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Science & Technology Current Affairs February 4th Week 2021

Perseverance Rover Successfully Launched in Mars NASA:

Perseverance, NASA`s most advanced Mars rover, successfully landed on Mars surface, which is amazing. This is the first step in discovering signs on Mars of ancient microbial life.
 
Highlights:
♦ As part of NASA`s 2020 Mars mission, Perseverance, nicknamed Percy, is an SUV-sized Mars probe designed to explore the Jezero Crater on Mars.
♦ It was developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, launched at UTC on July 30, 2020, and confirmed receipt of the rover`s successful landing at UTC on February 18, 2021.
♦ Seven primary payload instruments, 19 cameras and two microphones are fitted with Perseverance. The creativity of a miniature helicopter, an advanced aircraft that will attempt its first powered flight on another planet, carries this wanderer.
 
Key Facts:
♦ Mission Name: Mars 2020
♦ Rover Name: Perseverance
♦ Main Job of the Rover: For a potential return to Earth, look for signs of ancient life and collect rock and Goliath samples (broken rock and soil).
♦ Launch: July 30, 2020
♦ Landing: Feb. 18, 2021
♦ Landing Site: Jezero Crater, Mars
♦ Tech Demo of the Rover: The Mars Helicopter, hitching a ride on the Perseverance rover, is a technology demonstration.

Go Electric Campaign Was Initiated:

The Minister of Transport initiated the "Go Electric" Campaign.
 
About the Campaign:
♦ The goal of the campaign is to promote electric vehicles and charging facilities for electric vehicles and to promote the benefits of electric cooking in India.
♦ The concept of the initiative is to promote the use of electric vehicles instead of petrol and diesel vehicles.
♦ The event aims to raise awareness at the PAN-India level and is expected to improve the confidence of manufacturers of electric vehicles.
♦ An significant initiative is the "Go Electric" movement because it will be an important step towards a cleaner and greener future and will help reduce the reliance of my country on imports in the coming years.
♦ Electric fuel is the predominant alternative to fossil fuels and Rs 8 billion is the cost of importing fossil fuels.
♦ Electric fuels have low cost and reduced emissions compared with fossil fuels, and they are also indigenous.
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Microbes from Earth Can survive on Mars:

A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology indicates that on Mars, some microorganisms found on Earth may survive temporarily.
 
Highlights: 
♦ For the success of future MARS missions, this study is of great significance.
♦ Researchers from NASA and the German Aerospace Center tested the endurance of these microorganisms.
♦ They have been checked by sending them into the stratosphere, which reflects some of the Red Planet`s main conditions.
♦ New methods of exposing bacteria and fungi under Martian-like conditions have been tested by the use of scientific balloons to carry experimental equipment to the stratosphere.
♦ Some microorganisms may survive during the journey, particularly black mould spores, even when exposed to high ultraviolet rays.
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First Country to Receive Vaccines Via COVAX Ghana:

 
The vaccine received through the COVAX programme has become the first country in the world to receive Ghana.
 
Highlights: 
♦ The goal of the COVAX facility is to speed up the production and manufacture of coronavirus vaccines by pooling Member States` resources and ensuring that vaccines are equally distributed among them. 
♦ COVAX is led by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Coalition for Advances in Disease Preparedness (CEPI) and the GAVI Vaccine Alliance.
♦ By investing in new vaccines and negotiating costs with pharmaceutical firms, COVAX assists in the production of new vaccines. By the end of 2021, the target of COVAX is to administer 2 billion doses, which should be adequate to help countries vaccinate 20 percent of the population and end the acute period of the pandemic.
♦ The CEPI is a global initiative to develop vaccines to stop potential epidemics among public, private, charitable and civil organisations.
♦ The GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccinations and Immunization) was founded in 2000 as a global public-private health partnership committed to creating equity for children living in the world`s poorest countries, offering access to new and underutilised vaccine opportunities. It is a central member of the United Nations, the World Health Organisation, Children’s Fund, the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 
♦ By growing immunisation opportunities in developing countries, GAVI`s strategy supports its goal to save the lives of children and protect the health of people.  
 

Science & Technology Current Affairs February 3rd Week 2021

Bhuvan Portal byIndian Space Research Organization:

In order to create an indigenous geospatial portal named "Bhuvan" the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and MapmyIndia collaborated. This is in line with the latest guidelines mentioned above for the Indian Geo-Spatial Market.
 
Highlights:
♦ The Geospatial Portal (Bhuvan) is a web portal used on the Internet to locate and access geographical information (geospatial information) and related geographical resources (display, editing, analysis, etc.)
♦ The database of MapmyIndia will be linked to the high-end satellite catalog and earth observation data of ISRO that are produced through its satellite constellation.
♦ This collaboration will allow them to jointly use Earth observation datasets, Navigation in Indian Constellation (NavIC), Web Services and APIs (application programming interfaces) available in MapmyIndia to define and develop an overall geospatial portal.
♦ Application Programming Interfaces (API) is a software intermediary that facilitates communication between two applications.
♦ It is a computing interface used to describe the relationship between multiple intermediaries of software.
 
Significance of the Portal:
True Maps: Its services will represent the true borders of the country, according to the information given by the Indian Government.
Protects Privacy: Users can better safeguard their privacy by using MapmyIndia maps & software instead of international map applications. Foreign search engines and businesses claim to offer "free" maps, but in reality, by advertising to the same user, violating user privacy, and auctioning private locations and mobile data, they make money. In MapmyIndia, however, no such advertisements are given.
Atma Nirbhar Bharat: As an Indian forum, it is completely consistent with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat project of the government.
 
Launch of Technograhis:
 
Launched the online registration module of TECHNOGRAHIS.
 
Highlights:
♦ The TECHNOGRAHIS registration module was introduced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
♦ Students of TECHNOGRAHIS are from IIT, NIT, colleges of engineering, planning and architecture, students, academicians and stakeholders.
♦ At the six Light House Project (LHP) sites, they will register and visit Live Laboratories to study, consult, generate thoughts and solutions, perform experiments, innovate, and increase technical knowledge.
♦ This will allow them to gain first-hand knowledge on the technologies used, so that they can adapt and implement these technologies using the `Make in India` strategy in accordance with the requirements of the construction sector.
 
About Light House Project (LHP):
♦ LHP is being developed as part of the Global Housing Technology Challenge-India under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) (GHTC-India).
♦ LHP is a model housing project.
♦ Approximately 1,000 houses are being built with associated infrastructure facilities in each place.
♦ This technological revolution is cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, immune to disasters, and can accelerate construction.
♦ This initiative would prove to be a significant driving force for the technological transformation of India.
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PLI Scheme for Telecom and Networking Products:

 
The Union Cabinet has approved the Telecom and Network Goods PLI scheme.
 
Highlights:
♦ This scheme forms part of an overall scheme approved by the Cabinet in November 2020 to introduce Linked-Incentives for Production (PLI) for different ministries/departments.
♦ This is a continuation of the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" policy, which aims to increase India`s manufacturing capabilities and exports.
♦ Companies/entities engaged in the manufacture of unique telecommunications and networking products in India will be provided with support under this scheme.
♦ In addition, eligibility will be subject to the minimum accumulated incremental investment threshold being met within four years, as well as to incremental sales of finished goods net of taxes (other than traded goods) in the base year 2019-2020.
♦ It is possible to make a cumulative investment at one time, but it must meet the cumulative annual requirement of four years.
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Science & Technology Current Affairs February 2nd Week 2021

Aero India - iDEX Start-up Manthan:

iDEX – Start-up Manthan to promote defense innovation organised at Aero India 2021.

About iDEX Start-up Manthan:

♦ Every year, Start-up Manthan is organized under iDEX.

♦ The Prime Minister launched iDEX in April 2018, and its core objective is to create a business model that meets the defense needs of India and enables start-ups to take advantage of the defense market.

♦ Since its launch, iDEX has become a national ecosystem that brings startups, innovators and entrepreneurs together with military users and operators.

♦ This event offers a rare opportunity for DIO-iDEX-related companies to demonstrate market leaders and business decision-makers their skills, products and services.

FSSAI Caps Trans Fats in Foods:

Laws to limit trans fatty acids (TFA) in food products have been amended by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This decision was taken a week after the regulations for oils and fats were amended.  

Highlights:

♦ According to the new regulations, in foods containing edible fats and oils, the total quantity of industrial trans fats shall not exceed 2% of the total quantity of fats and oils found in the product.

♦ The regulation will be applicable from January 1, 2022.

♦ In December 2020, the FSSAI will restrict the amount of TFA content required for oils and fats to 3% in 2021, and will also limit the existing 5% to 2% by 2022.

 

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Russia to Launch 40 Satellites in 2021 of March:

The Russian Aerospace Industry has announced that in March 2021, Russia will launch 40 satellites from 18 different countries in the world into orbit.
 
Highlights:
♦ Using the Soyuz-2 launch vehicle, the satellite will be launched. It was also discovered in November 2020 that Soyuz-2.1 will be bombed on March 20, 2021 by the aerospace industry.
♦ The Soyuz 2.1 is a launch vehicle with boosters from Fregat. Together with a Korean compact Advanced Satellite 500 spacecraft named CAS500-1, it will be launched.
♦ Along with Soyuz 2.1 and CAS500-1, payloads from 18 nations will also be sent to space. The list of satellites has not been finalized yet, however.
♦ The Alliance 2.1 payload will launch satellites from Russia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, UAE, Israel, Thailand, Germany, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Hungary, Argentina, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Tunisia and the United Kingdom.
Soyuz: It is a Soviet expendable launch systems family. It was developed by OKB-1, and the Space Center Progress Rocket was designed in Samara, Russia. In 1966, it launched its first satellite. It has launched over 1,700 flights so far. In the world, it is the most widely used launch vehicle.
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Arka Shubha - New Marigold Variety Developed:

 
A new variety of marigold named Arka Shubha has been established by the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR).
 
Highlights:
♦ Arka Shubha`s carotene content is approximately 2.8 percent (maximum 1.4 percent for all marigolds), the highest of all plant sources.
♦ Even if it deteriorates after blooming, which is distinct from other varieties, this new variety of marigold can be used to extract crude carotene.
Ornamental and carotene extraction: Not only does this new variety have ornamental uses, it is also a good source of crude carotene.
Poultry Feed: Its petals can be used to acquire high-quality egg yolks as poultry feed.
Reduce Import Dependency: Most of the carotene imported by India comes from other nations, including China. This creation will dramatically reduce reliance on imports. The field of cultivation and investment in carotene extraction should therefore be expanded.
Key Facts About Carotene: Carotene is a non-oxygen-containing carotenoid pigment. They are usually unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain only carbon and hydrogen. The colors vary from yellow to red to orange. The color is due to the chain of single and double alternating bonds. Carotene is responsible for the orange color of carrots. Examples of carotene include alpha carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene. Carotene is used in the pharmaceutical industry and the demand for it has been high.

Science & Technology Current Affairs February 1st Week 2021

Space X Announced First All-Civilian Mission to Space

Elon Musk`s SpaceX recently announced the launch of the first all-civilian space flight.
 
Highlights:
♦ On Falcon 9, SpaceX plans to launch Inspiration4.
♦ This will be the first fully commercial astronaut flight worldwide.
♦ In the fourth quarter of this year, the spacecraft will begin orbiting.
♦ The mission will be launched at NASA`s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, from the 39A Launch Complex.
About the mission
♦ The mission is named Inspiration4.
♦ The name is in recognition of the mission of four crew members who inspired support for the Children`s Research Hospital of St. Jude.
♦ It also seeks the possibility of sending humanitarian messages.
♦ The multi-billion dollar expansion initiative by Jude seeks to drive advancement in science and save children around the world.
♦ For the Inspiration4 crew on the Falcon 9 launch vehicle, SpaceX will have commercial astronaut training.
♦ It will also include instruction by orbital mechanics, zero gravity, microgravity function and other stress testing for the Dragon spacecraft.
♦ Every 90 minutes, the mission will orbit the earth along a personalized flight path.
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Stardust 1.0: The First Rocket To Use Biofuels:
 
Stardust 1.0 was launched from the Loring Commerce Center, a former Maine, USA, military base, on January 31.
 
Highlights:
♦ This is the first biofuels-driven commercial space mission. Biofuels are non-toxic to the atmosphere compared with conventional rocket fuels.
♦ Stardust 1.0 is ideal for students and for budget payloads as a launch vehicle.
♦ The rocket has a height of 20 feet and a mass of around 250 kg.
♦ The rocket`s full payload mass is 8 kg.
♦ These rockets can help launch small CubeSats satellites into orbit in a way that is comparatively cheaper and less environmentally toxic than conventional rocket fuel use.

Kerala to Open its First Human Milk Bank:

On February 5, 2021, Kerala will inaugurate the first Human Milk Bank (HMB). This is a state-of-the-art facility, and at Ernakulam General Hospital, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja will open its doors.
 
Highlights:
♦ With the help of the Rotary Club of Cochin Global, a milk bank was created. 
♦ The breast milk bank will ensure that breast milk can be obtained by newborn babies who are not sick or deceased or who are not breastfed due to inadequate breast milk production. 
♦ Around 3,600 babies are born every year in general hospitals. Among them, 600 to 1,000 sick children join the Intensive Neonatal Care Unit (NICU). 
♦ However, mothers cannot properly feed them due to the low weight of premature babies or babies separated from their mothers. 
♦ Pasteurized breast milk from the milk bank would also reduce the risk of infection and help to reinforce its immunity.
♦ Thirty-two years ago, the idea of a milk bank emerged in India, but so far, Kerala has no milk bank. 
♦ In compliance with government guidelines, milk will be obtained in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures, stored and distributed to children in need.
♦ For 6 months, the milk collected will be securely deposited in the bank. Initially, the milk would be supplied to babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit free of charge. 
♦ Plans to create a hospital network for multiple collection and secure distribution points will be made at a later date. 
♦ In the hospital, the milk will be donated by the delivery mother. All health statistics in the hospital will be obtained by these mothers.
♦ A pasteurization machine, a deep freezer, a refrigerator, disinfection equipment, effluent treatment equipment and a computer were part of the human milk bank. 
♦ The cost was 3.5 million rupees after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the State Health Department with the Rotary Club of Cochin Global in 2020. 
♦ Professional nursing staff will be provided to run the milk bank by the Association of Pediatricians (IAP).
 
 
 

 

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Green Tax Impacts the Sale of CNG Car:

Recently, two automotive industry executives insisted that Maruti Suzuki India Co., Ltd. would benefit most from the proposed green tax on gasoline and diesel vehicles proposed by the government.
 
Highlights:
♦ Maruti is the top automaker in India and has the largest portfolio of compressed natural gas (CNG) car products among all domestic car manufacturers. By 2022, Suzuki Motor Company is also aiming to increase its annual CNG car sales to 200,000 or more.
♦ Maruti delivered a record 106,443 CNG vehicles in the fiscal year 2020. On average, sales of this type of vehicle are rising by 15.5 percent annually. Maruti further promotes CNG vehicles as an environmentally friendly alternative compared with diesel.
♦ Maruti has stopped selling diesel cars and has formulated ambitious plans to extend its portfolio of CNG models. Maruti has agreed to partner with Hyundai Motor Company of South Korea, which also sells CNG vehicles.
♦ Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has declared that a green tax will be imposed on certain types of vehicles from 1 April 2022. When a registration certificate is renewed, the government proposes to impose a green tax on personal vehicles. 
♦ Fifteen years later, 10 per cent to 25 per cent of the road tax on gasoline or diesel vehicles would be imposed. Similar taxes will also be imposed on transit vehicles or private vehicles above eight years of age while renewing the registration certificate and health certificate.
♦ Hybrid cars, hybrid vehicles and automobiles operating on renewable alternative fuels (such as CNG, ethanol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)) will be exempted from the green tax under the Green Tax Guidelines. Higher taxes will apply to gasoline or diesel cars.
♦ Higher taxes on petrol and diesel cars would push individuals to turn to CNG. This will, in turn, support businesses such as Maruti and Hyundai. Moreover, green transactions and increased purchasing costs can be used by businesses and dealers as marketing tactics to encourage consumers to purchase CNG vehicles.