CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Recently, the Kerala Police urged the public to avoid engaging in dark tourism, as it could obstruct rescue operations in Wayanad.
• Some key features in Dark Tourism:
  • Dark tourism, also referred to as black tourism, thanatourism, or grief tourism, involves visiting places linked to death, suffering, tragedy, or the macabre. Early definitions by John Lennon and Malcolm Foley describe dark tourism as “the representation of inhuman acts and how these are interpreted for visitors.”
  • These sites are tied to tragic events and may include cemeteries, mausoleums, disaster areas, battlefields, memorials, prisons, execution grounds, and crime scenes. A subset of dark tourism, known as “disaster tourism,” focuses on attractions that emerge from the aftermath of significant disasters or traumatic events.
  • Notable dark tourism destinations include Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland, Chernobyl in Ukraine, Ground Zero in New York, and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Japan.
  • The practice of dark tourism can be contentious, with some considering it a respectful homage and others deeming it unethical. It attracts many due to the deep emotional connection it provides to sites of historical tragedy.

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• The Indian Naval Submarine (INS) Shalki has recently docked at the port of Colombo for a two-day official visit.
• About INS Shalki:
  • INS Shalki is a Shishumar-class diesel-electric submarine and holds the distinction of being the first submarine entirely constructed in India. It was built under license at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on February 7, 1992.
• Specifications:
  • It features a beam of 6.5 meters (21 feet), a draught of 6 meters (20 feet), and a length of 64.4 meters (211 feet).
  • The submarine accommodates a crew of 40, including 8 officers.
  • The displacement of INS Shalki is 1,450 tons when surfaced and 1,850 tons when submerged.
  • It has a range of approximately 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 kilometers) at a speed of 8 knots (15 kilometers per hour).
  • Its operational speed ranges from 11 knots (20 kilometers per hour) on the surface to 22 knots (41 kilometers per hour) while submerged.

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• Recent footage from Himachal Pradesh showed the Beas River at full capacity as relentless heavy rains continued to batter the Himalayan region.
• About Beas River:
  • The Beas River flows through the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab in northwestern India. It is one of the five rivers that contribute to the name Punjab, which means "Five Rivers."
  • Historically, the Beas River marked the eastern boundary of Alexander the Great’s invasion of India in 326 BC.
• Course:
  • The river originates at an altitude of 14,308 feet (4,361 meters) at Rohtang Pass in the western Himalayas, in central Himachal Pradesh.
  • It flows southward through the Kullu Valley, collecting tributaries from the surrounding mountains, before turning west to pass Mandi and enter the Kangra Valley.
  • Upon leaving the valley, the Beas flows into Punjab state, where it changes course to the south and then southwest, ultimately merging with the Sutlej River at Harike.
  • The Beas River stretches for 470 kilometers (290 miles) and drains a basin covering 20,303 square kilometers (7,839 square miles).
• Major Tributaries:
  • The main tributaries of the Beas River include Bain, Banganga, Luni, and Uhal, as well as Banner, Chakki, Gaj, Harla, Mamuni, Parvati, Patlikuhlal, Sainj, Suketi, and Tirthan.

The Beas River is renowned for creating the scenic Kullu and Kangra valleys.

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• Victoria, Australia, has reported 71 confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease, with one woman having succumbed to the illness.
• About Legionnaires' Disease:
  • Legionnaires' disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria, which are typically found in natural water sources such as lakes and hot springs. This severe form of pneumonia, characterized by inflammation of the lungs usually due to infection, is specifically caused by the Legionella bacterium.
• Bacteria and Environment:
  • Legionella bacteria are commonly present in lakes and ponds, but they can also proliferate in man-made water systems, including tanks and cooling towers.
• Transmission:
  • The disease is primarily spread through the inhalation of aerosols contaminated with the bacteria from water sources. It is not transmitted from person to person.
• Symptoms:
  • The disease manifests through symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, malaise, and muscle pain (myalgia).
• Treatment:
  • Although there are effective treatments available, there is currently no vaccine for Legionnaires’ disease

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• A research team has utilized a method known as covalent magnetic tweezers to investigate how individual protein molecules fold and unfold under various conditions and interact with osmolytes. This research could potentially aid in the development of treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
• About Osmolytes:
  • Osmolytes are low molecular weight organic compounds that accumulate in tissues during stress or pathological conditions. These small molecules play a crucial role in helping cells withstand stress by stabilizing proteins and preventing their misfolding. By maintaining protein structure and function under adverse conditions, osmolytes are essential for preventing diseases associated with protein misfolding.

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• Researchers from CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur, have developed a novel cathode material that can serve as a catalyst in Metal-air batteries.
• About Metal-Air Batteries:
  • Metal-air batteries are energy storage devices that rely on electrochemical reactions between a positive "Air Electrode" (cathode) and a negative "Metal Electrode" (anode). The anode is commonly made from metals such as lithium, zinc, aluminum, iron, or sodium, while the cathode typically features porous carbon materials and a catalyst.
• Advantages:
  • Higher Energy Density: Metal-air batteries offer greater energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries.
  • Accessibility: These batteries use metals that are readily available in India, enhancing their accessibility over lithium-ion alternatives.
  • Cost-Effective: Local production of these batteries can lower costs and reduce the need for imports.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Metal-air batteries are recyclable, presenting a safer option compared to lithium-ion batteries, which pose environmental risks.
  • Lightweight: Metals like aluminum are lightweight and can deliver comparable or superior energy density to lithium-ion batteries, making them a promising choice.