The world’s first commercial passenger ferry powered by 100% hydrogen fuel, the MV Sea Change, was launched recently at the San Francisco Ferry Building. ABOUT MV SEA CHANGE: It is entirely based on zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells. Built by All American Marine Shipyardfor the compatriot shipowner SWITCH Maritime. The vessel, designed by Incat Crowther, is fitted with hydrogen-powered fuel cellsproducing electricity to power electric motors, enabling the vessel to operate for about 16 hours, traveling around 300 nautical miles, between refueling sessions. It can reach speeds up to 20 knots, and its services speed will be about 8-12 knots. It uses....Read More

Current Context : Recently, Asia’s first health research-related Pre-clinical Network Facility has been inaugurated in Faridabad (Haryana) under the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).          Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection (Ge-HuMic) Facility has been also inaugurated. ABOUT CEPI Launched in 2017 by Norway and India. Objective : To accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and enable equitable access to these vaccines. Headquarters: Oslo, Norway  Read More

Current Context : Nipah monoclonal antibody MBP1F5 trials may begin in India in 2025. ABOUT NIPAH VIRUS : It is a zoonotic virus. it is transmitted from animals to humans. It first broke out in Malaysia and Singapore in 1998 and 1999. It was first appeared in domestic pigs. There is no approved vaccine against the Nipah virus anywhere in the world. Mortality rate : 40% to 75% ABOUT MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES: Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules engineered to serve as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance, modify or mimic the immune system's attack on cells that aren't wanted, such as....Read More

Current Context : World Health Organization (WHO) has launched an online platform called MeDevIS (Medical Devices Information System). ABOUT MEDEVIS First global open access clearing house for information on medical devices. It includes 2301 types of medical devices used for a broad-ranging health issues. It replaces paper-based searches and non-standard device names. Aim : to help make the naming of medical devices simpler. MeDevIS references: It has two international naming systems for medical devices European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN): Mostly used in European countries Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN): Used in Australia, Canada, USA and other member countries.Read More

Current Context : Scientists are preparing New IVF procedure called mitochondrial donation (currently under trial in Australia) offers a cure to Mito. Mitochondria is the Powerhouse of the cells producing 90% of the energy needed to sustain life. These are tiny structures in cells that convert the food we eat into the energy our cells need to function. ABOUT MITO Mitochondrial disease (or mito for short) is a group of conditions that affect this ability to generate the energy organs require to work properly. Inherited metabolic condition caused by genetic mutation in the DNA. It impairs the ability of mitochondria....Read More

Current Context : Recently shutting down of Koo (India’s Twitter-like app) social media app has raised debate around Zombie startups. ABOUT ZOMBIE STARTUPS It refers to startups that have raised enough funds (during the boom cycle) to operate but are currently not generating significant revenue. It refers as a firm that is neither dead nor living. Companies heavily laden with debt, barely able to pay interest on their loans, and at risk of collapse. They are highly dependent on banks for financing. Causes : Lack of market-suitable products, high cost of acquiring customers, funding winter,Inefficient use of Funds etc. can....Read More

Current Context : China witnessed a historic moment with the completion and operation of the world's first fully high-temperature superconducting tokamak device, named HH70, in its eastern Municipality of Shanghai. ABOUT TOKAMAK Tokamak devices, often called "artificial suns," are traditionally large and expensive. Tokamak is a machine for controlled thermonuclear fusion with a toroidal shape, similar to a doughnut. Designed and built by a commercial company, Energy Singularity. SIMILAR INITIATIVE Previously, the EU and Japan inaugurated JT-60SA, the world's largest and most advanced Tokamak fusion reactor in Japan and pledged support to advance fusion research for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor....Read More

Current Context : Recently, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav launched 'Lokpath Mobile App' through which road problems of the public will be resolved in seven days. Aim : to make all departments as accountable as possible towards the public. App will provide a facility for the general public to report problems of potholes and patches on the roads of Public Works Department through single click. It is developed by Madhya Pradesh State Electronic Development Corporation Limited.Read More

Current Context : Ministry of Science and Technology launched Indo-French Liver and Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN) in collaboration with Government of France. ABOUT INFLIMEN It is a joint research programme that aims to foster scientific exchanges and enhance joint research projects to tackle health challenges associated with liver and metabolic disorders. It has been established at Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi. Significance: Every third Indian has fatty liver, which predates Type 2 Diabetes and other metabolic disorders. InFLiMeN aims to address issues related to Fatty Liver Disease.Read More

Current Context : Recently, Three people died in Kerala, from Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a cancerous brain illness. ABOUT Naegleria fowleri (brain eating Amoeba) is a single-celled organism and can infect humans. It lives in warm freshwater places like lakes and rivers. When people do things like swim, this amoeba can get into their brains through their noses. It’s sometimes called the “brain-eating amoeba” because it destroys brain tissue, which leads to serious swelling and death. Symptoms: Headaches, fevers, feeling sick, and throwing up, stiff neck, dizziness, loss of balance, and hallucinations.Read More