Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Kerala Government, in collaboration with Remidio, launched Nayanamritham 2.0, the world’s first AI-assisted chronic eye disease screening program. It builds on Nayanamritham 1.0, which focused on diabetic retinopathy screening. Optometrists use AI-enabled fundus cameras to classify cases as referable or non-referable for faster diagnoses. Now includes screening for glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Covers community health centers, taluk hospitals, and district hospitals. Aims to reduce preventable blindness, improve early detection, and enhance patient care. Kerala is the first government public health system globally to adopt AI for eye screening.

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IIIT-Delhi researchers developed AI-powered tools for tracking antibiotic resistance in real time. The project is a collaboration between IIIT-Delhi, CHRI-PATH, Tata 1mg, and ICMR scientists. The AI tool, AMRSense, analyzes hospital data to provide early insights on antimicrobial resistance. It operates at global, national, and hospital levels to aid quick action. The research established links between antibiotic resistance patterns in community and hospital infections.

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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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ISRO recently conducted a successful hot test on the semi-cryogenic engine (SE2000), advancing towards finalizing the cryogenic stage. The semi-cryogenic engine (SCE) uses liquid oxygen (LOX) as an oxidizer and refined kerosene (RP-1) as fuel. ISRO is developing the 2000 kN thrust SCE for future heavy-lift launch vehicles. Kerosene is more cost-effective and easier to handle than liquid hydrogen, simplifying storage and reducing mission costs. The engine will enhance ISRO’s launch vehicle payload capacity and is planned for use in the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).

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Andhra Pradesh is considering increasing the monthly pension for thalassemia patients and extending it to those above the poverty line due to high treatment costs. Currently, treatment is provided to below-poverty-line patients under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme. Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder where the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin, leading to severe anemia. Patients require blood transfusions every 2-3 weeks for survival. Symptoms include weak bones, slow growth, iron overload, poor appetite, enlarged spleen or liver, and pale skin.

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Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a fatal brain disorder linked to measles (rubella) infection. It can develop years after measles recovery, affecting children and adolescents, with men at higher risk. Low measles vaccination coverage in Uttar Pradesh has made SSPE a serious health concern. SSPE cases are reported worldwide but remain rare in Western countries.

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IIT Guwahati researchers developed AI-powered robots for border surveillance. The robots, created by Da Spatio Rhobotique Laboratory Pvt. Ltd (DSRL), offer real-time monitoring in tough terrains. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) acknowledged their potential for India’s defence. The Indian Army is conducting field trials for deployment. Unlike drones and stationary cameras, these robots overcome terrain, weather, and endurance challenges. Features include pole traversal, obstacle navigation, and AI-driven reconnaissance. The system enhances threat detection and security. This innovation supports India’s vision of self-reliance in defence technology.

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Scientists have identified the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (BbLDH) as essential for the survival and infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by Bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and can affect the skin, heart, brain, and joints. It is transmitted exclusively through the bite of infected deer ticks (black-legged ticks) and cannot spread via human contact, pets, air, food, water, or insect vectors such as mosquitoes and fleas. The disease is prevalent in wooded and grassy regions, particularly in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, with higher incidence during warmer months.

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On March 22, 2025, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe reached 6 million km from the Sun, setting a new record for the closest spacecraft approach. It was launched on August 12, 2018, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It aims to study the Sun’s corona, solar wind, and magnetic field. The probe follows a highly elliptical orbit, using Venus’ gravity to move closer to the Sun. It is the fastest human-made object, reaching speeds of 692,000 km/hr. It will ultimately come within 6.16 million km of the Sun, about seven times closer than any previous spacecraft.

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The Euclid Space Telescope captured images of galaxies in different shapes. Named after ancient Greek mathematician Euclid, it is part of ESA’s Cosmic Vision Programme. It was launched by SpaceX Falcon 9. Its operational lifespan is at least 6 years. It is positioned 1.5 million km above Earth at the Lagrange Point 2 (L2). It is 4.7 meters tall and 3.7 meters in diameter, with image quality four times sharper than ground-based telescopes. Its mission includes studying dark energy, dark matter, and the universe’s large-scale structure in 3D.