News:The US President has threatened to freeze US funding to the World Health Organization(WHO) due to negligence on coronavirus pandemic and for its China Centric approach. Facts: Funding:There are four kinds of contributions that make up funding for the WHO which are: Assessed contributions:These are the dues countries pay in order to be a member… Continue reading World Health Organization(WHO) Funding
Certificate of Origin
News:Commerce ministry has created an online platform for issuance of ‘certificate of origin’ for exporters. Facts: Certificate of Origin: It is a document used in International trade declaring in which country a commodity or good was manufactured. Significance:They are essential for exporters to prove where their goods come from and therefore stake their claim to… Continue reading Certificate of Origin
Dhauladhar range
News:Dhauladhar mountain range has become visible from Jalandhar, Punjab for the first time because of less air pollution caused by the ongoing lockdown. Facts: Dhauladhar range:It is part of a lesser Himalayan chain of mountains.It rises from the Indian plains to the north of Kangra and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and ends near Badrinath,Uttarakhand. Elevation:It… Continue reading Dhauladhar range
SnowEx Programme
News:National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) has launched a programme called SnowEx. Facts: SnowEx is a five year programme launched in 2016. Objective:To address the most important gaps in snow remote sensing knowledge and thus lay the groundwork for a future snow satellite mission. The geographical focus of the programme is proposed as the North America… Continue reading SnowEx Programme
Madhuban Gajar
News:A farmer Scientist from Gujarat has been awarded Padma Shri for developing Madhuban Gajar- a biofortified carrot variety. Facts: Benefits: High yielding, Highest carotene content, Deep red color, long size and longer shelf life. Additional Facts: Biofortification:It is the process by which the nutritional quality of food crops is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant… Continue reading Madhuban Gajar
COVID-19:Scientific initiatives and Organizations in News
Facts: Intensification of Research in High Priority Area (IRPHA) scheme: It was launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board(SERB) to support projects in high priority areas from the viewpoint of advances in fundamental science. Science and Engineering Research Board(SERB): It is a statutory body established through an Act of Parliament in 2008. It is… Continue reading COVID-19:Scientific initiatives and Organizations in News
Shukrayaan-1 Mission
News:Scientists have said that the future missions such as Shukrayaan-1 could confirm the presence of active volcanoes on Venus. Facts: Shukrayaan-1 is a proposed mission of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Launch Year: 2023 Aim:To study the surface and atmosphere of Venus.
Pench Tiger Reserve(PTR)
News:The death of a tiger in the Pench Tiger Reserve(PTR) has raised concerns whether the tiger should be tested for the coronavirus disease. Facts: Pench Tiger Reserve(PTR) is an inter state tiger reserve spanning across two states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The portion of the reserve that is in Madhya Pradesh is located in… Continue reading Pench Tiger Reserve(PTR)
Explained:What is cytokine storm?
News:Several infected patients are developing severe COVID-19 because of an overreaction of their immune systems which triggers what is known as a cytokine storm syndrome(CSS). Facts: Cytokine Storm:It occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an intruder such as a virus by producing high levels of cytokines. However, overproduction of cytokines can be harmful… Continue reading Explained:What is cytokine storm?
World Food Programme(WFP)
News:World Food Programme(WFP) has said that the rapidly growing coronavirus pandemic could have an impact on the global food supply chain. Facts: The World Food Programme(WFP) is the food assistance branch of the United Nations, established in 1961. Aim:To eradicate hunger and malnutrition with the ultimate goal of eliminating the need for food aid itself.… Continue reading World Food Programme(WFP)
