Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Swiss researchers have developed a gene editing technique to potentially treat Stargardt disease, also known as Stargardt macular degeneration. This rare genetic eye condition causes progressive vision loss in children and young adults, usually bilateral, involving both eyes. The disease is characterized by excessive lipofuscin buildup over the macula, responsible for clear central vision. The disease is more common in males and affects 1 in 8000 to 10,000 populations. Currently, there is no cure for the disease.

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US President Donald Trump proposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, citing fentanyl trafficking via Mexico and Canada. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid, 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is used for pain relief and anesthesia but is highly addictive. Overdose effects include stupor, blue skin, coma, and respiratory failure. Opioids, derived from the opium poppy plant, block pain signals but can cause euphoria, addiction, and fatal breathing issues.

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South Africa’s MeerKAT telescope discovered a new giant radio galaxy (GRG) named ‘Inkathazo,’ meaning ‘trouble’ in Xhosa and Zulu. The galaxy spans 3.3 million light-years, 32 times the size of the Milky Way, and is 1.44 billion light-years from Earth. GRGs are massive structures that emit jets of hot plasma powered by supermassive black holes. These jets glow at radio frequencies and stretch millions of light-years into space. Once considered rare, GRGs are now being discovered frequently due to advanced radio telescopes like MeerKAT in South Africa’s Northern Cape.

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Chinese researchers developed a new voice-based method for early Alzheimer’s detection. The study was led by Prof. Li Hai at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain condition that causes memory loss and cognitive decline. It affects thinking, learning, and organizing skills over time. It is the most common type of dementia, making up 60-80% of cases. The disease impacts brain regions responsible for thought, memory, and language.

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WHO announced that Guinea has eliminated the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, as a public health problem. This is the first neglected tropical disease eliminated in Guinea. HAT is caused by tsetse fly bites and can lead to fatal neurological issues if untreated. Guinea’s HAT cases resurfaced in the 1990s, prompting the launch of a national control program in 2002. Key strategies included mass screenings, vector control, and insecticide-impregnated mini-screens from 2012.

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Uganda and WHO launched a historic clinical trial for a vaccine against the Sudan species of Ebola virus. Ebola is a deadly disease caused by orthoebolaviruses (formerly ebolavirus). It was first discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The virus mainly affects humans and primates like gorillas, monkeys, and chimpanzees. It is found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and poses a major health threat.

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Scientists have developed a new gene therapy for Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD), a rare genetic disorder. MSUD is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme complex needed to break down branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) like leucine, isoleucine, and valine. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, requiring both parents to pass on the gene mutation. The disorder prevents proper amino acid metabolism, leading to neurological symptoms and life-threatening brain damage.

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A Lancet Global Health study found that over a third of newborns with sepsis could die. Neonatal sepsis is a blood infection in infants under 90 days old, caused by bacteria like E. coli, Listeria, and Streptococcus. It is classified into early-onset (within 72 hours) and late-onset (after 3 days). Symptoms include temperature changes, breathing issues, and diarrhea. Treatment involves intravenous antibiotics in hospitals. Neonatal sepsis causes 5,50,000 deaths globally yearly, with India accounting for nearly one-fourth of these deaths.

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A mysterious crying disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has caused over 60 deaths and infected more than 1,096 people in Western Congo. The disease was first identified in three children who ate bat and has spread rapidly. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, internal bleeding, diarrhea, body ache, intense thirst, joint pain, incessant crying, nose bleeding, and vomiting blood. The disease can kill within 48 hours, raising serious concerns. Tests ruled out Ebola, dengue, Marburg, and yellow fever, but the exact cause remains unknown. WHO is investigating whether it is an infection or a toxic agent.

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ISRO is developing a LOX-methane engine for the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) with a reusable booster stage and two expendable upper stages. The engine will have multiple restart capability to enhance mission flexibility and booster recovery. Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) is developing a spark torch igniter for higher ignition reliability and cleaner combustion. On March 3, a successful test of the igniter was conducted using GSLV Cryogenic Upper Stage vernier engine. Further tests will be conducted to improve performance and advance development.