Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Shigella, and a recent outbreak has been reported in Kerala. It is a highly contagious disease that causes acute diarrhoea and is one of the leading bacterial causes of diarrhoeal illness globally. The infection can affect people of all age groups, but children below five years are the most vulnerable. Humans act as the only natural reservoir of the Shigella bacteria, which helps in its rapid spread. The illness is usually self-limiting in mild cases, but severe infections may require treatment with antibiotics. The disease can become more serious in young children, elderly individuals, malnourished persons, and those with weak immune systems.

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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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Recent research shows PACE Satellite can detect nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) pollution at very fine scales, identifying emissions from individual factories and highways. This is a major advancement in air quality monitoring and environmental governance. PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and Ocean Ecosystem) is a NASA satellite mission. It was launched in 2024 into a Sun-synchronous orbit for consistent global observation. It provides hyperspectral coverage of Earth every 1–2 days. It improves climate studies by offering finer wavelength resolution than earlier satellites.

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Institute of Nano-Science and Technology, Mohali, developed a new material to detect nicotine and cotinine using fluorometric sensing. Fluorometric sensing is a technique that measures substances through fluorescent emission. The material “lights up” on contact with nicotine/cotinine, enabling quick detection. It is based on Iron-based Metal-Organic Framework (Fe-MOF), a nano-structured porous material. It detects even small amounts accurately, improving over traditional methods. The material is biocompatible (safe for living cells) and works at in-vitro stage.

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Recently, China unveiled the Atlas Drone Swarm System, an advanced military technology. It is a mobile drone swarm unit capable of launching and controlling nearly 100 drones with a single operator. It was developed by China Electronic Technology Group Corporation. The system integrates artificial intelligence with swarm technology for coordinated operations. It functions as a mini battlefield network on wheels, enabling rapid deployment.

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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.

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India has recorded a 250% increase in Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) under Mission Mausam to strengthen weather monitoring. DWR works on the Doppler Effect, which measures changes in frequency due to motion of objects like raindrops. Mission Mausam was launched in 2024 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It is implemented by India Meteorological Department, National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting, and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. The mission has a budget of ₹2,000 crore for two years. Its aim is to make India “Weather Ready” and “Climate Smart.”

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GalaxEye has successfully launched Mission Drishti, the world’s first OptoSAR satellite. The satellite was launched aboard Falcon 9 from California, United States. Mission Drishti weighs about 190 kilograms and is the largest Earth observation satellite built by a private Indian company. It combines optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology for all-weather, day-and-night imaging. The mission enhances India’s capabilities in Earth observation and strategic monitoring.

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All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi has introduced India’s first portable bedside Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of internal body structures. MRI is a non-invasive diagnostic method that allows examination of organs, tissues, and the skeletal system without surgery. It provides high-resolution images, helping in accurate diagnosis of various medical conditions. The portable MRI system enables bedside imaging, improving accessibility and critical care management.

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EonSpacelabs developed India’s first germanium-free thermal imaging payload, Lumira_E40I50, for drones. It is an Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) system designed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It detects humans up to 2 km and vehicles up to 8 km using Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI). It replaces germanium with chalcogenide glass, reducing dependence on Chinese supply chains. It operates in −20°C to +55°C, suitable for varied terrains. It supports Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with features like 40× zoom and infrared sensors.