Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers at IISER Tirupati devised a method to generate hydrogen efficiently using methanol and formaldehyde. They employed nickel catalysts, readily available in the market, without needing bases or activators. This hydrogen production enabled selective partial transfer hydrogenation of alkynes, converting them into alkenes. The method supports the synthesis of bioactive molecules, marking a significant advancement in chemical synthesis and sustainable hydrogen generation technologies.

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The Philippine Army confirmed the imminent withdrawal of the “deadly” Typhon Weapons System, used by the US in joint military exercises. Also known as the Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) System, Typhon includes Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) for ballistic defense and ship targeting up to 370 km. It also deploys Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles and comprises four launchers, a command post, and support vehicles on trailers. Using Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) technology, it integrates various missiles and sources external targeting data.

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The High Court of Karnataka took suo motu cognizance of the dengue rise across the state. Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection common in tropical and subtropical areas, is spread by Aedes mosquitoes. While many infections are mild, severe cases can cause dengue hemorrhagic fever, leading to rapid breathing, vomiting, and bleeding gums. With 400 million infections annually, treatment focuses on supportive care, as no specific medicine exists.

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The Gaia spacecraft, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in December 2013, is mapping over a billion stars in the Milky Way from the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point (L2). It monitors stars 14 times a year, charting their positions, distances, movements, and brightness. Gaia aims to discover new celestial objects, study distant quasars, and test Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, creating a precise 3D map of our galaxy.

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China has unveiled the world’s first dual-tower solar thermal power plant (TPP), enhancing energy efficiency by 24%. The plant features two 200-meter towers with thousands of mirrors that track the sun, achieving 94% reflection efficiency. It uses molten salt storage to retain excess heat, enabling continuous power generation even at night. This innovative design maximizes energy capture and storage, advancing solar power technology.

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OpenAI is developing a new AI model called Project ‘Strawberry’, an advanced reasoning technology believed to be the new name for Project Q*. This initiative aims to create AI capable of planning and logical reasoning, akin to human cognitive abilities. Unlike Large Language Models (LLMs) that struggle with common sense and multi-step logic, Strawberry models will excel in tasks requiring extended planning and action sequences, overcoming key LLM challenges.

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Brazil’s agriculture ministry declared an animal health emergency in Rio Grande do Sul due to a Newcastle disease case on a poultry farm. Newcastle disease, caused by paramyxovirus, affects birds’ respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems. Highly contagious, it spreads through direct contact with infected birds and contaminated materials. Symptoms include loss of appetite, coughing, and discolored wattles. There is no treatment; prevention relies on vaccination and biosecurity.

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Researchers at IIT Mandi found CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) technology to have minimal environmental impact among solar cell technologies in India. CdTe, an odorless black crystalline solid, is made from Cadmium and Tellurium. It is insoluble in water, dissolves in nitrate acid, and oxidizes in moist air. CdTe has the lowest CO2 emissions, ozone depletion potential, and human health effects. It is widely used in thin-film solar cells and semiconductor detectors.

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A study by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) confirmed two black holes at the center of galaxy OJ 287, four billion light-years away. Launched by NASA in 2018, TESS searches for exoplanets around the brightest stars. It has found 410 confirmed exoplanets, ranging from small rocky worlds to giants. TESS orbits Earth in a unique high orbit, continuing its mission beyond its initial end date in 2020.

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Paris’ outdated sewage system has severely contaminated the Seine River with E. coli, a harmful bacterium. The Seine, France’s second-longest river at 775 km, flows through Paris for 13 km and empties into the English Channel. E. coli, found in human and animal intestines, can cause severe symptoms like abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and kidney failure. It spreads via contaminated food and water tainted by fecal waste.