Science – GK Questions

ASOs are short synthetic nucleic acids designed to hybridize with specific RNA sequences. Approved drugs: Nusinersen (spinal muscular atrophy), Eteplirsen (Duchenne muscular dystrophy). Emerging modality for undruggable targets. [[ICMR Reports, NCERT Biology Class 12]]

Green NH₃: N₂ + H₂O + renewable electricity → NH₃ via electrocatalysis. Avoids fossil-derived H₂, high energy intensity of Haber-Bosch. Challenges: catalyst selectivity, reaction rates. Critical for sustainable fertilizer production. [[MNRE Reports, NCERT Chemistry Class 12]]

Quantum metrology uses entangled states, superposition, interference to surpass classical limits. Applications: mineral exploration (gravimetry), brain imaging (magnetometry), navigation (atomic clocks). India's quantum mission prioritizes sensor development. [[DST Reports]]

Data localization (e.g., RBI's payment data directive, DPDP Act provisions) seeks to protect citizen data, enable law enforcement access, foster domestic cloud infrastructure. Balances innovation, security, sovereignty. [[RBI, MeitY Reports]]

ICAR institutes develop stress-tolerant varieties (e.g., Sahbhagi dhan for drought, CSR varieties for salinity) using conventional breeding, marker-assisted selection, genomics. Critical for food security under climate change. [[ICAR Reports, NCERT Biology Class 12]]

Integrating multi-omics (genomics, metabolomics, microbiome) with lifestyle, clinical data enables personalized diets for disease prevention, management. ICMR's IndiGen project supports genomic research for precision health. [[ICMR Reports, NCERT Biology Class 12]]

Enzyme-based textile processing replaces harsh chemicals, reduces water/energy use. Cellulases, laccases, peroxidases used for bleaching, dyeing, finishing. Aligns with sustainable fashion goals; Indian textile industry adopting green tech. [[MoEFCC, NCERT Chemistry Class 12]]

Multiple approaches: cryogenic detectors (WIMPs), haloscopes (axions), X-ray telescopes (sterile neutrinos). India participates in international collaborations (e.g., LUX-ZEPLIN). Understanding dark matter is key to cosmology. [[NCERT Physics Class 11, IUCAA Reports]]

MOSIP, developed by IIIT-Bengaluru, provides modular, privacy-by-design framework for digital ID. Adopted by Philippines, Morocco; India explores interoperability with Aadhaar for specific use cases. [[MeitY, NITI Aayog Reports]]

Indian courts have recognized right to healthy environment under Article 21. Cases challenge coal projects, air pollution, coastal regulation. Judicial activism complements policy efforts for climate justice. [[MoEFCC, Supreme Court Reports]]

Microphysiological systems mimic organ functions (lung, liver, gut) on chip-sized devices. Enable drug testing, disease modeling with human relevance, reducing animal experiments. DBT supports Indian research in this area. [[DBT Reports, NCERT Biology Class 12]]

Bio-inspired catalysts replicate enzyme active sites (e.g., porphyrins for heme) using synthetic scaffolds. Applications: green synthesis, environmental remediation, energy conversion. Interdisciplinary field combining chemistry, biology, materials science. [[NCERT Chemistry Class 12]]

QEC (e.g., surface codes) detects/corrects errors without measuring quantum state directly. Essential for fault-tolerant quantum computing. Active research area; India's National Quantum Mission includes QEC R&D. [[DST Reports, NCERT Physics Class 12]]

Edge AI processes data locally (smartphones, cameras, sensors), avoiding cloud dependency. Enables real-time decisions (autonomous vehicles), works offline, keeps sensitive data on-device. Critical for IoT scalability. [[MeitY Reports]]

Adaptation Fund supports concrete adaptation projects/programs: early warning systems, climate-resilient agriculture, coastal protection. India has accessed funds for community-based adaptation in vulnerable regions. [[MoEFCC, UNFCCC Reports]]

Senescent cells accumulate with age, secreting inflammatory factors (SASP). Senolytics (e.g., dasatinib + quercetin) clear them, improving healthspan in preclinical models. Clinical trials ongoing for osteoarthritis, fibrosis. [[ICMR Reports, NCERT Biology Class 12]]

Hybrid perovskites (e.g., MAPbI₃) degrade under humidity, heat, light, electric fields. Research focuses on compositional engineering, encapsulation, inorganic perovskites for commercial viability. India's NISE supports R&D. [[MNRE Reports, NCERT Chemistry Class 12]]

Ion engines: electric fields accelerate xenon ions to high velocity, producing efficient low-thrust propulsion. Used in deep-space missions (e.g., Chandrayaan-2 orbiter). High specific impulse enables long-duration missions. [[ISRO Reports, NCERT Physics Class 11]]

NITI Aayog's strategy (2018) identifies healthcare, agriculture, education, infrastructure, mobility as priority sectors. Principles: safety, reliability, inclusivity, transformation, accountability. Guides public-private AI initiatives. [[NITI Aayog Reports]]

Climate stressors displace populations: Sundarbans (erosion), Rajasthan (drought), Assam (floods). Internal migration requires adaptive policies: livelihood support, urban planning, social protection. [[MoEFCC, NITI Aayog Reports]]