According to a study published in the journal Science Advances, Global warming could reawaken an ancient climate pattern similar to El Niño in the Indian Ocean. Consequently floods, storms and drought are likely to worsen and become more regular. The study by Read More …
Category: PRELIMS TERMINOLOGY
Noctiluca scintillans blooms in Arabian Sea
A recent study based on NASA images found blooms of the marine species Noctiluca scintillans, which is also known as ‘sea sparkle’, lining coastlines around the Arabian Sea. The Noctiluca blooms force out plankton that play a vital part in the Arabian Read More …
Hellas Basin-Ancient River on Mars basin
Astronomers from the University of Utrecht have uncovered the first evidence ever of a river on Mars which flowed across the red planet for more than 100,000 years. The river was a deep, fast-flowing torrent of water which existed year-round. The river was Read More …
Silent Hypoxia and Covid-19
Why in the news: According to an opinion piece in The New York Times, Covid pneumonia — a serious medical condition found in severe Covid-19 patients — is preceded by ‘silent hypoxia’, a form of oxygen deprivation that is harder to Read More …
About Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary
Why in the news: In the 57th Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) held on April 17, 2020 through video-conferencing, recommended coal mining in the Saleki proposed reserve forest land in Assam. The NBWL is Read More …
What is reverse Quarantine?
Why in the news: Government plans to implement reverse quarantine as soon as more lockdown measures are eased. Kerala is also planning to introduce “reverse quarantine” along with the present “track, trace and treatment” regime as part of a multi-pronged Read More …
What is Direct monetisation of deficit?
Why in the news: Due to nationwide lockdown, economic activities have been halted. Almost all the sectors are demanding a bailout package. Since the economy has stalled and the government will not be getting its revenues, fiscal deficit is expected Read More …
What is Orphan disease?
Why in the news: Recently the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) granted Gilead Sciences orphan drug status for its antiviral drug, Remdesivir under Orphan Drug Act, 1983. The drug originally developed to treat Ebola but found ineffective, is Read More …
What is Convalescent Plasma Therapy?
The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) is currently exploring Convalescent Plasma treatment for COVID-19. The therapy involves the use of convalescent plasma (antibodies) collected from recovered COVID-19 patients so that the antibodies are transferred and boost their fight against Read More …
Himalayan Ibex is a distinct species
According to a recent research paper, titled ‘Genetic evidence for allopatric speciation of the Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica) in India,’ Himalayan Ibex is a distinct species from the Siberian Ibex. The research paper by the scientists of the Zoological Survey Read More …
District Mineral Foundation and Pradhan Mantri Khanij Khsetra Kalyana Yojna
The Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957) was amended on 27th Mar 2015 through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015. One of the amendment provisions relates to introduction of section 9B which provides for the establishment Read More …
Sufficient stock of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient is available in country-Govt
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Chemical and Fertilizer Minister, D.V. Sadananda Gowda on March 20, 2020 said that sufficient stock of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient, API is available in the country for manufacturing of medicines. He also said Read More …
What is ‘Herd Community’?
Why in the news: Recently the United Kingdom’s Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance hinted that Britain needed to do was “build up some kind of herd immunity so more people are immune to this disease and we reduce the Read More …
What is “One Health” approach?
With world goes into emergency mode to tackle the potentially catastrophic impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), India has an example of One Health approach based Kerala Model. In 2018, Kerala reacted quickly and efficiently to tackle the Nipah virus Read More …
What are AT-1 Bonds?
Why in the news? According to a release sent by the cash-strapped Yes Bank to stock exchanges on March 15, 2020, bank’s additional tier 1 (AT1) bonds worth Rs 8,415 crore will be written down to zero. This is in Read More …