Kerch Strait
Syllabus: GS1/Geography
Context
- Two Russian oil tankers have been damaged in the Kerch Strait causing oil spillage.
Kerch Strait
- Location: It is a strait in Eastern Europe connecting the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea.
- It is located between the Kerch Peninsula in Crimea (annexed by Russia in 2014) and the Taman Peninsula in Russia.
- It gets its name from the Crimean city of Kerch, formerly known as the Cimmerian Bosporus.
- Kerch Strait Bridge: A significant feature of the Kerch Strait is the Kerch Strait Bridge, which connects the Crimean Peninsula to mainland Russia.
- The bridge, completed in 2018, serves both road and rail traffic.
- Strait: A strait is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water, typically separating two land masses.
- Straits are important for maritime navigation, as they provide passage for ships between different seas or oceans.
Source: CNN
Trichophyton Indotineae
Syllabus: GS2/Health
Context
- Dermatologists from India and 13 other counties, including Germany, have objected to the region-specific nomenclature given to a novel species of fungus — Trichophyton (T.) indotineae.
About
- Trichophyton indotineae: It is a fungal pathogen that causes widespread and hard-to-treat skin infections.
- It is resistant to most anti-fungal medicines.
- Origin: It has turned up in over 40 countries and its origin currently remains unknown.
- Nomenclature: Japanese dermatologists, who had spotted the fungus in patients from India and Nepal, proposed in 2020 that this fungus should be considered a new species and named Trichophyton indotineae.
- The naming of the species is in line with a historical tradition of linking new infectious agents to specific locations.
- Examples are the Spanish flu, Delhi boil, Madura foot, West Nile virus, etc.
- Concern: It often leads to considerable misinformation, stigma, and racial prejudice.
Source: TH
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Syllabus :GS 2/Health
In News
- Autism diagnoses in the United States have risen sharply since 2000, raising public concern about the factors driving its prevalence.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- About: It is a neurological and developmental condition affecting communication, behavior, interaction, and learning due to disruptions in brain signaling.
- Causes: Likely due to genetic and environmental factors, including maternal health and birth complications.
- Genetic disorders (e.g., Fragile X syndrome) and environmental triggers (e.g., air pollution) may increase risk.
- Prevalence : The World Health Organization estimates global prevalence at 1%, up from 0.62% in 2012.
- Treatments: No cure; early diagnosis and intervention (before age 3) are key.
- Supportive therapies include speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training, and individualized education plans.
Source :DD News
Credit-Deposit Ratio
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- Banks in India added more deposits than loans last year, leading to a softening of the credit-deposit ratio.
About
- CD ratio or the loan-to-deposit ratio is used to assess a bank’s liquidity by comparing its total loans to total deposit for the same period.
- Typically, the ideal loan-to-deposit ratio is 80% to 90%. A loan-to-deposit ratio of 100% means a bank loaned one dollar to customers for every dollar received in deposits it received.
- High CDR: Indicates that the bank is actively lending, which could lead to higher profitability but also higher risk if loan repayments are not met.
- If the ratio is too high, the lender does not have enough liquidity for unanticipated stress or sudden withdrawals of funds.
- Low CDR: Suggests that the bank is more conservative, lending less and holding more reserves, which reflect caution or an inability to find suitable lending opportunities.
Source: LM
Plasticizer Degradation Using Bacterial Enzymes
Syllabus: GS3/Environment
Context
- IIT Roorkee has successfully used an enzyme—esterase enzyme—to break down diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) plasticizer.
About
- Esterase enzyme is produced by soil bacteria Sulfobacillus acidophilus.
- The enzyme breaks down the DEHP plasticizer into two products — mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and 2-ethyl hexanol.
- This esterase enzyme, along with other enzymes identified previously can convert high molecular weight phthalate plasticizers into water and carbon-dioxide.
- The esterase enzyme remains active for about a month and catalyzes the degradation of DEHP plasticizer with significant efficiency.
Applications
- Waste Management: Bacteria could be used in waste treatment facilities.
- Bioremediation: To clean up plastic pollution in natural ecosystems, such as oceans or rivers.
- Industrial Scale Degradation: With further genetic engineering and optimization, bacteria might be employed in industrial-scale bioreactors to efficiently break down plastics.
Source: TH
New Observatory at Remote Purulia District
Syllabus :GS 3/Science and Technology
In News
- The S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBCBS) has established a new observatory atop Panchet Hill in the Purulia district of West Bengal.
About Observatory
- It is an advanced astronomical observatory featuring a 14-inch telescope for scientific observations and training purposes.
- It is located at 600 meters above ground level and at 86° E longitude. It fills a gap in global astronomical observations, as very few observatories exist along this longitude.
- Purpose and Significance: It will aid in scientific observations of astronomical objects, train students in telescope handling, record data, and foster national and international collaboration in astronomical research.
- It is crucial for observing transient astronomical phenomena.
Other Key Observatories in India
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES): Nainital.
- Vainu Bappu Observatory: Tamil Nadu.
- IUCAA Observatory: Pune.
Source :PIB
Indian Army Day
Syllabus :GS 3/Defence
In News
- The 77th Army Day is being celebrated in India with a theme of “Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena”.
About Army Day
- It is celebrated on January 15 each year to honor General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
- On this day in 1949, Gen Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief, marking the transition to an independent Indian Army.
- Gen Cariappa is also known for leading Indian forces to victory in the India-Pakistan 1947 war.
About Indian Army Veterans’ Day
- Celebrated annually on January 14th.
- This day commemorates the retirement of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
- It is a day to recognize and appreciate the contributions and sacrifices of retired Indian Army personnel.
| Do you know? – The Indian Army traces its origins to the East India Company’s army, which later became the British Indian Army and the Princely States Army. – After India’s independence in 1947, these forces merged into the National Army of India. – The primary role of the Indian Army is to protect the nation from external and internal threats, as well as conduct humanitarian rescue operations during natural disasters. |
Source :Air
Bhargavastra Micro Missiles
Syllabus: GS3/ Defence
Context
- India has successfully tested the Bhargavastra, its first micro-missile system designed to counter swarm drones.
About
- Advanced Targeting: The Bhargavastra system successfully hit designated virtual targets over 2.5 kilometres away, demonstrating high precision and effectiveness.
- Enhanced Radar Capabilities: It can detect medium to large UAVs up to 10 kilometres and small drones up to 6 kilometres away, making it effective against a wide range of aerial threats.
- Versatile Deployment: Bhargavastra can be mounted on mobile platforms, enabling rapid deployment and adaptability to diverse operational terrains, including high-altitude regions.
Source: ET
Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022
Syllabus: GS3/ Energy
Context
- The High Court of Karnataka has struck down the Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2022.
About the ruling
- The High Court of Karnataka ruled that the Central Government lacked the authority under the Electricity Act, 2003 to frame the GEOA Rules, 2022.
- The Electricity Act, 2003 grants exclusive powers to State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) to regulate open access in electricity distribution.
Salient Features of GEOA Rules, 2022
- These rules are notified for promoting generation, purchase and consumption of green energy including the energy from Waste-to-Energy plants.
- The Green Open Access is allowed to any consumer and the limit of Open Access Transaction has been reduced from 1 MW to 100 kW for green energy, to enable small consumers also to purchase renewable power through open access.
- Consumers are entitled to demand supply of Green Power from Discoms.
- Discoms would be obligated to procure and supply green power to eligible consumers.
- Commercial and Industrial consumers are allowed to purchase green power on a voluntary basis.
- There shall be a uniform Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO), on all obligated entities in the area of a distribution license.
- Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia has also been included for fulfillment of its RPO.
Source: TH
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