Category: PRELIMS TERMINOLOGY

New Research on “sigma (σ) cycle” Model

Indian scientists have played a key role in overturning a nearly five-decade-old model explaining how bacteria regulate gene expression, challenging long-standing textbook concepts in molecular biology. A new study led by researchers from the Bose Institute, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in collaboration with Rutgers University, has questioned the widely accepted “sigma (σ) cycle” model of bacterial gene regulation. The findings were published in Read More …

Musa sikkimensis

Researchers at Nagaland University have conducted an extensive study on the genetic diversity of Musa sikkimensis, a wild banana species native to the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India, highlighting its importance for climate resilience, food security and sustainable agricultural development. Commonly known as the ‘Darjeeling banana’ or ‘Sikkim banana’, Musa sikkimensis is a wild-seeded species that serves as a vital genetic reservoir. According to the research team, it possesses valuable Read More …

What is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)?

Researchers may be a step closer to developing a vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a widespread virus associated with infectious mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis, certain cancers, and other serious illnesses. The findings, published in Cell Reports Medicine, demonstrate the successful testing of laboratory-developed antibodies in mice. About Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) EBV-associated lymphomas are particularly dangerous for immunosuppressed individuals, including organ transplant recipients. Key Scientific Findings Using mice engineered to carry Read More …

Druzhba Pipeline

The stoppage of the final Russian oil supplies to Europe through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline has sparked fresh geopolitical tensions, blocking new EU sanctions against Russia and delaying critical funding for Ukraine. About the Druzhba Pipeline The pipeline historically supplied oil from West Siberia to major industrial regions across countries including Belarus, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Ukraine. Global Significance At its peak capacity, the Druzhba pipeline transported Read More …

What is Snowball Earth?

A new scientific study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters has uncovered evidence that shorter climate cycles continued to operate even during one of Earth’s most extreme climatic phases — the “Snowball Earth” episodes, when the planet was almost entirely frozen. What is Snowball Earth? Geologists use the term Snowball Earth to describe periods in Earth’s history when global ice sheets extended from the poles to near the equator, Read More …

What is Quorum sensing?

Renowned molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler, a professor at Princeton University, highlighted the dual role of bacteria—both harmful and life-sustaining—while explaining the revolutionary concept of bacterial communication known as quorum sensing. She described bacteria as “magical microbes” with immense promise in medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. Quorum sensing refers to the ability of bacteria to communicate with one another using chemical signals to coordinate behavior such as virulence, biofilm formation, or Read More …

Herath Poshte

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the Kashmiri Pandit community on the occasion of Herath Poshte, describing the festival as a sacred reflection of their rich cultural traditions. The term ‘Herath’ is derived from two Sanskrit words, “Hara,” another name for Lord Shiva, and “Ratri,” meaning night. The festival commemorates the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is observed with special rituals, night-long prayers, and Read More …

Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS)

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared capital acquisition proposals worth nearly ₹3.60 lakh crore to strengthen the capabilities of India’s Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence said. Among the approvals, Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was granted for Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) Rafale jets, combat missiles and Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) systems for the Indian Air Force (IAF). What Are AS-HAPS? Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellites Read More …

What is a Substantive Motion?

A Member of Parliament has submitted notice of a “substantive motion” in the Lok Sabha against the Leader of Opposition, bringing focus back to the procedural device that enables the House to take a formal decision on significant matters. What is a Substantive Motion? Only the member who has given notice can move the motion.Exception: If the motion stands in the name of a Minister, another Minister may move it Read More …

Continental mantle earthquakes

Researchers at Stanford University have produced the first-ever global map of a rare category of earthquakes that occur deep within the Earth’s mantle rather than in its crust. The findings have been published in the journal Science. The mantle is the thick layer sandwiched between the Earth’s thin outer crust and its molten core. While most earthquakes originate in the cold, brittle crust at depths of about 10 to 29 Read More …

Valley of the Kings

Researchers have documented nearly 30 inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi, Sanskrit and Prakrit across six tombs in Egypt’s Theban Necropolis in the Valley of the Kings. Of the roughly 30 inscriptions identified, around 20 are in Tamil-Brahmi, while the remaining 10 are in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Gandhari-Kharosthi scripts. The findings point to the presence of Indian visitors in Egypt during the early centuries of the Common Era. Tamil-Brahmi Inscription Reveals Cultural Links Read More …

ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life)

In a joint press release, NTPC and CCTE announced that they are exploring the development and deployment of ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) — a thorium-based fuel for Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) in India. The initiative will be subject to approvals from the respective governments in accordance with prevailing national laws. India currently deploys natural uranium oxide-based fuel in its fleet of PHWRs. This approach aligns with Read More …

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test

The widely used glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test, considered the gold standard for diagnosing and monitoring Type-2 Diabetes (T2D), may produce misleading results in South Asian populations—particularly in India—due to the high prevalence of certain blood disorders, according to an article published in The Lancet Regional Health: Southeast Asia. Researchers have flagged concerns that conditions such as anaemia, haemoglobinopathies (including sickle cell disease and thalassaemia), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency can Read More …

Dry Dress Rehearsal & Wet Dress Rehearsal

NASA has detected a hydrogen leak during a wet dress rehearsal for its Artemis II mission, highlighting the critical role such tests play in launch preparation. A dress rehearsal in rocketry is a full run-through of launch-day activities, carried out to validate personnel, hardware, software and timelines as a fully integrated system. There are two main types of dress rehearsals: Wet dress rehearsals are especially important because they are the Read More …

Quantum Computer

A quantum computer is a computing device that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to process information and solve certain complex problems far faster than classical computers. Quantum Mechanics Quantum mechanics is a branch of physics that studies the behaviour of matter and energy at atomic and sub-atomic levels, where classical laws of physics no longer fully apply. Bits vs Qubits This unique property allows quantum computers to process many Read More …