A new research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has reported that popular electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) products sold in the U.S. were contaminated with bacterial and fungal toxins. The study has been published online in Environmental Health Perspectives. The study had examined 75 popular e-cigarette products and found that 27% contained traces of… Continue reading ‘Microbial toxins found in popular e-cigarettes’
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.
In a first, NASA probe detects ‘marsquake’ on the Red Planet
NASA’s robotic probe In-Sight has detected and measured a probable seismological tremor on Mars. This is the first time a likely seismological tremor has been recorded on a planet other than the Earth and its Moon. NASA has labelled the tremor a “Marsquake”. Previously also tremors have been recorded but this is the first recorded… Continue reading In a first, NASA probe detects ‘marsquake’ on the Red Planet
Interceptor vessel joins Coast Guard service
A new Coast Guard vessel named as C-441 has been commissioned at Vizhinjam harbour in Kerala under the aegis of Regional Commander Western Region. C-441 is an Indian Coast Guard interceptor Vessel.C-441 is the seventh interceptor vessel amongst the series designed and built indigenously by L&T Ltd,Surat. C-441 is a 27.8-metre-long vessel.It has a maximum… Continue reading Interceptor vessel joins Coast Guard service
Magic milk: fighting infections with a clue from the echidna
Scientists at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) have isolated an anti-microbial protein found in the milk of Echidnas. According to scientists, the new finding could be an alternative to antibiotics used on livestock. The research has been published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta – Biomembranes.… Continue reading Magic milk: fighting infections with a clue from the echidna
China to build moon station in ‘about 10 years’
China has planned to send a manned mission to moon and to build a scientific research station there in “about 10 years”. The China National Space Administration (CSNA) intends to build the research station in the region of the moon’s South Pole. China has also planned to launch a Mars probe by 2020. The country… Continue reading China to build moon station in ‘about 10 years’
UAE’s Hope Probe project bound for Mars is 85% complete
The UAE Space Agency and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre has announced that 85% of the Hope Probe project has been completed. Hope mission is a Space mission by UAE which has planned to send an unmanned probe to orbit Mars by 2021.It will become the first Arab Country to do so. The Hope Mars… Continue reading UAE’s Hope Probe project bound for Mars is 85% complete
New synthetic peptide may help treat Alzheimer’s
Researchers at the University of Washington, USA have developed synthetic peptides that could target and reduce toxic protein aggregates, which are supposed to cause Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease. It is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. It is caused by the aggregation of the… Continue reading New synthetic peptide may help treat Alzheimer’s
Top Navy commanders to review security preparedness in maritime domain
The first edition of Naval Commanders Conference of 2019 is scheduled to be held at New Delhi from 23 to 25 April 2019.The Conference assumes greater significance in the backdrop of Pulwama associated events. The conference is the apex forum within the Service for institutionalised interaction between the Naval Commanders themselves and between Naval Commanders… Continue reading Top Navy commanders to review security preparedness in maritime domain
Fire extinguisher that can be used in space created
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Toyohashi University of Technology has developed a new concept of fire extinguishing called Vacuum Extinguish Method (VEM). VEM is based on the ‘reverse’ operation of the conventional fire extinguishing procedure. Instead of spraying out extinguishing agents at a fire, the VEM sucks the flames and burning materials into a… Continue reading Fire extinguisher that can be used in space created
China draws up tighter rules on human gene and embryo trials
China’s top legislature have decided to consider tougher rules on research involving human genes and embryos. Under the draft law sent to the top legislature,medical and human trials will face closer scrutiny and stricter requirements,such as ensuring human subjects are properly briefed.Further,the rules will also require all future trials to be approved by administrative authorities… Continue reading China draws up tighter rules on human gene and embryo trials
