What is the News? Kerala has been put on alert after at least 13 cases of norovirus have been recorded in Wayanad district. What is Norovirus? Norovirus is an animal-borne disease. It causes gastrointestinal illness including inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Transmission: Norovirus is easily transmitted through… Continue reading Norovirus confirmed in Kerala’s Wayanad. Here’s what you need to know
Tag: biotechnology
Gene editing guidelines facing delay
What is the News? The Government of India is delaying in approving the Guidelines for Safety Assessment of Genome/Gene-Edited Plants. What is Gene Editing? Genome editing, also called gene-editing, is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA. These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or altered… Continue reading Gene editing guidelines facing delay
Plugging the leak: On the GM rice controversy
Contents1 What is the news?2 What is the GM Rice controversy?3 What is the source of contamination?4 How likely is that contamination might have occurred in India?5 What steps must India take? What is the news? Since June, the export of about 500 tonnes of rice from India has triggered an uproar in several European… Continue reading Plugging the leak: On the GM rice controversy
U.S. surgeons successfully test pig kidney transplant in human patient
Contents1 What is the News?2 How was the transplantation done?3 A brief history of animal-to-human transplants4 Why was the pig chosen for the transplantation? What is the News? For the first time, a pig kidney has been transplanted into a human without triggering immediate rejection by the recipient’s immune system. This is a potentially huge… Continue reading U.S. surgeons successfully test pig kidney transplant in human patient
Improving livestock breeding
Synopsis: The facts and schemes relating to different livestock sector and the expected benefit out of it. Introduction Livestock breeding in India has been largely unorganised because of which there have been gaps in forward and backward integration across the value chain. Government has revised “Rashtriya Gokul Mission” and “National Livestock Mission” (NLM) to adress… Continue reading Improving livestock breeding
PM dedicates to the Nation 35 crop varieties with special traits
What is the News? The Prime Minister has launched 35 different crop varieties with special traits. What are these Crop Varieties Launched? These Crop Varieties have been developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to address the twin challenges of climate change and malnutrition. Some of the crop varieties launched include a drought-tolerant… Continue reading PM dedicates to the Nation 35 crop varieties with special traits
COVID-19: WHO recommends Regeneron antibody therapy for high-risk & seronegative patients
What is the news? Recently, World Health Organization (WHO) approved the Regeneron antibody combination for treatment of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). What is Regeneron? Regeneron is a combination of two drugs — casirivimab and imdevimab. It has reduced mortality in seronegative patients with severe infections. The drug cocktail replicates the natural antibody response of human beings. Last year it was approved by the… Continue reading COVID-19: WHO recommends Regeneron antibody therapy for high-risk & seronegative patients
Now, insulin can be kept without refrigeration
Contents1 What is the News?2 What is Insulin?3 What is Insulin Injection used for? 4 What have the scientists developed? What is the News? A team of scientists from Kolkata have developed a “thermostable” variety of insulin named “Insulock” which eliminates the need to keep it refrigerated. What is Insulin? Insulin is a hormone that helps… Continue reading Now, insulin can be kept without refrigeration
A disease surveillance system, for the future
Synopsis Diseases and outbreaks are realities and a well-functioning system can help reduce their impact. Contents1 Introduction2 What is epidemiology and disease surveillance?3 What is the status of disease surveillance in India?4 What are the challenges?5 What should be done? Introduction The article highlights the importance of epidemiology in preventing and controlling infectious diseases. What… Continue reading A disease surveillance system, for the future
Bringing woolly mammoths back from extinction might not be such a bad idea — ethicists explain
Synopsis: There’s a strong case for trying out novel methods to restore lost species and damaged ecosystems. A look at the related issues. Contents1 Introduction2 What is the objective?3 What are the associated issues and ethical concerns?4 What is the way forward? Introduction The United States startup Colossal Biosciences has announced plans to bring woolly mammoths, or… Continue reading Bringing woolly mammoths back from extinction might not be such a bad idea — ethicists explain
