Read Current Affairs
- Why in News?
- Recent U.S. health data shows a decline in overall sexually transmitted infections among adults; however, cases of syphilis in newborns continue to rise, raising serious concerns.
- About Syphilis
- Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Treponema pallidum. It is preventable and curable, yet, if untreated, it can cause severe complications. The bacteria may remain dormant for years before becoming active again.
- Transmission
- The infection spreads mainly through sexual contact by direct exposure to sores or rashes. It can also pass from mother to child during pregnancy or delivery, leading to congenital syphilis, which is often dangerous.
- Symptoms
- Syphilis appears in stages, beginning with a painless sore on the mouth, rectum, or genitals, sometimes with swollen lymph nodes. Later, a non-itchy rash—often on palms and soles—may occur. Untreated cases can damage vital organs and be fatal.
- Treatment
- Early-stage syphilis is easily cured with antibiotics, most commonly penicillin.
- Why in News?
- An expert committee of the Union Environment Ministry has recently recommended environmental clearance for the 2,220 MW Oju hydroelectric project, to be constructed on the Subansiri River in Taksing, Arunachal Pradesh, close to the China border.
- About Oju Hydroelectric Project
- The project is planned on the Subansiri, a major right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra. It will be developed by Oju Subansiri Hydro Power Corporation Pvt. Ltd. Designed as a run-of-the-river scheme with daily peaking capacity, the project aims to generate 2,220 MW of clean power. Its infrastructure includes a 100-metre-high concrete gravity dam, a 14.12 km headrace tunnel, and an underground powerhouse.
- With an estimated cost exceeding ₹24,942 crore, the dam is projected to produce nearly 8,402 million units of electricity each year. It will be the largest among several hydropower projects planned on the Subansiri River, which is considered the lifeline of Assam.
- Why in News?
- A 54-kilometre elevated road bridge has been proposed to pass over the Nallamala forests of the Amrabad Tiger Reserve in Telangana. This innovative project is expected to minimize ecological disturbance and may serve as a model for balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation in India.
- About Amrabad Tiger Reserve
- Located in the Nallamala hills of the Eastern Ghats, the reserve spans 2,611.39 sq. km, of which 2,166.37 sq. km forms the core. It is the second-largest tiger reserve in India by core area. Initially part of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, it was carved out after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014.
- The reserve is home to rugged valleys, the Krishna River system, and communities like the Chenchu tribe. Its dry deciduous forests include teak, bamboo, acacia, and medicinal plants. Wildlife ranges from tigers, leopards, and gaur to over 300 bird species.