Why in News? The novel coronavirus mutation called D614G has become the dominant variant in the global COVID-19 pandemic. About the mutation When the virus enters an individual’s body, it aims at creating copies of itself. When it makes an …
Superconductors A superconductor is a substance that conducts electricity without resistance when it becomes colder than a “critical temperature.” At this temperature, electrons can move freely through the material. The critical temperature for superconductors is the temperature at which the …
What’s in the news? The Feluda test, a coronavirus detection test developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to be commercially soon. Why are Feluda Tests better? The test, which still requires a nasal swab to be …
What is an asteroid? Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun. Although asteroids orbit the Sun like planets, they are much smaller than planets. They are also called minor planets. There are 3 types of Asteroids: First are …
Thalassemia Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterised by less oxygen-carrying protein (haemoglobin) and fewer red blood cells in the body than normal. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, paleness and slow growth. Mild forms may not need treatment. Severe forms may …
What’s in the news? Health experts at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) warned that the increased use of antibiotics and the widespread use of hand sanitisers and antimicrobial soaps, can worsen the situation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). …
About CRISPR Cas-9 CRISPR-Cas9 was adapted from a naturally occurring genome editing system in bacteria. The bacteria capture snippets of DNA from invading viruses and use them to create DNA segments known as CRISPR arrays. The CRISPR arrays allow the …
What’s in the news? Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan recently said that the ministry will soon roll out the FELUDA paper strip test for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. About the test The test has been developed by CSIR Institute of Genomics and …
Why in News? Americans Harvey J Alter and Charles M Rice and British scientist Michael Houghton were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology for the discovery of the hepatitis C virus. About their discovery The Hepatitis C virus …
Why in News? The World Health Organization endorsed a protocol for testing African herbal medicines as potential treatments for the coronavirus and other epidemics. Covid and traditional medicine COVID-19 has raised the issue of using traditional medicines to battle contemporary …