News: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) is working on developing “mega labs” to ramp up testing for COVID-19 as well as improve the accuracy rate. Facts: Mega Labs: These labs will use Next Generation Sequencing(NGS) machines (NGS) which are normally used for sequencing human genomes to sequence 1,500 to 3,000 viral genomes at… Continue reading CSIR moots ‘mega labs’ to boost COVID-19 testing
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.
Explained: What is the Perseids meteor shower set to peak mid-August?
News: The Perseids meteor shower is going to be active from August 17th to 26th,2020. Facts: Perseids: It is a meteor shower that peaks every year in mid-August.It was first observed over 2,000 years ago.It occurs as the Earth runs into pieces of cosmic debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle. Additional Facts: Comets: They… Continue reading Explained: What is the Perseids meteor shower set to peak mid-August?
Explained: What are Sunspots?
News: A massive Sunspot group, AR2770 was observed using images of the Sun’s surface from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory(SDO). Facts: Sunspots: It is an area on the Sun that appears dark on the surface and is relatively cooler than surrounding parts. Why are sunspots relatively cool: It’s because they form at areas where magnetic fields… Continue reading Explained: What are Sunspots?
Explained: What is the tick-borne virus spreading in China?
News: A new infectious disease called Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome(SFTS) caused by a tick-borne virus has killed seven people and infected 60 others in China. Facts: SFTS virus: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) belongs to the Bunyavirus family and is transmitted to humans through tick bites. Origin: The virus was first identified… Continue reading Explained: What is the tick-borne virus spreading in China?
Explained: What is SpaceX’s Starship?
News: SpaceX has successfully completed a flight test of the future rocket Starship which the company hopes to send to Mars. Facts: Starship: Starship has been designed by SpaceX.It is a spacecraft and super-heavy booster rocket meant to act as a reusable transportation system for crew and cargo to the Earth’s orbit, Moon and Mars.… Continue reading Explained: What is SpaceX’s Starship?
Explained: What is ammonium nitrate, which caused the massive explosion in Beirut?
News: The catastrophic explosion at Beirut port in Lebanon was caused by over 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate kept in storage for over six years. Facts: Ammonium Nitrate(NH4NO3): It is a white, crystalline chemical which is soluble in water. Where is it used? It is a common industrial chemical used mainly for fertiliser and is… Continue reading Explained: What is ammonium nitrate, which caused the massive explosion in Beirut?
Time capsules: what they contain, how they are installed and why
News: Ahead of the laying of the foundation stone for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, claims and denials have emerged about plans by the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to put in a time capsule. Facts: Time Capsule: It is a container of any size or shape which accommodates documents, photos and artefacts typical of… Continue reading Time capsules: what they contain, how they are installed and why
COVISHIELD phase 2, 3 trials get DCGI nod
News: Drugs Controller General of India(DCGI) has given approval to Serum Institute of India(SII) to conduct Phase II+III clinical trials of Oxford University AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine(COVISHIELD). Facts: COVISHIELD: The Oxford vaccine “AZD1222” is being called Covishield in India. The Serum Institute of India(SII) has entered into a manufacturing partnership with biopharma major AstraZeneca to produce… Continue reading COVISHIELD phase 2, 3 trials get DCGI nod
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon successfully returns NASA astronauts back to Earth
News: SpaceX and NASA have successfully completed the final phase of their Demo-2 mission for the Crew Dragon spacecraft after two NASA astronauts returned to Earth safely. Facts: Crew Dragon Demo-2: It is the first crewed test flight of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.It is a part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The Demo-1 mission… Continue reading SpaceX’s Crew Dragon successfully returns NASA astronauts back to Earth
Yellow fever burden to shift to central and east Africa by 2050: Study
News: According to a study by the World Health Organization(WHO), the burden of yellow fever is projected to shift to Central and East Africa from West Africa by 2050. Facts: Yellow Fever: It is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes.The yellow in the name refers to the jaundice that affects some patients.… Continue reading Yellow fever burden to shift to central and east Africa by 2050: Study
