Read Current Affairs
- Why in News?
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever integrated guidelines for the prevention and management of arboviral diseases.
- About Arbovial Diseases:-
- These illnesses, such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever, are primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Their global threat is growing rapidly, driven by climate change, rapid urbanisation, and increased human mobility. Currently, over 5.6 billion people are estimated to be at risk.
- One major challenge in addressing arboviral infections is the overlap in their early symptoms, which can make clinical diagnosis difficult—especially in regions where multiple viruses circulate simultaneously. To address this, WHO recommends a standardized, coordinated clinical response. The new guidelines aim to help health systems improve diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and outbreak preparedness. With rising frequency and intensity of outbreaks, WHO emphasizes that integrated action is essential to reduce the health burden and prevent the widespread impact of these vector-borne diseases.
- Why in News?
- Astronomers, using data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), have discovered a new exoplanet named TOI-1846. This super-Earth, located around 154 light-years from Earth, orbits a red dwarf star that may possess water-rich characteristics. The planet is roughly twice the size of Earth, raising interest about its composition and potential habitability.
- About Super-Earths
- Super-Earths are a class of exoplanets—planets that orbit stars outside our solar system. Despite the name, it doesn't mean they share Earth-like conditions; the term only refers to their size and mass. These planets are typically up to twice Earth’s diameter and can be up to 10 times more massive, yet are smaller and less massive than gas giants like Neptune. Since there are no similar planets in our own solar system, their exact nature remains uncertain. Larger variants of super-Earths are sometimes referred to as sub-Neptunes or mini-Neptunes.
- Why in News?
- India is preparing to introduce its first weather derivatives, with the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Ltd (NCDEX) joining hands with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to design rainfall-based financial products. These instruments aim to protect farmers and agri-allied sectors from weather-related uncertainties such as erratic rainfall, heatwaves, and other climate extremes. The derivatives will be location-specific and seasonal, built using IMD's verified historical and real-time weather data.
- About Weather Derivatives
- Unlike conventional financial derivatives linked to stocks or commodities, weather derivatives are based on meteorological variables like rainfall or temperature. They are tied to a predefined weather index and are useful for hedging risks rather than trading for profit. Because they lack intrinsic market value, they fall under what economists call an "incomplete market." First developed in the 1990s for over-the-counter trading abroad, India is now making its initial foray into this emerging financial tool.