Daily Quiz: UPSC Prelims Marathon (Science & Technology) – September 17, 2020

The first-ever “World Food Safety Day” adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in collaboration with WHO,  will be celebrated on 7th of June 2019 under the theme “Food Safety, Everyone’s Business”.

With over one million reported cases in 2017, malaria still continues to be a burden for India and most countries of south-east Asia.

• Now, a group of researchers from IIT Guwahati has developed a simple detection method that uses an instrument when in the lab or a piece of chromatographic paper when in the field.
• The kit can be used to detect Plasmodium parasite, which causes malaria and also specifically detect Plasmodium falciparum, a notorious species.
• Using an ordinary syringe fitted with a small magnet, magnetic beads and few chemicals inside, the researchers were able to specifically capture the antigen released by the parasites in the blood of malaria patients.
• When the captured antigens interact with specific substrates inside the syringe, the blue dye turns pink. The dye is then adsorbed over a modified chromatographic paper.
• The formation of pink colour on the paper is a direct indication of the presence of parasites in the blood serum.
• The intensity of the colour increases when the concentration of antigen is high.

In scram-jet technology, combustion of fuel takes place in a chamber in the missile at supersonic speeds.

This is different from a ram jet system where the system collects the air it needs from the atmosphere during the flight at subsonic speeds and the propellants burn in the combustion chamber.

During frying, oil undergoes degradation due to their exposure to elevated temperatures which result in changes in the physico-chemical, nutritional and sensory properties of the oil.

• Polar compounds are formed during frying.
• The toxicity of these compounds is associated with several diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, Alzhemeimer’s disease liver diseases etc.
• Therefore, it is essential to monitor the quality of vegetable oils during frying.
• In order to safeguard consumer health, FSSAI has fixed a limit for Total Polar Compounds at 25% beyond which the vegetable oil shall not be used. Therefore, Vegetable Oils should not be repeatedly used for frying.
• The estimation of Total Polar Compounds (TPC) is a widely accepted parameter to decide whether the oil is safe for further use or not.
• The TPC Value is considered a better indicator since it refers to all degraded products from the initial triglycerides present in the oil.

The Pune-based National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) is all set to host the five-day annual International Pulsar Timing Array (IPTA) meet from June 17 to 21.

• The IPTA is a collaboration of radio astronomers from a dozen countries across the globe.
• It uses more than 12 radio telescopes all over the world with an aim to detect ultra-low frequency gravitational waves.
• More than 40 expert international astronomers and 30 international students are expected to participate in the event, besides several Indian participants.
• “The upgrade of the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune and the Ooty Radio Telescope (ORT) has helped us meet the parameters for being a full member of the IPTA.
• The current status of the quest for ultra-low frequency Gravitational Waves and the roadmap for future technical and scientific challenges is to be the main focus of the meeting.
• These waves are wrinkles in space-time produced by two massive black holes, each revolving around the other.
• Such black holes, which weigh billion times more than our Sun, are found in the centres of colliding galaxies.
• These waves affect radio pulses from 10km size stars called radio pulsars by changing ever so slightly the period of radio pulsation of these stars.

A professional body under the aegis of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) which ensures focused action on issues related to IPRs and addresses the 7 identified objectives of the policy.

• CIPAM assists in simplifying and streamlining of IP processes, apart from undertaking steps for furthering IPR awareness, commercialization and enforcement.
• Simplifying and streamlining of IP processes by formulating and implementing a focused strategy for each policy objective
• Coordination with State level agencies and Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India, industry bodies as well as international agencies; IP cells to be set up
• IPR awareness campaign across the country in schools,colleges/universities and the industry
• Training and sensitization porgrammes for enforcement agencies and Judiciary; coordination for effective enforcement of IPR rights.
• Study and facilitate implementation of best practices for promotion and commercialization of IP within the country

The Google Lunar XPRIZE (GLXP), sometimes referred to as Moon 2.0, was a 2007–2018 inducement prize space competition organized by the X Prize Foundation, and sponsored by Google.

The challenge called for privately funded teams to be the first to land a robotic spacecraft on the Moon, travel 500 meters, and transmit back to Earth high-definition video and images.

The Berne Convention, adopted in 1886, deals with the protection of works and the rights of their authors.

• It provides creators such as authors, musicians, poets, painters etc. with the means to control how their works are used, by whom, and on what terms.
• It is based on three basic principles and contains a series of provisions determining the minimum protection to be granted, as well as special provisions available to developing countries that want to make use of them.

It has been launched by the Government of India to reach each and every child under two years of age and all those pregnant women who have been left uncovered under the routine immunisation programme.

• It targets to immunize all children against seven vaccine preventable diseases namely Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Childhood Tuberculosis, Polio, Hepatitis B and Measles.
• In addition to this, vaccines for Japanese Encephalitis, Haemophilus influenza type B, inactivated polio vaccine, Rotavirus vaccine and Measles Rubella vaccine are also being provided in selected states.

To recognize and protect the rights of farmers in respect of their contributions made at any time in conserving, improving and making available plant genetic resources for the development of new plant varieties.

• To accelerate agricultural development in the country, protect plant breeders’ rights;
• stimulate investment for research and development both in public & private sector for the development new of plant varieties.
• Facilitate the growth of seed industry in the country, to ensure the availability of high quality seeds and planting material to the farmers.
• The protection period is for 15 years, and 18 years in the case of trees and vines.
• Establishes Plant Varieties Protection Appellate Tribunal (PVPAT): The decisions of the PVPAT can be challenged in High Court.
• The Tribunal shall dispose of the appeal within one year.