Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The death toll in the stampede at Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Velusamypuram has risen to 41. Doctors reported most fatalities were due to compressive asphyxia caused by crowd crush. Asphyxia occurs when the body does not get enough oxygen. Respiration moves oxygen into the lungs and circulates it via blood to all body cells, while carbon dioxide is removed. Lack of oxygen can cause unconsciousness or death. Compressive asphyxia happens when an external force prevents chest expansion, crushing the lungs and stopping breathing. This can occur in crowded situations or from a person’s weight on the chest.

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Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) recently detected phosphine (PH3) in the atmosphere of brown dwarf Wolf 1130C. Phosphine is a chemical compound consisting of one phosphorus atom and three hydrogen atoms. On Earth, phosphine is naturally produced by bacteria in low-oxygen environments. These bacteria absorb phosphate from minerals or biological material and combine it with hydrogen to form phosphine. Phosphine is also present in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. The compound is also known as hydrogen phosphide. Its detection in Wolf 1130C provides insights into chemical processes in brown dwarf atmospheres.

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Meta Platforms has chosen Mumbai and Visakhapatnam as landing sites for its undersea cable project named Waterworth. Undersea cables are fiber-optic cables laid on the ocean floor to transmit information globally. They form the backbone of the international internet. Around 90% of global data and 80% of world trade are carried through undersea cables. They also facilitate approximately $10 trillion of financial transactions annually. The project will strengthen India’s connectivity with global digital networks and support faster internet and data services.

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A recent study found that the indigenous rotavirus vaccine ‘Rotavac’ is as effective in real-world use as in clinical trials. Rotavac is an oral, live attenuated, monovalent liquid vaccine against rotavirus. It was developed through a public-private partnership involving the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Bharat Biotech, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Rotavirus is a viral disease that commonly causes diarrhoeal illness in children. There is no specific medicine to treat rotavirus infection, and vaccination provides the best protection. This study highlights Rotavac’s continued role in child health.

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Chandrayaan-2, India’s second lunar mission, made the first direct observation of the Sun’s Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) effects on the Moon. The observation was made by CHACE-2 (Chandra’s Atmospheric Composition Explorer-2), a payload onboard the orbiter. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reported that the dayside lunar exosphere pressure increased when the CME impacted the Moon. The total number density of neutral atoms or molecules increased more than tenfold, confirming theoretical predictions for the first time. Chandrayaan-2, launched on 22 July 2019 via GSLV Mk-III M1, carried eight experiment payloads; however, the Vikram lander lost communication during its soft-landing attempt.

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Kerala reported another death from Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, PAM), raising the 2025 toll to 27 cases. Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis is a rare, fatal brain infection caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri, known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” Infection occurs when contaminated freshwater enters the nasal cavity, allowing the amoeba to reach the brain via the olfactory nerve. It is found in warm freshwater and soil, especially lakes, rivers, hot springs, and unchlorinated pools.

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In Nigeria, the Lassa fever outbreak has claimed 172 lives since January 2025. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 924 confirmed cases out of 8,041 suspected cases till October 2025. The case fatality rate stands at 18.6%, higher than 17% in 2024. The most affected age group is 21 to 30 years. The outbreak is worsened by poor sanitation, low awareness, and delayed treatment. Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus from the Arenavirus family. Infection spreads through food or household items contaminated by urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. The World Health Organization (WHO) stresses early diagnosis and quick treatment for survival.

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Bangladesh became the 8th country in the world to introduce the Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) in its routine immunisation programme. Around 50 million children aged 9 months to 15 years will receive the vaccine under a nationwide campaign. India is the major vaccine supplier for this drive but has not yet included TCV in its Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Typhoid fever is caused by the Salmonella typhi bacterium and spreads through contaminated food and water or vectors like flies. The disease can lead to fever lasting several weeks, and complications like intestinal perforation can cause death. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 9–12 million global typhoid cases and over 1 lakh deaths annually — with India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan as hotspots

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A Gulf Keralite’s quick return home for fever treatment proved life-saving after he was diagnosed with scrub typhus. Scrub Typhus is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi. It spreads through bites of infected chiggers (young mites) and not from person to person. Its prevalence depends on factors like climate, vector abundance, farming, domestic animals, and sanitation. The disease is more common during cooler months.

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In November 2025, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a Joint Venture (JV) under the Ministry of Power (MoP), announced India’s largest Geothermal Energy Technology (GET) pilot project in Andhra Pradesh (AP). The project will be implemented at two tourism hubs — Araku Valley and Visakhapatnam (Vizag). It uses geothermal systems like Earth Air Tunnel (EAT) Systems and Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP). The system works by using the earth’s constant underground temperature at a depth of 7–8 meters (m) for eco-friendly heating and cooling. The technology has a short payback period of 3–4 years, ideal for hotels and tourism infrastructure.