2023 07 11

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

Palliative care in India

GS Paper 3:

Carbon circular economy: Promise and challenges
The problem with battery electric vehicles
Chandrayaan-3

Content for Mains Enrichment

Zero Waste Dining

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Sangam-age stud, bead unearthed in Tamil Nadu
Lambani Art
Nari Adalats
Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D)
India joins the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group
Export control
Captive Breeding of Fishes
First-ever view of the Milky Way
Evidence of superbug found in Delhi’s stray dogs

Mapping

Taiwan

Palliative care in India

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services Relating to Health

Source: TH

Context: Access to palliative care in India continues to be abysmal.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is the branch of medicine focusing on improving the quality of life and preventing suffering among those with life-limiting illnesses like heart failure, kidney failure, certain neurological diseases, cancer, etc.
Often misinterpreted as end-of-life care, it focuses on the person as a whole, not just the disease.

Objectives of palliative care:

To identify patients at risk of over-medicalisation at the expense of quality of life and financial burden on the family.
To address the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social domains of the health of people suffering from life-limiting diseases.
It also includes bereavement/grieving support for the caregivers in case of the death of the patient.

How many need palliative care in India?

India has experienced a steep rise in the burden of lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases.
Nearly 1.4 million people are diagnosed with cancer in India every year while diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory diseases are also on the rise.
Estimated 7-10 million people need palliative care sooner or later in the disease trajectory.

Status of palliative care in India:

Skewed availability of palliative care services → largely been available at tertiary healthcare facilities in urban areas → only to 1-2% of those who require it in the country.
55 million people in India are pushed below the poverty line every year due to health-related expenditures (over-medicalisation plays a significant role).

Steps taken:

A three-tier health system, multiple national health programmes and schemes (like the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Scheme).
National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC): It was announced in 2012, however, the lack of a dedicated budget has prevented the implementation of the programme since its inception.
National Programme for Health Care for the Elderly: Launched in 2010, to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality long-term, comprehensive and dedicated care services to an Ageing population.
Some best practices: NGOs like Pallium India, Karunashraya, and CanSupport are trying to fill the gap in palliative care in India.
- However, NGOs have limitations on how much they can spend and that doesn’t compare in any way with how much the government can spend.
National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD):
- Launched in 2010 to counter the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases in the country.
- The programme envisaged the provision of promotive, preventive, and curative care from primary to tertiary institutes.
- In order to strengthen palliative care, the GoI revised the operational guidelines of NP-NCD.

What are the gaps in the guidelines?

Mention palliative care in synonymy with cancer only: However, the need for palliative care was higher for non-cancer illnesses.
- Cancer is just one of 20 common health conditions that require palliative care.
No mention of home-based palliative care services: Since most patients who need palliative care are suffering from debilitating diseases, home-based care forms the ideal mode of healthcare delivery.
- However, palliative care service delivery starts only from the district hospital in the revised guidelines.
No mention of paediatric palliative care: The guidelines skipped an opportunity to bring focus on children suffering from chronic diseases.
Linking of 11 programmes (including NPPC) to promote convergence: The mechanisms of the linkage with a programme (NPPC) that has not yet been fully implemented are unclear.

Way ahead:

Broaden the sphere of palliative care to include multiple diseases and services.
Palliative care needs to be integrated into health systems at all levels.
Include palliative care along with curative treatment.
Increased focus should be given to the impact assessment of palliative care programmes.

Conclusion: It is high time for India to realise the ongoing pandemic of non-communicable diseases and strengthen its palliative care services.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, 11 July CA, GS 2, Today's Article, Today’s article

Carbon circular economy: Promise and challenges

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Source: TH

Context: While CO2 emissions are the problem, a circular economy could be the solution, at least a partial one.

Why are CO2 emissions the problem?

As we continue to burn fossil fuels and destroy natural habitats, CO2 continues to accumulate in the atmosphere.
Heat reflected by the earth doesn’t all escape to space, some of it is trapped by atmospheric CO2 and other GHGs.
This leads to warmer land and oceans, accelerating ice melt, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events and triggers food shortages, disease, loss of lives and property, forced migrations, etc.


A linear model of economy	The alternative – the circular model
The required natural resources from the ground are taken to make products out of them, used and then thrown away at the end of their lives.	Take, make, use, recycle, reuse. Here, the product life is extended and the waste created is used as a resource to recreate similar or other products.
This model is not sustainable	Sustainable. This way, dependence on natural resources can go down without compromising comforts or economic growth.

The circular economy for carbon dioxide (CO2):

Meaning:

A circular carbon economy is a framework for managing and reducing emissions.
It is a closed-loop system involving 4Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, and remove.

Need for the circular economy for CO2:

To stop emitting ‘new’ CO2 as well as remove some of the CO2 piled up in the atmosphere.
- For the latter, carbon capture and utilisation techniques are useful.
- These are technologies developed to suck CO2 out of the atmosphere, which can be used to make items such as carbonated drinks, dry ice, and fire retardants, and to synthesise clean high-efficiency fuel.
The energy transition to renewables is a slow process. The shift to electric vehicles, and decarbonisation (of steel, cement, and plastics manufacturing) will take time.

Challenges towards creating a circular economy for carbon:

Approaches and methods are not well developed: Some of these are already commercial but only at a small scale, while others are still being prototyped and tested.
The energy required to capture and repurpose the CO2: More energy is required to capture CO2 and convert it into a litre of fuel than the energy that this new litre of fuel will produce.
The energy we use to capture and repurpose CO2 should be clean energy.

Way ahead:

Net-zero CO2 additions can be achieved by using the stock of atmospheric CO2 over and over again.
The rest of captured CO2 can be stored in the ground and lie there for a long period of time.

Conclusion:

Reducing real and perceived hurdles to Carbon, Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) by formulating comprehensive strategies is essential for a swift, secure, and sustainable recovery that meets affordable energy access and climate goals.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, 11 July CA, GS 3, Today's Article, Today’s article

The problem with battery electric vehicles

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Environment/ Science and Technology – Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life

Source: IE

Context: The government of India is solely promoting battery electric vehicles (BEVs), regardless of the problems associated with them.

Types of EVs:


Types	Description	Examples
Hybrid EVs (HEVs)	These are the vehicles which combine a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) system with an electric propulsion system → hybrid drivetrain that substantially lowers fuel usage.	Toyota Hyryder in India
Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs)	A hybrid drivetrain uses both an ICE and electric power for motive power, backed by rechargeable batteries that can be plugged into a power source.	Chevrolet Volt
BEVs	They run on a fully electric drivetrain powered by rechargeable batteries. They have no ICE or fuel tank.	Tata Nexon in India
Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs)	They combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which runs the motor, and the only residue of the chemical process is water.	Honda’s Clarity

Initiatives for Promoting EVs in India:

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMPP)
The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme
Production-linked incentive (PLI) Scheme – National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage
Go Electric Campaign

Why are these initiatives launched?

To cut emissions and reduce costly fuel imports.

Impact of these initiatives:

EV sales have increased by more than 2,218% in the last 3 years.
- Overall sales of EVs in India crossed the 1 million milestone (over 60% of these are two-wheelers) for the first time in 2022-23. However, the total EV sales are ~5%
- The government target for EV sales is 30% for private cars, 70% for commercial vehicles and 80% for two and three-wheelers by 2030.
Other alternatives are ignored: Currently, the Indian government offers clear tax advantages/incentives primarily for one type of vehicle – BEVs – with almost all other vehicle technologies grouped together under the heavy tax bracket.

Issues with BEVs:

State subsidies cornered by few: The problem is that much of the subsidy or tax breaks end up in the hands of the middle or upper middle classes, who are typically the buyers of battery electric four-wheelers.
Poor charging network: Only about 2,000 public charging stations are currently operational across the country.
Different charging demands: For example, e-2W and 3W models in India are suited to slow charging, unlike cars and buses.
Non-renewable electricity source: In India, the grid is still fed largely by coal-fired thermal plants.
Import dependence: India is almost entirely dependent on imports from a small pool of countries (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Australia and China) to cater to its demand for Li for the production of Li-ion batteries.

Way ahead:

Investing in charging infrastructure is 4-7 times more effective in EV adoption than providing upfront purchase subsidies (WB).
Adopting a battery-swapping mechanism as an alternative for cases where fast charging is required.
Exploring other alternatives:
- Hybrids,
- Flexible/flex fuel vehicle has an ICE, but unlike a regular petrol or diesel vehicle, it can run on more than one type of fuel or even a mixture of fuels such as petrol and ethanol.
- Hydrogen FCVs are practically zero emission.
- German manufacturer Porsche is developing a synthetic fuel that can make an ICE as clean as an EV.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, 11 July CA, GS 3, Today's Article, Today’s article

Chandrayaan-3

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Science and Technology: Space

Source: IE

Context: Chandrayaan-3 is India’s upcoming lunar mission, which aims to be the world’s first mission to soft-land near the lunar south pole.

What is Chandrayaan-3 Mission?

Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third moon mission and is a follow-up of Chandrayaan-2 (2019) which aimed to land a rover on the lunar South Pole. The Mission will have three major modules- the

Propulsion module ( will carry the lander and rover configuration till 100 km lunar orbit)
Lander module (capability to soft land and deploy Rover)
Rover (will carry out in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface)

Challenges of landing on the South Pole:

Previous spacecraft have mostly landed near the equatorial region of the Moon, a few degrees latitude north or south of the lunar equator. Landing near the equator is easier and safer due to the hospitable terrain, smooth surface, absence of steep slopes, and ample sunlight for solar-powered instruments.

The lunar south pole, on the other hand, presents a challenging terrain with extreme temperatures and areas that are in permanent shadow, receiving no sunlight.

Why ISRO wants to explore the Moon’s south pole?

Water Resources: The south pole region is believed to have water molecules in substantial amounts, possibly trapped as ice in the permanently shadowed craters.
- Exploring and confirming the presence of water is essential for future human missions and the potential utilization of lunar resources.
Scientific Discoveries: The extreme environment and the presence of permanently shadowed regions provide a preserved record of the Moon’s history and the early Solar System.
Clues to Earth’s History: The Moon is thought to have formed from debris generated by a giant impact between a Mars-sized object and the early Earth.
- By studying the lunar south pole, scientists can gain insights into the materials and conditions that existed during the formation of the Earth-Moon system.
Global Collaborations: ISRO-NASA successfully confirmed the presence of water from the data taken by Chandrayaan-1. Indo-Japan collaboration, LUPEX aims to send a lander and rover to the Moon’s south pole around 2024.
Technological Advancements: By undertaking missions to this region, ISRO can develop and demonstrate innovative technologies for soft landing, navigation, resource utilization, and long-duration operations that can be applied in future space missions.

Comparision of Chandrayaan-1, 2 and 3


Mission	Chandrayaan-1	Chandrayaan-2	Chandrayaan-3
Launch Year	2008	2019	Scheduled for 2023
Objectives	Study lunar surface	Study the lunar surface and land rover on the lunar South Pole	Demonstrate landing capabilities for Lunar Polar Exploration Mission
Components	Orbiter, Moon Impact Probe	Orbiter, Lander (Vikram), Rover (Pragyan)	Propulsion module, Lander, Rover
Findings	Confirmed presence of lunar water, lunar caves, tectonic activity, faults, and fractures	Building on the evidence of water molecules shown by Chandrayaan-1	–
Communication	Communication issues after 312 days of operation	Lander crash-landed, rover unable to operate	–
Launch Vehicle	PSLV	GSLV-Mk 3	LVM3
Landing Site	–	Lunar South Pole	Lunar South Pole
Major Partners	–	–	Japan (for Lunar Polar Exploration Mission)

About LVM3:

Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) (previously known as GSLV-MK III) is a three-stage launch vehicle consisting of two solid propellants S200 strap-ons on its sides and a core stage comprising L110 liquid stage and C25 cryogenic stage. The vehicle is also dubbed as one of the heaviest for its ability to carry satellites up to 8,000 kg.

Insta Links:

Chandrayaan-3

Mains Links:

What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (UPSC 2019)

Prelims Links:

Q.1 Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2016)

The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit Mars in its very first attempt

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: C

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, Chandrayaan-3, Today's Article

Zero Waste Dining

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: TH

Restaurants and bars around the world are embracing zero-waste dining and changing the way diners approach sustainability. One such establishment is RE- in Sydney, Australia, which is the world’s first permanent “waste-free” regenerative cocktail bar and restaurant.

RE- uses upcycled decor elements and serves cocktails and food made from repurposed ingredients, such as coffee liquor made from recycled coffee grounds and banana peel syrup in their Old Fashioned. The restaurant focuses on reducing food waste and promoting sustainability.

Other initiatives for sustainable dining:

Restaurant Edible Archives in Goa uses local ingredients and practising on-site composting
Frea in Berlin and Rest in Oslo have been recognized for their sustainable practices, including using blemished or misshapen vegetables and on-site composting.
Pisticci in New York practices organic farming and composts its organic waste.
Silo in London manages production waste effectively and features dining furniture made from upcycled materials.

Use: The examples can be used in the Environment paper as an initiative to reduce food waste and address climate change.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, Today's Article

Sangam-age stud, bead unearthed in Tamil Nadu

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: Archaeologists conducting excavations at Porpanaikottai in Tamil Nadu, India, have discovered several artefacts, including a gold stud, a bone point, and a carnelian bead.

These findings provide insights into the culture and trade during the Sangam Age, a period in ancient Tamil history.

Key findings:

The carnelian bead, a round-shaped red stone, was also discovered at the site. Similar beads have been found in other parts of Tamil Nadu, indicating a system of domestic trade. Carnelian stones were commonly sourced from Gujarat.
In addition to these artefacts, the excavation has revealed a three-course brick structure and over 150 other antiquities, such as potsherds, glass bangles, beads, a terracotta lamp, a coin, a spindle whorl, and rubbing stones.

Overall, these discoveries shed light on the material culture, trade networks, and social organization during the Sangam Age in Tamil Nadu.

About Sangam Age:

Sangam Age refers to the period of the history of ancient Tamil Nadu, Kerala spanning from the 6th century BCE to c. 3rd century CE.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, Today's Article

Lambani Art

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: PM has praised the Guinness World Record achieved for the “largest display of Lambani items,” totalling 1755 items, during the 3rd G20 Culture Working Group Meeting held in Hampi, Karnataka

What is Lambani art?

It is a traditional form of art and craft practised by the Lambani community, also known as the Banjara community in Karnataka. It is characterized by its vibrant colours, intricate embroidery, and mirror work. It has quilting stitches with borders of “Kangura” patchwork. Lambani art includes a wide range of products, such as clothing, textiles, accessories, home decor items, and jewellery. It received the status of Geographic Indication (GI) tag in 2010 from Karnataka.

About Banjara Community:

The word ‘banjara’ is derived from Vanaj meaning to trade, and Jara meaning to travel. Banjara (sometimes called Gypsies) are commercial nomads. With roots in Rajasthan, Banjaras now live in several states and are known by different names like

Lambada or Lambadi in Andhra Pradesh
Lambani in Karnataka
Gwar or Gwaraiya in Rajasthan

The language of Banjara is known as “Gorboli” “Gor mati Boli” or “Brinjari” an independent dialect ( under the category of Indo-Aryan language)

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, Lambani Art, Lambani Community, Today's Article

Nari Adalats

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

The Indian government is launching a unique initiative to establish women-only courts (known as Nari Adalats) at the village level as an alternative dispute resolution forum for issues such as domestic violence and property rights.

The pilot project will start in 50 villages each in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir in August and will later be expanded to the rest of the country.

Composition: The Nari Adalat of each village would have 7-9 members – half of which (Nyaya Sakhis [legal friends]) would be the elected members of the gram panchayat and the other half women with social standing like teachers, doctors and social workers – who would be nominated by the villagers.

The head of Nari Adalat called the Mukhya Nyaya Sakhi[chief legal friend] will be chosen among the Nyay Sakhis.

Tenure of Head: The tenure of the head will be generally six months after which a new one will be selected.

Aim: The courts aim to address individual cases, raise awareness about social schemes, and provide accessible and affordable justice through alternate dispute resolution, counselling, and grievance redressal.

Part of Mission Shakti: The initiative is part of the Sambal sub-scheme of Mission Shakti (Ministry of Women and Child Development), which focuses on strengthening women’s safety, security, and empowerment.

The scheme draws inspiration from the Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalats, which were run by the National Commission for Women until 2014-15 and addressed family and matrimonial disputes.

Implementation: Collaboration between the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Rural Development and Common Service Centers operated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, Nari Adalat, Today's Article

Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) 2.0

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L), under the Ministry of Education, has released the Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) combined report for 2020-21 and 2021-22.

This index assesses the performance of the school education system at the district level by creating a comprehensive analysis.
PGI is aligned with new initiatives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, to monitor indicators relating to Goal 4 of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Findings:

None of the districts secured the top two grades — Daksh and Utkarsh. Most districts were in the bottom three grades (less than 10% to 30%).
It is grouped under 6 categories, Outcomes, Effective Classroom Transaction, Infrastructure Facilities & Student’s Entitlements, School Safety & Child Protection, Digital Learning and Governance Process.

This is the PGI 2.0. The first PGI was released in 2017-18. PGI 2.0 has classified states/UTs into ten grades, where the highest achievable grade is ‘Daksh’ and the lowest grade is ‘Akanshi-3’.

Assessment is done in the 6 domains, viz., Learning Outcomes (LO), Access (A), Infrastructure& Facilities (IF), Equity (E), Governance Process (GP) and Teachers Education and Training (TE&T).

Source of Data: the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+), National Achievement Survey (NAS), PM POSHAN portal, PRABAND portal and Vidyanjali Portal.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, governance, GS2, Performance Grading Index for Districts, Today's Article

India joins the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: MEA

Context: India has accepted an invitation from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to join the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG).

About GCRG

The GCRG was established (in 2022) by the UN Secretary-General to address urgent global issues related to food security, energy, and finance, and to coordinate a global response.
It is overseen by the Champions Group consisting of heads of state or government from Bangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal.

India’s decision to join the group signifies its growing global leadership and commitment to addressing contemporary global challenges. India’s participation will enhance the United Nations’ efforts in finding effective solutions for developmental issues that affect the world, particularly developing countries.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group, GS2, International Relations, Today's Article

Export control

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: China has implemented export restrictions on gallium and germanium, two elements crucial for chip production, solar panels, and fibre optics.

What is Export control?

Export control refers to the regulations and restrictions imposed by governments on the export of certain goods, technologies, and services. It is designed to protect national security, prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and ensure compliance with international agreements.

Why this move?

This move is seen as a retaliation to the export restrictions imposed by the US and Western allies on cutting-edge technologies.

Impact:

Negative: Countries may face chip shortage: China’s control over the supply chain and the licensing system of these minerals could give them more leverage in trade negotiations, and create constraints for other countries.
- This development further escalates the ongoing technology war between nations (particularly between US and China)
Positive: With China’s restrictions, other countries can ramp up their production to substitute for China’s supply. However, It remains to be seen how other countries will respond and diversify their supply chains for these critical materials.

About Gallium

Gallium is a soft, silvery metal that is often found in small amounts in various minerals. Gallium has a low melting point, making it useful for applications such as thermometers and as a component in alloys. It is also used in the manufacture of semiconductors, LEDs, and various electronic devices.

About Germanium:

Germanium is a lustrous, hard, greyish-white metalloid that is commonly found in trace amounts in certain minerals. Germanium has semiconductor properties, making it useful in electronic devices such as transistors and diodes. It is also used in infrared optics, fibre optics, and solar cells. Germanium has a high refractive index and excellent thermal conductivity, which makes it valuable in optical and thermal applications.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, Export control, Gallium, Germanium, Today's Article

Captive Breeding of Fishes

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH%20in%20its%20mariculture%20lab.)

Context: The Centre for Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Visakhapatnam is engaged in captive breeding and seed production of Groupers, John’s Snapper, and Indian Pompano at its mariculture lab.


Fish Species	Local Name
Groupers (Up to 9 kg)	Bbonthalu
John’s Snapper (Up to 8 kg)	appalu chepa
Indian Pompano (2.5 kg – 5 kg)	chanduvapara

These fish species, typically found in deep waters, are being bred to provide sustained income to coastal fish farmers affected by frequent cyclones.

Captive breeding of fishes refers to the practice of breeding and rearing fish species in controlled environments such as fish farms, hatcheries, or aquariums.

India’s Status in Fish Production:

India is the third largest fish-producing country, contributing 8 per cent to global fish production and ranks second in aquaculture production.

About CMFRI:

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (HQ: Kochi, founded: 1947; Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; under ICAR) is the leading tropical marine fisheries research institute in the world

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, CMFRI, Fish Species, Today's Article

First-ever view of the Milky Way

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE

Context: Scientists have used data from the Ice Cube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica to obtain the first view of the Milky Way galaxy through the lens of neutrino particles.

This breakthrough provides researchers with a new perspective on the cosmos, as neutrinos offer a different way to study cosmic rays.

Neutrinos, which are low-mass particles that interact weakly with matter, are emitted when cosmic rays collide with interstellar matter.

Key Findings:

By analysing the data, scientists were able to differentiate between neutrinos of astrophysical origin and those generated from cosmic ray collisions in the Earth’s atmosphere.
The study revealed that nearly 7% of the observed neutrino events were astrophysical in nature, rejecting the hypothesis that all events were due to cosmic rays hitting the Earth’s atmosphere.
This research opens new avenues for studying highly energetic processes in the galaxy and promises further insights as the IceCube-Gen2 experiment expands in the future.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, GS3, neutrino particles, SCIENCE, space, Today's Article

Evidence of superbug found in Delhi’s stray dogs

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ET

Context: Scientists from Delhi University and McMaster University in Canada have discovered and isolated the first live culture of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris (C. auris) from the ear canals of stray dogs in Delhi.

About C. auris:

auris is a dangerous fungus known for causing persistent and severe infections, often leading to widespread outbreaks in hospitals.

The research highlights the need to address the role of animals in the spread of drug-resistant infections and the potential risks they pose to human health.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, drug-resistant fungus Candida auris, SCIENCE, superbug, Today's Article

Taiwan

Mapping

Source: TH

Taiwan-based company Foxconn has withdrawn from its joint venture with the Vedanta Group in India’s semiconductor industry. The companies were planning to jointly invest in a semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat. It is the world’s largest technology manufacturer and service provider.

Taiwan produces 92% of the world’s most advanced logic chips and 70% of smartphone chipsets, among other critical components.

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is located at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People’s Republic of China to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south.

July 11, 2023 /11 July 2023, Today's Article