Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, researchers at Raiganj University in West Bengal discovered a new soil bacteria species named Bacillus ayatagriensis. This bacteria was found in the rhizosphere, the area around plant roots, of mulberry plants, which are vital for local sericulture and farming. Bacillus ayatagriensis shows strong antimicrobial properties and greatly improves seed germination, boosting plant health and productivity. It can help organic farming by reducing chemical use.

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Recently, the Chief Minister of Karnataka asked the Horticulture Department for a report on the threat of black-headed caterpillar (Opisina arenosella) disease harming coconut plantations. This pest damages coconut trees in both coastal and inland areas by eating leaf green parts from silken galleries, lowering photosynthesis. It attacks coconuts of all ages, leaving dried patches on lower leaves while only a few young leaves stay green. The pest spreads quickly by wind and peaks in summer.

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Recently, China successfully tested its Feitian 2 hypersonic vehicle. Feitian 2 can switch between propulsion modes during flight for better performance. The vehicle uses a kerosene-hydrogen peroxide fuel mix. This positions China strongly in the global hypersonic technology race. Feitian 2 has potential uses in defense and civilian sectors.

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Recently, Microsoft introduced BioEmu, an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for simulating protein motion to accelerate drug discovery. The system is officially named Biomolecular Emulator-1 (BioEmu-1). BioEmu-1 is a deep learning model that can generate thousands of protein structures per hour using a single Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Proteins are vital for biological processes like muscle formation and disease protection. Earlier, predicting protein structures from amino acid sequences was difficult. BioEmu-1 offers deeper insights into protein behavior, which is crucial for developing effective medicines.

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Recently, Indian Railways signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) to install Machine Vision Based Inspection System (MVIS). Machine Vision Based Inspection System (MVIS) uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to inspect trains in real time for better maintenance and safety. It is a wayside system that captures high-resolution images of moving train under-gear. It detects hanging, loose, or missing parts and sends real-time alerts for quick action.

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Recently, on July 1, scientists using the ATLAS telescope in Chile reported the discovery of an interstellar object named 3I/ATLAS. It has been tracked since June 14, 2025 and is believed to be the oldest comet ever observed, possibly over 3 billion years old, predating the solar system. It is classified as an interstellar comet due to its hyperbolic orbit and high speed of 57–68 km/s relative to the Sun. The comet comes from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, suggesting an origin in the Milky Way’s thick disk.

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On July 14, 2025, Israel launched its first fully government-funded and domestically built communications satellite, Dror-1, from Cape Canaveral, Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Dror-1 is Israel’s most advanced geostationary satellite, built 100% with local technologies to ensure strategic independence. It weighs 4.5 tonnes, spans 17.8 metres, and will serve Israel’s communication needs for the next 15 years. The satellite orbits 36,000 km above Earth, maintaining constant coverage over Israel and nearby regions.

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Kerala has recently introduced the Cy-TB skin test to detect Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). Cy-TB is a new-generation intradermal skin test using Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens called ESAT-6 and CFP-10. It is more accurate than Mantoux or IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay) tests and does not need blood samples. It helps in early detection of dormant TB to prevent it from becoming active. It is used for adults above 18, especially in high-risk or contact groups.

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Pune district in Maharashtra has been declared an affected area due to rising Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) cases in cattle. As of now, 906 cattle are infected, with 591 recovered and 15 deaths reported. Pune has over 8.46 lakh cattle as per the 20th Livestock Census and is a major milk producer. Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a highly infectious viral disease affecting all breeds of cattle and water buffalo. It is caused by Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), belonging to the genus Capripoxvirus (CaPV) under the family Poxviridae.

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Recently, Indian researchers identified a key gene in pineapple that can fight the deadly Fusariosis disease. Fusariosis is caused by the fungus Fusarium moniliforme and damages stems, blackens leaves, and rots fruits from inside. It leads to major losses in pineapple farming and makes harvests unreliable. Researchers from Bose Institute under Department of Science and Technology (DST) identified AcSERK3 gene (Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinase). Overexpression of this gene boosted pineapple’s natural immunity.