1. Scientists of which country have created a world record for maintaining a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius in an artificial sun for 48 seconds? – South Korea
Recently, South Korea’s Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) fusion reactor, also known as the Korean artificial sun, has set a world record for maintaining a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius in artificial sun for 48 seconds
This temperature is seven times higher than the core of the Sun. Earlier in 2021, the record of 30 seconds was made.
Science & Technology
2. Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), recently seen in news, is mostly occurred in which species/group? – Cattle
Indian scientists have made significant strides in decoding the genetic structure of the lumpy skin disease virus, responsible for the deaths of around 100,000 cattle since May 2022.
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral infection affecting cattle, caused by the LSDV, a member of the capripoxvirus genus.
Though endemic in Africa, Middle East, and parts of Asia, LSD doesn’t infect humans and spreads through blood-feeding insects or contaminated feeding and water sources.
3.‘NICES Programme’, recently seen in news, is operated by which organization? – ISRO
NICES programme, operated by ISRO and the Department of Space, called upon Indian researchers to combat climate change.
Launched in 2012 under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, NICES monitors climate variability using Earth Observation satellites.
Its objectives include disseminating Essential Climate Variables crucial for understanding Earth’s climate. With over 70 accessible geophysical variables, NICES focuses on space-based indicators, weather extremes, and climate services.
4. Where was India’s first domestic gene therapy for cancer launched? – IIT Bombay
Recently, Strategic Forces Command and DRDO successfully tested the new generation ballistic missile Agni-Prime off the coast of Odisha.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, SFC and the armed forces for this testing.
Agni-Prime is a two-stage surface-to-surface missile.
6. What is the name of the Indian Coast Guard ship that recently made a port call in Vietnam as part of its overseas deployment to ASEAN countries? – Samudra Paheredar
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Pollution Control Vessel Samudra Paheredar, along with a helicopter, docked at Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam on April 02, 2024, continuing its ASEAN deployment.
Crew will focus on marine pollution response, search & rescue, and law enforcement through professional interactions, training, and sports events with Vietnam Coast Guard.
Demonstrating India’s shipbuilding prowess, the visit strengthens bilateral ties and showcases cooperation.
25 NCC cadets will join in environmental activities.
7. Scientists have discovered evidence of ozone (03) on which planet’s moon Callisto? – Jupiter
The discovery was made by R. Ramachandran and his team from the Nuclear, Molecular and Optical Physics Division of the Indian Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.
Short News
Appointments
8. Who has recently been appointed as the new Managing Director of Tata International? – Rajiv Singhal
Tata International, the global trading and distribution arm of the Tata Group, has recently appointed Rajeev Singhal as its Managing Director (MD). He replaced Anand Sen, who retired on March 31, 2024.
Prior to this, Singhal was the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Tata International.
State Current Affairs
9. Kathia wheat, which has recently been given GI tag, belongs to which state? – Uttar Pradesh
Recently, the Konda Reddy tribe shared their indigenous knowledge with the forest officials of Andhra Pradesh.
The tribe informed the forest officials of Andhra Pradesh about the presence of water inside an Indian laurel tree (Terminalia tomentosa) located in the Papikonda National Park through their indigenous knowledge.
