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- Why in News?
- India is advancing malaria research with the development of an indigenous vaccine named AdFalciVax, led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The vaccine is being developed by ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar and the National Institute of Malaria Research, in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology–National Institute of Immunology.
- Key Provisions:-
- AdFalciVax is a recombinant chimeric vaccine targeting two stages of Plasmodium falciparum—the deadliest malaria parasite—unlike current vaccines that act on a single stage. It blocks both the liver (pre-erythrocytic) and sexual (transmission) stages, offering broader protection and reducing immune escape risks. Developed using recombinant DNA technology and produced in Lactococcus lactis, it is cost-effective, stable at room temperature for over nine months, and promises long-term immunity.
- This initiative positions India among leading nations in malaria vaccine R&D. Malaria, a serious mosquito-borne disease, remains prevalent in tropical regions, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia.
- Why in News?
- In a breakthrough development, Chinese researchers have created an in vitro biotransformation (ivBT) system capable of synthesizing sucrose from methanol. The methanol used in the process is derived from industrial waste or captured carbon dioxide, offering a sustainable alternative for food and chemical production.
- Key Provisions:-
- The ivBT system mimics biological processes outside living organisms by using isolated enzymes or cells to chemically convert substances. In this case, methanol is transformed into sucrose—a key energy source in food and industry. Biotransformation, at its core, involves enzyme-driven metabolic reactions that alter the chemical structure of a compound. When performed outside the body, it is referred to as in vitro biotransformation.
- This innovation holds significant promise in addressing environmental and global food security challenges. By turning CO₂ into useful biomolecules, the technology could reduce carbon emissions while supporting food and resource needs for a growing population.
- Why in News?
- A rare traditional polyandrous marriage ceremony, locally known as ‘Jajda’, was recently conducted within the Hatti tribe of Himachal Pradesh. Recognized under revenue laws as ‘Jodidara’, this custom allows a woman to marry multiple men—typically brothers—simultaneously.
- Polyandry, though uncommon today, continues in select tribal communities for practical reasons. Among the Hattis, it helps prevent the division of ancestral land, promotes family unity, and reinforces brotherhood by preserving joint family structures.
- Key Provisions:-
- The Hatti tribe, recently granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, primarily resides in the Trans-Giri region near the Giri and Tons rivers spanning Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The community derives its name from ‘Haats’—small weekly markets where they traditionally sold local produce, meat, and homemade goods.
- While modern influences have led to a decline in such customs, the performance of ‘Jajda’ highlights the community’s efforts to preserve its unique cultural identity and age-old traditions.
- Why in News?
- A rare traditional polyandrous marriage ceremony, locally known as ‘Jajda’, was recently conducted within the Hatti tribe of Himachal Pradesh. Recognized under revenue laws as ‘Jodidara’, this custom allows a woman to marry multiple men—typically brothers—simultaneously.
- Polyandry, though uncommon today, continues in select tribal communities for practical reasons. Among the Hattis, it helps prevent the division of ancestral land, promotes family unity, and reinforces brotherhood by preserving joint family structures.
- Key Provisions:-
- The Hatti tribe, recently granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, primarily resides in the Trans-Giri region near the Giri and Tons rivers spanning Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The community derives its name from ‘Haats’—small weekly markets where they traditionally sold local produce, meat, and homemade goods.
- While modern influences have led to a decline in such customs, the performance of ‘Jajda’ highlights the community’s efforts to preserve its unique cultural identity and age-old traditions.