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its space shuttle program in July 2012. It was left no other option it lacked
funding for development of private vessels by US companies like Boeing and
Space-X over the last five years.
Asia’s biggest telescope MAST inaugurated at Udaipur Solar Observatory in
Rajasthan
Multi-Application Solar Telescope (MAST), Asia’s biggest telescope was
inaugurated at the Udaipur Solar Observatory in Rajasthan. It was
inaugurated by Professor U.R Rao, Chairman of Physical Research Laboratory,
inaugurated. Facts about of MAST The telescope was installed under the
projectundertaken by Union Ministry of Science and Technology and was
funded by Department of Space (DoS). The project will be monitored by Ahmedabad based Physical Research Laboratory.
Features: MAST has a lens of 50 cm in diameter. These lenses were developed
on the basis of optical and mechanical system ofBelgium. The rear part of MAS
has been developed by the observatory while its front part was developed by
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). MAST has been designed in
2004 and its optical elements were added to it in 2008. In 2013, it was
installed at the Udaipur Solar Observatory.
Applications:It will provide 3 Dimensional (3D) images of solar activities such
as solar blast and solar flares. It will also in vital studies about other planetary
movements even in the day time.
Site Specifications: Udaipur Solar Observatory was chosen as project site dueto pleasant temperature around it as it is surrounded by water. Besides, the
site provides ambient spot for observatory as it has more than 250 days of
continuous sunshine, allowing observing the sun properly during day time.
India foils UK Company’s bid to patent its traditional knowledge for treating
hair loss
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India has foiled UK based company Pangaea Laboratories Limited’s bid to
patent use of pine bark, turmeric and tea for treating hair loss. India was able
to protect its traditional knowledge after Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
(TKDL), a unit of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) had filed
pre-grant opposition against UK based company along with prior-art evidences
using these 3 natural ingredients. In February 2011, Pangaea Laboratories
Limited had filed patent application at European Patent office (EPO) on a
medicinal composition for treating hair loss which mainly contained pine bark,
turmeric and green tea. It should be noted in Indian systems of medicine like
Ayurveda and Unani, it has been proved that above three natural ingredients
are being used as a treatment for hair loss, since ancient times. Till date TKDL
under the aegis of CSIR has achieved success in protecting India’s traditional
knowledge in about 200 such cases without any cost. Earlier, TKDL also had
foiled an attempt of Colgate-Palmolive Company to patent a mouthwashformula containing herb extract from Nutmeg- Jayaphal which is traditionally
used in India as medicine to cure oral diseases.
New frog species named ‘Indirana Salelkari’ discovered in Goa
Wildlife researchers have discovered new frog species in Netravali forest
sanctuary of Goa.
The discovered species has been christened as ‘Indirana Salelkari’ after
Netravali Range Forest Officer Prakash Salelkar for his contribution to
conservation of wildlife.
Sri Lanka inks MoU with Google to launch Project Google Loon
As per the MoU, Google will place 13 high-altitude balloons over the island
nation to provide affordable high-speed 3G (3rd Generation) internet services to
the entire country. It is also expected that this project will provide free Wi-Fi
connectivity across Sri Lanka.
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Successful implementation of this project will make Sri Lanka the first country
in the world to have Internet access covering the whole country with the
government support.
Google Loon project: It is Google’s ambitious research and development
project with the mission of providing Internet access to rural and remote areas.
Under this project, Google will install high altitude ‘floating telecom tower’
balloons in the sky which will provide full broadband internet coverage.
These balloons have transceivers which can connect to cell phone networks
filling gaps in their networks especially in remote areas such as mountains and
deserts.
South Korea declares end of MERS outbreak
Facts about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
• MERS belongs to the family ofcoronaviruses which includes large family
of viruses such as common cold and Severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS).
• It was discovered in 2012 and was mostly centred in Saudi Arabia.
• Source: MERS is a betacoronavirus derived from bats. Camels have
shown to have antibodies to MERS, but the exact source of infection in camels
has not been identified.
• Transmission: It can be transmitted from infected person to others after
close contact via a respiratory route.
• It spread’s in droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Symptoms: fever, breathing problems, pneumonia and kidney failure.
• Treatment: Till date there is no vaccine available to prevent it. However,
intensive medical care can help patient to breath.
28 July: World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day is being observed every year on July 28 around the globe.
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Focus of the day: To spread awareness about viral hepatitis, that causes acute
and chronic disease and kills around 1.4 million people every year. It also seeks
to encourage diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Hepatitis.
2015 Theme-Prevent Hepatitis: It’s up to You.
About World Hepatitis Day
• It is being observed since 2010 and is one of the 8 official global public
health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• WHO in May 2010 had passed resolution for observance of this day on
viral hepatitis which provides official endorsement. Prior to this, World
Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) had launched campaign in concern of chronic viral
hepatitis in 2008.
• 28 July was chosen to mark the birthday ofProfessor Baruch Blumberg.
He had discovered hepatitis B virus and was awarded with the Nobel Prize in
Physiology or Medicine (1976) for this discovery.
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis name has derived from Greek word ‘Hepar’ meaning liver and ‘itis’
meaning inflammation. Thus, it is a medical condition in which there occurs
inflammation of liver cells and its complications vary with the type of infection.
What are different types of Hepatitis?
There are 5 types of hepatitis viz. A, B, C, D and E. Each type is caused by a
different hepatitis virus.
What causes Hepatitis?
It is mostly caused by a group of viruses called hepatitis viruses and also be
caused by intoxicants like drugs, alcohol, chemicals and other infections and
autoimmune diseases.
China launches two new Navigational Satellites into space
China launched two new navigational satellites into space as part of its
domestic navigation systemBeiDou (meaning Compass).
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The 18th and 19th satellites (of total constellation of 35 satellites) were
successfully launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in
southwestern Sichuan province.
About BeiDou Satellite Navigation System
• BeiDou is 2nd generation of the Chinese navigational system seen as
rival to the US’s Global Positioning System (GPS).
• Comprises constellation of total 35 satellites in two separate satellite
constellations viz. limited test system (operational since 2000) and a full-scale
global navigation system which is currently under construction.
• Became operational in China in December 2011, with the constellation of
10 satellites. In December 2012, it began offering services to customers in the
Asia-Pacific region and on its completion in 2020, it will provide services to
global customers.
• Applications:Currently it used for civilian services in field of navigation,
messaging, transportation and weather forecasting sectors. It also has military
applications.
China successfully tests 5th generation Long March carrier rocket
China has successfully tested the power system of Long March-5, a fifth
generation of carrier rocket belonging to China’s Long March family of rockets.
This announcement was after Long March-5 rocket carrier, entered a runoff
phase.
Facts about Long March- 5th Generation
• Long March-5 has the carrying capacity twice of the payload compared to
other present carriers of China.
• It has payload capacity of 14 tonnes to geostationary transfer orbit and
25 tonnes to low Earth orbits.
•
It will serve the final chapter in building China’s manned space stationsand 3 step current program of orbiting, landing and returning lunar.
Long March-5 is scheduled for flight in 2016 and its capacity will be equivalent
to that of mainstream carrier rockets presently used around the world.
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About Long March rocket family
It should be noted that since 1970s, the Long March rocket family of China has
completed more than 200 missions. China’s first satellite, Dong Fang Hong (the
East is Red)-1 was successfully put into Earth orbit by Long March-1 on 24
April 1970 (after one failed attempt in November 1969).
India earns $100 million by launching 45 foreign satellites: Government
India has earned about US 100 million dollars by launching 45 commercial
foreign satellites from 19 countries.
The revenue was earned by Antrix, the commercial arm of the Indian SpaceResearch Organisation (ISRO).
This information was given by Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra
Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
It was also announced this revenue from the commercial space missions will
further grow with launch of 28 foreign satellites between 2015 and 2017. In
this regard Antrix has signed agreements with six countries viz. Algeria,
Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Singapore and US.
Apart from this, the minister also informed that ISRO has launched 72
indigenous satellites from Satish Dhawan space centre, Sriharikota in Andhra
Pradesh using indigenous launch vehicles viz. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
(PSLV). In addition, ISRO also has successfully launched four micro and nano
satellites built by students of Indian universities. In future six indigenous
satellites are also to be launched by Mach 2016.
July 23: National Broadcasting Day
Every year July 23 is observed asNational Broadcasting day. On this day in
1927, Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) began organized radio
broadcasting from Bombay station.
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To mark the occasion, All India Radio (AIR) had organized a symposium on the
subject Creation of New India and Broadcasting Medium in New Delhi.
Radio Broadcasting in India
In India, radio broadcasting began during the British rule in 1923 under the
imitative of theRadio Club of Bombay.
Later in 1927, IBC which was a private entity was granted permission by
British Government to operate two radio stations in Mumbai (then Bombay)
and Kolkata (then Calcutta). Since then it has gained immense popularity and
had changed the socio-economic life of people.
In 1930, British Government took over radio broadcasting and started the
Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS). Later it was changed to All IndiaRadio (AIR) in 1936 and Akashwani in 1957.
Present Scenario: Currently, AIR is one of the largest public broadcasting
organisations in the world.It is largest in terms of the spectrum of socio-
economic, the number of languages of broadcasts and cultural diversity it
serves.
AIR service now comprises around 414 stations located across the country
with reach to the 99.19 per cent of the total population and 92 per cent of the
country’s area in 23 languages and 146 dialects.
ISRO successfully test-fires GSLV-Mark III rocket engine
ISRO has successfully test-fired Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
(GSLV) Mark III project’s high-thrust cryogenic rocket engine.
It is India’s first indigenously designed and developed high-thrustcryogenic rocket engine capable of generating a nominal thrust of 19
tonnes.
Test:It was conducted at ISRO’s Propulsion Complex atMahendragiri in
Tamil Nadu for 800 seconds time frame which produces 25 per cent more
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thrust than the burn duration of the engine during flight. The test meet all its
parameters.
About high-thrust cryogenic rocket engine
The engine operates on Gas Generator Cycle. It uses extremely low temperature
propellants such as Liquid Hydrogen at -2530 C and Liquid Oxygen at -1930C.
Integration and assembly of the engine and its testing were carried out in ISRO
Propulsion Complex (IPRC), a unit of ISRO.
Applications
This high-thrust cryogenic rocket engine will used to power Cryogenic stage
(C25) i.e. the upper stage of the next generation GSLV Mk-III rockets. The
rockets are aimed at carrying four-tonne payloads, including future manned
missions.
This successful test will help ISRO to master this complex, high-performance
cryogenic propulsion technology which will further help in building self-
reliance for the Indian space programme
Two new plant species discovered in Western Ghats
Two new plant species were discovered in Edmalayalar, Pooyamkutty-
Adamalayar and Neriamangalam forest regions of Western Ghats in Ernakulam
district of Kerala.
The discovered species have been christened as Vellithumpa and Eriocaulon
manoharanii.
They were discovered by a team of researchers led by Professor C.N. Sunil
during investigations conducted as part of a UGC-sponsored project on theflowering plants.
IIT Bombay, Nehru Science Centre launch ‘Internet for All’ Mobile Science
Exhibition
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Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay and Nehru Science Centre have
launched a pilot project “Internet for All” in its Mobile Science Exhibition Bus
in Mumbai.
It was launched under the aegis of the Union Government’s flagship ‘Digital
India’ campaign.
The Mobile Science Exhibition Bus was launched with theme “Internet for All’
which aimed atcreating awareness about the power of internet. It is
basically science exhibitions on wheels in which 20 theme based exhibition
models which are mounted on specially designed Buses.
The fully equipped exhibition bus willtravel to rural areas and provide hands
on internet experience to all the students in rural schools. The aim of this
initiative is to take Science to the door steps of rural school children and toenthuse students to take up careers in Science and Technology.
Under this initiative, students will be provided few Aakash tablets during
interaction session with volunteers to showcase the power of internet and its
uses for the society.
CERN’s LHC discovers new class of particles called Pentaquarks
Scientists at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have discovered a new class
of exotic subatomic particles called thePentaquarks.
The discovery was made by the scientist’s after watching the decaying of a
subatomic type particle known as theLambda B baryon.
Facts about Pentaquark
• Pentaquark was first predicted to exist in the 1960s and its name was
coined by Israeli theoretical physicist Harry J. Lipkin.• It is a particle consisting of five quarks (any of a group of subatomic
particles carrying a fractional electric charge) bounded together.
• These qauarks are elementary particles that exist in six variations
known as flavors having unusual names ofup, down, top, bottom, strange
and charm.
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• These elementary particles bind together in different combinations to
form a range of composite particles.Most commonly known combinations
are neutrons and protons, consisting of three quarks each.
• Applications: This discovery will allow physicists to understand
the quantum chromodynamics (i.e. study of strong fundamental forcedescribing the interactions between quarks and gluons which make up proton,
neutron and pion).
• In addition, it might help to shed light on the physics of neutron stars.
Note:In 1964, US physicist Murray Gell-Mann had revolutionised the
understanding of the structure of matter. He had proposed that a category of
particles known as baryons, which includes protons and neutrons and three
fractionally charged objects called quarks. For this work Gell-Mann was
awarded Nobel Prize in physics in 1969.
Volcanic eruptions slow down Global Warming: Study
As per recently published study in the journal Nature Communications,
Volcanic eruptions by injecting particulates into the atmosphere may have
slowed down global warming.
The study was based upon research of a team of international researchers
including Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) scientists.Key facts from study
• During the last 10 years volcanic aerosols have acted as a natural
umbrella to slow down global warming from release of anthropogenic
greenhouse gases (GHGs).
• The global concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere has continuously
increased over the past decade but due to volcanic aerosols the mean global
surface temperature has not increased indicating negative climate forcing
effect.
•
In the years 2008-2011, volcanic aerosol particles have reflected theincoming solar radiation twice in the lowest part of the stratosphere than
previously thought.
• However, the frequent volcanic eruptions and the subsequent cooling
effect is only temporary phenomenon. Thus, the temperature rise will speed up
again.
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• The study had used the data from the tropopause region located up to 35
km altitude in the atmosphere.
Tropopause: It is region of transition layer between the wet weather layer with
clouds (troposphere) at lower level and the dry and cloud-free layer
(stratosphere) above it.In the Tropapause temperature is constant whereas in troposphere it decreases
with increase in altitude and in stratosphere it increases with altitude.
Union Government launches GAGAN, aviation navigation system
Union Government has launched GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation
(GAGAN) system, for aviation navigation. It was launched by Union Civil
Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in New Delhi.
Facts about GAGAN system
• Jointly developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and
Airports Authority of India ( AAI).
• It will provide augmentation service forGPS over the India, Bay of
Bengal, South-east Asia and Middle East along with expansion up to
Africa.
• The system with the help of reference and uplink station will provide
corrections to the GPS signal in order to improve air traffic management.
• It is 10 times more precise compared to GPS and radio navigation aids
used for precision landing.
• Presently, GAGAN Payload is already operational throughGSAT-8 and
GSAT-10 satellites. The 3rd payload will be carried onboardGSAT-15 satellite
to be launched October 2015.
• Benefits: It will make airline operations more efficient by increasing fuel
savings, direct routes, ease of search and rescue operations, reduced workload
of flight crew and Air Traffic Controllers and cost savings due to withdrawal of
ground aids.
With this launch, India became the fourth nation in the world to have inter-
operable Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) after US, Europe and
Japan. It should be noted that GAGAN is the first SBAS system in the world to
serve the equatorial region.
Four Indian scientists receive William Harvey Award 2015
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Four Indian scientists from the Aligarh based Jawaharlal Nehru Medical
College (JNMC) under Aligarh Muslim University have jointly awarded the
prestigious William Harvey Award 2015.
They were selected for this award in the field ofHematology for their work in
the rare Hemoglobin C (Hb C) disease.
Recipients of Award are
• Saeedul Hasan Arif
• Kafeel Akhtar.
• Shagufta Qadri.
• Suhailur Rahman.
Hemoglobin C disease
This disease is widely prevalent in West African and Mediterranean countries
and not common in the Indian sub-continent. Those afflicted from this disease
suffer nutritional anaemia and do not respond to the treatment.
About William Harvey Award
The award is named for scientist William Harvey (1578- 1657). It is given by the
American Society of Hypertension.
Mr. Harvey has pioneered in development of first accurate account of how the
heart and circulatory system operated.
ISRO successfully launches PSLV-C28 carrying 5 UK satellites
ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-28 on 10 July 2015 successfully
put five satellites of United Kingdom into designated orbits.
They were successfully put designated into orbit after its lift off from first
launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikotta, Andhra Pradesh.
For this mission, ISRO had used high-end XL version of PSLV as it was
its biggest and heaviest commercial launch with overall lift-off mass of all 5
satellites was 1,440 kg .
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Five satellites are:
• Constellation of 3 identical DMC3 Satellites: Three satellites
comprised of DMC3-1, DMC3-2 and DMC3-3, all weighing around 447-kg.
They are designed for simultaneous high temporal and high spatial resolution
optical Earth observation.
• Application: Surveying the resources on earth, urban infrastructure
management and monitoring of disasters.
• CBNT-1: It is an optical Earth Observation technology demonstration
micro satellite, weighing around 91 kg. .
• De-OrbitSail:It is an experimental nano satellite. It will be used for the
demonstration of large thin membrane sail and drag deorbiting using this sail.
All of the five satellites belonged to UK’s Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL).
They were launched as part commercial launch arrangement between SSTL
and ANTRIX, the commercial arm of ISRO.
PSLV C-28 XL
• For this mission four-stage PSLV-C28 was used as launch vehicle, which
is high-end ‘XL’ version of PSLV.
It comprised of new designs consisting of circular launcher adaptor
i.e. L-adaptor and a triangular deck called Multiple Satellite Adapter-
Version 2 (MSA-V2).
• It was specially designed by ISRO to overcome the tough task of
mounting the three DMC3 satellites in launch vehicle as each was having
height of about 3m.
It was PSLV’s overall 30th flight and 29th consecutive successful launch and
9th flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration.
Uttarakhand gets India’s first earthquake early warning system
Uttarakhand became first Indian state to install a system to detect earthquakes
and disseminate warnings.
The first system has been installed in its capitalDehradun which will issue
warnings 1-40 seconds before earthquakes of magnitude 5 or more occur.
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The system is designed and manufactured byItalian firm, Space Dynamics
which already has installed it in Japan, Italy and US.
Features of earthquake early warning
• The system is incorporated with sensors which are capable to detect P
(Primary) and S (Secondary) wavesgenerated during an earthquake.• It is capable to detect the harmless P wave, which travels faster than the
S wave for advance warning.
• The system has the earliest detection among those currently in use
worldwide.
The second system will be established at Pithoragarh in the Kumaon region of
Uttarakhand.
According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Uttarakhand falls
under seismic zone V i.e. High-Risk Seismic Zone. Apart from it, Jammu and
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rann of Kutch (Gujarat), Northern Bihar and Andaman & Nicobar Islands also fall under this seismic zone.
Microsoft to develop digital villages, cyber-security centre in Maharashtra
Software giant Microsoft has agreed to develop ‘digital villages’ and a ‘smart
MIDC’ (industrial colony) in Maharashtra under state’s flagship ‘Make In
Maharashtra’ initiative.
It was announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after he met MicrosoftCEO Satya Nadella during his visit to company’s office in Seattle, US. The
location of the smart MIDC is yet to be decided.
Microsoft will also set up cyber-security centre in Maharashtra’s IT hub Pune
and also agreed to adopt a tribal village in Melghat district in order to provide
‘tertiary health services’.
Both sides also discussed application of cloud services to MSMEs and
technological solutions for implementing Right to Service Act. Microsoft will
also help state government develop ‘Safe Maharashtra’ mobile application to
provide security to vulnerable people by tracking them.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also met Boeing CEO Raymond Conner and
discussed expansion of MRO operations at its plant in the industrial facility of
Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport (MIHAN) in Nagpur.
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Nationwide Mobile Number Portability becomes operational
Nationwide mobile number portability (MNP) has become operational from 3
July 2015.
It became operational after major private mobile operators like Vodafone,
RCom, Airtel, Uninor and Idea Cellular along with state-run BSNL and MTNL
issued statements to launch MNP.
The operationalisation of nationwide MNP will allow customers to keep their
existing mobile phone numbers while shifting between States and circles by
changing operators. Prior to this, customers were only able to change their
operator by retaining the same number only in the same state or telecom circle.
Thus this move lays the first foundation stone for the Union government’s
ambitious ‘One nation, One number’ plan.
Background
In November 2014, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had approved the
national MNP recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
( TRAI).
TRAI had set the deadline to rollout full MNP on May 2, 2015. However it was
extended on the request Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) by two
months till July.
Fact: MNP within a circle or state was first launched in Haryana in November
2010 and later was expanded to other circles. At present India is divided into
22 telecom service areas or circles.
About G.D. Birla Award
• Established:1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation in the honour of
philanthropist Ghanshyam Das Birla.
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• The award is given Indian scientist below the age of 50, living and
working in India for his outstanding scientific research, mostly during the past
5 years.
• Cash Prize: It carries a cash prize of 50 lakh rupees and a citation.
Epigenetics:It is field of science that deals with study of changes that
influence gene function.
First potential treatment for deadly MERS virus identified by scientists
For the first time scientists have identified two promising drug candidates for
the treatment of deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus.
REGN3051 andREGN3048 are the two antibodies (drug candidates) which
have shown ability to neutralise the MERS virus. This research was done in
collaboration with New York based biopharmaceutical company Regeneron.
Cyborg
Acyborg (short for "cybernetic organism") is a theoretical or fictional being
with both organic and biomechatronicparts. The term was coined in 1960
byManfred Clynes andNathan S. Kline.[1] D. S. Halacy'sCyborg: Evolution of
the Superman in 1965 featured an introduction which spoke of a "new frontier"
that was "not merely space, but more profoundly the relationship between
'inner space' to 'outer space' – a bridge...between mind and matter
Bionics is the application of biologicalmethods and systems found innature to
the study and design ofengineering systems and moderntechnology.
About 4G LTE
• 4G LTE is wireless communications standard developed by the 3rd
Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
• It is one of several competing 4G standards along with WiMax (IEEE
802.16) and Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB).
http://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/potential-treatment-deadly-mers-virus-identified-scientists-07201524069.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybernetichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomechatronichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_Clyneshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_S._Klinehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyborg#cite_note-1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_methodhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineeringhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technologyhttp://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/potential-treatment-deadly-mers-virus-identified-scientists-07201524069.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cybernetichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organismhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomechatronichttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_Clyneshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_S._Klinehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyborg#cite_note-1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_methodhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineeringhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology
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• It is designed to provide up to 10x speeds of 3G networks for mobile
devices such as tablets, smartphones, netbooks and wireless hotspots etc.
• It can provide internet speed of at least 100 Mbit per second (Mbps) to 1
GBit per second (Gbps).
•
4G technologies are designed to provide IP (Internet Protocol)-based voice,data and multimedia streaming at high speed.
C.N.R. Rao conferred with Japan’s highest civilian award ‘Order of the Rising
Sun, Gold and Silver Star’
About C.N.R. Rao (Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao)
• N.R Rao is eminent scientist and world’s foremost solid state and
materials chemists. He has worked mainly in solid-state and structural
chemistry.
He was first Indian scientist to reach the h-index of 100.
• He has authored of around 1600 research papers. He also has authored
and edited 45 books.
Note: h-index also called the Hirsch index or Hirsch number is a tool that
measures the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or
scholar.
ISRO’s GAGAN to provide navigational support to Indian Railways
ISRO has announced to provide navigational support to Indian Railways
through GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system.
The navigational support along with space technology-based tools will be
provided to Indian Railways for unmanned level crossings safety.
By using GAGAN software system, a train will get to know the location of any
unmanned level crossing by a warning signal. Once this warning signal is
given, the train’s hooter will automatically start when it comes near anunmanned crossing.
About GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN)
• GAGAN was jointly developed by the ISRO and Airports Authority of
India (AAI) for the advancement of air navigation.
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• It is an indigenous navigational guide system developed on the lines of
GPS system of the US.
• Presently, GAGAN signal is broadcasted through two Geostationary Earth
Orbit (GEO) satellites-GSAT8 and GSAT10.
•
The system was launched in 2011 as a payload with GSAT-8. With thislaunch India had joined the club elite nations comprising of US, Europe and
Japan who have the same level of space-based augmentation for navigational
purpose.
World’s First Electric Passenger aircraft BX1E manufactured in China
The world’s first electric passenger aircraft named BX1E was manufactured in
China.
The aircraft was designed by Shenyang Aerospace University and LiaoningGeneral Aviation Academy located in the northeastern Liaoning Province of
China.
Features of BX1E Electric Passenger aircraft
• BX1E aircraft has a 14.5-meter wingspan and a maximum payload of
230 kgs.
• It can fly at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
• The aircraft can charge within two hours.
• Fully charged aircraft can have flight time of 45 minutes to 1 hour with a
maximum speed of 160 km per hour.
The first two BX1E aircrafts were delivered to Liaoning Ruixiang General
Aviation Co. Ltd. These aircrafts will be used in tourism, pilot training,
meteorology and rescue operations.
Moon engulfed in permanent, lopsided dust cloud: Study
Recently published study in the journal Nature has revealed that Moon is
engulfed in a permanent but lopsided dust cloud made up of tiny dust grains. The study team was led by Professor Mihaly Horanyi of University of Colorado
Boulder physics.
Key fact
• The dust cloud was discovered by using data from NASA’s Lunar
Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE).
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• Composition: The cloud is primarily made up oftiny dust grains kicked
up from the Moon’s surface. These tiny dust grains were result of the impact of
high-speed, interplanetary dust particles.
• Formation: Such a single dust particle from a comet striking the Moon’s
surface lofts thousands of smaller dust particles into moon’s airlessenvironment. This resulted in formation of lunar cloud which is maintained by
regular impacts from such particles.
• With annual events like the Geminids meteor shower, the density of dust
cloud increases.
• It should be noted that the dust on the Moon which is dark and sticky
was created over several billion years ago. It was outcome of interplanetary
dust particles incessantly pounded the rocky lunar surface.
• Practical Applications of this Study:Knowledge of the dusty
environments in space especially knowing where the dust is and where it isheaded in the solar system may help to mitigate hazards for future human
exploration missions including dust particles damaging spacecraft or harming
astronauts.
BSNL to set up 40,000 wi-fi hot spots India
State owned telecommunications giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
has announced to set up 40,000 Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) hot spots across the
country.
This project will come in lines with new digital architecture which is part of
Union Government’s flagshipDigital India Programme. The 40,000 wi-fi hot
spots project will be entailed with an investment of about 6,000 crore rupees.
The project is likely to be completed by 2018.
It was announced by Union Minister of Communications & IT Ravi Shankar
Prasad after launching the Wi-Fi facility at Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
BSNL has installed the Wi-Fi facility at the premises of Taj Mahal as part of theUnion Government’s plan to provide free internet services at major tourist
places across country.
BSNL has introduced this Wi-fi facility with support of Quadgen, a Bengaluru-
based company. The service will freely available to everyone including tourist
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for half-an-hour. After half-an-hour the Wi-fi services will cost 30 rupees an
hour.
Researchers create World’s thinnest bulb from graphene
Researchers have created the world’s thinnest light bulb using graphene as
filament.
It was created by team of scientist led by Young Duck Kim comprising members
from Columbia University School of Engineering, Seoul National University and
Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science.
Features of Bulb
• The bulb usesgraphene, a perfectly crystalline form of carbon as a
filament.• The filament is attached to metal electrodes and suspended the strips
above the substrate.
• After current is passed through filament it heats up to over 2,500° C and
produces exceptionally bright light.
Applications: The new type of thinnest bulb can be used as broadband light
emitter. It can also be integrated into chips which will pave the way towards the
realisation of atomically flexible, thin and transparent displays. It will also help
to boost graphene-based on-chip high speed optical communications.
Union Government launches augmented reality application ‘Sakaar’
Union Government has launched Augmented Reality technologybased mobile
application named ‘Sakaar’ to highlight theachievements of the Department
of Space.
It was launched by Minister of State (MoS) in the Department of Atomic Energy
Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi.
Sakaar application and its multimedia content for Android devices is developed
by Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU) of ISRO.
The application consists of 3 Dimensional (3D) models of Mars Orbiter Mission
(MOM), RISAT, indigenous rockets such as PSLV, GSLV Mk-III etc. It also has
videos of INSAT 3D-predicting cyclones, MOM launch and orbit insertion
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videos, 360 degree animated view of MOM, GSLV D5/Cryo and Anaglyph of
Mars surface.
What is Augmented Reality technology?
Augmented Reality (AR) technology is computer-generated 3D models,
animations, videos that augments (or supplements) the live direct view of
a physical, real-world environment.
With the help of device’s camera the real time augmentation and information is
overlaying takes place which enhances user’s current perception.
Essentially AR requires three basic elements for its functioning. They are AR
application, AR Markers and Android OS enabled mobile with back camera.
Philae comet lander wakes up from hibernation on Comet 67P
Philae comet lander has taken on the surface of Comet 67P (Churyumov-
Gerasimenko) from seven-month hibernation.
It was announced byEuropean Space Agency (ESA) after the comet lander
managed to communicate with Earth for more than a minute.
In November 2014,Philae comet lander had created space history by
becoming first to probe landed on a comet. The historic feat was achieved after
it was dropped on to the surface of Comet 67P by itsmother ship Rosetta.
After successfully landing on the comet it had worked for 60 hours and had
conducted experiments and transmitted that data to Earth before going into
hibernation after its solar-powered battery ran flat.
Probe resumed its communication on 14 June 2015 by sending about 300
packages of data to Earth via its mother ship Rosetta which is still orbiting the
comet.
Timeline of Philae’s journey
• March 2004: ESA’s unmanned probe Rosetta was successfully launched
from Kourou, French Guiana.
• February 2007: The probe carries out a close flyby of Mars.
• September 2008: Probe successfully passes close to an asteroid 2867
located 400 million km from Earth.
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• July 2010: The probe transmits first pictures from the largest asteroid
ever visited by a satellite Lutetia in between Mars and Jupiter.
• August 2014: It swings alongside comet 67P situated in between the
orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
• November 2014: Philae lander successfully lands on comet after it isreleased from Rosetta.
14 June: World Blood Donor day
World Blood Donor Day is being observed across the world on 14 June to raise
the public awareness about the need for safe blood donation.
The theme of this year’s campaign isThank you for saving my life. This year’s
campaign encourages donors all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and
regularly with the sloganGive freely, give often. Blood donation matters.
Objective
• To spread awareness about the need for safe and secure blood supplies.
• Provide an opportunity to draw public attention to the importance of
blood donation for saving lives.
World Health Organisation (WHO), a nodal agency of UN for international
public health has called for increased regular blood donations from voluntary,
unpaid donors in order to save millions of lives globally each year.
It should be noted that World Blood Donor Day is one of eight official
global public health campaigns marked by the WHO. The event was
established in 2004. It was established in order to raise awareness of the
need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their
voluntary donations.
Juvenile Camel’s key source of MERS: Study
As per recently published study, camels aged less than four years might be a
major source ofMiddle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The study was
published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases
The research study was undertaken by international team who had looked for
evidence of current or past infection in more than 800 dromedary camels (also
called Arabian camels).
In this study researchers have found out that
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• More than 90 per cent of camels were infected by MERS virus the age of
two and virus shedding was more common in calves than in adults.
• Changes in animal husbandry may reduce the occurrence of human
MERs infections.
•
Dromedary camels that are living in the Middle East have antibodies thatrecognised MERS virus protein which is a strong sign of past infection.
• However the spread of MERS virus in humans is still unknown but it
might spread due direct contact with body fluids from infected camels.
• Alternatively, it might have spread by drinking unpasteurised camel milk
and possibly by transfer through the contaminated virus present in the saliva
of an infected calf to their mothers.
Cyclonic Storm Ashobaa: First Tropical storm of the season
Cyclonic storm Ashobaain Arabian Sea is the first tropical storm of the pre-
monsoon season in the Indian seas.
The cyclonic storm was formed after intensified deep depression (low pressure
zone) was developed over east central Arabian Sea about 590 km west
southwest of Mumbai, 470 km southwest of Veraval (Gujarat) and 960 km east-
southeast of Masirah Island (Oman).
After its formation the cyclonic storm has moved northwestwards. The system
has potential to intensify further. But this cyclonic storm will not hit Indian
states severely as it has further moved north-northwesterly direction towardsOman. Northwestern coastal states of India such as Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat
and Karnatakawill only face strong winds along with showers.
Naming
The name Ashobaa to this tropical storm was given by Sri Lanka which is
one of eight countries that are naming tropical cyclones in North Indian
Ocean region on rotational basis. The series of naming by countries is
Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and
Thailand.
The last cyclone calledNilofer (2014) was suggested byPakistan. Next cyclone
formed in future will have nameKomen, suggested by Thailand.
Advantages of naming cyclones/ storms:
• Provide easy communication between forecasters and the general public
regarding forecasts and warnings.
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This discovered site is dry as Mars and has a mean atmospheric relative
humidity (RH) of 17.3 percent and a soil RH of a constant 14 percent at a depth
of one meter.
World’s first fully warm-blooded fish named Opah discovered
World’s first fully warm-blooded fish namedOpah or moonfish was discovered
recently. It was discovered by scientists at the US National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Opah or moonfish has ability to circulate heated blood throughout its body
which makes it first fish known to be fully warm-blood.
Quick facts
Warm-blooded animals: They generate their own heat and maintain a body
temperature independent of the environment. They are also known
asendotherms. It should be noted most of mammals and birds are warm-
blooded animals.
Cold-blooded animals: Their body temperature depends on the temperature of
their surroundings. Thus they are hot when their environment is hot and cold
when their environment is cold. They are also known asectotherms. Most ofamphibians, reptiles, invertebrates and most fish are cold-blooded animals.
SBI launches sbiINTOUCH, NFC-enabled Contactless Debit and Credit Cards
India’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) has launched contact-less
credit and debit cardssbiINTOUCH.
sbiINTOUCH is based upon latest near-field technology (NFC) that enables
customer to transact using the card by just tapping or waving it against the
reader of the point-of-sale machine
Cards incorporated with NFC technology are secure and hassle-free. SBI is also
proving afraud liability cover of 1 lakh rupees on these cards.
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With this, SBI has joined league of private lenders like ICICI Bank and HDFC
Bank. It should be noted thatICICI bank was first to introduce contact-less
credit and debit cards in India.
RBI rules on contact-less credit and debit cards
•Presently, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allows banks to enable
transactions in case of contactless cards up to Rs. 2,000 without the requiring
a separate PIN authentication.
• But incase of amounts higher, banks should provide customers with an
option of contact payment and pin authentication requirement.
May 11: National Technology Day
Every year, ̀National Technology Day’ is observed across India on May 11.
This day glorifies the importance of science in day-to-day life and motivates
students to adopt science as a career option.
National Technology Day is being commemorated to celebrate the anniversary
of first of the five tests ofOperation Shakti (Pokhran-II) nuclear test which
was held on 11 May 1998 inPokhran,Rajasthan.
Apart from Pokhran nuclear test, on this day first indigenous aircraft Hansa-3
was test flown at Bangalore and India also conducted successful test firing of
the Trishul missile on the same day.
Considering all these achievements 11 May was chosen to be commemorated
as National Technology Day.
To commemorate this day, Technology Development Board (TDB) has instituted
a National Award. This award is conferred on to various individuals and
industries for their successful achievement in commercialization of Indigenous
Technology.
NASA’s 10-Engine Electric Plane named GL-10 Completes Flight Test
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NASA successfully tested a 10-Engine Electric Plane named Greased Lightning-
10 (GL-10) that that can take off and land like a helicopter and fly efficiently
like an aircraft.
During several test flights, remotely piloted GL-10 prototype successfully
transitioned from hover to wing-borne flight.Key features of NASA’s Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)
• GL-10 is remotely piloted plane similar as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
(UAV).
• It is designed and developed in such a way that it can take off like a
helicopter and fly like an airplane.
• It is a battery-powered 10-engine and has a 3.05 meters wingspan. 8
electric motors are mounted on the wings. 2 electric motors are mounted on
the tail.
•
It weighs a maximum of 28.1 kilogrammes at take-off.• Due to its versatile vertical takeoff and landing ability produces less
noise.
• Applications: Can be used as UAV for small package delivery or vertical
take-off and landing, long endurance surveillance for agriculture, mapping and
other applications.
• Its modified scaled up version can be used as four person size personal
air vehicle.
Microsoft launches Edu-Cloud with aim to Make Learning Fun
Information technology giant, Microsoft has launched a cloud computing-based
offering Edu-Cloud with an aim to Make Learning Fun.
It seeks to enhance digital learning and teaching in schools and higher
education institutions in India through virtual learning platforms.
Edu-Cloud by with the help of cloud computing technology will create, deliver
and manage educational content from any device, anywhere, anytime in orderto make learning easy and fun.
It is expected, Edu-Cloud will benefit around 1 million teachers and 6 million
students in over 1,500 institutes across India in next 18 months.
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Initially the company will tie-up with the Hyderabad based Chaitanya group of
educational institutions which will adopt Edu-Cloud for its teachers and
students in its 80 schools.
Teachers and students of these schools will use Microsoft’s Windows-powered
tablets in order to access rich, interactive and relevant content from cloud to
make learning and teaching more engaging and productive.
India home to 48 species of bumblebees
Recently released bookIndian Bumblebees has revealed that India is home to
48 of the 250 known species of bumblebees.
The book is written by entomologist M.S. Saini and co-authors Rifat H. Rainaand Harpeet Singh Ghator.
These 48 known species of bumblebees native to India and are the only
pollinators of vegetation in high-altitude regions.
Key facts about Indian Bumblebees
• Bumblebees are social insects and live in colonies and the size of it
depends on the species. They are similar to the honeybees.
• Mostly characterised by yellow, black and reddish body hair and are often
striped.
Generally found on altitudes of 2,000-15,000 feet along theentireHimalayas from Jammu & Kashmir to Nagaland.
• Life cycle: The founder of the Bumblebees colony is the queen. She
hibernates throughout winter and in spring finds a site for new nest. She then
lays her eggs in autumn which will result in the first batch of workers.
• Importance:Bumblebees play an important role in the ecosystem and
are crucial forpollination at higher altitudes. Thus without them seed setting
and fruiting will not take place in many plants.
They pollinate fruit trees, vegetables, cash crops and even
ornamental and medicinal plants high in the Himalayas.
ISRO successfully tests indigenous cryogenic engine with four-tonne capacity
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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 28 April 2015 successfully
tested an indigenous cryogenic engine.
The powerful version of the cryogenic engine was tested successfully at ISRO’s
propulsion complex at Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. A
team headed by Director D Karthikesan had led the testing. This engine will allow launch vehicles to carry satellites of up to capacity of
four tonnes in geostationary orbit. It will also give boost to India’s
interplanetary probes and manned space missions.
Facts about cryogenic engine
• A cryogenic engine is more efficient as it provides more thrust for every
kilogram of propellant burnt.
• Cryogenic fuels are extremely clean as they give out only water while
burning. The engine uses liquid oxygen at -2530C and liquid hydrogen at
-1830C
• It can develop the thrust needed in the final state of the rocket to put
satellites, weighing two tonnes or more, into a geosynchronous orbit.
• It is essential to master this technology for any space power as launching
heavier satellites requires cryogenic engines even in the lower stages of the
rocket.
• It will also make India self-reliant in sending heavier satellites to the
required orbits and eliminate need of dependence on foreign launch vehicles.
It should be noted that India sixth spacefarer after US, Russia, the
European Space Agency, China and Japan to develop a cryogenic engine.
Earlier in January 2015, India had successfully launchedGSLV-D5, thefirst
successful launch vehicle with an indigenous cryogenic engine. But it had
capacity to launch satellites of up to two tonnes.
25 April: World Malaria Day
Every year World Malaria Day (WMD) is observed on 25 April. The day is
observed to recognise the global efforts to control preventable disease
malaria. The theme of this year WMD-2015 is “Invest in the Future and
Defeat Malaria”.
This day also seeks to highlight the need for continued investment and
sustained political commitment for elimination and control of malaria.
WHO also had called on the global health community to urgently address
significant gaps in the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of malaria.
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Background
• World Malaria Day was instituted in 2007 by World Health Organization
(WHO) member nations during World Health Assembly.
• This day is one of the eight official global public health campaigns
currently marked by the WHO.Some facts
• As per United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report more than 1200
children die every day worldwide from Malaria. At least three quarters of
malaria deaths occur in children under 5.
• According to the recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO)
since 2000, Malaria deaths worldwide have declined by 47 percent. In Africa
alone, Malaria deaths during the period declined by 54 percent.
Railway Ministry launches mobile app for paperless unreserved tickets
The Railway Ministry has launched‘utsonmobile’, a mobile application for
paperless unreserved tickets.
The application service was launched by Union Railway Minister Suresh
Prabhu in New Delhi.
This application will allow its passenger to buy a ticket on the move and to
board the train with the ticket secured on his mobile phone in digital format,
without any need for printing the ticket.
Initially, it has been launched as a pilot project and cover 15 stations in
Southern Railway. Later on it will be extended to entire country in phases.
Key facts
• The application has been developed by Centre for Railway Information
Systems (CRIS).
• It aims to eliminate the need for printing of unreserved tickets.
• The application provides necessary on-screen alerts to guide the
passenger during the booking process.
• Payment for the ticket will be done through the Railway Wallet, a feature
inbuilt in the App.
• Passenger will get ticket confirmation on their mobile screen after
booking the ticket which will contain limited information of the ticket.
• This app can be downloaded from Windows Store and Google Play Store.
Background
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• This paperless ticketing service using mobile applications comes in line
with announcement made by Union Government in the Union Railway Budget
of February 2015.
• In this budget, Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had announced
that the Indian Railways is committed toOperation Five Minutes that is,purchase of an unreserved ticket within five minutes and launching of
paperless unreserved mobile ticket is the first step in this area.
Information and Broadcasting Ministry receives ISO 9001:2008 certification
Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) on 22 April 2015
received an ISO 9001:2008 certification from the British Standards Institute
(BSI).
The ISO certification was granted to Ministry in respect of various
permissions and licences issued by it for the broadcasting and print media
and films.
These licences or permissions include for satellite Television channels, multi-
system operators, teleports, community radio stations and DTH services.
It also includes publication of Indian editions of technical and scientific and
foreign magazines of news and current affairs, facsimile editions of foreign
newspapers and permission for foreign film producers.
The Ministry has undertaken this initiative in order to bring in more
transparency and efficiency in the processes related in granting of various
permissions and licenses to the eligible applicants.
In this regard, the Ministry has put in place a well-defined procedure and
measures in order to ensure quality of services offered to the customers
on the basis of ISO 9001:2008. It will also ensure delivery of services by the
Ministry in a qualitative manner.
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How Maglev train works?
• Maglev train hovers 10 centimetres above the tracks and is propelled by
electrically charged magnets which lift and moves train carriages above the rail
tracks.
• This train travels along a guideway using magnets to create both lift andpropulsion.
• This lift and propulsion reduces friction and allow it to attain higher
speeds compared to conventional wheeled trains.
India 5th biggest generator of e-waste in 2014: UN report
As per recently releasedGlobal E-Waste Monitor 2014report by United
Nations, India is the fifth biggest producer of e-waste in the world. The report was compiled by UN think tank United Nations University (UNU).
Key facts from report
• Top 5 e-waste producing nations: US, China, Japan, Germany and
India.
• In case of wealthy nations top 5 e-waste producers are Norway,
Switzerland, Iceland, Denmark, and United Kingdom.
• US and China have produced the most e-waste in 2014. Both nations
account for 32 percent of total e-waste produced in the world in 2014.
•
India has discarded around 1.7 million tonnes (Mt) of e-waste in 2014.• In 2014, around 41.8 Mt of e-waste was produced all over world and it is
expected to rise by 21 percent to 50 million Mt in 2018.
• In terms of continent wise, Asia has produced most e-waste per
inhabitant in year 2014 by producing 16 Mt i.e. 3.7 kg per inhabitant.
• Top three Asian e-waste producing nations are- China (6.0Mt), Japan
(2.2Mt) andIndia (1.7Mt).
• While, Africa has generated lowest amount of e-waste per inhabitant by
producing 9 Mt i.e. 1.7 kg per inhabitant.
Newly discoveredSpider named after Telangana state
Newly discovered spiders of Thomisidae family have been named as Telangana
crab spider (Thomisus telanganensis) i.e. after Indian state of Telangana.
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These spiders were discovered by G.B. Pravalikha and Chelmala Srinivasulu,
wildlife and taxonomy researchers from the Zoology Department of Osmania
University at an expedition at Nagnur in Karimnagar district of Telangana.
Key factsTelangana crab spiders
Morphologically they resemble crabs and are hence also called crab
spiders.
• Have tendency to walk sideways like crabs.
• They lie on flowering plants and wait for prey so they are also known as
flower spiders.
• Do not weave webs like traditional spiders.
• They attack immobilise their prey with venom and prey all of a sudden.
• Size is between 3 mm and 23 mm.
• Colour varies from dull to bright and colourful.• Generally are bio-controlling agents and help to keep the insect
population under control. Thus are important to the ecosystem.
India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable Dhanush missile from ship
India on 9 April 2015 successfully test fired nuclear weapons-capable Dhanush
missile from a ship, off the Odisha coast.
Test- The ship-based missile was launched from an Offshore Patrolling Vessel
(OPV), deep inside the Bay of Bengal to test its full range. It successfully hit the
target point with high degree of accuracy.
Facts about Dhanush Missile
• Indigenously developed by Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO).
• Thesurface-to-surface missile is anaval variant of Prithvi missile.
• Capable of carrying of 500 to 1000 kilogram conventional as well as
nuclear payload.
• It is a single-stage, liquid-propelled missile and has range of350 km.
• Capable to target both land-based and sea-based targets. It gives Indian
Navy capability to strike enemy targets with great precision.
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It should be noted that Dhanush is one of the 5 missiles developed by the
DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
TRAI recommends 112 as single emergency number for India
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 7 April 2015 has proposed
‘112’ as a single emergency number that can be used all across the country
including for police, fire and ambulance departments.
This emergency number will be similar to the ‘911’ an all-in-one emergency
service in the United States.
At present, for emergency disaster management different numbers for different
emergencies such as 100 for police, 101 for fire and 102 for ambulance are in
existence.
TRAI has suggested that existing emergency numbers can be retained as
secondary numbers and the calls made to them be re-routed to ‘112’. After time
being, once a call to the secondary numbers significantly reduces, they can be
withdrawn gradually.
Callers seeking help in emergency can dial ‘112’ from mobile or landline phones
even when outgoing facility has been debarred or the service temporarilysuspended. TRAI also has proposed SMS-based access for the emergency
services.
The regulator also has recommended setting up of Public Safety Answering
Points (PSAPs) – a call centre through which all calls to ‘112’ will be routed.
Depending upon type of emergency, PSAPs will send police, fire, medical and
other emergency response servieces.
April 7: World Health Day
World health Day was observed all over the world on April 7, 2015. Theme for
year 2015 was“food safety” with the slogan from farm to plate, make food
safe.
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The theme highlights
• Need to make food free from viruses, microbes and chemicals substances
that are responsible for more than 200 diseases. Indirectly unsafe food is
linked to the annual deaths of some 2 million people, mostly children.
• Need to create awareness about food safety as it possesses challenges
from the changes in food production, distribution and consumption.
• Changes in the environment and new emerging pathogens and
antimicrobial resistance are also challenge to food safety.
In this regard, WHO is also working with countries to strengthen efforts to
detect, prevent and respond to foodborne disease outbreaks in line with the
Codex Alimentarius.
About World Health Day• Every year on April 7, World Health Day is celebrated under the
sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Purpose: To focus on increasing the life expectancy by adding good
health to the lives of people and promoting healthier living habits.
• This day marks the WHO’s founding and is observed since 1950,
• Since then April 7 every year is seen as an opportunity by the WHO to
draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health
each year.
Himachal Pradesh assembly launches India’s first E-Vidhan Mobile apps
Himachal Pradesh Government on 30 March 2015 launched part one of E-
Vidhan Mobile apps.
E-Vidhan Mobile apps will enable all 68 members of state assembly to get the
entire House business on their smartphones and tablets, laid in the House 45
minutes before the beginning of the daily proceedings.
With this Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha became the first state assembly in
the country to launch this app to facilitate smart-working.
Key facts
• The app will provide notifications of the Vidhan Sabha’s press releases,
bulletins, budget speeches, documents and the bills tabled in the House to
members.
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Decision in this regard was taken byDefence Acquisition Council (DAC)
headed by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
DAC gave its nod for two AWACS, which includes buying two Airbus A330s,
worth 5,113 crore rupees. Airbus was the lone bidder for the programme.
About Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) Project• AWACS or eyes in the sky can detect incoming aerial threats like hostile
fighters, drones and cruise missiles from 400-km away.
• It has capability to penetrate longer distances within enemy
territory by way of radars and electronic warfare systems without
venturing into the region physically.
• The project will involve mounting indigenous 360-degree coverage active
electronically scanned array (AESA) radars on Airbus A-330 wide-body jets.
• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will develop the
AWACSs. Apart from this, DAC also cleared the purchase of mine ploughs for T-90 tanks
at Rs 710 crore and 30 weapon locating radars at Rs 1,605 crore besides
others.
ISRO successfully launches fourth navigation satellite IRNSS 1D
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on 28 March 2015 successfully
launched fourth navigation satellite Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System
(IRNSS)-1D.
It was launched by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-27 into the orbit
from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
The satellite is similar to, and follows the IRNSS 1A, 1B and 1C which were
launched in April 2013, July 2014 and October 2014respectively.
IRNSS-1D will be launched into a sub Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub
GTO). It weighs 1,425 kg and carries a navigation payload and CDMA ranging
payload in addition with a laser retro-reflector.
About IRNSS series
• IRNSS is a navigation system that will cover India, and also extend 1,500
kms from its boundaries.
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These nitrates are a class of molecules that contain nitrogen in a form used by
living organisms. Thus this discovery adds evidence to the hypothesis that
ancient Mars was habitable for life.
However, there is no evidence suggesting that the discovered nitrogen
molecules found by the rover was created by life on the red planet. Scientists
also believe that the discovered molecules are ancient and might have been
deposited from non-biological processes like meteorite impacts and lightning on
Mars’ in past.
It should be noted that Nitrogen is essential part for all known forms of life as it
used in the building basic blocks of larger molecules like DNA and RNA that
encode the genetic instructions for life. It is also essential in proteins that is
used to build structures like hair and nails in living organisms.
PM Narendra Modi launches PRAGATI platform for redressal of grievances
Prime MinisterNarendra Modi on 25 March 2015 launched Pro-Active
Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI)platform.
PRAGATI is a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform aimed ataddressing
grievances of common man. It also aims at simultaneously monitoring and
reviewing important Union government programmes and projects as well as
projects flagged by State Governments.
It is an innovative project in e-governance and good governance and
accountability with real-time presence and information exchange among the
key stakeholders.
Key features of PRAGATI
• Designed in-house by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) team with
the help of National Informatics Center (NIC).
• Uniquely bundles three latest technologies including Digital data
management, geo-spatial technology and video-conferencing.• Three-tier system that bringsPMO, Union Government Secretaries,
and Chief Secretaries of the States at one stage. Thus, offers a unique
combination in the direction ofcooperative federalism.
• Prime Minister can directly discuss the issues with the concerned
Central and State officials with full information and latest visuals of the ground
level situation.
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• The system will work on strengthen and re-engineer the data bases of
Centralized Public Grievance Redress And Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)
along with Project Monitoring Group (PMG) and the Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation.
On a monthly basis, Prime Minister will interact with bureaucrats i.e. on fourth Wednesday of every month at 3.30 PM- called asPRAGATI Day.
Issues to be flagged before the PM will be picked up from the available database
regarding Public Grievances, pending Projects and on-going Programmes.
These issues will uploaded seven days prior to the PRAGATI day.
India’s first Polar Remotely Operated Vehicle operationalised in North
Antarctica
India’s first Polar Remotely Operated Vehicle (PROVe) was successfully
operationalised for research in North Antarctica by National Institute of Ocean
Technology (NIOT).
PROVe was operationalised, after it had undergone series of trials in Antarctica
in the past two months since its deployment by the NIOT researchers.
It has been deployed in Priyadarshini Lake located on the Schirmacher Oasis
which is a major source of water for Maitri, India’s second base in the
Antarctica.
Key facts of PROVe
• Indigenously built by NIOT under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Capable of probing the sea bed under normal temperature and capable of
exploring up to 200 meters in inhospitable and tough regions like the ice clad
Antarctica.
• Operated remotely by scientists on board the ship and has inbuilt
thrusters allowing it for 360-degree movement.
Will help researchers to study and find out details about dissolved
oxygen in sea bottom, salinity and the quantity of sunlight hitting the
bottom of the sea.
• The results and outcomes will help researchers in understanding the
biological activities taking place inside the sea.
Implications of its operationalisation in Antartica
• Its breakthrough is a great leap forward inforecasting with precision
the ever elusive Monsoon, a climatic phenomenon which determines India’s
economy.
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• In case of forecasting Monsoon,PROVe will measure parameters like
ocean currents, temperature and salinity in the Arctic.
• It will especially help scientist to move away from present Mathematical
models for forecasting the Monsoon which many times vary from initial
forecasts.Current operation will collect data for analysis in June 2015. This data will be
used for analyzing hypothesis about the link between Antarctic Ocean currents
and Indian monsoon system.
Union Government launches Twitter Samvad for direct communication between
Government and citizens
Union Government has launched a new digital platform ‘ Twitter Samvad’ in
association with social networking giant Twitter.
The digital platform was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New
Delhi on 24 March 2015 during his meeting with Twitter Chief Executive Dick
Costolo.
About Twitter Samvad
• The service aims to boost the nation’s e-governance plans and
facilitate direct communication between leaders, government agencies
and citizens.• Twitter Samvad is based on a digital platform provided by an Indian
company ZipDial which was recently acquired by Twitter.
• Through this platform a set of curated Tweets from the Twitter handled
accounts of the government and the leaders will be delivered to mobile-phone
users every day across the country as text messages.
• The service will also play important role during emergencies by helping
government agencies to share live updates, even time-sensitive information on
law and order or rescue.
Union Government launches BIRAC AcE Fund to accelerate growth of
entrepreneurs in Biotechnology
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