1. SUSTAINABLE HYDROGEL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have designed a sustainable hydrogel to remove microplastics from water.

Hydrogel

• About: Hydrogels are polymer chain networks that can store more than 90% of water in the space between the polymer chains. They are sometimes found as colloidal gels. 

oThis hydrogel possesses the capability to bind contaminants and degrade them through UV light exposure.

• Water Retention Capability: Their hydrophilic nature enables hydrogels to retain substantial amounts of water within their three-dimensional networks.
• Microplastic Removal Efficiency: Studies have demonstrated the high efficiency of hydrogels, with removal rates of approximately 95% and 93% for two distinct types of microplastics from water.
• pH Sensitivity: Hydrogels exhibit notable efficacy even at near-neutral pH levels, around 6.5.

The sustainable hydrogel: Designed by the researchers has a unique intertwined polymer network that can bind the contaminants and degrade them using UV light irradiation.

 

---

2. VOLCANIC VORTEX RINGS (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Recently, Mount Etna, Europe's largest volcano and one of the world's most active and iconic volcanoes, has been consistently emitting nearly perfect rings of smoke into the air.

Mount Etna

• About: It  also known simply as Etna, is an active volcano situated on the east coast of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Location: It lies just off the toe of the Italian "boot" and boasts the highest peak in Italy south of the Alps.
• Size and Activity: Etna is Europe's largest and one of the most active volcanoes, characterized by almost constant activity.
• Crater Formation: The summit of Etna features five craters, primarily responsible for its eruptions, alongside over 300 vents of varying sizes along its slopes.
• Eruption Frequency: Since 1600, Etna has experienced around 60 flank eruptions and numerous summit eruptions, occurring at intervals over the years, with notable eruptions in 2006, 2007-08, 2012 (twice), 2018, and 2021.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Designated as a World Heritage Site in 2013, Etna's eruptive history spans back 500,000 years, with documentation covering at least 2,700 years of activity.

Volcanic Vortex Rings

• Definition: Volcanic vortex rings are circular formations of gas, primarily water vapor, rapidly released through a vent in a volcano's crater.
• Origin at Etna: Etna's nearly perfect circular vent has been releasing these rings since April 2, creating observable circular formations above the mountain.
• Historical Documentation: First observed at Etna and Vesuvius in Italy in 1724, documented in an engraved plate from 1755, according to a scientific paper published in February 2023.
• Global Observations: Volcanic vortex rings have been observed at various volcanoes worldwide, including Redoubt in Alaska, Tungurahua in Ecuador, Pacaya in Guatemala, and others listed in the scientific paper "Dynamics of Volcanic Vortex Rings" by Scollo.

---

3. ALZHEIMER DISEASE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Researchers seem to have worked out why some people are protected from Alzheimer’s disease despite carrying a high risk gene linked to the debilitating condition.

Key Points of Study

• Protective Function of Mutated Gene: Carries out a protective function by producing a mutated version of a gene responsible for fibronectin production.
• Role in Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB): Fibronectin is a crucial component of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), regulating substance movement in and out of the brain.
• Alzheimer's Disease Risk Reduction: This gene variant significantly reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 71%, as indicated by a study in Acta Neuropathologica.
• Identification of APOEε4 Variant: Previous research has identified the APOEε4 gene variant as a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
• Mechanisms in Healthy Individuals: Some healthy individuals possess the APOEε4 variant, suggesting the presence of mechanisms in the brain that mitigate its pathological effects.

Alzheimer Disease

• About: It is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.
• May Occur: Between a person’s 30s and mid-60s (mostly) and is very rare.
• Symptoms:Memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behaviour.
• Cure: So far, there has been no concrete cure, but some treatments are done to reduce its effectiveness.

Cases of Alzheimer in India

• Deaths due to Alzheimer's in India were the highest in three decades in 2019, according to a 2021 Lancet study. 
• A 2022 Lancet reportestimates that globally, the population suffering from Alzheimer's will triple by 2050 from 57 million in 2019. And in the same period, India's Alzheimer's patients are estimated to increase to about 11.5 million.
• Expenditure on Mental Health in India: Meanwhile, India's expenditure on the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) has been decreasing. 
• The expenditure on NMHP has dropped by about 82 percent in FY 2020-21.

---

4. CDP-SURAKSHA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The government has recently introduced a new platform, known as CDP-SURAKSHA, to disburse subsidies to horticulture farmers as part of the Cluster Development Programme (CDP), the Centre's initiative aimed at promoting horticulture crops.

CDP-SURAKSHA

• About: It is a digital platform designed to assist farmers in India.
• Meaning of SURAKSHA:  “System for Unified Resource Allocation, Knowledge, and Secure Horticulture Assistance.”
• Functionality of the platform: It facilitates the instant disbursal of subsidies to farmers directly into their bank accounts.

• Features of CDP-SURAKSHA:

oDatabase integration with PM-KISAN, Cloud-based server space from NIC, UIDAI validation, eRUPI integration, Local government directory (LGD), Content management system, Geotagging and geo-fencing.

How does CDP-SURAKSHA work?

• Access: Various stakeholders like farmers, vendors, implementing agencies, and officials can access CDP-SURAKSHA.
• Order Placement: Farmers can log in and place orders for planting material according to their needs.
• Payment and Verification: Farmers contribute their share of the cost, government subsidy is displayed automatically, and upon payment, an e-RUPI voucher is generated. After material delivery verification, vendor payment is released, and subsidy is processed by the implementing agency.

e-RUPI

• About: It is a one-time payment mechanism.
• Mechanism: It functions without a card, digital payments app, or internet banking access.
• Redemption: The voucher is redeemable at merchants accepting e-RUPI.
• Usage: It can be shared with beneficiaries for specific purposes or activities.
• Distribution: Organisations or government entities can distribute e-RUPI via SMS or QR code.

---

5. FAOs FOOD PRICE INDEX (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Indian government has implemented measures to ensure affordable food prices nationwide, as reflected in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations' food price index.

FAOs Food Price Index

• About: It was introduced in 1996 as a public good to aid in monitoring global agricultural commodity market developments.
• Measure of Monthly Changes: It serves as a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities.
• Commodity Coverage: The index tracks changes in prices for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat, and sugar.
• Base Period: 2014-2016.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

• About: It is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Its sister bodies are the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
• Formation: 16th October, 1945.
• Headquarter: Rome (Italy).
• Goal: To achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. 
• Members: 195 members - 194 countries and the European union
• World Food Day: Celebrated every year on 16th October.

---

6. METHANE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: The United States has recalled several lots of hand sanitisers and aloe gel due to toxic methanol content, citing health risks like nausea, coma, and even death.

Methane

• About: It is a hydrocarbon that is a primary component of natural gas.
• Properties: Colourless, odourless and highly flammable gas.
• Greenhouse Gas Properties: Methane is classified as a greenhouse gas (GHG), influencing Earth's temperature and climate patterns.
• Diverse Emission Sources: Methane emissions stem from various anthropogenic and natural origins, contributing to its presence in the atmosphere.
• Anthropogenic Emission Sources: Human activities such as landfills, oil and gas systems, agriculture, and industrial processes are major contributors to methane emissions.

Risk of exposure to toxic hand sanitisers

• Wide Range of Adverse Effects: Exposure to toxic hand sanitisers can lead to various side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, coma, seizures, permanent blindness, permanent damage to the central nervous system, or even death.
• Children's Vulnerability: The US FDA highlights that children are particularly susceptible to the dangers of toxic hand sanitisers due to the possibility of accidental ingestion.
• Substitute for Alcohol Consumption: Adolescents and adults who mistakenly use these products as a substitute for alcohol (ethanol) face a heightened risk of methanol poisoning.

---

7. FRACTALS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, an international team of researchers’ discovered first fractal molecule in nature.

Fractals

• About: A fractal is a never-ending pattern. Fractals are infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across different scales.

oThey are created by repeating a simple process over and over in an ongoing feedback loop.

• Self-Similarity Across Scales: They exhibit self-similarity across different scales, meaning every part resembles the whole image.
• Research Highlights:

oSierpinski Triangle Discovery: Researchers found a microbial enzyme that forms the Sierpinski triangle—a repeating series of triangles within triangles.

oNatural Examples: Notable examples of fractals include human fingerprints, tree stumps, snail shells, human veins, river networks, plant leaf veins, and snowflake edges.

• Applications:

oModeling Structures: Fractals are used to model structures like eroded coastlines and snowflakes, where similar patterns emerge at smaller scales.

oDescribing Chaos: They describe chaotic phenomena such as crystal growth, fluid turbulence, and galaxy formation, providing insight into partly random processes.

---

8. WORLD CYBERCRIME INDEX (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Cyber Security)

Context: After three years of extensive research, an international team of researchers has assembled the inaugural 'World Cybercrime Index'.

World Cybercrime Index

• About: It is a tool that ranks nations based on their significance as sources of cybercrime, providing insights into global cyber threats.
• Development and Collaboration: Developed through a collaboration between the University of Oxford and UNSW Canberra, the World Cybercrime Index aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of cyber threats.
• Data Gathering Methodology: The index's data is sourced from a survey of 92 prominent cybercrime experts worldwide, who are actively engaged in intelligence gathering and investigations within the cybercrime domain.
• Scope and Categorization: The index evaluates approximately 100 countries, categorizing them based on various cybercrime types, including ransomware, credit card theft, and scams.
• Key Findings:

oRussia leads the index, with Ukraine, China, the USA, Nigeria, and Romania following closely.

oIndia occupies the 10th position in the rankings, indicating its significant involvement in cybercrime.

oSpecific cybercrime types are often associated with certain countries, such as data and identity theft being linked to the United States, and technical product-related crimes to China.

oRegional Specializations: India is identified as a "specialist" in scams, while Romania and the US are noted for both high-tech and low-tech crimes. India is deemed a "balanced hub," focusing on mid-tech crimes.

oIdentified Cybercrime Categories: Major categories of cybercrime include technical products and services, attacks and extortion, data and identity theft, scams, and cashing out or money laundering involving illegitimate virtual currency.

---

9.  LARGE BRANDED SWIFT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the large branded swift, a butterfly species commonly seen in the Himalayas and Northeast, has been spotted in Delhi for the first time.

oThe species has never been found previously in northwest India due to its arid or semi-arid climate.

 Large Branded Swift

• About: It is a butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae found in India.
• Scientific name: Pelopidas subochracea
• Unexpected Presence: Ecologists in southwest Delhi's Najafgarh discovered three specimens of a Himalayan butterfly during the previous monsoon.
• Significance of Urban Biodiversity

oThe discovery underscores the presence of hidden biodiversity within urban environments.

oIt highlights the importance of preserving green spaces and creating butterfly corridors within cities.

oNajafgarh's significance extends beyond birds, supporting diverse creatures like butterflies.

• Rarity of Large Branded Swift: The large branded swift, previously unseen in northwest India, was recorded, showcasing the region's biodiversity surprises.

Past Discoveries: Earlier sightings of the Common Cerulean and Tailless Lineblue butterflies in 2022 emphasize the ongoing exploration and documentation of butterfly diversity in the National Capital Region.

---

10. CORRUPT PRACTICES UNDER RPA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Supreme Court recently ruled that voters do not possess an absolute right to access all aspects of a candidate's private life, and candidates are not obligated to disclose every piece of movable property they own, unless its value constitutes a "sizable asset."

Corrupt Practices under the RPA

• Definition under Section 123: "Corrupt practices" encompass bribery, undue influence, dissemination of false information, and incitement of hostility between different groups based on religion, race, caste, community, or language to further a candidate's electoral prospects.
• Undue Influence under Section 123(2): It includes direct or indirect interference by the candidate, their agent, or any other person, with the free exercise of any electoral right. 
• This interference could manifest as threats, social exclusion, or expulsion from social groups.
• Religious or Spiritual Coercion: Convincing a candidate or elector that they will incur divine displeasure or spiritual censure for not supporting a particular candidate constitutes interference with their electoral rights.

Supreme Court's Interpretation

• The Supreme Court, in a ruling on Kri's appeal against a High Court order, asserted that a candidate's right to privacy is not absolute but persists concerning matters irrelevant to their candidacy or not of concern to the electorate.

What was the petition?

• Allegations of Suppressed Information: Opposition candidate, filed a petition against Karikho Kri, alleging that he suppressed material particulars in his election affidavit after winning the Tezu seat as an Independent.
• Non-Disclosure of Vehicle Ownership: Candidate argued that Kri failed to disclose the ownership of vehicles, including his wife’s Maruti van, scooty, and his son’s motorcycle, in his election affidavit.
• Grounds for Election Invalidation: Section 100(1)(b) permits election invalidation if "any corrupt practice has been committed by a returned candidate or his election agent or by any other person with the consent of a returned candidate or his election agent".
• Material Effects on Election Results: Sections 100(1)(d)(i) and (iv) allow an HC to rule election results as "materially affected" due to "improper acceptance" of a nomination or non-compliance with constitutional provisions, the 1951 Act, or related rules and orders.

---