Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project Latest News

The NHPC’s plan to start generating electricity from the 2000 megawatt Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project (LSHP) has triggered downstream impact worries in Assam.

About Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project 

• It is a 2000 MW run-of-the-river hydro project being constructed on the Subansiri River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra.
• It is located on the borders of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
• It will be the single largest hydroelectric plant in India when completed.
• The project is being developed by the state-run National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC).

Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project Features

• It consists of a concrete gravity dam, which will be 116 m high from the riverbed level and 130 m from the foundation. 
• The length of the dam will be 284 m. The gross storage capacity of the reservoir will be 1.37 km3.
• The powerhouse will be equipped with eight 250 MW Francis turbines located on the surface on the left bank of the river. 
• It will also have eight horseshoe-shaped headrace tunnels (diameter 9.5m and length varying from 608m to 1,168m), eight horseshoe-shaped surge tunnels (diameter 9.5m and length varying from 400m to 485m), and eight circular penstocks (diameter varying between 400m and 485m and length between 7m and 9.5m).
• A tailrace channel (35m-long and 206m-wide) will take the water discharged by the turbines back to the river.

Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project FAQs

Q1. The Subansiri River is a tributary of which major Indian river?

Ans. Brahmaputra

Q2. In which Indian states is the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project located?

Ans. Arunachal Pradesh and Assam

Q3. What is the total planned capacity of the Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project?

Ans. 2000 MW

Source: TH

Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease Latest News

Researchers at Kyoto University conducted a Phase I/II clinical trial to assess the safety and side effects of stem cell therapy using dopaminergic progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). 

About Parkinson’s Disease

• Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.
• Dopamine is a critical neurotransmitter responsible for regulating motor functions.
• The conventional treatment mainly involves dopaminergic medications, but these do not restore lost neurons and may have long-term side effects.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

• iPSCs are pluripotent stem cells generated from adult somatic cells (like skin or blood).
• They are reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state, allowing them to develop into any human cell type.
• Used in:
  • Diabetes (converted into beta cells),
  • Leukaemia (to generate new blood cells),
  • Neurological diseases.
• iPSCs are valuable in drug testing, disease modelling, and transplantation medicine.

Stem Cells

• Stem cells are undifferentiated primitive cells capable of developing into specialised cells like blood, muscle, or liver cells.
• Their ability to self-renew and differentiate makes them vital for regeneration and repair.
• Found in:
  • Bone marrow,
  • Gastrointestinal tract (divide regularly),
  • Less active in organs like the pancreas or the heart (divide under specific conditions).

Types of Stem Cells: Embryonic vs Adult Stem Cells

Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease FAQs

Q1: What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Ans: Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by tremors, rigidity, slow movement, and balance problems, caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.

Q2: How does stem cell therapy help in Parkinson’s Disease?
Ans: Stem cell therapy aims to replace lost dopamine-producing neurons by transplanting lab-grown cells derived from pluripotent stem cells into the patient's brain.

Q3: What type of stem cells are used for Parkinson's therapy?
Ans: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are commonly used for research and experimental therapies in Parkinson's Disease.

Source: TH

INS Sunayna Latest News

INS Sunayna, currently on deployment to Africa as Indian Ocean Ship IOS SAGAR arrived at Nacala Port, Mozambique, recently.

About INS Sunayna

• It is the second Saryu-class offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy.
• It was designed and constructed indigenously by the Goa Shipyard Limited.
• It was commissioned at Kochi on 15th October 2013. 
• It is based under Southern Naval Command.
• It is designed to undertake fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance and monitoring of sea lines of communications and offshore assets, and escort duties.

INS Sunayna Features

• Two diesel engines propel INS Sunayna and enable it to achieve speeds in excess of 25 knots.
• The ship also has an automatic power management system and is fitted with the latest navigation, communication, and electronic support systems.
• The armament fit includes one 76 mm gun with an electro-optic fire control system, Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS) and CHAFF launchers.
• It can also carry a helicopter.

What is IOS SAGAR?

• IOS SAGAR is a pioneering effort aimed at bringing together the navies and maritime agencies of the Southwest Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on an Indian Naval platform. 
• The mission will serve as an opportunity to provide comprehensive training to sea-riders from the Friendly Foreign Nations (FFNs) and marks an unprecedented collaboration in maritime security.
• It is a unique mission based on the Government of India’s regional initiative of maritime collaboration titled SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. 
• IOS SAGAR also emphasises India's role as a "preferred security partner" and the "first responder" in the IOR.
• The tagline of IOS SAGAR is 'One Ocean One Mission'.

INS Sunayna FAQs

Q1. Which shipyard was responsible for the design and construction of INS Sunayna?

Ans. Goa Shipyard Limited

Q2. Under which Naval Command is INS Sunayna based?

Ans. Southern Naval Command

Q3. What does the acronym SAGAR stand for in the context of India’s maritime initiative?

Ans. Security and Growth for All in the Region

Source: PIB

K2-18b Latest News

In 2025, scientists detected the presence of either dimethyl sulphide (DMS) or dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) in the atmosphere of K2-18b.

What is K2-18b?

• K2-18b is an exoplanet (a planet located outside our solar system) situated 124 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Leo, orbiting a star called K2-18.
• It was discovered in 2015 by the Kepler Space Telescope.
• K2-18b is 5.2 times wider and around 9 times more massive than Earth, suggesting it may possess a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.
• The planet receives a similar level of stellar radiation from its star as Earth does from the Sun, hinting at the possibility of habitable surface conditions.

Atmospheric Discoveries

• In 2019, the Hubble Space Telescope detected water vapour in the atmosphere of K2-18b.
• Later, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) found the presence of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄).
• The absence of ammonia along with CO₂ and CH₄ in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere is significant because it may indicate the possible presence of a liquid water ocean.

About Dimethyl Sulphide (DMS)

• DMS is considered a potential biomarker because, on Earth, it is mostly produced by phytoplankton in the oceans.
• DMS is formed when phytoplankton die and enzymes break down dimethylsulphoniopropionate.
• It is also released when soil bacteria decompose plant matter and in trace amounts during volcanic eruptions.
• A 2015 study found that 76% of soil bacteria on Earth contain a gene that produces DMS, reinforcing its biological origin.

K2-18b FAQs

Q1: What is K2-18b?
Ans: K2-18b is an exoplanet located about 120 light-years away from Earth in the Leo constellation, discovered by NASA's Kepler Space Telescope.

Q2: Why is K2-18b significant?
Ans: K2-18b lies in the habitable zone of its star and is one of the first exoplanets where water vapour was detected in its atmosphere, raising the possibility of supporting life.

Q3: What type of planet is K2-18b?
Ans: K2-18b is classified as a "super-Earth" or "mini-Neptune", meaning it is larger than Earth but smaller than Uranus or Neptune.

Source: TH

Aryabhata Latest News

50 Years Since the Launch of Aryabhata – India’s First Satellite

About Aryabhata

• Aryabhata was India’s first indigenously-built satellite, named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata, who lived in the 5th century CE.
• It was launched on April 19, 1975, from Kapustin Yar, a Soviet launch site, with the help of the Soviet Union.
• By launching Aryabhata, India joined an elite club of 11 countries capable of sending satellites into orbit, including the USA, USSR, UK, France, China, West Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Italy.
• Aryabhata was designed to conduct experiments in solar physics and X-ray astronomy.
• Although the experiments faced a power failure after five days, Aryabhata successfully made initial X-ray observations and continued transmitting data for a few more days.
• Aryabhata eventually re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on February 10, 1992, giving it an orbital lifespan of nearly 17 years.
• The satellite was unnamed until shortly before the launch. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi selected ‘Aryabhata’ from a shortlist that included ‘Mitra’ and ‘Jawahar’, reflecting cultural and diplomatic values.
• India’s Posts and Telegraphs Department issued a special commemorative postal stamp within hours of the launch.
• The Soviet Union issued its own Aryabhata commemorative stamp in 1976, recognising the spirit of scientific cooperation.

Aryabhata FAQs

Q1: Who was Aryabhata?
Ans: Aryabhata was an ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer, best known for his work Aryabhatiya, which introduced concepts like the place value system and the approximation of π (pi).

Q2: When was Aryabhata’s satellite launched by India?
Ans: Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, was launched on April 19, 1975, from the Soviet Union’s Kapustin Yar launch site using a Kosmos-3M launch vehicle.

Q3: What is Aryabhata’s contribution to mathematics?
Ans: Aryabhata introduced the concept of zero, worked on trigonometry, algebra, and arithmetic, and calculated the value of π (pi) as 3.1416, remarkably close to the true value.

Source: TH

India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor Latest News

India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu is likely to be commissioned next year, marking the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear programme.

About India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

• It is a 500 MWe sodium-cooled reactor located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
• The PFBR was developed by BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited), a government enterprise set up in 2003 under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to focus on fast breeder reactors.
• Construction began in 2004 and the reactor was originally expected to be completed in September 2010, but faced a series of delays.
• Unlike traditional nuclear reactors, the PFBR uses fast neutrons for energy generation and employs liquid sodium as a coolant instead of water.
• The innovative design enables the reactor to breed more fuel than it consumes, offering a sustainable solution to India’s growing energy demands.
• The PFBR is powered by plutonium and uranium-based mixed oxide fuel (MOX), which ensures high efficiency in power generation.
• Its advanced sodium cooling system allows operation at higher temperatures, enhancing overall efficiency.
• Additionally, the reactor incorporates robust safety features, including a strong containment structure and passive cooling systems that prevent overheating.

India's Three-Stage Nuclear Programme

• India has adopted a three-stage nuclear power programme, with the long-term goal of deploying a thorium-based closed nuclear fuel cycle. 
• The first stage involves the use of pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs), fuelled by natural uranium, and light water reactors. 
• The second stage involves reprocessing used fuel from the first stage to recover the plutonium to fuel FBRs. 
• In stage 3, Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWRs) will burn thorium-plutonium fuels and breed fissile uranium-233.

India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor FAQs

Q1. Where is India’s first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) located?

Ans. Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu

Q2. Which organization developed the PFBR?

Ans. Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)

Q3. What type of coolant is used in the PFBR?

Ans. Liquid sodium

Source: TOI

Enzymes and Coenzymes Latest News

The recent issue of Nature highlighted biofortified rice varieties, a major breakthrough from CAS, Beijing, under the title ‘Gene-edited plants make the jump from farm to factory’.

About Enzymes

• Enzymes are proteins that catalyse biochemical reactions, enhancing the efficiency of cellular metabolism.
• Many enzymes require helper molecules for proper function. These are called cofactors, and when they are organic molecules, they are termed coenzymes.
• Coenzymes bind to enzymes and support their activity, playing a crucial role in various metabolic pathways.

What is Coenzyme Q (Ubiquinone)?

• Coenzyme Q (CoQ), also known as ubiquinone, is an organic antioxidant molecule with multiple isoprene units.
• It exists in ten different forms, from CoQ1 to CoQ10, and is lipid-soluble but water-insoluble.
• Coenzyme Q is vital for mitochondrial function and is found in every cell membrane, where it aids cellular energy production.

Significance of CoQ9 in Plants

• CoQ9, containing nine isoprene units, is predominantly produced in cereal crops such as wheat, rice, oats, barley, corn, rye, and millet.
• It is also found in bamboo, barley, and flowering plants like cinnamon, avocado, and pepper.

Importance of CoQ10 in Human Health

• CoQ10 is an essential part of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, generating the majority of the body’s cellular energy.
• Organs like the heart, which have high energy demands, contain high levels of CoQ10.
• Although CoQ9 is available in staple foods, humans require additional CoQ10 due to genetic factors, aging, and neurological disorders.

Enzymes and Coenzymes FAQs

Q1: What are enzymes?
Ans: Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process.

Q2: What are coenzymes?
Ans: Coenzymes are organic, non-protein molecules that bind to enzymes and assist them in catalysing reactions, often derived from vitamins.

Q3: How do enzymes and coenzymes differ?
Ans: Enzymes are proteins that directly catalyse reactions, while coenzymes assist enzymes by carrying chemical groups or electrons from one enzyme to another.

Source: TH

Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel Latest News

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is a historic infrastructure project enhancing Jammu & Kashmir’s connectivity with mainland India. Its completion, marked by the Katra–Sangaldan section, ensures year-round, faster rail access to the Kashmir Valley.

About Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel

• The Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, also known as the Banihal Railway Tunnel, is currently India’s longest transportation railway tunnel, measuring 11.2 kilometres in length.
• It is part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and connects Quazigund in the Kashmir Valley with Banihal in Jammu, passing under the Pir Panjal mountain range.
• It is the only broad-gauge mountain railway tunnel in the country and part of the USBRL’s 202-km core segment.
• The Pir Panjal Range, part of the Lesser Himalayas, spans across Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Key peaks: Notable peaks include Indrasan (6,221 m) and Deo Tibba (6,001 m).
• Hydrological significance: It separates the Beas and Ravi Rivers from the Chenab River and is the origin zone for tributaries of the Jhelum and Indus Rivers.
• Strategic passes:
  • The Mughal Road traverses the Pir Panjal Pass (3,490 m) to link Poonch and Rajouri with Srinagar.
  • The Jawahar Tunnel (2.5 km) under Banihal Pass connects Banihal to Qazigund.
• Tourism and History: The region hosts famous destinations like Gulmarg, and was historically an ancient trade route connecting Kashmir with mainland India.

Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel FAQs

Q1: What is the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel?
Ans: The Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, also known as the Banihal Railway Tunnel, is India’s longest railway tunnel and is located in Jammu and Kashmir.

Q2: How long is the Pir Panjal Tunnel?
Ans: The Pir Panjal Tunnel is approximately 11.2 km long, connecting Quazigund to Banihal in the Himalayan region.

Q3: Why is the Pir Panjal Tunnel significant?
Ans: The tunnel ensures year-round connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, bypassing the snow-prone Jawahar Tunnel and reducing travel time.

Source: IE

Davis Strait Proto-Microcontinent Latest News

A hidden landmass called the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent has been found beneath the icy waters of the Davis Strait, the body of water that separates Canada’s Baffin Island from Greenland. 

About Davis Strait Proto-Microcontinent

• It is a newly discovered submerged microcontinent located around the Davis Strait, a large stretch of water located between Canada’s Baffin Island and Greenland.
• It has been named the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent since it formed owing to the tectonic evolution of the Davis Strait.
  • The strait was formed millions of years ago when the tectonic plates between the two islands shifted, reconfiguring the Earth’s crust.
  • This resulted in the formation of a thick continental crust in the ocean, which has now been declared a newly discovered primitive microcontinent.
• The microcontinent is 19–24 km thick thinned continental crust and is surrounded by two narrow bands of thin (15–17 km) continental crust. 
• This crust separates it from mainland Greenland and Baffin Island.

Key Facts about Davis Strait

• It is a bay of the northern Atlantic Ocean, lying between southeastern Baffin Island (Canada) and southwestern Greenland.
• The strait separates the depths of Baffin Bay (north) from those of the Labrador Sea (south) and forms part of the Northwest Passage, a route through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago linking the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. 
• It is approximately 400 miles (650 km) north to south and 200 to 400 miles wide. 
• It is one of the broadest straits in the world.
• The Davis Strait is home to complex geological formations such as underwater basins and ridges that were created due to the strike-slip faulting along the Ungava Fault Zone around 45 to 62 million years ago. 
• It triggered plate tectonic movements in the Labrador Sea and the Baffin Bay, leading to the formation of the Strait.

Davis Strait Proto-Microcontinent FAQs

Q1. Where is the Davis Strait located?

Ans. The Davis Strait is located between Baffin Island in Canada and Greenland, connecting Baffin Bay to the Labrador Sea.

Q2. Which two oceans are connected by Davis Strait?

Ans. The Davis Strait connects the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean

Q3. What geological process led to the formation of the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent?

Ans. Tectonic plate shifting

Source: N18

HEALD Initiative Latest News

The Union Home Minister recently unveiled the HEALD Initiative to combat liver diseases across India.

About HEALD Initiative

• HEALD (Healthy Liver Education and Alcohol-associated Liver Disease Prevention) is a first-of-its-kind nationwide initiative aimed at tackling liver disease in India .
• It was launched by the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS). 
• HEALD is envisioned as a multi-sectoral program combining public education, early screening, psychological and medical treatment of alcohol use disorder, and liver disease management.
• The initiative helps to tackle the disease through awareness, prevention, rehabilitation, and policy integration.
• It also aims to reduce the stigma surrounding alcohol dependence by integrating mental health support, community outreach, and policy reform into liver care.
• The initiative is grounded in the principle that "behind every failed liver lies a missed opportunity" -- and HEALD seeks to ensure no such opportunity is lost again.

Key Facts about Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences

• It is a tertiary care, super-specialty hospital located in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.
• It was established in 2009 by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi as an autonomous institute under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 
• The ILBS is a mono-super speciality hospital, which means that it provides primarily liver and biliary care.
• This focus on a single organ system allows the institute to achieve a high degree of expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of liver and biliary diseases.
• The hospital also has a dedicated research center.

HEALD Initiative FAQs

Q1. What is the HEALD Initiative?

Ans. HEALD (Healthy Liver Education and Alcohol-associated Liver Disease Prevention) is a first-of-its-kind nationwide initiative aimed at tackling liver disease in India .

Q2. Which institution launched the HEALD initiative?

Ans. Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS)

Q3. What is a key focus of the HEALD initiative?

Ans. Tackling liver disease through education, prevention, and policy integration.

Source: BS