Science and Technology Current Affairs Updates for UPSC IAS Prelims 2024 Examination

Source – This post on Cryonics has been created based on the article “Dead body of man in his 80s frozen to revive in future; ₹94 lakh spent for ‘Star Trek in play” published in “Live Mint” on 1 June 2024. Why in News? Recently, a cryonics company in Australia has frozen its first client, with… Continue reading Cryonics Practice for Freezing Human Body

Source- This post on Blood alcohol level determination has been created based on the article “Expert Explains: How Pune crash accused blood alcohol level can be ascertained, despite sample tampering” published in “The Indian Express” on 31 May 2024. Why in News? A 17-year-old boy under the influence of alcohol crashed his car into a motorbike resulting in the… Continue reading Blood alcohol level determination

Source- This post on Magellan Mission has been created based on the article “NASA’s Magellan radar suggests volcanoes on Venus are still active” published in “The Indian Express” on 30 May 2024. Why in News? Recent research has unveiled new signs of volcanic activity on Venus. This new signs of volcanic activity arise from analyses of… Continue reading Magellan Mission

Source-This post on Astronomical Transients has been created based on the article “Astronomical transients: bright in the blink of an eye” published in “The Hindu” on 29 May 2024. Why in News? Recently, Shrinivas Kulkarni, an Indian-American astronomer, received the 2024 Shaw Prize in Astronomy for his contributions to understanding the physics of astronomical transients. About… Continue reading Astronomical Transients

Source-This post on Evacuation Slides has been created based on the article ” Passengers evacuated from Indigo flight after bomb scare: What are ‘evacuation slides’?” published in “Indian Express” on 29 May 2024. Why in News? Recently after a bomb threat was reported on an Indigo flight heading to Varanasi at the Indira Gandhi International Airport… Continue reading Evacuation Slides 

Source-This post on Types of online cybercrimes has been created based on the article “How criminals based in southeast Asia are trapping Indians online” published in “Indian Express” on 29 May 2024. Why in News? Numerous Indians are becoming victims of online financial fraud. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) analyzed trends from January to April,… Continue reading Types of online cybercrimes

Source-This post on Zero Debris Charter has been created based on the article “Twelve countries sign the Zero Debris Charter” published in “Physorg” on 28 May 2024. Why in News? Recently, twelve countries signed the Zero Debris Charter at the ESA/EU Space Council. This charter formalizes their commitment to the long-term sustainability of human activities in… Continue reading Zero Debris Charter 

Source-This post on AI convention has been created based on the article “An overview of Europe’s AI convention” published in “The Hindu” on 27 May 2024. Why in News? Global governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing more complex as countries adopt diverse methods like laws and executive orders to regulate it domestically. In such… Continue reading AI convention

Source-This post on eVTOL Aircraft has been created based on the article “Is eVTOL a boon or bane? It depends on how we put it to use” published in “Down to Earth” on 24 May 2024. Why in News? The ePlane Company, incubated by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, plans to launch its e-flying… Continue reading eVTOL Aircraft

Source-This post on AI Agents has been created based on the article “What are AI agents, which power OpenAI’s GPT4o and Google’s Project Astra?” published in “The Indian Express” on 24 May 2024. Why in News? GPT-4o and Project Astra are also termed as ‘AI agents’. These surpass traditional voice assistants like Alexa and Siri. This… Continue reading AI Agents

Source-This post on Space tourism has been created based on the article “Gopi Thotakura becomes first Indian space tourist: What is space travel — and how much can a journey cost?” published in “The Indian Express” on 23 May 2024. Why in News? India-born aviator and commercial pilot Gopi Thotakura became the first space tourist from… Continue reading Space tourism

Source-This post on Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) Programme has been created based on the article “What is Copernicus Emergency Management Service, called in to locate Raisi’s chopper?” published in “The Indian Express” on 22 May 2024. Why in News? Following a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the European Union… Continue reading Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) Programme

Source-This post on Aircraft Turbulence is based on the article “‘Severe turbulence’ on Singapore Airlines flight leaves 1 dead: When can turbulence become dangerous?” published in “The Indian Express” on 22nd May 2024. Why in the News? A person died and several others were injured when a Singapore Airlines flight  experienced “severe turbulence” en-route. About… Continue reading Aircraft Turbulence

Source-This post on Psychedelics is based on the article “A psychedelic high” published in “Down to Earth” on 22nd May 2024. Why in the News? Researchers are advocating for domestic clinical trials of psychedelic drugs, motivated by the increase in global trials and the low effectiveness of existing medications in treating mental health issues. About… Continue reading Psychedelics

Source-This post on Genetic Drift is based on the article “Genetic drift, not natural selection, identified as main factor driving speciation in endangered pupfish species” published in “PHYS.ORG” on 22nd May 2024. Why in the News? Scientists have discovered a new species within the genetic family of an endangered pupfish native to south-central New Mexico. The emergence… Continue reading Genetic Drift

Source-This post on Pig Butchering Scams is based on the article “Pig-butchering stock market get rich quick scam: Telegram, Instagram, WhatsApp used to steal lakhs from investors; tactics used, how to stay safe” published in “Economic times” on 22nd May 2024. Why in the News? Pig Butchering Scams are on the rise globally including in… Continue reading Pig Butchering Scam

Source-This post on Project Astra has been created based on the article “AI’s ‘Her’ moment: OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Google’s Project Astra make real-life strides” published in “The Indian Express” on 21 May 2024. Why in News? Recently, Google showcased an early version of Project Astra at its annual developer conference. About Project Astra 1. It is… Continue reading Project Astra

Source-This post on Critical Priority Pathogens has been created based on the article “Critical priority pathogens continue to pose threat: WHO” published in “The Hindu” on 20th May 2024. Why in the news? The latest Bacterial Pathogens Priority List (BPPL) updated by the World Health Organization (WHO) notes that critical priority pathogens pose major global threats… Continue reading Critical Priority Pathogens

Source-This post on RoseTTAFold has been created based on the article “The use of AI in drug development | Explained” published in “The Hindu” on 20 May 2024. Why in News? The Introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like RoseTTAFold has greatly accelerated the process of drug development offering new possibilities for rapid advancements. About… Continue reading RoseTTAFold 

Source-This post on Disappearance of 6 Million Trees in India has been created based on the article “China inaugurates next-generation synchrotron, boasting world’s brightest X-rays” published in “The Times of India” on 17 May 2024. Why in News? China is about to complete its High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) facility in Huairou Science City in… Continue reading First High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) Synchrotron Radiation facility in China

Source-This post on NASA’s PREFIRE Polar Mission has been created based on the article “NASA’s new mission to study polar regions’ heat loss to launch on May 22” published in “Indian Express” on 17 May 2024. Why in News? NASA will soon launch 2 satellites under PREFIRE polar mission. PREFIRE stands for Polar Radiant Energy in… Continue reading NASA’s PREFIRE Polar Mission

Source-This post on West Nile Virus (WNV) is based on the article “Kerala sounds warning on West Nile Virus; neighbouring States on guard” published in “The Hindu” on 17th May 2024. Why in the News? Kerala is facing its yearly struggle with several cases of West Nile Fever (WNF) reported in several districts of Kerala ahead of… Continue reading West Nile Virus (WNV)

Source-This post on Nancy Grace Roman telescope is based on the article “NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman telescope to hunt for primordial black holes from Big Bang era” published in “The WION” on 16th May 2024. Why in the News? NASA’s forthcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to embark on a pioneering mission to search for… Continue reading Nancy Grace Roman telescope

Source-This post on Armoured Sailfin Catfish is based on the article “CCMB scientists find armoured sailfin catfish has spread to 60% of water bodies of Eastern Ghats” published in “The Hindu” on 16th May 2024. Why in the News? Scientists at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have discovered that the armoured sailfin catfish now… Continue reading Armoured Sailfin Catfish

Source-This post on Solar Storm is based on the article “Sun’s fury: The dangers from solar storms:” published in “The Hindu” on 14th May 2024. Why in the News? Recently powerful solar storm struck Earth, creating vivid displays of color in the skies of the Northern Hemisphere. About Solar Storm 1. About Solar flare: Solar… Continue reading Solar Storm

Source-This post on GPT-4 Omni is based on the article “Explained: GPT-4o, OpenAI’s newest AI model that makes ChatGPT smarter and free for all” published in “The Indian Express” on 14th May 2024. Why in the News? Recently, OpenAI launched GPT-4omni. This is CHAT GPT’s newest and most advanced large language model yet. This model… Continue reading GPT-4 Omni

Source-This post on Xenotransplantation is based on the article “First human recipient of pig kidney transplant dies: What is xenotransplantation, why pigs are used” published in “The Indian Express” on 14th May 2024. Why in the News? Recently, the first person to receive a transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney through Xenotransplantation passed away… Continue reading Xenotransplantation

Source-This post on Zero-Day Vulnerabilities (ZDVs) is based on the article “Indian Govt Warns About Major Google Chrome Security Alert: What You Need To Know” published in “The News 18” on 13th May 2024. Why in the News? Another zero-day vulnerability has struck Google Chrome, prompting concern among users and cybersecurity professionals alike. About Zero-Day… Continue reading Zero-Day Vulnerabilities (ZDVs)

Source-This post on PS4 engine is based on “ISRO’s engine design saves raw material, time” published in “The Indian Express” on 12th May 2024. Why in the News? ISRO successfully tested the PS4 engine of the PSLV stage for an extended duration. About PS4 engine 1. About: The PS4 engine is a vital component of the Polar… Continue reading PS4 engine

Source-This post on Research on Caenorhabditis elegans worm is based on the article “This worm develops food habits and its offspring ‘inherit’ them” published in “The Hindu” on 12th May 2024. Why in the News? Researchers found that when Caenorhabditis elegans worms ate harmful bacteria, their offspring learned to avoid it for up to four… Continue reading Caenorhabditis elegans worm

Source– This post on FLiRT variant has been created based on the article “All about FLiRT, the new COVID-19 variants” published in “The Hindu” on 9th May 2024. Why in the news? The COVID-19 cycle has regained momentum with the emergence of new ‘FLiRT’ variants. KP.2 and KP1.1 are descendants of the Omicron JN.1 variant,… Continue reading FLiRT variant

Source-This post on Widal Testing has been created based on the article “How the Widal test is clouding India’s sense of its typhoid problem | Explained” published in The Hindu on 10 May 2024. Why in the news? The Widal Test is complicating the assessment of India’s typhoid burden. This test has also escalated the… Continue reading Widal Testing

Source– This post on Neural Processing Unit has been created based on the article “NPU: What is it and why is it gaining importance in semiconductor industry” published in “The Business Standard” on 10 May 2024. Why in the news? Recently, Apple launched the M4 chip with the iPad Pro. Its key feature includes a… Continue reading Neural Processing Unit

Source-This post on Chloropicrin is based on the article “Chloropicrin: chemical weapon or pesticide?” published in “The Hindu” on 8th May 2024. Why in the News? The U.S. State Department has accused Russia of using a chemical weapon- Chloropicrin against Ukrainian forces, which violates the Chemical Weapons Convention. About Chloropicrin Aspects Description About  1. Chloropicrin… Continue reading Chloropicrin

Source-This post on Magnetic resonance imaging is based on the article “Understanding the science behind magnetic resonance imaging” published in “The Hindu” on 8th May 2024. Why in the News? The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) market is projected to hit $9.8 billion by 2028. This technology plays a pivotal role in medical science, offering diverse… Continue reading Magnetic resonance imaging

Source-This post on Development of Goldene is based on the article “GOLDENE: A sheet of gold that is only one atom thick” published in “The Indian Express” on 6th May 2024. Why in the News? For the first time, scientists have successfully developed a free-standing, single-atom-thick sheet of gold. This marks the first instance of… Continue reading Development of Goldene

Source– This post on Newly discovered peptide that could treat incurable bacterial infections is based on the article “Newly Discovered Peptide Could Treat Incurable Bacterial Infections” published in “The scietech daily” on 6th May 2024. Why in the News? Recently, Researchers have identified an antimicrobial peptide derived from cows that shows promise in treating incurable infections caused… Continue reading Peptide

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: What are ‘forever chemicals’ that are contaminating rainwater globally?” published in Indian Express on 22nd August 2022. Contents1 What is the News?2 What are per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances(PFAs)?3 What harm do PFAs cause?4 How can PFAs be removed? What is the News? A study has found that… Continue reading Explained: What are ‘forever chemicals’ that are contaminating rainwater globally?

Source-This post on Eta Aquariids meteor showers is based on the article “Explained: The Eta Aquariid meteor shower and how it can be spotted” published in “The Indian Express” on 4th May 2024. Why in the News? Eta Aquariids meteor showers are active from April 16 and will peak on May 5 and 6. These meteor… Continue reading Eta Aquariids meteor showers

Source- This post on phishing is based on the article “India one of the key geographies affected by phishing attacks: Verizon” published in “The Hindu” on 1st May 2024. Why in the News? A report from Verizon Business has emphasized the rising incidence of phishing in India. Cybercriminals are resorting to new and sophisticated methods to… Continue reading Phishing Attacks in India

Source- This post on Threats of Video Surveillance systems is based on the article “Centre asks States to not procure CCTVs from suppliers with history of security, data breaches” published in “The Hindu” on 1st May 2024. Why in the news? Due to security concerns, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all states and… Continue reading Video surveillance system and related threats

Source-This post on Salmonella contamination in spices is based on the article “In 6 months, US rejected nearly one-third of MDH’s spice-related shipments” published in “The Business standard” on 30th March 2024. Why in the news? In last six months, U.S has rejected 31 per cent of all spice-related shipments from Mahashian Di Hatti (MDH)… Continue reading Salmonella contamination in spices

Source- This post on Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is based on the article What is TTS? The rare blood clot triggered by AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine published in “Indian Today” on 30th April 2024. Why in the News? Recently, concerns were raised over the rare side effects of the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID vaccine. AstraZeneca has admitted that its… Continue reading Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)

Source-This post on Network as a service (NaaS) is based on the article “Internet economy should embrace NaaS” published in “The Financial Express” on 28th March 2024. Why in the News? India’s internet economy is rapidly advancing as more and more people connect through the digital bandwagon. Network-as-a-service (NaaS) offers the potential to enhance the everyday user… Continue reading Network as a service (NaaS)

Source-This post on Biohacking is based on the article “Biohacking and the race to become superhuman” published in “The Hindu” on 28th March 2024. Why in the News? The latest trend in biohacking has garnered widespread attention online, particularly after Bryan Johnson, the founder of KernelCo and Blueprint, announced his annual investment of $2 million to… Continue reading Biohacking

Source-This post on Liquid Nitrogen For Preserving Food is based on the article “Liquid nitrogen can be used only to preserve food, stress food safety officials” published in “The Hindu” on 28th March 2024. Why in the News? The Food Safety department has issued an order on the use of liquid nitrogen used for preserving… Continue reading Liquid Nitrogen For Preserving Food

Source-This post on Antihistamines is based on the article “What are antihistamines?” published in “The Hindu” on 26th March 2024. Why in the News? There has been an increase in the intake of antihistamines to treat health concerns. About Antihistamines 1. About Antihistamines: They are common drugs that can be purchased without a prescription. They are… Continue reading Antihistamines

Source- This post on Nephrotic Syndrome is based on the article “In search of skin lightening creams, kidneys take a hit” published in “The Hindu” on 26th March 2024. Why in the News? Researchers from Kerala have reported a series of cases from Malappuram district where the regular use of fairness creams has been linked to… Continue reading Nephrotic Syndrome

Source- This post on Phi-3-mini is based on the article ” Microsoft unveils Phi-3-mini, its smallest AI model yet: How it compares to bigger models” published in “Indian Express” on 27th March 2024. Why in the News? Recently, Microsoft unveiled the latest version of its ‘lightweight’ AI model that is the Phi-3-Mini. About Phi-3-mini 1.… Continue reading Phi-3-mini

Source-This post on Ross Ice Shelf  is based on the article “Antarctica’s France-Sized Ice Shelf Makes Daily Jumps, Raising Icequake Concerns “published in “NDTV” on 24th March 2024. Why in the News? Researchers have uncovered a surprising phenomenon in Antarctica where the massive Ross Ice Shelf which is roughly the size of France, lurches forward… Continue reading Ross Ice Shelf