News:Scientists have said that the future missions such as Shukrayaan-1 could confirm the presence of active volcanoes on Venus. Facts: Shukrayaan-1 is a proposed mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Launch Year: 2023 Aim:To study the surface and atmosphere of Venus.
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 cytokine storm?
News:Several infected patients are developing severe COVID-19 because of an overreaction of their immune systems which triggers what is known as a cytokine storm syndrome(CSS). Facts: Cytokine Storm:It occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an intruder such as a virus by producing high levels of cytokines. However, overproduction of cytokines can be harmful… Continue reading Explained:What is cytokine storm?
Cluster Transmission
News:The Government of India is focussed on stopping the cluster transmissions of the coronavirus in order to prevent it from turning into community transmission. Facts: Cluster Transmission:It is defined as an aggregation of cases in an identifiable subpopulation.The word ‘cases’ in the definition stands for people with similar symptoms and ‘subpopulation’ points to those who… Continue reading Cluster Transmission
Govt frees exports of all APIs, formulations except paracetamol
News:Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) removed the export restrictions on 24 active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and formulations. These include Vitamins B6, B1, B12, Neomycin, Erythromycin among others. Facts: Background: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the government had earlier restricted exports of 26 bulk drugs and their formulations to curb shortages in India. Additional Facts: Directorate General… Continue reading Govt frees exports of all APIs, formulations except paracetamol
What is Geo-fencing?
News:The Government of India has planned to use the ‘Geo-Fencing App’ to locate quarantine violators. Facts: Geo-fencing:It is a location-based service which uses GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi or cellular data to trigger a pre-programmed action when a person or device enters or exits a virtual boundary set up around a geographical location known as a geofence.… Continue reading What is Geo-fencing?
GRACE-FO Mission
News:NASA has released new global maps mapping groundwater, soil wetness using GRACE-FO mission satellites. Facts: The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) mission was launched in 2018.It is a successor to the original GRACE mission which orbited Earth from 2002-2017. Bodies involved:It is a partnership project between NASA and the German Research Centre for… Continue reading GRACE-FO Mission
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
