News: According to a report,there was a 51% increase in the use of spyware and stalkerware during the lockdown period from March to June. Facts: Spyware and Stalkerware: These are apps like viruses and malware that infect devices that are connected to the internet. However, unlike viruses and malware that can be detected by anti-virus… Continue reading Explained: What is spyware and stalkerware?
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.
Sun like stars hold key for Li increase in the Universe
News: Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics(IIA) have provided evidence for the first time that Lithium(Li) production is common among low mass Sun-like stars during their Helium (He) core burning phase. Facts: About the Study: Scientists performed a large-scale systematic investigation of the ‘He-flash’ (on-set of He-ignition at the star’s core via violent eruption)… Continue reading Sun like stars hold key for Li increase in the Universe
NASA to launch ASTHROS Mission to stratosphere
News: NASA has announced the launch of ASTHROS mission from Antarctica in 2023. Facts: ASTHROS stands for Astrophysics Stratospheric Telescope for High Spectral Resolution Observations at Submillimeter-wavelengths. Aim: To send a telescope into the stratosphere to observe wavelengths of light invisible from the Earth. Significance: The mission will help in trying to find answers about… Continue reading NASA to launch ASTHROS Mission to stratosphere
Explained: What exactly is herd immunity
News: A recent serological survey in Delhi found the presence of coronavirus specific antibodies in about 23% of the samples tested.The results of the survey are being interpreted to suggest that Delhi could be approaching Herd immunity. However, scientists have cautioned against such conclusions. Facts: What is Herd immunity? It is a stage of an… Continue reading Explained: What exactly is herd immunity
China successfully launches first Mars mission
News: China has successfully launched a Mars mission called Tianwen-1. Facts: Tianwen-1 mission: It is China’s first Mars exploration mission.The name comes from the long poem “Tianwen,” meaning Questions to Heaven. Objectives: The mission was launched to fulfil three objectives: To orbit the red planet for comprehensive observation. To land on Martian soil and send… Continue reading China successfully launches first Mars mission
Solar Orbiter Mission Returns First Data, Snaps Closest Pictures of the Sun
News: European Space Agency has released the closest pictures ever taken of the Sun captured by the Solar Orbiter Mission. Facts: Key Takeaways: Camp Fires: There are mini-flares on the sun that are millionths of the size of the Sun’s massive flares that are routinely observed by Earth telescopes. Significance: These camp fires could have… Continue reading Solar Orbiter Mission Returns First Data, Snaps Closest Pictures of the Sun
Coronavirus: Oxford vaccine triggers immune response
News: The human trial of COVID-19 vaccine named ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and backed by AstraZeneca Plc has shown a positive result. Facts: How was the vaccine produced? The vaccine was made from a genetically engineered virus(adenovirus) that causes the common cold in chimpanzees. However, the virus was heavily modified… Continue reading Coronavirus: Oxford vaccine triggers immune response
BlackRock malware steals password, credit card details from 337 Android apps
News: A new Android malware named BlackRock has been discovered that steals data such as password and credit card details from apps such as Gmail, Amazon, Netflix, Uber and more. Facts: Blackrock: It is a Trojan malware that is based on the source code of the Xeres malware, itself derived from malware called LokiBot. How… Continue reading BlackRock malware steals password, credit card details from 337 Android apps
Explained: Why community transmission no longer matters at this stage
News: The Government of India insists that COVID-19 has still not reached a stage of community transmission in spite of more than 1.1 million people having been infected with the novel coronavirus in India. Facts: Stages of Transmission: Stage 1- Imported Transmission: It is when cases are imported from affected countries without any local origin… Continue reading Explained: Why community transmission no longer matters at this stage
Zydus Cadila begins human trials of its potential Covid-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D
News: India has started the clinical trials of Covid-19 vaccine – ZyCoV-D. Facts: ZyCoV-D: It is a plasmid DNA vaccine designed and developed by Zydus, a pharmaceutical company. The vaccine comes under the Vaccine Discovery Programme supported by the Department of Biotechnology under the National Biopharma Mission. Additional Facts: National Biopharma Mission(NBM): It is an… Continue reading Zydus Cadila begins human trials of its potential Covid-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D
