CURRENT-AFFAIRS

• Mitochondrial disease, also known as Mito, encompasses a spectrum of disorders that impair the ability of mitochondria to produce the energy necessary for organs to function effectively.
• Overview of Mitochondrial Disease:
  • Mitochondrial diseases are a group of disorders that disrupt the normal functioning of mitochondria within the body.
  • What are Mitochondria?
  • Mitochondria are organelles enclosed by membranes, responsible for generating the majority of the chemical energy required for biochemical reactions within cells.
  • Causes:
    • Primary mitochondrial diseases are primarily caused by genetic mutations. They often manifest before the age of 20, with some being more prevalent in infants.
    • Mitochondrial dysfunction can also arise from conditions where mitochondria do not function optimally due to other diseases or factors. These are referred to as secondary mitochondrial diseases.

• The military is moving forward with the development of its new LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, but has instructed the U.S. Air Force to revamp the program to control its escalating costs.
• Overview of the Sentinel Nuclear Missile:
  • The LGM-35A Sentinel is an advanced intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) currently under development by Northrop Grumman in collaboration with Air Force Global Strike Command for the US Air Force (USAF).
  • It is designed to replace the aging inventory of 400 LGM-30 Minuteman III ICBMs, which have been in service with the USAF since the 1970s.
  • With a projected range exceeding 5,500km, the Sentinel can deliver its payload to any target worldwide within just 30 minutes following launch, following a trajectory optimized for speed and accuracy.

• Regenerative braking is a technology designed to harness the kinetic energy of a vehicle's wheels and convert it into a form that can be stored and utilized for other purposes.
• Overview of Regenerative Braking:
  • Regenerative braking is a feature commonly found in hybrid and fully electric vehicles.
  • It is also referred to as a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS).
  • • This process effectively reverses the flow of energy, from the kinetic motion of the wheels to electrical power stored in the battery.
  • By utilizing regenerative braking, vehicles can improve fuel efficiency and lessen the workload on traditional friction brakes, thereby extending the lifespan of brake components like pads and discs.

• Recently, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched an integrated tribal development program in the Kulathupuzha grama panchayat in Kerala.
• Overview of NABARD's Integrated Tribal Development Program:
  • This initiative is a cornerstone project of NABARD aimed at fostering sustainable livelihoods among tribal communities.
  • The program draws inspiration from the successful 'wadi' model of tribal development, which has been refined through collaborations with national and international development agencies.
  • Funding for projects under this program is sourced from the Tribal Development Fund.
• Objectives of the Fund include:

• • Establishing replicable models for integrated tribal family development through participatory approaches, focusing on sustainable income-generating activities tailored to local potential and tribal needs.

• A team of scientists from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has reported tracing the impact of plasma composition on the dynamics of astrophysical jets originating from celestial bodies.
• Astrophysical jets are streams of ionized matter emitted as extended beams from cosmic objects such as black holes, neutron stars, and pulsars.
• Key Findings of the Study:
  • The researchers demonstrated that variations in plasma composition lead to differences in the propagation velocities of these jets, even when their initial parameters remain unchanged.
  • Contrary to expectations, jets composed of electrons and positrons were observed to move slower compared to those composed of protons, despite protons being approximately two thousand times more massive than electrons or positrons.

• In Japan, a recently discovered fossil of a Mosasaur, an extinct apex predator from the Late Cretaceous period, has captured attention.
• About Mosasaur:
  • Mosasaurs (family Mosasauridae) were formidable, large predatory marine reptiles that roamed the world's oceans during the Late Cretaceous epoch, spanning from 90 to 66 million years ago.
  • These reptiles are closely related to snakes and monitor lizards, and they ranked among the largest marine creatures of their time and some of the largest predatory reptiles overall.
  • Features:
    • Mosasaur species varied in size, with some individuals exceeding lengths of 50 feet.
    • They possessed a sleek, snake-like body structure with a large skull, elongated snout, and sharp teeth.

• The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently indicated a potential slowdown in the rapid growth of Indian oil product consumption.
• About the International Energy Agency (IEA):
  • Established in 1974, the IEA is an international intergovernmental organization headquartered in Paris.
  • Initially focused on maintaining stability in the global oil supply, the IEA's mandate has evolved to encompass comprehensive analysis of global energy trends, advocacy for sound energy policies, and fostering international cooperation on energy technologies.
  • The recent observation by the IEA regarding potential stabilization in Indian oil product consumption growth reflects broader trends in energy consumption and economic development, influencing global energy markets and policies.

• Channapatna toys from Karnataka, known for their unique wooden craftsmanship, have now found their way into children’s educational activities in Afghanistan.
• About Channapatna Toys:
  • Channapatna toys are traditional wooden toys and dolls crafted in Channapatna, a town located in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka, India.
  • The town is affectionately called Gombegala Ooru (toy-town) due to its rich history of toy-making.
• History:
  • The origins of Channapatna toys date back to the 18th century during the reign of Tipu Sultan, the erstwhile ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore.
  • Legend has it that Tipu Sultan was impressed by the craftsmanship of Persian artisans and invited them to train local craftsmen in toy-making.

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) recently issued a significant consultation paper concerning the enhancement of surrender values for life insurance policies.
• About Surrender Value in Insurance:
  • The surrender value of an insurance policy denotes the amount refunded to the policyholder upon termination of the policy before its maturity.

This applies primarily to term insurance policies that include a surrender benefit option.

• The recent focus by IRDAI on enhancing surrender values aims to provide policyholders with more substantial financial options when considering terminating their life insurance policies prematurely.

• Recently, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Tarmugli, a Fast Attack Craft, at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.
• About INS Tarmugli:
  • INS Tarmugli is the first Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC), an upgraded version of earlier WJFAC models built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE).
  • This indigenously conceived, designed, and built vessel will be crucial for coastal patrol and surveillance missions along India's East Coast.
  • The commissioning of INS Tarmugli underscores India's commitment to bolstering its naval capabilities with advanced indigenous technologies, supporting maritime defense and surveillance operations along its strategic coastlines.