Xenotransplantation
- It is the process of grafting or transplanting organs or tissues between members of different species.
- Scientists have successfully edited the genetic code of piglets to remove dormant viral infection that could eventually pave way for animal to human organ transplants.
- Gene editing can remove Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses (PERVs) from pig’s DNA, potentially making it safe to grow human transplant organs in pigs.
- Scientists have used the precision gene editing tool Crispr-Cas9 combined with gene repair technology to deactivate 100% of PERVs.
- The existence of PERVs has been a major stumbling block preventing the development of genetically engineered pigs to provide kidneys and other organs for transplant into human patients.
Gold Fish’s Survival Technique
- Goldfish can survive for months in oxygen free water at the bottom of ice covered ponds.
- For most animals including humans, a lack of oxygen can be fatal. We can metabolise carbohydrates without oxygen, but the process generates toxic lactic acid that quickly builds up in our bodies.
- But, the gold fish have their own specialized alcohol-production system, evolved through adaptation of set of enzymes.
- When oxygen levels drop, the enzymes ultimately help convert carbohydrates into alcohol that can then be released through the gills without building up of toxic lactic acid.
Patagotitan
- Patagotitan” which means a “giant from Patagonia,” is a new candidate to the title of world’s biggest dinosaur.
- More than 150 Patagotitan fossils have been unearthed there over the past few years in Patagonia.
- According to some scientists, Patagotitan (dinosaur) was the largest animal to ever walk on earth.
- Patagotitan, which lived about 100 million years ago during the late Cretaceous Period, is considered a titanosaur.
- It is a diverse lineage of plant-eating, long-necked dinosaurs with long tails that walked on four legs.
Shaurya
- Shaurya is an Indian Coast Guard ship, recently commissioned in Goa.
- It is the fifth in the series of six 105-metre offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
- It features integrated bridge system, integrated machinery control system, power management system and high-power external fire fighting system.
Quantum Satellite
- China has recently sent an “unbreakable” code from a satellite to the Earth, marking the realization of first time space-to-ground quantum key distribution technology.
- China launched the world’s first quantum satellite last year, to help establish “hack proof” communications.
- Any attempt to eavesdrop on the quantum channel would introduce detectable disturbances to the system.
- Once intercepted or measured, the quantum state of the key will change, and the information being intercepted will self-destruct. This makes them “Hack Proof”.
Anti – dumping duty
- Recently, 40 cases concerning imports from China have been initiated for anti dumping duty by Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties.
- Dumping is a process where a company exports a product at a price lower than the price it normally charges on its own home market.
- In order to protect local businesses and markets anti dumping duty is imposed.
- Thus, anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below fair market value.
AIIB
- India signs loan agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for financing of Gujarat Rural Roads Project.
- AIIB is a new multilateral financial institution founded to bring countries together to address the daunting infrastructure needs across Asia.
- The bank has 52 member states with its headquarters at Beijing, China.
- United States and Japan are not its members.
- It aims to stimulate growth and improve access to basic services by furthering interconnectivity and economic development in the region through advancements in infrastructure.
- AIIB offer sovereign and non-sovereign finance for projects in energy and power, transportation and telecommunications, rural infrastructure and agriculture development, water supply and sanitation, environmental protection, urban development and logistics.
- The loans will have an interest rate of London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.15 % and a repayment period of 25 years with 5 years in grace period.
- It has authorized capital of US 100 billion dollars and subscribed capital of USD 50 billion.
- China, India and Russia are the three largest shareholders of AIIB.
