Important TNPSC Current Affairs June (01-10) 2021

Topic: International Events

World’s first Human case of H10N3 Bird Flu

First Human case of H10N3 bird flu was reported in eastern province of Jiangsu in China. A 41-year-old man has become first human case of infection with H10N3 strain of bird flu. He was diagnosed of H10N3 avian influenza virus on May 28. It is still not confirmed how he was infected with virus.

What is H10N3 bird flu?

H10N3 is a low pathogenic or less severe strain of virus in poultry. The risk of it transmitting on a large scale is also very low. In about 40 years, only 160 isolates of this virus were reported, in wild birds or waterfowl across Asia and North America. It has not been detected in chickens.

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Topic: Latest inventions on Science and Health

WHO names COVID-19 variants found in India

World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended several names, to label emerging coronavirus variants of global concern, after four letters of Greek alphabet. It named B.1.617.2 variant, identified first in India, as Delta.

Key facts:

‘UK variant’ was named as ‘Alpha’. Existing scientific nomenclature system will continue while new names will only aid public discussion using labels in order to “non stigmatising” with the countries where variants were first identified.

Variants of concerns: WHO has identified four VOCs- B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P2 and B.1.617.2. they have been labelled as ‘Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta’ respectively.

Variants of Interest:

The variants of Interest were, less globally widespread and transmissible, also given Greek names. B.1.617 virus, belonging to B.1.617 family was identified in India which has been labelled as ‘Kappa’.

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Topic: Latest inventions on Science and Technology

SpaceX rocket carries squids, microorganisms to ISS

SpaceX rocket lift-off rocket to International Space Station carrying supplies for scientific experiments along with surprising passengers like squids and microorganisms called tardigrades.

Key facts:

Dragon capsule was launched with Falcon 9 rocket. Capsule is carrying young specimens of species Euprymna scolopes called as bobtail squid.

Species were sent to study the effect of zero gravity on interactions between bacteria and their host organisms. Squids will be exposed to bacteria once they reach ISS. After 12 hours, specimens will be preserved until their return to Earth.

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Topic: Latest inventions on Science and Technology

ISRO develops 3 Cost-Effective Ventilators

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed three types of cost-effective ventilators and an oxygen concentrator.

Key facts:

3 ventilators have been named as Prana, VaU and Svasta while oxygen cylinder has been named as Shwaas. All three are user-friendly and fully automated along with touch-screen specifications. It meets all safety standards.

VSSC will transfer the Technology for commercial production of these three ventilators and one oxygen concentrator. Ventilators are likely to be priced around ₹1 lakh as compared to mini conventional ventilators which are priced around ₹5 lakh.

About Prana, VaU, Svasta and Shwaas:

Prana ventilator will deliver respiratory gas to patient by automated compression of Ambu bag

Svasta ventilator will work without electric power

VaU is a low-cost ventilator similar to commercial high-end ventilators in use.

Shwaas oxygen cylinder is capable of supplying 10 litres of enriched oxygen per minute and is adequate for two patients at a time. It enhances oxygen gas content by selectively separating nitrogen gas from ambient air through Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). PSA is commonly used for production of oxygen from the air.

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC):

VSSC is a major space research centre that focuses on rocket and space vehicles for satellite programmes in India.  It is located in Trivandrum (Kerala). It was renamed in honour of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai who is known as father of Indian space program.

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Topic: International Events

India – Thailand CORPAT Exercise begins

India and Thailand started 31st edition of Coordinated Patrols or CORPAT, with the aim of reinforcing maritime links between two countries and to keep Indian Ocean safe and secure for international trade.

CORPAT Exercise:

This is the first biannual exercise in which Saryu, an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel called Saryu from Indian Navy and His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Krabi along with Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies are participating.

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Topic: Latest inventions on Science and Technology

New Missions to Venus: NASA

Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced two new robotic missions to Venus. Earlier, scientists obtained new data about Venus by bouncing radio waves off the planet.

The two sister missions aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world capable of melting lead at the surface.

DaVinci Plus:

It will be the first of the two, it will analyze the thick, cloudy Venusian atmosphere in an attempt to determine whether the inferno planet ever had an ocean and was possibly habitable. A small craft will plunge through the atmosphere to measure the gases.

Veritas:

It will be the second one seeking a geologic history by mapping the rocky planet’s surface.

Significance:

The new missions will give fresh views of the planet’s atmosphere, made up mostly of carbon dioxide, down to the core.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

January 30 now ‘World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day’

Delegates at the 74th World Health Assembly unanimously adopted a proposal by the United Arab Emirates to declare January 30 as “World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day’’.

What are Neglected Tropical Diseases?

They are infections that are most common among marginalised communities in the developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.

They generally receive less funding for research and treatment than malaises like tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS and malaria. Some examples include snakebite envenomation, scabies, yaws, trachoma, Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.

The WHO’s new road map for 2021–2030 calls for three strategic shifts to end NTDs:

From measuring process to measuring impact.

From disease-specific planning and programming to collaborative work across sectors.

From externally driven agendas reliant to programmes that are country-owned and country-financed.

Why was January 30 chosen?

It was on this day that the London Declaration on NTDs was adopted, January 30, 2012. The first World NTD Day was celebrated informally in 2020.

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Topic: International Events

China to allow couples to have third child

Days after China’s census data showed population growth slipping to its slowest rate since the 1950s, the country has announced it will now allow three children per married couple. Please note, five years ago in 2016, it first relaxed its controversial one-child policy to two.

Firstly, why was one-child policy implemented?

China embarked upon its one-child policy in 1980, when the Communist Party was concerned that the country’s growing population, which at the time was approaching one billion, would impede economic progress.

It was enforced through several means, including incentivising families financially to have one child, making contraceptives widely available, and imposing sanctions against those who violated the policy.

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Topic: International Events

Chinese ‘Artificial Sun’ Experimental Fusion Reactor Sets New World Record

China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), also known as ‘Artificial Sun’ experiment, has set a new record in the latest experiment, where it achieved a plasma temperature of 216 million Fahrenheit (120 million C) for 101 seconds.

Why is this significant?

It is believed that the temperature at the core of the Sun is 15 million C, which also means that the temperature produced by (EAST) is nearly seven times that of the Sun. It is a significant step in the country’s quest to unlock clean and limitless energy, with minimal waste products.

What is EAST?

The mission mimics the energy generation process of the sun. The reactor consists of an advanced nuclear fusion experimental research device located in Hefei, China. It is one of three major domestic tokamaks that are presently being operated across the country.

The EAST project is part of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) facility, which will become the world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor when it becomes operational in 2035.

The ITER project includes the contributions of several countries, including India, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the United States.

Which other countries have achieved this feat?

China is not the only country that has achieved high plasma temperatures. In 2020, South Korea’s KSTAR reactor set a new record by maintaining a plasma temperature of over 100 million degrees Celsius for 20 seconds.

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Topic: General Administration

Teachers Eligibility Test

Teachers Eligibility Test is the minimum qualification required in India for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher for Classes I to VIII. The test is mandatory for teaching jobs in Indian government schools. The TET is conducted by both the central and state governments of India. The test is conducted to meet the objectives of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

Why in News? The Ministry of Education has extended the validity of the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) qualifying certificate from seven years to life with retrospective effect from 2011.

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Topic: International Events

I-Familia

It is a Global database to identify missing persons Launched by Interpol. It can identify missing persons through family DNA and help the police solve cold cases in member countries.

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Topic: Places in News

What is the ‘sea snot’ outbreak in Turkey?

Turkey’s Sea of Marmara, that connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, has witnessed the largest outbreak of ‘sea snot’. The sludge has also been spotted in the adjoining Black and Aegean seas.

What is sea snot?

It is a slimy layer of grey or green sludge, which can cause considerable damage to the marine ecosystem. It is formed when algae are overloaded with nutrients. A ‘sea snot’ outbreak was first recorded in the country in 2007. Back then, it was also spotted in the Aegean Sea near Greece.

Overloading of nutrients happens because of warm weather caused by global warming, water pollution, uncontrolled dumping of household and industrial waste into the seas etc.

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Topic: New Appointments

Anup Chandra Pandey- Election Commissioner

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Anup Chandra Pandey has been appointed as the new Election Commissioner. The appointment of Pandey will restore the poll panel to its full strength as a three-member commission.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar are the other two members on the panel.

About Election commission of India:

The constitution under article 324 provides for an Election Commission for the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for the conduct of elections to parliament, state legislatures and to the offices of president and vice president.

It was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950 (celebrated as national voters’ day).