Factly: Science and Technology Archives

NASA announces SUNRISE Mission

News:National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced the Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (SunRISE) Mission. Facts: Objective: To study how the Sun generates and releases solar particle storms into planetary space. SunRISE contains six CubeSats which will observe radio images of low-frequency emission from solar activity and create 3D maps to locate the origin… Continue reading NASA announces SUNRISE Mission

Acute Encephalitis Syndrome(AES)

News:Amid coronavirus outbreak, Acute Encephalitis Syndrome(AES) returns in Bihar. Facts: Acute Encephalitis Syndrome(AES) also known as ‘Chamki Fever’ or Litchi Virus is an umbrella term used for infections that causes inflammation irritation or swelling on the brain. Cause: Viruses, bacteria, fungi and a range of agents.However, Japanese encephalitis(JE) virus is the most common cause of… Continue reading Acute Encephalitis Syndrome(AES)

Explained: What is Rapid Test

News:Kerala government has announced ‘rapid test’ to tackle the suspicion of whether the novel coronavirus has spread into the community. Facts: A rapid test is a speedy test conducted to determine whether there has been any kind of recent viral infection in a person’s body. When a pathogen enters a human body, specific antibodies are… Continue reading Explained: What is Rapid Test

Convalescent plasma therapy

News:US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of convalescent plasma therapy for patients with serious life-threatening COVID-19 infections. Facts: Convalescent plasma therapy aims to make use of the antibodies developed in the recovered patient against the infections. Under this, whole blood or plasma from recovered patients are taken and then injected into critically… Continue reading Convalescent plasma therapy

Sodium Hypochlorite

News:Several States sprayed sodium hypochlorite solution on migrant workers to sanitise them. Facts: Sodium hypochlorite(NaOCl) is a compound that is used for surface purification, bleaching, odor removal and water disinfection. It is not recommended to be used on human beings as large quantities of chlorine can be harmful for the skin.

Air purifying technology to disinfect State hospitals in COVID-19 fight

News:‘Scitech Airon’, an air purifier, developed under ‘Nidhi Prayas’ programme, will be used to disinfect state hospitals amid coronavirus pandemic. The air purifying technology has been developed by an incubatee company of the Pune-based Science and Technology Park (STP or Scitech Park). Facts: NIDHI-PRAYAS (National Initiative for developing and harnessing Innovation – PRomoting and Accelerating… Continue reading Air purifying technology to disinfect State hospitals in COVID-19 fight

Zoonotic Diseases

News: Since the beginning of the 21st century, there has been emergence and outbreaks of multiple zoonotic diseases. Facts: Definition: Type of disease that passes from an animal or insect to a human. Diseases Features Nipah Host: Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family transmitted to humans from animals (such as bats or pigs), or contaminated foods… Continue reading Zoonotic Diseases

Hydroxychloroquine now a schedule H1 drug

News: The government has notified hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, under Schedule-H1 to regulate and restrict the sale and distribution of the drug. Facts: Classification of Drugs in India: The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, provides for classification of drugs into different schedules. Schedule Features Schedule H1 Aims to… Continue reading Hydroxychloroquine now a schedule H1 drug

Explained: How antibody test for COVID-19 is different from PCR test

News: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has sought price quotes for the supply of 10 lakh antibody kits (serological test) for diagnosis of COVID-19. Facts: Two types of tests for viral infections: Genetic and serological Genetic test: It is conducted on a swab collected from the back of the throat, a liquid sample from… Continue reading Explained: How antibody test for COVID-19 is different from PCR test

Centre for Internet of Ethical Things

News:Karnataka Government has decided to set up a Centre for Internet of Ethical Things In Bengaluru. Facts: It is a collaboration with the World Economic Forum(WEF) Aim: To bring together aspects of Artificial Intelligence(AI), Internet of Things(IoT) and Ethics on a single platform. Additional Facts: Artificial Intelligence: It refers to the ability of machines to… Continue reading Centre for Internet of Ethical Things

Post-Mains Strategy Session by Mr. Ayush Sinha | ForumIAS