News: Researchers can track spent nuclear fuel and detect illicit plutonium extraction by measuring anti Neutrino (“ghost particle”) signatures from reactors and cooling pools. About Neutrinos Neutrinos are fascinating and elusive particles that form an essential part of the standard model of particle physics. They are sometimes called “ghost particles” because they pass invisibly through… Continue reading Neutrinos
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.
Hexavalent Vaccine
News: In a recent finding, it was found out that introducing the hexavalent vaccine under the Universal Immunisation Programme could reduce the number of injections, ease pressure on health workers and improve programme efficiency. About Hexavalent Vaccine About: A hexavalent (six-in-one) vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects infants against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough),… Continue reading Hexavalent Vaccine
PowerBank-50
News: The company’s PowerBank-50 successfully powered a payload aboard Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 ‘Aagaman’ mission. About PowerBank-50 Designed by: It is an indigenously developed satellite battery pack designed by the Hyderabad-based spacetech startup TakeMe2Space. It is designed specifically for small satellites. It is India’s first indigenously developed satellite battery to achieve the coveted ‘flight heritage’ status. Note:… Continue reading PowerBank-50
Cyclosporiasis
News: The U.S. is investigating a major cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce, with Michigan reporting over 11,000 cases and two deaths. About Cyclosporiasis Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne intestinal illness. It is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic coccidian protozoan parasite. Mode of Transmission: The infection spreads through the faeco-oral route by consuming food or water… Continue reading Cyclosporiasis
Nitrosamines as Hidden Carcinogens
News: Nitrosamines have gained attention because they are hidden chemicals present in foods, water, pharmaceuticals, and tobacco that are linked to cancer risk. About Nitrosamines as Hidden Carcinogens Nitrosamines are organic compounds that contain alkyl and an aryl group with the following nitrogen and oxygen group: N–N=O. Formation: They are formed when amines react with… Continue reading Nitrosamines as Hidden Carcinogens
Pellet Guns
News: The Supreme Court examined petitions on pellet gun use after students and workers suffered serious injuries during a crowd-control incident in Delhi. About Pellet Guns Pellet guns are 12-bore pump-action shotguns classified as less-lethal kinetic projectile weapons used for crowd control and dispersal. Working Mechanism: Loading: A cartridge containing hundreds of small pellets is… Continue reading Pellet Guns
Protein Language Models (pLMs)
News: Scientists at Duke University developed Raygun, an AI system that can shrink, enlarge, and extensively rewrite proteins, and published the study in Nature on July 29. About Protein Language Models (pLMs) Protein Language Model (pLM) is a special type of artificial intelligence that studies protein sequences to understand their structure and function. Core Analogy: Proteins… Continue reading Protein Language Models (pLMs)
Leptospirosis
News: Leptospirosis cases and mortality begin surging with the arrival of the southwest monsoon in Kerala. About Leptospirosis Leptospirosis is a tropical zoonotic disease. It is also commonly known as “rat fever” or “flood fever.” Causing bacteria: It is caused by the bacterium Leptospira that can be found in contaminated water or soil. How it… Continue reading Leptospirosis
Blue Straggler Star
News: Indian astronomers and international collaborators have discovered a Blue Straggler Star during its formation, providing rare direct evidence of its origin. About Blue Straggler Star Blue Straggler Star (BSS) is an unusually hot, bright, blue, and massive star found in old star clusters. Location: It is found in old star clusters, including globular and open… Continue reading Blue Straggler Star
Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
News: As enterprises increasingly adopt AI, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) has emerged as a key framework for connecting AI models with an organization’s proprietary knowledge. About Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) It is a technique that makes AI more accurate by allowing it to search your organization’s own documents before answering a question. Features: Instead of relying only… Continue reading Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
