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
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.
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
NASA to crash into asteroid, ESA to follow up
The European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Hera mission is set for a new record by becoming the first spacecraft to explore a binary asteroid — the Didymos pair. The moon orbiting Didymos, called ‘Didymoon’ — almost the size of the Giza Pyramid in Egypt, measuring just 160 metres in diameter—will be the smallest asteroid ever explored.… Continue reading NASA to crash into asteroid, ESA to follow up
INDIA’S COMMUNICATION SATELLITE GSAT-31 LAUNCHED FROM FRENCH GUIANA
Indian Space Research Orgnisation (ISRO) successfully launched communication satellite GSAT-31 from French Guiana. It was launched onboard of Ariane-5 rocket from Kourou Launch Base. GSAT-31 is the 40th communication satellite of India with (a) Coverage area: Indian mainland and Island (b) Features:Will support VSAT banking application, for disaster management, e-governance, stock markets, among others (c)The… Continue reading INDIA’S COMMUNICATION SATELLITE GSAT-31 LAUNCHED FROM FRENCH GUIANA
What’s causing extreme cold in US Midwest
A record-breaking cold wave has swept through the US Midwest and is stated to be caused by a polar vortex. The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles. The term “vortex” refers to the counter-clockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air… Continue reading What’s causing extreme cold in US Midwest
