Modern technology and Indian traditional knowledge of Ayurveda have been combined for a solution to disinfect water completely and also offer possible health benefits of natural oils. Disinfection of water is essential for removing pathogenic microorganisms that are responsible for causing a number of water-borne diseases. However, the common drawbacks …

A NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) funded CIBER-2 sounding rocket’s launch window will open at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, USA. The aim of CIBER-2 mission is to look for evidence of extra stars that may have been missed in stellar head counts. The ESA (European Space Agency) infrared space observatory Herschel also counted the number of galaxies …

Recently, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Society through video conference. Earlier CSIR Floriculture Mission was approved for implementation in 21 States and Union Territories of India. It is also planning to undertake genome sequencing of a sample of nearly 1000 Indian rural youth to determine unique genetic traits, susceptibility …

India has placed an advance order to block 300 million doses of a new Covid-19 vaccine, Corbevax. Important points: It is India’s indigenous Covid-19 vaccine which is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials. It is a “recombinant protein sub-unit” vaccine. It means it is made up of a specific part of SARS-CoV-2 – the spike protein on the virus’s surface. The spike protein allows …

Recently, the government of India has dedicated a window ‘The Green Gold Collection’ on the GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal for the marketing of Bamboo Goods. This window is the collective work of the National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and GeM. Important points: It showcases a range of exquisitely handcrafted bamboo and bamboo products, handicrafts, disposals and office utility products …

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment virtually launched the SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine) initiative and SAGE portal for elderly persons. An amount of Rs. 100 crore has been assigned for the promotion of the silver economy. Silver economy is the system of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services aimed at using the purchasing potential of older and ageing …

The World Environment Day is observed on the 5th of June annually to encourage awareness and environmental protection. Important points: The United Nations Assembly established World Environment Day in 1972, which was the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the human environment. ‘Ecosystem Restoration’. It will kick off the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) – a global mission to …

The report titled “Glaciers of the Himalayas: Climate Change, Black Carbon and Regional Resilience” says that the glaciers are melting faster than the global average ice mass. However, the strong policy on black carbon can sharply cut glacier melt. The research report is released by the World Bank and covers the Himalaya, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush (HKHK) mountain ranges. Black carbon …

Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published the World Energy Investment Report, 2021. Important points: Global energy investment is expected to rebound in 2021 and increase 10% year-on-year to around USD 1.9 trillion. Most of this investment will flow towards power and end-use sectors, shifting out of traditional fossil fuel production. The scenario is perfectly aligned with …