News: Biocon drug Itolizumab has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India(DCGI) for treating moderate to severe Covid-19 patients. Facts: Itolizumab: It is a monoclonal antibody drug manufactured by Biocon for the treatment of severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made proteins that act like human antibodies in the immune system and… Continue reading Biocon Gets Regulatory Nod To Use Drug Itolizumab On COVID-19 Patients
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.
Unite human, animal and environmental health to prevent the next pandemic – UN Report
News: United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) and the International Livestock Research Institute(ILRI) has released a report titled “Preventing the Next Pandemic: Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission”. Facts: Aim: The report focuses on the context and nature of potential future zoonotic disease outbreaks during the Covid-19 pandemic by identifying the anthropogenic (changes… Continue reading Unite human, animal and environmental health to prevent the next pandemic – UN Report
Detecting RNA virus in saliva samples using Raman spectroscopy
News: Researchers have turned to Raman Spectroscopy to detect RNA viruses present in saliva samples. Facts: Raman Spectroscopy: It is an analytical technique where scattered light is used to measure the vibrational energy modes of a sample. Significance: Raman spectroscopy can provide both chemical and structural information as well as the identification of substances through… Continue reading Detecting RNA virus in saliva samples using Raman spectroscopy
Explained:What is Kawasaki Disease?
News: Around the world, including in India, children with Covid-19 infection have shown some symptoms similar to those associated with a rare illness called Kawasaki disease. Facts: Kawasaki disease:The disease derives its name from a Japanese paediatrician, Tomisaku Kawasaki who reported the first case in 1961 — a four-year-old boy — and later found similar… Continue reading Explained:What is Kawasaki Disease?
Explained: NASA research says the Moon is more metallic than thought before.What this means
News: NASA has found evidence of greater quantities of metals such as iron and titanium on the Moon’s subsurface. Facts: The metallic distribution was observed by the Miniature Radio Frequency (Mini-RF) instrument aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter(LRO) spacecraft. Significance of the study: The observations could help in drawing a clearer connection between Earth and the… Continue reading Explained: NASA research says the Moon is more metallic than thought before.What this means
Isro’s MOM captures image of the biggest moon of Mars
News: The Mars Colour Camera(MCC) onboard ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission has captured the image of Phobos, the closest and biggest moon of Mars. Facts: Phobos: It is the closest and biggest moon of Mars and is largely believed to be made up of carbonaceous chondrites. Significance: Phobos is nearing Mars at a rate of six… Continue reading Isro’s MOM captures image of the biggest moon of Mars
India opens first plasma bank for COVID-19 treatment
News: Delhi Chief Minister has inaugurated India’s first plasma bank at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences(ILBS). Facts: Plasma Bank: It functions like a blood bank and has been created specifically for those who are suffering from Covid-19 and have been advised Convalescent Plasma therapy by doctors. Convalescent Plasma Therapy: It seeks to make… Continue reading India opens first plasma bank for COVID-19 treatment
Issue compulsory licences for manufacture of Ramdesivir, CPI(M) tells govt.
News: CPI(Marxist) has said that the government should issue compulsory licences for the manufacture of a generic version of Remdesivir, an antiviral drug being used to treat COVID-19 patients. Facts: Compulsory licensing(CL): It is a process where a government allows someone else to produce the patented product or process without the consent of the patent… Continue reading Issue compulsory licences for manufacture of Ramdesivir, CPI(M) tells govt.
Drug discovery hackathon 2020 for open source coronavirus cure launched
News: Union Health Minister and Union HRD Minister has launched the Drug Discovery Hackathon 2020. Facts: Drug Discovery Hackathon: It has been jointly organised by the All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR). The hackathon is being supported by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing(CDAC), MyGov as… Continue reading Drug discovery hackathon 2020 for open source coronavirus cure launched
Explained: The G4 flu virus with ‘pandemic potential’, found by Chinese researchers?
News: Researchers in China have discovered a new strain of the H1N1 swine flu virus named G4 virus. Facts: G4 virus: It is a new strain of virus that has descended from the H1N1 Influenza that was responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic. The evidence of the virus have been found in people who work… Continue reading Explained: The G4 flu virus with ‘pandemic potential’, found by Chinese researchers?
