Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers utilized CRISPR-Cas9 to restore vision in individuals with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare genetic eye disorder causing blindness from birth. LCA affects 1 in 40,000 people, impairing light-sensitive cells due to a mutation in the CEP290 gene. The “BRILLIANCE” trial administered a single dose of CRISPR therapy, EDIT-101, which corrected the mutation, enabling proper function of the CEP290 protein, thus restoring vision by allowing the retina to perceive light.

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FLiRT, a new variant of COVID-19, has emerged as the dominant strain in the United States. It belongs to the Omicron JN.1 lineage and features two mutations, KP 1.1 and KP.2. Rapidly spreading, FLiRT exhibits diverse symptoms including sore throat, cough, fatigue, nasal congestion, headache, muscle aches, fever, and gastric issues. Continuous monitoring and appropriate public health measures are essential to address its rapid transmission.

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Scientists have found a super-Earth, 55 Cancri e, near our solar system. It’s twice Earth’s size with a thick atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide and monoxide. Orbiting its star, Copernicus, at a close distance, it completes an orbit every 18 hours. Positioned 41 light years away, it faces perpetual day and night. A light-year equals nearly six trillion miles, illustrating the vast gap between Earth and this exoplanet.

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Gopi Thotakura, an Indian expatriate, became the first Indian space tourist and the second Indian in space on Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission. The mission, New Shepard’s seventh human spaceflight, included six crew members, among them Gopi Thotakura. The crew also featured historical figure Ed Dwight, the first black astronaut candidate selected by President Kennedy. New Shepard has now flown 37 people into space, marking another milestone in space tourism.

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Pig Butchering Scams, also known as “sha zhu pan” scams, are rising globally, notably in India. Scammers create fake online personas to lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes. They build trust over time, dubbed “fattening the pig,” before stealing money. Initially contacting targets through social media or dating apps, scammers deceive victims into cryptocurrency trading via fake apps. Withdrawal attempts are met with excuses or hefty fees, making fund retrieval challenging due to blockchain transactions’ nature.

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Twelve nations signed the Zero Debris Charter at the ESA/EU Space Council, committing to sustainable human activities in Earth orbit. The European Space Agency (ESA) initiated the Charter in November 2023. It aims to eliminate space debris by 2030 through ambitious technical targets and global cooperation. Although non-binding, it sets key goals like a debris generation probability below 1 in 1,000 per object and 99% post-mission disposal success.

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CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research launched an Electric Tiller for small farmers, prioritizing user comfort and eco-sustainability. Features include enhanced torque, electronic controls, and versatile charging options like AC and Solar DC. It produces zero exhaust emissions, supporting India’s commitment to eco-friendly farming. Compatible with various attachments, it minimizes operator fatigue, boosts productivity, and has the potential to reduce operational costs by up to 85%. Tilling improves soil quality and promotes healthy crop growth.

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The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-Bombay) partnered with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to develop India’s first Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager, aligned with the National Quantum Mission. This imager uses Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds to detect and characterize anomalies in semiconductor chips. It enables non-invasive, non-destructive magnetic field imaging of semiconductor chips, similar to an MRI in hospitals.

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Recent research identified a novel protein, “Neo,” crucial in bacterial defense against bacteriophages. Discovered by Stephen Tang and Samuel Sternberg in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neo is part of the DRT-2 system. It involves rolling-circle reverse transcription of non-coding RNA, producing double-stranded cDNA upon phage infection. This cDNA generates mRNAs encoding the Neo protein, which induces bacterial cell dormancy, protecting the population from phage spread.

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Scientists in the UK have developed non-invasive techniques and novel analysis methods to track disease progression and evaluate treatments for Huntington’s disease (HD). HD, an inherited disorder caused by a mutation in the HTT gene, leads to the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, affecting movement, cognition, and psychiatric health. It manifests primarily in adulthood but can also begin in childhood. Increased genetic repetitions worsen the disease’s severity.