Context Observation of the merger of two black holes in January by scientists at LIGO confirms a pattern. Findings Named GW170104, this signal marks the third confirmed detection of gravitational waves coming from a binary black hole merger. It is of great interest to the scientific community that the black holes, having masses nearly 31… Continue reading Third gravitational wave merger detected
Category: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
India’s polar ship still a long way off
Context India’s plans to acquire a Rs. 1,000-crore polar research vehicle (PRV) a ship that can cut through ice sheets and glaciers may see fresh delays. Issue The new ‘Make in India’ policy gives Indian companies an edge in bagging these contracts, which are open to international and local bidders. This concession allows an Indian… Continue reading India’s polar ship still a long way off
Genetic secrets of ancient Egypt unwrapped
Context DNA from mummies found at a site once known for its cult to the Egyptian god of the afterlife is unwrapping intriguing insight into the people of ancient Egypt, including a surprise discovery that they had scant genetic ties to sub-Saharan Africa. About the DNA extracted The DNA was extracted from the teeth and… Continue reading Genetic secrets of ancient Egypt unwrapped
INS Kalvari to join Navy
Context The first of the six Scorpene submarines, being built in India under technology transfer from France, is likely to join the Navy.
GSLV MkIII-D1
Context Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its heaviest launch vehicle, GSLV MkIII-D1. GSLV Mk III is a new, improved and powerful version of the GSLV rockets developed by ISRO. It features an indigenously developed cryogenic engine. GSAT-19 satellite was launched by GSLV Mk III-D1 on Monday, June 05, 2017. GSAT-19 is India’s heaviest… Continue reading GSLV MkIII-D1
CDSCO has registered the oral pellet form for easy use
Understanding the context The CDSCO Central Drugs Standard Control Organization registered the child-friendly HIV drug in oral pellet form. This has opened up crucial supplies from Cipla Pharmaceuticals, a dominant player in the HIV segment Cipla developed a different formulation of the child-friendly HIV drug Lopinavir and Ritonavir. Those were pellets of lopinavir and ritonavir, packaged… Continue reading CDSCO has registered the oral pellet form for easy use
Issue of Genetically Modified Crops in India
Why is it in news? The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee recently recommended the commercial approval of the GM Mustard crop. If approved by the Environment Ministry, GM Mustard will be the first genetically modified food crop to be cultivated in India. Given the results of extensive bio-safety studies over the last decade and the edible… Continue reading Issue of Genetically Modified Crops in India
Tight fund: trouble for CSIR
Context The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is at a fix. Initially, the CSIR is provided with a 4,000 crore annual budget. Out of which, about 1,200-1,400 crore is distributed among the labs for research. But this year only about 360 crore would be available. Reason CSIR’s primary reasons of the crisis are… Continue reading Tight fund: trouble for CSIR
Backyard Worlds: Planet 9- The Digital Flipbook
Context Cold new world near solar system found by scientists Backyard Worlds: Planet 9- The Digital Flipbook It is a free online project that lets anyone browse through images by NASA’s Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) spacecraft. It is a part of Zooniverse. Zooniverse is a citizen science web portal owned and operated by the… Continue reading Backyard Worlds: Planet 9- The Digital Flipbook
