Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 4th November 2024 - UPSC MCQ

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) : Correctly matched. OSA is indeed characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep due to blocked airways. Common symptoms include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, and excessive daytime drowsiness.

2. Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) : Incorrectly matched. The ICSSR is not established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It operates under the Ministry of Education. It was founded in 1969 to promote and support social science research in India.

3. Digital Arrest Scams : Correctly matched. Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials to deceive victims into paying money under the pretense of avoiding arrest. These scams often use intimidation tactics and fake legitimacy to extract funds.

4. National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) : Incorrectly matched. The NCRP is not launched by NITI Aayog. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), to facilitate the reporting of cybercrimes.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

The markhor serves a crucial role in its habitat by sustaining the biodiversity of the region. As a flagship species, it plays a vital role in promoting conservation efforts in the mountainous areas where it resides. By protecting and preserving the markhor population, conservationists can help maintain the overall health and balance of the ecosystem, ensuring the well-being of various plant and animal species that coexist in the same environment.

1. V404 Cygni - Formed from a supernova explosion: Incorrect. V404 Cygni is not formed from a supernova explosion. It originated through a process called "direct collapse," where the star collapses without an explosive death, distinguishing it from typical supernova formations.

2. Central Black Hole - Actively consuming a nearby star: Correct. The central black hole in the triple system is indeed actively consuming a small star that is spiraling in close proximity, which is a characteristic feature of this system.

3. Distant Star - Orbits the black hole every 70,000 years: Correct. The distant star in this black hole triple system takes about 70,000 years to complete its orbit around the black hole.

4. Black Hole Triple System - Located in the constellation Orion: Incorrect. The black hole triple system, including V404 Cygni, is located in the constellation Cygnus, not Orion.

Hence, only two pairs are correctly matched.

 - Statement-I is correct: Hydrogels are indeed formed by the crosslinking of hydrophilic polymers, allowing them to absorb and retain significant amounts of water while maintaining their structure.

- Statement-II is correct: Hydrogels are classified as "smart" materials because they can change their physical properties in response to environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH, or ionic strength.

- Conclusion: Both statements are correct, but Statement-II describes a property of hydrogels rather than explaining their formation, making option B correct.
 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, primarily caused by blocked airways. Recent studies have shown a strong connection between OSA and an increased risk of dementia in older adults, especially in older women. Individuals with OSA experience disrupted or restricted breathing during sleep, which can lead to various health issues, including cognitive decline. It is crucial to address and treat OSA to reduce the risk of developing dementia and other associated health complications.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Markhor is not found in tropical rainforests but is native to the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia, including the moist to semi-arid mountain regions of countries such as Pakistan, India (particularly Jammu and Kashmir), Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. It thrives in rugged terrains at high elevations, not in tropical rainforests.

Statement 2 is correct. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has indeed listed the Markhor as 'Near Threatened'. This status indicates that the species may be considered threatened with extinction in the near future if circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction do not improve.

Statement 3 is correct. In India, the Markhor is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which offers it the highest degree of protection against hunting and poaching.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 2 and 3 Only.

- Statement-I: The markhor is indeed a wild goat native to the mountainous regions of Central and South Asia. This statement is correct.
- Statement-II: Alstonia scholaris is not commonly known as the sandalwood tree; it is often referred to as the "devil's tree" or "blackboard tree." The sandalwood tree typically refers to species in the genus Santalum. Alstonia scholaris belongs to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), which is correct, but the name reference is incorrect.
- Therefore, Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect. The correct answer is C.

The recent discovery in space involves a black hole triple system, which includes a central black hole consuming a small star in close proximity and a second star orbiting from a greater distance. This unique system challenges the historical norm of black holes primarily being part of binary systems and prompts further exploration into the formation and dynamics of such triple configurations.

Statement-I correctly defines Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) as a condition characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep due to blocked airways. This leads to disrupted breathing patterns throughout the night.
Statement-II accurately states that untreated OSA is linked to various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline. Therefore, Statement-II explains the implications of untreated OSA mentioned in Statement-I, making both statements correct and logically connected.

-Statement 1:Incorrect. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is not primarily caused by neural dysfunctions; rather, it is mainly due to physical obstructions in the airway, such as enlarged tonsils, obesity, or nasal congestion, leading to repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep.

-Statement 2: Correct. According to research, women diagnosed with or suspected of having OSA are indeed at a greater risk of developing dementia compared to men, and the likelihood increases with age.

- Statement 3: Correct. Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea is associated with several health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline, as it causes repeated disruptions in breathing, affecting overall health and brain function.

Thus, only statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C the right answer.