Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Entomologists discovered two new species of fruit flies named Acidoxantha paratotoflava and Hemilea suneriae in the Himalayan foothills of Solan district in Himachal Pradesh. Acidoxantha paratotoflava is a medium-sized greenish-yellow fly with four black stripes on its thorax and large black spots on its abdomen. The species also has distinct hook-like structures in the male anatomy, which help in identification. Hemilea suneriae is a reddish-brown fruit fly with prominent black dots on its body. It has a unique wing pattern with a single clear “window” (hyaline indentation) in a dark wing area, unlike related species that usually have two. The discovery adds to India’s insect biodiversity and improves scientific knowledge of fruit fly taxonomy.

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Researchers recently identified an unusual iron sulfate ferric hydroxysulfate in layered deposits near Valles Marineris using laboratory experiments and orbital data. Valles Marineris, also called Mariner Valley, is a vast system of interconnected canyons on Mars. It was discovered during the Mariner 9 mission in 1971. It is one of the largest canyon systems in the Solar System. Some canyon walls are fault scarps formed due to crustal movement linked to Tharsis Rise. Erosion also shaped the canyon, seen in deep gullies along the walls.

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United States-based Sentynl Therapeutics, part of Zydus Lifesciences, has partnered with South Korea’s PRG S&T to develop Progerinin, a drug for Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS). Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes rapid aging in children. The disease is caused by a mutation in the LMNA (Lamin A) gene, which normally produces lamin A protein for maintaining cell structure. This mutation leads to the formation of an abnormal protein called progerin, which damages the cell nucleus. The damaged cells die early, resulting in premature aging of the body.

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Delhi government and Indian Institute of Technology Madras are studying “smog-eating” photocatalytic road coatings to reduce air pollution. The coating neutralizes harmful gases like nitrogen dioxide and volatile hydrocarbons present in polluted air. It mainly uses Titanium dioxide which is low-cost, chemically stable and compatible with construction materials. Titanium dioxide-based materials help in gaseous depollution and environmental cleaning. Photocatalysis works by using light energy to break down harmful pollutants and organic waste into less toxic or harmless substances. This process helps improve air quality and contributes to cleaner environment.

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The Minor Planet Centre (MPC) recently announced discovery of 15 new moons, 4 around Jupiter and 11 around Saturn. It is the global centre for collecting and storing data on small solar system bodies. It operates under the International Astronomical Union (IAU) at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Astronomers send new findings to MPC, where data is verified and orbits are calculated. It assigns official names or designations to newly discovered objects. It tracks asteroids, comets, and outer planet moons.

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Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu unveiled a plan to develop Amaravati as a global hub for quantum computing.
The initiative, Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV), aims to place Andhra Pradesh among the top 5 global quantum hubs by 2030, leveraging the National Quantum Mission. The first quantum computer is set to be launched on April 14, marking a major milestone. The ecosystem will include hardware manufacturing, algorithm development, research, and innovation labs, supported by 8 dedicated research towers. The state plans to develop core technologies locally (cryogenics, photonics, advanced electronics) to reduce import dependence and achieve end-to-end capabilities.

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Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati developed energy-efficient bricks for passive cooling in buildings. The bricks use Phase Change Materials (PCM) to regulate indoor temperature. During the day, PCM melts to absorb heat, and at night, it solidifies to release stored heat gradually. The PCM used is OM35 with a melting point of 35°C, suitable for tropical climates. Porous biochar is used to prevent leakage by absorbing and holding molten PCM within the bricks. These bricks can reduce indoor wall temperature by about 3°C and lower cooling energy demand by 10–20%.

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The Central Government has mandated petrol pumps to supply E20 fuel with a minimum octane rating of 95 RON to promote cleaner and more efficient fuel usage. E20 fuel is a blended fuel consisting of 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Ethanol used in E20 is a biofuel derived from renewable crops such as sugarcane, maize, and grains, making it environmentally sustainable. E20 fuel has a higher octane rating (minimum 95 RON) compared to regular petrol in India, which typically has an octane rating of 91–92 RON.

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The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has established the Vikram Sodhi Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence-enabled geological and mining systems. The centre is funded with ₹15 crore over five years by Vikram Sodhi, Vice Chairman of Mineros SA. It aims to develop Artificial Intelligence-based solutions tailored to Indian geological and mining conditions. The initiative focuses on integrating the entire mining value chain including exploration, planning, processing, safety, and environmental management.

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Recently, National Aeronautics and Space Administration unveiled the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. It is a wide-field space observatory designed to survey large regions of the universe and detect exoplanets. It will study dark matter and dark energy, which together make up about 95% of the universe. The telescope is named after Nancy Grace Roman, known as the “mother of the Hubble Space Telescope.” It costs about USD 4 billion and will be placed 1.5 million km from Earth.