Welcome to our monthly current affairs update for September 2023. In this ever-changing world, staying informed about the latest events, trends, and developments is crucial. This month, we’ll take you on a journey through the most significant and noteworthy happenings across the globe. From politics to technology, from culture to the environment, we’ll cover it all. Join us as we explore the stories shaping our world and the issues that demand our attention. Our goal is to provide you with a concise and insightful overview of the events that are shaping our times, enabling you to engage in informed conversations and make well-informed decisions. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the whirlwind of current affairs for this month.
The 19th edition of “EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS” is scheduled to take place from 25th September to 8th October 2023 in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, USA.
About:
It is an annual exercise conducted jointly by the Indian Army and the United States Army.
The previous edition of the Exercise was conducted in Auli, Uttarakhand, India in November 2022.
Yudh Abhyas’s training includes various types of technical and operational activities exchanged between the armies of India and the United States.
The theme of the EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS-23 is ‘Employment of an Integrated Battle Group in Mountain/ Extreme Climatic Conditions’ under Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate.
Key Features:
The exercise will feature a Command Post Exercise, as well as Expert Academic Discussions on specific topics.
The Field Training Exercise will validate Integrated Battle Groups against hostile forces at the Brigade level, Integrated Surveillance Grid at the Brigade/Battalion level, and the use of Heliborne/Airborne elements and Force Multipliers.
It will also assess logistics and casualty management during operations, evacuation, combat medical aid, and other aspects relevant to High Altitude Areas and Extreme Climatic Conditions.
The Exercise will also involve the exchange of views and best practices in drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills including combat engineering, obstruction clearance, mine, and Improvised Explosive Devices warfare.
Perovskite
In News:
Recently, A team from the University of Surrey discovered that a nanoscale “ink” coating could improve stability enough to make next-generation perovskite solar cells suitable for mass production.
About:
Perovskite is a calcium titanium oxide mineral composed of calcium titanate.
Perovskite solar cells are cheaper, lighter, and more efficient than traditional silicon-based cells.
However, the emerging technology currently suffers from a drop in efficiency and energy output during the manufacturing process.
The researchers identified an aluminum oxide that minimizes this efficiency drop during the conditioning of perovskite solar cells.
Perovskite has been hailed as a “miracle material” for its potential to transform an array of industries, from ultra-high-speed communications to renewable energy.
Recent advancements have enabled the creation of self-healing solar panels and improved efficiency when combined with silicon in tandem cells.
This innovation could potentially accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources.
‘Pralay’ ballistic missiles
In News:
Recently, India’s defense ministry has approved the acquisition of a regiment of ‘Pralay’ ballistic missiles for deployment along the Line of Actual Control and the Line of Control. About:
‘Pralay’ is a canisterised Tactical, surface-to-surface, short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) for Battlefield use.
It has been developed by the Défense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
Features
‘Pralay’ has a strike range of 150 to 500 kilometers.
It can carry a conventional warhead of 350 kg to 700 kg.
It is highly versatile, capable of carrying different types of warheads, and features advanced technology to counter interceptor missiles.
It can alter its trajectory mid-flight and is powered by a solid propellant rocket motor.
‘Pralay’ will become the longest-range surface-to-surface missile in the Army’s inventory and will form a key part of India’s Rocket Force, alongside the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
Dhanush guns
In News:
The Indian Army is on track to complete the induction of 114 Dhanush artillery guns by 2026, with one regiment already operational.
About:
Dhanush is the indigenously upgraded gun of the Swedish Bofors gun procured in the 1980s.
It is a 155 mm, 45-calibre towed artillery gun with a range of 36 km and has demonstrated a range of 38 kmwith specialized ammunition.
It is the first indigenously built long-range artillery gun.
It is an upgrade of the existing 155m, 39 calibre Bofors FH 77 gun.
The Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, carved after the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board, is now manufacturing the Dhanush guns.
Features:
Equipped with an inertial navigation-based sighting system, and auto-laying facility.
An advanced day-night direct firing system.
Self-propulsion unit allows the gun to deploy itself in the field.
Biohacking
In News:
Biohacking has gained more attention and popularity in recent years.
About:
Biohacking is the practice of modifying and enhancing human biology and physiology, often using technological and genetic interventions, to improve various aspects of health, cognition, and physical capabilities.
It is using various methods, such as diet, supplements, devices, implants, or genetic engineering, for modifying or enhancing one’s own body or biology.
The most well-known type of biohacking is genetic engineering, where individuals experiment with new technologies to enhance their physical appearance or capabilities.
However, biohacking also raises ethical and safety concerns, particularly when individuals engage in risky or unproven procedures.
More Information:
Example: Biohacking: Elon Musk’s brain-chip startup, Neuralink, has received approval to begin the first human trial of its brain implant designed for paralysis patients.
The trial will focus on individuals with paralysis due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Neuralink aims to implant a brain-computer interface (
Supra Thermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer (STEPS)
In News:
Recently, one of the seven instruments onboard India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, the Supra Thermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer (STEPS) sub-system, has started gathering data.
Supra Thermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer (STEPS):
It is a component of the Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) payload on India’s Aditya-L1 satellite.
It is designed to measure swiftly moving charged particles produced by solar activities.
STEPS offers useful information for solar science and space weather studies and aids with the analysis of the behavior of particles orbiting the Earth.
Aditya L1:
It was launched on 2nd September 2023 and has left the Earth’s orbit towards the Earth-Sun System’s Lagrange 1 (L1) point.
The objective of this mission is to study the Sun, its upper atmospheric dynamics (Chromosphere and Corona), and understand the physics of the Solar Corona and its heating mechanism for 5 years.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has been used for its launch.
Payloads on the satellite:
Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC)
Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)
Solar Low Energy X-Ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS)
High Energy L1 Orbiting X-Ray Spectrometer (HELIOS)
Aditya Solar Wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX)
Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA)
Lagrange Points are the equilibrium positions in space where the gravitational forces of two large celestial bodies, like the Earth and the Sun, produce enhanced regions of attraction and repulsion.
L1 point provides an unobstructed view of the Sun, even during phenomena like an eclipse; allow payloads to directly observe the Sun and makes the mission fuel efficient.
Hypertension
In News:
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its first-ever report on the global impact of high blood pressure (hypertension), stating approximately four in every five are not treated adequately.
About:
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the body’s arteries, the major blood vessels in the body.
Hypertension is when blood pressure is too high.
It is defined as having a systolic blood pressure level greater than or equal to 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure level greater than or equal to 90 mmHg or/and taking anti-hypertensive medication to lower his/her blood pressure.
Key highlights:
The WHO report states that hypertension affects one in three adults worldwide.
Hypertension is a significant risk factor for death and disability in India, with less than one-fourth of hypertensive patients having their blood pressure under control during 2016-2020.
The prevalence of hypertension in India has increased, with 24% of men and 21% of women reported to have hypertension in the 2019–2020 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5).
The number of people living with hypertension doubled from 650 million in 1990 to 1.3 billion in 2019, with nearly half of them unaware of their condition. Over three-quarters of adults with hypertension live in low- and middle-income countries.
The WHO recommends lifestyle changes, such as a healthier diet, tobacco cessation, and increased physical activity, as ways to lower blood pressure.
However, if countries can expand their coverage of hypertension treatment, it could potentially avert 76 million deaths between 2023 and 2050.
‘Anti-trust’ Law
In News:
Recently, Google faced allegations in a U.S. court that it used illegal tactics to maintain a monopoly in an online search.
About
Antitrust laws are regulations that encourage competition by limiting the market power of any particular firm. This often involves ensuring that mergers and acquisitions don’t overly concentrate market power or form monopolies, as well as breaking up firms that have become monopolies.
Antitrust laws also prevent multiple firms from colluding or forming a cartel to limit competition through practices such as price fixing. Due to the complexity of deciding what practices will limit competition, antitrust law has become a distinct legal specialization.
The Sherman Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Clayton Act are the three pivotal laws in the history of antitrust regulation.
Nipah Virus
In News:
Two deaths were reported in Kerala due to the Nipah Virus.
About
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans) and can also be transmitted through contaminated food or directly between people.
In infected people, it causes a range of illnesses from asymptomatic (subclinical) infection to acute respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis.
The virus can also cause severe disease in animals such as pigs, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers.
Project SamudraYaan
In News:
Indian scientists are preparing for project Samudra Yaan to send three people 6,000 meters underwater beneath the ocean’s surface in a domestically developed submersible called Matsya 6000.
About Mission Samudrayaan:
The Samudrayaan mission is an integral part of the Deep Ocean Mission initiative, with sea trials planned at a depth of 500 meters slated for the first quarter of 2024.
Only a few countries, including the United States, Russia, Japan, France, and China, have successfully developed manned submersibles capable of exploring the depths of the ocean.
The Aim of the Samudrayaan mission is primarily focused on exploring the ocean’s depths in search of valuable metals and minerals, including cobalt, nickel, and manganese.
It will also investigate the chemosynthetic biodiversity found in hydrothermal vents and low-temperature methane seeps in the ocean.
About Matsya 6000 Submarine:
Matsya 6000 has been under development for nearly two years and is scheduled for its inaugural sea trials in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast in early 2024.
The submersible’s design features a 2.1-meter diameter sphere constructed from an 80mm-thick titanium alloy, engineered to withstand immense pressures at depths of 6,000 meters, which is approximately 600 times greater than sea level pressure.
It has the capability to operate continuously for 12 to 16 hours, facilitated by a 96-hour oxygen supply.
Genetic engineering to control Mosquitoes
In News:
Genetic engineering gives mosquito control an upgrade.
About
Innovations in genome sequencing technology have granted researchers unprecedented access to mosquito genomes, with a particular focus on Anopheles stephensi, a significant vector in the transmission of malaria.
Genetic manipulation techniques, such as gene-drive technology, are being utilized to manage mosquito populations by disrupting their reproductive processes.
Gene-driven technologyalters mosquito DNA to reduce their reproductive capabilities or make them sterile, preventing the transmission of diseases like malaria.
Some technology involves enhancing genes in mosquitoes to produce antimicrobial substances, disrupting disease transmission.
How technology works? Genetically modified mosquitoes, such as OX5034, have been released in certain areas to reduce mosquito populations, showing promising results in decreasing disease incidence.
Potential risks of technology: Such as ecological disruptions and unintended consequences in the ecosystem.
Human embryo
In News:
Scientists have successfully grown a “human embryo” in the lab without using an egg or sperm.
About:
Instead of a sperm and egg, Scientists used a combination of stem cells, which can differentiate into various cell types, and chemicals to create an embryo-like structurethat mimics the molecular characteristics of an early human embryo.
Stem cells as the “master cells” in your body. They are special because they can turn into different types of cells that make up your body, like skin cells, muscle cells, or blood cells.
The process involved a mixture of stem cells and chemicals, with only 1% of the mixture spontaneously forming different types of cells needed for foetal development, including those providing nutrients, those guiding body development, and cells responsible for structures like the placenta and umbilical cord.
The embryo models were allowed to grow and develop until they were comparable to an embryo 14 days after fertilization.
In many countries, this is the legal cut-off for normal embryo research.
Importance:
Studying the initial stages is crucial because the majority of miscarriages and birth defects occur during this period.
Understanding why some embryos develop normally and others do not can enhance IVF success rates and shed light on genetic and inherited diseases.
Embryo-like models allow scientists to explore genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences on development.
Limitations
These lab-grown embryo-like models cannot be used for pregnancy, and they are typically destroyed after 14 days of study, in line with legal and ethical regulations in many countries.
The 14-day limit on embryo research corresponds to the point when embryos naturally complete implantation and become individuals.
The 14-day limit on embryo research:
The limit was first proposed by a committee in the UK in 1979 after the birth of the first test tube baby Louise Brown demonstrated that embryos could be kept alive in laboratories.
Gujarat Declaration
In News:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled the “Gujarat Declaration,” the outcome document of the first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023.
About
Gujarat declaration outlines measures to integrate traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) into national health systems, promote standardized documentation, and establish a global network of TCIM reference clinical centers.
It also highlights the role of digital health technologies and emphasizes the importance of biodiversity conservation and the rights of indigenous peoples in TCIM.
The declaration calls for evidence-based TCIM interventions to support universal health coverage and sustainable development goals. It emphasizes standardized documentation and the establishment of TCIM reference clinical centers.
Significance of Gujarat Declaration
The declaration reaffirms global commitments to indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM).
It emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific methods to understand, assess, and apply holistic and context-specific approaches to health and well-being.
It highlights India’s role in advancing these commitments as the host of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre.
Cartesian coordinates
About
A coordinate system serves as a numerical framework for precisely locating a point within a given space.
One of the most renowned coordinate systems is the Cartesian coordinates, which employ sets of three numbers to define a point’s position relative to three mutually perpendicular planes.
Cartesian coordinates utilize pairs of numbers (x and y) for two-dimensional spaces and triples of numbers (x, y, and z) for three-dimensional spaces to pinpoint a point’s location.
This innovative system was devised by the 17th-century French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes, effectively bridging the gap between algebra and geometry and giving birth to the field of analytic geometry.
Cartesian coordinates find extensive applications in various domains such as astronomy, engineering, and computer graphics. They enable the precise representation of spatial data and facilitate the creation of geometric designs.
Largest indigenously developed Nitrogen plant
In News:
The third unit of the indigenously developed 700-megawatt electric (MWe) nuclear power reactor at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP3) in Gujarat, has started operations at full capacity.
About:
The Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP3) is situated in the Kakrapar in Gujarat, India.
The plant boasts a total installed capacity of 1,950 MWe, comprising three units, each with a capacity of 700 MWe. KAPP3 represents the third unit of this facility.
The primary power source employed by the plant is Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
These PHWRs utilize natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as both moderator and coolant.
KAPP3 is anticipated to generate sufficient electricity to meet the annual power needs of approximately 4 million people. Furthermore, it is poised to contribute to reducing India’s reliance on fossil fuels for power generation.
To ensure safety, the plant is equipped with several key features, including a containment building, a reactor pressure vessel, and a cooling system.
These features are meticulously designed to prevent the release of radioactive materials in the event of an unforeseen accident.
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is the entity responsible for operating the plant.
NPCIL is a government-owned enterprise tasked with the development and operation of nuclear power plants throughout India.
More Information:
This marks a significant achievement in India’s civilian nuclear program, as it is the country’s first 700 MWe unit and represents a scale-up in technology.
The reactor uses Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology and is seen as a milestone in India’s effort to expand its nuclear power capacity to 22,480 MWe by 2031.
The reactor design also incorporates enhanced safety features, including a Passive Decay Heat Removal System.
Global Fund to slash HIV treatment price.
In News:
Recently, The Global Fund has reached an agreement with generic drug manufacturers to significantly reduce the price of an advanced HIV medication called TLD.
About:
This deal will make TLD available for under $45 per person per year, marking a 25% reduction in price.
TLD
The TLD pill contains three essential drugs for HIV treatment: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine, and dolutegravir.
It is a three-in-one pill.
This combination has been recommended by the World Health Organization as the preferred first-line treatment for HIV in adults and adolescents due to its effectiveness in suppressing the virus, minimal side effects, and ease of use.
This drug rapidly suppresses the virus that causes AIDS.
The price reduction of the drug will help resource-limited countries enhance treatment programs, and prevention efforts and ultimately save more lives while reducing new infections.
Global Fund:
The Global Fund is an international financing and partnership organization.
It was created in 2002 and its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Global Fund was established to raise and disburse funding for programs that reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in low- and middle-income countries.
The Global Fund raises and invests $4 billion a year to fight these diseases.
The majority of the Global Fund’s financial support comes from public resources.
More than 80 countries have made or pledged contributions to the Global Fund.
India joined the Global Fund as a donor in 2006 and pledged US$25 million for the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment, covering 2023-2025.
Pragyan rover confirms sulphur
In News:
Recently, Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan rover has confirmed the presence of sulphur on the moon’s surface, near its south pole.
About:
The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument onboard the Chandrayaan-3’s rover has made the first-ever in-situ measurements on the elemental composition of the lunar surface near the south pole.
The analysis has also revealed the presence of elements like aluminum, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen on the lunar surface.
The Pragyan rover is still actively searching for the presence of hydrogen.
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
LIBS is a rapid chemical analysis technology that employs short laser pulses to create micro-plasma on a sample’s surface.
The LIBS technique involves using intense laser pulses to analyze materials, creating hot and localized plasma whose emitted light is then studied to determine the material’s elemental composition.
Advantages of LIBS:
Requires no sample preparation.
Offers rapid measurements, often within a few seconds.
Covers a wide range of elements, including lighter ones.
Supports versatile sampling protocols, including surface rastering and depth profiling.
Nabhmitra
Why in the news?
Recently, ISRO-Space Applications Centre (Ahmedabad) has successfully tested a device called ‘Nabhmitra’.
About:
This device uses satellite communication to allow two-way messagingbetweenboats at sea and authorities on land.
This device is aimed at enhancing the safety of fishermen.
The system can convey weather alerts, cyclone warnings, and other information in the local language.
In cases of emergencies like boat accidents or fires, fishermen can activate the device to alert the control center. The control center receives the boat’s location, and the crew onboard gets a response from the control center.
Apart from providing information about shipping channels and maritime boundaries, the device will also help to identify fishing fields.
BRIGHT STAR-23
In News:
An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent is participating in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23, a multilateral, tri-service exercise hosted biennially at Cairo (West) Air Base, Egypt.
About:
Exercise BRIGHT STAR is a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise.
This multinational exercise was launched in 1980 as part of the US-brokered peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
This marks the first time that the IAF is participating in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23, joining contingents from the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece, and Qatar.
The Indian Air Force contingent will consist of five MiG-29s, two IL-78s, two C-130s, and two C-17aircraft.
Personnel from the IAF’s Garud Special Forces, as well as those from the Numbers 28, 77, 78, and 81 Squadrons, will be participating in the exercise.
Objective:
To practice planning and execution of joint operations.
Besides leading to the formation of bonding across borders, such interactions also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations.
Other exercises between India and Egypt:
Exercise Cyclone-I:
It Is a bilateral exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army.
The first edition of the exercise was held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in January 2023.
Also in the News:
AUSINDEX-23 is a biennial maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy.
Mysteries of the Y chromosome
In News:
Scientists have finally decoded one of the smallest chromosomes in humans, the male sex chromosome (Y- Chromosome), 20 years after the first draft of its DNA code was published. The work reveals a complete catalog of the genes in the male sex chromosome and how they’re organized.
About the Chromosomes:
In the nucleus of each cell, the DNA molecule is packaged into thread-like structures called chromosomes. Each chromosome is made up of DNA tightly coiled many times around proteins called histones that support its structure.
DNA is a long molecule that contains our unique genetic code. DNA is composed of two strands that wrap around each other to form a double helix shape.
Humans have 22 pairs of numbered chromosomes (autosomes) and 1 pair of sex chromosomes (XX or XY). Each pair contains two chromosomes, one coming from each parent, i.e. half of the children’s chromosomes are from their mother and half from their father.
Major findings about the Y-chromosomes:
The findings show that the Y chromosome evolved to have extensive variation in its size and structure among individuals.
The Y chromosome is important for the development of male sex characteristics. It carries the sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene, which codes for a protein that promotes the development of the testicles and blocks the development of female organs such as the uterus and fallopian tubes.
The Y chromosome contains 62,460,029 base pairs of DNA. It is 30 million more than the most current reference genome.
They also identified 41 new protein-coding genes and provided insight into noncoding regions known as satellite DNA, which don’t carry blueprints for proteins.
The team explained that the Y chromosome contains the largest block of condensed, noncoding DNA known as heterochromatin. This region is made up mainly of two repetitive DNA sequences, appearing in the same 1-to-1 ratio throughout the terms of the number of times they were found in the chromosome.
Assembling complete sequences of 43 Y chromosomes across space and time not only helps in investigating sex chromosomes’ evolution but also human evolution more generally.
Use of Technology in Agriculture
In News:
G20 to support the digital agriculture ecosystem.
About
Digital Agriculture encompasses the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and data ecosystems to deliver timely and tailored information and services, aimed at improving the profitability, sustainability, and efficiency of agricultural practices.
Digital agriculture Includes:
Agricultural Biotechnology: Such as the creation of microorganisms for precise agricultural applications.
Precision Agriculture (PA): Relies on ICT to optimize the allocation of resources.
Digital and Wireless Technologies: Including systems for monitoring weather, robotics, drones, and various wireless devices.
Benefits of Digital Agriculture:
Enhances agricultural productivity: Leveraging digital tools and data-driven insights can result in improved crop management, ultimately optimizing yields and overall production.
Mitigates soil degradation: Precision farming techniques have the potential to reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss, safeguarding the health of the soil.
Reduces chemical usage in crop production: By precisely applying inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, digital agriculture can minimize its environmental footprint.
Optimizes water resource utilization: Digital sensors and data play a crucial role in precise irrigation, reducing water wastage and enhancing overall water efficiency.
Promotes modern farming practices: The dissemination of information through digital platforms empowers farmers to adopt cutting-edge practices and innovations.
Elevates the socio-economic status of farmers: Enhanced productivity and reduced costs can lead to improved income and livelihoods for farmers, positively impacting their socio-economic well-being.
Government Initiative:
AgriStack: An assemblage of technology-driven interventions in agriculture designed to offer comprehensive services throughout the entire agricultural and food value chain.
Support for Startups: India currently boasts a thriving ecosystem of more than 1,000 agri-tech startups that play a pivotal role in providing inventive solutions to address various challenges within the agricultural value chain.
Digital Agriculture Mission: A government initiative focused on implementing projects utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as AI, blockchain, remote sensing, drones, and robots to propel advancements in the field of agriculture.
Unified Farmer Service Platform (UFSP): A platform that facilitates seamless interoperability among information technology systems within the agriculture sector, thereby enhancing the delivery of services to farmers.
National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA): A program leveraging information and communication technology to provide timely access to agriculture-related information, including platforms like Farmers Portal and Kisan, which offer valuable advisories and support.
Strengthening/Promoting Agricultural Information System (AGRISNET): A scheme aimed at bolstering the IT infrastructure of the Agriculture Department and improving information dissemination through platforms such as Kisan.
National Space Day
In News:
Recently, The Prime Minister visited the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru and addressed the ISRO team about the success of Chandrayaan-3.
About:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended ISRO scientists for inspiring a generation and creating a lasting impression on children’s brains.
He announced that August 23rd will be observed as ‘National Space Day’ to celebrate science, technology, and innovation.
The Prime Minister celebrated the achievement of Chandrayaan-3 as a significant scientific milestone that demonstrates India’s prowess in space exploration.
He also announced that the point of Chandrayaan-3’s landing would be known as ‘Shiv Shakti.’
According to experts, India’s space sector would grow to $16 billion in a few years from $8 billion, said PM Modi.
He acknowledged the contribution of women scientists and referred to the Chandrayaan-2 landing site as ‘Tiranga,’ highlighting its significance in inspiring efforts and overcoming failures.
He emphasized the role of space technology in governance, linking it to initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, education, healthcare, and disaster management.
He encouraged ISRO to organize hackathons on ‘Space Technology in Governance’to make governance more effective.
Somatic Genetic Variants
In News:
Scientists have known of somatic variants for many years, but recent advances in genome sequencing unveil the impact of somatic genetic variants on human health, from cancer development to immune disorders, driving innovation in disease detection and treatment strategies.
Somatic Genetic Variants or Somatic Mutation:
It refers to alterations in the DNA sequence that occur specifically within the cells of an individual’s body (somatic cells), excluding the germline cells (sperm and egg cells).
Somatic genetic mutations occur after birth during development and are not inherited from parents.
Somatic mutations can occur for various reasons, such as errors during DNA replication, and exposure to environmental factors (like radiation or chemicals).
Impacts of Somatic Mutation on Human Health:
Cancer Development: Somatic genetic variants can drive the uncontrolled cell growth and division characteristic of cancer, leading to tumor formation.
Neurological Disorders: Accumulated somatic mutations in brain cells can contribute to neurological conditions, affecting cognitive and motor functions.
Aging and Tissue Function: Gradual accumulation of somatic mutations with age can impair tissue function and contribute to age-related diseases.
Immune System Dysfunction: Somatic variants can disrupt immune cell development and function, leading to autoimmune disorders and immunodeficiencies.
Potential Utilization of Somatic Genetic Variants:
Early Detection of Diseases: Somatic variants can serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers for diseases in a very early stage.
Personalized Treatment Plans: Knowledge of an individual’s somatic mutations allows personalized treatment plans.
Healthier Aging: Studying somatic mutations associated with aging can shed light on the aging process and age-related diseases, potentially leading to interventions for healthier aging.
Medical Textiles
In News:
Recently, the Ministry of Textiles organized the ‘Meditex 2023’ International Conference on Scope and Opportunities in Medical Textiles.
About
Medical textile is a result of the combination of textile technology and medical science known as Medical textiles or Med-tech.
Some examples of medical textiles are hygienic materials hospital bed sheets, curtains surgical masks, gowns, etc.
Medical textiles are used in operation theaters, even surgical threads, bandages, artificial bones, ligaments, artificial kidneys, and livers, there are touches of technological and smart textiles everywhere.
Features of Medical Textiles
Textile materials must be non-toxic.
Must be resistant to allergens and cancer.
Textile materials must be biologically compatible.
Complete good dimensional stability.
It has air permeability and waterproofing properties.
Resistant to acid and alkali.
The quality of the fabric should be good.
Re-wash and reusable.
Types of Fibers Used in Medical Textiles
Commodity Fiber:
Natural and Regenerated Fibers: Cotton, Silk, Wood Pulp, Viscose.
Potential treatment route for Alzheimer’s disease found in natural polyphenol
About
Naturally occurring plant-based polyphenols (PPs) like tannic acid found in twigs of trees like Chestnut and Oak can modulate the ferroptosis- Alzheimer’s Disease axis to yield a safe, cost-effective strategy for combating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and reduce the societal burden of this debilitating neurodegenerative disorder.
Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death, has emerged as a significant contributor to the development of AD. Several hallmarks of AD, such as abnormal iron build up, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and reduced activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), align with the characteristics of ferroptosis.
Newspapers for handling food
In News:
Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged consumers and food vendors to stop using newspapers for packing, serving, and storing food due to health hazards.
Harmful impacts of using Newspapers for handling food:
The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, restrict the use of newspapers or similar materials for food storage or packaging.
Newspapers’ ink contains bioactive substances that can contaminate food and be hazardous to human health.
Additionally, pollutants like mineral oils and chemicals may be present in recycled paper boxes, which might lead to harmful effects and digestive issues.
Chemicals from printing inks, such as lead and heavy metals, have been shown to contaminate food.
During distribution, newspapers are exposed to a variety of environmental factors, rendering them vulnerable to bacterial or virus contamination.
When consumed, contaminants from newspapers can cause foodborne diseases. Food packaged in such materials puts vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, at higher risk of developing cancer-related health problems.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act).
It comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
Headquarters: Delhi.
Key functions of FSSAI:
Set standards for food products
Develop safe food practices
License food businesses
Ensure compliance through inspections
Test food for standards
Train and build capacity
Citizens Outreach
Structure of FSSAI:
The FSSAI comprises of a Chairperson and twenty-two members out of which one – third are to be women.
The Chairperson of FSSAI is appointed by the Central Government.
The Food Authority is assisted by Scientific Committees and Panels in setting standards and the Central Advisory Committee in coordinating with enforcement agencies.
The primary responsibility for enforcement is largely with the State Food Safety Commissioners.
Challenges with FSSAI:
The “petty manufacturers, retailers and hawkers” are exempted from FSSAI ambit.
Lack of infrastructure such as food testing laboratories.
Shortage of qualified manpower and functional food testing equipment in state food laboratories and referral laboratories resulted in deficient testing of food samples.
Acute shortage of licensing and enforcement officers in the states.
The body has been only prescriptive in nature and failed to ensure safety, quality and hygiene in food industry.
FAQs on Monthly Current Affairs – September 2023
Q1: What are monthly current affairs?
A1: Monthly current affairs refer to the latest and most significant events, developments, and news stories that have occurred within a particular month. These events encompass a wide range of topics, including politics, economics, science, technology, culture, and more. They are a reflection of the dynamic nature of our world and provide a snapshot of what’s happening globally or within a specific region during a given month.
Q2: Why are monthly current affairs important?
A2: Monthly current affairs are important for several reasons:
Informed Citizenship: Staying updated with monthly current affairs is crucial for informed citizenship. It empowers individuals to make well-informed decisions, including voting in elections, advocating for causes, and engaging in meaningful discussions about societal issues.
Professional Relevance: Professionals, such as journalists, policymakers, and business leaders, need to be aware of current affairs to make strategic decisions, create informed content, and respond to changes in their respective fields.
Academic and Competitive Exams: Many academic institutions and competitive exams assess students’ knowledge of current affairs, making it essential for academic and career success.
Cultural Awareness: Understanding current events helps individuals appreciate and understand different cultures, societies, and global interconnections.
Safety and Preparedness: Some current affairs, such as natural disasters or public health emergencies, can directly impact personal safety and require timely awareness and preparedness.
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