Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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A recent large-scale study from South Korea, published in the European Heart Journal, found that people vaccinated against shingles have a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus stays dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate later in life when the immune system weakens. Shingles appears as a painful rash with blisters, usually on one side of the body, and can cause symptoms like burning, headache, and fever. The most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a nerve pain that can last for months. Shingles is not directly contagious but the virus can infect someone who never had chickenpox. It mainly affects people over 50 or those with weak immune systems.

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Recently, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar. The event was held during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, organised by the African Union and World Health Organization (WHO). Kala-azar is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by a protozoan parasite and is fatal if untreated, showing symptoms like fever, fatigue, weight loss, and enlarged spleen and liver. More than 70% of global kala-azar cases are in Eastern Africa, where half of the affected are children under 15, according to the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). The MoU encourages more investment and better strategies to eliminate kala-azar and improve public health responses.

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At the I/O Developers Conference 2025, Google launched its AI-first restructuring strategy called AI Matryoshka. AI Matryoshka is a multi-layered artificial intelligence ecosystem where Google’s core AI acts like the central brain, similar to a Matryoshka doll. It is built around Gemini 2.5 models and aims to change how users, developers, and enterprises interact with technology. This system powers everything from Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to user-facing apps. The goal is to deeply embed AI across all Google platforms and create smart, autonomous systems that respond in real time.

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The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has announced financial support for India’s first indigenous thrombectomy device. This support aims to improve stroke care by promoting homegrown medical technology. A thrombectomy is a medical procedure to remove blood clots from arteries or veins. These clots, called thrombi, can block blood flow and damage tissues or organs. Thrombectomy helps restore proper blood circulation and prevents serious health risks.

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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, recently developed a metal-based nanozyme to help control abnormal blood clotting caused by Pulmonary Thromboembolism (PTE). Pulmonary Thromboembolism is a condition where blood clots block arteries in the lungs, which can be life-threatening. Nanozymes are nanomaterials that act like enzymes and can be made from metals, metal oxides, or carbon-based substances. This new nanozyme could offer a promising treatment option by safely breaking down harmful clots.

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A new scientific breakthrough was made when researchers from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, successfully measured the half-life of the heaviest proton emitter isotope, 188At (Astatine). Astatine is a rare and highly radioactive element with atomic number 85, and it belongs to the halogen group in the periodic table. Unlike other halogens like fluorine and iodine, astatine has no stable isotopes. It is extremely radioactive, possibly appears as a dark solid, and emits a blue glow due to ionizing radiation. It occurs naturally as a decay product but has a very short half-life.

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Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes sudden, involuntary movements or vocal sounds called tics. It usually starts between the ages of 2 and 15, with the average age of onset around six. It affects around 0.3% to 1% of the global population, as highlighted in recent reports. The condition is more common in boys than in girls. Tics can be mild or severe and may include blinking, jerking, or making sounds. In severe cases, it can impact speech, daily activities, and overall quality of life.

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Researchers recently found a surprising amount of germanium in a star named A980, which is part of a rare group called Extreme Helium (EHe) stars. This is the first time germanium, a metallic element, has been observed in such a star. Extreme Helium stars are low-mass supergiants that have very little hydrogen and are mostly made of helium. They are believed to form from the merger of a carbon-oxygen white dwarf and a smaller helium white dwarf. Only 21 EHe stars have been found in our galaxy so far.

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Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lenacapavir (LEN), the most advanced medicine yet for HIV prevention. Lenacapavir is an antiretroviral drug used as pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP for people who are HIV-negative but at risk. PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a method to prevent HIV infection before exposure. Lenacapavir is taken as an injection just twice a year, making it easier and more discreet than daily pills. It is developed by Gilead Sciences and sold under the brand name Yeztugo.

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Recently, Noida International Airport (NIA) partnered with Anlon Technology Solutions to introduce India’s first indigenously developed Runway Rubber Removal Machine (RRM) named Cleanjet RRM. This eco-friendly machine is designed to enhance runway safety by removing rubber deposits and other contaminants using ultra-high-pressure water jets without abrasive chemicals.