Background Almost every cell in our body contains our DNA. On average, about 99.9 per cent of the DNA between two humans is the same. The remaining percentage is what makes us unique (the only exceptions being multiple individuals from …
Growth of the space industry Decline in price The price tag for reaching low Earth orbit has declined by a factor of 20 in a decade which enhances human space travel possibilities by leveraging new commercial capabilities. NASA’s space shuttle …
About INS Viraat INS Viraat is a Centaur class aircraft carrier weighing 27,800 tonnes. It served in the British Navy as HMS Hermes for 25 years from November 1959 to April 1984. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in …
About the DNA Bill The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister for Science and Technology, Mr. Harsh Vardhan, on July 8, 2019. The Bill is for the regulation of use …
Why in News? A Hong Kong man, who recovered from COVID-19, was infected again four-and-a-half months later in the first documented instance of human re-infection. News in Detail The findings indicate the disease, which has killed more than 8,00,000 people …
About Dengue fever Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection. Dengue virus is transmitted by female mosquitoes mainly of the species Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Ae. albopictus. These mosquitoes are also vectors of chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika …
Why in News? The Science and Technology Indicators (STI), 2018, a periodic compendium of the state of scientific research in India was released in August, 2020. About the STI The STI is prepared by a division of the Department of …
Why in News? SalivaDirect, a new rapid diagnostic test for novel coronavirus infection that uses saliva samples, was granted an emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). News in Detail The test uses a new method …
What is a T cell? T cell, also called T lymphocyte, is a type of leukocyte (white blood cell) that is an essential part of the immune system. T cells are one of two primary types of lymphocytes—B cells being …
Why in News? The Health Ministry formed an expert committee on vaccine administration, under the chairmanship of NITI Aayog member V.K. Paul. About the panel The panel would consider the logistics and ethical aspects of procurement and administration of COVID-19 …