Daily Current Affairs MCQ- May 25, 2023 - UPSC MCQ

Recently, the Society of Earth Scientists (SES), a group of independent researchers bridging the gap between earth science and society gathered to scout a fossil park at Jhamarkotra and the metallurgical remains at Zawar, around 20 km southeast of Udaipur, Rajasthan.

• A fossil park at Jhamarkotra located in the state of Rajasthan hosts stromatolites dating back 1.8 billion years, exhibiting a variety of textures and sizes.
• A stromatolite is a layered sedimentary rock created by microorganisms.
• Stromatolites are sometimes called ‘crocodile-skin rock’ due to their unusual textures. 
• As such, stromatolite fossils preserve records of cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae – the earliest life on the planet.
• These organisms developed the ability to photosynthesise and make their food. By doing so, they pumped large quantities of oxygen into the atmosphere of primaeval earth, allowing most other life to evolve and flourish.
• Jhamarkotra’s fossils are phosphate-rich because the trapped sediments were mainly phosphate minerals.

Hence both statements are correct.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development will celebrate the fifth Poshan Pakhwada from 20th March 2022 to 3rd April 2023 with various activities nationwide. 

• The Poshan Pakhwada aims to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and promote healthy eating habits through Jan Andolan and Jan Bhagidari.
• The theme of this year’s Poshan Pakhwada 2023 is "Nutrition for All: Together Towards a Healthy India".
• With the declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets, this year the focus of Poshan Pakhwada will be to popularise ‘Shree Anna’- the mother of all grains, as a valuable asset to address malnutrition.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, researchers from S. N. Bose National Center for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata, tested the efficacy of the laccase enzyme in degrading some standard dye molecules.

• Laccase is generated by a group of fungi that have been found capable of degrading a variety of hazardous organic dye molecules that are regularly drained into waterbodies after dying clothes in the textile industry.
• This observed characteristic which the scientists termed substrate promiscuity can have deep implications in designing enzyme-coated cassettes for treating heavily dye-polluted water.
• Laccase was known for its capacity to degrade various organic molecules.
• Laccase, generated by a group of fungi, contains 4 copper atoms in two different oxidation states, and degrades substrates through redox reactions, producing only water and the simplest non-virulent or less virulent oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur.  

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Recently, a female leopard died in a suspected road kill in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS).

• Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kerala and is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• This Sanctuary is contiguous to the tiger reserves of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Madhumalai of Tamil Nadu.
• Kabini river which is a tributary of the Kaveri River flows through the sanctuary.
• Flora: It includes moist deciduous forests, West coast semi-evergreen forests and plantations of teak, eucalyptus and Grewelia.
• Fauna: Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Nilgiri langur etc.

Hence both statements are not correct.

Recently, NASA Magellan spacecraft captured images of Venus’ surface from different orbits. A few locations, including those suspected to have volcanic activity, were observed two or three times over two years.

• Venus the second planet from the sun, is the hottest and brightest planet in the solar system. 
• Venus is highly visible from Earth due to its reflective clouds. 
• Venus and Earth are often called twins because they are similar in size, mass, density, composition and gravity.
• With respect to other planets, Venus and Uranus spin backwards which means for these two planets, the sun rises in the west and sets in the east.
• Magellan spacecraft was one of the most successful deep space missions of NASA.
• It was the first spacecraft to image the entire surface of Venus and made several discoveries about the planet. 

Hence only statement 1 is correct.

Recently, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences said that an umbrella scheme Research, Education and Training Outreach (REACHOUT) is being implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences for capacity building.

• The Research, Education and Training Outreach (REACHOUT) scheme consists of
  • R&D in Earth System Science (RDESS)
  • International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography (ITCOocean)
  • Program for Development of Skilled manpower in Earth System Sciences (DESK)
• This scheme is being implemented for the entire country and not State/UT-wise.
• The main objectives of the above sub-schemes are
  • Supporting various R &D activities in the thrust areas of different components of Earth System Sciences that are theme and need-based and that would help in attaining the National goals set up for MoES.
  • Develop useful collaborations with international organizations for the mutual transfer of advanced knowledge in science and technology in Earth Sciences and to provide services to developing countries.   
  • Develop skilled and trained manpower in Earth Sciences with the support of academic institutions in the country and abroad.

 Hence both statements are correct.

India is hosting the 44th edition of the coveted annual ISO COPOLCO Plenary from 23-26 May 2023 in New Delhi.

About ISO Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO) Plenary:

• This event is being organized by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standards body of India.
• It is anticipated that the ISO COPOLCO Plenary is an event that has a significant impact on the global economy and on the lives of people.
• ISO COPOLCO is reckoned as the major international event that brings together representatives from ISO member countries to discuss and develop strategies for accelerating the development of standards for the world.

What is Committee on Consumer Policy?

• It is a committee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) responsible for promoting consumer interests in the standardization process and for ensuring that standards are developed with the needs of consumers in mind.
• COPOLCO members are ISO members.
• Objectives:
• To study means of helping consumers to benefit from standardization, and means of improving consumer participation in national and international standardization.
• To provide a forum for the exchange of information on the experience of consumer participation in the development and implementation of standards in the consumer field.
• To advise ISO Council as to the consolidated viewpoints of consumers on matters relevant to ISO's current and potential standardization and conformity assessment work.
• To advise ISO Council on the need for new or revised policies or actions within ISO as they relate to consumers' needs.

About International Standards Organisation (ISO):

• ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization made up of members from the national standards bodies of 168 countries.
• Central Secretariat is in Geneva,
• India is one of the founding members of ISO.
• It develops standards for the world impacting a diverse range of business and social sectors.

So, both statements are correct.

Indian Prime Minister along with his Papua New Guinea counterpart recently released the Tamil classic 'Thirukkural' in the Tok Pisin language.

About Thirukkural:

• Tirukkural (Tamil: “Sacred Couplets”) also called Kural, is a classic Tamil text written by Thiruvalluvar, believed to have lived sometime between the 2nd century BCE and the 5th century CE.
• It has had an immense influence on Tamil culture and life.
• It is a collection of 1,330 couplets (kurals) that offer timeless wisdom on various aspects of life, including ethics, governance, love, and spirituality.
• Structure and Themes:
• Thirukkural is divided into three main sections or books: Aram (Virtue), Porul (Wealth), and Inbam (Love).
• Each section covers a wide range of topics and imparts moral, ethical, and practical guidance to the readers.
• The couplets are composed in a concise and poetic form, making them easily memorable and quotable.
• Aram:
• It discusses virtues such as righteousness, truth, gratitude, and compassion.
• It emphasizes the importance of leading a righteous life and upholding moral values in all circumstances.
• Porul:
• It provides insights into worldly affairs, including governance, economy, and friendship.
• It offers wisdom on topics like wealth management, administration, and the value of good company.
• Inbam:
• It delves into the complexities of human emotions, love, and family life.

Hence both statements are correct.

Researchers have recently studied the role of hydrocortisone in the management of adult patients with septic shock.

About Septic shock:

• It is a serious medical condition that can occur when an infection in your body causes extremely low blood pressure and organ failure due to sepsis.
• Septic shock is life-threatening and requires immediate medical treatment.
• It’s the most severe stage of sepsis.
• It occurs most often in the very old and the very young. It may also occur in people with weakened immune systems.
• It is typically diagnosed when the signs of severe sepsis are present, along with low blood pressure and signs of organ dysfunction.
• Risk factors for septic shock include:
• Diabetes;
• Diseases of the genitourinary system, biliary system, or intestinal system;
• Diseases that weaken the immune system, such as AIDS;
• Leukemia;
• Heart failure;
• Kidney failure;
• Abnormal blood clotting;

What’s the difference between Septic shock and Sepsis?

• Sepsis occurs when your body has an extreme reaction to an infection.
• This reaction causes drastic changes in the body and can be very dangerous and potentially life threatening.
• Doctors have identified three stages of sepsis:
• Sepsis. An infection reaches the bloodstream and causes inflammation in the body.
• Severe sepsis. The infection is severe enough to affect organ function.
• Septic shock. There’s a significant drop in blood pressure that can lead to respiratory or heart failure, stroke, dysfunction of other organs, and possibly death.
• Sepsis is most often caused by bacterial infections, but almost any infection can cause sepsis if left untreated.
• The transition from the onset of sepsis to severe sepsis and septic shock can happen quickly, and once the condition has transitioned, the mortality rate increases.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

The US Military recently posted pictures of a powerful bomb called the GBU-57, designed to penetrate deep into the earth and destroy underground facilities.

About GBU-57:

• It is known as the “Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP)".
• It is a GPS-guided, earth-penetrating strike weapon for use against hard and deeply buried targets.
• MOP is one of the most powerful non-nuclear bombs in the world.
• It is manufactured by Boeing and used by the United States Air Force.
• It is used to destroy deeply entrenched enemy bunkers such as those concealing a supply of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
• Features:
• The bomb is 20.5 feet long with a diameter of 31.5 inches.
• Weight: 14,000 kg
• The warhead case is made from a special high-performance steel alloy that can reportedly penetrate up to 200 feet of concrete.
• MOP is carried by the B-2 Spirit bomber, which can carry two of the bombs at a time 
• The bomb is equipped with a delayed-action fuse, allowing the warhead to survive the impact, not detonating until the bomb has stopped traveling underground.

Hence only statement 1 is correct.