What is the News? AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, produced from harmless adenovirus have low efficacy. On the other hand, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines which are produced from mRNAs have higher efficacy. About Adenovirus: Adenoviruses are common viruses that cause a range of illnesses. They can cause cold-like symptoms, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhoea… Continue reading What is “Adenovirus”?
Category: Factly: Science and Technology
This category contains all Current Affairs Factly Articles for Prelims, related to Science and Technology. You can find all relevant Science and Technology related updates on this page. This page is specifically useful for UPSC Prelims exam.
“Martian blueberries” find a parallel in India
What is the News? According to Researchers from Planetary Sciences Division of Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad the Blueberries in India and “Martian Blueberries” share similar characteristics. What are Martian Blueberries? Martian blueberries are small spherical haematites. The Mars rover “Opportunity” discovered them in 2004 on the planet Mars. What are these Martian blueberries made up… Continue reading “Martian blueberries” find a parallel in India
“AsterX” – France’s First Military Exercise in Space
What is the news? French Space Command(CDE) launched its first military space exercise called AsterX. About Exercise AsterX: The exercise has been named AsterX in reference to the first French satellite, which was put into orbit in 1965. Purpose: During the exercise, the French Military aims to monitor a potentially dangerous space object. It will… Continue reading “AsterX” – France’s First Military Exercise in Space
“INS Karanj” – the Scorpene-class submarine inducted into service
What is the news? Indian Navy inducted INS Karanj into service. It is a 3rd Scorpene-class conventional diesel-electric submarine. About INS Karanj: INS Karanj is a part of Project-75I. It is the 3rd submarine of the first batch of 6 Scorpene-class submarines under the project, for the Indian Navy. Designed by: French naval defence and… Continue reading “INS Karanj” – the Scorpene-class submarine inducted into service
key takeaways from the “ISRO-JAXA virtual meeting”
What is the news? Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) and the Japanese space agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA) held a virtual meeting. What are the key takeaways from the ISRO-JAXA virtual meeting? India and Japan agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation in space situational awareness and professional exchange programmes. They have signed an Implementing Arrangement for… Continue reading key takeaways from the “ISRO-JAXA virtual meeting”
Astronomers discover most distant “Quasar P172+18”
What is the news? International team of astronomers discovers the most distant ‘Radio-Loud’ Quasar. It is named “P172+18”. P172+18 discovered with the help of the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT). About P172+18: P172+18 is a quasar. It emitted wavelengths with a redshift of 6.8. The higher the redshift of the radio wavelength,… Continue reading Astronomers discover most distant “Quasar P172+18”
‘Mobilising Electric Vehicle Financing in India’ – A report of NITI Aayog
What is the News? NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain Institute(RMI) India jointly releases a new report titled ‘Mobilising Electric Vehicle Financing in India’. Purpose of the Mobilising Electric Vehicle Financing in India report: The report highlights the role of finance in India’s transition to electric vehicles(EVs). Further, the report also identifies solutions for capital and… Continue reading ‘Mobilising Electric Vehicle Financing in India’ – A report of NITI Aayog
Functions of “NSIL | New Space India Limited”
What is the news? The government clarified the mandate of the New Space India Limited(NSIL) to the Rajya Sabha. It was in response to a query by the Standing Committee on Science and Technology on whether NSIL would replace ISRO. What will be the role of ISRO? ISRO would be in charge of projects linked… Continue reading Functions of “NSIL | New Space India Limited”
40 Scholars awarded under “India Science and Research Fellowship(ISRF) 2021”
What is the news? 40 scholars from 6 countries have been awarded under the India Science Research Fellowship(ISRF) Program 2021. About India Science Research Fellowship(ISRF) Program 2021: Launched by: the Department of Science and Technology(DST), Government of India in 2015. Purpose: Awarded scientists and researchers from neighboring countries are provided an opportunity to carry out… Continue reading 40 Scholars awarded under “India Science and Research Fellowship(ISRF) 2021”
India develops Low Cost “Indigenous Spectrograph”
What is the news? Indian scientists indigenously designed and developed a low-cost optical spectrograph named “Aries-Devasthal Faint Object Spectrograph & Camera (ADFOSC)”. Note: Spectrograph is an instrument that obtains and records an astronomical spectrum. It separates incoming light by its wavelength or frequency. It records the resulting spectrum in multichannel detectors like a photographic plate… Continue reading India develops Low Cost “Indigenous Spectrograph”
