Prelim Bits 27-08-2017

New Earthworm Species

• Scientists have discovered two new species of earthworms of the primitive Drawida genus from the southern Western Ghats.
• One of the new species, Drawida polydiverticulata, has more than two lobes in its reproductive organs, distinguishing it clearly from other species of earthworms.
• This species is widespread in the shola grasslands of Idukki district, including the Eravikulam National Park, Pampadum Shola National Park, and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Drawida earthworms are distributed across Indo-China, Southeast Asia and northern Japan.
• Of the 73 species of Drawida earthworms found in India, 43 are found in the Western Ghats.

International Vaccine Institute

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed a MoU with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) for collaborating on vaccine research and development.
• IVI, an International Organisation is headquartered at Seoul, South Korea and established based on the initiatives of UNDP.
• It is devoted to developing and introducing new and improved vaccines to protect the people against infectious diseases.
• India is a long-term collaborator and stakeholder of IVI since 2007. With the change in governance structure in 2012, India becomes a full member of its governing council with the cabinet approval.
• One of the most successful collaborations of IVI with India was on the development of Shanchol, the world’s first low-cost oral cholera vaccine.
• The vaccine was licensed in India in 2009 and WHO-prequalified in 2011.

Section 144 & curfew

• Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prohibits any assembly of five or more people in an area where it has been imposed.
• Every member of such "unlawful assembly" can be booked for "engaging in rioting", maximum punishment for which is three years.
• Further, obstructing police from breaking up an unlawful assembly is a punishable offence as well.
• A curfew by law orders people to stay indoors for a specific period of time. It can be a public order to gain control of violent situations, or can be directed to a specific group.
• Curfew prohibits any person to step outdoors without prior police approval.
• Establishments such as markets, schools, colleges, etc. are ordered to remain shut, and only essential services are allowed to run.

Project Brainwave

It is launched by Microsoft, a deep learning platform for real-time artificial intelligence (AI) and capable of processing requests as fast as it receives it.