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Monthly DNA
06 May, 2020
51 Min Read
Part of: GS-I- Geography (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST)
Scientists and students from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) have explored the Zanskar catchment area. The study was conducted to understand the landform evolution in transitional climatic zones, using morphostratigraphy, Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating and provenance analysis of landforms like valley fill terraces and alluvial fans.
Valley Fill Terrace: The fill terrace is created by either a stream or river that starts to incise into the material that it deposited in the valley. Once this occurs benches composed completely of alluvium form on the sides of the valley. The uppermost benches are the fill terraces.
Alluvial Fans: Triangle-shaped deposits of gravel, sand and even smaller pieces of sediment, such as silt.
Note: WHIG is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.
Morphostratigraphy: The organization of rock or sediment strata into units based on their surface morphology (landforms).
Optically-Stimulated Luminescence: It is a late Quaternary dating technique used to date the last time a quartz sediment was exposed to light. As sediment is transported by wind, water or ice, it is exposed to sunlight and zeroed of any previous luminescence signal.
Provenance Analysis: It aims to determine the source region (provenance) of a sediment sample. It is aimed to reconstruct the parent rock or rocks of sand bodies, the time of deposition of the sand and, if possible, the climate conditions during the formation of the sediments.
Key Findings
Significance
Zanskar River
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Source: PIB
Part of: GS-I- Geography (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST)
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) have developed a generalized one-dimensional fluid simulation code capable of studying a wide spectrum of coherent electric field structures in near-earth plasma environments or earth’s magnetosphere.
Key Points
Regions of the Earth’s Magnetosphere:
The schematic diagram of Earth’s magnetosphere shown consists of different regions namely,
Significance of Study of Plasma Processes:
The plasma processes have the ability to hamper the working of a number of satellites that have been placed in orbit in the magnetospheric region. However, the morphology of these plasma processes changes over space and time. These changes can be ideally deciphered only through computer simulations.
The study will help advance the knowledge of plasma waves, instabilities, and coherent effects associated with wave-particle interactions that are useful in planning future space missions. It can also lead to precisely controlled fusion laboratory experiments for ever-expanding energy needs of humanity.
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism
Source: PIB
Kerala model to contain COVID-19
Introduction
Steps taken by Kerala
The small number of cases reported so far — 499 — demonstrates how excellent its containment efforts have been. What is more remarkable is that 462 of those infected have fully recovered, including an elderly couple, aged 93 and 88 years, and there have been just three deaths — a case fatality rate of 0.6% against the national average of 3.3%.
Source: TH
Part of: GS-II- Polity-J&K (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST)
Recently, in a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query “if the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be part of the Electoral College for the election of the President of India”, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked to refer to Article 54 of the Constitution of India.
Imp Points
Election of the President of India
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Source: TH
Part of: GS-II- International issues (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST)
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of several world powers in the event of the use of biological weapons against them by rogue states and terrorist groups. The United States, Britain and the Soviet Union were involved in developing complex biological weapons programs after World War II and several nations continue to do so currently as well.
Bioterrorism or Biological Attack: It is the intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock or crops.
Biological Weapons: They use microorganisms and natural toxins to produce disease in humans, animals, or plants.
It is a substantial threat because small amounts of biotic agents can be effortlessly hidden, transported and discharged into vulnerable populations. It can impact and expose military and civilian susceptibilities to biological weapons and to the complexity of offering ample safeguards.
Covid-19: Bioweapon or Not
Combating Bioterrorism (PT)
The studies conducted to assess the actual efficiency of counter-bioterrorism measures are insufficient and need to be changed. It becomes important that engaged and methodical efforts in studying the efficiency of counter-bioterrorism measures are applied in a meticulous way.
It should be taken into account that the implementation of some specific counter-bioterrorism practices can possibly have consequences with respect to human rights, institutional liberties, fundamental democratic values and the Rule of Law.
Source: News
Bois Locker Room
Context
The Delhi police Cyber Cell has registered an FIR after following a complaint about an online Instagram group, police have also apprehended a 15 year old boy from South Delhi for his alleged involvement in a viral Instagram group named ‘Bois Locker Room’, where a bunch of school going boys objectified young girls and discussed their body parts.
Cases registered
After we came to know, we registered an FIR under Sections 465 (forgery), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and Sections 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) and 67A (publishing or transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act in electronic form) of the IT Act.
Facebook’s response
Facebook, Instagram’s parent company, also responded to the matter and said, “We absolutely do not allow behaviour that promotes sexual violence or exploits anyone, especially women and young people, and have actioned content violating our Community Standards as we were made aware of it. We have policies that disallow the sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery, as well as threats to share such imagery and we take this issue very seriously. Ensuring our community can express themselves in a safe and respectful way is our top priority.”
Source: TH
Part of: GS-III- Economy-Land (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST)
The task force noted there is a need for a separate organisation, which can work with various government departments including Railways and Defence Ministry to utilise their surplus land assets.
Context
A government panel on boosting infrastructure investment has recommended setting up a National Land Management Corporation, which would help in monetising state-owned surplus land assets in a systematic and specialised way.
Imp Points
EXPLAINED
Will help in raising funds from market
Working module
Along with monetisation of land assets, the task force on National Infrastructure Pipeline, in its report submitted to the government last week, also suggested measures including strengthening of the municipal bond market, deepening of corporate bond markets, and setting up Development Financial Institutions for the infrastructure sector. The task force pegged the total expected capital expenditure for the infra sector at Rs 111 lakh crore in the next five years.
Having income earning inventory of assets would enable the Corporation to raise equity capital or debt from the markets. These funds can be deployed for the development of surplus land assets, creating a pipeline of developable assets. The Corporation may adopt different models for land monetisation, including securitising a pool of assets through structures like REITs and InvITs. Successful bidders in projects could either make a large upfront payments for the assets combined with annual payments or small or zero upfront payments with annual payments.
Source: IE
Corona-Killer 100
Part of: GS-III- S&T (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST)
Corona-Killer 100 is an automated disinfecting Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) developed by Garuda Aerospace - an ISO- 9001 company.
Drone as a Service
Source: PIB
Dekho Apna Desh webinar
The 13th session of the Ministry of Tourism’s Dekho Apna Desh webinar titled, ‘Destination- Sariska Tiger reserve’ was held recently. The objective of the Ministry of Tourism’s webinar series is to create awareness about and promote various tourism destinations of India – including the lesser known destinations and lesser known facets of popular destinations.
Project Tiger
Dekho Apna Desh
Dekho Apna Desh is one of the three components of the Paryatan Parv.The other two are Tourism for All and Tourism & Governance. It intends to encourage Indians to travel their own country.
Source: PIB
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency of certain enzymes (branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex) required to break down (metabolize) the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) [Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine] in the body.
The result of this metabolic failure is that all three BCAAs, along with their various byproducts, accumulate abnormally throughout the body.
In the classic, severe form of MSUD, the plasma concentrations of the BCAAs begin to rise within a few hours of birth. If untreated, symptoms begin to emerge, often within the first 24-48 hours of life.
Symptoms of MSUD
The “non-specific” symptoms are those of increasing neurological dysfunction and include lethargy, irritability and poor feeding, followed soon by focal neurological signs such as abnormal movements and increasing spasticity, and shortly thereafter, by convulsions and deepening coma.
If untreated, progressive brain damage is inevitable and death ensues usually within weeks or months. The finding that is unique to MSUD is the emergence of a characteristic odor, reminiscent of maple syrup that can most readily be detected in the urine and earwax and may be smelled within a day or two of birth.
The disorder can be successfully managed through a specialized diet. However, even with treatment, both affected children and adults patients with MSUD remain at high risk for developing episodes of acute illness (metabolic crises) often triggered by infection, injury, failure to eat (fasting) or even by psychological stress. During these episodes there is a rapid, sudden spike in amino acid levels necessitating immediate medical intervention.
Types of MSUD
Source: TH
Indian Navy on Tuesday launched 'Operation Samudra Setu' (Sea Bridge) sending naval ships INS Jalashwa and INS Magar to the Port of Malè, Republic of Maldives
Operation Samudra Setu will commence evacuation operations from 08 May 2020 as part of Phase-1
INS Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock or LPD) has a full load displacement of 17,521 tonnes and INS Magar (Landing Platform Tank) is an amphibious warfare vessel with a displacement of 5,750 tonnes.
INS Jalashwa is the largest amphibious platform in the Navy and is based at the Eastern Naval Command headquarters in Visakhapatnam.
The other three amphibious ships Landing Ship Tanks of the Shardul class and Magar class have set to sail to UAE.
From the western Indian coast to the Fujairah port in the UAE would take about three days to reach and Jebel Ali port in Dubai would take about four days.
Source: TH
World Press Freedom Index 2020 Part of: GS-II- Major world reports (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) The latest survey of the global body, Reporters without Borders, that shows India dropping two places on the global press freedom index ranking to 142nd place in the list of 180 countries. India
Official Digital Currency-China Part of: GS-III- Digital currency (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) Recently, China has started testing its official digital currency which is unofficially called “Digital Currency Electronic Payment, DC/EP”. Imp Points The digital currency o
Russia to launch first satellite to monitor artic climate Part of: GS-III- S&T (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) Russia will launch first Arktika-M satellite for monitoring Arctic climate this year at the end of the year, General Director of Lavochkin aerospace company Vladimir Kolmykov told spu
Arctic Council Part of: GS-II- International organisation (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communitie
“The Saras collection” on Gem portal Part of: GS-II- Rural development (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj launched “The Saras Collection” on the Government e Marketplace (GeM) portal. Imp Points The Saras C
Kisan Sabha App Part of: GS-III- Agriculture (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi has developed the Kisan Sabha App to connect farmers to the supply chain and freight transportation management system. The app also inten
COVID-19 and India’s fiscal conundrum By, Ramkishen S. Rajan is Yong Pung How Professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, and Sasidaran Gopalan is a Senior Research Fellow at the Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University. Views are pe
MPLADS, its suspension, and why it must go By, Jagdeep S. Chhokar is a former Professor, Dean and Director In-charge of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad Introduction All Opposition parties have been unanimous in their criticism of the government’s recent move to suspend t
Off Course Introduction The latest political row to erupt in Tamil Nadu is around the Centre’s April 24 notification bringing the Cauvery Water Management Authority under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, which was created a year ago by combining two Ministr
Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi kendras playing vital role to combat CoVID 19-PMBJP Part of: GS-III- Economy (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadi Kendras are playing a vital role in the COVID-19 situation as around ten lakh persons per day are visiting such Kendras to source qual
Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) FCAs are assets that are valued based on a currency other than the country's own currency. FCA is the largest component of the forex reserve. It is expressed in dollar terms. The FCAs include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US uni
R&D Statistics and Indicators Part of: GS-III- Economy (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) According to the Research & Development (R&D) Statistics and Indicators 2019-20 report, India’s gross expenditure on R&D has tripled between 2008 & 2018 and scientific publications have
African swine fever: Assam told to go for culling Part of: GS-III- S&T (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) Disease first reported in November-December from areas of China bordering Arunachal. Assam Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister said the Centre has advised the State government to go for
The new normal By, Purushottam Basava, I.A.S., is PS (Chief of Staff) to Union Minister HRD. basava.ias@gmail.com Smarthveer Sidana is an IIT Delhi alumnus & Harvard HCONF Scholar. smarthveer@gmail.com Introduction With the pandemic set to transform higher education as
Pandemics without borders, South Asia’s evolution Kanak Mani Dixit, a writer and journalist based in Kathmandu, is the founding Editor of the magazine, Himal Southasian Introduction Even if the COVID-19 pandemic spares South Asia the worst impact it has reserved thus far for the north
India’s disease surveillance system needs a reboot By, Maya John teaches in Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, and is working on the history of epidemics and epidemiology Introduction Data shows that 75.3% of deaths have been concentrated in the age group of 60 years and abo
Open Budget Survey 2019 Part of: GS-III-Economy (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) Recently, the International Budget Partnership (IBP) has released an Open Budget Survey (OBS) 2019. The survey evaluates each country on the basis of the availability of key budget documents of the Centr
Context: 2 community groups in Tripura have opposed the resettlement of Brus from Mizoram to Tripura. A joint team of the Nagarik Suraksha Mancha, mostly representing Bengali people displaced from the erstwhile East Pakistan post partition in 1947 . Northern Tripura has a sizeable Mizo popu
Mission Demo-2 Part of: GS-III- S&T Space (PT-MAINS-PERSONALITY TEST) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and SpaceX are all set for the Demo-2 mission who is scheduled for 27th May, 2020 from the Kennedy Space Center in C
Thrissur Pooram For the first time since its inception, Thrissur Pooram will be observed with rituals within the temple premises with just a few participants. This was done in the wake of the lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Thrissur Pooram is an annual Hindu fes
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