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UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 20-09-2024

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September 20, 2024

Advanced PAP (A-PAP) pen, paper based device sensing contaminants

Scientists have recently developed fabricating paper-based devices using an Advanced PAP (A-PAP) pen.

  • An Advanced PAP (A-PAP) pen is a hydrophobic barrier pen used in laboratory applications to draw barriers on glass slides to confine the flow of reagents.
  • A-PAP pen offers a practical alternative to conventional sensing methods that necessitate specialized equipment and expertise making it suitable for resource-limited settings.
  • PAP pen that does not require any machinery or heating/drying steps and adopts a DIY approach.
  • Recent analysis - Using the A-PAP pen, the fabrication of two-dimensional (2D) paper-based devices for chemical detection of heavy metal and nitrite can be done.
  • The versatility of fabrication technique for biological sensing using 2D lateral flow paper-based devices for the detection of dopamine can be done.
  • Furthermore, the technique is also validated for fabricating complex three-dimensional (3D) paper-based devices using a paper origami technique for heavy metals sensing.
  • The omission of the heating/drying step thereby enabling the rapid fabrication in around 10 seconds with superior contact angle suitable for testing and sensing applications.
  • Benefits - This technique provides a valuable tool for creating affordable, efficient, and accessible chemical and biological testing solutions.
  • Its versatility extends to fabricating simple and complex devices like lateral-flow-based and 3D origami devices.

A-PAP 1

https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image002GVM3.png

A-PAP 3

Paper-based devices

  • It is also known as paper-based analytical devices (PADs) or microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs).
  • They are made by patterning paper to create channels and barriers, and can be used with a variety of detection methods.
  • These are analytical tools that use paper to perform a variety of tasks
  • Detection - PADs can detect biological analytes associated with disease, such as glucose, or foodborne pathogens.
  • Monitoring - PADs can monitor environmental, health, and food issues.
  • Diagnosis - PADs can be used for clinical diagnosis.
  • Drug development - PADs can be used in drug development.
  • PADs are inexpensive, portable, and disposable.

Reference

PIB | Advanced PAP (A-PAP) pen

 

Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM)

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has recently approved the development of Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM).

  • The Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) is a planned mission to study the surface and atmosphere of Venus.
  • Agency - Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • Aim It aims for scientific exploration and for better understanding of Venusian atmosphere, geology and generate large amount of science data probing into its thick atmosphere.
  • The mission is expected to be accomplished during March 2028.
  • By studying Venus, Indian scientists hope to unlock answers to key questions about planetary evolution, particularly Venus, despite its similarities to Earth, developed so differently.
  • By studying Venus, scientists hope to uncover how planetary environments can evolve differently despite similar beginnings.

Venus

  • Venus is the 2nd planet from the Sun Earth's closest planetary neighbor.
  • Size - Venus is the sixth largest planet and is similar in size to Earth.
  • Due to its similar size and composition, Venus is often referred to as Earth's "twin”.
  • Temperature - Venus is believed to have once harbored conditions suitable for life.
  • However, the planet underwent a dramatic transformation, evolving into an extremely hostile environment with surface temperatures exceeding 450°C and an atmosphere filled with toxic gases.
  • Venus's dense atmosphere creates an intense greenhouse effect, trapping heat and making it the hottest planet in the solar system.
  • NASA explained that its surface temperatures are so extreme that they can melt lead.
  • Beneath the thick, perpetual clouds, the planet features volcanic landscapes and distorted mountain ranges.
  • Distance from the Sun - Venus is said to orbit the Sun at an average distance of 67 million miles (108 million kilometres), or 0.72 astronomical units (AU).

1 AU represents the distance between Earth and the Sun.

  • At this range, sunlight takes about 6 minutes to reach Venus.
  • Moons- Venus is one of only two planets in our solar system without a moon, but it does have a quasi-satellite called Zoozve.

References

  1. PIB | Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM)
  2. Economic Times | Venus Orbiter Mission

 

Antimatter

  • Antimatter is the twin of almost all the subatomic particles that make up the universe.
  • The matter in universe comes in many forms like solids, liquids, gasses, and plasmas.
  • These forms of matter all consist of subatomic particles that give matter its mass and volume.

Antimatter

  • These particles include protons and neutrons (also known as baryons), electrons and neutrinos (also known as leptons), and a variety of other particles in the Standard Model of Particle Physics.
  • Protons and neutrons are themselves made up of particles known as quarks and gluons.
  • But matter can have an opposite in the form of antimatter.
  • All the subatomic particles in matter either have their own anti-twins (antiquarks, antiprotons, antineutrons, and antileptons such as antielectrons).
  • These anti-particles can combine to form anti-atoms and, in principle, could even form anti-matter regions of the universe.
  • Antimatter is made up of special particles that are like opposites to the ones in regular matter, having opposite electrical charges.
  • In antimatter, there are antiparticles like positrons (positively charged electrons).
  • When antimatter particles meet their matching matter particles, they cancel each other out, releasing a lot of energy.
  • Antimatter is rare in the observable universe, but scientists find it in places with lots of energy, like cosmic rays and certain experiments in labs.
  • British physicist Paul Dirac predicted antimatter in 1928 while trying to combine quantum mechanics, which describes subatomic particles, and Einstein's theory of relativity.
  • Positrons were discovered by American California Institute of Technology physicist Carl Anderson.
  • Dirac and Anderson received the Nobel Prize in physics for their work on this discovery in 1933 and in 1936 respectively.
  • Humans have created antimatter particles using ultra-high-speed collisions at huge particle accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider, located outside Geneva and operated by CERN, European Organization for Nuclear Research.
  • Several experiments at CERN create antihydrogen, the antimatter twin of the element hydrogen.
  • The most complex antimatter element produced to date is antihelium, the counterpart to helium.

References

  1. Dept of Energy | Antimatter
  2. Live Science | Anti matter

 

Bio-RIDE Scheme

The Union Cabinet approved the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme to support cutting-edge research and development in biotechnology.

  • The 2 umbrella schemes of Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
    • Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D) and
    • Industrial and Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED) merged as one scheme-‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio- RIDE)’.
  • It is merged with a new component, ‘Bio-manufacturing and Bio-foundry’.
  • Aim - To accelerate research, enhance product development, and bridge the gap between academic research and industrial applications.
  • It is designed to foster innovation, promote bio-entrepreneurship, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in biomanufacturing and biotechnology.
  • Components of Bio-RIDE
    • Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D).
    • Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED).
    • Biomanufacturing and Bio foundry (a new component).
  • Nodal ministry- The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  • Implementation – During the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-2026).
  • Key Features
    • Promote Bio-Entrepreneurship- Seed funding, incubation, and mentorship for startups.
    • Advance Innovation- Grants and incentives for cutting-edge research in areas like synthetic biology, biopharmaceuticals, bioenergy, and bioplastics.
    • Facilitate Industry-Academia collaboration- Strengthen partnerships between academic institutions, research organizations, and industry to commercialize biotech products.
    • Encourage sustainable biomanufacturing- Focus on environmentally sustainable practices aligned with India's green goals.
    • Support researchers- Extramural funding for researchers in biotechnology fields like agriculture, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
    • Nurture human resources- Develop skilled manpower through holistic support and capacity building in biotechnology.

References

  1. PIB | Bio-RIDE scheme
  2. Business Standard | Bio-RIDE scheme

 

Spotted deer

Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh faces Habitat Strain recently due to Spotted Deer Overpopulation.

  • The chital deer, also known as the spotted deer, chital deer, or axis deer, is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent.
  • Scientific Name - Axis axis.
  • Family - Cervidae.
  • Size - 35 inches tall and weighs about 187 pounds.
  • Distribution - The major area of their distribution is Sri Lanka and India, though they are introduced to USA and Australia as well.
  • Habitat - is found in large numbers in dense deciduous or semievergreen forests and open grasslands.
  • Appearance - The deer’s golden-rufus coloring is speckled with white spots, and it has a white underbelly.
  • Its curved, three-pronged antlers extend nearly 3 feet and shed each year.
  • Diet They are herbivores, they feed upon tall grass and shrubs.
  • Breeding - The spotted deer has a prolonged mating season, as the perpetually warm climate allows females to remain fertile and to give birth to fawns any time of year.
  • It is a social animal, usually occurs in herds of 10 to 50 individuals.

Spotted Deer

  • Conservation status
    • IUCN – Least concern.
    • Not listed in CITES.
    • WPA, 1972 - Schedule III.

Reference

Deccan chronicle | Spotted Deer

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