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- Researchers utilizing artificial intelligence have uncovered potential cancer-driving elements hidden within so-called 'junk' regions of DNA.
- Understanding Junk DNA:
- In genetics, junk DNA refers to noncoding regions of the DNA molecule. While DNA primarily encodes instructions for protein synthesis, a substantial portion of the DNA in each cell does not directly contribute to protein production
Several major banks on high streets have recently halted or restricted the opening of sole proprietorship and individual current accounts for businesses less than a year old, citing concerns that these entities could potentially serve as 'money mules' for laundering and digital fraud activities.
Understanding Money Mules:
A money mule is an individual who knowingly or unknowingly facilitates the illegal transfer of funds acquired through illicit means on behalf of others.
In cases where fraudulent activities are uncovered, money mules themselves become the focus of police investigations.
- After an absence spanning several decades, the locally extinct Indian gaur has recently been sighted within the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) located in Andhra Pradesh.
- Understanding the Indian Gaur:
- The Indian gaur, scientifically known as Bos gaurus, is the largest and tallest species within the wild cattle family. Native to South and Southeast Asia, these magnificent creatures primarily inhabit evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, as well as moist deciduous forests with expansive grasslands.
- Key Features:
- Indian gaurs are sizable animals, measuring between 240 cm to 340 cm in length, with tail lengths ranging from 70 cm to 105 cm. They stand at heights of approximately 170 cm to 230 cm. Adult males typically weigh between 600 kg to 1500 kg, while adult females weigh around 400 kg to 1000 kg.
- India has achieved a milestone with the successful test-firing of its inaugural indigenous anti-radiation missile, the Rudram-1, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) specifically for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- About Rudram-1:
- Rudram-1 is an air-to-surface missile engineered by DRDO and designed to be deployed on the IAF's Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, serving as its launch platform.
- Key Features:
- This missile marks India's first domestically produced anti-radiation missile, equipped with Inertial Navigation Systems (INS)-GPS navigation and a Passive Homing Head for terminal guidance.
- Strategic Importance:
- The missile's precision is crucial for Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) operations, enabling the IAF to effectively neutralize enemy radars and communication installations from extended standoff distances.
- Scientists have conducted an extensive study on the structural adaptability of Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), unveiling a novel quantitative measure to assess their mechanical flexibility at the crystal level.
- Understanding Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs):
- MOFs are a class of crystalline materials renowned for their porous nature and diverse applications. They consist of metal ions or clusters serving as nodes connected by organic ligands, forming intricate networks.
- Key Features:
- These materials possess exceptional gas absorption capabilities, such as trapping carbon dioxide, and are utilized in tasks like crude oil purification due to their nanoporous structures that enhance surface area.
- Mechanical Flexibility Assessment:
- Previously, the flexibility of MOF crystals was evaluated using the elastic modulus, measuring their resistance to deformation under strain.
- A team of archaeologists in Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, has unearthed a significant find: a 41,000-year-old ostrich nest. This discovery holds promise in shedding light on the extinction of megafauna across the Indian subcontinent.
- Understanding Megafauna:
- The term "megafauna" refers to large animals weighing over 50 kg. Coined by Alfred Russel Wallace in 1876, megafauna includes categories such as megaherbivores (plant-eaters), mega carnivores (meat-eaters), and mega omnivores (consumers of both plants and meat).
- Meta has recently unveiled an advanced AI tool capable of swiftly generating or retexturing 3D objects.
- Meta 3D Gen AI System Overview:
- The Meta 3D Gen AI System integrates two powerful AI sub-systems, Meta 3D AssetGen and Meta 3D TextureGen, to produce high-quality 3D assets complete with high-resolution textures and material maps in less than a minute.
- Key Features:
- Users can input text prompts specifying the desired 3D content, such as characters, props, or scenes, which the system then generates.
- Alternatively, users can provide an existing 3D mesh structure and request the system to add textures to it.
- The Indian destroyer INS Kochi recently conducted a humanitarian mission, evacuating one of the 18 sailors from the hijacked commercial vessel MV Ruen off the coast of Somalia.
- About INS Kochi:
- INS Kochi is the second ship of the Kolkata-class stealth guided-missile destroyers, developed under Project 15A for the Indian Navy. Constructed by Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, it was commissioned into service on September 30, 2015.
- Key Features:
- Dimensions: The ship measures 164 meters in length and approximately 17 meters in width, with a full load displacement of 7500 tonnes.
- Propulsion: Powered by a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion system, featuring four powerful reversible gas turbines enabling speeds exceeding 30 knots.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently conducted a successful test firing of the 'SAMAR' air defence missile system.
- About SAMAR Air Defence Missile System:
- SAMAR, short for Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation, represents a short-range air defence system developed by a unit under the IAF’s Maintenance Command.
- Key Features:
- Range and Capability: SAMAR boasts a maximum operational range of 10–12 km and is designed to engage low-flying aerial targets effectively.
- Experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) recently issued a warning to farmers regarding the threat of late blight disease affecting potato crops.
- About Late Blight Disease:
- Late blight is primarily caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans and is recognized as one of the most devastating diseases affecting potato crops globally. Without timely control measures, it can swiftly lead to significant crop losses.
- Key Points:
- Disease Characteristics: Late blight thrives in humid regions with moderate temperatures, making it particularly problematic during cool and moist weather conditions.
- Symptoms: Initial signs include small, water-soaked spots on potato leaves, which quickly enlarge into large, dark brown or black lesions, often with a greasy appearance. These lesions are typically surrounded by a pale green to yellow border.
- Recently, significant prehistoric rock art has been unearthed in the Andriamamelo Cave located in western Madagascar.
- About Andriamamelo Cave:
- Andriamamelo Cave is situated in the karstified limestone formations of the Paysage Harmonieux Protege de Beanka in western Madagascar. This cave is part of a vast karst region that includes the UNESCO World Heritage site Parc National de Bemaraha to the south and the lesser-explored Antsingimavo karst area to the north.
- Key Discoveries:
- Artistic Depictions: The cave's walls reveal pictorial representations featuring human-like and animal-like figures amidst scenes of nature.
- Cultural Significance: The discoveries have unveiled surprising cultural connections, including imagery reminiscent of Egyptian religious motifs dating back to the Ptolemaic period (300-30 BCE).