Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Researchers at IIT Mandi found CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) technology to have minimal environmental impact among solar cell technologies in India. CdTe, an odorless black crystalline solid, is made from Cadmium and Tellurium. It is insoluble in water, dissolves in nitrate acid, and oxidizes in moist air. CdTe has the lowest CO2 emissions, ozone depletion potential, and human health effects. It is widely used in thin-film solar cells and semiconductor detectors.

Notes:
Paris’ outdated sewage system has severely contaminated the Seine River with E. coli, a harmful bacterium. The Seine, France’s second-longest river at 775 km, flows through Paris for 13 km and empties into the English Channel. E. coli, found in human and animal intestines, can cause severe symptoms like abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and kidney failure. It spreads via contaminated food and water tainted by fecal waste.

Notes:
World Hepatitis Day, observed on 28 July, raises awareness about viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that can lead to severe liver disease and cancer. Millions die from hepatitis-related illnesses globally, highlighting the need for better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Hepatitis is typically caused by viral infections but can also result from autoimmune conditions, medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. The theme for World Hepatitis Day 2024 is “It’s Time for Action,” emphasizing the urgency of addressing hepatitis to improve global health outcomes. This day aims to increase knowledge and inspire positive changes in combating hepatitis worldwide.

Notes:
An international team, including Dr. Prashant Pathak from IIT Kanpur, has discovered a giant exoplanet named Epsilon Indi Ab orbiting a star similar to the Sun. This ‘super-Jupiter’ is six times the mass of Jupiter and is the first mature exoplanet found using direct imaging. Located 12 light-years away, its atmosphere has high metal content, and it orbits at 28 times the Earth-Sun distance. The discovery was made using the James Webb Space Telescope.

Notes:
World Lung Cancer Day, observed on August 1st, raises awareness about lung cancer, highlighting its impact and educating the public on risks, symptoms, and treatments. The day advocates for early detection, better treatment options, and more research funding. This year’s theme, “Close the Care Gap: Everyone Deserves Access to Cancer Care,” emphasizes the need for equitable healthcare access for all cancer patients.

Notes:
Researchers have recently identified a new clade of Candida auris, increasing the total number to six globally. Candida auris is a multi-drug-resistant fungal pathogen that can cause a range of infections, from skin infections to severe, life-threatening bloodstream infections. It was first identified in Japan. It spreads mainly in healthcare settings through contaminated surfaces or person-to-person contact. The fungus can either colonize parts of the body without symptoms or cause serious infections if it enters the bloodstream or wounds.

Notes:
Researchers have recently warned that silicosis, a respiratory disease that hardens the lungs, could become as serious as asbestos exposure. It is caused by inhaling silica dust found in soil, sand, concrete, granite, and artificial stone. Commonly affects workers in construction, mining, oil and gas extraction, kitchen engineering, dentistry, pottery, and sculpting. People in these industries face a higher risk of developing silicosis after 10-20 years of exposure. Symptoms include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, weakness, and tiredness.

Notes:
World Organ Donation Day 2024 is celebrated on August 13 to raise awareness about organ donation. The theme for 2024 is “Be the Reason for Someone’s Smile Today.” Thousands of people worldwide await life-saving organ transplants each year. The day aims to promote the importance of organ donation and dispel related myths. It also honors organ donors who have saved lives and given others a chance at a healthy life.

Notes:
Elon Musk hosted Donald Trump for a live audio interview on the social media platform X, but it was delayed and had glitches due to a suspected massive DDoS attack. A DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attack overwhelms a website or service with traffic from multiple sources, making it hard to pinpoint the attackers. Attackers use compromised devices and spoofed IP addresses to flood the target’s servers, overloading them with traffic and preventing legitimate connections.

Notes:
The WHO declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) for the second time in two years. A PHEIC is a serious and unexpected health event that spreads internationally and needs a coordinated global response. Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a double-stranded DNA virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus. There are two genetic clades of MPXV: clade I and clade II. mpox was first reported in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.