General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - August 2015

Aug 2015

Dec 01, 2018

World's Biggest Gene Bank of Medicinal Plants

Indian mint, Iranian saffron, Sri Lankan black pepper and mace from Indonesia, along with over 300 other spices and medicinal plants will have their genetic information profiled and saved at CSIR-CIMAP(Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants), Lucknow.
Once established, it will be the biggest gene bank of medicinal and aromatic plants in the world.
These plants are native to the 23 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. The countries are represented by their consortium Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Genetic bank refers to a collection of genetic information that is unique for all living species.
The programme titled, 'Diversity, documentation, gene banking and database for medicinal plants' is being attended by representatives of 11 IORA member countries.
The programme is being organised by the science and technology transfer wing of IORA. The wing has chosen the CIMAP as one of its regional centres for science and technology transfer.
The programme is being funded by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The members include countries of the gulf-Iran, Oman, UAE, Yemen- African sub continent, South Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya- other south east Asian countries and Australia.

Nov 30, 2018

Research in Artificial Intelligence

The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, has decided to set up a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to promote research in the technology and offer solutions to complex problems in fields such as medicine, finance and customer support.
The centre is expected to come up on the campus in the next six months.
The Institute currently offers courses in artificial intelligence at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. With this centre for excellence, the IIT-D is planning to bring researchers from all the departments, to inculcate AI in their respective disciplines and find solutions for various problems.

ISRO PSLV C43 Launch

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched an earth observation satellite, along with 30 micro and nano-satellites of eight other countries, after a 16-hour countdown.
The 31 satellites were launched in two different orbits by India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV C43) in its 45th flight.
According to ISRO, the Indian satellite, Hyper Spectral Imaging Satellite (HySIS), will help in monitoring pollution from industries. It will also have other applications in agriculture, forestry, geology, coastal zone study and inland water studies.

Nov 28, 2018

NASA Lands InSight Robot

The US space agency NASA has landed a new robot on Mars after a dramatic seven-minute plunge to the surface of the Red Planet.

The InSight probe aims to study the world's deep interior, and make it the only planet - apart from Earth - that has been examined in this way.

InSight is now sitting on a vast, flat plain known as Elysium Planitia, close to the Red Planet's equator.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Rising

According to the UN, Global efforts to tackle climate change are way off track as it details the first rise in CO2 emissions in four years.

The emissions gap report says that economic growth is responsible for a rise in 2017 while national efforts to cut carbon have faltered.

To meet the goals of the Paris climate pact, the study says it's crucial that global emissions peak by 2020.

But the analysis says that this is now not likely even by 2030.

Nov 27, 2018

World's First Gene-edited Babies

A Chinese scientist's claim that he helped make the world's first 'genetically-edited babies', a pair of twin girls, who could be resistant to HIV and other diseases, has triggered controversy, with a group of 122 leading scientists from his country, in a rare move, condemning 'gene editing'.

Nov 21, 2018

India's First VoLTE International Roaming

Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. (Jio) launched VoLTE based inbound International roaming between India and Japan.

With this, Jio has become India's first 4G mobile operator to provide VoLTE based international roaming services in India whereby international roamers will be enjoying HD voice and LTE high-speed Data.

Japan-based KDDI Corporation is the first international mobile service provider to avail of Jio's VoLTE calling and LTE data international roaming service which provides international travellers with access to high-speed data and voice services on Jio's all-IP, 4G-exclusive network.

China Launches Five Satellites

China successfully launched five satellites, including four nano-satellites, on a single rocket from a launch centre in the country's northwest Gansu province.

Shiyan-6 satellite and four other microsatellites were launched by Long March-2D rocket and have successfully entered their pre-set orbit.

It was the 292th mission of the Long March rocket series.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

September GK, August GK, July GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26