Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar have developed ArsenSafe, a portable handheld device for rapid arsenic detection in drinking water. ArsenSafe enables fast, cost-effective, on-site water testing. It uses an advanced Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO)-based micro-sensor integrated with nanotechnology. The device can detect highly accurate arsenic concentrations in water.

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Tetanus, once considered nearly eradicated, is resurging in the United States. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that affects the nervous system and is also known as lockjaw. The bacteria usually enter the body through open wounds or cuts. Tetanus bacteria are commonly found in soil, manure, and the human intestine. The disease is not transmitted from person to person. There is no cure for tetanus; treatment mainly focuses on managing symptoms and complications. Recovery from tetanus does not provide natural immunity, so a person can be infected again. Tetanus is completely preventable through vaccination.

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The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) recently published its first scientific results on neutrino flavour oscillation. JUNO is a large underground neutrino detector located near Kaiping in Guangdong Province, China. The project is an international collaboration involving 74 institutions from Asia, Europe, and America. It is led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences through the Institute of High Energy Physics. JUNO is China’s second neutrino experiment, after the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. Its main scientific objective is to determine the Neutrino Mass Ordering (NMO).

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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.

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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.

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Recently, studies have shown that Biochar can increase crop productivity by 10–30% and improve soil water-holding capacity by 10–25%, especially in nutrient-poor soils. Biochar is a carbon-rich, granular material produced by heating agricultural waste or crop residues in low oxygen condition. It provides a sustainable method for agricultural waste management and carbon sequestration. Biochar can store carbon in soil for 100–1,000 years, making it an effective long-term carbon sink. Its porous structure improves soil fertility, water retention, and microbial activity. It also has applications in carbon capture, construction, and wastewater treatment.

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Scientists have found that 3I/ATLAS is an ancient interstellar comet that likely formed 10–12 billion years ago in a primordial planetary system. It is the third known interstellar object discovered passing through our Solar System, after 1I/’Oumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). The comet was first detected by a NASA-supported telescope in Rio Hurtado as part of the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey. It is only passing through the Solar System and will leave permanently after its brief encounter with the Sun. 3I/ATLAS has been confirmed as an active comet, surrounded by a visible coma of dust and ice particles.

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LineShine supercomputer has been ranked as the world’s fastest system on the TOP500 list. The LineShine supercomputer was developed and launched by China. It achieved a performance of 2.198 exaflops, surpassing the US supercomputer El Capitan. The system is located in Shenzhen, China, and marks the first time since 2017 that China holds the top position. LineShine is built using fully domestically designed processors and hardware, without foreign technology. It features nearly 14 million computing cores and advanced liquid cooling and high-speed interconnect systems.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vepdegestrant for Estrogen Receptor 1 (ESR1)-mutated, ER-positive, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-negative advanced breast cancer. It is the world’s first FDA-approved therapy based on PROTAC (Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera) technology. PROTACs are designed to degrade harmful proteins rather than merely block them. A PROTAC molecule binds the target protein and an E3 ligase, triggering targeted protein degradation via the cell’s protein disposal system. Unlike conventional drugs, PROTACs act catalytically, allowing one molecule to degrade multiple target proteins.

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ISRO successfully conducted the Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Test (IMAT-05) for the Gaganyaan Mission at the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) drop zone, Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. The test aimed to qualify the Main Parachute for its structural integrity and design margins under maximum expected load conditions for the first uncrewed Gaganyaan (G1) mission. IMAT-05 is the fifth test in the series of Integrated Main Parachute Airdrop Tests. The parachute system ensures the safe splashdown of the Crew Module in the sea.