Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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An international team of astronomers has used the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to discover a new warm Jupiter-type exoplanet over 1,000 light years away. TESS is a NASA mission launched in March 2018 to detect exoplanets orbiting bright dwarf stars by observing small dips in star brightness caused by planet transits. It followed the Kepler space telescope and used the transit method to study planet size and orbit. In its two-year prime mission, which ended in July 2020, TESS imaged 75% of the sky and discovered 66 new exoplanets. TESS continues its work under an extended mission.

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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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China has launched the “Three Gorges Antarctic Eye,” a 3.2-metre aperture radio and millimetre-wave telescope at Zhongshan Station in Antarctica. It is designed to study interstellar gas like hydrogen and ammonia and to explore star formation in deep space. The telescope can operate in Antarctica’s extreme cold and strong winds, making it a major engineering success. It builds on China’s earlier Antarctic Survey Telescopes (AST3) projects. The telescope was developed by China Three Gorges University and Shanghai Normal University to boost China’s space science research.

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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-Kgp) developed an energy-efficient graphene-based technology for oil-water separation to manage oil spills safely and effectively. Graphene is a single atomic layer of graphite, an allotrope of carbon with tightly bonded atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is about 200 times stronger than steel, lightweight, transparent, and highly elastic with excellent thermal conductivity and flexibility. The new technology uses graphene’s unique properties to clean oil spills efficiently with less energy and no toxic residue. Graphene is also used in making microchips, batteries, and biomedical devices due to its versatile nature.

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World Chagas Disease Day is observed every year on April 14 to raise awareness about the devastating impact of Chagas disease. The theme for World Chagas Disease Day 2025 is “Prevent, Control, Care: Everyone’s role in Chagas disease,” emphasizing the need for accessible healthcare and ongoing patient support. Chagas disease is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, found in the feces of the triatomine bug. It primarily affects regions in South America, Central America, and Mexico. If untreated, Chagas disease can lead to serious heart and digestive issues. Early treatment targets killing the parasite, while chronic cases focus on managing symptoms.

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The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) developed “venom maps” using local climate conditions to predict the venom characteristics of Russell’s viper, a deadly snake in India. A team from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, stated that these maps could help clinicians select the best treatment for snakebite patients. The findings were published in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Researchers highlighted the role of climate, temperature, humidity, and rainfall in venom composition. They analyzed venom samples from 115 snakes across 34 locations, linking venom characteristics with local climate conditions. The maps could aid in predicting venom types and developing targeted therapies for snakebites.

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The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has recently acknowledged Type 5 diabetes as a distinct form of the disease. This recognition came at the 75th Diabetes World Congress in Bangkok. Type 5 diabetes is a form of malnutrition-related diabetes that affects lean, undernourished teenagers and young adults, mostly in low- and middle-income regions. Around 20 to 25 million people globally are estimated to suffer from this type, mainly in Asia and Africa. It is caused by a severe defect in insulin secretion due to chronic undernutrition, not by insulin resistance like in Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. It was first identified in Jamaica in 1955 as J-type diabetes. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognised it in 1985 but later withdrew support in 1999 because of limited research.

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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay discovered a host protein that uses tiny tweezer-like machines to kill germs before they harm the body. The study, led by Professor Anirban Banerjee, found that this protein works like a special operation unit to detect and neutralize threats. When bacteria attack, human cells tag them as a “Red Flag” using a protein called “Ubiquitin.” Cells then target the flagged bacteria, tearing apart their surface proteins, similar to piranhas attacking prey. This discovery could help fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria, offering hope for more effective treatments against infections.

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India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu is expected to be commissioned next year. It marks a major step in the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear power programme. The PFBR is a 500 Megawatt electric (MWe) sodium-cooled reactor that uses fast neutrons instead of slow neutrons. It was developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), set up in 2003 under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

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The Bullseye Galaxy, officially named LEDA 1313424, was recently discovered by an international research team using the Hubble Space Telescope and the W. M. Keck Observatory. This galaxy has a unique ringed structure formed around 50 million years ago due to a head-on collision with a blue dwarf galaxy. The collision created rippling waves of gas, which triggered star formation in circular rings. The Hubble Space Telescope observed eight rings, while the W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii confirmed a ninth ring. The galaxy spans 250,000 light-years in diameter, nearly five times larger than the Milky Way. Despite being 130,000 light-years apart, a thin gas trail still links the Bullseye Galaxy to the dwarf galaxy. Scientists believe it may evolve into a Giant Low Surface Brightness Galaxy, which could offer insights into dark matter.