mapped genome of the Chandipura Vesiculovirus (CHPV). CHPV causes encephalitis, leading to brain swelling, and was responsible for several cases during the July-August outbreak in Gujarat. Genome mapping identifies the locations of genes and key sequences on a genome. It helps understand a virus’s origin, mutations, and potential changes in transmissibility or severity. There are two types of genome maps: genetic maps, showing relative gene positions, and physical maps, showing absolute positions based on DNA base pairs.

Notes:
NASA confirmed that Saturn’s rings will appear to ‘disappear’ in March 2025 due to an optical illusion. Saturn’s axis is tilted similarly to Earth’s, causing its rings to face the Sun differently at various times. During part of Saturn’s year, the rings shine brightly, while in the other part, only their underside is visible. The rings will be edge-on to Earth twice in Saturn’s orbit, creating an equinox effect. This alignment makes the rings appear very thin and reflect little light, rendering them almost invisible from Earth. The last time this happened was in 2009, and the rings will gradually reappear as Saturn continues its orbit.