Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
A fresh outbreak of Ebola has been reported in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with dozens of deaths reported. Ebola is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever caused by orthoebolaviruses and affects humans as well as non-human primates. The disease was first identified in 1976 in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It spreads through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, organs, or contaminated surfaces, but not through air transmission. Fruit bats are considered the natural hosts of the virus.

Notes:
Department of Biotechnology organised the UMMID event in New Delhi. UMMID stands for “Unique Methods of Management of Inherited Disorders” and focuses on diagnosis, counselling, screening, and management of rare genetic diseases. The programme aims to promote genome-based, precision-driven, and personalised healthcare in India. It was launched by the Department of Biotechnology to improve access to genetic diagnostics and treatment for inherited disorders. During the event, the UMMID Compendium and UMMID Dashboard were also launched to strengthen monitoring, diagnostics, and outreach. The initiative has benefited nearly three lakh individuals and established around 30 NIDAN Kendras for advanced diagnostics and counselling.

Notes:
A recent study by All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal highlighted the need for early and advanced health screening in children affected by Sickle Cell Disease. Sickle Cell Disease is a group of inherited blood disorders that affect haemoglobin in red blood cells. The most severe and common form of the disease is sickle cell anaemia. The disease is inherited genetically when a child receives sickle cell genes from both parents. Treatments include symptom management, bone marrow transplant, and emerging gene therapy approaches.

Notes:
New observations from the James Webb Space Telescope suggest that Nereid may not have originated from the Kuiper Belt as previously believed. Nereid is the third-largest moon of Neptune. It was discovered by Dutch astronomer Gerard Kuiper. The moon is named after the sea nymphs of Greek mythology. Nereid has one of the most eccentric orbits among moons in the Solar System.

Notes:
Pyroprocessing was recently in news due to its role in reprocessing spent nuclear fuel in advanced fast reactor programmes. Pyroprocessing is a process that uses high temperatures to bring about physical or chemical changes in materials. It is a dry and energy-intensive process. Major sectors using pyroprocessing: Cement industry, Metallurgy and Nuclear power industry. In the nuclear industry, pyroprocessing is used to reprocess spent nuclear fuel through high-temperature electrochemical separation.

Notes:
Scientists discovered the world’s largest whale graveyard in the Diamantina Fracture Zone. The site lies in the southeastern Indian Ocean at depths of more than 7,000 metres. The discovery was led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences using the Fendouzhe submersible. Researchers identified more than 485 fossil sites spread across a 1,200-km underwater rift. The fossils are estimated to be 120,000 years to 5.3 million years old. This is considered a landmark discovery in marine paleontology.

Notes:
The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad will establish CODENE (Centre of Design Excellence in Nuclear Engineering), India’s first such centre in nuclear engineering. A tripartite MoU was signed between Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, CEEPL India and Dassault Systèmes. The agreement was signed during Bharat Innovates 2026. The initiative aims to develop world-class engineering talent for India’s expanding civil nuclear sector.

Notes:
Recently, the Regional Horticultural Research Station (RHRS), Lam Farm, Guntur developed two new chilli varieties: LCA-625 and LCA-643. These varieties have been developed as alternatives to the popular Teja and Byadgi chillies. Both varieties offer improved pest tolerance, high pungency, and better adaptability to weather stress. LCA-643 is suitable for both green and dry chilli cultivation. LCA-643 is tolerant to moisture stress and shows moderate resistance to Gemini virus and black thrips infestation. LCA-625 is mainly meant for dry chilli production and resembles the Teja variety.

Notes:
Recently, scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, developed a novel electrolyte additive called BDIM to improve the performance of Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries (AZIBs). Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries (AZIBs) are considered a safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The newly developed additive BDIM (1,3-bis(1,3-dicarboxypropyl)-1H-imidazole-3-ium chloride) improves battery durability through interface engineering rather than expensive material redesign. BDIM suppresses hydrogen evolution, corrosion, and zinc dendrite growth by preventing water-induced side reactions at the zinc surface.

Notes:
Recently, ICAR–Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad developed a biopolymer-based Smart Seed Coating Technology to improve seed quality, crop establishment, and climate resilience. The patented technology uses biodegradable biopolymers to create a protective coating around seeds. The coating delivers beneficial microorganisms, nutrients, micronutrients, crop protection agents, and plant growth-promoting substances directly at the seed-soil interface. It promotes faster germination, stronger seedlings, better root growth, and enhanced tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.