10 PM Current Affairs Quiz: April 12, 2020

Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) is located in Hawaii, USA. It is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It aims to measure the elements in the atmosphere that contribute to climate change on Earth.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station located in the low Earth orbit. It is a joint project between five space agencies, NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe) and CSA (Canada). It aims to serve as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which crew members conduct experiments in biology, human biology, physics, astronomy, meteorology and other fields.

The Gamosa or Gamusa is an article of great significance for the people of Assam. It is a white rectangular piece of cloth with a distinctive red border and motifs. It is valued as a gift for visitors, used as a scarf, anti-dust mask and wrapped around the head like a turban.

A new study conducted by the University of Manchester, UK and Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Phulwarisharif in Patna has found uranium contaminating the groundwater in 10 districts of Bihar. It took one-and-a-half years for the researchers to come to the conclusion. They are yet to find out the source of uranium in groundwater. Supaul, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Patna, Nalanda, Nawada, Aurangabad, Gaya and Jehanabad are the 10 districts. “Uranium concentrations are elevated mostly in the North West-South East band along and to the east of Gandak River and running south of the Ganga River towards Jharkhand, particularly in Gopalganj Siwan, Saran, Patna, Nalanda and Nawada districts,” the study read. The maximum uranium content was in Supaul, 80 microgram of uranium per litre of water. The permissible limit according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is 30 microgram per litre. It was also below the permissible limit in Patna.

A recent approach to genome editing is known as CRISPR-Cas9, which is short for clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats and CRISPR associated protein 9.

• It was adapted from a naturally occurring genome editing system in bacteria.
• It is faster, cheaper, more accurate, and more efficient than other existing genome editing methods
• CRISPR is the DNA-targeting part of the system which consists of an RNA molecule, or ‘guide’, designed to bind to specific DNA bases through complementary base-pairing.
• Cas9 is the nuclease part that cuts the DNA.

Statement 1 is correct. The chance of 2 individuals sharing the same DNA profile is less than one in a hundred billion if 26 different bands are studied. Statement 2 is correct. Every iris pattern is unique so each individual has 2 unique iris patterns. Statement 3 is correct. The fingerprint is another static biometric unique to individuals , in adult life it is not subject to constant variation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Constitution does not provide for reservation in favor of women in public employment. Art 15(3), 15(4), 15(4A) provides for exceptions of Backward class, Schedule castes/tribes and residence in a state to equality of opportunity in matters of employment. Statement 2 is correct. As per provisions contained in Article 243 D of the Constitution, 1/3rd of the Seats of Panchayati Raj Institutions and 1/3rd offices of the Chairperson at all levels of Panchayati Raj Institutions covered by Part IX of the Constitution are reserved for women.

Statement 1 is correct. There is no provision for any reservation to Rajya Sabha as there is to Loksabha. Statement 2 is incorrect. There is no mention of “cooperative movement” for nomination to Rajya Sabha; though it is mentioned for the nomination to State Legislative Councils.

Statement 1 is correct. It legalised abortion in India.  Statement 2 is incorrect. It gave rights of abortion without providing any reason within 12 weeks while by recommendation of a medical practitioner upto 20 weeks o pregnancy. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020, seeks to raise the upper limit of abortion from the present 20 to 24 weeks for “special categories of women” that include rape survivors, differently-abled and victims of incest.

All statements are correct. FDI is real investment; whereas FPI is monetary or financial investment. In FDI the investor makes investment in buildings and machineries directly in the company in which he has made the investment, FPI on the other hand is investment aimed at getting profits from shares, interests from deposits. FDI is certain, long term and less fluctuating, FPI is speculative, highly volatile and un-predictive. Hence, FDI is superior to FPI.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The HAL HF-24 Marut is the first Indian-developed jet aircraft. Statement 2 is incorrect. HAL Tejas is an Indian single-engine, delta wing, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (statement 3 is correct) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

Both statements are correct. SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Resistant) was used in China to model and predict the number of COVID-19 cases. The SEIR model proved to be predictive for a variety of acute infectious diseases like Ebola and SARS. Compartmental models are a technique used to simplify the mathematical modelling of infectious disease. The population is divided into compartments, with the assumption that every individual in the same compartment has the same characteristics.

Statement 1 is incorrect. ICMR is not a statutory body. It is the apex body in India for formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research. Statement 2 is correct. The ICMR functions under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.Its Governing Body is presided over by the Health Minister.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Any question regarding disqualification arising out of defection is to be decided by the presiding officer of the House himself and not on advice of Election commision. Statement 2 is correct. Presiding officer is not time bound by law to decide on the matter.

In part IV-A, Article 51A(h) in the Constitution mentions “to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform” as a fundamental duty.