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UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 12-07-2024

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July 12, 2024

BIMSTEC

Recently, India hosted the 2nd Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) foreign ministers' meeting in Delhi.  

  • BIMSTEC - It is a regional organization, established in 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration
  • It is initially known as BIST-EC (Bangladesh-India-Sri Lanka-Thailand Economic Cooperation), now known as BIMSTEC.
  • Headquarters - Dhaka, Bangladesh. 
  • Members -It comprises 7 Member States from South and Southeast Asia lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal.
  • 7 members
    • South Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
    • Southeast Asia – Myanmar and Thailand.

BIMSTEC MEMBERS

  • Principles

BIMSTEC principles

  • Objectives
    • Promote mutual assistance in economic, social, technical, and scientific fields.
    • Provide training and research facilities in education and technical spheres.
    • Collaborate to combat terrorism, organized crimes, and address disasters and diseases.
    • Maintain cooperation with similar international and regional organizations.
    • Strive to eradicate poverty in the region.
    • Promote trade and investment to foster regional development.
  • BIMSTEC Centres
    • BIMSTEC Energy Centre
    • BIMSTEC Centre on Weather and Climate

BIMSTEC houses 1.73 billion people and having a combined gross domestic product of US$5.2 trillion (2023).

References

1. The Hindu | BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers

2. BIMSTEC | About BIMSTEC

 

Vaccine for Shigella

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently found an Indian partner to manufacture the breakthrough vaccine for the Shigella infection.

  • Shigella - It is an intestinal infection caused by bacterium that belongs to the enterobacter family.
  • Four species of Shigella
    • Shigella sonnei
    • Shigella flexneri
    • Shigella boydii
    • Shigella dysenteriae
  • The main sign of shigella infection is diarrhea, which often is bloody.
  • Symptoms - Diarrhea (often containing blood or mucus), Stomach pain or cramps, Fever, Nausea or vomiting.
  • Some people have no symptoms after they've been infected with shigella but their feces may still be contagious up to a few weeks. 
  • Transmission - Shigella is very contagious.
  • People get infected with shigella when they come in contact with and swallow small amounts of bacteria from the stool of a person who is infected with shigella.
  • Eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
  • It can also be spread during sexual activity with a sick person.
  • Vulnerable Age - Children under age 5 are most likely to get shigella infection, but it can occur at any age.   

Shigellosis affects about 188 million cases per year that result in about 1 million deaths per year around the world.

  • Prevention - Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is key to preventing the spread of this infection.
  • Vaccine - There is no vaccine or cure yet.   

References

1. The Print | Shigella

2. Mayo Clinic | Shigella infection

 

Mineral nano particles

Recently, IIT-Madras team makes mineral nanoparticles with water

  • Background - Water droplets are ubiquitous in our environment which exist in various sizes from large raindrops to minute aerosol particles.
  • Among these, microdroplets, which are a thousandth the size of typical raindrops, display unique properties and behaviors.
  • Surface Molecules vs. Bulk Molecules - In bulk water, surface molecules participate in chemical reactions more readily than those inside.
  • Microdroplets, due to their confined space and close-packed molecules, engage in chemical reactions more eagerly and up to a million times faster than bulk water.
  • Electrically Charged Microdroplets - Microdroplets at the beach can carry ions from seawater, settling on skin.
  • As larger droplets evaporate and shrink, remaining water molecules bond closer, potentially leading to the formation of negatively charged hydroxyl ions (OH-) and free protons (H+).
  • Research Findings on Microdroplets - The team conducted an experiment using quartz, ruby, and fused alumina crystals.
  • Applying a high voltage to mineral microparticles in water, they observed the particles breaking into nanoparticles within milliseconds.
  • Free protons might infiltrate crystal layers and break them apart.
  • Surface tension and electric fields could contribute to creating shockwaves that fragment the microdroplets.
  • Implications of the Study          
  • Origins of Life - The study's findings could aid research on proto-cells, potential precursors to modern cells, providing insights into the origins of life.
  • Agricultural Applications - Silica nanoparticles, essential for plant growth, can be supplied to soil, improving agricultural productivity.
  • This method could transform unproductive soils and desertified areas into fertile lands.  

Nanoparticles

  • Nanoparticles - They are tiny particles that measure between 1 and 100 nanometers in size.
  • A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, making nanoparticles incredibly small, often comparable in size to atoms and molecules.
  • Property - Due to their small size, nanoparticles have a large surface area relative to their volume.
  • This enhances their chemical reactivity and physical properties.
  • Applications - Medicine, Electronics, Energy, Environmental, Materials Science.  

Reference

  1. The Hindu | Mineral nano particles

 

Uropeltis caudomaculata

A team of researchers have recently discovered a new species of shieldtail snake in the Meghamalai-Munnar hill region of the Western Ghats.

  • Shieldtail snakes - These are a non-venomous, small, and fascinating group of burrowing snakes with over 50 species identified from the Western Ghats.  
  • Shield-tail snakes belong to the Uropeltidae family, endemic to peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
  • They have a large keratinous shield at the tip of the tail and hence called shield tailed snakes.
  • Habitat – Inhabit Hilly forests, occupy tunnels in the leaves, humus, rocks & logs.

Uropeltis caudomaculata

  • It is a shieldtail snake recently found in Western Ghats have similarities with its closest known relative, Uropeltis pulneyensis.
  • The name, Uropeltis caudomaculata, refers to the lateral yellow spot on each side of the base of the tail.  

Uropeltis caudomaculata

  • Endemic - Uropeltis caudomaculata is known to be found in only 3 localities
    • Meghamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu
    • Periyar Tiger Reserve
    • Yellapetty, Munnar in Kerala. 
  • Breeding - These snakes spend most of their life underground and emerge during the monsoons for breeding.
  • Diet - They feed on earthworms and other small snakes.

Quick facts

  • Sky island habitats - These are separated from each other physically and environmentally but have similar communities of species distinct from those elsewhere in the Western Ghats.
  • In the Western Ghats, the shola grassland forests of the Agasthyamalai region, Meghamalai, Anamalais, Nilgiris, and Wayanad are some of the important sky islands with rich and unique biodiversity. 
  • The fragile sky islands are highly threatened by the rapid encroachment of highly invasive species such as acacia, lantana, wattle, and pine trees
  • Reptiles - The Western Ghats is one of the most diverse regions for reptiles in India, with more than 50% endemic species.
  • 15 new species of snakes have been described from the Western Ghats in the past 5 years. 

Reference

The Hindu | shield-tail snake

 

Makhana Cultivation

Makhana have become a popular 'super snack', with prices rising sharply in both domestic and international markets since 2019.

  • About - Foxnuts or Makhana is an aquatic crop traditionally grown in India.
  • Botanical Name- Euryale ferox.
  • Common Names- Fox nut, Gorgon nut, Phool Makhana.
  • Production- Makhana, is mainly cultivated in the states of Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.

Bihar is the leading producer of makhana accounting for more than 90% of the total production of India. India contributes to 80% of the world’s demand.

  • Climate- Makhana is an aquatic crop and requires a warm, humid climate. It is typically cultivated in areas with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 35°C.
  • Soil- It thrives in loamy and clayey soils with good water retention capacity. The pH of the soil should be between 5.5 to 7.5.
  • Nursery Preparation- Seeds are collected from mature Makhana fruits.
    • Seeds are soaked in water for 24-48 hours before sowing.
    • Seeds are sown in nursery beds or trays filled with a mixture of soil and cow dung.
  • Main Field Preparation- Select low-lying areas or water bodies like ponds, lakes, or wetlands.
    • Transplanting- Seedlings are transplanted into the main field after 30-40 days when they are about 15-20 cm tall.
  • Fertilization- Organic fertilizers like cow dung can be applied. Chemical fertilizers are generally avoided.
  • Harvesting- Makhana plants take about 4-5 months to mature.
    • The seeds are harvested when the fruits start to crack and the seeds float on the water surface.
  • Nutritional value- The crop is a good source of vegetarian protein, at 10%, and contains five of the nine amino acids.
  • There are also quercetin and kaempferol flavonoids, both of which protect against diabetes and obesity.
  • It is considered a 'super snack' because they are low in calories, rich in protein, and contain essential nutrients.
  • Makhana Development Scheme- The Bihar government runs the Makhana Development Scheme that gives a 75% subsidy on the Suvarna Vaidehi variety of seeds, calculated at ₹97,000 per hectare.
  • Makhana is approved under the Union government's One District One Product scheme, which provides subsidies to food processors for branding, marketing, and infrastructure development.

Reference

  1. The Hindu | Makhana
  2. Niftem | Foxnut
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