Science & Technology Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, lunar regolith brought by China’s Chang’e-6 mission revealed that the Moon formed from the remains of an ancient collision with Earth. Chang’e-6 is China’s first human sampling and return mission from the Moon’s far side, part of the Chang’e lunar exploration program. It was launched on 3 May 2024 via Long March-5 rocket from Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan. The mission includes an orbiter, returner, lander, and ascender. The lander used sensors (microwave, laser, optical) and collected samples via drilling and a robotic arm. It is China’s second successful mission to the Moon’s far side after Chang’e-4 in 2019.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), scabies is among the most common skin diseases in developing countries. Scabies is a contagious parasitic skin infestation found worldwide. It is caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which burrows under the skin and causes an itchy rash. It is more common in hot and tropical regions like India. WHO classifies scabies as a Neglected Tropical Disease due to its impact on poor communities.

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Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur researchers developed a new method to predict solar cycles. A solar cycle is an about 11-year cycle of solar activity controlled by the Sun’s magnetic field. It is measured by the number and intensity of sunspots seen on the Sun’s surface. Around every 11 years, the Sun’s magnetic field flips, swapping north and south poles. Sunspots increase and decrease as magnetic activity changes on the Sun. The cycle starts with solar minimum, when sunspots are very few. Activity rises to solar maximum, when sunspots are highest. After this, activity declines back to solar minimum and a new cycle begins.

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A rare blood-red aurora was recorded at the Indian Astronomical Observatory using an all-sky camera in Hanle, Ladakh. Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is located at about 4,500 metres altitude in the Changthang region of Ladakh. It lies within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and has Bortle-1 category skies, the darkest level. It was notified in December 2022 and is India’s first International Dark Sky Reserve. The reserve is managed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics under the Department of Science and Technology. It aims to reduce light pollution and promote astro-tourism for local livelihoods.

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A new meat-eating dinosaur named Spinosaurus mirabilis was discovered in the Sahara Desert. Its fossils were found in Jengueb area of Niger in the central Sahara. It lived about 95 million years ago in a forested inland region with rivers. It is the second known species of Spinosaurus. The first species, Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, was discovered in 1915 in Egypt.

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Scientists discovered a gene that may protect bananas from Panama disease. Panama disease is also called Fusarium wilt. It is caused by fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense living in soil for many years. It mainly affects Cavendish or G9 banana cultivar, most widely grown variety. Fungus infects through roots and blocks water and nutrient transport. Due to severe impact, it is called banana cancer. Symptoms include yellowing of older leaves, turning brown and dry. Stem becomes dark brown and plant finally dies. Dead leaves hang around lower stem forming skirt-like structure.

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Astronomers from Indian Institute of Astrophysics discovered the origin of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) shock for the first time. The CME-driven shock was recorded forming at a distance of about 1,30,000 km above the solar surface. This is the first confirmed detection of the “birth stage” of CME shocks, resolving a long-standing debate about their origin. Instruments used include the Gauribidanur Radio Telescope and Aditya-L1’s Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payload. Detecting shocks at onset helps predict solar storms more accurately and protects satellites, GPS systems, and power grids from damage.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first Semiconductor Assembly, Test and Packaging (ATMP) facility at Sanand, Gujarat. The plant is set up by Micron Technology India with an investment of over ₹22,500 crore. It marks the start of commercial production and shipment of made-in-India semiconductor memory modules. The project is approved under the India Semiconductor Mission.

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The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has launched a “moonshot” research project to develop brain co-processors, which will combine neuromorphic hardware and artificial intelligence algorithms to enhance or restore human brain functions. The initiative is financially supported by the Pratiksha Trust. The project aims to develop both implantable and non-invasive brain co-processors capable of decoding neural signals from brain recordings, processing these signals using AI algorithms, and sending them back to the brain through neural stimulation or neurofeedback.

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A new study found that Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) not only changed the motion of an asteroid but also slightly altered the orbit of the asteroid pair around the Sun. DART was launched in 2021 by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to test asteroid deflection technology. It was the first planetary defence mission to change an asteroid’s path using the kinetic impact method. The spacecraft targeted a binary asteroid system of Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos. In 2022, the spacecraft intentionally crashed into Dimorphos to alter its orbit around Didymos. The impact successfully changed the asteroid’s motion, proving humans can potentially deflect hazardous near-Earth objects in space.