Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers recently found a surprising amount of germanium in a star named A980, which is part of a rare group called Extreme Helium (EHe) stars. This is the first time germanium, a metallic element, has been observed in such a star. Extreme Helium stars are low-mass supergiants that have very little hydrogen and are mostly made of helium. They are believed to form from the merger of a carbon-oxygen white dwarf and a smaller helium white dwarf. Only 21 EHe stars have been found in our galaxy so far.

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Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently launched its first high-performance computing facility named NAKSHATRA at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. NAKSHATRA was developed under the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM). It is a modern computing cluster designed to boost storage and streamline processes for genomic research. The facility aims to improve early detection of disease threats and ensure faster response to outbreaks. It will also support Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven vaccine and drug development for better public health outcomes.

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A recent genomic study revealed the spread of Rice Yellow Mottle Virus or RYMV across African rice ecosystems, posing a serious threat to rice production. Rice Yellow Mottle Virus is a plant virus that affects rice and some related grasses. It first appeared in the mid-1800s in the Eastern Arc Mountains, now in Tanzania, a region rich in biodiversity. It is mainly found in Africa and is present in most rice-growing countries on the continent.

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Recently, India’s Jahnavi Dangeti was announced as the first Indian astronaut to join the Titans Space mission scheduled for 2029. She is a graduate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s International Air and Space Program and has received global training. Jahnavi is also a strong promoter of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education among youth. The mission will be led by retired U.S. Army Colonel and veteran NASA astronaut William McArthur Jr., who is now Chief Astronaut at Titans Space.

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Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla recently launched path-breaking Myogenesis experiments on the International Space Station (ISS), showing India’s progress in space research. Myogenesis is the process of forming muscle fibers. It is a complex and controlled process important for developing and maintaining skeletal muscle tissue. Myogenesis helps build body muscles that support movement, posture, and metabolism. It happens through the transformation of precursor cells called myoblasts into multinucleated muscle fibers. Studying myogenesis helps understand muscle diseases and develop therapies.

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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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Scientists at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), Delhi, have recently used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to boost phosphate uptake in japonica rice varieties. CRISPR-Cas9 is a modern gene-editing tool used to precisely modify plant traits. Japonica rice is one of the two major eco-geographical races of Oryza sativa, the other being Indica. It is mainly grown in northern and eastern China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Japonica has short to medium grains, which are thick, sticky, and harder than regular white rice.

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The world’s first-ever malaria treatment suitable for babies and very young children has been approved for use. Drug manufacturer Novartis has received approval from Swiss authorities for its new malaria drug named Coartem. The development of the drug is very significant, as the overwhelming majority of malaria-related deaths occur in the under-five age group. Most malaria-related deaths are recorded on the African continent. Malaria accounted for more than half a million deaths worldwide in 2023.

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Next generation E10 Shinkansen bullet trains will be introduced simultaneously in India and Japan. In India, they will operate on the 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project. Shinkansen is Japan’s high-speed bullet train known for its safety, speed, and reliability. It is the world’s safest high-speed transport system with high volume and frequency.

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A team at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut has recently developed a low-cost, highly sensitive point-of-care device for early detection of sepsis. The device uses an electrochemical biosensor to detect endotoxins, which are key biomarkers of infection from Gram-negative bacteria. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can cause organ failure, shock, and even death if not treated early. The device can detect Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a toxic component of bacterial membranes, within 10 minutes using blood serum.