Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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The new COVID variant, XEC, first detected in Germany in August 2024, is a recombinant variant formed by the fusion of KS.1.1 and KP.3.3. It has shown a growth advantage over other variants and is spreading rapidly, with cases reported in 27 countries. XEC is expected to become the dominant variant globally due to its genetic similarities and mutations that enhance its ability to bind to human cells.

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Researchers from JNCASR and ICAR-NBAIR have created a sustainable pheromone dispenser that ensures a controlled release rate of pheromones, significantly reducing pest control costs. This innovation utilizes a mesoporous silica matrix, allowing for stable pheromone release and improved efficiency in pest management. The technology aims to benefit farmers by transitioning from laboratory research to large-scale industrial production, thus enhancing agricultural practices while promoting environmentally friendly methods in pest control.

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NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope shared a video of the spiral galaxy Caldwell 45 (NGC 5248). Spiral galaxies are collections of stars and gas, featuring spiral arms extending from their center. These galaxies contain young, hot stars and are known for their beautiful shapes. Around 60% of discovered galaxies are spiral, including the Milky Way. Spiral galaxies have a central bulge surrounded by a flat, rotating disk of stars. They are distinct from elliptical and irregular galaxies.

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BharatGen was inaugurated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi as a generative AI aimed at improving public service delivery and citizen engagement. It is the world’s first government-funded multimodal large language model, focusing on developing efficient and inclusive AI in Indian languages. The project will take two years to complete and will benefit government, private, educational, and research institutions. BharatGen will support both text and speech, ensuring representation of India’s diverse languages and cultures. Its roadmap includes milestones up to July 2026 and aims to scale AI adoption across various sectors.

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Swiss police arrested four people linked to the death of a 64-year-old American woman who used a “suicide pod” called Sarco on September 23, 2024. Euthanasia involves a doctor administering a lethal drug, while assisted dying allows individuals to self-administer a lethal substance with medical support. The Sarco Pod, euthanasia device, created by Dr. Philip Nitschke, is designed for peaceful and controlled assisted suicide. It promotes “death with dignity,” but its legal status varies by location. The pod is portable, enabling individuals to end their lives autonomously without medical help.

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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. India is the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone. Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis and affects the eyes. It spreads through contact with secretions from the eyes, eyelids, nose, or throat of infected individuals. If untreated, it can lead to irreversible blindness. It primarily affects communities in poor environmental conditions, with 150 million people worldwide at risk, including 6 million who are blind.

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A WHO team arrived in Deeg, Rajasthan, due to rising diphtheria cases. Diphtheria is a contagious disease caused by bacteria Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It mainly affects the respiratory system, particularly in children from newborns to 16 years old. The disease spreads through coughing or sneezing by an infected person. Diphtheria is preventable through vaccines, often combined with tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and polio. In India, it is part of the Universal Immunization Program and given as the DTP vaccine.

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Astronomers discovered a rare triple black hole system named V404 Cygni, altering our understanding of black hole formation. It is located about 8,000 light years away from Earth in the constellation of Cygnus. The first star orbits the black hole closely every 6.5 days, while the second is much farther, at 100 times Pluto’s distance from the Sun. This system suggests a “direct collapse” formation, where the black hole forms quietly without a supernova explosion. Thousands of simulations confirmed that this formation spared the distant star from being ejected.

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Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee signed an agreement under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) to develop a 5G “millimeter wave transceiver” for rural connectivity. Millimeter waves (30-300 GHz frequency) allow high-speed wireless communication with low latency and less interference. The project promotes local manufacturing, encouraging small and medium industries, creating job opportunities for engineering graduates. The use of polymer-metal structures reduces dependence on semiconductor industries, with a small development cost. It aims to generate Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and build a skilled workforce for 5G/6G technology.

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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.