Category: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

CYBERSECURITY Cybersecurity is the body of technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorized access. In a computing context, security includes both cybersecurity and physical security. Currently, almost 70 categories of cybersecurity products have been identified. These include products used for data loss prevention, security analytics,… Continue reading Cybersecurity in India

Context Recently, the Centre told the Supreme Court that it had not granted approval for commercial cultivation of the Genetically Modified (GM) mustard crop and that no plantation will start till its gives a clean nod. What is DMH-11 or GM Mustard? Dhara Mustard Hybrid – 11 or DMH-11 is a genetically modified variety of… Continue reading All About Commercialization of GM Mustard

Context: Black carbon (BC) is a new concern for the climate researchers. Aeroplanes may be ejecting significant amounts of Black Carbon (BC) — a pollutant known to aggravate breathing disorders, upset the monsoon and quicken glacier melt and may be depleting the ozone layer. Explanation: The Ozone layer is a deep layer in earth’s atmosphere that… Continue reading Black Carbon: A threat for earth’s Ozone layer

Context: Japanese Encephalitis epidemics cases are reported from many parts of India however, it is highly endemic in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Introduction: Currently, the virus is spreading its deadly sting in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, where 70 children have lost their lives due to the infection. Doctors in endemic region in U.P. have found cases with… Continue reading Japanese Encephalitis: How to combat the deadly disease

Context: Genetically modified human embryos have been developed in the US and it is still in its initial stage which makes the scientist proceed with the utmost caution, paying the highest attention to ethical considerations. Data from gene trials should be open to the wider public for greater transparency and abundant caution. Explanation: For the… Continue reading Benchmark for science: Customized human embryos for a healthy life

Context: On Wednesday July 9, 2017, scientists, students, educators and science enthusiasts marched in 25 Indian cities, demanding better propagation of the scientific temper — a fundamental duty listed in Article 51A (h) of the Constitution. Introduction: Breakthrough Science Society organsied ‘India March for Science’, with the demand for inclusion of development of scientific temper… Continue reading Science enthusiasts stress need for scientific temper

Context: For the renewable energies in India, there is a pressing need for real reforms, which must involve the capacity to manage more uncertainty, and a move towards a single, pan-India renewable energy market. Renewable energy in India: India has taken the lead in the renewable energy sector in the world with solar power at… Continue reading A need to re-vamp country’s renewable energy

Context: Recently, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority slashed prices of stents by up to 85 per cent. Introduction: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority is controlling stent device prices. The Indian Government recently announced a significant price capping on the cardiac stents available in the market. Even before the price control move was initiated, only 40… Continue reading Issue of Stent pricing in India

Context The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry had recently released a policy on the Prevention and Control of haemoglobinopathies in India. People living with Thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia and other variant haemoglobins can now expect a better screening and treatment practices Why in the news? The guidelines include the creation of a national registry… Continue reading Revived policy for Prevention and Control of blood related inherited disorders