Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Astronomers recently found evidence of winds blowing from Sagittarius A*, marking a major breakthrough after nearly 50 years of research. Sagittarius A* is the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy.
It was discovered in the 1970s and is located in the constellation Sagittarius. Although largely dormant, it occasionally absorbs gas and dust and has an estimated mass of 4.3 million times that of the Sun. Sagittarius A* is a powerful source of radio waves, with much of its radiation produced through the synchrotron mechanism involving electrons and magnetic fields.

Notes:
A recent study on Crohn’s Disease mapped changes in gene activity across more than 50 gut cell types. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It can affect any part of the digestive tract, but it usually affects the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. The inflammation may spread into the deeper layers of the bowel. Crohn’s disease can be painful, debilitating, and may sometimes lead to serious complications.

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:
The KCC Space Technology & Research Program 2026 was launched by Chandigarh University.The program was initiated through the university’s Kalpana Chawla Centre (KCC) in collaboration with prominent scientific organizations, including scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The initiative aims to provide students with exposure to space technology, satellite systems, semiconductors, AI, and quantum technologies. The programme promotes research, innovation, and workforce development in strategic technology sectors.

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:
Astronomers using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) have discovered a new millisecond pulsar. The discovery is part of the ongoing Southern-sky MWA Rapid Two-metre (SMART) survey. The MWA is a low-frequency radio telescope located at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO), Western Australia. It is also a key precursor site for the future Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. The telescope is a collaboration of 20 research institutions across five countries: Australia, Canada, China, Japan, and the United States. It is led by Curtin University, Australia.

Notes:
A study published in Nature Communications found avian malaria in 63 of 64 sites across the Hawaiian Islands. Avian malaria is a vector-borne disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium relictum, transmitted through mosquito bites. The disease damages red blood cells, causing anaemia and organ failure, and infected birds can remain chronic carriers for months or years. The parasite spread after the accidental introduction of the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) to Hawaii. The disease has devastated native Hawaiian honeycreepers, reducing their species from 55 to 17.

Notes:
Scientists at Raiganj University discovered a new bacterial species named Micromonospora shyamaprasadii. It was discovered in West Bengal from the mulberry rhizosphere (soil around mulberry roots). The species was named in honour of Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary. The bacterium shows antibiotic potential by producing compounds that inhibit harmful bacteria.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)–National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay developed an indigenous placenta-on-a-chip platform. It replicates the key functions of the human placental barrier, enabling more accurate pregnancy research. It is expected to reduce dependence on animal testing while providing a more accurate model for studying human pregnancy. The placenta is a temporary organ that regulates the transfer of nutrients and oxygen, removes waste products, and secretes hormones between the mother and the fetus. Organ-on-chip technology consists of miniature devices containing living human cells that mimic the structure and function of specific human organs.