Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers have developed biodegradable foam that could revolutionize packaging and address environmental issues. This bio-foam, made from FDA-approved bio-based epoxy resins and tea leaf-derived hardeners, offers a sustainable alternative to plastic foams used in FMCG packaging. It is an eco-friendly replacement for expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane foams. The foam’s structure allows it to be reprocessed or dissolved without losing strength and can disintegrate within three hours in eco-friendly solvents at 80°C. Safe for landfills, it prevents groundwater contamination. With a $7.9 billion market, this innovation targets low recycling rates in plastic foam packaging.

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Pathogen spillover from managed honey bees to wild pollinators poses a significant threat. Thai Sacbrood Virus (TSBV) affects honeybee larvae, killing them and hindering colony growth, particularly endangering Asiatic honeybees (Apis cerana indica). The virus spreads through the movement of bee colonies for pollination and honey production. TSBV caused a major outbreak in South India in 1991-1992, wiping out about 90% of Asiatic honey bee colonies. The virus resurfaced in Telangana in 2021 and has also been reported in countries like China and Vietnam.

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Recent research has identified Candidatus Phytoplasma as the causative agent of a peculiar disease in sesame fields in Midnapore, West Bengal. Sesame, known as the “Queen of Oil,” is an ancient oilseed crop with medicinal properties. The disease causes disfigurement and virescence in the plants, impacting their yield. Researchers, led by Prof. Gaurab Gangopadhyay, have been studying this issue and aim to improve sesame varieties through molecular marker-assisted breeding to combat this threat and enhance the crop’s benefits.

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The Sabal 20 is a logistics drone designed by EndureAir Systems, incubated at IIT Kanpur. It features advanced Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) technology, allowing it to operate in rugged terrains with a low noise signature. The drone can carry payloads of up to 20 kg and supports various missions, including long-range deliveries and high-altitude operations. Its development involved significant contributions from professors and students at IIT Kanpur, showcasing India’s advancements in drone technology.

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Scientists have taken the first zoomed-in image of the Red Supergiant WOH G64 star located in another galaxy. The star was imaged with high sharpness by the ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). WOH G64 is in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, about 160,000 light years from Earth. A red supergiant, WOH G64 is 2,000 times the size of the Sun and is nearing the end of its life, shedding its outer layer surrounded by gas and dust.

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A recent study evaluated the efficacy and safety of filgotinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) 1 inhibitor, for treating moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) causing chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. Its exact cause is unclear but may result from an abnormal immune response. It typically starts in childhood or early adulthood, though it can develop at any age. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, anemia, and weight loss. While there’s no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms.

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Hyderabad has been selected as the location for India’s first Google Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC), the only such facility in the Asia-Pacific and the fifth globally. GSEC will focus on advanced research, AI-driven security solutions, and addressing India’s cybersecurity challenges. Hyderabad’s growing tech ecosystem, supported by global giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, along with initiatives like T-Hub, makes it a hub for innovation. The GSEC project is expected to boost employment and enhance the city’s reputation in the cybersecurity sector.

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Google DeepMind unveiled GenCast, an AI model for weather prediction outperforming the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), the world’s top forecast system. GenCast provides faster, more accurate forecasts up to 15 days ahead, advancing beyond its deterministic predecessor by generating 50+ weather scenarios. It uses diffusion AI adapted to Earth’s spherical geometry to model complex weather probabilities. GenCast improves predictions of extreme weather risks, aiding officials in saving lives, reducing damage, and cutting costs. It excels in forecasting tropical cyclone tracks and will soon release real-time and historical forecasts for public integration and research.

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OpenAI launched its AI video generation model, Sora Turbo, for paid ChatGPT Plus and Pro users. Sora enables users to create 20-second 1080p videos from text prompts and storyboards. However, to address concerns about misuse, such as deepfakes and misappropriation of likeness, only a select group can generate videos featuring humans. The company aims to prevent harmful content, including child exploitation and sexual deepfakes, while promoting safe and innovative uses of AI in entertainment and marketing.

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African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious pig disease, has been reported in Kerala’s Kottayam district, prompting culling measures and infected zone declarations. ASF has a 100% mortality rate in pigs and is caused by a large, double-stranded DNA virus of the genus Asfivirus in the family Asfarviridae. The virus can survive long periods in pork and meat products but poses no risk to human health or food safety. ASF originated in sub-Saharan Africa and has spread to Asia and Europe; it was first confirmed in India in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in 2020. With no cure, vaccine, or prevention available, culling is the only effective control measure.