Weekly Current Affairs: Quizzes, 12 to 17 Feb, 2024

EXPLANATION:

• The Ministry of Science and Technology recently launched the Science for Women-A Technology and Innovation(SWATI) Portal to promote gender sensitisation, mentorship, and skill development. The Portal is a complete interactive database and the first of its kind in India. It was developed by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR). The SWATI Portal paved the way for a more inclusive and innovative future where women play a central role in scientific endeavours. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect. 
• The SWATI Poratal will serve in policy-making to address the challenges of Gender-gap or Gender inequality by encouraging and bringing together all the young women scientists, faculty members, researchers and start-ups from India and abroad under one umbrella for pursuing the cause of Science. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The Portal aims to create a single online portal representing Indian Women and Girls in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine). The Portal is beneficial for disseminating knowledge, new advances in fundamental science, and the role/importance of innovation and entrepreneurship development in strengthening the backbone of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• To scale up the effort exponentially to include every Indian woman in science across all career stages and subjects, spanning both Academia and the Industry, enabling reliable and statistically significant long-term research on the issues of equality, diversity and inclusivity in India.

EXPLANATION: 

• The Atmospheric River is a narrow and elongated region in the atmosphere, typically extending thousands of kilometres across the sky. Atmospheric rivers usually begin over tropical areas. They can bring heavy rains, snowfall, and storms to regions along their path, potentially leading to flooding, landslides, and other hazards. The Atmospheric river is also known as a tropical plume, moisture plume, water vapour surge, and cloud band. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct. 
• The warm temperatures cause ocean water to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere. Strong winds help to carry the water vapour and release this water vapour in the form of rain or snow. Hence, statement 3 is correct.  
• These phenomena are commonly observed in certain regions, such as North America's and Europe's west coasts, where they play a crucial role in determining the climate and weather patterns.

EXPLANATION: 

• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) recently granted market authorisation for NexCAR19, India's first indigenously developed CAR-T cell therapy, to ImmunoACT, a company incubated by IIT Bombay. The Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy is a groundbreaking form of immunotherapy used to treat certain types of cancer. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• This therapy involves modifying a patient's white blood cell T-cells to recognise and attack cancer cells more effectively. It is also called living drugs. The modified CAR-T cells are designed to target specific proteins, known as antigens, found on the surface of cancer cells. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• While CAR T cell therapy can be highly effective, it can also cause side effects, some of which can be severe. Common side effects, e.g., cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurological effects, fatigue, fever, and infection risk.

EXPLANATION:  

• Recently, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare S.P. Singh Baghel launched the first phase of the bi-annual nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for lymphatic filariasis elimination. The campaign aims to check disease transmission by providing free preventive medications to residents in areas affected by the disease. The campaign will cover 92 districts across 11 states and will run for the next two weeks.
• Lymphatic filariasis is also called elephantiasis. It is considered a neglected tropical disease(NDT) caused by infection with parasitic worms. The disease is transmitted to the human body by bites of infected mosquitoes. The larvae of the parasitic worms come to the lymphatic system, where they mature into adult worms and cause blockages, leading to lymphedema, swelling of limbs, and, in severe cases, disfigurement and disability. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• Lymphatic filariasis is a vector-borne disease. The infection starts in childhood and goes through adulthood, resulting in irreversible chronic disease conditions. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
• Three types of thread-like filarial worms cause LF:
• Wuchereria Bancrofti is responsible for 90% of the cases.
• Brugia Malayi causes most of the remainder of the cases.
• Brugia Timori also causes the disease.
• India is committed to eliminating LF by 2027, ahead of the global target of 2030, through mission mode, multi-partner, multi-sector, and targeted drive, for which we have drawn up the roadmap. India Multi-drug Administration (MDA) campaigns twice a year, with National Deworming Day on the 10th of February and the 10th of August. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.

EXPLANATION:  

• Recently, two individuals lost their lives in Karnataka due to Kyasanur forest disease. It is a zoonotic illness known as monkey fever due to its link to monkey fatalities. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• The Kyasanur forest disease virus is a member of the Flaviviridae virus, which causes dengue and yellow fever. It is transmitted through the bite of ticks and bonnets. The black-faced langur monkeys are highly susceptible to the infection. They play a significant role in the spread of the virus in the human population. Hence, statement 2 is correct.  
• The first case was identified in 1957 in the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka. KFD typically presents as a sudden onset of fever, headache, muscle pain, and vomiting, followed by the development of hemorrhagic symptoms such as bleeding from the gums, nose, and gastrointestinal tract.

EXPLANATION: 

• Female Genital Mutilation, known as female circumcision or female genital cutting, refers to the practice of altering or injuring the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This is the process typically carried out on young girls between infancy and adolescence and can have serious health consequences. The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed every year on February 6. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct. 
• FGM is practised in various parts of Africa, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia. It is often deeply rooted in cultural, traditional, and social norms, and it is sometimes considered a rite of passage or a way to control women's sexuality. Many countries have enacted laws banning FGM, and there are international human rights instruments that condemn the practice. But presently, there is no rule or regulation to ban FGM practice in India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:  

• The National Generic Document Registration System was launched by the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. It is a cloud-based application developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) for digitally registering land documents and properties. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
• The NGDRS registers land documents and properties digitally. It ensures transparency and accountability of the officials executing the documents and reduces the cost, time, number of visits, and procedures required to execute the registration documents. It can reduce land disputes, check on fraudulent transactions, SMS and email-enabled alerts related to transactions on the property, PAN Verification, etc. It also provides people with ease of living. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect. 
• This was taken under the One Nation One Software initiative, the software enables “anywhere access” to information and data for enforcement agencies and citizens. Recently, Assam adopted NGDRS along with the launch of the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number(ULPIN) seeding of geo-referenced Cadastral Maps. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

EXPLANATION:  

• Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojna to boost solar power and sustainable progress. The initiative aims to provide 300 units of free electricity every month to one crore households nationwide. Hence, option A is not correct. 
• The fund allocated for this project is 75,000 crore. The subsidies will be given directly to people's bank accounts, and the central government will ensure that there is no cost burden on the people. All stakeholders will be integrated into a National Online Portal.
• The schemes aim to promote rooftop solar systems and urban local bodies and panchayats will be incentivize. The scheme is expected to lead to increased income, reduced power bills, and employment opportunities for the beneficiaries.

EXPLANATION: 

• It is an initiative of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. The e-Jagriti portal provides simple, fast and more cost-effective consumer dispute redressal software solutions at all levels. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• The portal offers a simple, fast, cost-effective consumer dispute redressal software solution. It is a portal for consumer commissions. It is envisaged to integrate consumer grievance platforms, namely, the Online Case Monitoring System (OCMS), E-Daakhil, NCDRC Case Monitoring System, CONFONET website, and mediation application, into a single platform. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are correct. 
• The portal will integrate a virtual court facility for a convenient and accessible resolution of consumer complaints and physical court appearances, bringing effective and fast decisions & disposals in all Consumer Commissions.

EXPLANATION: 

• The Swachhata Green Leaf Rating system, an initiative by the government to ensure world-class hygiene and sanitation in the hospitality sector, has yet to make a mark. The Union Tourism Ministry launched the initiative in collaboration with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation. 
• It is designed to prevent pollution in water bodies and ensure a clean environment by promoting sustainable tourism practices. The scheme targets hotels, lodges, homestays, Dharamshalas, and camps with portable toilets, encouraging them to comply with safe sanitation practices. The initiative envisions engaging the hospitality sector in voluntary participation to contribute to cleaner and more sustainable tourism practices in India. 
• Despite multiple calls from the Union Tourism Ministry, the scheme has only seen a pilot project in Jammu and Kashmir, with no other states opting for it. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct.