{"id":38354,"date":"2025-03-03T19:18:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T13:48:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=38354"},"modified":"2025-03-03T19:19:51","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T13:49:51","slug":"news-in-short-3-march-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-03-2025\/news-in-short-3-march-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short-03-03-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>President Murmu visits Dholavira<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Indian Ancient History; Art &amp; Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The President of India visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site Dholavira in Gujarat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Dholavira<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Discovery:<\/strong> Discovered in 1968 by archaeologist Jagat Pati Joshi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location: <\/strong>Dholavira, the southern centre of the Harappan Civilization, is sited on the arid island of Khadir in the Kachchh district, Gujarat.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lies on the <strong>Tropic of Cancer<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Historical Significance:<\/strong> It is the 6th largest Harappan site and flourished between <strong>3000-1500 BCE<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>UNESCO Recognition: <\/strong>It was inscribed<strong> in 2021<\/strong> as India\u2019s <strong>40th World Heritage Site<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"946753\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"601\" height=\"222\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Dholavira.png\" alt=\"Dholavira\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-38355\" style=\"--dominant-color: #946753; width:533px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Dholavira.png 601w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Dholavira-300x111.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 601px) 100vw, 601px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dholavira\u2019s Architectural Brilliance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The<strong> walled city <\/strong>consists of a <strong>fortified Castle<\/strong> with <strong>attached fortified Bailey<\/strong> and <strong>Ceremonial Ground<\/strong>, and a <strong>fortified Middle Town <\/strong>and a <strong>Lower Town.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A series of reservoirs<\/strong> are found to the east and south of the Citadel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use of Stone: <\/strong>Unlike other IVC sites, Dholavira extensively used <strong>stone<\/strong> instead of bricks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Economic Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Trading Hub<\/strong> for copper, shells, semi-precious stones, timber.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Trade Routes <\/strong>linked to <strong>Mesopotamia (Iraq), Magan (Oman), and other IVC cities<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exported finished products, especially <strong>beads, metals, and pottery<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Decline of Dholavira<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Climate Change &amp; Aridity:<\/strong> Drying up of <strong>Saraswati River<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Trade Disruptions:<\/strong> Collapse of <strong>Mesopotamian Civilization<\/strong> impacted commerce.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Desertification:<\/strong> Rann of Kutch, once navigable, became a mudflat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2107386\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Article 136 of the Constitution<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 2\/Governance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, speaking at a conference on arbitration, highlighted concerns regarding the misuse of<strong> Article 136 of the Constitution.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Article 136 of the Constitution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Also called a special leave petition (SLP).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Article 136 of the Constitution allows the Supreme Court to grant special leave to appeal from any judgment, decree, or order made by any court or tribunal in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It allows the Supreme Court to entertain appeals even in cases where no other legal provision provides an automatic right of appeal.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It can be filed in<strong> both civil and criminal cases.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is essentially a discretionary power of the Supreme Court, and the court is not bound to accept the appeal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Sources and Health Effects of PM2.5<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A study published in the journal Nature Communications has investigated the sources and health impacts of PM2.5 in Northern India, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is PM2.5?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter with a <strong>diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Due to its small size, it can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and cause severe health issues.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is primarily emitted from combustion activities, industrial emissions, and vehicular pollution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sources of PM2.5 in Northern India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In Delhi, <strong>PM2.5<\/strong> is dominated by <strong>ammonium chloride and organic aerosols<\/strong> from vehicular emissions, residential heating, and fossil fuel oxidation.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Outside Delhi, <strong>ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and biomass- burning <\/strong>derived organic aerosols are more prominent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The oxidative potential of PM2.5<\/strong> in Indian cities is among the highest globally, exceeding levels in Chinese and European cities by up to five times.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It<strong> <\/strong>is primarily influenced by organic aerosols from incomplete combustion of biomass and fossil fuels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cow dung combustion<\/strong> during winter for heating and cooking contributes to cold-season primary organic aerosols.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>WHO air quality guideline&nbsp;<\/strong><br>&#8211; They <strong>serve as a reference for governments and organizations<\/strong> to set national air quality standards and are <strong>not legally binding.<\/strong><br>&#8211; Recommended Limits of Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10);<br>1. <strong>PM2.5:<\/strong> WHO recommends an annual average limit of 5 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3 and a 24-hour limit of 15 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3.<br>2. <strong>PM10: <\/strong>The guideline suggests an annual average limit of 15 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3 and a 24-hour limit of 45 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Health Impacts of PM2.5<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The study highlights that <strong>PM2.5<\/strong> in Indian cities has one of the <strong>highest oxidative <\/strong>potentials globally, surpassing levels in Chinese and European cities by up to five times.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High PM2.5<\/strong> exposure is linked to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Respiratory diseases:<\/strong> Asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cardiovascular issues: <\/strong>Increased risk of heart attacks and hypertension.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Neurological disorders: <\/strong>Cognitive decline and neurodevelopmental issues in children.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Premature mortality:<\/strong> Prolonged exposure increases the risk of early deaths due to lung and heart diseases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/study-identifies-sources-health-effects-of-pm25-in-northern-india\/article69275343.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Link of High levels of Selenium in Wheat to Hair Loss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS 2\/Health&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An investigation by ICMR and AIIMS found high <strong>selenium levels in the blood and hair of affected individuals<\/strong>, linking it to wheat supplied <strong>by Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Selenium<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It&nbsp; is an <strong>essential mineral found<\/strong> in many foods and available as a dietary supplement.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Found as a byproduct of metal sulphide ore refining, <strong>not in pure elemental form. <\/strong>It is present in<strong> soil and groundwater<\/strong> in inorganic forms, which plants convert to organic forms like selenomethionine and selenocysteine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a key component of <strong>25 selenoproteins<\/strong>, including thioredoxin reductases and glutathione peroxidases, which are involved in <strong>thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis, reproduction, and protection against oxidative damage a<\/strong>nd infections.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Applications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Glassmaking:<\/strong> Used to decolorize glass and produce red-colored glass\/enamels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electronics: <\/strong>Used in photocells, light meters, and solar cells (replaced by silicon-based devices).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pigments: <\/strong>Adds a red color to ceramics, paints, and plastics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rubber Industry:<\/strong> Enhances rubber durability &amp; resistance via vulcanization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Selenium Toxicity (Selenosis)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Causes:<\/strong> Overconsumption via diet, supplements, or environmental exposure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Symptoms: <\/strong>Including hair loss, and excessive selenium intake from food or water is the likely cause of the hair loss in Shegaon taluka.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Ultra-Conserved Elements (UCEs) in DNA<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 2\/Health&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Researchers have discovered <strong>ultra-conserved elements (UCEs) <\/strong>in the genome.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ultra-Conserved Elements (UCEs)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>UCEs are<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/dna-and-rna\/\"><strong>DNA <\/strong><\/a><strong>segments<\/strong> that have <strong>remained unchanged for over 80 million years <\/strong>across species like humans, rats, mice, chickens, dogs, and fish.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These elements are thought to have remained intact due to some biological constraint.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Function of UCEs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They play a crucial role in <strong>regulating protein production<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They do not code for proteins, but they influence gene expression by acting a<strong>s &#8220;poison exons&#8221; within mRNA<\/strong> (it is a type of single-stranded RNA involved in protein synthesis)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the<strong> Tra2b gene<\/strong>, the UCE helps prevent excessive production of the Tra2\u03b2 protein by causing premature termination of protein synthesis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>UCE in the Tra2b gene <\/strong>is crucial for fertility, maintaining a delicate balance in protein production.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Even a single change in the UCE could disrupt its function, explaining why it has been conserved over millions of years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Research Breakthrough<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A study identified a <strong>UCE in the mouse Tra2b gene<\/strong> that plays a role in limiting protein production.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deleting this gene in mouse testes led to overproduction of the <strong>Tra2\u03b2 protein<\/strong>, causing death of sperm-producing cells and infertility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Researchers used <strong>Cre protein<\/strong> to delete the UCE in the Tra2b gene in sperm-producing cells of mice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The research provides insight into the biological importance of UCEs and how their preservation across species helps regulate essential functions like fertility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The study marks a significant step in understanding the role of UCEs in genome stability and evolution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>DNA to Protein Conversion<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>DNA Structure<\/strong>: Double-helix with four nitrogenous bases (Adenine (A) &#8211; Thymine (T) and Cytosine (C) &#8211; Guanine (G)).<br>&#8211; <strong>Gene: <\/strong>A small section of DNA that carries instructions for making a protein.<br>&#8211; <strong>Transcription (DNA \u2192 mRNA): <\/strong>DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA).<br>1. mRNA leaves the nucleus and goes to the ribosome.<br>&#8211; <strong>Translation (mRNA \u2192 Protein): <\/strong>Ribosome reads mRNA in codons (3-base sequences).<br>1. Transfer RNA (tRNA) brings amino acids to build a protein.<br>2. Stop codon signals the end of protein synthesis.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Kurd Issue<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group declared an immediate ceasefire, a major step towards <strong>ending a 40-year insurgency.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Kurds: <\/strong>Ethnic group of about 40 million, mainly in <strong>Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Speak various Kurdish dialects, not related to Turkish or Arabic; mostly <strong>Sunni Muslims.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In Syria,<\/strong> Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control the northeast.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Concerns: <\/strong>They were promised a nation post-WWI, but never granted.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Faced rebellions, state suppression of language and culture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insurgency: <\/strong>The group launched an armed insurgency against the Turkish state in the early 1980s, originally seeking independence for the Kurds.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They make up <strong>about 15% <\/strong>or more of Turkey\u2019s population.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Peace Efforts: <\/strong>Multiple efforts to end the Turkey-PKK conflict have been made, but all of them collapsed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-global\/who-are-pkk-the-kurdish-armed-group-fighting-against-turkey-9862124\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Firefly\u2019s Blue Ghost: A Historic Private Lunar Landing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Firefly Aerospace<\/strong> successfully landed its <strong>Blue Ghost lander on the Moon<\/strong>, becoming the first private mission to land upright.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It landed near <strong>Mons Latreille<\/strong>, a volcanic formation in Mare Crisium on the Moon&#8217;s northeastern near side.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nicknamed<strong> &#8220;Ghost Riders in the Sky,&#8221;<\/strong> the Blue Ghost mission is part of <strong>NASA\u2019s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program<\/strong>, which encourages private-sector involvement in lunar exploration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"667a79\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"616\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/private-spacecraft-makes-moon-breakthrough-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-38357\" style=\"--dominant-color: #667a79; width:370px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/private-spacecraft-makes-moon-breakthrough-1.png 800w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/private-spacecraft-makes-moon-breakthrough-1-300x231.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/private-spacecraft-makes-moon-breakthrough-1-768x591.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Image Courtesy: HT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The mission aims to support <strong>Artemis mission goals<\/strong>, that aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Blue Ghost lander<\/strong> is equipped with ten high-tech instruments like<strong> lunar soil analyser, radiation-tolerant computer, drill &amp; vacuum system<\/strong> etc designed for scientific and technological research.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Duration: <\/strong>Expected to operate for a full lunar day (14 Earth days).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges of Lunar Landings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Thin Atmosphere:<\/strong> Unlike Mars or Earth, the Moon has an extremely thin atmosphere, requiring precise thruster control to slow down from kilometers per second to a perfect halt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rugged Lunar Terrain:<\/strong> Craters, boulders, and slopes increase the risk of failure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No Atmospheric Drag: <\/strong>Spacecraft cannot use parachutes to slow down.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Future Plans: More Private Landings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Intuitive Machines\u2019 Athena lander<\/strong>: Expected to land near the Moon\u2019s south pole in the coming days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ispace (Japan) Resilience lander<\/strong>: Another attempt following a failed mission in 2023.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Do you Know?<\/strong><br>&#8211; The<strong> Artemis Accords<\/strong>, established in 2020 by the U.S. State Department and NASA, with seven founding members (Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, UAE, and the UK), set common principles for peaceful space exploration.&nbsp;<br>&#8211; They <strong>build on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty <\/strong>to govern civil use of the Moon, Mars, comets, and asteroids.<br>&#8211; India is a <strong>signatory to the Artemis Accords<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Einstein Ring<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, the <strong>Euclid space mission<\/strong> of the European Space Agency (ESA) spotted an <strong>Einstein ring in the galaxy NGC 6505,<\/strong> about <strong>590 million lightyears<\/strong> from the earth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is an Einstein Ring?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Einstein&#8217;s Prediction: <\/strong>Light bends near massive objects due to spacetime distortion, forming the basis of his general theory of relativity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>An Einstein Ring<\/strong> is a phenomenon that occurs when a massive object, acting as a <strong>gravitational lens,<\/strong> distorts and magnifies light from a distant background object.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>light forms a circular pattern around the lens<\/strong> due to perfect alignment between the distant object, the lens, and the observer. This effect is a special case of strong <strong>gravitational lensing.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"123254\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Einstein-Ring.png\" alt=\"Einstein-Ring\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-38358\" style=\"--dominant-color: #123254; width:460px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Einstein-Ring.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Einstein-Ring-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of Einstein Rings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Probing Dark Matter: <\/strong>Dark matter, which makes up <strong>85% of the universe&#8217;s total matter<\/strong>, does not emit or absorb light, making it difficult to observe directly.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Einstein rings provide indirect evidence of dark matter\u2019s gravitational influence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Understanding Distant Galaxies:<\/strong> These rings help scientists study galaxies that would otherwise be too faint or distant to observe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insights into Cosmic Expansion:<\/strong> The bending of light provides crucial data about the expansion of the universe, as the space between celestial bodies is continuously stretching.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Euclid Mission (2023)<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Mission:<\/strong> To explore the <strong>composition and evolution of the dark Universe.<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>&#8211; <strong>Objective:<\/strong> Create a map of the Universe&#8217;s large-scale structure across space and time.<br>1. Observing billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light-years away, covering over a third of the sky.<br>&#8211; <strong>Focus Areas: <\/strong>Investigating the expansion of the Universe, structure formation, and the roles of gravity, dark energy, and dark matter.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/122268\/OPS\/GSUE1HSV4.1+GCIE2JUUS.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Gene Therapy for Maple Syrup Urine Disease<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scientists have created a new gene therapy for a debilitating genetic disorder called maple syrup urine disease (MSUD).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>MSUD is a rare genetic disorder characterized by deficiency of an enzyme complex, <strong>Branched-Chain Alpha-Keto Acid Dehydrogenase (BCKDH).<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This complex is crucial for breaking down branched-chain amino acids\u2014<strong>leucine, isoleucine, and valine.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The absence or malfunction of this complex leads to the accumulation of toxic metabolites, resulting in severe <strong>neurological damage<\/strong> and, in extreme cases, death.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Characteristic Odor:<\/strong> The disease gets its name from the distinct sweet smell in the urine of affected individuals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treatment Options: <\/strong>Dietary Management and Liver Transplantation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>New Gene Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scientists have introduced a gene replacement therapy for two types of classic MSUD using an <strong>adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector<\/strong> to deliver functional copies of the <strong>BCKDHA and BCKDHB<\/strong> genes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The therapy successfully restored metabolic function in knockout cells.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/gene-therapy-for-maple-syrup-urine-disease-shows-promise\/article69275319.ece#:~:text=Premium,-Published%20-%20March%2001&amp;text=Scientists\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Planetary Parade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>February 28, 2025, witnessed a rare planetary parade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a Planetary Parade?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A celestial event where multiple planets appear in a straight line in the night sky.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Planets in Alignment: <\/strong>Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Exercise Desert Hunt 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Indian Air Force conducted <strong>Exercise Desert Hunt 2025<\/strong>, an integrated Tri-Service Special Forces exercise, at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The exercise involved <strong>Para (Special Forces)<\/strong> of the Indian Army, <strong>Marine Commandos (MARCOS)<\/strong> of the Indian Navy, and <strong>Garud (Special Forces)<\/strong> of the Indian Air Force.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aimed to <strong>enhance interoperability, coordination, and synergy<\/strong> among the three Special Forces units for <strong>swift and effective responses<\/strong> to security challenges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key operations included: <\/strong>airborne insertion, precision strikes, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism operations, combat free falls and urban warfare scenarios wherein the combat readiness of the forces was tested under realistic conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2107177\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PIB<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The President of India visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site Dholavira in Gujarat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38354"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38354\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38361,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38354\/revisions\/38361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}