SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ADVANCES IN GENE THERAPY FOR STARGARDT DISEASE

GS3 – SCIENCE & TECH  Overview Stargardt disease, a rare genetic eye condition causing progressive vision loss in children and young adults, may soon see effective treatments. Researchers from the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology in Basel, Switzerland, and Beam Therapeutics have developed a promising gene therapy approach. About …

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Mission SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking)

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Mission SCOT, developed by Digantara, is a commercial satellite launched to enhance Space Situational Awareness (SSA). Goals: Monitor space objects (satellites, debris). Strengthen national security and space defense. Reduce space debris risks. Features: Launched by SpaceX. Operates in a sun-synchronous orbit. Tracks objects as …

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ARCTIC BOREAL ZONE BECOMES A CARBON SOURCE

GS3 SCIENCE AND TECH Recent research reveals a concerning shift in the Arctic Boreal Zone, with nearly 40% of the region transitioning from a carbon sink to a carbon source. This change is largely driven by climate change, including longer growing seasons, increased microbial activity, and more frequent wildfires. The …

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OYSTERS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

GS3 SCIENCE & TECH Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, causing millions of deaths each year. Researchers are investigating innovative solutions, such as oyster-derived antimicrobial proteins, to improve existing antibiotics and fight resistant bacterial strains. AMR Overview AMR results in nearly five million deaths annually, with projections …

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Farming in Space

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SPACE ISRO CROPS Mission ISRO recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully germinating lobia seeds during its CROPS module experiment, advancing sustainable farming in space. Why Grow Plants in Space? Sustainable Food Source: Growing plants reduces reliance on pre-packaged food, offering fresh nutrition …

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Planet Parade Phenomenon

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY A spectacular “planet parade” is currently visible, showcasing six planets aligned in an arc in the night sky. This event provides a unique opportunity to observe planetary motions and celestial alignments. What is a Planet Parade? Definition: A planet parade occurs when multiple planets …

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TELECOM INITIATIVES IN INDIA

GS3 TECHNOLOGY  Overview: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently launched several telecom initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and security across India. These include the Sanchar Saathi Mobile App, the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, and Intra Circle Roaming at DBN-funded 4G sites. The government’s goal is to empower citizens with better …

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MAHARASHTRA AI POLICY INITIATIVE

GS3 TECHNOLOGY Overview: The Maharashtra government has announced the formation of a 16-member committee to draft the state’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy. The initiative aims to position Maharashtra as India’s leading state in AI development, aligning with the central government’s India AI Mission to drive digital economy growth and …

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NANO BUBBLE TECHNOLOGY

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Context: Union Minister of State for Environment launched ‘Nano Bubble Technology’ for cleaning and purifying water at the National Zoological Park, Delhi. About Nano Bubble Technology Nanobubbles: These are extremely small bubbles, measuring between 70-120 nanometers, which is 2,500 times smaller than a single …

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QUANTUM COMPUTING – THE 2025 LANDSCAPE

GS3- TECHNOLOGY As 2025 unfolds, quantum computing stands poised to redefine innovation across industries. The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, reflecting the global recognition of quantum computing’s potential to revolutionize areas like healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced materials research. This paradigm …

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Gravitational Lensing

GS 3 – Science and technology Gravitational Lensing is the bending, distortion, and magnification of light from a distant source due to the curvature of spacetime caused by the mass of an intervening object. Spacetime, a combination of the three dimensions of space and time, curves in the presence of …

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KM3NeT Project

GS 3 – Science and technology Overview: Scientists are deploying two telescopes as part of the Cubic Kilometre Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT) project to detect high-energy neutrinos, also known as ghost particles, beneath the Mediterranean Sea. The KM3NeT is a research infrastructure that hosts next-generation neutrino telescopes with a volume of …

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In-flight Internet Connectivity

GS 3 – Science and technology Context: Tata Group’s Air India has announced the provision of free in-flight internet services on both domestic and international flights. Connectivity Technologies: In-flight internet is facilitated by two primary technologies: air-to-ground (ATG) and satellite-based connectivity. Both require special antennae to be installed on the …

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Thorium-Based Nuclear Energy Production

GS 3 – Science and technology Why in News? India’s top power producer, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), has partnered with Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) to explore the use of Thorium-based nuclear fuel. The collaboration focuses on the Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life (ANEEL) project, which aims to …

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Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

GS 3 – Science and technology Genetically Modified (GM) Crops refer to plants whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to introduce desired traits. These traits may include resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, improvement of crop yield, or enhancement of nutritional content. Key Features of …

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ISRO Missions

GS 3 – Science and technology Why in News? ISRO concluded its 2024 launch schedule with the successful completion of the PSLV C60 mission. Key ISRO Missions of 2024 PSLV C58 and POEM-3 PSLV C58: The year began with the launch of XPoSat. POEM-3: The PSLV C58 mission also conducted …

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POEM-4 (PSLV Orbital Experimental Module)

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SPACE The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) announced the successful deployment of 10 hosted payloads by Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) on the POEM-4 module during ISRO’s PSLV-C60/SpaDeX mission. This achievement highlights a growing private sector role in India’s space exploration. What …

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