Scientists from National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) have developed an Astrocomb. It is a custom made frequency comb which can precisely measure frequencies or colours of light. The instrument will help the precision needed for discovering and characterising planets orbiting M dwarf stars. M dwarfs (also known as red dwarfs) are the most… Continue reading Astrocomb to help hunt for planets, aliens
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.
Desi lab harvest meat that even PETA activists will love
Mumbai has become the world’s first city to host a research centre dedicated to lab-grown meat. The Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai has planned to establish a Centre of Excellence in Cellular Agriculture. The centre will be backed by US-based Good Food Institute- an international non-profit that promotes plant and cell-based meat through research. The… Continue reading Desi lab harvest meat that even PETA activists will love
2 more states to set up drug price units
Punjab and Gujarat will set up Price Monitoring & Research unit (PMRU). It would be set up by National pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, the apex body which controls and monitors drug prices, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State drug controller. PMRU is aimed at a) monitoring the notified prices of medicines, b) detection… Continue reading 2 more states to set up drug price units
Govt plans ‘One Health’ to check antibiotics use in animals, humans
At the One Health India Conference, 2019, the government has announced its plan to launch One Health India Initiative. The initiative calls for an intersectoral approach to tackle the most urgent health threats such as Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Anthrax, and Antimicrobial Resistance in India and across the globe. The initiative seeks to deal with human and… Continue reading Govt plans ‘One Health’ to check antibiotics use in animals, humans
Scientists discover massive mountains under Earth’s crust
A team of researchers from USA and China has discovered a new layer with massive mountains in the earth’s mantle. The layer lacks a formal name and is being addressed as the “660 kilometers boundary”. The recent discovery is expected to give new insights on the formation and evolution of Earth. The researchers had used… Continue reading Scientists discover massive mountains under Earth’s crust
NASA heading back to the moon
NASA will set foot on the moon ‘by 2028’ for the first time since Apollo 17 and plans to make a sustainable colony so astronauts can regularly travel back and forth from Earth. NASA aims to first land an unmanned vehicle on the Moon by 2024 and are now inviting bids from the private sector… Continue reading NASA heading back to the moon
Antibiotic-resistant NDM-1 gene found in pristine Arctic
Scientists have detected antibiotic resistant (AR) gene NDM-1(New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase) in pristine high Arctic region(Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard),one of the earth’s most remote spots.It clearly indicates the extent of globalisation of antimicrobial resistance (AR). The enzyme got New Delhi in its name because it was first detected in 2008 in Swedish patient of Indian origin… Continue reading Antibiotic-resistant NDM-1 gene found in pristine Arctic
A lifetime of finding genes to counter heart disease
Geneticist Helen Hobbs found that when people had a mutation in PCSK9, they ended up with lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol.This mechanism of mutation protected people against heart disease without any side effects. She had won the 2016 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for discovery of a mutation in a gene… Continue reading A lifetime of finding genes to counter heart disease
EU, India to jointly invest Rs 323 crore on 7 water projects
European Union,through its research and innovation programme ‘Horizon 2020’and Indian Government has decided to jointly invest on seven research and innovation projects The key focus areas of these projects include a)improving the quality of drinking water,b) waste c) water management,d) real-time monitoring and control systems and (e) Ganga rejuvenation. The projects seeks to develop innovative… Continue reading EU, India to jointly invest Rs 323 crore on 7 water projects
ICMR’s tie-up with Pfizer on antibiotic abuse raises eyebrow
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Pfizer Ltd will set up a centre to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in New Delhi.The joint initiative will implement a series of interventions in three areas namely Planning,Surveillance and Awareness around responsible use of antibiotics. The criticism against this collaboration is that it will give Pfizer access… Continue reading ICMR’s tie-up with Pfizer on antibiotic abuse raises eyebrow
