General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - August 2021

Aug 2021

Jan 16, 2026

Karan Fries: India-origin cow breed yields 11–19 kg milk daily

Karan Fries, a synthetic dairy breed developed by the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal, Haryana, combines Holstein Friesian with Tharparkar cattle. The breed averages about 3,550 kg of milk per lactation (roughly 11.6 kg per day), with top producers reaching 5,851 kg (about 19.1 kg per day). The breed demonstrates strong genetic potential under Indian farming conditions, balancing high yield with climate resilience. This development supports India’s dairy sector by improving productivity and bolstering food security through scientifically guided crossbreeding programs.

Karan Fries is a cross between Holstein Friesian and Tharparkar.
Average milk yield around 11.6 kg/day; top cows up to 19.1 kg/day.
Developed by NDRI, Karnal (Haryana).
Balances high yield with resilience to Indian conditions.
Boosts dairy productivity and food security.

Wikimedia Foundation partners with major tech firms for AI content training

Wikipedia’s parent organization, the Wikimedia Foundation, announced partnerships with several tech giants including Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon to support AI-based content training. The collaboration also involves AI startup Perplexity and France’s Mistral AI, expanding beyond a previous arrangement with Alphabet’s Google. The moves reflect a growing trend of major platforms leveraging open encyclopedic content to improve AI models while balancing licensing, fair use, and monetization considerations. The partnerships aim to sustain high-quality knowledge access while addressing concerns about data usage and content integrity in AI systems.

Wikimedia partners with Microsoft, Meta, Amazon for AI training.
Involves Perplexity and Mistral AI; expands beyond Google deal.
Aims to balance AI training with content licensing and integrity.
Fetches support from multiple tech giants for AI models.
Signal of larger trend in AI content partnerships.

Genome recovered from Woolly Rhino remains reveals population health

Researchers extracted DNA and reconstructed the woolly rhinoceros genome from undigested meat found in the stomach of a lone Ice Age wolf puppy in permafrost near Tumat, Siberia. The team compared this genome with two other ancient individuals to study genetic changes over time. The findings suggest the species remained genetically healthy until the late Ice Age before a rapid population decline, likely due to climate change. The study challenges assumptions about inbreeding in small populations and contributes to understanding how cold environments shaped megafauna survival and extinction in northern Europe and Asia.

Woolly rhino genome recovered from permafrost sample.
Genome compared with two other individuals for time-based insights.
Indicates genetic health until late Ice Age; rapid decline likely due to climate change.
No evidence of inbreeding in studied genomes.
Enhances understanding of megafauna extinction dynamics.

ISS crew returns to Earth after first-ever medical evacuation

A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying a four-member International Space Station crew splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean off California. NASA confirmed the mission marks the first time an ISS crew was evacuated early due to a medical condition. The capsule deployed parachutes and landed gently, with medical teams ready to treat the affected astronaut on the ground. NASA Administrator and medical authorities withheld details about the illness for privacy. The safe return of the crew ends an adjusted ISS timeline and underscores the importance of rapid contingency planning in long-duration spaceflight.

ISS crew evacuated via SpaceX Endeavour capsule.
First-ever medical evacuation of an ISS crew member.
Capsule landed safely in the Pacific; medical teams awaiting.
NASA withheld illness details for privacy reasons.
Highlights need for contingency planning in space missions.

X halts Grok AI image edits for real people in some jurisdictions

X (formerly Twitter) announced that its Grok AI tool will no longer edit photos of real people to show them in revealing clothing in jurisdictions where such edits are illegal. The measure follows public backlash over deepfake-style modifications. The platform indicated it implemented technical safeguards to prevent misuse. The UK regulator Ofcom termed the move a positive development, though it noted that ongoing investigations into legal compliance continue. The incident highlights ongoing debates over AI-generated imagery, privacy, and safety in social media. Users will still be able to use Grok for other non-sensitive tasks within policy limits.

Grok AI restricted from editing real people’s revealing images in some regions.
Tech safeguards implemented; backlash spurred action.
Ofcom welcomed the development; investigations continue.
Policy underscores AI-generated imagery safety concerns.
Limitations apply to content deemed illegal in jurisdictions.

IShowSpeed makes history by streaming inside Egypt’s Great Pyramid

Speed, real name Darren Watkins Jr., became the first streamer to go live from inside Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza on January 15, 2026, as part of his Speed Does Africa tour. The live broadcast featured drone footage and a guided walkthrough of narrow passages and chambers. Viewers witnessed Speed’s reactions in real time before continuing his journey through the Sphinx and into Cairo. The moment drew millions of online views and sparked discussions about the limits and safety of live-streaming in cultural sites, as well as the role of creators in documenting world heritage responsibly.

IShowSpeed streams live from inside Giza Pyramid (Jan 15, 2026).
First-ever live broadcast from the interior of the site.
Includes drone footage and guided tour segments.
Draws millions of online viewers; raises safety concerns.
Ignites debates on live-streaming at heritage sites.

Jan 15, 2026

MeitY organises BHASHINI Samudaye workshop to strengthen language AI

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology hosted the BHASHINI Samudaye workshop in New Delhi to enhance India’s language AI ecosystem under the National Language Translation Mission. The Digital India BHASHINI Division brought together language experts, academia, civil society, and data practitioners to co-create and govern language AI solutions. Discussions covered scaling BHASHINI, platform roadmaps, data governance, and long-term collaboration to ensure inclusive public services. The event showcased examples like BhashaDaan and highlighted responsible data practices while seeking partnerships with states and institutions to advance multilingual governance and education through AI.

BHASHINI Samudaye workshop organized by MeitY
Focus on strengthening language AI under NLTM
Participants include language experts, academia, civil society
Discussions on scaling BHASHINI and data governance

Jan 14, 2026

Sentynl drug for Menkes disease gains U.S. FDA nod

Sentynl Therapeutics, a Zydus Lifesciences subsidiary, received U.S. FDA approval for Zycubo (copper histidinate) to treat Menkes disease in paediatric patients. This marks the first and currently the only approved treatment for a rare, fatal genetic disorder affecting copper metabolism in children. Zydus stated that the approval could offer a critical therapeutic option for affected families and may stimulate further research into metabolic disease management. The development highlights ongoing biopharmaceutical innovation and the global interest in rare disease therapies.

FDA approves Zycubo (copper histidinate) for Menkes disease
First and only approved treatment in the U.S.
Significant milestone for Sentynl and Zydus Lifesciences
Potential impact on rare disease management
Could spur further research in metabolic disorders

KAIST researchers reprogram tumor immune cells to fight cancer

Researchers at KAIST developed a method to reprogram immune cells inside tumors into cancer-fighting agents. A drug injected directly into the tumor is taken up by macrophages, prompting them to attack cancer cells and activate nearby immune responses. This approach avoids lab-based cell extraction and modification. In animal models, the strategy slowed tumor growth and elicited strong anticancer immune activity. The team, led by Professor Ji-Ho Park, believes the technique could offer a new pathway for treating solid tumors and could complement existing therapies in humans after further testing.

KAIST method reprograms tumor macrophages to attack cancer
Direct intratumoral drug activates immune response
No need for ex vivo cell manipulation
Shown to slow tumor growth in animal models
Potential new avenue for solid tumor therapies

Jan 13, 2026

ISRO to launch PSLV-C62 with EOS-N1 mission on January 12, 2026

ISRO announced the PSLV-C62 mission, set for 12 January 2026 at 10:17 IST from Sriharikota. The primary payload is EOS-N1, also called Anvesha, an Earth observation satellite developed for DRDO. The mission will carry 18 co-passenger satellites from domestic and international partners. The launch marks India’s first space mission of 2026 and the 64th PSLV flight. The mission will bolster remote sensing capabilities for agriculture, urban planning, and environmental monitoring. Observers view PSLV-C62 as a milestone that demonstrates India’s growing capabilities in space science and global collaboration in satellite ventures.

PSLV-C62 launch scheduled for 12 January 2026, 10:17 IST.
Primary payload EOS‑N1 (Anvesha) for DRDO.
18 co-passenger satellites from multiple partners aboard.
First ISRO launch of 2026; 64th PSLV flight.
Supports remote sensing for agriculture, urban mapping, environment.

Meta to power AI data centres with 6.6 GW of US nuclear power by 2035

Tech giant Meta announced agreements with three U.S. nuclear energy companies to supply up to 6.6 gigawatts of clean power by 2035 for its artificial intelligence data centres. The deals position Meta as one of America’s largest corporate buyers of nuclear energy and align with its strategy to run AI workloads on low-emission electricity. The arrangement supports Meta’s data centre expansion and sustainability goals, reducing carbon emissions while enabling faster processing capabilities for large-scale AI tasks. The partnerships reflect growing industry use of nuclear energy in extensive data operations.

Meta signs power deals for up to 6.6 GW of nuclear energy by 2035.
Power supports AI data centres; aims for low-emission electricity.
Positions Meta among top US corporate buyers of nuclear energy.
Supports expansion of AI workloads with sustainable power.
Signals broader industry shift to nuclear energy for data needs.

Jan 11, 2026

Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative launched for 2026

India announced the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (RSDI) 2026 to strengthen the interface between science, technology, and diplomacy. This institutional effort aims to embed science diplomacy within India’s Raisina Dialogue framework. The initiative is a collaborative project between the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and the Observer Research Foundation. RSDI seeks to create a dedicated platform during the Raisina Dialogue to discuss how science and technology influence international relations, policy making, and global collaboration. The move reflects India’s emphasis on using science to advance strategic diplomacy and international partnerships.

RSDI 2026 announced to integrate science diplomacy with Raisina Dialogue.
Joint effort by the Prime Scientific Adviser’s office and ORF.
Aims to host a dedicated platform within Raisina Dialogue.
Focus on science, technology, and diplomacy in policy discourse.

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