Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology,Guwahati have developed a low-cost,hand-held device to detect bacteria called as Organic Field Effect Transistor(OFET). The device has the ability to detect bacteria rapidly without the need for cell culture and microbiological assays. The OFET is an electronic device that works on the principle which charges in the vicinity of… Continue reading IIT Guwahati develops hand-held device to detect bacteria without going to lab
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.
ISRO’s mini launcher SSLV is unborn but has 2 flights booked
US-based satellite rideshare and mission management provider Spaceflight has signed a deal with New Space India Ltd (NSIL) for payload slot on the first commercial launch of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). The SSLV has been developed by ISRO. Its first flight is expected to take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in late… Continue reading ISRO’s mini launcher SSLV is unborn but has 2 flights booked
Mohali gets first 3-D traffic signal
Mohali traffic police have launched the 3-D Smart Traffic Signal.The launch of the 3-D technique is first of its kind in the country. The wireless system called ‘Intelights’ has been installed at the traffic signals.It will regulate with a smart bird’s eye view wireless sensor system. The system proposes a 360-degree solution to curb the… Continue reading Mohali gets first 3-D traffic signal
Moon, Mercury may contain more water ice than thought
According to a new analysis of data from NASA’s LRO and MESSENGER spacecraft, Earth’s Moon and Mercury (the closest planet to Sun) may contain significantly more water ice than previously thought The potential ice deposits are found in craters near the poles of Moon and Mercury. The poles of Mercury and the Moon are among… Continue reading Moon, Mercury may contain more water ice than thought
Biotechnology Department will scan 20,000 Indian genomes
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has planned to scan nearly 20,000 Indian genomes to develop diagnostic tests that can be used to test for cancer. The scanning will take place over the next five years, in a two-phase exercise. The programme is expected to be launched in October 2019 The first phase of exercise will… Continue reading Biotechnology Department will scan 20,000 Indian genomes
Isro to set up new centre to protect Indian satellites from space debris
Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has set up the Space Situational Awareness Control Centre in Bengaluru. The control centre would host a range of activities related to the protection of Indian space assets from (a)inactive satellites (b)pieces of orbiting objects (c)near earth asteroids and (d)adverse space weather conditions. It would also assimilate the tracking data… Continue reading Isro to set up new centre to protect Indian satellites from space debris
A step closer to oral administration of kala-azar drug
Researchers from IIT Hyderabad have achieved a sustained release of a drug known as Amphotericin B for up to 10 days.This drug can be used for treating kala-azar. This will also help in oral administration of kala-azar drug which currently has major challenges. Visceral leishmaniasis(VL) also known as kala-azar is the most severe form of… Continue reading A step closer to oral administration of kala-azar drug
Tigers in India face lurking threat from virus
According to a recent study,86% of the tested dogs around the Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan carried Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) antibodies in their bloodstream. These findings points out that there is an increased risk of disease transfer from the dogs to tigers and leopards that live in the park. Wildlife biologists has also raised… Continue reading Tigers in India face lurking threat from virus
Nigeria becomes fourth African nation to join global coalition to protect pollinators
Nigeria has become the fourth African country to join the Global Coalition of the Willing on Pollinators.Ethiopia was the first African nation to be part of this global coalition in 2017. This Coalition was formed to follow up on the findings of IPBES assessment on Pollinators and Food Production.The coalition aims to foster policy measures… Continue reading Nigeria becomes fourth African nation to join global coalition to protect pollinators
New molecule promises to address drug resistance
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science(IISc),Bangalore have designed an antimicrobial protein called Omega 76. This protein promises to kill multidrug-resistant bacterium called Acinetobacter baumannii. The bacterium is among those responsible for most of the infections in hospitals and other healthcare settings and is fast becoming resistant to available antibiotics. The protein was developed using… Continue reading New molecule promises to address drug resistance

