Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease, gained attention after a recent death in Iowa of a traveler from West Africa. It is caused by the Lassa virus from the Arenaviridae family, with Mastomys rats as the primary reservoir. Common in West African countries like Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, it affects up to 300,000 people annually with around 5,000 deaths. India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare classifies Lassa fever as internationally significant, though no cases have been reported in India until 2022. Transmission occurs through contaminated food or human-to-human via bodily fluids, especially in healthcare settings. Symptoms start with fever, weakness, and malaise, progressing to severe headache, muscle pain, and possibly organ failure.

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Israel’s Defence Ministry is working with Germany to deploy the Arrow-3 missile interception system in 2025. Arrow-3 is an exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile defense system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. It targets ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, using two-stage solid-fueled interceptors. The system has a range of 2,400 km and can intercept threats at altitudes of 100 km. It is hypersonic, traveling five times the speed of sound, and uses hit-to-kill technology for missile destruction. It also features advanced radar and tracking systems.

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IIT Ropar researchers developed a patented mechanical passive motion machine for knee rehabilitation (Patent No. 553407). Unlike motorized CPM machines, this device is entirely mechanical, using a piston and pulley system, needing no electricity or batteries. The lightweight, portable machine allows for smooth, controlled knee motion, aiding recovery post-surgery. It provides an affordable alternative to costly electric machines, beneficial in rural or off-grid areas. The device can be used at home, reducing hospital visits and promoting faster recovery.

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SpaceX’s Starship, standing at nearly 400 feet, is the world’s most powerful rocket. It recently underwent its sixth test flight from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas. The mission aimed to achieve a booster catch attempt, but automated health checks aborted it. Despite this, the Starship successfully ignited its Raptor engines in space, marking a significant milestone for future lunar and Martian missions as part of NASA’s Artemis initiative, which plans to utilize Starship as a lunar lander by 2026.

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A study shows that Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite causing Chagas disease, can survive in dead kissing bugs, even in insecticide-treated dog kennels. Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is found in the feces of triatomine bugs, also known as “kissing bugs.” The disease is common in South America, Central America, and Mexico. If untreated, it can lead to serious heart and digestive issues. Early treatment focuses on killing the parasite, but chronic cases focus on symptom management.

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Sjögren’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks moisture-producing glands, particularly the salivary and lacrimal glands, leading to symptoms like dry mouth and dry eyes. It is significantly more common in women and often remains undiagnosed for years, causing considerable distress. Awareness and proper diagnosis are crucial for effective management, which may involve lifestyle adjustments and medications to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected.

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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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Russia plans to deploy the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, also called “Satan 2,” to replace older models. The RS-28 Sarmat is a three-stage, liquid-fueled missile with an 18,000 km range and a 208.1 metric ton launch weight. It measures 35.3 meters in length and 3 meters in diameter, carrying a 10-ton payload. The missile can carry up to 10 heavy nuclear warheads, 16 smaller ones, or hypersonic glide vehicles. It features a short initial boost phase, making it harder for enemy systems to track and intercept.

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A Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda caused 15 deaths and 66 infections. MVD is a rare and severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates, caused by the Marburg virus (MARV) and Ravn virus (RAVV). It belongs to the filovirus family, like Ebola, and is among the deadliest human pathogens. Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats are the natural hosts of the Marburg virus. Transmission occurs through contact with infected bats, primates, or body fluids. The first outbreak was in Marburg, Germany (1967); recent cases occurred in Tanzania, Ghana, and Rwanda. No effective drugs or vaccines exist for MVD.

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The first annual review meeting of Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) 2.0 projects was held at SKUAST, Srinagar, Kashmir. RuTAG, launched in 2004 by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), supports rural development through Science & Technology interventions. It focuses on demand-driven solutions, addressing grassroots technology gaps, upgrading technology, and providing training and demonstrations. RuTAG 2.0, launched in 2023, aims to translate innovations into market-ready products. The initiative seeks to drive transformative changes in rural areas, ensuring sustainable development and empowering communities through accessible and impactful technologies.