• A new study using data from NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover has found potential evidence of organic molecules on Mars, indicating a complex organic geochemical cycle and the possibility of prolonged habitability.
• Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) instrument on rover was used to detect organic molecules in Jezero Crater.
  • Jezero crater is an ancient lake basin site which has potential for discovering evidence of past life in Mars.
• SHERLOC employs deep ultraviolet Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy to simultaneously measure weak Raman scattering and strong fluorescence emissions, providing crucial insights into the organic composition of Mars.
• SHERLOC, operates day or night, uses ultraviolet laser light to search for organics and minerals.
• It helps in determining which compounds exist in a sample.

• A new study of the sediments from a seasonal lake in the Kaas Plateau has indicated a major shift in the Indian Summer Monsoons towards dry and stressed conditions with low rainfall during the Early-Mid–Holocene, around 8664 years BP.

ABOUT KAAS PLATEAU

• Kaas plateau or pathar, also known as valley of flower, is located in Satara District, Maharashtra.
• It falls in biosphere of Western Ghats.
• It falls under the Sahyadri Sub-Cluster of the Western Ghats.
• Its name is derived from Kaasa tree, botanically known as Elaeocarpus glandulosus (rudraksha family).
• It is made of igneous rocks.
• It is inscribed in UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site lists under the name of Western Ghats.
• Soil in Kaas Plateau is a thin layer on top of Deccan rock, with varying quality of nutrients.
• Kaas Pathar is home to 1500 plant species, 450 wildflower species out of which 33 are endangered.

• Human-induced climate change has altered the colour of more than 56 per cent of the world’s oceans in the last 20 years, according to a concerning study.
• The team analysed ocean colour measurements taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer which has been monitoring ocean colour for 21 years.

ABOUT MODIS

• MODIS (or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) is a key instrument aboard the Terra (originally known as EOS AM-1) and Aqua (originally known as EOS PM-1) satellites.
• The first MODIS instrument was launched by NASA on board the Terra satellite in December 1999, and the second was launched on Aqua in May 2002.
• Terra’s orbit around the Earth is timed so that it passes from north to south across the equator in the morning, while Aqua passes south to north over the equator in the afternoon.
• It collects remotely sensed data used by scientists for monitoring, modelling, and assessing the effects of natural processes and human actions on the Earth’s surface.
• Terra MODIS and Aqua MODIS are viewing the entire Earth’s surface every 1 to 2 days, acquiring data in 36 spectral bands.
• MODIS takes measurements in seven visible wavelengths.

• A team of doctors from Tamil Nadu along with scientists from Japan have developed a disease-modifying treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disease, using a food additive — a beta-glucan produced by N-163 strain of a yeast Aureobasidium pullulans.

ABOUT DMD

• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the most common and fatal type of muscular dystrophy marked by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.
• Dystrophin, an enzyme secreted in the muscles, helps in wear and tear and regeneration of muscles. Because of the genetic disorder, muscles cannot produce dystrophin.
• Muscle weakness is the principal symptom of DMD. It can begin as early as age 2 or 3, primarily affects boys, but in rare cases it can affect girls.
• Patients (usually children) have reduced bone density and an increased risk of developing fractures.
• Women are usually carriers of the genetic trait.
• Currently available treatments were gene therapy, Exon-skipping and disease modifying agents (anti-inflammatory medicines such as steroids).

• The government recently evacuated all 118 stranded tourists from the Sangla valley of Kinnaur district.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) with the help of ITBP personnel and the district administration managed to airlift the stranded tourists from Sangla to Choling village.

• China and Solomon Islands signed diplomatic agreements recently.
• Solomon Islands are an archipelagic state comprising of volcanic islands and coral atolls in Melanesia, located in southwest Pacific Ocean.

• Luis Suárez Miramontes, the famous footballer, also known as the “Golden Galician, passed away recently.
• He was the only Spanish man to receive soccer’s most prestigious individual accolade, the Ballon d’Or in 1960.

• India recently voted in favour of a draft resolution tabled in the UN Human Rights Council that condemns and strongly rejects recent “public and premeditated” acts of desecration of the Holy Quran.
• The draft resolution was brought by Pakistan on “behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation” as well as by the State of Palestine.
• Nations voting against the resolution included Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S.

ABOUT UNHRC

• The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
• It was created by the General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by replacing the Commission on Human Rights.
• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serves as the Secretariat of the Human Rights Council.
• HQ– Geneva, Switzerland.
• It is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
• Seats are distributed on equitable geographical distribution:
  • African States: 13 seats
  • Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
  • Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats
  • Western European and other States: 7 seats
  • Eastern European States: 6 seats
• Members of the Council serve for a period of three yearsand are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

• India and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states which are negotiating the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), have agreed for early conclusion of negotiations for a free trade agreement.
• The primary objective of these negotiations is to establish a fair, mutually beneficial, and comprehensive trade deal between India and EFTA.
• The TEPA aims to create opportunities for trade and investment between India and EFTA by eliminating/reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers on a wide range of products.

ABOUT EFTA

• EFTA is an inter-governmental organisation for the promotion and intensification of free trade.
• It was founded as an alternative for states that did not wish to join the European Community.
• Established –1960
• Members – Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (remember mnemonic – NILS)
• EFTA is India’s 9^th largest trading partner, accounting for about 2.5% of India’s total merchandise trade in 2020-21.
• EFTA countries are not part of the European Union.

• Muslim World League chief Mohammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa lauded Indian philosophy and tradition that taught harmony to the world. He met PM Modi and president along with other dignitaries.

ABOUT MWL

• MWL is an international NGO, with members from all Islamic countries and sects.
• The Muslim World League was founded in 1962.
• HQ- Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
• It aims to present the true Islam and its tolerant principles, provide humanitarian aid, realize the message of Islam and ward off movements calling for extremism, violence and exclusion etc.
• MWL is a member of UNESCO and UNICEF and an Observer in consultative status with UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• Secretariat General is the executive wing of the organization.