theIASHub | 18 Jul, 2025 | 21
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Zimislecel : Recently, a landmark clinical advancement demonstrated that a therapy using lab-grown islet cells, called zimislecel, has the potential to restore insulin production in individuals with severe Type 1 diabetes.
o These islet cells replace the insulin-producing beta cells destroyed by the immune system in Type 1 diabetes.
o Once implanted, the cells begin producing insulin naturally from within the body.
o Clinical Trial Overview: Phase 1/2 trial included 12 patients with severe, long-standing Type 1 diabetes. Participants had poor glucose control and a history of life-threatening hypoglycaemic episodes.
o Key Findings: Insulin production restored: All 12 patients began producing C-peptide, a marker of insulin secretion—within 90 days.
- Improved blood sugar control: HbA1c levels dropped below 7% in all participants within four months.
- Reduced insulin dependence: 10 out of 12 participants were able to completely stop insulin injections.
- Better glucose range stability: Time in target blood glucose range increased from 50% to over 93%.
o Patients must rely on external insulin injections and continuous glucose monitoring to manage their condition. Nearly 75% of individuals with Type 1 diabetes are unable to consistently achieve target glucose levels.
o Poor glucose control increases the risk of long-term complications, including nerve damage, kidney disease, and cardiovascular issues.
o Across all six Ramsar regions, more countries reported wetland decline than improvement—most critically in least developed and lower-middle-income countries.
o Comparative Global Trends: North America & Oceania: Invasive species are the main threat.
- Europe: Prolonged drought is the primary concern.
o Origin: Signed in Ramsar, Iran, on 2nd February 1971.
o World Wetlands Day: Celebrated every year on 2nd February to mark the signing of the convention.
o Membership: Has 172 Contracting Parties as of 2025.
o Act as ecotones—transitional zones between land and water ecosystems.
o Examples of Wetlands: Mangroves, Lake littorals (shoreline areas between highest and lowest water levels), Floodplains (adjacent low-lying river areas that flood periodically), Marshes and swamps.
IRAS 18162-2048 : Recently, in a significant astronomical breakthrough, scientists from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, have detected circularly polarised radio emissions near the massive young protostar IRAS 18162-2048.
o This marks the first direct evidence of strong magnetic fields in the immediate environment of such a protostar.
o The protostar is known for powering HH80-81, one of the largest and brightest bipolar jets in the galaxy—ejecting high-speed matter in opposite directions.
o These Herbig-Haro (HH) jets are crucial markers of early star formation.
o This strongly suggests that magnetic fields play a key role in launching and regulating such massive outflows.
o It forms from the collapse of a giant molecular cloud in the interstellar medium, composed mainly of gas and dust.
o Becomes a main sequence star once hydrogen fusion begins in its core.
o Typically obscured by surrounding dust, making them difficult to detect in visible light.
Central Himalayan Region : Recently, for the first time, Indian scientists have obtained continuous, high-resolution ground-based measurements of major greenhouse gases in the Central Himalayan region.
o This breakthrough reveals how both natural processes and human activities are shaping emissions in this ecologically fragile and climate-sensitive zone.
o Based on five years of continuous ground measurements (2014–2018) in the Central Himalayan region.
o Diurnal and Seasonal Patterns: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) dips during the daytime, due to photosynthesis, but rises in spring due to biomass burning and minimal vegetation.
- Methane (CH₄) peaks in autumn, likely due to agricultural practices such as rice cultivation.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) shows highest levels in late spring, driven by regional pollution transported from the plains.
o CH₄: Increasing at 9.53 ppb/year, again exceeding background levels.
o CO: Declining at 3.15 ppb/year, possibly due to improved combustion or changing emission sources.
o Made up of Archaean rocks such as granite, gneiss, and ancient schist.
o Changing Orientation Across Regions: Southeast across northern Pakistan, northern India, and Nepal.
- Eastward through Sikkim and Bhutan.
- Northeast across northern Arunachal Pradesh.
o Prominent peaks, including Nanga Parbat, Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Namcha Barwa.
o The range features steep slopes on its northern side and gentler slopes on the southern side.
Pheromones : Recently, Scientists have successfully demonstrated that manipulating pheromones in locusts can prevent them from forming destructive swarms or engaging in group behaviors that lead to mass feeding frenzies.
o This breakthrough offers a promising strategy for controlling locust outbreaks by disrupting their communication signals.
o They are present in all bodily secretions, especially in axillary sweat, and are sensed by the olfactory system.
o Pheromones are classified as ecto-hormones because they act outside the body.
o Types of Pheromones: Releaser Pheromones – Trigger an immediate and specific response.
- Signaler Pheromones – Convey information about the individual (e.g., help a mother recognize her baby).
- Modulator Pheromones – Influence mood and emotional states.
- Primer Pheromones – Affect hormonal activity, such as during pregnancy or menstrual cycles.
o Detected via the vomeronasal organ.
o Fungi, slime molds, and algae use them to attract mating types during reproduction.
Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Awards : Recently, the President of India conferred the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Awards at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
o Mira Bhayandar, Bilaspur, and Jamshedpur ranked top 3 among cities with 3–10 lakh population.
o Prayagraj named Best Ganga Town for sanitation excellence.
o Super Swachh League : New elite category for consistent top performers of past 3 years:
- 10+ lakh population: Indore (1st), Surat (2nd), Navi Mumbai (3rd), Vijayawada (4th).
- 3–10 lakh population: Noida, Chandigarh, Mysuru, Ujjain, Gandhinagar.
- These cities excluded from national rankings to honour sustained excellence.
- Indore elevated after winning the cleanest city title 8 times in a row.
o Introduced “One City, One Award” principle for fairer competition.
o 78 awards presented across cities, cantonments, and institutions.
o 34 cities recognised as Promising Swachh Shehars for sanitation progress.
o Special Awards: Uttar Pradesh Govt, Prayagraj Mela Adhikari, and Municipal Corporation of Prayagraj awarded for handling urban waste during Mahakumbh (66 crore footfall).
- Secunderabad Cantonment Board awarded for sanitation performance.
o Largest Urban Sanitation Survey Globally: From 73 cities (2016) to 4,589 cities (2025).
o Under Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0, target: 100% remediation by 2026.
o New Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation Programme to boost waste processing capacity with govt support in finance, tendering and execution.
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