Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 13th October 2024 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

Proteins play a crucial role in biological systems, primarily providing structural support to tissues. They are essential for various cellular functions, including acting as enzymes, transporting molecules, and facilitating communication between cells. Unlike carbohydrates, which primarily serve as energy sources, proteins perform diverse functions that are vital for maintaining life. An interesting fact is that proteins are made up of 20 different amino acids, and the sequence of these amino acids determines the protein's structure and function.

The main reason for India's request to review the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) is to address the increasing trade imbalance that significantly favors ASEAN. Over the years, while imports from ASEAN have surged, India's exports have lagged, leading to a substantial trade deficit. This review is aimed at reassessing the terms of the agreement to create a more balanced trading relationship and protect local industries from excessive competition. An interesting fact is that the trade deficit grew from $7.5 billion at the agreement's inception in 2011 to approximately $44 billion by 2023, highlighting the need for reassessment.

Trachoma is primarily caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. This infection spreads through direct or indirect contact with discharges from the eyes or nose of infected individuals, particularly affecting children. Trachoma can lead to painful scarring and ultimately blindness if not treated effectively. An interesting fact is that despite its prevalence, effective public health measures can lead to significant reductions in infection rates, as demonstrated by India's recent success in eliminating it as a public health problem.

One of the main advantages of synthetic medical images is that they enhance privacy protection. By generating images without utilizing actual patient data, these images help mitigate privacy concerns, allowing for collaborative research and development in AI without risking patient confidentiality. This innovation opens up new possibilities for medical training and research while adhering to ethical standards regarding patient information. Interestingly, this technology can also improve the accuracy of medical imaging by providing additional training data for AI systems without compromising patient privacy.

The primary objective of UNIFIL is to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and to help restore peace and security in the region. Established in 1978, UNIFIL was created in response to the South Lebanon Conflict and has evolved its mission after various conflicts, including the war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. An interesting fact about UNIFIL is that it currently comprises about 10,500 peacekeepers from 48 different countries, making it one of the largest UN peacekeeping missions.

The Tele MANAS initiative aims to offer free tele-mental health support throughout India, particularly focusing on underserved regions. By establishing a comprehensive and integrated 24/7 tele-mental health service, it seeks to improve access to mental health care, especially for individuals who may not have the means or ability to visit physical health facilities. An interesting fact about this initiative is that it operates through a two-tier system, incorporating both trained counselors and specialists to ensure a broad range of mental health services.

AlphaFold is a groundbreaking AI model that predicts protein structures within hours, significantly speeding up research efforts in protein studies. While it does not yet provide explanations for why proteins prefer certain structures, its accuracy in predicting structures is on par with traditional methods. This innovation enables scientists to explore protein functions and design new proteins more efficiently. Notably, AlphaFold's development represents a major leap forward in computational biology, with the potential to impact fields like medicine and biotechnology.

The water chestnut, known as goer in Kashmir, is characterized by its sharp spines that can inflict serious injuries when stepped on. This aquatic vegetable thrives in freshwater lakes like Wular Lake and is valued for its edible kernel. The outer shell, while tough and potentially hazardous due to its spines, is utilized in various traditional practices. An additional fact is that water chestnuts are not only nutritious but also play a significant role in local cuisine during festivals, being easily digestible and high in energy, which is particularly sought after during fasting periods.

The WHO has implemented the SAFE strategy to combat Trachoma, which stands for Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotic treatment, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvements. This comprehensive approach aims to address both the symptoms and the underlying causes of Trachoma, ultimately leading to its elimination. An additional fact is that since the introduction of the SAFE strategy, numerous countries have reported a significant decline in Trachoma prevalence, showcasing the effectiveness of coordinated public health efforts.

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) contribute to the creation of synthetic medical images through a competitive process involving two components: the generator and the discriminator. The generator's role is to create synthetic images from random inputs, while the discriminator evaluates whether these images are real or artificial. This adversarial process drives both components to improve continuously—the generator creates increasingly realistic images, and the discriminator becomes more adept at distinguishing between real and synthetic images. This method not only enhances image quality but also expands the possibilities for generating diverse medical imaging data, which can be particularly beneficial in scenarios where actual patient data is limited.