Read Current Affairs
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recently hosted the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) meeting in Delhi, organized by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).
- About the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT):
- The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) is an intergovernmental organization founded in February 1979 to support the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) across the Asia-Pacific region. It was established through a collaborative initiative by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- APT currently has 38 Member countries, 4 Associate Members, and over 140 Affiliate Members, including private companies and academic institutions, all of which contribute to the ICT sector.
- Key Functions of APT:
- APT plays a pivotal role in advancing telecommunications services and ICT infrastructure throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
- It serves as a platform for coordinating and aligning policies, regulations, and technical standards within the ICT domain.
- The organization prepares for major international conferences, such as the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP), World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC), World Telecommunication Standardization Assemblies (WTSAs), World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and World Telecommunication Development Conferences (WTDC).
- APT organizes working groups and forums to address critical issues like spectrum management, policy development, and technical standardization.
- It also runs various capacity-building programs focused on ICT development and supports pilot projects aimed at enhancing ICT infrastructure in the region.
- APT fosters sub-regional cooperation through platforms like the SATRC, which work towards common regulatory interests across member states.
- For instance, the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators' Council (SATRC), under APT’s umbrella, creates working groups on policy, regulation, and spectrum management to harmonize these areas among its members.
- Researchers from Australia and Germany have achieved a groundbreaking milestone by curing patients affected by Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), a life-threatening skin disorder, for the first time.
- About Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN):
- Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), also known as Lyell’s syndrome, is a rare and severe skin condition that poses a significant threat to life. TEN is considered the most severe form of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Both TEN and SJS are often triggered by an adverse reaction to certain medications, particularly antibiotics or anticonvulsants. Individuals with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of developing either condition.
- Symptoms of TEN:
- Rapid onset of painful, red skin patches
- Skin peeling without blister formation
- Exposed, raw skin areas
- Intense discomfort
- Fever
- Spread of the condition to mucous membranes, including the eyes, mouth, throat, and genital areas
- In TEN, large sections of the skin—at least 30%—begin to blister and peel, affecting not only the skin but also mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth, and genitals. Since the skin typically serves as a protective barrier, the widespread damage can lead to severe fluid loss and increase the risk of infections.
- Complications: TEN can lead to life-threatening complications, including:
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis (widespread bacterial infections)
- Shock
- Organ failure
- Death
- The condition carries a mortality rate of approximately 30%.
- Treatment for TEN: TEN requires immediate emergency care in a hospital setting. If a medication is determined to be the cause of the reaction, it is discontinued promptly. Supportive treatments during recovery focus on managing pain, preventing infection, tending to wounds, and ensuring adequate fluid intake while the skin heals.
- The recent development in treatment has brought hope to patients suffering from this often-fatal condition, as researchers have successfully demonstrated a potential cure for TEN.
- Power generation is set to begin at the highly debated Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP) starting next year.
- About the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP):
- The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is an under-construction gravity dam located on the Subansiri River, which lies on the border between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in North Eastern India.
- It is a run-of-river project, meaning that it harnesses the natural flow of the river to generate electricity without requiring large reservoirs. Once completed, SLHEP will become the largest hydroelectric power plant in India.
- The dam will stand 116 meters high above the riverbed level, with a total height of 130 meters from the foundation. The dam itself will stretch over 284 meters in length.
- The project is being developed by the state-owned National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC). When finished, it is expected to generate 2,000 MW of power, with eight units of 250 MW each, contributing significantly to the region's power supply.