Published on: April 23, 2024
Snippets : 23 APRIL 2024
Snippets : 23 APRIL 2024
- The IISc research has introduced a novel approach to developing vaccine candidates for various cancers by designing a synthetic compound (antigen) that can enhance antibody production against cancer cells. Carbohydrate-based antigens play a crucial role in cancer vaccine development because both normal and cancerous cells have large amounts of carbohydrates on their surfaces. Abnormal cells, such as cancer cells, carry heavily truncated carbohydrates.
- Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), making her the first woman to hold the top post in over 100 years
- Gukesh, aged 17, made history by becoming the youngest winner of the FIDE Candidates Chess Championship. This victory earned him the right to challenge World Champion Ding Liren. He’s only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to achieve this feat and will receive Euros 111,000 in prize money. His final round draw against Nakamura, coupled with a non-decisive result in another match, secured his win in a finale in Toronto
- INSV Tarini, an Indian Naval Sailing Vessel, completed a groundbreaking transoceanic expedition led by Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K. and Roopa A., marking the first Indian women to achieve this feat. Flagged off from Goa on February 28 by Commander Abhilash Tomy (Retd), the expedition lasted nearly two months, navigating the Indian Ocean for 22 days before reaching Port Louis, Mauritius, on March 21. Their journey underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to gender equality and empowering women in maritime roles, despite facing challenges like heavy winds and rough seas during their return
- Israel recently used the Rampage, an efficient air-to-surface missile, in an attack on an Iranian military base
- C-CAMP has partnered with the Blockchain for Impact (BFI) Biome Virtual Network Program to accelerate healthcare innovations. The BFI program focuses on advancing biomedical science, fostering collaborations, and supporting startups in critical healthcare areas like diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, and digital health. With a budget of over $200,000, the program aims to leverage C-CAMP’s expertise to drive impactful solutions. C-CAMP, supported by the Department of Biotechnology, has been pivotal in promoting entrepreneurship and fostering innovation in life sciences since 2009
- Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) signs Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Civil Service, Cambodia on cooperation in the field of Human Resource Development in Civil Service
- The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has collaborated with IISc, CGWA, and KGWA to implement an AI-based groundwater monitoring system, addressing challenges like data deficiency and borewell failures with targeted monitoring and a dedicated task force.
- CSIR implements its in-house ‘Accounts Manager Software’ across Headquarters and National Labs, featuring an intuitive interface, comprehensive reporting, data security, real-time monitoring, streamlining financial transactions, ensuring transparency, and setting an example for timely reporting.
- ISRO’s satellite imagery spanning 40 years reveals significant expansion of glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayan river basins, posing flood threats downstream due to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). This expansion, especially in moraine-dammed lakes, reflects glacier retreat, elevating flood risks and highlighting the importance of satellite remote sensing for monitoring and mitigating such environmental hazards
- Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano in Antarctica, known for its distinctive features like a persistent lava lake and Strombolian eruptions, is currently garnering attention for its daily eruptions of gold dust, as noted by NASA’s Earth Observatory. This unique occurrence has an estimated daily extraction value of $6000, adding to the volcano’s geological and scientific significance.
- Sweden joins NASA’s Artemis Accords, a set of non-binding principles for civil space exploration and use aimed at ensuring safety, transparency, cooperation, and responsible utilization of space resources. This addition expands the Accords’ reach to 38 signatory nations, promoting peaceful and sustainable practices in outer space activities.
- The report by ‘Spaceport Sarabhai’ highlights the heightened risks in India’s commercial space launch industry, emphasizing the need for insurance and reinsurance capabilities to manage financial risks effectively. It discusses the challenges posed by space debris and crowded low Earth orbit, advocates for clear legislative frameworks, and recommends a regulatory approach to address liability issues and ensure industry sustainability.
- MakeMyTrip’s report highlights a surge in domestic pilgrimage tourism, with a 97% increase in searches for religious sites over two years. The inauguration of the Ram Mandir saw significant spikes in searches for Ayodhya, Ujjain, and Badrinath. The report also delves into evolving travel behaviors, including increased holiday frequency, family-centric trips, solo travel, preferred payment methods, popular destinations, and booking patterns in both domestic and international travel.
