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World’s First Malaria Vaccine (RTS,S) : Recently, Bharat Biotech International Ltd. and GSK plc announced a landmark decision to reduce the price of the world’s first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, by over 50% by 2028.
o Scientific basis: RTS,S is the technical name denoting the vaccine’s composition; it is designed to stimulate the immune system against malaria.
o Mode of action:Targets the early stage of malaria infection.
- Prevents the malaria parasite from infecting liver cells after entering the bloodstream through a mosquito bite.
o Efficacy (clinical trials): Prevents about 40% of malaria cases and reduces 30% of life-threatening severe malaria cases in children.
Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) : Recently, a herpetofauna survey conducted in the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) led to the discovery of five new species of amphibians and three new species of reptiles, highlighting the region’s remarkable biodiversity.
o Geography: Situated in the Cardamom and Pandalam Hills of the Western Ghats.
o Area: Covers around 777 sq. km, established in 1982.
o Periyar Lake: Formed in 1895 after the construction of a dam on the Periyar River to divert water to Tamil Nadu.
o Elevation: Hilly terrain with Kottamala (2016 m) being the highest peak.
o Rivers: Acts as a watershed for both the Periyar and Pamba rivers.
o Dam: The Mullaperiyar Dam lies within the reserve.
o Tribes: Inhabited by indigenous groups like the Mannans and Palians.
o Flora: Rich in species like teak, rosewood, tamarind, jamun, mango, bamboo, and more.
o Mammals: Home to tigers, elephants, wild pigs, sambar, gaur, barking deer, Indian wild dogs, and mouse deer.
o Primates: Hosts five species including the rare lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, and bonnet macaque
o Birds: Over 260 species, including the great hornbill and Malabar grey hornbill.
o Other Species: Possible habitat for the elusive Nilgiri Tahr.
Small Modular Reactor (SMR): Recently, Bihar marked a significant step towards energy self-sufficiency as the Centre approved its first nuclear power plant.
o Announcing the development at a regional energy ministers’ meeting, the Union Power Minister revealed that the project will be based on a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology.
o In contrast, conventional large-scale nuclear plants produce over 1,000 MWe, with a daily output of around 24 million kWh.
o Key Characteristics: SMRs are engineered to deliver low-carbon electricity efficiently and are defined by three main features:
- Small: Physically much smaller than traditional nuclear reactors.
- Modular: Designed for factory assembly, enabling easier transport and on-site installation.
- Reactors: Operate on the principle of nuclear fission to produce energy through heat.
o Advantages of SMRs: Provide strong non-proliferation and safeguard measures.
o Multi-Purpose Utility: Generate electricity, supply industrial heat, enable district heating
and support hydrogen production
Lenacapavir (LEN) : The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently given its approval to Lenacapavir (LEN), a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug hailed as one of the most effective solutions developed to date.
o PurEfficacy: Clinical studies have shown that Lenacapavir can prevent up to 99.9% of HIV transmissions.
o Dosage: As preventive dose: PrEP is intended for individuals who are HIV-negative but at high risk of infection, significantly reducing their chances of contracting the virus.
o a twice-yearly injection, making it a convenient and discreet option compared to daily oral pills.
o Developer: Manufactured by Gilead Sciences and marketed under the brand name Yeztugo
o Mechanism: Lenacapavir is a capsid inhibitor, meaning it blocks the HIV virus’s protein shell (capsid), which is essential for the virus to replicate and spread in the body.
o Innovation: Its long-acting injectable form offers a new level of convenience, compliance, and privacy in HIV prevention strategies.
International Potato Center (CIP ) : Recently, the Government of India approved the establishment of the South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) of the International Potato Center (CIP) in Singna, Agra (Uttar Pradesh).
o This significant move aims to strengthen agricultural research, promote climate-resilient farming, enhance food security, and boost farmer incomes across South Asia.
o Focuses on potato, sweet potato, and Andean root and tuber crops
o Has a research presence in over 20 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
o Primary Objectives: Enhance food and nutrition security, boost farmers’ income and job creation , improve productivity, post-harvest management, and value addition of potato and sweet potato.
- Develop climate-resilient, disease-free, and processing-friendly varieties.
o This will be India’s second major international agri-research centre after IRRI-SARC (International Rice Research Institute - South Asia Regional Centre), established in Varanasi (2017).
Himalayan Brown Bear: Recently, a rare sighting of the Himalayan brown bear, reportedly with its family, was recorded in the Nelong and Jadung Valleys within Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand.
o The sighting has generated significant excitement among wildlife experts and conservationists.
o Also known as the Himalayan Red Bear, Isabelline Bear, or Denmo (in Ladakhi).
o One of the oldest lineages of brown bears, believed by some to have inspired the Yeti (Abominable Snowman) legend due to its upright walking ability.
o Largest mammal in the high-altitude Himalayan ecosystem.
o Habitat & Distribution: Found in the northwestern and central Himalayas, including regions of: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet (China), and Bhutan.
- Lives above the timberline, at elevations between 3,000 and 5,500 metres.
- In India, small isolated populations exist in: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
o Omnivorous: Eats grasses, roots, bulbs, insects, and small mammals like marmots and pikas.
o Solitary by nature, except during mating season or between mother and cubs.
Sea Turtle : Recently, a landmark study published in Science Advances has raised serious concerns about the future of sea turtle populations.
o Sea turtles are moving toward cooler waters outside Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), exposing them to high-risk shipping zones.
o The study is based on 27,703 sea turtle sightings and over 1 billion ship locations.
o Rising Threats: New turtle habitats such as the North Sea, Mediterranean, East China Sea, and near the Galápagos Islands face heavy ship traffic, increasing the risk of vessel strikes.
o Shipping traffic is projected to grow by 1,200% by 2050, compounding the threat.
o The olive ridley sea turtles, known for their mass nesting events (arribadas), are particularly vulnerable to shifting ocean currents and rising sea surface temperatures.
Kounis Syndrome: Recently, the death of a prominent Indian industrialist following a bee sting has drawn public attention to Kounis Syndrome.
o Also referred to as “allergic angina” or “allergic myocardial infarction.”
o The allergic response activates mast cells, which release inflammatory chemicals like histamine and cytokines.
o These substances can cause: Spasms or narrowing of coronary arteries.
- Plaque rupture in patients with underlying heart disease.
- Reduced blood flow to the heart, resulting in ischemia (oxygen shortage) or infarction (tissue damage).
o Triggered by various allergens, including insect stings or bites (like bees and wasps), certain medications (especially antibiotics and NSAIDs), specific foods (such as nuts, shellfish, and kiwi), environmental allergens (like latex or contrast dyes), and underlying conditions such as mastocytosis, which involves an excess of mast cells.
o Type II: Affects those with pre-existing coronary artery disease; allergic reactions can cause plaque rupture and a full-blown heart attack.
o Type III: Seen in patients with coronary stents; allergic triggers may lead to clot formation inside the stent.
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