CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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  • Speciation happens when a subset of individuals within a species diverges from the rest of the population and acquires distinct traits of its own.
  • Sympatric speciation, specifically, denotes the emergence of new species within the existing habitat range of the original population.
  • In this scenario, there are no tangible obstacles hindering interbreeding among members of the species; they all coexist closely.
  • A novel species may arise seemingly out of nowhere, possibly driven by factors like a shift in diet or unique characteristics.

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  • Recombinant proteins are proteins synthesized artificially in laboratories through the insertion of the gene responsible for their production into bacterial, viral, or mammalian cells.
  • Usually, these proteins are manufactured on a large scale in specialized bioreactors, utilizing a particular strain of yeast containing a distinctive promoter known as the alcohol oxidase (AOX) promoter.
  • The AOX promoter, triggered by methanol, enhances the production of recombinant proteins. This procedure involves positioning the desired gene close to the AOX promoter, providing the yeast with glycerol or glucose as nutrients, and subsequently introducing methanol to activate protein synthesis.
  • However, methanol presents certain hazards such as flammability, toxicity, and the generation of harmful byproducts.
  • As a safer alternative, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) can activate a different yeast promoter called PEPCK, enabling protein production through a process similar to methanol's activation mechanism but without its associated risks.

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  • The Genocide Convention stands as the inaugural human rights treaty sanctioned by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1948.
  • Per the provisions of the Genocide Convention, genocide constitutes a punishable offense, applicable in both wartime and peacetime circumstances.
  • India has affixed its signature to this crucial convention, indicating its commitment to combatting and preventing acts of genocide globally.

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  • Auroras occur due to the interplay between charged particles emitted by the Sun and the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.
  • These mesmerizing displays comprise various gases and particles, notably oxygen and nitrogen.
  • When these particles collide with the atmosphere, they unleash energy in the form of luminous emissions, resulting in the breathtaking spectacle we observe as auroras.

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  • The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was instituted by the Government of India through the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act of 1985.
  • Functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, APEDA operates as a statutory entity.
  • It holds the distinguished position of being the premier organization dedicated to the promotion of agricultural exports from India.

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  • Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) is an uncommon neurological condition triggered by Naegleria fowleri, often referred to as the "brain-eating amoeba."
  • This single-celled organism, categorized as a free-living amoeba, is responsible for causing the infection.
  • Naegleria fowleri thrives in warm freshwater and soil across various regions globally, posing a risk to individuals who come into contact with contaminated water sources. Once inside the body, typically through the nasal passage, it can lead to the onset of PAM.