Context Setback to the Neutrino Observatory shows the need to garner public support for scientific research. What is the issue? India’s wait to join the elite club of countries undertaking neutrino research suffered a procedural delay this year when the National Green Tribunal (NGT) suspended the environmental clearance (EC) granted to the India-based Neutrino Observatory… Continue reading Neutrino Research and INO project
Author: ForumIAS
India makes medical achievement-first successful uterine transplants
Context India witnessed the first uterine transplants of two patients at Galaxy Care Laparoscopy Institute (GCLI) The woman from Solapur suffers from congenital uterus absence. She was fitted with her mother’s womb, which was retrieved mainly through laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery after a nine-hour operation on May 18. The other woman from Baroda had… Continue reading India makes medical achievement-first successful uterine transplants
Oxytocin at a fix: Reasons for Ban
Context Soon after the ban for the retailers, the Drug Controller plans to restrict manufacturing of controversial hormone drug Oxytocin, to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). The Government of India banned retail sale of the hormone in 2014. As per the orders of High Court, The manufacture and sale of Oxytocin without a license is cognizable.… Continue reading Oxytocin at a fix: Reasons for Ban
Women in the combat roles
Indian Army is all set to open up combat positions for women. India will be among very few countries to do so. Initially women will be recruited for positions in military police. Until now, women were allowed in a number of select areas including in medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the Army… Continue reading Women in the combat roles
Straight out of the grave
Secrets of ancient Egypt Context The 90 Mummies dug from the Abusir el-Malek archaeological site, located about 115 km south of Cairo, and is catching the eyes of many. The DNA was extracted from the teeth and bones of mummies from a burial ground associated with the god Osiris. The oldest were from about 1,388… Continue reading Straight out of the grave
Discovery of new species in India
Context Recently, 499 new species have been discovered in India. Animal Discoveries 2016, New Species and Records, brought out by the Zoological Survey of India, and Plant Discoveries 2016, by the Botanical Survey of India revealed the fact. Some Statistics on the New Species Discovered 313 animal species and 186 plant species have been discovered. India… Continue reading Discovery of new species in India
Economy to grow 7.5% in FY18
A day after India lost the tag of the world’s fastest growing economy to China, with GDP growth slipping to 6.1% in the last quarter of 2016-17, NITI Aayog vice chairman Arvind Panagariya said he expects 7.5% growth in the current financial year and possibly a return to the 8% growth rate. Issues with demonetization… Continue reading Economy to grow 7.5% in FY18
Third gravitational wave merger detected
Context Observation of the merger of two black holes in January by scientists at LIGO confirms a pattern. Findings Named GW170104, this signal marks the third confirmed detection of gravitational waves coming from a binary black hole merger. It is of great interest to the scientific community that the black holes, having masses nearly 31… Continue reading Third gravitational wave merger detected
India’s polar ship still a long way off
Context India’s plans to acquire a Rs. 1,000-crore polar research vehicle (PRV) a ship that can cut through ice sheets and glaciers may see fresh delays. Issue The new ‘Make in India’ policy gives Indian companies an edge in bagging these contracts, which are open to international and local bidders. This concession allows an Indian… Continue reading India’s polar ship still a long way off
Genetic secrets of ancient Egypt unwrapped
Context DNA from mummies found at a site once known for its cult to the Egyptian god of the afterlife is unwrapping intriguing insight into the people of ancient Egypt, including a surprise discovery that they had scant genetic ties to sub-Saharan Africa. About the DNA extracted The DNA was extracted from the teeth and… Continue reading Genetic secrets of ancient Egypt unwrapped