Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Russia has launched EnteroMix, a new mRNA-based cancer vaccine, reported to show 100 percent efficacy in early trials. It was developed by the National Medical Research Radiology Centre (NMRRC) and Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology under the Russian Academy of Sciences. The launch took place at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2025) and shared globally via Sputnik news service. The vaccine targets colorectal cancer first, with versions in development for glioblastoma and melanoma. EnteroMix uses four harmless viruses to attack cancer cells and boost immune defence. Russian Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FMBA) confirmed its safety for repeated use and personalised RNA-based tailoring.

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Turakapalem village in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, has seen 29 deaths due to Melioidosis. It is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei found in soil and water. The government has declared a public health emergency in the area. The disease is seasonal, with 75–85% of cases during the rainy season. It has a high case fatality rate (CFR) of 16% to 50% in endemic regions. Endemic areas include Southeast Asia, northern Australia, Indian subcontinent, southern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Currently, no vaccine is available, but early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

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Recently, a study in Nature Reviews Disease Primers gave an in-depth analysis of sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease where immune cells form granulomas in organs, mainly lungs. Granulomas are most common in lungs and lymph nodes but can also affect eyes, skin, heart, and other organs. Exact cause is unknown but linked to genetic changes and triggers like bacteria, viruses, dust, or chemicals. Symptoms range from mild to severe, including cough, breathlessness, shin sores, eye pain, and redness. Some cases resolve on their own, while others become chronic and may lead to fibrosis with lung scarring. There is no cure, but treatment with medicines reduces immune overreaction and prevents organ damage.

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Scientists at CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) discovered how white blood cells adapt their skeletons to fight pathogens. The study was published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. Cell shape depends on a dense, branched actin network near the membrane. Actin molecules push the membrane and create new meshworks for movement. A protein called SPIN90 regulates actin monomers and pairs with the Arp2/3 complex. Together, they grow new actin filaments in two directions about 150° apart. These filaments act as scaffolds to form branched actin mesh, reshaping the cell and aiding motility. This discovery explains rapid immune response and has implications for cancer, immune disorders, and wound healing.

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Astronomers discovered asteroid 2025 PN7 in September 2025 as Earth’s latest quasi-satellite. ‘Quasi’ means almost; the asteroid is not gravitationally bound but orbits the Sun in resonance with Earth. It is an Arjuna-class near-Earth asteroid, named after Mahabharata’s Arjuna. 2025 PN7 orbits the Sun while staying close to Earth and will remain in this quasi-satellite state for approx 128 years. It was first spotted on August 2, 2025, by Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System 1 (Pan-STARRS 1) in Hawaii.

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Australia recently approved Lecanemab for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia causes progressive memory and thinking problems and is now Australia’s leading cause of death. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. Lecanemab is a monoclonal antibody drug that targets amyloid proteins in the brain. It aims to slow disease progression by tackling the cause of Alzheimer’s, not just symptoms. The drug works by using antibodies to mark amyloid for removal by brain immune cells, preventing toxicity to brain cells.

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The Philippines has launched Southeast Asia’s first Coral Larvae Cryobank, a major step to protect marine biodiversity. The cryobank is a scientific facility that freezes and stores coral larvae at ultra-low temperatures. It preserves the genetic material of corals for future reef restoration and scientific research. The facility acts like a “genetic seed vault” for corals to help safeguard biodiversity from climate change and coral bleaching. The project is part of the Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform (CORDAP). Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are jointly participating in this regional conservation effort.

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Maldives has become the first country in the world to achieve triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Maldives for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B. According to WHO, around 25,000 HIV-positive pregnant women globally need treatment to prevent transmission to babies. Hepatitis B still affects over 42 million people in the WHO Southeast Asia Region. In Maldives, over 95% of pregnant women receive antenatal care with almost universal testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.

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On October 13, 2025, TechBharat Research Foundation (TBRF) and Google Cloud India launched India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Public Good in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP). The initiative was supported by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, particularly its Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (IT, E&C). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and TechBharat Research Foundation (TBRF) for setting up and operating the CoE. TBRF will lead the CoE as a hub for applied AI research and public service solutions. Google Cloud India will provide cloud infrastructure, Gemini AI models, tools, mentorship, and market support.

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The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from organisations and manufacturers to develop monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Nipah viral disease. Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen from the Paramyxoviridae family. In India and Bangladesh, the Bangladesh clade (NiV-B) is dominant, known for high virulence and human-to-human transmission. The fatality rate ranges between 40% and 75%, depending on treatment and outbreak control. Fruit bats (flying foxes) are the natural reservoirs, spreading the virus to humans and animals like pigs, goats, and cats.