Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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ISRO has developed a 10-tonne vertical propellant mixer for solid motors, making India’s space sector more self-reliant. It is the world’s largest solid propellant mixing equipment, designed by Satish Dhawan Space Centre with Central Manufacturing Technology Institute. The mixer enhances productivity, quality, and efficiency in heavy solid motor production. It weighs around 150 tonnes and measures 5.4m in length, 3.3m in breadth, and 8.7m in height. It features hydrostatic-driven agitators and remote operation via PLC-based SCADA control. Solid propulsion is crucial for India’s space transportation, requiring precise mixing of hazardous ingredients.

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Researchers found that bacterial cellulose can be used as a bandage to help plants heal and regenerate faster. It is a natural polymer produced by certain bacteria. It has unique properties that make it effective for plant wound care. Bacterial cellulose bandages offer a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments. This method supports healthier plant growth and eco-friendly farming. It enhances plant healing, leading to better crop yields and resilience. This breakthrough integrates biotechnology into agriculture, promoting sustainable farming and food security.

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Clinical neuroscientists have treated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in a baby before birth. SMA is a genetic disorder affecting motor neurons, causing progressive muscle weakness. It has five types (0-4), classified by age of onset and severity. Symptoms include muscle weakness, especially near the body’s center, but do not affect involuntary muscles like the heart. It is caused by SMN1 gene mutations, leading to motor neuron loss. It affects 1 in 10,000 births and is a leading genetic cause of infant deaths.

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A Lancet Global Health study found that over a third of newborns with sepsis could die. Neonatal sepsis is a blood infection in infants under 90 days old, caused by bacteria like E. coli, Listeria, and Streptococcus. It is classified into early-onset (within 72 hours) and late-onset (after 3 days). Symptoms include temperature changes, breathing issues, and diarrhea. Treatment involves intravenous antibiotics in hospitals. Neonatal sepsis causes 5,50,000 deaths globally yearly, with India accounting for nearly one-fourth of these deaths.

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Prince Frederik of Luxembourg, 22, recently died from a rare genetic disease called POLG. POLG is a mitochondrial disorder that prevents cells from producing enough energy, leading to organ failure. It primarily affects the brain, nerves, muscles, liver, and sometimes vision. Patients often become bedridden and lose the ability to perform daily activities. The disease is caused by mutations in the POLG and POLG2 genes, affecting mitochondrial replication. Symptoms range from muscle weakness and seizures to liver failure and difficulty walking. There is no cure; treatment focuses on symptom management and quality of life improvement.

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Scientists confirmed the existence of a fourth form of water, Plastic Ice VII, which forms under extreme conditions. Unlike regular ice, Plastic Ice VII allows water molecules to rotate freely within a rigid crystalline structure. It was first predicted in 2008 and recently proven using neutron-scattering experiments in France. It forms at pressures over 3 GPa (30,000 times Earth’s atmospheric pressure) and temperatures above 450 K (177°C). This discovery helps scientists understand water’s behavior in extreme planetary environments, such as Jupiter’s and Saturn’s moons. It could impact planetary science, materials research, and advanced technology development.

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The 75/25 initiative has reached 89.7% of its goal, providing hypertension treatment to 42.01 million people and diabetes treatment to 25.27 million. It was launched on World Hypertension Day 2023. It aims to provide standardized care to 75 million individuals by December 2025. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) play a key role in delivering treatment. The initiative follows strategies under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). It focuses on improving healthcare access and managing lifestyle diseases effectively.

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A study in Odisha found that melioidosis cases peak during and after the monsoon season. Melioidosis is a bacterial disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, which lives in soil and surface water in tropical and subtropical regions. It is endemic in Southeast Asia, northern Australia, the Indian subcontinent, and parts of China. Also known as Whitmore’s disease, it has a high Case Fatality Rate (16%-50%). It spreads through contact with contaminated soil, air, or water.

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NASA reported that global sea levels rose faster than expected in 2024. The rise reached 0.59 cm per year, exceeding the expected 0.43 cm. The main causes are ocean warming, which leads to expansion, and meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets. In 2024, thermal expansion caused two-thirds of the rise, shifting from previous years when melting ice was the dominant factor. 2024 was the warmest year on record, with ocean levels at their highest in three decades. Since satellite monitoring began in 1993, global sea levels have risen by 10 cm, with the rate more than doubling.

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Google launched the first satellite under the FireSat project, which has successfully entered low Earth orbit. FireSat aims to build a 50-satellite constellation using artificial intelligence to detect and track wildfires as small as 5×5 metres. The first satellite was built by Muon Space, a California-based aerospace startup. It is equipped with six-band multispectral infrared cameras to detect heat signatures from wildfires from long distances. The first phase includes launching three satellites by next year, revisiting any location twice daily. The long-term goal is 50 satellites, providing high-resolution imagery every 20 minutes. Google.org funded the project with $13 million.