About Dengue:

• Dengue (break-bone fever) is a mosquito-borne viral infection.
• It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas.
• While many dengue infections are asymptomatic or produce only mild illness, the virus can occasionally cause more severe cases, and even death.
• Transmission:
  • It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitos carrying one of four types of dengue virus (DENV).
  • Dengue isn’t contagious from person to person except when passed from a pregnant person to their child.
• An estimated 400 million dengue infections occur worldwide each year, with about 96 million resulting in illness.
• A person can be infected with dengue multiple times in their life.
• Symptoms:
  • The most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and rash. Most will get better in 1–2 weeks.
  • A very small portion of people with dengue fever get a severe case. It’s called dengue hemorrhagic fever.
• Symptoms show up as the fever begins to ease. These may include vomiting that does not go away, rapid breathing, blood in vomit, and bleeding gums.
• Individuals who are infected for the second time are at greater risk of severe dengue. In severe cases, dengue can be fatal.
• Treatment:
  • There is no specific medicine to treat dengue. The focus is on treating pain symptoms.
  • It is generally treated with supportive care such as pain relievers, bed rest, and fluids. 

Q1: What is a Virus?

A virus is an infectious microbe consisting of a segment of nucleic acid (either DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. A virus cannot replicate alone; instead, it must infect cells and use components of the host cell to make copies of itself. Often, a virus ends up killing the host cell in the process, causing damage to the host organism. Well-known examples of viruses causing human disease include AIDS, COVID-19, measles and smallpox.

Source: Karnataka High Court takes suo motu cognisance of dengue exigency based on a letter to the editor published in newspaper

About Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme:

• It has been established to promote self-reliance in Defence Technology as a part of the 'Make in India' initiative.
• It is a programme of the Ministry of Defence.
• This programme is executed by the DRDO to meet the requirements of the Tri-Services, Defence Production, and DRDO.
• The Scheme encourages the participation of public/private industries, especially MSMEs and startups, so as to create an ecosystem for enhancing cutting-edge technology capability in the defence sector.
• In addition to providing the grants-in-aid for the development of indigenous technology, the scheme also provides the industry with various benefits.
• Funding Support:
  • The project cost of up to INR 50 crore will be considered for funding.
  • The funding may be up to 90% of the total project cost.
  • Industry may work in collaboration with academia or research institutions. The work involvement of academia cannot exceed 40% of the total project cost.
  • The funding will be linked to mutually agreed milestones.
  • Funds will be released either in advance against a bank guarantee of the same amount as collateral, or reimbursement based on the completion of milestones.
  • Subsequent installments will be released on successful completion of milestones.
• Project Duration: The maximum development period will be four (4) years.
• Eligibility:
  • A public limited company, a private limited company, a partnership firm, a limited liability partnership, a one-person company, or a sole proprietorship registered as per applicable Indian laws registered in India especially MSMEs and Startups.
  • The industry must be owned and controlled by a resident Indian citizen.
  • An entity with excess of 49 percentforeign investment will not be eligible.
  • Startups must be recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as per Government of India (GOI) guidelines.
  • Startups incorporated for less than three years from date of submission of application will be considered as nascent startups.
• A nascent Startup should be incubated at one of the Central/State government assisted incubators.
  • Startups should not have received any grants/grants-in-aid by any government scheme for a similar technology.
  • The startup must be owned and controlled by a Resident Indian citizen with a shareholding of at least 51%.

Q1: What is the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)?

DRDO is the R&D wing of Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies and a mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems, while equipping our armed forces with state-of-the-art weapon systems and equipment in accordance with requirements laid down by the three Services. DRDO was formed in 1958 by merging the then-existing Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).

Source: DRDO approves seven technologies for development by private sector

About Bacteriophage:

• A bacteriophage is a type of virus that infects bacteria.
• The word "bacteriophage" literally means "bacteria eater," because bacteriophages destroy their host cells.
• They are the most common biological entities in nature.
• Also known as phages, these viruses can be found everywhere bacteria exist, including, in the soil, deep within the earth’s crust, inside plants and animals, and even in the oceans. 
• Thousands of varieties of phages exist, each of which may infect only one type or a few types of bacteria or archaea. 
• All bacteriophages are composed of a nucleic acid molecule that is surrounded by a protein structure.
  • The nucleic acid may be either DNA or RNA, and it may be double-stranded or single-stranded. 
• How does it infect bacteria?
  • A bacteriophage attaches itself to a susceptible bacterium and infects the host cell. 
  • Following infection, the bacteriophage hijacks the bacterium's cellular machinery to prevent it from producing bacterial components and instead forces the cell to produce viral components.
  • Eventually, new bacteriophages assemble and burst out of the bacterium in a process called lysis.
  • Bacteriophages occasionally remove a portion of their host cells' bacterial DNA during the infection process and then transfer this DNA into the genome of new host cells. This process is known as transduction.
• Uses:
  • They are common natural entities that can destroy bacteria that are resistant to drugs such as antibiotics.
  • Phage therapy holds promising potential in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Q1: What are antibiotics?

Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or by making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply.

Source: New system makes lifesaving phages accessible, transportable and much easier to use

About Operation Amanat:

• Under the Operation Amanat initiative, the Railway Protection Force  has taken a novel initiative to make it easier for the passengers to get back their lost luggage.
• It helps to track lost belongings of passengers.
• The details of lost luggage along with photos are uploaded by RPF personnel of the respective Divisions. The details are uploaded in the web portal https://wr.indianrailways.gov.in/ in the tab of divisions under the link “Mission Amanat – RPF”.
• Passengers can check whether their luggage which went missing or was lost in railway premises or trains is available at the Lost Property Office centres at stations. 

Key facts about Railway Protection Force (RPF):

• RPF is a security force of India entrusted with protecting railway passengers, passenger area and railway property of the Indian Railways.
• It was established by the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957.
• This is only central armed police force (CAPF, commonly known as Para-Military force) which has power to arrest, investigate and prosecute criminals.
• It is under the authority of Ministry of Railways (India).
• All the officers of RPF are members of the Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS) and are recruited through UPSC Civil Services Examination. 
• It is headed by the Director General (DG). However, the post of Director-General of RPF is held on deputation by a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. 

Q1) What is the Railway Protection Force (RPF)?

RPF is a security force of India entrusted with protecting railway passengers, passenger area and railway property of the Indian Railways.It was established by the Railway Protection Force Act, 1957.

Source: Operation Amanat: RPF Recovers Assets Worth ₹51.13 Lakh Of 119 Passengers In May 2023

About Exercise Pitch Black:

• It is a biennial and multi- national exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)
  • The name 'Pitch Black' was derived from the emphasis on night time flying over large un-populated areas.
• The 2024 edition is slated to be the largest in the 43 year long history of Ex Pitch Black, which includes participation by 20 countries, with over 140 aircraft and 4400 military personnel of various air forces.
• The exercise will be focusing on Large Force Employment warfare aimed at strengthening international cooperation and shall facilitate experience enhancement with the IAF Su-30 MKI operating alongside the F-35, F-22, F-18, F-15, Gripen and Typhoon fighter aircraft.
• The IAF contingent comprises of over 150 highly skilled Air Warriors including pilots, engineers, technicians, controllers and other subject matter experts, who will be operating the formidable Su-30 MKI multirole fighters, with the C -17 Globemaster and the IL-78 Air-to-Air Refuelling aircraft in combat enabling roles.
• The exercise would provide IAF with an opportunity towards force integration with participating nations and mutual exchange of best practices.
• Significance: The exercise provides an excellent opportunity for strengthening the ability of the participating nations to deploy over large distances, support integrated operations in the Indo-Pacific region and building strong aviation associations in a highly challenging environment.
• Previous participation of India: The IAF has previously participated in the 2018 and 2022 editions of this exercise.

Q1: What is C-17 Globemaster III?

Its military airlift aircraft is a high-wing, four-engine, T-tailed military transport vehicle capable of carrying payloads up to 169,000lb (76,657kg).

Source: INDIAN AIR FORCE CONTINGENT LANDS IN AUSTRALIA TO PARTICIPATE IN EX PITCH BLACK 2024

About Salvinia molesta: 

• It is a highly detrimental aquatic fern.
• It is commonly known as “Water Fern” is an aggressive and a fast growing Alien Invasive Aquatic Weed of the South-Eastern Brazil origin.
• It prefers tropical, sub-tropical or warm temperate areas of the world and grows best in still or slow-moving water bodies including ditches, ponds, lakes, slow rivers and canals.
• It is locally known as “Chinese Jhalaar”, this invasive species was first spotted in India in 2018 and had completely carpeted the reservoir by 2019.
• Impacts on environment: It may form dense vegetation mats that reduce water-flow and lower the light and oxygen levels in the water. 
• It has been widely introduced as an ornamental plant and has been used as a mulch for crops in dry areas near water bodies where it grows.

Q1: What is Fern?

It is a class of nonflowering, herbaceous vascular plants that possess true roots, stems, and complex leaves and that reproduce by spores.

Source: Foreign insects turn allies in eradicating invasive aquatic weeds

About Thirty Meter Telescope: 

• It is a revolutionary class of extremely large telescopes that will enable us to explore deeper into space and observe cosmic objects.
• It is an ambitious international project involving India, the United States, Canada, China, and Japan that aims to significantly advance our understanding of the universe.
• It is a next-generation astronomical observatory designed to provide unprecedented resolution and sensitivity with its massive 30-meter primary mirror, advanced adaptive optics system, and state-of-the-art instruments.
• Primary goals:
  • Study the early universe and the formation and evolution of the first galaxies and stars after the Big Bang.
  • Investigate the formation, structure, and evolution of galaxies across cosmic time.
  • Study the relationship between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies.
  • Investigate the formation of stars and planetary systems.
  • Characterize exoplanets and study their atmospheres.

Key Features of the TMT

• Mirror System
  • Primary Mirror: 30 meters in diameter, composed of 492 hexagonal segments.
  • Secondary Mirror: Composed of 118 smaller hexagonal segments.
  • Tertiary Mirror: 3.5 meters by 2.5 meters, positioned centrally within the primary mirror.
• The TMT will feature instruments like the Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (IRIS) and the Wide-Field Optical Spectrograph (WFOS) for various observations.

What is an Adaptive Optics System?

• The TMT’s AOS, known as the Narrow Field Infrared Adaptive Optics System (NFIRAOS), uses deformable mirrors and laser guide stars to correct atmospheric turbulence, enhancing image resolution.
• Indian scientists have developed a tool to generate a comprehensive all-sky catalogue of NIR stars for this system.

Q1: What is a galaxy?

It is a huge collection of gas, dust, and of stars and their solar systems. A galaxy is held together by gravity. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, also has a in the middle.

Source: What is Thirty Meter Telescope and why is it significant for India?

About Mutual Recognition Agreement with Taiwan: 

• The implementation of the MRA between India and Taiwan is a landmark achievement as it is the first bilateral agreement for organic products.
• The implementing Agencies for the MRA are Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India and Agriculture and Food Agency, Ministry of Agriculture (AFA), Taiwan.
• Under this agreement, agricultural products produced and handled organically in conformity with the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and accompanied by an organic demonstration document issued by an accredited certification body under NPOP are allowed for sale in Taiwan as organically produced including display of the “India Organic” logo.
• Significance
  • It will ease the export of organic products by avoiding dual certifications; thus, reducing compliance cost, simplifying compliance requirement by adhering to only one regulation and enhancing trade opportunities in the organic sector.
  • It will pave the way for the export of major Indian organic products such as Rice, Processed Food, Green/Black and Herbal Tea, Medicinal plant products etc to Taiwan.

Q1: What is Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)?

It was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act of 1985. It works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Source: Mutual Recognition Agreement between India and Taiwan for Organic Products

About MeDevIS Platform: 

• Medical Devices Information System (MeDevIS) is the first global open access clearing house for information on medical devices.
• It is designed to support governments, regulators and users in their decision-making on selection, procurement and use of medical devices for diagnostics, testing and treatment of diseases and health conditions
• It replaces paper-based literature search across multiple publications with non-standard device names which can add to the complexity.
• Along with providing a single platform, MedevIS also aims to help make the naming of the medical devices simpler.
• MeDevIS references two international naming systems for medical devices –
  • The European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN): It is mostly used in European countries for registration in the European database.
  • Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN): It is used in regulatory agencies in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the USA and other Member States.
• The naming systems include coding and definitions and can be used in every country to facilitate registration for regulatory approval, procurement and supply, inventories in health facilities, tracking and pricing.
• It can be useful for national policy-makers to develop or update their own national lists for procurement of health technologies and devices and can contribute to the progress towards universal health coverage.
• It can also help agencies in health insurance and reimbursement policies for patients.

Q1: What is the World Health Organisation?

The World Health Organization (WHO), established in 1948, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

Source: MeDevIS platform announced to boost access to medical technologies and devices

About Squalus hima:

• It is a new species of dogfish shark discovered from southwest coast of India.
• Squalus is a genus of dogfish sharks in the family Squalidae. commonly known asspurdogs and are characterized by smooth dorsal fin spines.
  • They also have an angular short snout, a small mouth almost as wide as the snout, first dorsal fin origin behind the pectoral fins, and body without anyspots.
  • They are exploited for their liver oil, which contains high levels of squalene (or squalane when it is processed for products).
  • It is in high demand for the pharmaceutical industry, particularly for making high-end cosmetic and anti-cancerous products.
  • On the Indian coast, two species of Squalus are found from the southwest coast of India, and the new species, Squalus hima n.sp., very similar to Squalus lalannei, but differs in many characteristics.
• The newly discovered Squalus hima differs from other species by the number of precaudal vertebrae, total vertebrae, teeth count, trunk & head heights, fin structure, and fin colour.

Q1: What is the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)?

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) was established on 1st July, 1916 to promote survey, exploration and research leading to the advancement in our knowledge of various aspects of exceptionally rich life of the erstwhile British Indian Empire . The survey has its genesis in the establishment of the Zoological Section of the Indian Museum at Calcutta in 1875.

Source: ZSI scientist discover new species of dogfish shark Squalus hima from India