Published on: April 11, 2024
Snippets : 11 APRIL 2024
Snippets : 11 APRIL 2024
- A Karnataka hospital demonstrated successful drone transport of soft tissues to a medical college for cancer testing, saving time for surgeons. The drone flew from Dr TMA PAI Rotary Hospital to Kasturba Medical College, covering 37 km in 15 minutes. Samples were swiftly tested at KMC, allowing prompt surgical decisions. This achievement highlights drones’ potential in healthcare, aiding remote medicine delivery and streamlining procedures, particularly in rural areas
- Israel for the first time deployed its ship-mounted defence system, called the C-Dome. It is a naval version of Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system, used to shield against rocket and missile attacks. The C-Dome, which was first unveiled in 2014, declared operational in 2022,works similarly to the Iron Dome, using some of the same technology, except that it’s mounted on ships
- US White House officially directed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to create a time standard for the Moon, which different international bodies and private companies can use to coordinate their activities on the lunar surface
- Command Hospital in Pune achieves a significant milestone by being the first government hospital nationwide to procure and successfully conduct piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implants
- BBMP’s referral hospitals in Bengaluru now offer newborn screening for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) for the first time. Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) can lead to developmental delays, mental retardation, and poor growth in children. Early screening is crucial for detecting IEM caused by mutations, enzyme deficiencies, or over-secretion. The screening process involves urine and blood samples sent to a private laboratory, followed by referrals for specialized treatment if needed. The pilot project aims to benefit 15,000 newborns annually and will expand to all BBMP-run hospitals soon.
- The Government of India introduced CDP-SURAKSHA, a digital platform, to provide subsidies to horticulture farmers instantly. It utilizes e-RUPI vouchers for subsidy disbursal and ensures transparency in the process.
- India has eliminated visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) as per NCVBDC data, initially targeted for 2010 but achieved by 2023 due to challenges. Kala-azar, transmitted by sandflies, saw only 520 cases in 2023, meeting WHO’s elimination criteria. Government efforts such as indoor spraying and treatment completion aided in this success, though challenges persist in states like Bihar and Jharkhand. The WHO will assess India’s post-elimination situation, emphasizing sustained surveillance and community engagement for disease prevention.
- India’s educational landscape shines in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. IIM Ahmedabad ranks in the global top 25 for business and management studies, with IIM Bangalore and Calcutta in the top 50. JNU is 20th globally for development studies, while Saveetha Institute in Chennai is 24th for dentistry. India ranks second in Asia for universities featured (69) and fifth for top 200 entries, reflecting growth in educational quality despite challenges
- Peter Higgs’ passing marks the end of an era in physics. His contributions, including the prediction of the Higgs boson, reshaped our understanding of fundamental particles and forces. The discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider was a monumental achievement, completing the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Higgs’ modest lifestyle and aversion to fame contrasted with his profound impact on science, earning him the Nobel Prize alongside other physicists. The term ‘God particle’ for the Higgs boson, although controversial, reflects its significance in explaining mass in the universe.
