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- The AIM-174B missile is an air-launched adaptation of the versatile SM-6 missile developed by the US Navy. Entering service in July 2024, it is produced by Raytheon, a leading aerospace and defense contractor. This advanced, long-range air-to-air missile boasts a striking range of up to 400 km (250 miles), exceeding the reach of China's PL-15 missile. Deployed in the Indo-Pacific region, the AIM-174B is a key component of the US strategy to bolster power projection amid rising regional tensions. It is designed to engage high-priority targets, including air defense systems and warships, in a quasi-ballistic trajectory. The missile's capabilities enable the US to effectively keep PLA carrier-hunting aircraft at bay and counter potential Chinese threats to Taiwan.
- The Geneva Conventions comprise four treaties containing over 400 articles that establish comprehensive rules for the humane treatment of prisoners, safeguard hospitals and medical personnel, facilitate humanitarian aid, and prohibit torture, rape, and sexual violence. These conventions were formalized by the United Nations in 1949. In addition, there are three supplementary protocols: the first two were adopted in 1977, and the third in 2005. While the Conventions primarily focus on the treatment of non-combatants and prisoners of war, they do not address the methods and means of warfare or the use of conventional, biological, or chemical weapons. These latter aspects are regulated by The Hague Conventions and the Geneva Protocol.
- This is the first orchid from India known for its flowers that never open. Discovered at elevations ranging from 1,950 to 2,100 meters above sea level, it represents the first cleistogamous species of the genus Gastrodia identified in India. Although morphologically similar to G. exilis and G. dyeriana, detailed examination has uncovered significant differences in floral characteristics. This new species thrives in dense, decaying leaf litter and is commonly associated with trees such as Magnolia doltsopa, Acer campbelli, and Quercus lamellose. Its discovery enriches India’s botanical diversity, bringing the total number of Gastrodia species in the country to ten.
- Researchers employed a technique utilizing magnetic fields and radio waves to monitor the global dispersion of "forever chemicals" in various ecosystems. This method involves exposing samples to a strong magnetic field and then detecting the burst of radio waves emitted by their atoms. These "forever chemicals," scientifically known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are widely used in applications such as waterproofing, heat resistance, detergents, food packaging, and non-stick coatings. Their persistent nature means they remain in the environment indefinitely, contributing to ecological degradation and posing health risks to all living organisms, including humans. The exceptionally strong molecular bonds of PFAS prevent them from breaking down, making them both environmentally persistent and challenging to trace.
- The Ministry of Education has launched the Prerana Programme to provide a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience for participants, aiming to cultivate leadership qualities. This initiative reflects a deep commitment to integrating the principles of the Indian education system with the value-based philosophy central to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- The programme is a week-long residential experience designed for selected students from classes IX to XII. It offers an experiential and motivational learning environment, combining cutting-edge technology with traditional heritage. Each week, a group of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) from various regions of the country will participate.
- The Prerana Programme is hosted at a Vernacular School established in 1888 in Vadnagar, Gujarat, one of India's oldest living cities, and is notable for being the alma mater of the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
- The curriculum, developed by IIT Gandhinagar, is based on nine value-oriented themes: Swabhiman and Vinay, Shaurya and Sahas, Parishram and Samarpan, Karuna and Sewa, Vividhta and Ekta, Satyanishtha and Shuchita, Navachar and Jigyasa, Shraddha aur Vishwas, and Swatantrata and Kartavya.
- Scientists have discovered that prokaryotes exhibit remarkable resilience to climate change and could therefore become increasingly dominant in marine environments.
- Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms that lack a distinct nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
- Features:
- Shape: Prokaryotes vary in shape and size, ranging from 0.5 to 5 µm. They typically appear in four basic forms: rod-like (bacillus), spherical (coccus), comma-shaped (vibrio), and spiral (spirillum).
- Cell Organisation: These cells have a simple structural organization consisting of a cell wall (with exceptions like mycoplasma), cytoplasm, and a plasma membrane, but they do not have a well-defined nucleus.
- Organelles: Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles, except for ribosomes. They possess unique structures called mesosomes, which are extensions of the plasma membrane involved in various cellular functions.
- Reproduction: Prokaryotic cells primarily reproduce through binary fission, an asexual process.
- DNA: Most prokaryotes contain a single chromosome that carries genetic information in the form of DNA.
- Prokaryotes encompass both bacteria and archaea, another group of single-celled organisms. They are believed to be the oldest cell-based lifeforms on Earth.
- Habitat: Prokaryotes are ubiquitous, thriving in diverse environments from land to water and across various climatic zones, from the tropics to the polar regions.
- Ecological Significance: They are vital to global food chains, contributing significantly to the nutrient cycles that support fish and other organisms consumed by humans. Marine prokaryotes grow rapidly, a process that releases substantial amounts of carbon.