Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes, 11 to 16 December, 2023

EXPLANATION:

Red Sea:

• Location:
• The Red Sea, a semi-enclosed tropical basin, is situated between northeastern Africa to the west and the Arabian Peninsula to the east. Extending in an elongated and narrow shape, it lies between the Mediterranean Sea to the northwest and the Indian Ocean to the southeast. At its northern end, the Red Sea branches into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez, connecting to the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. At the southern end, it connects to the Gulf of Aden and the outer Indian Ocean through the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb. Surrounding the Red Sea are desert or semi-desert areas, with no significant freshwater inflow.
• Formation:
• Over the past 4 to 5 million years, the Red Sea has acquired its present shape through slow seafloor spreading, making it a geologically recent opening and one of the youngest oceanic zones on Earth. Currently, the basin continues to widen at a rate of 1-2 cm per year.
• Biodiversity:
• The unique habitats of the Red Sea support a diverse range of marine life, including sea turtles, dugongs, dolphins, and numerous endemic fish species. Coral reefs predominantly extend along the northern and central coasts, gradually decreasing towards the southern region as coastal waters become more turbid.
• Name Origin:
• Various theories exist regarding the origin of the name "Red Sea." The most popular theory suggests a connection to the seasonal blooms of Trichodesmium erythraeum, a red-colored algae near the water’s surface. Some scholars propose a link to the way Asiatic languages often use colors to denote cardinal directions, with "red" potentially referring to "south," similar to how the Black Sea may indicate the north.

• Thus, option (b) is correct.

XPLANATION:

FjordPhantom Android Malware

Distribution Channels: FjordPhantom employs sophisticated social engineering tactics by disguising itself as a legitimate banking app. It spreads through email, SMS, and messaging apps, with a particular focus on users in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Unique Technique - Virtualization: FjordPhantom distinguishes itself by utilizing virtualization, an innovative and previously unseen method in the realm of malware. It establishes a virtual environment within devices, allowing the malware to operate discreetly and avoid detection.

Infiltration of Banking Apps: This malware is intricately designed to infiltrate banking applications, injecting malicious code to bypass security measures and execute information theft and manipulation of user interactions within the app.

Strategies Employed by FjordPhantom

• Access Service Bypass: Stealthily steals information from the app's screen without detection.
• Root Detection Evasion: Conceals the presence of Google Play Services to evade security checks.
• Dialog Box Suppression: Hides warnings that could alert users to malicious activities.
• Extensive Data Logging: Monitors user activity and app behavior for exploitation.

Measures to Protect Against FjordPhantom

• Download from Trusted Sources: Only download apps from reputable sources, avoiding untrusted websites and marketplaces.
• Keep Security Software Updated: Ensure that mobile security software is regularly updated with the latest version.
• Exercise Caution: Be wary of suspicious messages and links, refraining from clicking on unknown attachments.
• Prompt Reporting: In case of suspicion of infection, report it immediately to Promon and your financial institution for swift action.

About Malware:

Malware, a contraction of malicious software, encompasses various types of harmful software used by cybercriminals to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems or networks.

• Thus, option (d) is correct.

EXPLANATION:

The Buxa Tiger Reserve, located in the Alipurduar Sub-division of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, was established in 1983 as India's 15th tiger reserve. Subsequently, it attained the status of a National Park in January 1992. Thus, option (a) is correct.

Geographical Features:

Situated along the northern border with Bhutan, the Buxa Tiger Reserve is bordered by the Sinchula hill range to the north, and its eastern boundary touches Assam. Noteworthy rivers flowing through the reserve include Sankosh, Raidak, Jayanti, Churnia, Turturi, Phashkhawa, Dima, and Nonani.

Tiger Corridor Connectivity:

The reserve serves as a crucial tiger corridor, linking to the forests of Bhutan in the north, Kochugaon forests and Manas Tiger Reserve in the east, and Jaldapara National Park in the west. Key corridors include Buxa-Titi, Nimati-Chilapata, and Buxa-Ripu at Sankosh.

• Buxa-Titi (via Torsa): Links Rangamati Reserve Forest with Titi Reserve Forest.
• Buxa-Titi (via Beech and Bharnabari Tea estate): Connects Bharnabari Reserve Forest with Titi Reserve Forest via Bharnabari tea estate and Beech tea estate.
• Nimati-Chilapata (Buxa-Chilapata): Facilitates elephant movement between Nimati Range of Buxa Tiger Reserve and Chilapata Reserve Forest, maintaining connectivity with Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Buxa-Ripu at Sankosh (Sankosh): Forms a contiguous forest connecting Buxa Tiger Reserve with the Ripu Reserve Forest in Assam.

These corridors contribute to the North East and Brahmaputra Valley tiger landscape, ensuring vital linkages for tiger dispersal across protected areas like Buxa, Manas Tiger Reserve (Assam), Phipsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan, and Jaldapara National Park.

Flora:

The reserve's forests are categorized as 'Moist Tropical Forest.'

Fauna:

Among the notable species in the reserve are the Indian Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Hog Badger, Jungle Cat, and others.

EXPLANATION:

• The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) serves as an indicator of business activity, covering both the manufacturing and services sectors. Thus, statement 1 is correct.
• Calculation:
• PMI is derived from a survey-based measure that queries respondents about changes in their perceptions regarding key business variables compared to the previous month. Separate calculations are made for the manufacturing and services sectors, leading to the creation of a composite index. The latest composite PMI, for instance, declined from 52.6 in August 2019 to 49.8 in September 2019. The PMI is expressed as a number ranging from 0 to 100.
  • PMI above 50: Indicates expansion compared to the previous month.
  • PMI under 50: Signifies contraction.Thus, statement 2 is correct.
  • PMI at 50: Implies no change.
• If the PMI of the previous month is higher than the current month's PMI, as illustrated in the mentioned case, it indicates economic contraction. PMI is typically released at the beginning of each month, establishing it as a valuable leading indicator of economic activity.
• Purpose:
• The primary purpose of PMI is to furnish information about current and future business conditions, aiding company decision-makers, analysts, and investors. Given that official data on industrial output, manufacturing, and GDP growth are often delayed, PMI serves as a crucial tool for making informed decisions at an earlier stage in the economic cycle.

EXPLANATION:

Anthrobots

• Human Cell Integration:
• Anthrobots, innovative bioengineered robots, originate from human tracheal cells, granting them distinctive properties and applications.
• Self-Assembly Capabilities:
• These biobots showcase an extraordinary capacity for autonomous configuration, allowing them to take on various forms and sizes independently.
• Breakthrough and Medical Implications:
• Laboratory Achievement:
• Researchers from Tufts University and Harvard's Wyss Institute achieved a significant breakthrough by constructing anthrobots capable of movement and neural healing under controlled laboratory conditions.
• Potential Medical Applications:
• Envisioned for purposes of regeneration, disease management, and aiding in recovery, anthrobots exhibit remarkable healing properties, holding promise for various medical applications.
• Advancements Over Xenobots:
• Differentiation from Xenobots:
• In contrast to previous xenobots crafted from frog cells, anthrobots distinguish themselves as entities derived from human cells, showcasing autonomous self-assembly capabilities.
• Enhanced Therapeutic Potential:
• Unlike xenobots, anthrobots, constructed from human cells, demonstrate superior potential for medical applications and therapeutic advancements. Thus, option (a) is correct.

EXPLANATION:

Launch of Global Green Credit (GGC) Initiative:

India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, unveiled the Global Green Credit Initiative during COP 28 in Dubai. Thus, statement 1 is correct.

Overview of GGC Initiative:

Conceptualization:

• The GGC Initiative is conceived as a mechanism to incentivize voluntary pro-planet actions, providing an effective response to the challenges posed by climate change.

Green Credits Issuance:

• The initiative envisions the issuance of Green Credits for plantation initiatives on waste/degraded lands and river catchment areas, aiming to rejuvenate and revive natural ecosystems.  Thus, statement 2 is correct.

Global Cooperation and Partnership:

• Its broader goal is to facilitate global cooperation and partnerships by fostering the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices in planning, implementing, and monitoring environmentally positive actions through programs and mechanisms such as Green Credits.

India’s Green Credit Programme (GCP):

Market-Based Mechanism:

• India's Green Credits Programme is a market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across diverse sectors. Stakeholders include individuals, communities, private sector industries, and companies.

Budget Announcement and Launch:

• First announced in the Union Budget 2023-24, the Green Credits Programme was officially launched by the Environment Ministry in October 2023.

Market-Based System Replication:

• Drawing inspiration from the existing market-based system for carbon credits, the GCP extends this mechanism to other environmental actions, such as water conservation and soil improvement.

Focus Areas in Initial Phase:

• In its initial phase, the Green Credits Programme prioritizes two key activities: water conservation and afforestation.

Private Sector Engagement:

• Private companies are encouraged to participate by purchasing these green credits, aligning with their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations.

Program Administration:

• The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) serves as the administrator of the Green Credits Programme.

EXPLANATION:

R21/Matrix-M Malaria Vaccine:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a recommendation endorsing the use of the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, a collaborative effort between the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India.

Key Developments:

Basis for Recommendation:

• The WHO recommendation is grounded in the analysis of pre-clinical and clinical trial data, demonstrating robust safety and high efficacy. Trials were conducted in four countries with both seasonal and perennial malaria transmission. Thus, option (b) is correct.

Malaria's Global Impact:

• Malaria, a disease responsible for claiming the lives of over half a million people annually, disproportionately affects vulnerable populations.

Vaccine Landscape:

• The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine is set to compete with the RTS,S shot developed by GSK Plc. The latter received WHO endorsement in 2021 and is commercially available under the brand name Mosquirix.

About Malaria:

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by a parasite transmitted through mosquito bites. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, vomiting, headaches, and shaking chills.

Global Health Challenge:

• Despite medical advancements, malaria remains a significant global health challenge, causing over 600,000 deaths each year. Children in Africa constitute a substantial portion of the victims, emphasizing the urgent need for effective preventive measures.

EXPLANATION:

Double Humped Camels: An Overview

Scientific Name: Camelus bactrianus

Distribution:

Double Humped Camels, also known as Bactrian camels, are indigenous to the unforgiving and arid landscapes of Central Asia. Their habitats span from Afghanistan to China, reaching into the Mongolian steppes and the Gobi desert. A smaller population exists in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh. Thus, statement 1 is not correct.

Features:

• These camels have distinctive two humps on their backs, utilized for fat storage. Thus, statement 2 is correct.
• They measure up to 10 feet (3.0 m) in length and weigh between 590-1000 kg.
• In comparison to their African and Middle Eastern counterparts, the one-humped dromedary camels, Bactrian camels are smaller and more slender.
• Fur color ranges from beige to dark brown.
• They sport thick, woolly coats that offer warmth in colder months and insulation from desert heat. The shedding occurs during summer.

Lifespan:

• Double Humped Camels have a lifespan of around 50 years.

Social Structure:

• Typically found in herds consisting of 6-20 members, although solitary individuals or larger groups of up to 30 can occasionally be observed.

Diet:

• While omnivorous, their primary diet revolves around herbivorous grazing on grasses.

Conservation Status:

• The Wild Bactrian camels are currently categorized as critically endangered by  IUCN due to imminent threats such as habitat loss, hunting, and competition with domesticated animals. Ongoing conservation initiatives are being implemented to safeguard and conserve the remaining wild populations. Thus, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:

National Medical Commission: 

The National Medical Commission (NMC) is a statutory body established by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI) that had been in existence since 1934. Thus, statement 1 is correct.

Objectives of NMC:

Enhancing Access to Quality Medical Education:

• The primary goal is to improve access to high-quality and affordable medical education.

Ensuring Adequate and Quality Medical Professionals:

• NMC aims to ensure the availability of sufficient and high-quality medical professionals across all regions of the country.

Promoting Equitable and Universal Healthcare:

• The commission encourages a community health perspective, striving for healthcare that is both equitable and universally accessible.

Fostering Adoption of Latest Medical Research:

• NMC promotes the incorporation of the latest medical research in the practice of medical professionals and encourages their contribution to research.

Periodic Objective Assessment of Medical Institutions:

• A transparent and objective periodic assessment of medical institutions is undertaken by the commission.

Maintenance of Medical Register:

• NMC is responsible for maintaining a comprehensive medical register for the entire country.

Enforcing High Ethical Standards:

• The commission enforces and upholds high ethical standards across all aspects of medical services.

Establishing an Effective Grievance Redressal Mechanism:

• NMC ensures an efficient grievance redressal mechanism to address concerns effectively. Thus, statement 2 is correct.

Composition of NMC:

• The NMC consists of a 25-member body, with the majority being nominated by the Central government.
• The tenure of NMC members is generally four years, except for part-time members who serve a two-year term.
• The commission includes 11 part-time members representing states or state medical councils.
• The chairpersons and other members nominated by the Central government cannot be renominated.
• Any decision by the commission requires the approval of the majority, with a minimum of 13 out of 25 members supporting it.

EXPLANATION:

Global Drought Snapshot Report by UNCCD: A Comprehensive Overview

The 'Global Drought Snapshot' report, recently unveiled by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) during the commencement of COP28 climate talks in the UAE, highlights the profound economic losses and wide-ranging societal impacts caused by drought. Thus, option (a) is correct.

Key Findings of the Report:

• Agriculture and Forests:
  • Between 2016 and 2018, 70% of cereal crops in the Mediterranean suffered damage due to drought.
  • In South Africa, drought led to a 33% loss of grazing land.
  • The Horn of Africa experienced five consecutive rainfall season failures, resulting in the region's worst drought in 40 years. This led to reduced agricultural productivity, food insecurity, and elevated food prices.
  • Africa incurred drought-related economic losses totaling $70 billion over the past 50 years.
• Water Conditions:
  • Low river levels in 2022 caused a 75% reduction in cargo capacity for some vessels on the Rhine, leading to severe shipping delays.
  • In southern China, a record-low water level in the Yangtze River, attributed to drought and prolonged heat, affected 5 million people.
• Social Dimensions:
  • Approximately 85% of individuals impacted by drought reside in low- or middle-income countries.
  • In the Central American Dry Corridor, two million people required food aid after enduring five years of drought, heatwaves, and erratic rainfall.
• Key Facts about UNCCD:
• • Origin: Established during the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the UNCCD is one of the three Conventions alongside those addressing climate change (UNFCCC) and biodiversity (UN CBD).
  • Legal Binding Framework: UNCCD is the sole legally binding framework specifically designed to address desertification and the repercussions of drought.
  • Parties: There are 197 Parties to the Convention, encompassing 196 country Parties and the European Union.
  • Multilateral Commitment: The Convention emphasizes principles of participation, partnership, and decentralization, committing to mitigating the impact of land degradation to provide food, water, shelter, and economic opportunities globally.
  • COP Meetings: Parties convene in Conferences of the Parties (COPs) every two years, along with technical meetings throughout the year, to advance the Convention's objectives and achieve progress in implementation.