Dark Patterns Latest News

The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution recently instructed all e-commerce companies to conduct self-audits to analyse and eliminate dark patterns to comply with consumer protection regulations.

About Dark Patterns

• It refers to any user interface that has been deliberately crafted to mislead or manipulate users into actions they might not otherwise take. 
• The term "dark pattern" was coined in 2010 by UK-based user experience designer Harry Brignull. 
• Dark patterns exploit cognitive biases and psychological principles to influence user behavior.
• They can range from subtle and mildly misleading to overtly aggressive tactics.
• The practice is seen across a wide range of sectors, from retail to travel, health to social media.
• One frequent example is the "sneak into basket" design, where an additional item is quietly added to a user's online shopping cart without explicit consent. 
• Another common tactic is presenting a large, brightly coloured "Accept" button for cookies or subscriptions, while hiding or minimising the "Reject" option.
• These interface choices are not accidental, they are calculated to guide users towards choices that benefit the company, often at the consumer's expense.
• Dark patterns can also take the form of hidden costs that only appear at the final stage of checkout. 
• Regulation:
  • In many countries, including India, there is no dedicated law that explicitly outlaws the practice. 
  • For instance, under India's Consumer Protection Act, 2019, unfair trade practices are prohibited but enforcement depends on proving that a pattern is deceptive, intentional, and has caused harm. 
  • This is often difficult in digital contexts, where user interaction is rapid.
  • In November 2023, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, released guidelines for 13 dark patterns.
  • According to these guidelines, the use of any of these prescribed dark patterns amounts to a misleading advertisement, an unfair trade practice, or a violation of consumer rights.

Dark Patterns FAQs

Q1: What are dark patterns?

Ans: It refers to any user interface that has been deliberately crafted to mislead or manipulate users into actions they might not otherwise take. 

Q2: What is a dark pattern example?

Ans: Examples of dark patterns include: Misdirection: Highlighting irrelevant features to obscure critical details. Roach Motel: Making it easy to sign up but almost impossible to cancel.

Q3: Why is it difficult to enforce regulations against dark patterns in digital contexts?

Ans: Proving deception, intent, and harm is challenging given rapid interactions.

Source: NIE

Pedicularis rajeshiana Latest News

Recently, researchers have discovered a new plant species, Pedipularis rajeshiana, in the high-altitude regions of Rohtang Pass in the western Himalayas region.

About Pedicularis rajeshiana

• It belongs to a group of plants known as "Louseworts", which are hemiparasitic, meaning they derive some nutrients from other plants while still performing photosynthesis.
• The plant was found at an altitude of 4,390 metres (about 14,400 feet) in the Rohtang Pass, a rugged and ecologically rich area in Himachal Pradesh.
• Pedicularis rajeshiana was spotted growing in small, scattered patches in shaded rocky slopes. 
• This discovery was made during a plant survey under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) and the Botanical Survey of India, as part of the "Flora of India" project.

Features of Pedicularis rajeshiana

• India is home to 83 known species of Pedicularis, with 36 species found in the western Himalayas alone.
• Due to their parasitic nature and specific habitat requirements, many of these plants are endemic — found only in certain regions.
• The identification of Pedicularis rajeshiana adds to this rich biodiversity and highlights the ecological significance of high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems.

Pedicularis rajeshiana FAQs

Q1: What is Pedicularis used for?

Ans: Pedicularis appears as flowering flames of red in early spring. Traditionally used as a muscle relaxant and calming agent.

Q2: What is the common name for Pedicularis canadensis?

Ans: Pedicularis canadensis, called common lousewort or wood betony

Source: TOI

National Academy of Medical Sciences Latest News

One of the critical gaps in cancer care in India is the lack of adequate diagnostic services, finds the latest report by the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS).

About National Academy of Medical Sciences 

• It is a unique institution functioning as an apex body with the objective to foster and utilize academic excellence as its resource to meet medical and social goals. 
• It was registered as the 'Indian Academy of Medical Sciences' on 21st April, 1961, under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.
• It was renamed NAMS on 16th November, 1976.
• The academy has been recognised by the Government of India as a nodal agency for continuing education for medical and allied health professionals.
• It also advises the Government of India in matters of National Health Policy and Planning. 
• NAMS encourages and sponsors nationwide Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes, symposia, workshops, etc.
• It has made significant efforts to improve the reach of CME programmes by establishing tele-linkages between medical colleges, and it is also connected with the National Knowledge Network. 
• The academy serves as a very important tool for dissemination of recent medical advances via journals, monographs, etc. 
• NAMS also bestows prestigious fellowships and awards upon eminent biomedical scientists in recognition of their outstanding contributions.

NAMS Task Force Report on Breast Cancer in India

• India is recording nearly 200,000 new cancer cases each year.
• Sixty percent of the global population resides in Asia, which accounts for 50% of cancer cases and 58% of cancer-related deaths. 
• India ranks third in accounting for cancer cases, following China and the United States of America. 
• The projected cancer burdenin India is estimated to reach 2.08 million by 2040, representing a 57.5% increase from 2020.
• In India, breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
• The proportion of patients diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age is notably higher in India when compared with high-income countries. 
• Additionally, patients in India tend to present with later-stage disease compared to the West. 
• More than 60% of patients in India present at Stage 3 or 4, while around 60% of the patients in the U.S. are diagnosed in situ or at Stage 1. 
• It adds that more than 50% of patients in India experience a delay of over three months before seeking medical care. 
• In India the survival rate for patients with breast cancer is lower compared to Western countries due to several factors, including the late-stage presentation, delayed initiation of definitive management, and inadequate or fragmented treatment.

National Academy of Medical Sciences FAQs

Q1: What was the original name of the National Academy of Medical Sciences when it was first registered in 1961?

Ans: Indian Academy of Medical Sciences

Q2: Under which Act was the National Academy of Medical Sciences registered?

Ans: Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860

Q3: According to the NAMS Task Force Report on Breast Cancer in India, approximately how many new cancer cases are recorded in India each year?

Ans: 200,000

Source: TH

Stromatolites Latest News 

Recently, a large stromatolites — dating back to 600 million years unearthed in the pine-clad ridges of Chambaghat in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh.

About Stromatolites

• Stromatolites are organo-sedimentary structures formed from the entrapment of calcium carbonate precipitates by algae and cyanobacteria.
• They are biosedimentary structures produced in shallow marine seas.
• These structures are usually characterized by thin, alternating light and dark layers that may be flat, hummocky, or dome-shaped. 
• Stromatolites were common in Precambrian time (i.e., more than 542 million years ago).
• Most stromatolites are marine, but some forms from Proterozoic strata more than 2 ½ billion years old are interpreted as inhabiting intertidal areas and freshwater ponds and lakes.
• Living stromatolites are found in only a few salty lagoons or bays on Earth.
• The stromatolites at Chambaghat lie within the Krol Group of sedimentary rocks, comprising limestone, shale, and sandstone, formed in a shallow marine environment of what was once the Tethys Sea.
• This region was once part of Gondwana, the southern supercontinent that included India, South America, Africa, and others.
• The Indian plate’s northward drift and collision with Eurasia lifted marine sediments, including stromatolites, thousands of meters skyward. 

Significance of Stromatolites

• These ancient structures offer a window into a time when Earth’s atmosphere was dominated by greenhouse gases, and oxygen was nonexistent.
• Their presence in the Himalayas, far from any current coastline, reveals a story of tectonic shifts, lost oceans, and the microbial origins of life.

Stromatolites in India

• Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh: Known for columnar stromatolites in Vindhyan limestones.
• Morni Hills, Haryana: Features well-preserved stromatolite beds in dolomite formations.
• Mussoorie and Nainital, Uttarakhand: Sites in the Krol Belt showcase Precambrian marine sedimentation.
• Jaisalmer Fossil Park, Rajasthan: A protected area highlighting a range of Mesozoic fossils, including marine life.
• Dharwar Supergroup, Karnataka: Neoarchean stromatolites in the Chitradurga schist belt, over 2.6 billion years old.
• Bhima Basin, Karnataka: Precambrian stromatolites preserved in shallow marine limestones.

Stromatolites FAQs

Q1: Did stromatolites create oxygen?

Ans: In Western Australia, 3.5bn-year-old stromatolites built up the oxygen content of the Earth's atmosphere to about 20%

Q2: What is the significance of stromatolites in Earth's history?

Ans: Stromatolites, the bio sedimentary products of microbe-sediment interactions, have the potential to provide significant information on the interaction of the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and litho-sphere

Q3: What is the oldest fossil found in India?

Ans: Dickinsonia

Source: IE

Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Latest News

Two Indian peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the U.N. flag last year will be honoured posthumously with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal by the United Nations as it commemorates International Day of U.N. Peacekeepers on May 29.

About Dag Hammarskjöld Medal

• It is the highest honour awarded to UN peacekeepers. 
• It was established in 1997 as a posthumous award given to members of peacekeeping operations who lost their lives during service with a peacekeeping operation under the operational control and authority of the United Nations.
• Each year on Peacekeeper's Day (May 29), this medal is awarded to any member state that has lost one or more military or police peacekeepers at a ceremony at United Nations headquarters.
• It is named after the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjold.
• On 6 October 1998, the first Medal was presented to the family of Dag Hammarskjöld. 
• Dag Hammarskjold was Secretary-General of the United Nations from April 10, 1953, until September 18, 1961, when he died in a plane crash while on a peace mission in the Congo. 
• The second medal honoured Commandant René de Labarrière, Military Observer in the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, who was the first peacekeeper to lose his life in a United Nations peacekeeping operation, in 1948.

Other UN Awards

• Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage: It is awarded to those military, police, civilian United Nations personnel and associated personnel who demonstrate exceptional courage in the face of extreme danger while fulfilling the mandate of their missions or their functions in the service of humanity and the United Nations.
• UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award: It was started in 2016 to recognise the dedication and effort of an individual peacekeeper in promoting the principles within the UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

India and UN Peacekeeping

• Since the 1950s, India has sent over 290,000 peacekeepers to more than 50 missions worldwide, making it the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts. 
• Today, over 5,000 Indian troops serve in nine of the eleven active missions, often in dangerous and hostile regions, dedicated to upholding global peace and security. 
• Beyond deployments, India actively strengthens UN missions through training, capacity building, and technological support.

Dag Hammarskjöld Medal FAQs

Q1: What is the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal?

Ans: The highest honour awarded to UN peacekeepers who lost their lives in service.

Q2: In which year was the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal established?

Ans: It was established in 1997 as a posthumous award.

Q3: Who was honored with the first Dag Hammarskjöld Medal in 1998?

Ans: On 6 October 1998, the first Medal was presented to the family of Dag Hammarskjöld.

Source: TH

Nurdles Latest News

Recently, tiny plastic pellets (nurdles) were found on beaches in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala following the sinking of the container vessel MSC ELSA3.

About Nurdles

• These aresmall pre-formed masses of moulding material that have relatively uniform dimensions within a specific batch. These pellets are utilised as raw material in moulding and extrusion operations.
• When in the form of microplastics, these pellets are commonly referred to as ‘nurdles’ and serve as the foundational material for manufacturing a wide range of plastic products.
• They are classified as primary microplastics, these pellets and are between 1 mm to 5 mm in diameter. They constitute a major component in the global plastic chain.
• Microplastic nurdles are mainly composed of polyethene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride.
• These pellets are melted and moulded into various products, including packaging, water bottles, toys, and textiles.

Impact of Nurdles on Environment

• These pellets remain a dangerous pollutant. Their short- and long-term impacts include habitat contamination and their breaking up into micro and nano plastics and entering the food chain.
• They could have serious implications for the marine and coastal ecosystems and humans.

Nurdles FAQs

Q1: What is the meaning of microbeads?

Ans: Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic, often microscopic in size, that are added to a range of products, including rinse-off cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products.

Q2: What are nurdles used for?

Ans: Nurdles are melted down and made into many plastic items, from clothes to cars, food wrappers to artificial Christmas trees.

Source: TH

Modified Interest Subvention Scheme Latest News

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Interest Subvention (IS) component under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) for the financial year 2025-26.

About Modified Interest Subvention Scheme

• It is a Central Sector Scheme
• It is aimed at ensuring the availability of short-term credit to farmers at an affordable interest rate through Kisan Credit card (KCC).
• Under the Scheme
  • Farmers received short-term loans of up to Rs.3 lakh through Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) at a subsidized interest rate of 7%, with 1.5% interest subvention provided to eligible lending institutions.
  • Additionally, farmers repaying loans promptly are eligible for an incentive of up to 3% as Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) effectively reducing their interest rate on KCC loans to 4%.
  • For loans taken exclusively for animal husbandry or fisheries, the interest benefit is applicable up to Rs.2 lakh.
• No changes have been proposed in the structure or other components of the scheme.
• The scheme is implemented and monitored by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
• Through Public Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Cooperative Banks and Private Sector Banks operating in rural and semi urban areas, they ensure that the interest subvention benefits reach the farmers.

Modified Interest Subvention Scheme FAQs

Q1: When was the modified interest subvention scheme launched?

Ans: 2006-07

Q2: What is the full form of KCC?

Ans: KCC stands for Kisan Credit Card. It is a type of credit card that is offered to the farmers by the government of India. 

Source: PIB

Seven Summits Challenge Latest News

Hyderabad teenager Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti recently became the youngest Indian and the second youngest person in the world to complete the legendary 7 Summits challenge.

About Seven Summits Challenge

• The ‘Seven Summits‘ is a challenge first proposed and then completed by Richard Bass in 1985. 
• It consists of climbing to the highest point on each of the seven continents, including
  • Kilimanjaro: Africa (5,892 m)
  • Elbrus: Europe (5,642 m)
  • Aconcagua: South America (6,962 m)
  • Denali: North America (6,194 m)
  • Kosciuszko: Australia (2,228 m) or Puncak Jaya/Carstensz Pyramid: Oceania (4,884 m)
  • Mount Vinson: Antarctica (4,892 m)
  • Mount Everest: Asia (8,848 m)
• The Seven Summits challenge has two options – the ‘Bass’ list or the ‘Messner’ list. 
  • The difference between the two lists is that one includes the highest peak in Australia (Kosciuszko), while the other includes the highest peak in Oceania/Australasia instead (Puncak Jaya in Indonesia), respectively.
  • Most will attempt the Bass list, while others will then push on to complete the Messner list too.

Seven Summits Challenge FAQs

Q1: What is the seven summit challenge?

Ans: It consists of climbing to the highest point on each of the seven continents.

Q2: What are the 7 summits of the world?

Ans: Everest (Asia), Elbrus (Europe), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mount Vinson (Antarctica) and Mount Puncak Jaya (Oceania).

Q3: Who was the first person to complete the original “Seven Summits” challenge?

Ans: Richard Bass

Source: TH

Stingless Bees Latest News

A new study has shown that stingless bees, which produce a high-value honey with a distinct flavour, can increase the yield and quality of crops.

About Stingless Bees

• A stingless bee is a bee that appears very similar to a honeybee, but is incapable of stinging.
• Approximately 550 species of stingless bees are found within several genera that are members of the Meliponini tribe. They are also related to bumblebees and carpenter bees.
• Common genera of stingless bees: Austroplebeia, Melipona, and Tetragonula
• They do possess stingers, but they are too small to be useful in defense. Instead of stinging, stingless bees use their mandibles to bite their attackers.
• Benefits: Stingless bees can be used for pollination without fear of being stung. They are known for their popular medicinal honey and pollination potential, which paves the way for the formulation of crop pollination calendars to benefit all stakeholders. 

Distribution of Stingless Bees

• Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Americas are the main areas where the stingless bee is found. 
• In India, these bees are reported primarily from the northeastern, eastern, and southern Indian States. In the northeast, these bees are reared traditionally in homestead apiaries.

Stingless Bees FAQs

Q1: What are the benefits of stingless bees?

Ans: Tropical Meliponini bees produce stingless bee honey (SBH). Studies have shown beneficial properties, including antibacterial, bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory, neurotherapeutic, neuroprotective.

Q2: What is Pollination?

Ans: It is the act of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma. The goal of every living organism, including plants, is to create offspring for the next generation.

Source: TH

Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

The forest department of Himachal Pradesh recently put on hold its order imposing user charge on visitors to the Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary in Sirmaur district.

About Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located in the Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh.
• It is situated in the Shivalik range of the Himalayas.
• Established in 1985, this sanctuary spans 56 sq.km. and encircles the majestic Churdhar Peak, also known as Choordhar. 
• Churdhar peak is the highest peak in the outer Himalayas.
• From the top of the peak, visitors can relish the view of wild Gangetic plains and the Satluj River on its south and Badrinath (a well-known Hindu pilgrimage) towards its north.
• A small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva sits atop the peak, adding spiritual significance to the sanctuary.
• Flora:
  • It is quite renowned for being a habitat of herbal medicine trees and plants. 
  • Wild Himalayan Cherry, Aloe Vera (Dhrit Kumari), and Amaranthus spinosus (Chulai) are some of the best aromatic plants which can be found here, and these herbs possess amazing medicinal properties. 
  • The main trees in the sanctuary are oak and deodar.
• Fauna: The sanctuary is home to various species, including musk deer, black bears, monals (Himalayan pheasants), and leopards.

Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: In which Indian state is Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: Himachal Pradesh

Q2: Churdhar Sanctuary lies in which range of the Himalayas?

Ans: Shivalik Range

Q3: Churdhar Peak, encircled by the sanctuary, holds which distinction?

Ans: Highest peak in the Outer Himalayas.

Source: TP