1) Apoptosis: It is the process of programmed cell death. It is a mechanism that allows cells to self-destruct when stimulated by the appropriate trigger.
- It is used during early development to eliminate unwanted cells; for example, those between the fingers of a developing hand.
- In adults, apoptosis is used to rid the body of cells that have been damaged beyond repair and have become a threat to survival. EG: cancer cells
- Too much apoptosis in an otherwise normal human being will result in a number of so-called neurodegenerative diseases where cells die when they’re not supposed to die.
2) Sedition Law: It states that anyone who attempts to create hatred, contempt, or disaffection towards the government can be punished under the sedition law.
- Sedition is a non-bailable offence. Punishment under the law varies from imprisonment up to three years to a life term and fine.
- A person charged under this law can’t apply for a government job. They have to live without their passport and must present themselves in the court as and when required.
- Section 124A was drafted by Thomas Babington Macaulay and included in the IPC in 1870.
- The Law Commission recently recommended retention of the sedition law and enhancement of the minimum punishment to seven years in jail from the current three years.
3) GAGAN satellite technology: Recently, Asia’s first demonstration of Performance-Based Navigation for helicopters for a flight from Juhu to Pune using GAGAN satellite technology was completed.
it is an acronym for GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation.
It is a Space Based Augmentation System (SBAS) jointly developed by ISRO and AAI to provide the best possible navigational services over Indian FIR (Flight Information Region) with the capability of expanding to neighbouring FIRs.
GAGAN is a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, giving you better position accuracy.
GAGAN corrects for GPS signal errors caused by Ionospheric disturbances, timing and satellite orbit errors and also it provides vital information regarding the health of each satellite.
There are only four Space-Based augmentation systems available in the world namely India (GAGAN), US (WAAS,) Europe(EGNOS) and apan (MSAS).
4) Kavach System: Developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) under Indian Railway (IR), it is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
It is a set of electronic devices and Radio Frequency Identification devices installed in locomotives, in the signalling system as well the tracks, that talk to each other using ultra-high radio frequencies to control the brakes of trains and also alert drivers, all based on the logic programmed into them.
The system can alert the loco pilot, take control of the brakes and bring the train to a halt automatically when it notices another train on the same line within a prescribed distance.
5) Antibiotic Against a Superbug: Superbugs are strains of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi that are resistant to most of the antibiotics and other medications commonly used to treat the infections they cause.
Acinetobacter Baumannii: it is one of the world’s most dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria and causes pneumonia, meningitis; all of which can lead to death.
In a major breakthrough for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the field of medicine, scientists from the United States and Canada have found a new antibiotic – powerful enough to kill it.
