Scientists in Japan has received government permission to grow human organs in animals for the first study of its kind in the country. The research involves genetically modifying sheep or pig embryos so they cannot grow a specific organ.Human induced pluripotent stem(iPS) cells are then injected into the embryo in the hope that the DNA… Continue reading Japan approves growing human organs in animals for first time
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.
Cabinet approves ISRO Technical Liaison Unit at Moscow
The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO)’s Technical Liaison Unit(ITLU) in Moscow, Russia. The establishment of this unit will help ISRO to collaborate with Space agencies/industries in Russia and neighbouring countries for mutually synergistic outcomes. Further,this unit will also help in ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme which requires development of some… Continue reading Cabinet approves ISRO Technical Liaison Unit at Moscow
TOI 270 – NASA finds a new planetary system about 73 light years away from earth
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has recently discovered a new planetary system. It has been named as TOI 270. TOI 270 is about 73 light years away from Earth, and is located in the constellation Pictor. The members of the planetary system include a dwarf star (TOI 270), which is 40% smaller than the… Continue reading TOI 270 – NASA finds a new planetary system about 73 light years away from earth
WHO says Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal & Thailand achieve Hepatitis B control
According to World Health Organization(WHO) report on World Hepatitis Day on July 28,it has found that viral hepatitis kills 4 lakh people every year. The report has said that investing $6bn per year in eliminating hepatitis in 67 low and middle-income countries would avert 4.5 million premature deaths by 2030. The report has also said… Continue reading WHO says Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal & Thailand achieve Hepatitis B control
Understanding cryptocurrencies: What’s to like, and what’s to fear
An inter-ministerial committee (IMC) that was set up to assess the viability of virtual currencies has recommended that India should ban private cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. A cryptocurrency is a subset of virtual currencies. It is decentralised, and protected by cryptography. Example: Bitcoin, Etherum, etc. A virtual currency is a digital representation of value that… Continue reading Understanding cryptocurrencies: What’s to like, and what’s to fear
Agent Smith
Indian cybercrime officials has said that the Agent Smith malware is targeted at Indians. Indians constitute the highest number of victims so far. According to a report by Checkpoint, a private cyber security firm, Agent Smith is believed to have infected over 25 million devices so far. The Agent Smith malware can replace apps on… Continue reading Agent Smith
Centre to launch Deep Ocean Mission in October
Recently,Deep Ocean Mission(DOM) has received in-principle approval from the government. The DOM mission will be led by the Union Earth Sciences Ministry.This five-year mission is expected to commence from October 31,2019. The mission proposes to explore the deep ocean similar to the space exploration started by ISRO about 35 years ago.A major thrust of the… Continue reading Centre to launch Deep Ocean Mission in October
WHO recommends use of innovative HIV drug
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended the use of the HIV drug dolutegravir(DTG) as the preferred first-line and second-line treatment for all populations. This drug can also be used for patients including pregnant women and those of childbearing potential. Dolutegravir(DTG) which is sold under the brand name Tivicay is an antiretroviral medication used together… Continue reading WHO recommends use of innovative HIV drug
China launches first private rocket capable of carrying satellites
Chinese startup company iSpace has successfully launched the first commercial rocket of China into the Earth’s orbit. The successful launch of Hyperbola-1 was lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre with several satellites and payloads into a predetermined orbit. Hyperbola-1 has also carried the CAS-7B CubeSat.It is an amateur radio mission which is developed by… Continue reading China launches first private rocket capable of carrying satellites
Milky Way’s violent birth decoded
According to scientists, Milky Way was shaped in its present form as a result of collision with another smaller galaxy called Gaia-Enceladus, 10 billion years ago. The study has been based on data from the Gaia space observatory- a space observatory of the European Space Agency (ESA). Gaia seeks to map the positions of more… Continue reading Milky Way’s violent birth decoded
