US scientists have used HIV to make a gene therapy that cured eight infants of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), or “bubble boy” disease. Results of the research have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The gene therapy involved collecting the babies’ bone marrow and correcting the genetic defect in their DNA soon… Continue reading HIV used to fix ‘bubble boy’ disease
Category: Daily Factly articles
Genome sequencing to map population diversity
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has planned to roll out a major mission to sequence the genes of a 1,000 rural youth across India. The project aims at educating a generation of students on the significance of genomics. The project is an adjunct to an Indian government-led programme which is still in the… Continue reading Genome sequencing to map population diversity
Cross-LoC trade suspended after ‘misuse by arms, drugs smugglers’
The Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI has decided to suspend all cross-LoC trade with Pakistan. This is because the routes were allegedly being used as a conduit by elements in Pakistan to push weapons, narcotics and counterfeit currency into India. The decision has been taken based on a probe by National Investigation Agency (NIA). The… Continue reading Cross-LoC trade suspended after ‘misuse by arms, drugs smugglers’
Universe’s first molecule detected in space
The universe’s first molecule, Helium hydride (HeH+), has been detected in space for the first time. Previously, helium hydride had been produced and tested in a laboratory setting. It has been spotted some 3000 light-years from Earth by an instrument aboard the airborne Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). SOFIA is a Boeing 747SP aircraft… Continue reading Universe’s first molecule detected in space
Navy’s MiG-29K to take on France’s Rafale-M off Goa
India and France will hold their largest ever naval exercise called ‘Varuna’.The exercise will take place at Goa from 1 May 2019. The exercise is expected to involve aircraft carriers,destroyer ships, submarines and fighter planes which will make it a mega event to happen in the history of the relationship between the two nations. The… Continue reading Navy’s MiG-29K to take on France’s Rafale-M off Goa
China’s GDP grows at 6.4% in Q1,defies expectations slowdown
China’s economy grew at a steady rate of 6.4% in the first quarter.The improvement in growth is due to (a)industrial production jumped sharply and (b)consumer demand showed signs of improvement. China has also enhanced its fiscal stimulus to shore up growth by announcing billions of dollars in additional tax cuts and infrastructure spending. However,the economic… Continue reading China’s GDP grows at 6.4% in Q1,defies expectations slowdown
China unmoved by U.S. bid to discuss Masood Azhar in UNSC
China has dismissed the reports that the US,UK and France has served an ultimatum until April 23 to lift its technical hold on designating Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. However,China has said that the issue is heading towards a settlement and has asked the US not to force through its own… Continue reading China unmoved by U.S. bid to discuss Masood Azhar in UNSC
Chenchus believe the fox ushers in fortune
The Chenchu tribal families have succeeded in domesticating the fox.They believe that the fox ushers in fortune.However,the conservation of fox falls under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972,according to which hunting or domesticating it is an offence. Chenchus are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group(PVTGs).They are forest dwellers whose home is the Nallamala forest range.It spreads… Continue reading Chenchus believe the fox ushers in fortune
Airline regulator to do special safety audit of Indigo airlines
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered a safety audit of domestic airline IndiGo over Pratt & Whitney engines.Safety auditing is a core safety management activity,providing a means of identifying potential problems before they have an impact on safety. In India,IndiGo and GoAir operate Pratt & Whitney-powered Airbus A320 neo planes.The aircraft has been… Continue reading Airline regulator to do special safety audit of Indigo airlines
India, Vietnam hold naval exercise
The second edition of Indian Navy-Vietnam People Navy Bilateral Exercise (IN – VPN BILAT EX) was concluded.The four-day maritime exercise was held at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam with an aim to boost operational cooperation. The exercise involved a composite training programme in the fields of submarine,aviation and dockyard training. This exercise was undertaken as… Continue reading India, Vietnam hold naval exercise
