theIASHub | 24 Jul, 2025 | 11
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Nano-Sensor Device For Infection Detection : Recently, researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut have developed a portable and cost-effective nano-sensor device that can rapidly detect life-threatening infections like sepsis within minutes at the patient’s bedside.
o Use of Functionalized Nanomaterials: Gold atomic clusters or nanoparticles, CuO & Cu nanoclusters Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), Reduced graphene oxide and Carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
o Detection Mechanism: Selective detection of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using: LPS-binding aptamers or Polymyxin B.
o Successfully detected endotoxin in: Whole blood, Pharmaceutical samples (e.g., Biphasic isophane insulin) & Fruit juices (e.g., grape juice)
ü Endotoxin recovery showed <2% error.
o Two electrochemical platforms also enabled detection of Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) in water samples.
o Core of a portable diagnostic device for rapid endotoxin detection.
o Quick Results: Detects infections in blood serum or juice samples within 10 minutes.
o High Accuracy: Less than 2% error margin across varied samples (including insulin and fruit juices).
o Strong Selectivity: Employs aptamers or polymyxin B for specific binding to endotoxins.
o High Risk: If left undiagnosed or untreated, sepsis can rapidly lead to multiple organ failure, septic shock, and even death.
o Urgency in Detection: Early identification of these biomarkers is essential for initiating timely treatment and significantly improving patient survival rates.
Vice President : Recently, following the resignation of the Vice President of India, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the process for electing a new Vice President.
o The election follows the system of proportional representation through the single transferable vote, and voting is conducted by secret ballot.
o Electoral College Composition: Unlike the presidential election, which includes elected members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies, the Vice President is elected only by MPs—both elected and nominated members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
o Eligibility Criteria: To contest the election for Vice President, a person must: Be a citizen of India
ü Be at least 35 years of age
ü Be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
ü Not hold any office of profit under the Government of India, State Government, or any local/subordinate authority
o Tenure : 5 years from the date of assuming charge.
o Conduct of the Election: The Secretary-General of either House of Parliament is usually appointed as the Returning Officer, on a rotational basis.
ü Candidate must be nominated by at least 20 MPs as proposers & 20 MPs as seconders.
ü A security deposit of ₹15,000 is required to contest the election.
Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index): Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the latest Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index), indicating a significant rise from 64.2 in March 2024 to 67 in March 2025.
o Coverage: Incorporates data from banking, insurance, investments, pensions, and postal services, offering a broad view of financial accessibility and inclusion.
o Index Scale: Ranges from 0 to 100, where: 0 represents complete exclusion, and 100 indicates full inclusion.
o Structure and Weights: Access – 35%, Usage – 45% and Quality – 20%
o The index uses a total of 97 indicators to compute these dimensions.
o Unique Feature : Captures the effectiveness of inclusion in terms of:
ü Financial literacy
ü Consumer protection
ü Service deficiencies and inequalities
o No Base Year: The FI-Index reflects the cumulative progress of financial inclusion over time rather than changes from a fixed starting point.
Vitamin D : Recently, a landmark study published in The Lancet Psychiatry has revealed a strong association between neonatal vitamin D levels and the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders.
oBased on a comprehensive Danish dataset of nearly 89,000 individuals, the study highlights that vitamin D deficiency at birth may impact not only bone health but also brain development, an insight with significant implications for countries like India.
o Methods to Test Causality
ü Polygenic Risk Score (PRS): Individuals with genetic predisposition for higher vitamin D had lower risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Helped rule out reverse causation (i.e., mental illness causing low vitamin D).
ü Mendelian Randomisation (MR): Used genetic variants linked to vitamin D to suggest causal relationship with lower risk of ADHD, schizophrenia, and possibly autism. Limitations due to pleiotropy and genetic overlap acknowledged.
o Bengaluru study: 92.1% of newborns had deficiency
o Bundelkhand study: Strong correlation between maternal and infant vitamin D levels
Asian Development Bank (ADB) : Recently, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) released on July 23, 2025, revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 6.5%, down from the earlier estimate of 6.7%.
o Primary Role: Serves as the leading international development finance institution for the Asia-Pacific region ; Headquarters: Manila, Philippines
o Vision: To build a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, with a continued focus on eradicating extreme poverty.
o India’s Role: India is the largest recipient of ADB’s financial commitments among developing member countries, accounting for 14%, followed by China, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Pakistan.
o Key Priority Areas: Focuses on six core sectors aligned with the UN SDGs: Education, Health, Transport, Energy, Finance and Climate Change
Karenia Mikimotoi : Recently, a severe bloom of Karenia mikimotoi, a toxic red-tide algae, has impacted South Australia's coastal waters, causing mass deaths of marine species and severely disrupting the local fishing and tourism industries.
o It produces hemolytic and ichthyotoxic compounds, which are lethal to marine life, including fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and echinoderms.
o Though not directly harmful to humans, its blooms can lead to massive marine die-offs.
o As large populations die off, bacterial decomposition can create anoxic conditions, further stressing aquatic ecosystems.
o It is considered less toxic compared to other harmful algal species but is more widespread, with blooms recorded in Ireland, Norway, India, Japan, Korea, Australia, South Africa, Alaska, Texas, and the eastern U.S. coast.
o It thrives in a wide range of environmental conditions, including varied light, salinity, temperature, and nutrient levels.
Ashokan Pillar : Recently, India unveiled a replica of the Ashokan Pillar at Waskaduwa Sri Subhuthi Viharaya in Sri Lanka, honoring Emperor Ashoka’s historic role in the introduction of Buddhism to the island nation.
o They marked the first architectural expression of Dhamma, serving as moral and political communication tools across India and parts of Asia.
o Constructed from monolithic sandstone, primarily sourced from Chunar and Mathura.
o Each pillar stands about 40–50 feet tall, demonstrating remarkable craftsmanship and precision.
o The capitals show Persian-Achaemenid artistic influence, but were reinterpreted within a Buddhist moral framework.
o The Lion Capital at Sarnath holds special significance, representing both the Shakya clan (Buddha’s lineage) and royal authority. It is now adopted as India’s National Emblem.
Lantana Camara : Recently, Lantana camara has been reported to infest nearly 3,25,282 hectares of forest land in Himachal Pradesh. Originally introduced as an ornamental plant, it now poses a serious threat to the region’s native biodiversity
o Spread and Growth: A pantropical weed that spreads aggressively and forms a dense mesh of bushes, suppressing native vegetation. Gradually infesting higher elevations from lower regions.
o Ecological Impact: Produces allelochemicals that inhibit the growth of other plant species under its canopy. Leads to homogeneous vegetation, replacing native flora.
o Utilisation: Biomass can be used for furniture making, fuelwood, and handicrafts.
ü Can be processed into organic compost and vermicompost, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers.
ü Promoting economic use of Lantana can support control efforts while creating livelihood opportunities.
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