UPSC Daily Current Affairs

HINDU KUSH HIMALAYAS: SNOW PERSISTENCE UPDATE

Jun 25, 2024

The Story So Far In 2024, the Ganga river basin in India experienced a record low in snow persistence, as reported by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). Similar declines were noted in the Brahmaputra and Indus basins, threatening water supplies for millions. This decline is seen as a direct impact of the accelerating climate crisis. What Is Snow Persistence? Snow persistence refers to the amount of time snow remains on the ... Read More...

AIR POLLUTION AND GLOBAL HEALTH

Jun 25, 2024

Air pollution has become a significant health crisis, contributing to the deaths of nearly 2,000 children every day. According to the U.S.-based Health Effects Institute, air pollution is now the second leading risk factor for early death globally. Key Findings: 1. Global Mortality: • Air pollution was linked to 8.1 million deaths in 2021, accounting for approximately 12% of all global fatalities. • It has surpassed tobacco use and poor diet, now only behind high blood pressure as the leading risk factor for early death. Read More...

NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES IN ASIA AND AFRICA

Jun 25, 2024

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) predominantly affect populations in the poorest parts of the world, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Despite their significant impact, these diseases receive considerably less research funding compared to illnesses like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Key Points 1. High Burden of NTDs: • In 2021, approximately 677 million people in India required treatment for NTDs such as dengue, chikungunya, and snakebite envenoming. •... Read More...

THE PROTEIN-FOLDING PROBLEM AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Jun 25, 2024

What Are Proteins? Proteins are essential molecules in our bodies that help with almost everything, from building tissues to fighting diseases. They are made up of long chains of building blocks called amino acids. What Is Protein Folding? Imagine a protein as a long string of beads (amino acids). To work properly, this string needs to fold into a specific 3D shape. This shape allows the protein to do its job in the body, like a key fitting into a lock. Read More...

AlphaFold: Revolutionizing Protein Structure Prediction

Jun 25, 2024

Proteins are crucial molecules in our bodies, performing various functions that are vital for life. They are made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids, which fold into specific shapes to become functional. Understanding how proteins fold into these shapes has been a complex puzzle for scientists. The Protein-Folding Problem Proteins start as long chains of amino acids and then fold into complex 3D structures to perform their functions. The process of how they fold is complicated and has been difficult ... Read More...

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF NALANDA UNIVERSITY

Jun 24, 2024

1. What is the historical significance of Nalanda University? Nalanda University, established in the 5th century, was one of the world’s first residential universities. It served as a major center for learning and attracted students from all over the world, making it a symbol of India’s rich academic heritage and cultural exchange. 2. When was the ancient Nalanda University established? The ancient Nalanda University was established in the 5th... Read More...

INDIA’S EFFORTS AGAINST SICKLE CELL DISEASE USING CRISPR-CAS9

Jun 24, 2024

1. What is India doing to combat sickle cell disease? India is developing gene therapy using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool to treat sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder prevalent among Scheduled Tribes. This effort is part of a broader mission to eradicate the disease by 2047. 2. What progress has been made in developing gene therapy for sickle cell disease in India? Researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are makin... Read More...

Enhanced Collaboration on Critical Minerals: India and U.S. in iCET

Jun 24, 2024

India and the United States are advancing their strategic partnership to enhance cooperation on critical minerals, focusing on the supply chains of graphite, gallium, and germanium. This collaboration is part of the India-U.S. Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) dialogue, chaired by the National Security Advisers of both countries. Key Objectives and Strategies 1. Bilateral Agreement: The U.S. Department of Commerce and India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Mines a... Read More...

TIBET ISSUE AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Jun 24, 2024

MARS: CAVES AND LAVA TUBES

Jun 24, 2024

Mars, often referred to as the Red Planet, holds intriguing features beneath its surface, including caves and lava tubes. These underground formations are of great interest for scientific exploration and potential future human habitation. Formation and Characteristics 1. Lava Tubes: These are formed by flowing lava that solidifies on the surface while the molten rock beneath continues to flow. Once the lava flow ceases, a hollow tube-like structure remains. 2. Caves: Martian caves can be formed by various geological ... Read More...

HOW DOES A BACTERIA BECOME A SUPERBUG?

Jun 24, 2024

UNDERSTANDING SUPERBUGS Bacteria that have acquired resistance to antibiotics are known as superbugs. This resistance arises from the overuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock. The more bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, the higher the chances they have to evolve resistance. WHERE DO WE USE ANTIBIOTICS AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT US? Antibiotics have been pivotal in revolutionizing public health since Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928. They prevent fatalities from diseases s... Read More...

ADVANCEMENTS IN GENOME EDITED LIVESTOCK

Jun 24, 2024

INTRODUCTION Genome editing, a process of altering or restructuring genes using genetic engineering technology, has revolutionized livestock production. Compared to traditional breeding strategies, genome editing can introduce desirable alleles more precisely and rapidly, enhancing genetic advancement. This technology has significant applications in disease resistance, increased production, improved milk quality, elimination of milk allergens, and overall animal health and welfare. KEY TECHNOLOGIES IN GENOME EDITING Read More...

ASTEROID BELT

Jun 24, 2024

WHAT ARE ASTEROIDS? Asteroids are rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system. Most asteroids orbit the Sun in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. They vary greatly in size, from tiny rocks less than a mile across to the largest known asteroid, Ceres, which is about one-quarter the size of our moon and is classified as a dwarf planet. WHAT IS THE ASTEROID BELT? The asteroid belt is a region of space located between the ... Read More...

NASA’S EUROPA CLIPPER MISSION

Jun 24, 2024

WHAT IS THE EUROPA CLIPPER MISSION? NASA’s Europa Clipper mission is designed to explore Jupiter’s moon, Europa, to investigate its potential to support life. The mission, scheduled to launch in October 2024, will involve a spacecraft orbiting Jupiter and conducting close flybys of Europa. OBJECTIVES OF THE MISSION • Main Goal: Determine if there are environments beneath Europa’s icy surface that could support life. • Secondary Goa... Read More...

“KALLAKKADAL” SWELLS IN KERALA AND TAMIL NADU

Jun 24, 2024

Recent “Kallakkadal” swells in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been linked to intense storms occurring 10,000 km away in the South Atlantic. These swells, often referred to as ‘stealthy sea’, describe waves without wind that typically occur before the monsoon season. These swells are unpredictable, causing significant erosion and damage to coastal structures when they suddenly grow and crash violently on the shore. Scientists have traced these events back to intense storms in the South Atlantic, which have seen waves reaching 10-15 meters. This year’s Sout... Read More...