GSP
Category: International
- S. ended the trade benefits for India under GSP.
- The GSP is a programme that seeks to aid developing countries by giving some of their products non-reciprocal, duty-free access to U.S. markets.
- In 2018, some $ 6.3 billion of Indian merchandise exports to the U.S. were covered by GSP.
Millimetre Wave Technology
Category: Sc/tech
- The government has made it mandatory for 84 airports in the country to install full-body scanners to screen air travellers within a year.
- This equipment will replace walk-through metal detectors and passengers will have to remove shoes, belts, jackets, thick clothing and be “divested” of all metallic items.
- Following concerns over these machines generating naked images of passengers, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAs) has mandated privacy filters. As a result, these scanners will produce only an outline or a mannequin-like image, which is same for all genders.
- A yellow box appears on the body image to highlight areas that may need further screening.
- These scanners use millimetre wave technology, which means passengers will not be subjected to harmful X-ray radiation, and the machine is safe for use by all, including pregnant women.
Rice Blast
Category: Sc/tech
- Rice blast, caused by a fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the major diseases of the rice crop.
- From 1980-1987, seven blast endemics have occurred in India causing severe losses. Fungicides are very expensive, harmful for the environment and inappropriate application can cause health issues.
- So researchers around the globe have been on a hunt for resistant genes against the pathogen and so far, more than 100 resistance (R) genes in the rice genome have been identified.
Astronaut’s Body Changes
Category: Sc/tech
What are the factors that may go to affect the body biology in space in contrast to these on Earth?
- One is what is called zero gravity or micro-gravity. Out in space, the individual feels weightlessness, which will affect his body. On the earth, gravity allows us to stay erect. While standing or walking, our body fluids flow downwards. In space with microgravity, such fluid movements will be affected.
- The second point of concern is exposure to ionising radiation or IR. This arises from cosmic rays, solar flares and such, which will affect the circumnavigating astronaut. On Earth, the atmosphere and the magnetic field of Earth protect us earthlings reasonably efficiently.
Dung Beetles
Category: Environment
- A new species of dung beetle has been discovered in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- The species, Enoplotrupes tawangensis, is shining dark blue in colour and, measuring up to 27 mm, is relatively bigger than most of the dung beetles.
- Dung beetles belong to the super family scarabaeoidea, having clubbed antennae and pro-tibiae (pro-legs) modified for burrowing dung inside the soil.
- This group of insects are considered beneficial to the environment as they help in nutrient cycling of the soil.
- Often referred to as little recyclers, these scavenger beetles require mammalian dung to survive.
- Insects comprise almost 65% of all animal species on the planet. From India, approximately 65,000 species of insects are known, of them, more than 22,000 species are beetles.
- Dung beetles are the one of the fascinating group of insects because of their ability to bury dung deep in the soil and are indicators of the ecological health of an ecosystem.
