GS-III

A team of geneticists, conservation biologists and wildlife officials are in the process of preparing a genetic map — that is, tracing out the sequence of genes — from Machhli’s DNA, which was extracted at the time of her death. “Machhli is an iconic individual, has lived long, has sired …

While efforts continue to protect Gir lions which are perishing at an alarming rate, experts try to trace the DNA of Indian tigers Stunned by the deaths of 23 lions since September 12, the Gujarat government, which initially insisted that the lions had died due to infighting for territorial domination, …

Will be a game-changer: Air Force chief The acquisition of the Rafale fighter jets and the S-400 air defence system will go a long way in addressing the depleting squadron strength of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal (ACM) B.S. Dhanoa said on Wednesday. “We had reached an …

Artificial sweeteners toxic for gut microbes: study Artificial sweeteners and sport supplements may be toxic to digestive gut microbes, a study warns. The study, published in the journal Molecules , indicated relative toxicity of six artificial sweeteners — aspartame, sucralose, saccharine, neotame, advantame, and acesulfame potassium-k.PTI Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/artificial-sweeteners-toxic-for-gut-microbes-study/article25107135.ece

‘Wildfires to worsen even if climate goals are met’ Even reaching the most optimistic goals in the Paris climate treaty will still increase the area of southern Europe devastated by forest fires each year by between 40-54%, scientists at the University of Barcelona warned on Tuesday.AFP Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/europe-fires-to-worsen-even-if-climate-goals-met/article25107133.ece

Google to let users stream games on Chrome Google has announced that it will test a video game streaming platform with the release of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey this week. The test will be limited to the U.S., where a select number of people will get to play Assassin’s Creed Odyssey …

The suits prolong bacteria’s life Scientists have developed “spacesuits” for bacteria that may allow the microbes to survive space environments that would otherwise kill them. The protective suits pair live bacteria with light-absorbing semiconductors in order to capture carbon dioxide and convert it into chemicals that can be used by …

‘Only 300 birds exist, need protection’ A team of ornithologists in Ecuador has identified a new species of hummingbird: a lovely blue-green creature that lives in a cold, barren highland area and is in danger of extinction. Team leader Francisco Sornoza saw one of the birds through binoculars a year …

The imprints may also shed light on whether or not trauma can be passed on between generations Children subjected to abuse may carry the physical hallmark of that trauma in their cells, scientists said on Tuesday, in research that could help criminal investigations probing historic mistreatment. The imprints may also …

The way forward has to be through fuels found above the ground, PM tells ISA Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged world leaders to move towards a future of ‘one world, one sun, one grid’ in which countries around the world would share electricity so that none is without …

Shareholders say they will decide on rights issue after board’s deliberations at the meeting on Oct. 8 All eyes are on the first board meeting of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services’ (IL&FS), as shareholders said a decision would be taken on the rights issue after the board’s deliberations. The board …

More than 94% of rural households across the country have now been declared open defecation free in comparison to just 39% when the mission was launched four years ago. The PM’s deadline to eradicate open defecation in the country is Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary on October 2, 2019. “Between …

25 lakh vulnerable populace to benefit The Naveen Patnaik government launched its own food security scheme on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on Tuesday, benefiting 25 lakh people who were left out of the National Food Security Act. “On Gandhi Jayanti, launched Odisha’s own food security scheme to benefit 25 …

10 Odisha villages declare their habitats untouchability-free As a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, 10 villages in seven panchayats in the Daringbadi block of Odisha’s Kandhamal district on Tuesday declared their habitats untouchability-free. In the gramsabha meetings of the seven panchayats held on Tuesday, resolutions relating to complete eradication of untouchability …

‘Countries need to make policy shifts and invest more’ The world will not reach the goal of universal sanitation coverage – where every person has access to toilets – by 2030 unless countries make comprehensive policy shifts and invest more funds, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday as …

Facility at Marine Drive cost Rs. 90 lakh Mumbai’s first Rs. 90 lakh clean-technology toilet was thrown open to the public at Nariman Point along Marine Drive on Tuesday. The environment-friendly toilet block, an initiative of the Brihanamumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC),and Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens’ Association (NPCCA), will serve the …

3,700 tractors, a few hundred buses and trollies took part in the journey, say participants Members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) sat on the road, inside their tractors, on pavements and on barricades installed by police near east Delhi’s Ghazipur at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border on Tuesday. Though, they …

IAF aircraft and naval ships on the way to tsunami-hit Palu The Indian Air Force and the Navy on Tuesday launched efforts to deliver relief material to the tsunami-hit Indonesia. The Navy has diverted its ships INS Tir , Sujata and Shardul on deployment to Singapore to Palu in Indonesia. …

A newly developed vaccine to treat patients with metastatic HER2-positive cancers has been found to be effective and safe, scientists say. The trial showed that among the 11 evaluable patients, those who received more than the lowest dose of the HER2-targeted cancer vaccine, six (54%) demonstrated clinical benefits. Source : …

Diplomats gathering in South Korea on Monday found themselves in the awkward position of vetting and validating a major UN scientific report that underscores the failure of their governments to take stronger action on climate. “This will be one of the most important meetings in IPCC history,” Hoesung Lee, chair …