News:European Space Agency has announced its plan to launch JUpiter ICy moons Explorer(JUICE) mission by 2022. Facts: Aim:To spend at least three years making detailed observations of the giant gaseous planet Jupiter and three of its largest moons, Ganymede, Callisto and Europa.
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.
Govt issues list of National Directives for COVID-19 management
News: Ministry of Home Affairs issued National Directives for COVID-19 management Facts: Wearing of face cover in workplaces and public places compulsory. Fine for spitting in public places. Ban on sale of tobacco products and alcohol Gatherings of more than five people not allowed in public spaces or in any organisation District magistrates have been… Continue reading Govt issues list of National Directives for COVID-19 management
World Chagas Disease Day
News:World Chagas Disease Day is being celebrated for the first time on April 14,2020. Facts: Chagas disease also known as American trypanosomiasis is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). It is classified as a neglected tropical disease(NTD) which means it mostly affects the poorest countries of the developing world. Transmission:The main route… Continue reading World Chagas Disease Day
CovidGyan
News: Ministry of Science and Technology launched CovidGyan Facts: It is a science based website for information on Covid-19. Aim: To fight misinformation around coronavirus disease and generate public awareness. It is a brainchild of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and Tata Memorial Centre (TMC).
Pooled Testing
News: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issued an advisory for using pooled samples for testing of COVID-19. Facts: Pooled testing, also known as group testing, is a procedure where individual specimens (e.g., urine or blood) are combined into a common pool. If the pooled test turns out to be positive, individual samples are tested-… Continue reading Pooled Testing
Mauna Loa observatory
News:Scientists at Mauna Loa observatory are observing the impact of Covid-19 on the Carbon Dioxide(CO2) emissions. Facts: Mauna Loa Observatory(MLO) is located in Hawaii,USA. It is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Aim:To measure the elements in the atmosphere that contribute to climate change on Earth. Additional Facts: Keeling Curve:It is a… Continue reading Mauna Loa observatory
International Space Station(ISS)
News:The U.S.-Russian space crew has reached the International Space Station(ISS) after a launch was carried out by Russian Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan. Facts: The International Space Station(ISS) is a space station located in the low Earth orbit. Participating agencies:It is a joint project between five space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA… Continue reading International Space Station(ISS)
Coronavirus: What is ‘R0’, or reproduction number?
News:Researchers are calculating mathematical figure ‘R0’ to understand the nature of transmission of Coronavirus, Facts: Basic reproduction number(R0):It measures the rate at which a virus is transmitted based on the average number of people who will contract the virus from a person who has already been infected.R0= new infections/existing infections Example:If the number of people… Continue reading Coronavirus: What is ‘R0’, or reproduction number?
SnowEx Programme
News:National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) has launched a programme called SnowEx. Facts: SnowEx is a five year programme launched in 2016. Objective:To address the most important gaps in snow remote sensing knowledge and thus lay the groundwork for a future snow satellite mission. The geographical focus of the programme is proposed as the North America… Continue reading SnowEx Programme
Madhuban Gajar
News:A farmer Scientist from Gujarat has been awarded Padma Shri for developing Madhuban Gajar- a biofortified carrot variety. Facts: Benefits: High yielding, Highest carotene content, Deep red color, long size and longer shelf life. Additional Facts: Biofortification:It is the process by which the nutritional quality of food crops is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant… Continue reading Madhuban Gajar
