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Tag Wise Current Affairs
Tag: Biotechnology
Scientists develop microbial fuel cell to treat textile wastewater
Tags: Biotechnology, Nanotechnology
Published on: 03 February 2019
Nemuri: Scientists identify gene that triggers sleep during sickness
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 04 February 2019
Scientist discover how fungus cripple’s immune system
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 11 February 2019
Antibiotic-resistant NDM-1 gene found in pristine Arctic: Study
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 16 February 2019
Killer T cells can fight all kinds of influenza virus: Study
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 19 February 2019
Government sends expert medical team to assess West Nile Virus in Kerala
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 15 March 2019
Murein EndopeptidiaseK: Scientists discovers new enzyme to break cell walls of bacteria
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 03 April 2019
US withdraws Zika advisory for pregnant woman travelling India
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 02 April 2019
Homo luzonensis: New early human species found in Philippines
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 12 April 2019
Scientists develop new genetic method for wildlife conservation
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 12 April 2019
CSIR launches Genome Sequencing Project to map rural youth
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 20 April 2019
Ganga Water contains antibacterial properties: Study
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 20 April 2019
IIT Researchers identify new method to detect breast, ovarian cancer
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 20 April 2019
Mosquirix: World's biggest anti-malaria vaccine campaign begins in Africa
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 23 April 2019
Anti-microbial protein isolated from milk of Echidnas
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 25 April 2019
ICMR launches MERA India alliance to eliminate malaria
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 26 April 2019
Drug-resistant diseases could kill 10 million a year by 2050: UN Report
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 30 April 2019
ICRISAT hosts multi-nation meet to tackle Fall Army Worm
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 03 May 2019
Genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands conducted for first time
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 07 May 2019
Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant cultivation
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 29 May 2019
Remdesivir: Experimental Ebola drug also cures Nipah virus
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 06 June 2019
Indian scientists develop more potent Anthrax vaccine
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 18 June 2019
Virtual biopsy device developed to non-invasively detect skin tumours
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 18 June 2019
ILS develops antibodies against Chikungunya viral infection
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 24 June 2019
Arogyapacha: Scientists decode genome of miracle plant
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 24 June 2019
NAPRT1: Scientists find new gene linked to schizophrenia
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 05 July 2019
Next Generation Sequencing Facility inaugurated in Hyderabad
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 22 July 2019
SONALI: Jute fibre converted into low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 24 July 2019
IISc researchers develop new protein to kill drug-resistant bacteria
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 16 August 2019
India-Specific cancer genome database being developed
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 27 August 2019
Biocatalyst to cut disacharge during leather processing
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 08 September 2019
New Virus inspired technique to deliver drugs to brain
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 13 October 2019
Protein that kills anti-biotic resistant strain of bacteria
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 14 October 2019
Using E.Coli to study cell wall development in bacteria
Tags: Biotechnology
Published on: 01 December 2019
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<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>How Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) works?</strong></span></span></p>
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<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In this fuel cell, carefully selected cohort of bacteria is made to act on the textile wastewater placed in it. These bacteria are isolated from very wastewater they are meant to degrade. </span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They feed on organic material in water and break it down under anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions, releasing electrons in process. </span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The electrons are collected at anode which results in current in circuit. The bacteria forms biofilm on anode making collection of electrons easy at anode.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During this entire process, bacteria act on wastewater and purify it and waste is segregated in the cell. For example, dye present in wastewater is broken to simpler form.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At present this technology has been tested in 200 litre capacity prototype, which can can generate power of around 1 watt per square-metre.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists are also incorporating nanotechnology in it, to add nanotech filter to improve process to keep thickness of biofilm within prescribed limit.</span></span></li>
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<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Key Findings of Study</strong></span></span></p>
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<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nemuri gene fights germs with its inherent antimicrobial activity and drives prolonged, deep sleep after infection.<strong>It provides potential explanation for how sleep increases during sickness</strong></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was found that flies with extra nemuri were better at fighting flu. When they were infected with deadly bacteria, nemuri-boosted flies survived longer than their non-boosted counterparts.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In response to infection, nemuri gene kill microbes, most likely in peripheral parts of fruit fly body and increased sleep through its action in the brain.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Abundance of nemuri also helped flies fight infection, thus presents clear connection between this sleep gene and immune system.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was also found that flies lacking nemuri gene, were completely unable to manufacture its antimicrobial benefits.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, nemuri gene is not all gene required for sleep or immunity. Without it, flies are still capable of sleeping, albeit more fitfully, and its absence doesn’t impair them in resisting infection.</span></span></li>
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'title' => 'Scientist discover how fungus cripple’s immune system',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered how fungal toxin gliotoxin found in common fungus <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em> cripples immune defence system and enable potentially fatal infection to develop. This common fungus is found virtually everywhere on Earth. It is commonly found on damp walls or in spores that blow through the air, mattresses and floors etc.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Findings of this study</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Gliotoxin, a potent mycotoxin is responsible for pathogenicity of <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em>. It has immunosuppressive effect i.e. it weakens activity of <em>Neutrophilic granulocytes </em>cells, which are important immune defence system.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Neutrophilic granulocytes<em> </em>cells<em> </em>represent first line of immune defence system. When these<em> </em>cells are bought into contact with gliotoxin, it releases specific messenger substances <em>leukotrieneB4</em> into blood, which attract other immune cells. Once sufficient large number of immune cells has gathered, they can render intruder harmless.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">But in case of Aspergillus fumigatus, Gliotoxin ensures that production of messenger substance in neutrophilic granulocytes is inhibited, so that they are unable to send signal to other immune cells. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">This is caused by specific enzyme (LTA4 hydrolase) being switched off by mycotoxin. This interrupts communication between immune cells and destroys defence mechanism. As result, it is easy for spores -- in this case fungusthat enter the organism to infiltrate immune system.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Healthy people are not affected much if spores of this fungus find their way into their body. However, it threatens lives of people with compromised immune system, such as AIDS patients or people who are immunosuppressed following organ transplantation.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'id' => (int) 172,
'title' => 'Antibiotic-resistant NDM-1 gene found in pristine Arctic: Study',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered antibiotic resistant (AR) gene NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1) in pristine high Arctic region (Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard),<strong> </strong>one of the earth’s most remote spots. It highlights further indication of globalisation of antimicrobial resistance (AR). </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1)</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is enzyme that makes bacteria resistant to broad range of beta-lactam antibiotics. It includes antibiotics of <em>carbapenem family</em>, which are used for treatment of AR bacterial infections.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its gene is one member of large gene family that encodes beta-lactamase enzymes called carbapenemases.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Bacteria that produce carbapenemases are often referred as "superbugs" because infections caused by them are difficult to treat. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">NDM-1 was first detected in a Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from Swedish patient of Indian origin in 2008 in New Delhi, so it is named after it. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Most common bacteria that make this enzyme are <em>gram-negative</em> such as E<em>-coli and Klebsiella pneumonia</em>. Its gene can spread from one strain of bacteria to another by horizontal gene transfer.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of Study</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was detected in five out of the eight clusters studied. It was present in highest concentrations near fresh water sources where wildlife tends to congregate.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Robust presence of blaNDM-1 comparatively localised in Kongsfjorden <strong>pose no health threat</strong>, but its detection reinforces how rapidly AR can globalise. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Additionally, levels of <strong><em>mobile genetic elements (MGEs)</em>,</strong> a mechanism by which bacteria trade AR, to mirror NDM-1 was also discovered. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">MGEs are noteworthy in this region because they are often associated with acquired resistance and are found at higher levels in human, or animal waste-impacted environments.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">AR in essence is natural phenomenon as most antibiotics are produced by soil microorganisms and over time they have evolved to become resistant to the compounds which they excrete to survive.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Reasons for spread of superbug: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Involvement of migratory birds is considered as prime reason. Birds might have carried resistance in their gut and transfered it to Arctic soil through faecal matter.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, it is also possible that it may have migrated with humans also and spread via local wildlife, or it may be combination of factors.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'title' => 'Killer T cells can fight all kinds of influenza virus: Study',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered that some killer T cells (immune cells) could fight all kinds of influenza virus. These Killer T cells can provide unprecedented immunity across all flu viruses and could help in producing one-shot universal influenca vaccine.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Killer T cells </span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">They are type of white blood cell that roams body scanning for abnormalities and infections. They are essential for human immunity against host of invading bacteria and viruses. They are found in over half the world's population.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Need for universal vaccine</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">According to World Health Organization, (WHO) influenza epidemics, largely seasonal, kill hundreds of thousands of people each year.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Influenza virus are vastly diverse and keep mutating continuously and evade immune system. This makes it nearly impossible to predict and vaccinate against mutating strains of influenza virus.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Discovery</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">For this discovery, scientists had used <strong>mass spectrometry</strong>—a scanning technique that helps separate molecules based on their mas to identify parts of virus that are shared across all flu strains. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Human lung tissue and in mice were conducted by injnecting peptides which activated killer T cells. Peptide responsible for activating killer T cells revealed remarkably reduced levels of flu virus and inflammation in the airways.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was found that killer T cells could effectively fight variations of influenza A, B and C, providing unprecedented immunity across all flu viruses. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Thus, T cells can be potentially used to develop all-encompassing flu shot that did not need to be changed annually.</span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Government sends expert medical team to assess West Nile Virus in Kerala',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sent special medical team of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to Malappuram district of Kerala from where confirmed case of West Nile Virus (WNV) fever was reported. It also has alerted apex research organization Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for keeping close watch at central and state level.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">West Nile Virus (WNV)</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is viral infection which is typically spread by mosquitoes bites and can cause neurological disease as well as death in people. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is member of flavivirus genus and belongs to Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was first detected in a woman in West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. It was later identified in birds (crows and columbiformes) in Nile delta region in 1953 are its natural hosts. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is commonly found in Africa, Middle East (West Asia), Europe and North America. Its largest were recorded in Greece, Israel, Romania, Russia and USA.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Presence in India</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In India, it is prevalent in Gujarat, Rajasthan and South Indian states</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous confirmed cases of WNV infections were reported from Vellore (Tamil Nadu) and Kolar (Karnataka) districts during 1977, 1978 and 1981 outbreaks.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 2011, during outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Kerala, presence of WNV was also confirmed in clinical specimens.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Transmission</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is transmitted to humans through infected mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected with it when they feed on infected birds (natural hosts), which circulate virus in their blood. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It may also be transmitted through contact with other infected animals, their blood or other tissues. Once person gets infected, the virus multiplies fast.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">No human-to-human transmission of this virus through casual contact has been reported.</span></strong></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">But, very few small proportion of human infection cases have been reported through blood transfusions, organ transplant and breast milk feeding. One case of mother to child transmission (transplacental) also has been reported.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Symptoms </span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The infection is either has no symptoms (asymptomatic) or can result in West Nile fever or severe West Nile disease. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">People infected with it suffer from fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In case of severe West Nile disease: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is also called neuroinvasive disease, such as West Nile poliomyelitis or West Nile encephalitis or meningitis. In this case, patient suffers from headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Treatment of West Nile Virus</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">There is no vaccine available for humans against this virus. Moreover, there is also no definite treatment of disease. Its treatment is mainly with fluids and supportive care. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is diagnosed with blood igm levels and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Its prevention can be done by preventing mosquito bite, using repellents and wearing full sleeves. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'title' => 'Laurus Labs inks pact with Global Fund',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Drug maker Laurus Labs has entered into strategic partnership agreement with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. It is three-and-a-half-year pact that will fetch company volume commitments from fund for treatment of HIV/AIDS. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"> </p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Under this pact, Laurus Labs has also received and executed order for the Global Fund in February 2019 that involved supplies of its fixed dose combination (FDC) drug Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD) to high disease-burden countries in sub Saharan African region. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"> </p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is international financing organization that aims to attract, leverage and invest additional resources to end epidemics of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria to support attainment of SDG established by UN.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is public-private partnership organization i.e. operates in partnership model between governments, civil society, private sector and people to accelerate end of three diseases.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is world's largest financier of AIDS, TB, and malaria prevention, treatment, and care programs. It was started in January 2002. It maintains its secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is financing mechanism rather than an implementing agency. Programs are implemented by in-country partners such as ministries of health, while Global Fund secretariat monitoring programs.</span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'Murein EndopeptidiaseK: Scientists discovers new enzyme to break cell walls of bacteria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers from Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have discovered new enzyme "Murein EndopeptidiaseK" which can break cell walls of bacteria. It was discovered while they were studying cell growth in bacteria. This discovery offers potential for new drug delivery route to arrest anti-bacterial resistance to existing antibiotic drugs.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Key Findings of this research</span></strong></span></span></p>
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<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It identified principal process in cell which governs synthesis machinery to build cell wall in the first place. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">With this identification, they discovered new mechanism (enzyme) through which the cell regulates growth of its cell wall which is fundamental for bacterial growth and division.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The discovered enzyme can act on protein of cell wall in Escherichia coli (E. coli) that can be potential drug target.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The main focus of this research was blocking this enzyme from functioning, resulting in new ways to target microbes and leading to new wave of antibiotic drugs that may play a crucial role in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li>
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<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is premier biotechnology research establishment under aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. It is located in Hyderabad, Telagana.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objectives are to conduct high quality basic research and training in frontier areas of modern biology. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It also promotes centralized national facilities for new and modern techniques in the inter-disciplinary areas of biology.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It has been designated "Center of Excellence" by the Global Molecular and Cell Biology Network, UNESCO. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India's national biosafety level – 4 containment facility for human infectious diseases is located on campus of CCMB.</span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'US withdraws Zika advisory for pregnant woman travelling India',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">United States (US) health monitor- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has withdrawn its Zika travel advisory against pregnant women travelling to India. It also has changed India’s status from “ongoing outbreak” of Zika virus to “current or past transmission but no current outbreak”. This comes after strong rebuttal from Government of India. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">US-CDC had issued Zika travel advisory against pregnant women travelling to India in December 2018 after outbreak of Zika virus was reported in India especially in Rajasthan and surrounding states. It was level 2 alert (of the three level alert), which required travelers enhanced protection. The advisory had refrained pegnant women to avoid travelling to areas with risk of Zika as it can cause serious birth defects.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Between September and November 2018, India witnessed Zika virus disease outbreaks in Jaipur in Rajasthan as well as Bhopal and its neighbouring districts in Madhya Pradesh. More than 150 cases were reported. However since end November 2018, no fresh cases of Zika virus disease were reported from both the states.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Zika virus</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is mosquito-borne virus transmitted by day time active Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which also transmit three other vector-borne diseases Chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It belongs to family Flaviviridae and Genus Flavivirus. It is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile viruses.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It derives its name from Zika Forest, Uganda, where it was first identified in 1947. Now it is emerging disease and has been reported by 86 countries worldwide.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Transmission:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> It is transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It can also spread through sexual contact and blood transfusion.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Symptoms:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Its initial symptoms are similar to other viral infections such as dengue, and includes fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, skin rashes, malaise, and headache.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, its long term threats are more severe especially if pregnant women are infected with it. They may give birth to babies with serious birth defects or severe brain damage i.e. neurological disorders or foetal deformation known as Microcephaly in which infants are born with abnormally smaller heads.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Besides it may also reportedly cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition in which body’s immune system attacks part of the nervous system.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Treatment and Prevention:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> There is no specific vaccine or treatment currently available to treat it. Protection against mosquito bites and clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed is best form of prevention.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Latest Outbreaks:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> In 2015 and 2016 it was first reported in Brazil and later spread to other countries in South/Latin America, Central America, North America and Caribbean.</span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'Homo luzonensis: New early human species found in Philippines',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered new species of ancient human during excavations in Callao Cave in Luzon island, Philippines. It is named Homo luzonensis and is dated to 67,000 years BC (Late Pleistocene period). This discovery claims finding to be the ‘earliest direct evidence of human presence in the Philippines’.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Excavation Findings </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Presence of two adults and one child based on findings of seven teeth, two hand bones, three foot bones and one thigh bone was found during exactions.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The fossils suggest that this species was less than 4 ft tall. It makes shorter than earlier discovered another ancient species called Homo floresiensis, sometimes called the “hobbit”.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The curved toe bone of this species found during excavation, closely resembling anatomy of Australopithecus, which is known to have been existing in Africa about 2-3 million years ago. </span></span></span></span></li>
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<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance of newest discovery </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">These newly discovered specimens display combination of primitive and derived morphological features which are different from combination of features found in other species in genus Homo (including Homo floresiensis and Homo sapiens) and warrants their attribution to a new species.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It challenges fairly straightforward idea of human evolution. The traditional narrative suggests that homo sapiens evolved from ancient species of homo erectus in Africa and dispersed from there around 50,000 years ago. With new finding, it becomes clear that homo sapiens were definitely coexisting with other human species in other parts of the globe.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Scientists develop new genetic method for wildlife conservation',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from Stanford University and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru have developed new method for extracting genetic information for wildlife conservation. It can extract genetic clues quickly and cheaply from degraded and left-behind materials, such as feces, skin or saliva, and from food products suspected of containing endangered animals<strong>. </strong>It has potential to revolutionize conservation approaches and policies worldwide in quicker, easier and cost-effective way. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Genetic method</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This new method relies on identifying multiple, short portions of DNA segments in single experiment (‘multiplex PCR’) followed by next-generation sequencing, in which multiple fragments of DNA can be decoded simultaneously, and several times, in automated process.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Test </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was tested on Caribbean queen conches and tigers, two extremely different species that had strong conservation needs. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">DNA was obtained from faeces, hair and saliva of 75 wild and captive tigers to identify individuals and close relatives and RNA from 279 queen conch samples. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Using this method between 60 to 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs was decoded. Besides, geographic regions of these individuals belonged to was able to decode using this information. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be used for deriving genetic information from animal sources containing extremely low-quality DNA — including faeces and cooked meat.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be also used for animal monitoring and to obtain intelligence on wildlife trade.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is cost effective, as testing several hundred samples simultaneously and decoding up to 1000 SNPs per sample using it cost as low as $5.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It takes just five days to decode genetic information, whereas older methods take at least a month.</span></span></span></span></li>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from China have implanted <strong>Microcephalin (MCPH1) </strong>human brain genes<strong> </strong>into 11 rhesus monkeys, in study on evolution of human intelligence. MCPH1 is Protein Coding gene that scientists believe plays a role in the development of the human brain. It is believed to be playing key role in development of the human brain. Certain mutations in MCPH1, when homozygous, cause primary microcephaly (a severely diminished or smaller brain). </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of Study</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists found Monkeys’ brains like those of humans took longer to develop. These monkeys performed better in tests of short-term memory as well as reaction time compared to wild monkeys. However, monkeys did not grow bigger brains than control group.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Ethical Cocerns</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This human brain genes inducing test in monkeys is latest in series of genetic experiments conducted in China that have fuelled medical ethics debates. This study has already drawn ethical concerns and comparisons with dystopian sci-fi movie Planet of the Apes. China was first country in the world to create monkeys altered with gene-editing tool CRISPR.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has asked manufacturers to inform general public on adverse reactions from some commonly-used antibiotics.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This comes after Union Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical watchdog-National Co-ordination Centre of Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), raised alert on adverse reactions that were being reported from <strong>7 commonly-used antibiotics</strong>. They are: <em>Cefotaxime, Ofloxacin, Quetiapine, Cefixime, Tranexamic Acid, Sulfasalazine and Sodium Valproate</em>.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">CDSCO has written to drug manufacturers mandating them to mention in leaflets inserted into drug packets or on promotional literature, information about adverse reactions of these medicines.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"><img alt="" src="http://www.mediafire.com/view/v99gk52p5l4fqol/CDSO_7_Antibiotics.png/file" /></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was launched in 2010 by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), New Delhi, under aegis of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective is to monitor adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among Indian population. It also helps regulatory authority of India viz. CDSCO in taking decision for safe use of medicines. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">National Co-ordination Centre of Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (NCC-PvPI)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is Union Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical watchdog. It had launched WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmacovigilance in Public Health Programmes and Regulatory Services in 2017.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'CSIR launches Genome Sequencing Project to map rural youth',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched indigenous genetic mapping project of nearly 1,000 rural youth from length and breadth of the country. The project is aimed at educating students on “usefulness” of genomics and to determine unique genetic traits of citizens and their susceptibility (and resilience) to disease. This is the first time that such large sample of Indians will be recruited for detailed genome sequencing study. It will prove India’s capabilities at executing whole-genome sequencing</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome Sequencing Project</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The genome sequencing project will be done at CSIR laboratories namely Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyerabad and Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB).</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Methodology: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The genomes will be sequenced based on blood samples. Every person whose genomes are sequenced will be given a report. The participants will be told if they carry gene variants that make them less responsive to certain classes of medicines.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is complete set of organism’s Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) i.e. genetic blueprint of oraganis. Each genome contains all of information needed to build and maintain that organism. Human genome has about 3.2 billion base pairs. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome sequencing</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">: It is process of determining exact order of base pairs in segment of DNA. It helps in linking disease and unique genetic make-up of each individual. Globally, many countries have undertaken genome sequencing of a sample of their citizens to determine unique genetic traits, susceptibility (and resilience) to disease.</span></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Ganga Water contains antibacterial properties: Study',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">According to study ‘Assessment of Water Quality and Sediment to Understand Special Properties of River Ganga,’ water of Ganga river contains significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">About Study</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was commissioned by Union Water Resources Ministry. It was conducted by Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI), a CSIR lab. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective was to probe “unique properties” of Ganga River. It had assessed water quality for ‘radiological, microbiological and biological’ parameters in Bhagirathi, a feeder river of Ganga and along its stretch at 20 sampling stations.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">During this study, five pathogenic species of bacteria (Escherichia, Salmonella, Enterobacter, Shigella, Vibrio) were selected and isolated from Ganga, Yamuna and Narmada Rivers and their numbers were compared with <strong>bacteriophages.</strong></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Bacteriophages:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> It literally means bacteria eater. It is type of virus that destroys bacteria. It is composed of nucleic acid molecule that is surrounded by protein structure. Bacteriophage attaches itself to susceptible bacterium and destroys their host cell.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of the study</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Ganga river water particularly in its upper Himalayan stretches contains significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties as compared to other Indian rivers. These bacteriophages have great potential as antibacterial pharmaceutical. The water of this holy water contains almost 1,100 kinds of bacteriophage isolated from Mana to Haridwar, and Bijnor to Varanasi. It is approximately three times more in proportion than bacterial isolated in other rivers. This scientific perspective supports the mysterious claim that Ganga water possesses self-cleansing and healing properties has to do ‘antibacterial’ elements. </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous Similar Studies</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 1890s, British bacteriologist Ernest Hankin had studied bacterial properties of River Ganga and had found that colonies of cholera bacteria thrived in tapped water quickly died in Ganges water. He used boiled Ganges water and filtered Ganges water in his experiment and established that while filtered water continued to show antibacterial effect and the boiled water did not. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from IIT Roorkee had isolated super-phage from water of Ganga River and decoded its lysine gene and had cloned it to produce lysine protein having great potential as an antibacterial pharmaceutical.</span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'IIT Researchers identify new method to detect breast, ovarian cancer',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee have developed new salvia based non-invasive method to detect breast and ovarian cancer. This method uses certain proteins present in saliva which act as potential biomarker indicative of breast and ovarian cancer metastasis.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Method</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is based on conception that certain proteins present in saliva that could act as salivary biomarkers in diagnosis of breast and ovarian cancers. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers had identified total of 646 proteins, of which 409 proteins were confidently identified across all four groups. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In addition to 409 identified proteins, 352 proteins were common in all blood groups, while 57 were either present or absent exclusively in one group or common in any two/three blood groups.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be also used in patients who have undergone three cycles of chemotherapy, salivary proteins can also act as indicator of patients’ response to chemotherapy.</span></span></span></li>
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<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Breast and ovarian cancers are two of the worst forms of cancer, which are responsible for approximately one third of all cancers that occur in women and one fifth of all cancer related deaths worldwide. Their early detection has been difficult using traditional methods such as mammography, blood flow patterns by colour flow Doppler imaging and trans-vaginal ultrasound examination. This was mainly due to high diagnostic costs and radiation exposure because of heterogeneous and symptomatic nature of breast and ovarian cancers.</span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Mosquirix: World's biggest anti-malaria vaccine campaign begins in Africa',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The world’s first biggest anti-malaria vaccine (Mosquirix) campaign has started in three African countries. Malawi was the first country to begin use this vaccine as part of routine childhood immunization programs and will be followed by Ghana and Kenya.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Anti-malaria vaccine campaign</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Under it around 360,000 children less that year old in three African countries will be vaccinated with anti-malaria drug as part of pilot project to help reduce the incidence of the deadly disease. The pilot project which will run until 2022.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Mosquirix </span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is recombinant protein-based malaria vaccine. It is scientifically known as <strong>RTS,S</strong> and trade name is Mosquirix.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It has been developed by British Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is the <strong><em>world's first licensed malaria vaccine</em></strong> and also <strong><em>first vaccine licensed for use against human parasitic disease of any kind</em></strong>. It was approved for use by European regulators in July 2015.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It triggers immune system to defend against first stages of infectious disease shortly after malaria parasite enters bloodstream through mosquito bite.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous Trails:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Mosquirix vaccine has already been tested on 15, 000 people in smaller clinical trials in 7 countries. The clinical trials had taken place in span of five years revealed that malaria cases had reduced by 40% mostly among babies of 5 to 7 month old. According to World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 40% efficacy this vaccine is not high in comparison with vaccines for other diseases, but it will add to the preventative measures, such as insecticides and bed nets already being used.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Malaria </span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquito. It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. In severe cases. It can cause seizures, coma or death. Children are particularly vulnerable to this vector borne disease and every year, around 250,000 youngsters die because of it.</span></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Anti-microbial protein isolated from milk of Echidnas',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) here have isolated anti-microbial protein found in milk of Echidnas, an egg-laying mammal. The isolation of this protein promises to serve as alternative to antibiotics used on livestock. The protein is effective against mastitis-causing bacteria in livestock.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Key Facts</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters. They are unique egg-laying mammals found only in Australia and New Guinea. Their young hatch from eggs at very early stage of development and depend completely on mother’s milk. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Echidnas’ mammary glands are devoid of nipples, which forces young ones to lick milk from mother’s body surface and potentially making them vulnerable to micro-organisms.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, milk of echidna has protein that can puncture cell membranes of multiple bacterial species, thus destroying source of infection. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Discovery of this protein gives novel approach to fight infectious diseases taking clues from nature. It also assumes significance in emerging scenario of increased infectious disease burden and resistance to current treatments</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">There are ways to produce protein in large quantities using E. coli. It can use as anti-microbial to fight rise of superbugs due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animal husbandry industry to raise livestock. The superbugs can cause mastitis, an infection of the mammary gland, in dairy animals.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Note: <em>Echidnas and Platypus are the only egg-laying mammals. They are known as Monotremes.</em></span></strong></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'id' => (int) 850,
'title' => 'ICMR launches MERA India alliance to eliminate malaria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India to plan and scale up research to eliminate Malaria from India by 2030. It is conglomeration of partners working on malaria control. It was launched on the occasion of the World Malaria Day 2019 (observed on April 25).</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">MERA India alliance</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective is to prioritise, plan, conduct, and scale up research in coordinated way to have tangible impact on population who are at risk of malaria.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will facilitate trans-institutional coordination and collaboration around a collaborative research agenda.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will not duplicate international efforts to eliminate Malaria rather complement the efforts on a national scale. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will provide common platform to conglomeration of partner organisations working on malaria control and shared research agenda and resources.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India has made impressive progress in malaria control in the recent years. The malaria burden in India declined by over 80% from 2.03 million cases in 2000 to 0.39 million in 2018. Deaths by malaria also declined by over 90% from 932 deaths in 2000 to 85 in 2018. National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program (NVBDCP) has developed comprehensive framework to achieve "Malaria free India by 2030". Its National Strategic Plan recognises critical role of research to support and guide malaria elimination efforts.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is India’s apex scientific body for formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It functions under Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is headquartered in New Delhi.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was established as Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) in 1911, making it one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world. </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Centre to fund cell-based meat research project',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Union Department of Biotechnology has decided to fund Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and National Research Centre on Meat (NRCM) for <strong>research on cell-based meat</strong>.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Purpose of Funding </span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This funding has been given to develop technology to take laboratory cell culture process to cell-based meat production which can be scalable. This funding is one of the major initiatives by any government body across the world and much needed encouragement for other agencies and industry to participate. It will go long way in putting India on map of technologically advanced countries for cellular agriculture.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Cell-based meat</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is also called <em>clean meat or cultured meat</em>. It is nutritionally equivalent to conventional animal meat and tastes, smells, looks and feels exactly the same. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its only difference is in method of production. Cell-based meat is produced through cellular agriculture, wherein cells are sourced from animal and cultivated into meat, rather than conventional method of raising and slaughtering animals for meat.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> This new method of producing meat shows strong promise of revolutionizing existing food system in terms of tackling much needed pressing global issues such as food security, environmental sustainability and animal welfare.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its proponents claim that it is healthier for planet as it reduces land and water usage, as well as for consumers. </span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Moreover, it could potentially do away with need for modern factory-farming and issues such as animal cruelty, salmonella and e-coli infections and antibiotic-laced meat.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Cell-based meat and other cellular agriculture products represent new global food system that is better for people and planet. Government across world including in Japan, Netherlands, Israel etc. have already started clean investing and funding cell-based meat companies. Besides, regulatory authorities of countries like US are deliberating on the path to market these products. These efforts reflect potential of clean meat sector to provide future generations with sustainable nutrition.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India and Clean Meat efforts</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 2018, Atal Incubation Centre at CCMB had partnered with HSI/India, one of the largest animal protection organisations in the country, to promote and develop the clean meat sector. It has been working closely with GFI, a global expert organisation that advances research and commercialisation of plant-based and clean meat sector. It provides input and support to entrepreneurs, regulators, scientists and others.</span></span></span></p>
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(int) 20 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 953,
'title' => 'Drug-resistant diseases could kill 10 million a year by 2050: UN Report',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">United Nations Ad Hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance report has warned that drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050. It added that by 2030, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Report Highlights</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">At present, at least 7,00,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases, including 2,30,000 people die from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">More and more common diseases, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections are becoming untreatable.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It also noted that lifesaving medical procedures are also becoming riskier, and food systems are getting increasingly precarious.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The world is already feeling economic and health consequences of antimicrobial resistance as crucial medicines become ineffective.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Without investment from countries in all income brackets, future generations will face disastrous impacts of uncontrolled antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Recommendations: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">(i) Countries should prioritise national action plans to scale-up financing and capacity-building efforts, (ii) Countries put in place stronger regulatory systems and support awareness programs for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials by professionals in human, animal and plant health (iv) Investing in ambitious R&D for new technologies to combat antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'id' => (int) 997,
'title' => 'ICRISAT hosts multi-nation meet to tackle Fall Army Worm',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) hosted multi-nation workshop on ‘Fall Armyworm management in Asia’ in Hyderabad, Telangana. It was aimed at understanding challenges and find solutions to tackle the rapidly growing problem of Fall Armyworm (FAW). It was attended by representatives from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India and some other South and South-East Asian countries.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">What is Fall Armyworm (FAW)?</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is <strong>lepidopteran pest</strong> that feeds in large numbers on stems and leaves of more than 80 plant species. It causes extensive damage to crops such as maize, rice, sorghum and sugarcane. It also attacks vegetable crops and cotton.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is scientifically known as <strong><em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em></strong>. The female moth of FAW lays eggs and caterpillars hatching from these eat parts of host crop plants, before pupating and turning into new moths.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The adult moth of FAW migrates very fast — almost 100 km every night and nearly 500 km before laying eggs. It can, therefore, invade new areas quickly. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Also, each female moth is capable of laying 1,500 eggs on average, thus it outbreak has catastrophic impact on crops.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was first reported in 2016 in West Africa. It was detected mainly in maize fields. Since then it has quickly assumed epidemic proportions and spread to over 44 African countries. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In India, it was first reported in Karnataka and also parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is international non-profit organization which conducts agricultural research for rural development in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) region. It was established in 1972 by consortium of organisations convened by the Ford and the Rockefeller foundations. It is headquatered in Hyderabad, Telangana. Its charter was signed by FAO and UNDP. It performs crop improvement research on the following crops: Pigeonpea, Chickpea, Pearl millet, Groundnut, Sorghum, Finger Millet and Small millets.</span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands conducted for first time',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for first time have conducted genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Study </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists had analyzed DNA samples of 557 individuals from eight major islands for mitochondrial DNA and 166 individuals for Y chromosome markers. They studied the major islands of Andorth, Agatti, Chetlat, Bitra, Kalpeni, Kadmat,Kiltan and Minicoy of Lakshadweep.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Findings of this genetic study </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Majority of human ancestry in Lakshadweep is largely derived from South Asia with minor influences from East and West Eurasia.<strong> </strong>There is close genetic link of Lakshadweep islanders with people from Maldives, Sri Lanka and India.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">There was no evidence of early human migration through the Lakshadweep islands. There is strong founder effect for both paternal and maternal lineages which is sign that the island population had limited genetic mixing.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It defies earlier presumption that Lakshadweep Islands might have presence of genetic signatures of ancient people such as Andamanese and Australian aboriginals. However, still the genetic composition of first human settlement on Lakshadweep is not clear. </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Lakshadweep Islands</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is archipelago of 36 islands in Laccadive Sea, scattered over approximately 78,000 square km of Arabian Sea. These islands are located 200-440 kms off the south-western coast of India. Its main islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy, and Amini. Minicoy Island is separated from rest of Lakshadweep by Nine Degree Channel, whereas entire group of Lakshadweep islands are separated from Maldives by Eight Degree Channel. It is Union Territory and governed directly by Union Government. Its all islands form a single Indian district and smallest Union Territory of India. Kavaratti is its capital. It comes under jurisdiction of Kerala High Court. </span></span></span></span></p>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Researchers from Mumbai based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) have found a novel function for serotonin, a chemical that signals between neurons. They found that serotonin is involved in generation of new mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell) in neurons and increased cellular respiration and fuel (ATP) in the cell.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Serotonin</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is also known by chemical name as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). It is monoamine neurotransmitter i.e. it is chemical that sends signals between neurons. It plays important role in coping with stress at the level of organism.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Medical applications of new Functions</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Serotonin’s newly indentified function of generation of new mitochondria and cellular ATP has been studied in mice and rats. If it is found to be true in humans, it opens way for important medical applications especially in neurological disorders. It could be used to prevent neuronal loss (major cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as in Alzheimer and Parkinson) and mitochondrial abnormalities (cause or contribute to neuronal death).</span></span></span></span></p>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)’s National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, has developed cost-effective Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic test for severe Haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD). It is claimed to be world’s first POC test for specific diagnosis of any common bleeding disorder.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">POC diagnostic test</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">This newly developed rapid test kit can be used for diagnosis of undiagnosed patients/menorrhagia cases/post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), gynaecological complications with bleeding history, recovery of factors in the transfused Haemophilia A patients and also for differential diagnosis of both the diseases. With help of it, diagnosis can be done within 30 minutes of blood sample collection. The working cost of these kits is less than </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Rs. </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">50 in comparison to existing conventional test for the diseases that costs around </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Rs. 4,000 to 1,0000. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) are commonest among bleeding disorders. VWD is a genetic disorder caused by missing or defective Von Willebrand factor (VWF), a clotting protein. Whereas Haemophilia is hereditary bleeding disorder, in which person lacks, or has low levels of proteins called ‘clotting factors’ and the blood does not clot properly as result.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Patients with severe Haemophilia A or VWD can have life threatening spontaneous or post-traumatic bleeding like brain haemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleeding or they may have bleeding into joints or superficial bleeding from the nose or gums. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">As per health data, incidence of Haemophilia A is 1 per 10,000 male births and that of vWD is around 1</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">% </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">of the general population. In India, there are around roughly 80,000-1,00,000 severe haemophilia cases. Lack of awareness, lack of diagnostic facilities, high cost of tests are some of the factors for the underdiagnosis of bleeding disorders in the country.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under Union Ministry of Science and Technology and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) have signed MOU for supporting joint collaborative research programmes in the area of Cancer. It will enable both government department to work for common goal of tackling cancer and bring a quantum change in the present scenario of cancer research. DAE is represented by its Tata Memorial Centre, which also functions as coordinating centre on behalf of The National Cancer Grid of India.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Features of MoU</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will help to strengthen various initiatives specifically for cancer viz. strategizing and prioritizing cancer research, development of new and affordable technologies, jointly design and fund clinical trials.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will also help to coordinate and collaborate for translational research, interventions, training of manpower and infrastructure development. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will enable clinicians and researchers to work in coherence to identify and develop collaborative research programmes and public health initiatives for awareness of the public at large. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Under it, various activities like joint clinical fellowships, intensive workshops on clinical research methodologies and protocol development will be undertaken.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will seek to create community of trained manpower and provide platform to utilize their acquired skills in the best possible manner.</span></span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant cultivation',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Meghalaya Government has launched <strong>Aroma Mission</strong> to boost the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). As part of it, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated a processing unit of essential oils. In this regard, memorandum of agreement (MoA) was also signed between Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) and Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) for collaborative work on medicinal and aromatic plants. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Aroma Mission</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Under it farmers will be encourage to cultivate medicinal and aromatic plantations especially in vast stretches of wastelands. It will help in strengthening livelihood condition of farmers and create employment opportunities in the state. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">For it, state government has sanctioned Rs 18-crore. It will ensure that agriculture and allied sectors get due importance and the farmers their benefits. It will enable people in state who have used medicinal and aromatic plants for generations to cure various ailments and diseases to share their knowledge with the rest of the world.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">To begin with lemon grass and citronella plant cultivation will be taken up on 50-acre plots in every district of the state. Depending on response of farmers, State Government will decide whether to expand area of cultivation for citronella and lemon grass.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is frontier plant research laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It is engaged in the field of science and business of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). It also steers multidisciplinary high quality research in chemical and biological sciences and extends technologies and services to farmers and entrepreneurs of MAPs.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was established in 1959 as Central Indian Medicinal Plants Organisation (CIMPO). It is headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It has four research centers situated in Hyderabad, Pantnagar, Bangalore and Purara (near Bageshwar, Uttarakhand). </span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Remdesivir: Experimental Ebola drug also cures Nipah virus',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists have reported that Remdesivir, an experimental drug used for treatment for Ebola virus has protected monkeys against infection with Nipah virus for which there is no approved vaccine or cure.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Recent Findings</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In recent study it was found that this drug is effective against Nipah virus, a lethal disease and emerging pandemic threat for which there is no approved vaccine or cure. In this new study trial, eight African green monkeys were given lethal doses of Nipah virus. Half of them later got intravenous Remdesivir and all four monkeys receiving this drug survived and the four that did not died within eight days.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Remdesivir </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is an antiviral drug. It is also known as GS-5734. It is novel nucleotide analog prodrug, which was developed by Gilead Sciences as treatment for Ebola virus. It is found to be effective against both Ebola virus and Nipah virus. It also has shown some effectiveness against two other pandemic threats: MERS coronavirus and Lassa fever. It is also effective against Respiratory Syncytial virus, which infects children all over the world.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">If the drug gets regulatory approval for use against Nipah virus, it will help extra treatment that could be used relatively quickly. The only current treatment for Nipah virus infection is monoclonal antibody that is still experimental and it was tested during Nipah outbreak in Kerala in 2018.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Indian scientists develop more potent Anthrax vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Group of Indian scientists have developed new vaccine against anthrax. It is claimed to be superior over existing anti-anthrax vaccines as it can generate immune response to anthrax toxin as well as its spores rather than the toxin alone.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anthrax</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is a deadly human disease caused by <strong>bacterium Bacillus anthracis</strong>. This bacterium is found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Spores of this bacterium are present in soil and can stay in latent form for years. However, under favourable environmental conditions, these spores become active and start to infect. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Often, animals pick up spores while grazing, following which spores germinate in their body and produce toxins.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It mainly infects animals like horses, sheep, cattle and goats. Humans, pigs and dogs are comparatively less susceptible and only get infected if exposed to copious amount of spores. <strong>It should be noted that Anthrax is not a contagious disease.</strong></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> In 2001, these spores were used as agents of bio-terrorism when letters containing anthrax spores were sent to some people in US, leading to widespread panic.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anti-anthrax vaccine</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anti-anthrax vaccines for are necessary as the infection can cause death within 2-3 days leaving no scope for diagnosis and treatment. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The currently available anti-anthrax vaccines in market generate immune response against Bacillus protein-protective antigen (a protein that helps in transport of bacillus toxins inside the cells). </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In this case, immune response is triggered only when spores germinate in body and start producing bacterial proteins. Anyone vaccinated with such vaccine does not show immune response to bacillus spores and only perform once spores germinate and release toxins.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">New Vaccine</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The new single vaccine is effective against both the toxin and its spores so as to provide complete protection. It is made of two genes: protective antigen protein and protein present in outer layer of spore. </span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Virtual biopsy device developed to non-invasively detect skin tumours',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Researchers from United States have developed ‘virtual biopsy’ device that can quickly and non-invasively determine whether skin tumour is cancerous and needs to be removed surgically. This first-of-its-kind experimental procedure is called <strong>Vibrational Optical Coherence Tomography (VOCT).</strong></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Currently, physicians perform surgical biopsies often do not know the extent of lesion and whether it it is necessary to refer patient to specialist for extensive tissue removal or plastic surgery until surgery has already begun.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT)</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Working:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It creates a 3D map of legion’s width and depth under the skin with a tiny laser diode, without using a scalpel. It also makes use of soundwaves to test lesion’s density and stiffness since cancer cells are stiffer than healthy cells.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> This procedure can be completed in 15 minutes with no discomfort to patient, who feels no sensation from light or nearly inaudible sound. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Using sound vibrations and pulses of near-infrared light, VOCT device can determine skin lesion's depth and potential malignancy without using a scalpel. It also has ability to analyse a skin tumour non-invasively could make biopsies much less risky and distressing to patients. Its prototype device is able to accurately distinguish between healthy skin and different types of skin lesions and carcinomas.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'title' => 'ILS develops antibodies against Chikungunya viral infection',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) has successfully developed antibodies against Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection. These antibodies fight against the non-structural proteins - nsP1, nsP3 and nsP4 of CHIKV. The antibodies were developed following decade-long research on CHIKV infection at the ILS laboratory headed by senior molecular virologist Dr. Soma Chattopadhyay. She has been selected for Biotech Product, Process Development and Commercialisation Award 2019 by the Department of Biotechnology.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is a viral disease belonging to genus Alphavirus. Its name chikungunya originates from a verb in Kimakonde language, meaning 'to become contorted'. This refers to the 'stooped' appearance of those suffering with joint pain.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Tranmsimission:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, most commonly, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. These vector mosquitoes are found biting throughout daylight hours, while early morning and late afternoon are peak timings of their activities</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Signs and Symptoms</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">: It causes High fever (40°C/ 104°F), Joint pain (lower back, ankle, knees, wrists or phalanges), Joint swelling, Rash, Headache, Muscle pain, Nausea, Fatigue.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Prevention and control:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> There is no cure or commercially available vaccine. However, it can be vector prevention and control combined with dengue control efforts in areas where vector of chikungunya is Ae. aegypti and Ae. Albopictus are prevalent.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Institute of Life Sciences (ILS):</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It is an autonomous institute of higher education for research aand education in life sciences. It is located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It functions under Department of Biotechnology, Union Ministry of Science & Technology.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Arogyapacha: Scientists decode genome of miracle plant',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from University of Kerala have decoded genetic make-up of Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus) a highly potent medicinal plant found in Kerala. The genetic decoding project will open up a new window to the plant’s molecular secrets. It will serve as a valuable resource to expedite research on Arogyapacha. The manuscript on genome has been accepted for publication in G3: Genes, Genomes and Genetics, a scientific journal published by the Genetics Society of America.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Arogyapacha </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is known as ‘miracle plant’. In Malayalam arogyapacha means 'health green or green that gives strength '. It is endemic to the Agastya hills in the southern Western Ghats</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is known for its traditional use by the Kani tribal community to combat fatigue. These tribal people prepare tonic named "Jeevani " from this plant.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is quintessential wonder herb as it has anti-oxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory anti-tumour, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective and anti-diabetic properties.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It also has immune-enhancing and treating liver disease, stomach ulcers, fatigue, and sexual performance problems.</span></span></span></span></li>
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'title' => 'Research on Proton Therapy in India',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Union Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare) Ashwini Kumar Choubey in written reply in the Rajya Sabha informed about present status of Research on Proton Therapy in India. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Proton therapy is one of the advanced cancer treatment in which only the cancer cells are targeted and the rest of the body remains unharmed unlike chemotherapy or radiation therapy.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Key Facts</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In the Government sector, research activities for research in proton therapy are mostly carried out by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Science and Technology and Department of Atomic Energy. National Cancer Institute (Jhajjar) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi has also collaborated with National Cancer Institute of USA. Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), a grant-in-aid Institution under Department of Atomic Energy also has initiated collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR ) for research in proton therapy</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Proton therapy</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is also called proton beam therapy. It is type of Radiation therapy that uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. Like x-ray radiation, proton therapy is type of external-beam radiation therapy. At high energy, protons can destroy cancer cells. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It enables larger doses of radiation to be used to treat cancers while significantly reducing damage to healthy tissue. It can also be combined with x-ray radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. </span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'NAPRT1: Scientists find new gene linked to schizophrenia',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Indian and Australian scientists in a collaborative effort have identified new gene called NAPRT1 which is directly linked to schizophrenia. It was identified after analysing genomes of more than 3000 individuals in 18 years. India’s R. Thara from Chennai based Schizophrenia Research Foundation was involved in this research.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Findings of this research </span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It identified gene called NAPRT1 – that encodes an enzyme involved in vitamin B3 metabolism – is directly linked to schizophrenia. It also found that those with schizophrenia were more likely to have a particular genetic variation. </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> These findings will help to shed more light on what makes people susceptible to schizophrenia and possible treatments for the future.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Schizophrenia</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is chronic and severe mental disorder, characterized by profound disruptions in thinking, sense of self and affecting language, perception. According to WHO, it affects more than 21 million people worldwide.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood (between ages 16 and 30). People affected with it may seem like they have lost touch with reality.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Causes:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Its exact causes are still not known, but it is believed that genetic as well as environmental factors such as exposure to viruses contribute to causation. Scientist also believes that life stressors may also play role in its onset and course.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'title' => 'Next Generation Sequencing Facility inaugurated in Hyderabad',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Next Generation Sequencing (NSG) facility was recently inaugurated at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad (capital of Telangana). It is the fourth such facility in the country.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">NSG facility at CCMB</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It can sequence 18,000 samples in 8 minutes. It includes technology for high genome sequencing and also diagnostic sequencing of clinical samples. With this, CCMB can now sequence up to 30 human genomes or 384 diagnostic samples in a day.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Applications:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It will help prenatal genetic screening and counselling, thereby generating large scale genomic data critical for diagnosis and therapy. It will also be helpful for diagnostics of patients suffering from rare genetic disorders.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Genome sequencing</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is process of figuring out order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in genome—the order of adenines (A), cytosines (C), guanines (G), thymines (T) that make up an organism's DNA. Next Generation Sequencing allows parallel Genome sequencing, resulting in generation of Giga bases of data in a short amount of time.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits of NGS:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It reduces cost per genome significantly, making genomic data more accessible to individual researchers. It will make genomics an attractive and integral part of any successful bioscience research project.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'Government bans Colistin in animal food industry',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued order prohibiting manufacture, sale and distribution of colistin and its formulations for food-producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements. This ban was imposed under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The Health Ministry order directs colistin manufacturers to affix label on container reading thus: Not to be used in food producing animals, poultry, animal feed supplements and aqua farming on the package, insert and promotional literature.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">This ban order by Health Ministry is seen by activists across the country as the move as a “massive victory” for the movement against anti-microbial resistance (AMR). It will help to reduce overuse, misuse and arbitrary use of colistin and thus ensuring colistin does not enter food people eat, and thereby, people don’t develop resistance to the antibiotic within the country. It will limit Colistin to therapeutic usage only, thus help in reducing chances of developing resistance to it.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Colistin</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is valuable, last-resort antibiotic that saves lives in critical care units. It is effective against most Gram-negative bacilli. <strong>It is also known as polymyxin E. </strong>It is produced by certain strains of the bacteria <em>Paenibacillus polymyxa</em>.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Issues with it:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> In recent years, medical professionals have been alarmed by number of patients who have exhibited resistance to the drug. Late last year, researchers from Apollo Cancer Hospital, Chennai claimed that samples of raw food lifted from across Chennai had tested positive for colistin-resistant bacteria. It is widely used in animal feed as a growth supplement (mostly in poultry industry to fatten chickens). </span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Way forward:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Bulk of colistin (nearly 95%) is imported from China, thus now it is imperative on Government to stop importing it within a short time to avoid is misuse.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'title' => 'SONALI: Jute fibre converted into low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets',
'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from Bangladesh have developed method to convert Jute fibre into low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets named 'Sonali' (means golden in Bengali)which can be used as wrapping material and carrying bag. It was developed by state-run Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC). The commercial production of these bags is likely to start by the year-end.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><strong><span style="font-family:Quicksand,serif"><span style="font-size:12px">About Sonali</span></span></strong></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The physical qualities of these low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets from jute fibre are quite similar to non bio-degradable plastic. The eco-friendly jute poly bags made up of Sonali sheets look and feel much like plastic ones. They are not harmful for human health. They can be used as greener throwaway bags mainly used in garments and food packaging work as wrapping material and carrying bag</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Challenges:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> The large scale adoption of Sonali sheets is the relatively costlier as compared to production of polythene (plastic). However, cost of production of Sonali sheets on a large scale is expected to bring down the cost. For this purpose Bangladesh Government has approved US $900000 dollars in April 2019 from its climate change fund to help in large-scale production of these eco-friendly green bags.</span></span></span></span></p>
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(int) 37 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'New Drug to treat Pancreatic Cancer',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A new drug has been approved by regulators that can treat Pancreatic Cancer more effectively.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pancreatic cancer is particularly known for spreading to distant parts of the body, part of the reason overall five-year survival is just 9 per cent.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This form of cancer very resistant to chemotherapy drugs mainly due to its ability to form a hard layer that prevents chemo drugs from having its effect on the cells.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Features of Drug</span></span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Radiation and the </span></span><a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/chemotherapy+drug" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">chemotherapy drug</span></span></a> <a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/gemcitabine" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">gemcitabine</span></span></a><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">, which are the standard treatment for pancreatic cancer, both work by causing damage to </span></span><a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/dna" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">DNA</span></span></a><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">. But pancreatic cancer has a way of repairing that damage, which limits how effective these therapies can be</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">AZD1775 prevented pancreatic cancer from protecting itself against the effects of radiation and gemcitabine, while leaving normal cells relatively unaffected.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'id' => (int) 1911,
'title' => 'IISc researchers develop new protein to kill drug-resistant bacteria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have designed an <strong>Anti-Microbial Peptide (AMP) </strong>that, researchers say, can effectively and quickly kill a multidrug-resistant bacterium called</span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828"> <em>Acinetobacter baumannii.</em></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Antimicrobial resistance</span></span> <span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(AMR or AR) is the ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication that once could successfully treat the microbe.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Resistant microbes are more difficult to treat, requiring alternative medications or higher doses of antimicrobials. These approaches may be more expensive, </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_effect" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" title="Adverse effect"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">more toxic</span></span></a> <span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">or both.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Details</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Researchers used a bioinformatics approach to design a new short protein (peptide) called <strong>Omega76</strong> that can kill</span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828"> <strong><em>A.</em></strong><em> <strong>baumannii</strong> </em><span style="background-color:whitesmoke">by breaking down its cell membrane.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">It was also found that high doses of <strong>Omega76</strong> given for prolonged periods did not produce any toxic effects. Since it is safe and effective, it is a promising candidate for developing new antibiotics,</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">While standard drugs act by “blocking specific pathways or processes in bacterial cells, bacteria can mutate to gain resistance against such drugs.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs</span></span></span></strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">) actually punch holes in the bacterial cell membrane. The chances of drug resistance are much lower because they act by multiple ways and cause actual physical damage.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
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'title' => 'New drug-resistant TB medicine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Treating drug-resistant </span></span></span><strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke">tuberculosis</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff"> </span></strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) — got a shot in the arm on August 14 when the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug <strong>Pretomanid.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">According to the WHO, the treatment success in MDR-TB patients is about 54%, while it is just 30% in the case of XDR-TB patients. Most drugs are ineffective in people with XDR-TB and so a combination of eight drugs for more than a year is need for XDR-TB treatment.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Drug resistant TB bacteria</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Antibiotic resistant bacteria</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <span style="background-color:white">are</span> bacteria <span style="background-color:white">that are not controlled or killed by antibiotics. They are able to survive and even multiply in the presence of an</span> antibiotic<span style="background-color:white">. Most infection-causing</span> bacteria <span style="background-color:white">can become</span> resistant <span style="background-color:white">to at least some antibiotics.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Details</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">People with TB who do not respond to at least <strong>isoniazid</strong> and <strong>rifampicin,</strong> the first-line TB drugs are said to have <strong>MDR-TB</strong>. People who are resistant to<strong> isoniazid and rifampin </strong>plus any other injectible drugs are said to have <strong>XDR-TB</strong>.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Pretomanid drug along with<strong> bedaquiline</strong> and<strong> linezolid</strong> is meant for treating adults with <strong>XDR-TB.</strong> These can be used only in those patients who cannot tolerate the MDR-TB treatment or do not respond to standard MDR-TB treatment regimen.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Side effects of drugs</span></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">The FDA has approved the drug based on limited clinical safety. The Safety and effectiveness of the drug has been studied and established only when used in combination with <strong>bedaquiline</strong> and <strong>linezolid.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">In trial it was reported to have caused serious adverse reactions including <strong>liver toxicity</strong> (hepatotoxicity), <strong>suppression of bone</strong> <strong>marrow activity</strong> leading to reduced production of red blood cells, as well as peripheral and optic neuropathy.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">The drug can cause lactate to accumulate in the body leading to sharp reduction in the pH of the blood (<strong>lactic acidosis</strong>)</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 1931,
'title' => 'Genetically Modified crops',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Maharashtra Chief minister-led panel has favored using genetically modified oil seed crops in restricted places.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:black">The Chief Ministers’ Panel on Agriculture is deliberating with other state governments on whether to permit genetically modified (GM) crops in the country in’ restricted spaces’. The move may take time as some state governments have opposed the introduction of GM crops.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:black">The issue of use of GM crops is a much debated one due to fears arising from various sections including environmentalists.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">What are GM crops?</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:black">Genetically Modified or GM Crops are that type of plants in which DNA has been modified through genetic engineering for imbedding a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species. Foods produced from or using GM organisms are often referred to as GM foods.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:40px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Potential of GM crops</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-left:40px">
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">India exports 65% edible oil and to reduce this quantity, we need to develop a variety of oilseeds. GM crops are important in this regard.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">GM organisms</span></span> <span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">are likely to include plants with increased nutrient levels, plants producing pharmaceutically important molecules and plants with improved resistance to diseases, cold, or drought, thus suitable for increasing food security.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It reduces the use of pesticide and insecticide during farming. It can feed a rapidly increasing population because it shows dramatically increased yields. It can produce more output in small area of land.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-left:40px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Drawbacks of GM crops</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type:none">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="color:black">The production imposes high risks to the disruption of ecosystem and biodiversity because the “better” traits produced from engineering genes can result in the favoring of one organism. Hence, it can eventually disrupt the natural process of gene flow.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="color:black">It increases the cost of cultivation and more inclined towards marketization of farming that work on immoral profits.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="color:black">The transgenic crops endanger not only farmers but also the trade, and the environment as well. It is biologically altered. Hence, biotech foods may pose a human health risk.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 41 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'India-Specific cancer genome database being developed',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the <strong>Indian Institute of Technology-Madras</strong>, is developing India-specific cancer genome database that will help identify biomarkers specific to the Indian population.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the National Cancer Registry Programme of the India Council of Medical Research (ICMR), more than 1300 Indians die every day due to cancer. Between 2012 and 2014, the mortality rate due to cancer increased by approximately 6%.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> <em><span style="background-color:white">Cancer</span></em><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> burden in <em>India</em> has more than doubled over the last 26 years, the highest increase among all therapy areas.This makes research in cancer very important.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Importance of research</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To concentrate on its prevention, researchers are focusing on genetics so that personalised drugs can be developed. It also aims at public-private partnership to generate funds for cancer treatment.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This will help in early diagnosis, and also identify drug targets for the Indian population.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It would reduce the cost of genomics treatment for cancer. Samples taken to Western countries for testing, costs Rs.5- Rs.7 lakh. When done in India, the cost could come down to Rs.50,000.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'title' => 'Albino lizards to study human vision problems',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">A team of scientists at the University of Georgia have overcome challenges to successfully make albino anole lizards, and say that it could help us better understand vision problems in humans with albinism.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">Humans with albinism often have problems with their vision, and researchers can use the lizards as a model to study how the gene impacts the development of the retina.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Details</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">Reptiles like snakes, lizards, and crocodiles were considered off the gene-editing table because of the creatures' unusual reproductive systems. </span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">The scientists injected the females' unfertilized eggs with Crispr tech while they were still in the ovaries and then allowing mating and breeding to happen naturally.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">The genetic editing allowed lizards to be be born as albinos, which could be studied for gene’s role in vision related issues.</span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">CRISPR-Cas9</span></span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><br />
<span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">CRISPR gene editing is a method by which the </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">genomes</span></span><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333"> of living organisms may be edited. CRISPR-Cas genome editing techniques have many potential applications, including medicine and crop seed enhancement.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#222222">Albinism</span></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Albinism</span></span><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> is a congenital disorder characterized in humans by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. Albinism is associated with a number of vision defects, such as photophobia, nystagmus, and amblyopia. Lack of skin pigmentation makes for more susceptibility to sunburn and skin cancers.</span></span></span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2080,
'title' => 'Filter based kits developed for TB diagnosis',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Issue</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To address the TB diagnostic challenges, a multi-institutional team has developed three cost-effective kits that improve the sensitivity of smear microscopy, enable transport of sputum samples at ambient temperature without using bio-safe containers, and extract DNA for diagnosing drug-resistant TB<span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="color:#282828">.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Background</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In India, each year, approx. 220,000 deaths are reported due to Tuberculosis. Between 2006 and 2014, the disease cost Indian economy USD 340 billion. This public health problem is the world's largest tuberculosis epidemic.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India bears a disproportionately large burden of the world's tuberculosis rates, as it continues to be the biggest health problem in India.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Details</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The three kits developed are TB Detect, TB Concentration & Transport, and TB DNA Extraction.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The TB Detect kit is for diagnosis using LED fluorescence microscopy, while the TB Concentration & Transport, and the TB DNA Extraction kits together are for detection of drug-resistance.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The TB Detect kit helps increase the positivity of LED fluorescence microscopy by about 5%, while the TB DNA Extraction kit allows the detection of drug-resistant TB bacteria with a high level of sensitivity. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">TB detection kit uses a simple filter-based system to separate TB bacteria from the sputum to improve the sensitivity of LED fluorescence microscopy. In this, the sputum, which is viscous, is first liquefied using a proprietary reagent and pre-filtered. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The liquefied sputum containing the TB bacteria then comes in contact with a highly porous, plastic membrane filter made up of multiple fibrous pads kept at the base of the filter device. While the sputum gets sucked by the fibrous pad due to capillary forces, the bacteria remain on the membrane.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The membrane concentrates the bacteria in a small surface, which is about 1 cm in diameter. This leads to an increase in the detection limit by separating the bacteria from sputum.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Advantages of System</span></strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It becomes possible to detect TB bacteria even when they are fewer in number. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also takes less time to examine a sample under a microscope which one minute whereas it is three-five minutes when the sputum is spread on a glass slide.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The TB concentration & transport kit now makes it easy and simple to transport samples by transporting it in sealed covers at ambient temperature making containment at low temperature redundant. This is because the bacteria are killed using a disinfectant.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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(int) 44 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2132,
'title' => 'Biocatalyst to cut disacharge during leather processing',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">A novel amylase-based biocatalyst developed by researchers at the Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai, helps in processing leather in an environment-friendly way and also drastically cutting the time taken to process the skin at the pre-tanning stage.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Pre-tanning process generates 60-70% of total pollution during processing. This pollution is responsible for polluting water bodies and their ecosystem. The new discovery can lead to reduction in water pollution.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">In the new proceess using bio-catalyst ,the quantum of effluent discharge is considerably cut as there is threefold reduction in water usage.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Chromium, that is used for increasing the stability of the collagen through cross-linking is less utilised. Since no chemicals are used, the chemical oxygen demand drops by about 35% while the total solid effluent load reduces by over 50%.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The reason why less chromium and water are required at the pre-tanning stage when the biocatalyst is used is primarily because of the 120-fold higher binding of the biocatalyst to the glycan sugar present predominantly in the skin.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Once the catalysts binds to the sugar, it selectively breaks down (hydrolysis) the sugar thus opening up the skin fibre without much effort.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Traditionally, enzymes take three-to-four hours to open the fibres. If lime and sulphate are used it takes 12 hours to complete the process. Using Bio-catalyst reduces the time required to 10 minutes.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Importance of Biocatalyst discovery</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The biocatalyst also penetrates deep into the skin unlike the traditionally used enzymes. Deep penetration of the biocatalyst ensures less amount of chromium to be used to increase the stability of the collagen and the quality of the finished leather also becomes superior.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">About 21% of the chromium used gets absorbed by the skin, which is far more than when other enzymes or chemical-based methods are used, leading to reduced chromium in the effluent discharge.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The biocatalyst is stable even at a high temperature of 90 degree C and pH 10 and so up to 95% of the enzyme can be recovered after a single process and reused.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Additional Information</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Biocatalysis refers to the use of living systems or their parts to speed up chemical reactions. In biocatalytic processes, natural catalysts, such as enzymes, perform chemical transformations on organic compounds.</span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2243,
'title' => 'Transgenic mosquitoes',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Genes from genetically-modified <em>Aedes aegypti </em>mosquito were found to have been transferred to naturally-occurring <em>A. aegypti </em>mosquito population in three areas in Brazil where transgenic mosquitoes were released as part of a pilot program to reduce population of disease causing mosquitoes.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">About 4,50,000 transgenic male mosquitoes were released each week for 27 months (June 2013 to September 2015) in three areas in Brazil.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Genetic analysis of naturally occurring mosquitoes were done prior to the release and at six, 12, and 27-30 months after the releases to ascertain the effects of the move.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The transgenic strains can be distinguished from naturally-occurring mosquitoes by using fluroscent lights and filters. It was found that some transgenic genes were found in 10-60% of naturally-occurring mosquitoes.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tthe naturally occurring<em> A. aegypti </em>mosquitoes carrying some genes of the transgenic mosquitoes were able to reproduce in nature and spread to neighbouring areas 4 km away.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The genetic strategy employed to control <em>A. aegypti </em>population known as RIDL (the Release of Insects carrying Dominant Lethal genes) was supposed to only reduce the population of the naturally occurring A. aegypti mosquitoes and not affect or alter their genetics.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The offspring of the mosquitos are not supposed to grow to adult mosquitoes and reproduce as per claims made by the British company Oxitec Ltd, which had developed the technology and field-tested it in several countries.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>How Transgenic mosquitoes help in reducing disease burden?</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The transgenic male mosquitoes released frequently in large numbers would compete with the naturally occurring male mosquitoes to mate with the females.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Offspring from the mating of transgenic male mosquito and naturally occurring female mosquito do not survive to the adult stage.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This is because <strong>tetracycline</strong> drug, which prevents the dominant lethal gene from producing the lethal protein during rearing in labs, is not present in sufficient quantity in nature. In the absence of tetracycline, there is overproduction of the lethal protein causing the larvae to die.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Implications of the research</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The presence of transgenic mosquito genes in the natural population will affect the disease transmission capacity or can make mosquito control efforts more difficult.</span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
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'id' => (int) 2289,
'title' => 'Sensor to detect drug resistant leukaemia',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A highly sensitive carbon nanotube based sensor capable of detecting multidrug-resistant myeloid leukaemia cells even when present at very low concentration of has been fabricated by researchers.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Compared with drug-sensitive leukemic cells, multidrug-resistant leukaemia cells have better ability to bind to the antibody found on the nanotubes.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The expression of P-glycoprotein transporter present on leukaemia cell surface gets enhanced when the cell becomes multidrug-resistant.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists used chemotherapy drug doxorubicin to make the leukaemia cells drug resistant and work in the research.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Using chemical vapour deposition technique, the sensor produced vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes were grown on a silicon wafer substrate.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To miniaturise the sensor and make it flexible, moisture-resistant and stable even at 180 degree C, the researchers transferred the carbon nanotubes to a flexible substrate made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To convert the carbon nanotubes into a sensor, the researchers functionalised the nanotubes. Nanotubes that are functionalised have better ability to bind to a leukaemia antibody, which in turn binds to the leukaemia cells present in the sample. As more antibodies get bound to carbon nanotubes, the sensitivity improves.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The presence of leukaemia cells bound to the antibody is determined by measuring a drop in the conductivity of the carbon nanotubes. To measure changes in conductivity, three electrodes , carbon nanotubes as a working electrode, a counter electrode made of platinum and a reference electrode are immersed in a electrolyte and a constant voltage is applied and a change in current is measured.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Leukaemia cells are insulating in nature. So the conductivity of carbon nanotubes reduces as the cells bind to the antibody. The more the concentration of cells bound to the antibody the greater is the reduction in the current flow.</span></span></p>
</li>
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(int) 47 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2290,
'title' => 'Genes involved in bipolar disorder identified',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A study by researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), in Bengaluru, identifies two specific genes which may be related to bipolar disorder.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The experiment involves doing thousands of genotyping reactions and a large amount of sequencing of reactions for a large family with several affected members. But researchers have clarified that, not all those at risk may develop the disease.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In a family if there are multiple members with the disorder, then those genes that are shared among the ill members, and not shared by the unaffected members can help identify the responsible gene.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group identified regions within chromosome 1 and chromosome 6 and, subsequently, found that variants of two genes (KANK4 and CAP2) were the likely candidates.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since the human genome is over three billion base pairs long, researchers use a number of markers to identify which region of the genome is shared, and look up the gene in that region.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers tell that the mutations in KANK4 and CAP2 are rare variants and occur in less than 1% of the population.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Understanding the consequences of this variation in biological processes in the brain and further analysis of these two genes in people with bipolar disorder will be beneficial and help understand the biological aspects of the disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Bipolar disorder</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bipolar disorder is an illness that affects about 0.8% of the global population. Also known as manic-depressive illness, it is characterised by mood swings, irrational behaviour and phases of mania or extreme highs, and at other times, phases of depression<span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="color:#282828">.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
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(int) 48 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2453,
'title' => 'Protein that helps in precise gene editing',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers at CSIR-IGIB have discovered a protein variant from a different species of bacteria that can edit the DNA with very high precision.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the currently used tool for gene editing, CRISPR technology, Cas9 protein behaves like a molecular scissors that cuts the DNA at a specific location and inserts a foreign piece of DNA to correct the mutation that causes the disease.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The commonly used Cas9 protein from <em>Strepotococcus pyogenes</em> bacteria (SpCas9) and its engineered derivative tend to potentially bind to DNA at multiple unintended sites thereby leading to unnecessary alterations in the DNA.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers found their new Cas9 protein, which binds and cuts the DNA, was able to correct sickle cell anaemia mutation in patient-derived stem cells. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The protein (FnCas9) used by the researchers to edit the DNA is derived from a bacterium — <em>Francisella novicida.</em></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Cas9 protein is supposed to bind to the DNA only when there is a perfect match between the DNA and the protein but the currently used SpCas9 protein binds and cleaves the DNA at unintended places.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new FnCas9 protein showed negligible binding when there exists more than one mismatch in the target DNA.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The FnCas9 protein was found to increase the HDR repair rate fourfold compared to the widely used SpCas9.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Problems associated with old cas9 protein</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If the Cas9 protein remains bound to DNA at mismatched locations for a long time, there is a possibility that it might cut the DNA at these locations.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Cas9, if bound at multiple unintended sites then the transcription machinery gets stalled and the expression of genes at these locations might be altered.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 49 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2519,
'title' => 'New Virus inspired technique to deliver drugs to brain',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have engineered small particles, similar to the size of viruses, to cross the protective border and reach the brain.</span></span><br />
</p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The research is path-breaking because a protective layer protects circulating blood from brain. The new particle could be used to deliver drugs to the brain more effectively in the future.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new method allowed for combination drug delivery through intravenous injection to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB).</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To make it possible, the scientists modified components from a virus that targets the brain called bacteriophage fd to deliver drugs across the BBB.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Importance</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Crossing the blood-brain-barrier has hindered the industry from effectively addressing central nervous system diseases, including brain tumours, and many neurological diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">But now since a new way has been discovered, there are more chances of having drugs that can treat these brain affecting neurodegenerative diseases.</span></span><br />
</p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2526,
'title' => 'Protein that kills anti-biotic resistant strain of bacteria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Issue</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune have discovered novel protein targets that can be used by candidate drug molecules to kill antibiotic-resistant strains of <em>Staphylococcus aureus,</em> including<strong> vancomycin-</strong>resistant <em>S. Aureus.</em></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of an antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance evolves naturally via natural selection through random mutation, but it could also be engineered by applying an evolutionary stress on a population.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The protein targets identified are crucial for the growth and survival of the bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em>S. aureus </em>are less likely to cause mutations in them to confer drug-resistance.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Any drug candidate that can bind to the targets will be able to inhibit the protein from functioning leading to eventual death of <em>S. aureus,</em> including the drug-resistant ones.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers used a small molecule (quinone epoxide) and attached an indole residue to it to increase the ability of the molecule to cross the cell barrier of the bacteria and bind to the proteins.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The small molecule binds itself to multiple proteins, including those that are crucial for growth and survival of the bacteria. These proteins are crucial as they bind to the DNA and activate it for normal cellular functioning.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The small molecule was found to bind to a particular amino acid (cysteine) that is very important for many catalytic functions in the cell. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Inhibiting the functioning of this amino acid can have a cascading effect leading to death of the bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 51 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2643,
'title' => 'CSIR offers free mapping of Indian genomes',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Indians interested for having their genes mapped can join the IndiGen initiative, a programme managed by the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The programme is a culmination of a six-month project by the CSIR in which 1000 Indians, had their genomes scanned in detail. They were chosen from across the land to represent the width of genetic variability.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Those who do get their genes mapped this way will get a card and access to an app, which will allow them and doctors to access clinically actionable information on their genomes.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The aim of the exercise was twofold: To test if it’s possible to rapidly and reliably scan several genomes and advise people on health risks that are manifest in their gene and, understand the variation and frequency of certain genes that are known to be linked to disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A genetic test, which is commercially available at several outlets in the country, usually involves analysing only a portion of the genome that’s known to contain aberrant genes linked to disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The outcomes of IndiGen will have applications in a number of areas including faster and efficient diagnosis of rare genetic diseases.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IndiGenome card and app ensures privacy and data security, which is vital for personal genomics to be implemented at scale.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Genetic mapping</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gene mapping describes the methods used to identify the locus of a gene and the distances between genes.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Importance</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Genetic mapping can offer firm evidence that a disease transmitted from parent to child is linked to one or more genes.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mapping also provides clues about which chromosome contains the gene and precisely where the gene lies on that chromosome.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Genetic maps have been used successfully to find the gene responsible for relatively rare, single-gene inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Genetic maps are also useful in guiding scientists to the many genes that are believed to play a role in the development of more common disorders such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and psychiatric conditions.</span></span></p>
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'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 2952,
'title' => 'Using E.Coli to study cell wall development in bacteria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have identified an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the enlargement and growth of bacteria, by studying <em>E. coli.</em></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One of the most important features of a bacterium is its cell wall which protects it from external environmental conditions and also internal pressure and keeps it in shape. Harming the cell wall causes irreversible damage to the bacterium and eventually kills it.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The enzyme MepK helps in cutting a particular class of bonds that connect the peptidoglycan, which is a sac-like molecule that envelops the cell. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This action allows more material to be added to the cell wall, making a larger compartment for the cell to reside in.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bacteria die when the integrity of the cell wall is destroyed. Its crucial role in maintaining the wellbeing of the bacterium makes the cell wall a target of study, especially by scientists interested in developing new drug strategies to combat the bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Earlier research showed that opening the cell wall by hydrolysing enzymes is crucial for the new material to be incorporated into it, leading to the cell’s expansion and elongation.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The cell wall is made up mostly of a single net-like molecule (peptidoglycan) which consists of many sugar polymers interconnected by short peptides. It encloses the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The peptides connecting the bag-like structure are cross-linked in several ways. The significance to this work is the link between particular amino acid residues located on adjacent peptide chains. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This is a rare component present only in bacterial cell walls and is known as mDAP for short.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group identified an enzyme (MepK) which helps in breaking down the bond between two mDAP residues. This leads to cutting the molecular mesh and thus aiding the growth (or enlargement) of the cell.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The study has higher significance in organisms like <em>Clostridia</em> and <em>M. tuberculosis</em> because cell walls of these bacteria have very high levels of mDAP-mDAP type of cross-links. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The next course of experiments would be identifying small-molecule inhibitors for this class of enzymes and also to understand the molecular mechanisms by which the cell wall growth is initiated.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 53 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3006,
'title' => 'Typhoid vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A typhoid vaccine (Typbar TCV) developed by the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has shown 81.6% efficacy in preventing typhoid fever at 12 months in a Phase-III clinical trial.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine confers protection two-three weeks after vaccination. The duration of protection is currently not known. The trial was carried out in Nepal in over 10,000 children who received the vaccine.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A single does of the vaccine was found to be effective in preventing typhoid in children aged nine months to 16 years.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Typbar TCV vaccine was recommended by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (WHO-SAGE) in December 2017. WHO prequalified the vaccine in January 2018.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nearly 11 million fall sick due to typhoid and about 1,17,000 deaths are reported each year. The bacteria spread through contaminated food or water.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Typbar TCV typhoid vaccine tested in Nepal is a conjugate vaccine. Conjugate vaccine is one in which the is chemically linked to a carrier protein.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Two other typhoid vaccines<strong> </strong>such as polysaccharide typhoid vaccine and live weakened typhoid vaccine are already used commercially. But the efficacy of the vaccines to protect against typhoid is lower than the conjugate vaccine that was tested in Nepal.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conjugate vaccine can be given to babies as young as six months, while the other two vaccines cannot be given to children below two years of age.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While typhoid bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, the microbes have developed resistance against multiple antibiotics. Multi-drug resistant typhoid bacteria (XDR) are seen in south Asia including India. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In Pakistan, a strain of typhoid has developed resistance to all but one of the antibiotics used to treat the disease.<strong> </strong>Pakistan is the first country to introduce the typhoid conjugate vaccine as part of its national immunisation programme.<strong> </strong></span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Typhoid</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a bacterial infection due to a specific type of Salmonella that causes symptoms. Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Symptoms include high fever, headache, stomach pain, weakness, vomiting and loose stools. Treatment includes antibiotics and fluids.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 54 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3024,
'title' => 'Molecule to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee identified a potent molecule that exhibits broadspectrum bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria, <em>Escherichia coli,</em> <em>Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae </em>and <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis.</em></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule identified by IIT Roorkee kills the bacteria by damaging the DNA and by inhibiting cell division. This also ensures that there is no further replication in bacteria that can cause drug resistance.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule also shows antibacterial activity against <em>Staphylococcus aureus </em>and diarrhoea causing <em>Clostridium difficile.</em></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule belongs to the nitrofuran class of antibiotics — nitrofurantoin and furazolidone — which are routinely used for treating urinary tract infections and intestinal ailments, respectively.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule kills the bacteria by damaging their DNA as well as by inhibiting cell division. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When half the concentration required to kill the bacteria was used, the researchers found the daughter cells were unable to separate on cell division, leading to the bacteria forming into long filaments.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since the molecule targets two pathways to kill the bacteria, microbes are less prone to resistance generation or would take a longer time to develop resistance.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule was found to be effective against both gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as against anaerobic bacteria such as <em>C. dificile.</em></span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bacteria are less likely to develop resistance against a pro-drug as it becomes active only after getting inside the bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule was effective against persister bacteria that remain in a dormant state. Persister bacteria can survive high doses of antibiotic treatment and are responsible for causing recurring bacterial infections. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bacteria generally can tolerate antibiotics by flushing out the drugs using the efflux pumps. But the efflux pump mechanism was unable to flush out the molecules from within the bacteria.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Generally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by a drug helps kill the bacteria. But in this case, generation of the reactive oxygen species followed bacterial killing.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 55 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3306,
'title' => 'Genome of Indian cobra sequenced',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A team of Indian researchers and their collaborators abroad have sequenced the genome of the highly poisonous Indian cobra.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This research may go a long way in reducing mortality and disability from snake bites. This also makes Indian cobra the first among the most venomous four Indian snakes, which are collectively called the infamous “big four”, to be genetically mapped.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Indian cobra, together with the common krait, Russell’s viper and saw scaled viper, accounts for nearly 46,000 snake bite deaths in the country every year.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Worldwide, 5.4 million snake bites occur every year, with 2.8 million of them in India. They are responsible for 4,00,000 disabilities globally, of which 1,38,000 are from India.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Through study, the researchers found that the Indian cobra genome has 19 key toxin genes, primarily expressed in the venom glands of the snake.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Targeting these toxins using synthetic human antibodies should lead to a safe and effective anti-venom for treating Indian cobra bites.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Currently, antivenom is produced by immunising horses with extracted snake venom and is based on a process developed over 100 years ago. This process is laborious and suffers from a lack of consistency leading to varying efficacy and serious side-effects.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Venom is also a great source of drug-like molecules. The Indian cobra genome is no exception and it codes for toxin molecules that can block pain, reduce blood pressure and prevent blood clotting.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists say that the next step would be to use this genomic blueprint for venom toxins to make recombinant proteins, generate neutralising antibodies and test them in the clinic.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This high-quality genome will not only be a wonderful resource for understanding the evolution of the medically important snake and its venom repertoire but can also be very useful for the innovation of next generation recombinant antivenoms.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 56 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3308,
'title' => 'Cheaper pneumococcal vaccine',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A vaccine against a leading cause of deadly childhood pneumonia, the pneumococcus bacterium, has achieved prequalification by the World Health Organization (WHO).</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine is developed though a collaboration spanning over a decade between Serum Institute of India, Pvt., Ltd. (SIIPL) and PATH and with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine is expected to provide protection for children on par with other pneumococcal conjugate vaccines at a price that is more affordable for low- and middle-income countries.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In addition to pneumonia, the pneumococcus bacterium causes other serious, life-threatening diseases like meningitis and sepsis. It is estimated to cause nearly 400,000 deaths in children under five years of age each year worldwide.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have helped significantly reduce pneumococcal deaths and illness where introduced but are difficult for many countries to afford.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are among the most complex vaccines to manufacture.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The current manufacturing process has been optimized to make it more efficient, reducing costs while preserving vaccine quality and making the vaccine a more affordable option for countries with the highest burdens of pneumococcal disease.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Conjugate vaccine</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Conjugate vaccines combine a weak antigen with a strong antigen as a carrier so that the immune system has a stronger response to the weak antigen.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The antigen of some pathogenic bacteria does not elicit a strong response from the immune system, so a vaccination against this weak antigen would not protect the person later in life. In this case, a conjugate vaccine is used in order to invoke an immune system response against the weak antigen.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pneumonia</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs with a range of possible causes. It can be a serious and life-threatening disease. It normally starts with a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.</span></span></p>
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(int) 57 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3386,
'title' => 'Breakthrough in fight against Malaria',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists at the CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have announced development of an alternative and economic way of gene delivery within the <em>Plasmodium Falciparum</em> cells, responsible for majority of severe cases of malaria and deaths, called the ‘<strong>Lyse-Reseal’</strong> method.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates 3.4 billion people across 92 countries to be at risk of being infected with Plasmodium parasites and suffering from malaria<strong>. </strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Malaria occurs when Plasmodium parasites grow in the oxygen-carrying Red Blood Cells (RBCs) in the body. A malaria biologist has to cross a four-membrane layer to reach the genes. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gene delivery into the target cells is a popular choice to manipulate and study gene functions with the widely used method ‘electroporation’ where pores are created in the cell membrane using electric field to send desired chemicals like DNA.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The team working with Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’ has been able to fill in RBCs by opening them up, a process also called ‘lyse’, with circular DNA of their choice. The RBCs are then resealed to close the pores and these are infected with Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The parasite goes inside the RBC and passively takes up the DNA from RBC. The DNA eventually ends up in the parasite’s nucleus with its own genes. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group has shown the technique to be as effective as ‘electroporation’ with two different Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’ strains and claim it works with 10 times lesser DNA than what is needed in ‘electroporation.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientific group also demonstrated that RBCs of blood group ‘O+’ provide the most efficient delivery of DNA into Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’ in vitro.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Ease of making genetic alterations in the parasite will help in better understanding the biology of malaria pathogen and, thereby, help in control of the malaria parasite better.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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(int) 58 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {
'tag' => 'Biotechnology',
'keyword' => 'biotechnology',
'id' => (int) 3437,
'title' => 'Xenobots: The living machines',
'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists in the United States have created the world’s first “living machines”, tiny robots built from the cells of the African clawed frog, that can move around on their own.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They have named the millimetre-wide robots “xenobots”, after the species of aquatic frog found across sub-Saharan Africa from Nigeria and Sudan to South Africa, Xenopus laevis.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"> </p>
<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists have repurposed living cells scraped from frog embryos and assembled them into entirely new life-forms.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Their primary goal is to use the cutting-edge critters to better understand how cells of all sorts communicate with one another.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The xenobots can move toward a target, and pick up a payload (like a medicine that needs to be carried to a specific place inside a patient) and heal themselves after being cut.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new creatures were designed on a supercomputer at the university, and then assembled and tested by biologists at Tufts University. </span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bot can perform functions like searching out nasty compounds or radioactive contamination, gathering microplastic in the oceans, travelling in arteries to scrape out plaque.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The latest research is a breakthrough because it designs, for the first time ever, completely biological machines from the ground up.</span></span></p>
</li>
<li>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The use of living cells to achieve the simulated designs and behaviors is an especially promising indication of our future ability to generate bio-compatible robots, and soft robots that leverage the resiliency and intelligence of living tissues.</span></span></p>
</li>
</ul>
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=> 'Scientists develop microbial fuel cell to treat textile wastewater', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists have developed microbial fuel cell (MFC) to treat textile wastewater and generate power during degradation process. It uses simple principle to degrade wastewater. This energy-efficient technology can be also used with any other industrial wastewater.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>How Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) works?</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In this fuel cell, carefully selected cohort of bacteria is made to act on the textile wastewater placed in it. These bacteria are isolated from very wastewater they are meant to degrade. </span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They feed on organic material in water and break it down under anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions, releasing electrons in process. </span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The electrons are collected at anode which results in current in circuit. The bacteria forms biofilm on anode making collection of electrons easy at anode.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">During this entire process, bacteria act on wastewater and purify it and waste is segregated in the cell. For example, dye present in wastewater is broken to simpler form.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">At present this technology has been tested in 200 litre capacity prototype, which can can generate power of around 1 watt per square-metre.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists are also incorporating nanotechnology in it, to add nanotech filter to improve process to keep thickness of biofilm within prescribed limit.</span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'microbial-fuel-cell-to-treat-textile-wastewater', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/edf9/fwqy46c1ew91btc6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/edf9/fwqy46c1ew91btc6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Scientist develop microbial fuel cell to treat textile wastewater', 'metakeyword' => 'Scientist develop microbial fuel cell to treat textile wastewater', 'metadescription' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Scientists develop microbial fuel cell to treat textile wastewater', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/4xom8zbmcip1h39/4.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 1 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 53, 'title' => 'Nemuri: Scientists identify gene that triggers sleep during sickness', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have identified single gene called <strong>nemuri (a Japanese word for sleep) </strong>that makes person sleepy when they are sick. This gene links sleep to immune system and provides potential explanation for how sleep increases during sickness. It was identified in study of over 12,000 lines of fruit flies. It was found that to extent of infection, stimulated overactive nemuri expressed in small set of fly neurons improves sleep.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Key Findings of Study</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nemuri gene fights germs with its inherent antimicrobial activity and drives prolonged, deep sleep after infection.<strong>It provides potential explanation for how sleep increases during sickness</strong></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was found that flies with extra nemuri were better at fighting flu. When they were infected with deadly bacteria, nemuri-boosted flies survived longer than their non-boosted counterparts.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In response to infection, nemuri gene kill microbes, most likely in peripheral parts of fruit fly body and increased sleep through its action in the brain.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Abundance of nemuri also helped flies fight infection, thus presents clear connection between this sleep gene and immune system.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It was also found that flies lacking nemuri gene, were completely unable to manufacture its antimicrobial benefits.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">However, nemuri gene is not all gene required for sleep or immunity. Without it, flies are still capable of sleeping, albeit more fitfully, and its absence doesn’t impair them in resisting infection.</span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'scientists-identify-gene-sleep-during-sickness', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6421/a6d1528pub7lmdm6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6421/a6d1528pub7lmdm6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Scientists identify gene that triggers sleep during sickness', 'metakeyword' => 'Scientists identify gene that triggers sleep during sickness, Scientists identify, sleep during sickness', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have identified single gene called nemuri (a Japanese word for sleep) that makes person sleepy when they are sick.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/bm413d3ss0waa1a/current_affair_8.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 2 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 120, 'title' => 'Scientist discover how fungus cripple’s immune system', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered how fungal toxin gliotoxin found in common fungus <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em> cripples immune defence system and enable potentially fatal infection to develop. This common fungus is found virtually everywhere on Earth. It is commonly found on damp walls or in spores that blow through the air, mattresses and floors etc.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Findings of this study</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Gliotoxin, a potent mycotoxin is responsible for pathogenicity of <em>Aspergillus fumigatus</em>. It has immunosuppressive effect i.e. it weakens activity of <em>Neutrophilic granulocytes </em>cells, which are important immune defence system.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Neutrophilic granulocytes<em> </em>cells<em> </em>represent first line of immune defence system. When these<em> </em>cells are bought into contact with gliotoxin, it releases specific messenger substances <em>leukotrieneB4</em> into blood, which attract other immune cells. Once sufficient large number of immune cells has gathered, they can render intruder harmless.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">But in case of Aspergillus fumigatus, Gliotoxin ensures that production of messenger substance in neutrophilic granulocytes is inhibited, so that they are unable to send signal to other immune cells. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">This is caused by specific enzyme (LTA4 hydrolase) being switched off by mycotoxin. This interrupts communication between immune cells and destroys defence mechanism. As result, it is easy for spores -- in this case fungusthat enter the organism to infiltrate immune system.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"quicksand",serif">Healthy people are not affected much if spores of this fungus find their way into their body. However, it threatens lives of people with compromised immune system, such as AIDS patients or people who are immunosuppressed following organ transplantation.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'how-fungus-cripples-immune-system', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9750/dqyj6wby3f7qaj56g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9750/dqyj6wby3f7qaj56g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'How fungus cripple’s immune system', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Scientist discover how fungus cripple’s immune system', 'metadescription' => 'Scientist discover how fungus cripple’s immune system', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/nnra7qu9g4ce1tn/11feb_Scientist_discover.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 172, 'title' => 'Antibiotic-resistant NDM-1 gene found in pristine Arctic: Study', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered antibiotic resistant (AR) gene NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1) in pristine high Arctic region (Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard),<strong> </strong>one of the earth’s most remote spots. It highlights further indication of globalisation of antimicrobial resistance (AR). </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM-1)</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is enzyme that makes bacteria resistant to broad range of beta-lactam antibiotics. It includes antibiotics of <em>carbapenem family</em>, which are used for treatment of AR bacterial infections.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its gene is one member of large gene family that encodes beta-lactamase enzymes called carbapenemases.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Bacteria that produce carbapenemases are often referred as "superbugs" because infections caused by them are difficult to treat. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">NDM-1 was first detected in a Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from Swedish patient of Indian origin in 2008 in New Delhi, so it is named after it. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Most common bacteria that make this enzyme are <em>gram-negative</em> such as E<em>-coli and Klebsiella pneumonia</em>. Its gene can spread from one strain of bacteria to another by horizontal gene transfer.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of Study</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was detected in five out of the eight clusters studied. It was present in highest concentrations near fresh water sources where wildlife tends to congregate.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Robust presence of blaNDM-1 comparatively localised in Kongsfjorden <strong>pose no health threat</strong>, but its detection reinforces how rapidly AR can globalise. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Additionally, levels of <strong><em>mobile genetic elements (MGEs)</em>,</strong> a mechanism by which bacteria trade AR, to mirror NDM-1 was also discovered. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">MGEs are noteworthy in this region because they are often associated with acquired resistance and are found at higher levels in human, or animal waste-impacted environments.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">AR in essence is natural phenomenon as most antibiotics are produced by soil microorganisms and over time they have evolved to become resistant to the compounds which they excrete to survive.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Reasons for spread of superbug: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Involvement of migratory birds is considered as prime reason. Birds might have carried resistance in their gut and transfered it to Arctic soil through faecal matter.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, it is also possible that it may have migrated with humans also and spread via local wildlife, or it may be combination of factors.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'ndm-1-gene-discovered-in-arctic', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/63e8/l8vzekgs9xgpk9i6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/63e8/l8vzekgs9xgpk9i6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Antibiotic-resistant NDM-1 gene found in pristine Arctic: Study', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Antibiotic resistant (AR) gene, NDM-1, New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1, high Arctic region, Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard, ', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists have discovered antibiotic resistant (AR) gene NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1) in pristine high Arctic region (Kongsfjorden region of Svalbard)', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/5n1994x9cpaab4n/16feb_Antibiotic-resistant_NDM-1.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 202, 'title' => 'Killer T cells can fight all kinds of influenza virus: Study', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered that some killer T cells (immune cells) could fight all kinds of influenza virus. These Killer T cells can provide unprecedented immunity across all flu viruses and could help in producing one-shot universal influenca vaccine.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Killer T cells </span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">They are type of white blood cell that roams body scanning for abnormalities and infections. They are essential for human immunity against host of invading bacteria and viruses. They are found in over half the world's population.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Need for universal vaccine</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">According to World Health Organization, (WHO) influenza epidemics, largely seasonal, kill hundreds of thousands of people each year.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Influenza virus are vastly diverse and keep mutating continuously and evade immune system. This makes it nearly impossible to predict and vaccinate against mutating strains of influenza virus.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Discovery</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">For this discovery, scientists had used <strong>mass spectrometry</strong>—a scanning technique that helps separate molecules based on their mas to identify parts of virus that are shared across all flu strains. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Human lung tissue and in mice were conducted by injnecting peptides which activated killer T cells. Peptide responsible for activating killer T cells revealed remarkably reduced levels of flu virus and inflammation in the airways.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was found that killer T cells could effectively fight variations of influenza A, B and C, providing unprecedented immunity across all flu viruses. </span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Thus, T cells can be potentially used to develop all-encompassing flu shot that did not need to be changed annually.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'killer-t-cells-fight-all-kinds-influenza-virus', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/125a/wfmocjaunaxz7xe6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/125a/wfmocjaunaxz7xe6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Killer T cells can fight all kinds of influenza virus: Study', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Killer T cells,fight, all kinds of influenza virus, one-shot, universal influenza vaccine ', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists have discovered that some killer T cells (immune cells) could fight all kinds of influenza virus. These Killer T cells can provide unprecedented immunity across all flu viruses and could help in producing one-shot universal influenca vaccine.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/2wa7ptbf5l76k8s/19feb_Killer_T_cells_can_fight.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 489, 'title' => 'Government sends expert medical team to assess West Nile Virus in Kerala', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has sent special medical team of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to Malappuram district of Kerala from where confirmed case of West Nile Virus (WNV) fever was reported. It also has alerted apex research organization Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for keeping close watch at central and state level.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">West Nile Virus (WNV)</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is viral infection which is typically spread by mosquitoes bites and can cause neurological disease as well as death in people. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is member of flavivirus genus and belongs to Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was first detected in a woman in West Nile district of Uganda in 1937. It was later identified in birds (crows and columbiformes) in Nile delta region in 1953 are its natural hosts. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is commonly found in Africa, Middle East (West Asia), Europe and North America. Its largest were recorded in Greece, Israel, Romania, Russia and USA.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Presence in India</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In India, it is prevalent in Gujarat, Rajasthan and South Indian states</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous confirmed cases of WNV infections were reported from Vellore (Tamil Nadu) and Kolar (Karnataka) districts during 1977, 1978 and 1981 outbreaks.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 2011, during outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Kerala, presence of WNV was also confirmed in clinical specimens.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Transmission</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is transmitted to humans through infected mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected with it when they feed on infected birds (natural hosts), which circulate virus in their blood. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It may also be transmitted through contact with other infected animals, their blood or other tissues. Once person gets infected, the virus multiplies fast.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">No human-to-human transmission of this virus through casual contact has been reported.</span></strong></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">But, very few small proportion of human infection cases have been reported through blood transfusions, organ transplant and breast milk feeding. One case of mother to child transmission (transplacental) also has been reported.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Symptoms </span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The infection is either has no symptoms (asymptomatic) or can result in West Nile fever or severe West Nile disease. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">People infected with it suffer from fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally with skin rash and swollen lymph glands.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In case of severe West Nile disease: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is also called neuroinvasive disease, such as West Nile poliomyelitis or West Nile encephalitis or meningitis. In this case, patient suffers from headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. </span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Treatment of West Nile Virus</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">There is no vaccine available for humans against this virus. Moreover, there is also no definite treatment of disease. Its treatment is mainly with fluids and supportive care. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is diagnosed with blood igm levels and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Its prevention can be done by preventing mosquito bite, using repellents and wearing full sleeves. </span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'west-nile-virus-kerala', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e207/d2n4gcm8wckv62p6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e207/d2n4gcm8wckv62p6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Govt sends medical team to assess West Nile Virus case in Kerala', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Health Ministry, special medical team,Malappuram, Kerala, West Nile Virus, fever ', 'metadescription' => 'Health Ministry sends special medical team to Malappuram district of Kerala from where confirmed case of West Nile Virus (WNV) fever was reported.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ahh29t4a69d7ufy/15_Mar_Government_sends_expert_medical.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 558, 'title' => 'Laurus Labs inks pact with Global Fund', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Drug maker Laurus Labs has entered into strategic partnership agreement with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. It is three-and-a-half-year pact that will fetch company volume commitments from fund for treatment of HIV/AIDS. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"> </p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Under this pact, Laurus Labs has also received and executed order for the Global Fund in February 2019 that involved supplies of its fixed dose combination (FDC) drug Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir (TLD) to high disease-burden countries in sub Saharan African region. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"> </p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is international financing organization that aims to attract, leverage and invest additional resources to end epidemics of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria to support attainment of SDG established by UN.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is public-private partnership organization i.e. operates in partnership model between governments, civil society, private sector and people to accelerate end of three diseases.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is world's largest financier of AIDS, TB, and malaria prevention, treatment, and care programs. It was started in January 2002. It maintains its secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is financing mechanism rather than an implementing agency. Programs are implemented by in-country partners such as ministries of health, while Global Fund secretariat monitoring programs.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'laurus-labs-inks-pact-with-global-fund', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/edb7/v88kxkgdinab1ud6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/edb7/v88kxkgdinab1ud6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Laurus Labs inks pact with Global Fund | Daily Current Affairs', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Laurus Labs,strategic partnership agreement, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.', 'metadescription' => 'Drug maker Laurus Labs has entered into strategic partnership agreement with The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/iydal0r9otts1tq/Laurus_Labs_inks_pact.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 673, 'title' => 'Murein EndopeptidiaseK: Scientists discovers new enzyme to break cell walls of bacteria', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers from Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have discovered new enzyme "Murein EndopeptidiaseK" which can break cell walls of bacteria. It was discovered while they were studying cell growth in bacteria. This discovery offers potential for new drug delivery route to arrest anti-bacterial resistance to existing antibiotic drugs.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Key Findings of this research</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It identified principal process in cell which governs synthesis machinery to build cell wall in the first place. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">With this identification, they discovered new mechanism (enzyme) through which the cell regulates growth of its cell wall which is fundamental for bacterial growth and division.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The discovered enzyme can act on protein of cell wall in Escherichia coli (E. coli) that can be potential drug target.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The main focus of this research was blocking this enzyme from functioning, resulting in new ways to target microbes and leading to new wave of antibiotic drugs that may play a crucial role in the battle against antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is premier biotechnology research establishment under aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. It is located in Hyderabad, Telagana.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objectives are to conduct high quality basic research and training in frontier areas of modern biology. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It also promotes centralized national facilities for new and modern techniques in the inter-disciplinary areas of biology.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It has been designated "Center of Excellence" by the Global Molecular and Cell Biology Network, UNESCO. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India's national biosafety level – 4 containment facility for human infectious diseases is located on campus of CCMB.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'new-enzyme-to-break-cell-walls-of-bacteria-discovered', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/bace/1z9nwfn1a1ma1id6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/bace/1z9nwfn1a1ma1id6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => ' Scientists discovers new enzyme to break cell walls of bacteria', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Murein EndopeptidiaseK, Scientists, discovers, new enzyme, break, cell walls, bacteria', 'metadescription' => 'Murein EndopeptidiaseK: Scientists discovers new enzyme to break cell walls of bacteria, Researchers from Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/kvp036fa40jamzh/Murein_EndopeptidiaseK.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 655, 'title' => 'US withdraws Zika advisory for pregnant woman travelling India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">United States (US) health monitor- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has withdrawn its Zika travel advisory against pregnant women travelling to India. It also has changed India’s status from “ongoing outbreak” of Zika virus to “current or past transmission but no current outbreak”. This comes after strong rebuttal from Government of India. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">US-CDC had issued Zika travel advisory against pregnant women travelling to India in December 2018 after outbreak of Zika virus was reported in India especially in Rajasthan and surrounding states. It was level 2 alert (of the three level alert), which required travelers enhanced protection. The advisory had refrained pegnant women to avoid travelling to areas with risk of Zika as it can cause serious birth defects.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Between September and November 2018, India witnessed Zika virus disease outbreaks in Jaipur in Rajasthan as well as Bhopal and its neighbouring districts in Madhya Pradesh. More than 150 cases were reported. However since end November 2018, no fresh cases of Zika virus disease were reported from both the states.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Zika virus</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is mosquito-borne virus transmitted by day time active Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which also transmit three other vector-borne diseases Chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It belongs to family Flaviviridae and Genus Flavivirus. It is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile viruses.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It derives its name from Zika Forest, Uganda, where it was first identified in 1947. Now it is emerging disease and has been reported by 86 countries worldwide.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Transmission:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> It is transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It can also spread through sexual contact and blood transfusion.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Symptoms:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Its initial symptoms are similar to other viral infections such as dengue, and includes fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, skin rashes, malaise, and headache.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, its long term threats are more severe especially if pregnant women are infected with it. They may give birth to babies with serious birth defects or severe brain damage i.e. neurological disorders or foetal deformation known as Microcephaly in which infants are born with abnormally smaller heads.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Besides it may also reportedly cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition in which body’s immune system attacks part of the nervous system.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Treatment and Prevention:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> There is no specific vaccine or treatment currently available to treat it. Protection against mosquito bites and clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed is best form of prevention.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Latest Outbreaks:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> In 2015 and 2016 it was first reported in Brazil and later spread to other countries in South/Latin America, Central America, North America and Caribbean.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'us-withdraws-zika-advisory-for-pregnant-woman-travelling-india', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/dc1e/l6nfor63qtybdig6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/dc1e/l6nfor63qtybdig6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'US withdraws Zika advisory for pregnant woman travelling India', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, India-US, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, withdraws, Zika travel advisory, against pregnant women, travelling to India', 'metadescription' => 'India-US, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has withdrawn its Zika travel advisory against pregnant women travelling to India', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ejes9r3l6bfbpww/US_withdraws_Zika_advisory.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 739, 'title' => 'Homo luzonensis: New early human species found in Philippines', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists have discovered new species of ancient human during excavations in Callao Cave in Luzon island, Philippines. It is named Homo luzonensis and is dated to 67,000 years BC (Late Pleistocene period). This discovery claims finding to be the ‘earliest direct evidence of human presence in the Philippines’.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Excavation Findings </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Presence of two adults and one child based on findings of seven teeth, two hand bones, three foot bones and one thigh bone was found during exactions.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The fossils suggest that this species was less than 4 ft tall. It makes shorter than earlier discovered another ancient species called Homo floresiensis, sometimes called the “hobbit”.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The curved toe bone of this species found during excavation, closely resembling anatomy of Australopithecus, which is known to have been existing in Africa about 2-3 million years ago. </span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance of newest discovery </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">These newly discovered specimens display combination of primitive and derived morphological features which are different from combination of features found in other species in genus Homo (including Homo floresiensis and Homo sapiens) and warrants their attribution to a new species.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It challenges fairly straightforward idea of human evolution. The traditional narrative suggests that homo sapiens evolved from ancient species of homo erectus in Africa and dispersed from there around 50,000 years ago. With new finding, it becomes clear that homo sapiens were definitely coexisting with other human species in other parts of the globe.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'homo-luzonensis-new-early-human-species-found-philippines', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ae89/c0449ibtnrjnfgr6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ae89/c0449ibtnrjnfgr6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Homo luzonensis: New early human species found in Philippines', 'metakeyword' => ' new species, ancient human, named Homo, luzonensis, discovered, excavations, Callao Cave, Luzon island, Philippines, 67,000 years BC', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists have discovered new species of ancient human during excavations in Callao Cave in Luzon island, Philippines. It is named Homo luzonensis and is dated to 67,000 years BC', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 738, 'title' => 'Scientists develop new genetic method for wildlife conservation', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from Stanford University and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru have developed new method for extracting genetic information for wildlife conservation. It can extract genetic clues quickly and cheaply from degraded and left-behind materials, such as feces, skin or saliva, and from food products suspected of containing endangered animals<strong>. </strong>It has potential to revolutionize conservation approaches and policies worldwide in quicker, easier and cost-effective way. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Genetic method</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This new method relies on identifying multiple, short portions of DNA segments in single experiment (‘multiplex PCR’) followed by next-generation sequencing, in which multiple fragments of DNA can be decoded simultaneously, and several times, in automated process.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Test </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was tested on Caribbean queen conches and tigers, two extremely different species that had strong conservation needs. </span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">DNA was obtained from faeces, hair and saliva of 75 wild and captive tigers to identify individuals and close relatives and RNA from 279 queen conch samples. </span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Using this method between 60 to 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs was decoded. Besides, geographic regions of these individuals belonged to was able to decode using this information. </span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be used for deriving genetic information from animal sources containing extremely low-quality DNA — including faeces and cooked meat.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be also used for animal monitoring and to obtain intelligence on wildlife trade.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is cost effective, as testing several hundred samples simultaneously and decoding up to 1000 SNPs per sample using it cost as low as $5.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It takes just five days to decode genetic information, whereas older methods take at least a month.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'scientists-develop-new-genetic-method-wildlife-conservation', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e72f/19r6ie8fniy7v416g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e72f/19r6ie8fniy7v416g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Scientists develop new genetic method for wildlife conservation', 'metakeyword' => 'Scientists, Stanford University,National Centre for Biological Sciences, develop, new method, extracting genetic information, wildlife conservation', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists from Stanford University and National Centre for Biological Sciences have developed new method for extracting genetic information for wildlife conservation', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/pqqb3p95kpjkh41/Scientists_develop_new_genetic.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 750, 'title' => 'Scientists insert human brain genes into monkeys', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from China have implanted <strong>Microcephalin (MCPH1) </strong>human brain genes<strong> </strong>into 11 rhesus monkeys, in study on evolution of human intelligence. MCPH1 is Protein Coding gene that scientists believe plays a role in the development of the human brain. It is believed to be playing key role in development of the human brain. Certain mutations in MCPH1, when homozygous, cause primary microcephaly (a severely diminished or smaller brain). </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of Study</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists found Monkeys’ brains like those of humans took longer to develop. These monkeys performed better in tests of short-term memory as well as reaction time compared to wild monkeys. However, monkeys did not grow bigger brains than control group.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Ethical Cocerns</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This human brain genes inducing test in monkeys is latest in series of genetic experiments conducted in China that have fuelled medical ethics debates. This study has already drawn ethical concerns and comparisons with dystopian sci-fi movie Planet of the Apes. China was first country in the world to create monkeys altered with gene-editing tool CRISPR.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'scientists-insert-human-brain-genes-into-monkeys', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1085/7wajlsi03o10bj66g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1085/7wajlsi03o10bj66g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Scientists insert human brain genes into monkeys', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Scientists, China, implanted, Microcephalin, MCPH1, human brain genes, 11 rhesus monkeys, study, evolution of human intelligence', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists from China have implanted Microcephalin (MCPH1) human brain genes into 11 rhesus monkeys, in study on evolution of human intelligence', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/e7qdvdbbv302lpv/Scientists_insert_human.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 749, 'title' => 'Display information on 7 common antibiotics: CDSO', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has asked manufacturers to inform general public on adverse reactions from some commonly-used antibiotics.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This comes after Union Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical watchdog-National Co-ordination Centre of Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), raised alert on adverse reactions that were being reported from <strong>7 commonly-used antibiotics</strong>. They are: <em>Cefotaxime, Ofloxacin, Quetiapine, Cefixime, Tranexamic Acid, Sulfasalazine and Sodium Valproate</em>.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">CDSCO has written to drug manufacturers mandating them to mention in leaflets inserted into drug packets or on promotional literature, information about adverse reactions of these medicines.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"><img alt="" src="http://www.mediafire.com/view/v99gk52p5l4fqol/CDSO_7_Antibiotics.png/file" /></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was launched in 2010 by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), New Delhi, under aegis of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective is to monitor adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among Indian population. It also helps regulatory authority of India viz. CDSCO in taking decision for safe use of medicines. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">National Co-ordination Centre of Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (NCC-PvPI)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is Union Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical watchdog. It had launched WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmacovigilance in Public Health Programmes and Regulatory Services in 2017.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'display-information-7-common-antibiotics-cdso', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7f2a/0jp3tcmhc9f7o3f6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7f2a/0jp3tcmhc9f7o3f6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Display information on 7 common antibiotics: CDSO', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs,CDSCO, manufacturers, inform,general public, adverse reactions, commonly-used antibiotics, Pharmacovigilance Program of India, PvPI, National Co-ordination Centre', 'metadescription' => 'Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has asked manufacturers to inform general public on adverse reactions from some commonly-used antibiotics', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/teg2149qgt51icc/Display_information_on_7_common_antibiotics.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 806, 'title' => 'CSIR launches Genome Sequencing Project to map rural youth', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched indigenous genetic mapping project of nearly 1,000 rural youth from length and breadth of the country. The project is aimed at educating students on “usefulness” of genomics and to determine unique genetic traits of citizens and their susceptibility (and resilience) to disease. This is the first time that such large sample of Indians will be recruited for detailed genome sequencing study. It will prove India’s capabilities at executing whole-genome sequencing</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome Sequencing Project</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The genome sequencing project will be done at CSIR laboratories namely Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyerabad and Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB).</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Methodology: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The genomes will be sequenced based on blood samples. Every person whose genomes are sequenced will be given a report. The participants will be told if they carry gene variants that make them less responsive to certain classes of medicines.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is complete set of organism’s Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) i.e. genetic blueprint of oraganis. Each genome contains all of information needed to build and maintain that organism. Human genome has about 3.2 billion base pairs. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Genome sequencing</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">: It is process of determining exact order of base pairs in segment of DNA. It helps in linking disease and unique genetic make-up of each individual. Globally, many countries have undertaken genome sequencing of a sample of their citizens to determine unique genetic traits, susceptibility (and resilience) to disease.</span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'csir-genome-sequencing-project-map-rural-youth', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ff13/1e9rtafapeuhvu66g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ff13/1e9rtafapeuhvu66g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'CSIR launches Genome Sequencing Project', 'metakeyword' => 'Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, launches, indigenous, genetic mapping project, 1,000 rural youth', 'metadescription' => 'Council of Scientific and Industrial Research launched indigenous genetic mapping project of rural youth ', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 797, 'title' => 'Ganga Water contains antibacterial properties: Study', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">According to study ‘Assessment of Water Quality and Sediment to Understand Special Properties of River Ganga,’ water of Ganga river contains significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">About Study</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was commissioned by Union Water Resources Ministry. It was conducted by Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI), a CSIR lab. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective was to probe “unique properties” of Ganga River. It had assessed water quality for ‘radiological, microbiological and biological’ parameters in Bhagirathi, a feeder river of Ganga and along its stretch at 20 sampling stations.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">During this study, five pathogenic species of bacteria (Escherichia, Salmonella, Enterobacter, Shigella, Vibrio) were selected and isolated from Ganga, Yamuna and Narmada Rivers and their numbers were compared with <strong>bacteriophages.</strong></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Bacteriophages:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> It literally means bacteria eater. It is type of virus that destroys bacteria. It is composed of nucleic acid molecule that is surrounded by protein structure. Bacteriophage attaches itself to susceptible bacterium and destroys their host cell.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Findings of the study</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Ganga river water particularly in its upper Himalayan stretches contains significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties as compared to other Indian rivers. These bacteriophages have great potential as antibacterial pharmaceutical. The water of this holy water contains almost 1,100 kinds of bacteriophage isolated from Mana to Haridwar, and Bijnor to Varanasi. It is approximately three times more in proportion than bacterial isolated in other rivers. This scientific perspective supports the mysterious claim that Ganga water possesses self-cleansing and healing properties has to do ‘antibacterial’ elements. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous Similar Studies</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 1890s, British bacteriologist Ernest Hankin had studied bacterial properties of River Ganga and had found that colonies of cholera bacteria thrived in tapped water quickly died in Ganges water. He used boiled Ganges water and filtered Ganges water in his experiment and established that while filtered water continued to show antibacterial effect and the boiled water did not. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from IIT Roorkee had isolated super-phage from water of Ganga River and decoded its lysine gene and had cloned it to produce lysine protein having great potential as an antibacterial pharmaceutical.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'ganga-water-contains-antibacterial-properties-study', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ba12/d98xdgmh77j2v3y6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ba12/d98xdgmh77j2v3y6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Ganga Water contains antibacterial properties: Study', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Assessment of Water Quality and Sediment to Understand Special Properties of River Ganga,, Ganga water, contains. higher proportion, organisms,antibacterial properties.', 'metadescription' => 'According to study water of Ganga river contains significantly higher proportion of organisms with antibacterial properties.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 792, 'title' => 'IIT Researchers identify new method to detect breast, ovarian cancer', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee have developed new salvia based non-invasive method to detect breast and ovarian cancer. This method uses certain proteins present in saliva which act as potential biomarker indicative of breast and ovarian cancer metastasis.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">New Method</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is based on conception that certain proteins present in saliva that could act as salivary biomarkers in diagnosis of breast and ovarian cancers. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Researchers had identified total of 646 proteins, of which 409 proteins were confidently identified across all four groups. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In addition to 409 identified proteins, 352 proteins were common in all blood groups, while 57 were either present or absent exclusively in one group or common in any two/three blood groups.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It can be also used in patients who have undergone three cycles of chemotherapy, salivary proteins can also act as indicator of patients’ response to chemotherapy.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Breast and ovarian cancers are two of the worst forms of cancer, which are responsible for approximately one third of all cancers that occur in women and one fifth of all cancer related deaths worldwide. Their early detection has been difficult using traditional methods such as mammography, blood flow patterns by colour flow Doppler imaging and trans-vaginal ultrasound examination. This was mainly due to high diagnostic costs and radiation exposure because of heterogeneous and symptomatic nature of breast and ovarian cancers.</span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'new-method-to-detect-breast-ovarian-cancer', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/f520/osuybnpyf3gf5gm6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/f520/osuybnpyf3gf5gm6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Researchers identify new method to detect breast, ovarian cancer', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, new method, salvia based, non-invasive method, detect, breast, ovarian cancer', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee have developed new salvia based non-invasive method to detect breast and ovarian cancer', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => '', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 822, 'title' => 'Mosquirix: World's biggest anti-malaria vaccine campaign begins in Africa', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">The world’s first biggest anti-malaria vaccine (Mosquirix) campaign has started in three African countries. Malawi was the first country to begin use this vaccine as part of routine childhood immunization programs and will be followed by Ghana and Kenya.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Anti-malaria vaccine campaign</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Under it around 360,000 children less that year old in three African countries will be vaccinated with anti-malaria drug as part of pilot project to help reduce the incidence of the deadly disease. The pilot project which will run until 2022.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Mosquirix </span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is recombinant protein-based malaria vaccine. It is scientifically known as <strong>RTS,S</strong> and trade name is Mosquirix.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It has been developed by British Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is the <strong><em>world's first licensed malaria vaccine</em></strong> and also <strong><em>first vaccine licensed for use against human parasitic disease of any kind</em></strong>. It was approved for use by European regulators in July 2015.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It triggers immune system to defend against first stages of infectious disease shortly after malaria parasite enters bloodstream through mosquito bite.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Previous Trails:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Mosquirix vaccine has already been tested on 15, 000 people in smaller clinical trials in 7 countries. The clinical trials had taken place in span of five years revealed that malaria cases had reduced by 40% mostly among babies of 5 to 7 month old. According to World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 40% efficacy this vaccine is not high in comparison with vaccines for other diseases, but it will add to the preventative measures, such as insecticides and bed nets already being used.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Malaria </span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquito. It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. In severe cases. It can cause seizures, coma or death. Children are particularly vulnerable to this vector borne disease and every year, around 250,000 youngsters die because of it.</span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'mosquirix-worlds-biggest-anti-malaria-vaccine-campaign-africa', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cf65/kl1beasbfspvae16g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cf65/kl1beasbfspvae16g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'World's biggest anti-malaria vaccine campaign begins in Africa', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, world’s biggest, first, anti-malaria vaccine campaign, Mosquirix, started, Africa in three African countries.', 'metadescription' => 'The world’s first biggest anti-malaria vaccine (Mosquirix) campaign has started in three African countries.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/cu26rwmsjses8vw/Mosquirix.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 841, 'title' => 'Anti-microbial protein isolated from milk of Echidnas', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Scientists from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) here have isolated anti-microbial protein found in milk of Echidnas, an egg-laying mammal. The isolation of this protein promises to serve as alternative to antibiotics used on livestock. The protein is effective against mastitis-causing bacteria in livestock.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Key Facts</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Echidnas, also known as spiny anteaters. They are unique egg-laying mammals found only in Australia and New Guinea. Their young hatch from eggs at very early stage of development and depend completely on mother’s milk. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Echidnas’ mammary glands are devoid of nipples, which forces young ones to lick milk from mother’s body surface and potentially making them vulnerable to micro-organisms.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">However, milk of echidna has protein that can puncture cell membranes of multiple bacterial species, thus destroying source of infection. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> Discovery of this protein gives novel approach to fight infectious diseases taking clues from nature. It also assumes significance in emerging scenario of increased infectious disease burden and resistance to current treatments</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">There are ways to produce protein in large quantities using E. coli. It can use as anti-microbial to fight rise of superbugs due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animal husbandry industry to raise livestock. The superbugs can cause mastitis, an infection of the mammary gland, in dairy animals.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Note: <em>Echidnas and Platypus are the only egg-laying mammals. They are known as Monotremes.</em></span></strong></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'anti-microbial-protein-isolated-milk-echidnas', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2237/dztyy6k2hlnx9yh6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2237/dztyy6k2hlnx9yh6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Anti-microbial protein isolated from milk of Echidnas', 'metakeyword' => 'CSIR-CCMB, isolated, anti-microbial protein, milk, Echidnas, egg-laying mamma', 'metadescription' => 'CSIR-CCMB, isolated, anti-microbial protein, milk, Echidnas, egg-laying mamma', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/pb0c9s2pb70sh79/Anti-microbial_protein.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 850, 'title' => 'ICMR launches MERA India alliance to eliminate malaria', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India to plan and scale up research to eliminate Malaria from India by 2030. It is conglomeration of partners working on malaria control. It was launched on the occasion of the World Malaria Day 2019 (observed on April 25).</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">MERA India alliance</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its objective is to prioritise, plan, conduct, and scale up research in coordinated way to have tangible impact on population who are at risk of malaria.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will facilitate trans-institutional coordination and collaboration around a collaborative research agenda.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will not duplicate international efforts to eliminate Malaria rather complement the efforts on a national scale. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It will provide common platform to conglomeration of partner organisations working on malaria control and shared research agenda and resources.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India has made impressive progress in malaria control in the recent years. The malaria burden in India declined by over 80% from 2.03 million cases in 2000 to 0.39 million in 2018. Deaths by malaria also declined by over 90% from 932 deaths in 2000 to 85 in 2018. National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program (NVBDCP) has developed comprehensive framework to achieve "Malaria free India by 2030". Its National Strategic Plan recognises critical role of research to support and guide malaria elimination efforts.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is India’s apex scientific body for formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It functions under Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is headquartered in New Delhi.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It was established as Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA) in 1911, making it one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world. </span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'icmr-mera-india-alliance-eliminate-malaria', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c421/x54i5ec6qcrs5g56g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c421/x54i5ec6qcrs5g56g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'ICMR launches MERA India alliance to eliminate malaria', 'metakeyword' => 'ICMR, launches, Malaria Elimination Research Alliance, MERA India, eliminate Malaria,India, 2030', 'metadescription' => 'CMR) has launched Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA) India to plan and scale up research to eliminate Malaria from India by 2030', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/bepg3xszykhxzb4/ICMR_launches_MERA.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 846, 'title' => 'Centre to fund cell-based meat research project', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Union Department of Biotechnology has decided to fund Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and National Research Centre on Meat (NRCM) for <strong>research on cell-based meat</strong>.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Purpose of Funding </span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">This funding has been given to develop technology to take laboratory cell culture process to cell-based meat production which can be scalable. This funding is one of the major initiatives by any government body across the world and much needed encouragement for other agencies and industry to participate. It will go long way in putting India on map of technologically advanced countries for cellular agriculture.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Cell-based meat</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">It is also called <em>clean meat or cultured meat</em>. It is nutritionally equivalent to conventional animal meat and tastes, smells, looks and feels exactly the same. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its only difference is in method of production. Cell-based meat is produced through cellular agriculture, wherein cells are sourced from animal and cultivated into meat, rather than conventional method of raising and slaughtering animals for meat.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Significance:</span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif"> This new method of producing meat shows strong promise of revolutionizing existing food system in terms of tackling much needed pressing global issues such as food security, environmental sustainability and animal welfare.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Its proponents claim that it is healthier for planet as it reduces land and water usage, as well as for consumers. </span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Moreover, it could potentially do away with need for modern factory-farming and issues such as animal cruelty, salmonella and e-coli infections and antibiotic-laced meat.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">Cell-based meat and other cellular agriculture products represent new global food system that is better for people and planet. Government across world including in Japan, Netherlands, Israel etc. have already started clean investing and funding cell-based meat companies. Besides, regulatory authorities of countries like US are deliberating on the path to market these products. These efforts reflect potential of clean meat sector to provide future generations with sustainable nutrition.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">India and Clean Meat efforts</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand",serif">In 2018, Atal Incubation Centre at CCMB had partnered with HSI/India, one of the largest animal protection organisations in the country, to promote and develop the clean meat sector. It has been working closely with GFI, a global expert organisation that advances research and commercialisation of plant-based and clean meat sector. It provides input and support to entrepreneurs, regulators, scientists and others.</span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'centre-to-fund-cell-based-meat-research-project', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3705/37eueudrgoovtuc6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/3705/37eueudrgoovtuc6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Centre to fund cell-based meat research project', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Department of Biotechnology, fund, research project, cell-based meat', 'metadescription' => ' Department of Biotechnology, fund, research project, cell-based meat', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/sosz54ll9bct7a7/Centre_to_fund.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 20 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 953, 'title' => 'Drug-resistant diseases could kill 10 million a year by 2050: UN Report', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">United Nations Ad Hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance report has warned that drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050. It added that by 2030, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Report Highlights</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">At present, at least 7,00,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant diseases, including 2,30,000 people die from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">More and more common diseases, including respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections are becoming untreatable.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It also noted that lifesaving medical procedures are also becoming riskier, and food systems are getting increasingly precarious.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The world is already feeling economic and health consequences of antimicrobial resistance as crucial medicines become ineffective.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Without investment from countries in all income brackets, future generations will face disastrous impacts of uncontrolled antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Recommendations: </span></strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">(i) Countries should prioritise national action plans to scale-up financing and capacity-building efforts, (ii) Countries put in place stronger regulatory systems and support awareness programs for responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials by professionals in human, animal and plant health (iv) Investing in ambitious R&D for new technologies to combat antimicrobial resistance.</span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'drug-resistant-diseases-un-report', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/00c3/fz08yklol9y9hca6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/00c3/fz08yklol9y9hca6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Drug-resistant diseases will kill 10 mn a year by 2050: UN Report', 'metakeyword' => 'United Nations Ad Hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, Report, drug-resistant diseases, cause 10 million deaths , each year, 2050', 'metadescription' => 'United Nations Ad Hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance repot has warned that drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/hvvvjfds8b37tlw/Drug-resistant_diseases.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 21 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 997, 'title' => 'ICRISAT hosts multi-nation meet to tackle Fall Army Worm', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) hosted multi-nation workshop on ‘Fall Armyworm management in Asia’ in Hyderabad, Telangana. It was aimed at understanding challenges and find solutions to tackle the rapidly growing problem of Fall Armyworm (FAW). It was attended by representatives from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India and some other South and South-East Asian countries.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">What is Fall Armyworm (FAW)?</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is <strong>lepidopteran pest</strong> that feeds in large numbers on stems and leaves of more than 80 plant species. It causes extensive damage to crops such as maize, rice, sorghum and sugarcane. It also attacks vegetable crops and cotton.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is scientifically known as <strong><em>Spodoptera frugiperda</em></strong>. The female moth of FAW lays eggs and caterpillars hatching from these eat parts of host crop plants, before pupating and turning into new moths.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The adult moth of FAW migrates very fast — almost 100 km every night and nearly 500 km before laying eggs. It can, therefore, invade new areas quickly. </span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Also, each female moth is capable of laying 1,500 eggs on average, thus it outbreak has catastrophic impact on crops.</span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was first reported in 2016 in West Africa. It was detected mainly in maize fields. Since then it has quickly assumed epidemic proportions and spread to over 44 African countries. </span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In India, it was first reported in Karnataka and also parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is international non-profit organization which conducts agricultural research for rural development in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) region. It was established in 1972 by consortium of organisations convened by the Ford and the Rockefeller foundations. It is headquatered in Hyderabad, Telangana. Its charter was signed by FAO and UNDP. It performs crop improvement research on the following crops: Pigeonpea, Chickpea, Pearl millet, Groundnut, Sorghum, Finger Millet and Small millets.</span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'icrisat-multi-nation-meet-fall-army-worm', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/fd1b/rqz26y755zh1rwb6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/fd1b/rqz26y755zh1rwb6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'ICRISAT hosts multi-nation meet to tackle Fall Army Worm', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, ICRISAT, multi-nation workshop, all Armyworm management in Asia, Hyderabad, Telangana', 'metadescription' => 'International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) hosted multi-nation workshop on ‘Fall Armyworm management in Asia’ in Hyderabad, Telangana', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/pvm7ctxvn9btwxh/ICRISAT_hosts.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 22 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1037, 'title' => 'Genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands conducted for first time', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for first time have conducted genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Study </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists had analyzed DNA samples of 557 individuals from eight major islands for mitochondrial DNA and 166 individuals for Y chromosome markers. They studied the major islands of Andorth, Agatti, Chetlat, Bitra, Kalpeni, Kadmat,Kiltan and Minicoy of Lakshadweep.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Findings of this genetic study </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Majority of human ancestry in Lakshadweep is largely derived from South Asia with minor influences from East and West Eurasia.<strong> </strong>There is close genetic link of Lakshadweep islanders with people from Maldives, Sri Lanka and India.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">There was no evidence of early human migration through the Lakshadweep islands. There is strong founder effect for both paternal and maternal lineages which is sign that the island population had limited genetic mixing.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It defies earlier presumption that Lakshadweep Islands might have presence of genetic signatures of ancient people such as Andamanese and Australian aboriginals. However, still the genetic composition of first human settlement on Lakshadweep is not clear. </span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Lakshadweep Islands</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is archipelago of 36 islands in Laccadive Sea, scattered over approximately 78,000 square km of Arabian Sea. These islands are located 200-440 kms off the south-western coast of India. Its main islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy, and Amini. Minicoy Island is separated from rest of Lakshadweep by Nine Degree Channel, whereas entire group of Lakshadweep islands are separated from Maldives by Eight Degree Channel. It is Union Territory and governed directly by Union Government. Its all islands form a single Indian district and smallest Union Territory of India. Kavaratti is its capital. It comes under jurisdiction of Kerala High Court. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'genetic-study-people-of-lakshadweep-islands', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6794/9439qzjo53x7ncz6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/6794/9439qzjo53x7ncz6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands conducted', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Scientists, CSIR-Centre, Cellular and Molecular Biology, CCMB, first time, genetic study, People, Lakshadweep Islands', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for first time have conducted genetic study on people of Lakshadweep Islands.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/968hr7278h27g39/Genetic_study.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 23 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1044, 'title' => 'New Function of stress buster serotonin discovered', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Researchers from Mumbai based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) have found a novel function for serotonin, a chemical that signals between neurons. They found that serotonin is involved in generation of new mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell) in neurons and increased cellular respiration and fuel (ATP) in the cell.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Serotonin</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is also known by chemical name as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). It is monoamine neurotransmitter i.e. it is chemical that sends signals between neurons. It plays important role in coping with stress at the level of organism.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Medical applications of new Functions</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Serotonin’s newly indentified function of generation of new mitochondria and cellular ATP has been studied in mice and rats. If it is found to be true in humans, it opens way for important medical applications especially in neurological disorders. It could be used to prevent neuronal loss (major cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as in Alzheimer and Parkinson) and mitochondrial abnormalities (cause or contribute to neuronal death).</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'new-function-serotonin-discovered', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0f2e/2kl6bbll8msqkk56g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0f2e/2kl6bbll8msqkk56g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'New Function of stress buster serotonin discovered', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, Researchers, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, TIFR, new novel function, serotonin, chemical ,signals between neurons', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers from Mumbai based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) have found a novel function for serotonin, a chemical that signals between neurons.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/oobv5opvfjx5xeb/New_Function.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 24 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1098, 'title' => 'ICMR develops cheap diagnostic test for Haemophilia A', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)’s National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, has developed cost-effective Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic test for severe Haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD). It is claimed to be world’s first POC test for specific diagnosis of any common bleeding disorder.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">POC diagnostic test</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">This newly developed rapid test kit can be used for diagnosis of undiagnosed patients/menorrhagia cases/post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), gynaecological complications with bleeding history, recovery of factors in the transfused Haemophilia A patients and also for differential diagnosis of both the diseases. With help of it, diagnosis can be done within 30 minutes of blood sample collection. The working cost of these kits is less than </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Rs. </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">50 in comparison to existing conventional test for the diseases that costs around </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Rs. 4,000 to 1,0000. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) are commonest among bleeding disorders. VWD is a genetic disorder caused by missing or defective Von Willebrand factor (VWF), a clotting protein. Whereas Haemophilia is hereditary bleeding disorder, in which person lacks, or has low levels of proteins called ‘clotting factors’ and the blood does not clot properly as result.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Patients with severe Haemophilia A or VWD can have life threatening spontaneous or post-traumatic bleeding like brain haemorrhage and gastrointestinal bleeding or they may have bleeding into joints or superficial bleeding from the nose or gums. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">As per health data, incidence of Haemophilia A is 1 per 10,000 male births and that of vWD is around 1</span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">% </span></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">of the general population. In India, there are around roughly 80,000-1,00,000 severe haemophilia cases. Lack of awareness, lack of diagnostic facilities, high cost of tests are some of the factors for the underdiagnosis of bleeding disorders in the country.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'icmr-cheap-diagnostic-test-haemophilia', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0dad/bahregtus0w3csv6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0dad/bahregtus0w3csv6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'ICMR develops cheap diagnostic test for Haemophilia A', 'metakeyword' => 'In Science and Technology Current Affairs, ICMR, National Institute of Immunohaematology, Mumbai, developed, world's first, cost-effective Point-of-Care. diagnostic test, severe Haemophilia , Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)', 'metadescription' => 'ICMR, developed, world's first, cost-effective Point-of-Care. diagnostic test, severe Haemophilia , Von Willebrand Disease (VWD)', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/jxukw8w2nn2xz3o/ICMR_develops.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 25 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1187, 'title' => 'DBT, DAE ink MoU for collaboration on Cancer Research', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under Union Ministry of Science and Technology and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) have signed MOU for supporting joint collaborative research programmes in the area of Cancer. It will enable both government department to work for common goal of tackling cancer and bring a quantum change in the present scenario of cancer research. DAE is represented by its Tata Memorial Centre, which also functions as coordinating centre on behalf of The National Cancer Grid of India.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Features of MoU</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will help to strengthen various initiatives specifically for cancer viz. strategizing and prioritizing cancer research, development of new and affordable technologies, jointly design and fund clinical trials.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will also help to coordinate and collaborate for translational research, interventions, training of manpower and infrastructure development. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will enable clinicians and researchers to work in coherence to identify and develop collaborative research programmes and public health initiatives for awareness of the public at large. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Under it, various activities like joint clinical fellowships, intensive workshops on clinical research methodologies and protocol development will be undertaken.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It will seek to create community of trained manpower and provide platform to utilize their acquired skills in the best possible manner.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'dbt-dae-mou-collaboration-cancer-research', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0f93/o4ntc90gb47qh866g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0f93/o4ntc90gb47qh866g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'DBT, DAE ink MoU for collaboration on Cancer Research', 'metakeyword' => 'Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Biotechnology, ign, MOU, supporting, joint collaborative research programmes, Cancer', 'metadescription' => 'Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Biotechnology, ign, MOU, supporting, joint collaborative research programmes, Cancer', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/vz2d518qutmynmv/DBT%2C_DAE.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 26 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1238, 'title' => 'Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant cultivation', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Meghalaya Government has launched <strong>Aroma Mission</strong> to boost the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). As part of it, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated a processing unit of essential oils. In this regard, memorandum of agreement (MoA) was also signed between Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) and Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) for collaborative work on medicinal and aromatic plants. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Aroma Mission</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Under it farmers will be encourage to cultivate medicinal and aromatic plantations especially in vast stretches of wastelands. It will help in strengthening livelihood condition of farmers and create employment opportunities in the state. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">For it, state government has sanctioned Rs 18-crore. It will ensure that agriculture and allied sectors get due importance and the farmers their benefits. It will enable people in state who have used medicinal and aromatic plants for generations to cure various ailments and diseases to share their knowledge with the rest of the world.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">To begin with lemon grass and citronella plant cultivation will be taken up on 50-acre plots in every district of the state. Depending on response of farmers, State Government will decide whether to expand area of cultivation for citronella and lemon grass.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is frontier plant research laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It is engaged in the field of science and business of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). It also steers multidisciplinary high quality research in chemical and biological sciences and extends technologies and services to farmers and entrepreneurs of MAPs.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It was established in 1959 as Central Indian Medicinal Plants Organisation (CIMPO). It is headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It has four research centers situated in Hyderabad, Pantnagar, Bangalore and Purara (near Bageshwar, Uttarakhand). </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'meghalaya-aroma-mission', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/191a/i88kq2xxcb612uq6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/191a/i88kq2xxcb612uq6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant', 'metakeyword' => 'Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant cultivation', 'metadescription' => 'Meghalaya launches Aroma Mission to boost medical plant cultivation', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ovo522k6on644kt/Meghalaya_launches_Aroma_Mission_to_boost_medical_plant_cultivation.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 27 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1367, 'title' => 'Remdesivir: Experimental Ebola drug also cures Nipah virus', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists have reported that Remdesivir, an experimental drug used for treatment for Ebola virus has protected monkeys against infection with Nipah virus for which there is no approved vaccine or cure.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Recent Findings</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In recent study it was found that this drug is effective against Nipah virus, a lethal disease and emerging pandemic threat for which there is no approved vaccine or cure. In this new study trial, eight African green monkeys were given lethal doses of Nipah virus. Half of them later got intravenous Remdesivir and all four monkeys receiving this drug survived and the four that did not died within eight days.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Remdesivir </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is an antiviral drug. It is also known as GS-5734. It is novel nucleotide analog prodrug, which was developed by Gilead Sciences as treatment for Ebola virus. It is found to be effective against both Ebola virus and Nipah virus. It also has shown some effectiveness against two other pandemic threats: MERS coronavirus and Lassa fever. It is also effective against Respiratory Syncytial virus, which infects children all over the world.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">If the drug gets regulatory approval for use against Nipah virus, it will help extra treatment that could be used relatively quickly. The only current treatment for Nipah virus infection is monoclonal antibody that is still experimental and it was tested during Nipah outbreak in Kerala in 2018.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'remdesivir-experimental-ebola-drug-cures-nipah-virus', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b09e/l12gb5ivuuuw3uu6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b09e/l12gb5ivuuuw3uu6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Remdesivir: Experimental Ebola drug also cures Nipah virus', 'metakeyword' => 'Remdesivir, experimental drug, treatment for Ebola virus, protects, monkeys, against infection, Nipah virus,', 'metadescription' => 'Remdesivir, experimental drug, treatment for Ebola virus, protects, monkeys, against infection, Nipah virus,', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/e046pabsa71k0ei/Remdesivir.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 28 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1474, 'title' => 'Indian scientists develop more potent Anthrax vaccine', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Group of Indian scientists have developed new vaccine against anthrax. It is claimed to be superior over existing anti-anthrax vaccines as it can generate immune response to anthrax toxin as well as its spores rather than the toxin alone.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anthrax</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is a deadly human disease caused by <strong>bacterium Bacillus anthracis</strong>. This bacterium is found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Spores of this bacterium are present in soil and can stay in latent form for years. However, under favourable environmental conditions, these spores become active and start to infect. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Often, animals pick up spores while grazing, following which spores germinate in their body and produce toxins.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It mainly infects animals like horses, sheep, cattle and goats. Humans, pigs and dogs are comparatively less susceptible and only get infected if exposed to copious amount of spores. <strong>It should be noted that Anthrax is not a contagious disease.</strong></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Note:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> In 2001, these spores were used as agents of bio-terrorism when letters containing anthrax spores were sent to some people in US, leading to widespread panic.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anti-anthrax vaccine</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Anti-anthrax vaccines for are necessary as the infection can cause death within 2-3 days leaving no scope for diagnosis and treatment. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The currently available anti-anthrax vaccines in market generate immune response against Bacillus protein-protective antigen (a protein that helps in transport of bacillus toxins inside the cells). </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In this case, immune response is triggered only when spores germinate in body and start producing bacterial proteins. Anyone vaccinated with such vaccine does not show immune response to bacillus spores and only perform once spores germinate and release toxins.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">New Vaccine</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The new single vaccine is effective against both the toxin and its spores so as to provide complete protection. It is made of two genes: protective antigen protein and protein present in outer layer of spore. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'scientists-develop-more-potent-anthrax-vaccine', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e63e/9gcptcspzjzpz0a6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e63e/9gcptcspzjzpz0a6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Indian scientists develop more potent Anthrax vaccine', 'metakeyword' => 'Group of Indian scientists have developed new vaccine against anthrax. It is claimed to be superior over existing anti-anthrax vaccines', 'metadescription' => 'Group of Indian scientists have developed new vaccine against anthrax. It is claimed to be superior over existing anti-anthrax vaccines', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ufr9435jg9ls3u9/Indian_scientists.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 29 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1477, 'title' => 'Virtual biopsy device developed to non-invasively detect skin tumours', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Researchers from United States have developed ‘virtual biopsy’ device that can quickly and non-invasively determine whether skin tumour is cancerous and needs to be removed surgically. This first-of-its-kind experimental procedure is called <strong>Vibrational Optical Coherence Tomography (VOCT).</strong></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Currently, physicians perform surgical biopsies often do not know the extent of lesion and whether it it is necessary to refer patient to specialist for extensive tissue removal or plastic surgery until surgery has already begun.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Vibrational optical coherence tomography (VOCT)</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Working:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It creates a 3D map of legion’s width and depth under the skin with a tiny laser diode, without using a scalpel. It also makes use of soundwaves to test lesion’s density and stiffness since cancer cells are stiffer than healthy cells.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> This procedure can be completed in 15 minutes with no discomfort to patient, who feels no sensation from light or nearly inaudible sound. </span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Using sound vibrations and pulses of near-infrared light, VOCT device can determine skin lesion's depth and potential malignancy without using a scalpel. It also has ability to analyse a skin tumour non-invasively could make biopsies much less risky and distressing to patients. Its prototype device is able to accurately distinguish between healthy skin and different types of skin lesions and carcinomas.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'virtual-biopsy-device-developed-detect-skin-tumours', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9f5c/vihlj8249ig7bx46g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9f5c/vihlj8249ig7bx46g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Virtual biopsy device developed to detect skin tumours', 'metakeyword' => 'Researchers from United States have developed ‘virtual biopsy’ device that can quickly and non-invasively determine whether skin tumour is cancerous and needs to be removed surgically.', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers from United States have developed ‘virtual biopsy’ device that can quickly and non-invasively determine whether skin tumour is cancerous', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/yt2omcpmlx0tc1f/Virtual_biopsy.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 30 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1515, 'title' => 'ILS develops antibodies against Chikungunya viral infection', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) has successfully developed antibodies against Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection. These antibodies fight against the non-structural proteins - nsP1, nsP3 and nsP4 of CHIKV. The antibodies were developed following decade-long research on CHIKV infection at the ILS laboratory headed by senior molecular virologist Dr. Soma Chattopadhyay. She has been selected for Biotech Product, Process Development and Commercialisation Award 2019 by the Department of Biotechnology.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is a viral disease belonging to genus Alphavirus. Its name chikungunya originates from a verb in Kimakonde language, meaning 'to become contorted'. This refers to the 'stooped' appearance of those suffering with joint pain.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Tranmsimission:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, most commonly, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. These vector mosquitoes are found biting throughout daylight hours, while early morning and late afternoon are peak timings of their activities</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Signs and Symptoms</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">: It causes High fever (40°C/ 104°F), Joint pain (lower back, ankle, knees, wrists or phalanges), Joint swelling, Rash, Headache, Muscle pain, Nausea, Fatigue.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Prevention and control:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> There is no cure or commercially available vaccine. However, it can be vector prevention and control combined with dengue control efforts in areas where vector of chikungunya is Ae. aegypti and Ae. Albopictus are prevalent.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Institute of Life Sciences (ILS):</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It is an autonomous institute of higher education for research aand education in life sciences. It is located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It functions under Department of Biotechnology, Union Ministry of Science & Technology.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'antibodies-chikungunya-viral-infection', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e5d9/ay2p4nhk4e21k4b6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e5d9/ay2p4nhk4e21k4b6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'ILS develops antibodies against Chikungunya viral infection', 'metakeyword' => 'Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) has successfully developed antibodies against Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection. These antibodies fight against the non-structural proteins - nsP1, nsP3 and nsP4 of CHIKV', 'metadescription' => 'Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) has successfully developed antibodies against Chikungunya viral (CHIKV) infection. These antibodies fight against the non-structural proteins - nsP1, nsP3 and nsP4 of CHIKV', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/tab11ra2e59k4v2/ILS_develops_antibodies_against.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 31 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1518, 'title' => 'Arogyapacha: Scientists decode genome of miracle plant', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from University of Kerala have decoded genetic make-up of Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus) a highly potent medicinal plant found in Kerala. The genetic decoding project will open up a new window to the plant’s molecular secrets. It will serve as a valuable resource to expedite research on Arogyapacha. The manuscript on genome has been accepted for publication in G3: Genes, Genomes and Genetics, a scientific journal published by the Genetics Society of America.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Arogyapacha </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is known as ‘miracle plant’. In Malayalam arogyapacha means 'health green or green that gives strength '. It is endemic to the Agastya hills in the southern Western Ghats</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is known for its traditional use by the Kani tribal community to combat fatigue. These tribal people prepare tonic named "Jeevani " from this plant.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is quintessential wonder herb as it has anti-oxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory anti-tumour, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective and anti-diabetic properties.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It also has immune-enhancing and treating liver disease, stomach ulcers, fatigue, and sexual performance problems.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'arogyapacha-genome-miracle-plant', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/bf0d/rvlnx2sla3mzcda6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/bf0d/rvlnx2sla3mzcda6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Arogyapacha: Scientists decode genome of miracle plant', 'metakeyword' => 'Scientists from University of Kerala have decoded genetic make-up of Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus), a highly potent medicinal plant endemic to the Agastya hills in the southern Western Ghats', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists from University of Kerala have decoded genetic make-up of Arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus), a highly potent medicinal plant endemic to the Agastya hills in the southern Western Ghats', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/6w071uier444v89/Arogyapacha_Scientists_decode_genome_of_miracle_plant.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 32 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1536, 'title' => 'Research on Proton Therapy in India', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Union Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare) Ashwini Kumar Choubey in written reply in the Rajya Sabha informed about present status of Research on Proton Therapy in India. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Proton therapy is one of the advanced cancer treatment in which only the cancer cells are targeted and the rest of the body remains unharmed unlike chemotherapy or radiation therapy.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Key Facts</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">In the Government sector, research activities for research in proton therapy are mostly carried out by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Science and Technology and Department of Atomic Energy. National Cancer Institute (Jhajjar) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi has also collaborated with National Cancer Institute of USA. Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), a grant-in-aid Institution under Department of Atomic Energy also has initiated collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR ) for research in proton therapy</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Proton therapy</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is also called proton beam therapy. It is type of Radiation therapy that uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. Like x-ray radiation, proton therapy is type of external-beam radiation therapy. At high energy, protons can destroy cancer cells. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It enables larger doses of radiation to be used to treat cancers while significantly reducing damage to healthy tissue. It can also be combined with x-ray radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. </span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'research-proton-therapy-india', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0015/cf7yk3sa2cdp81f6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/0015/cf7yk3sa2cdp81f6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Research on Proton Therapy in India', 'metakeyword' => 'Union Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare) Ashwini Kumar Choubey in written reply in the Rajya Sabha informed about present status of Research on Proton Therapy in India', 'metadescription' => 'Union Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare) Ashwini Kumar Choubey in written reply in the Rajya Sabha informed about present status of Research on Proton Therapy in India', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/4syys16fx7j9188/Research_on_Proton.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 33 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1650, 'title' => 'NAPRT1: Scientists find new gene linked to schizophrenia', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Indian and Australian scientists in a collaborative effort have identified new gene called NAPRT1 which is directly linked to schizophrenia. It was identified after analysing genomes of more than 3000 individuals in 18 years. India’s R. Thara from Chennai based Schizophrenia Research Foundation was involved in this research.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Findings of this research </span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It identified gene called NAPRT1 – that encodes an enzyme involved in vitamin B3 metabolism – is directly linked to schizophrenia. It also found that those with schizophrenia were more likely to have a particular genetic variation. </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> These findings will help to shed more light on what makes people susceptible to schizophrenia and possible treatments for the future.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Schizophrenia</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is chronic and severe mental disorder, characterized by profound disruptions in thinking, sense of self and affecting language, perception. According to WHO, it affects more than 21 million people worldwide.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood (between ages 16 and 30). People affected with it may seem like they have lost touch with reality.</span></span></span></span></li> <li style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Causes:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Its exact causes are still not known, but it is believed that genetic as well as environmental factors such as exposure to viruses contribute to causation. Scientist also believes that life stressors may also play role in its onset and course.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'naprt1-scientists-find-new-gene-schizophrenia', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cffa/fxb8do1wr8ezaab6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cffa/fxb8do1wr8ezaab6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => ' Scientists find new gene linked to schizophrenia', 'metakeyword' => 'Indian and Australian scientists in a collaborative effort have identified new gene called NAPRT1  which is directly linked to schizophrenia.', 'metadescription' => 'Indian and Australian scientists in a collaborative effort have identified new gene called NAPRT1  which is directly linked to schizophrenia.', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/ob31rsb9rlvm9tb/NAPRT1_Scientists.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 34 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1759, 'title' => 'Next Generation Sequencing Facility inaugurated in Hyderabad', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Next Generation Sequencing (NSG) facility was recently inaugurated at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad (capital of Telangana). It is the fourth such facility in the country.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">NSG facility at CCMB</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It can sequence 18,000 samples in 8 minutes. It includes technology for high genome sequencing and also diagnostic sequencing of clinical samples. With this, CCMB can now sequence up to 30 human genomes or 384 diagnostic samples in a day.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Applications:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It will help prenatal genetic screening and counselling, thereby generating large scale genomic data critical for diagnosis and therapy. It will also be helpful for diagnostics of patients suffering from rare genetic disorders.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Genome sequencing</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is process of figuring out order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in genome—the order of adenines (A), cytosines (C), guanines (G), thymines (T) that make up an organism's DNA. Next Generation Sequencing allows parallel Genome sequencing, resulting in generation of Giga bases of data in a short amount of time.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Benefits of NGS:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> It reduces cost per genome significantly, making genomic data more accessible to individual researchers. It will make genomics an attractive and integral part of any successful bioscience research project.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'next-generation-sequencing-facility', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/676b/vkeviimkd6yu7nm6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/676b/vkeviimkd6yu7nm6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Next Generation Sequencing Facility inaugurated', 'metakeyword' => 'Next Generation Sequencing (NSG) facility was recently inaugurated at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad (capital of Telangana). ', 'metadescription' => 'Next Generation Sequencing (NSG) facility was recently inaugurated at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad (capital of Telangana).', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/sidaerf7agngg9p/Next_Generation_Sequencing.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 35 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1760, 'title' => 'Government bans Colistin in animal food industry', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued order prohibiting manufacture, sale and distribution of colistin and its formulations for food-producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements. This ban was imposed under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The Health Ministry order directs colistin manufacturers to affix label on container reading thus: Not to be used in food producing animals, poultry, animal feed supplements and aqua farming on the package, insert and promotional literature.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Significance</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in; text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">This ban order by Health Ministry is seen by activists across the country as the move as a “massive victory” for the movement against anti-microbial resistance (AMR). It will help to reduce overuse, misuse and arbitrary use of colistin and thus ensuring colistin does not enter food people eat, and thereby, people don’t develop resistance to the antibiotic within the country. It will limit Colistin to therapeutic usage only, thus help in reducing chances of developing resistance to it.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">About Colistin</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">It is valuable, last-resort antibiotic that saves lives in critical care units. It is effective against most Gram-negative bacilli. <strong>It is also known as polymyxin E. </strong>It is produced by certain strains of the bacteria <em>Paenibacillus polymyxa</em>.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Issues with it:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> In recent years, medical professionals have been alarmed by number of patients who have exhibited resistance to the drug. Late last year, researchers from Apollo Cancer Hospital, Chennai claimed that samples of raw food lifted from across Chennai had tested positive for colistin-resistant bacteria. It is widely used in animal feed as a growth supplement (mostly in poultry industry to fatten chickens). </span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Way forward:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> Bulk of colistin (nearly 95%) is imported from China, thus now it is imperative on Government to stop importing it within a short time to avoid is misuse.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'governt-bans-colistin-animal-food-industry', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/62b2/sf566yyubjhjf0c6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/62b2/sf566yyubjhjf0c6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Government bans Colistin in animal food industry', 'metakeyword' => 'Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued order prohibiting manufacture, sale and distribution of colistin and its formulations for food-producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements.', 'metadescription' => 'Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued order prohibiting manufacture, sale and distribution of colistin and its formulations for food-producing animals, ', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/kpnhvb5hwknl7je/Government_bans_Colistin_in_animal_food_industry.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 36 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1773, 'title' => 'SONALI: Jute fibre converted into low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets', 'description' => '<p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Scientists from Bangladesh have developed method to convert Jute fibre into low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets named 'Sonali' (means golden in Bengali)which can be used as wrapping material and carrying bag. It was developed by state-run Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC). The commercial production of these bags is likely to start by the year-end.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><strong><span style="font-family:Quicksand,serif"><span style="font-size:12px">About Sonali</span></span></strong></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">The physical qualities of these low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets from jute fibre are quite similar to non bio-degradable plastic. The eco-friendly jute poly bags made up of Sonali sheets look and feel much like plastic ones. They are not harmful for human health. They can be used as greener throwaway bags mainly used in garments and food packaging work as wrapping material and carrying bag</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left:0in; margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif"">Challenges:</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Quicksand","serif""> The large scale adoption of Sonali sheets is the relatively costlier as compared to production of polythene (plastic). However, cost of production of Sonali sheets on a large scale is expected to bring down the cost. For this purpose Bangladesh Government has approved US $900000 dollars in April 2019 from its climate change fund to help in large-scale production of these eco-friendly green bags.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'jute-fibre-low-cost-bio-degradable-cellulose-sheets', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2df5/2q5dm2j3oeo8pl86g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/2df5/2q5dm2j3oeo8pl86g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Jute fibre converted into low-cost bio-degradable', 'metakeyword' => 'Scientists from Bangladesh have developed method to convert Jute fibre into low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets named 'Sonali'', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists from Bangladesh have developed method to convert Jute fibre into low-cost bio-degradable cellulose sheets named 'Sonali'', 'author' => 'Nikhil Paigude', 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/byjs4jg36lxhqk1/SONALI_Jute_fibre_converted_into.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 37 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1902, 'title' => 'New Drug to treat Pancreatic Cancer', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A new drug has been approved by regulators that can treat Pancreatic Cancer more effectively.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Pancreatic cancer is particularly known for spreading to distant parts of the body, part of the reason overall five-year survival is just 9 per cent.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This form of cancer very resistant to chemotherapy drugs mainly due to its ability to form a hard layer that prevents chemo drugs from having its effect on the cells.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Features of Drug</span></span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Radiation and the </span></span><a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/chemotherapy+drug" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">chemotherapy drug</span></span></a> <a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/gemcitabine" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">gemcitabine</span></span></a><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">, which are the standard treatment for pancreatic cancer, both work by causing damage to </span></span><a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/dna" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">DNA</span></span></a><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">. But pancreatic cancer has a way of repairing that damage, which limits how effective these therapies can be</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">AZD1775 prevented pancreatic cancer from protecting itself against the effects of radiation and gemcitabine, while leaving normal cells relatively unaffected.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'new-drug-to-treat-pancreatic-cancer', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/24e3/k971hwb99fjmwwd6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/24e3/k971hwb99fjmwwd6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'New Drug to treat Pancreatic Cancer', 'metakeyword' => 'New Drug to treat Pancreatic Cancer', 'metadescription' => 'A new drug has been approved by regulators that can treat Pancreatic Cancer more effectively', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/jqdtyhq1ee9wcyz/New_Drug_to_treat_Pancreatic_Cancer.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 38 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1911, 'title' => 'IISc researchers develop new protein to kill drug-resistant bacteria', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have designed an <strong>Anti-Microbial Peptide (AMP) </strong>that, researchers say, can effectively and quickly kill a multidrug-resistant bacterium called</span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828"> <em>Acinetobacter baumannii.</em></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Antimicrobial resistance</span></span> <span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(AMR or AR) is the ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication that once could successfully treat the microbe.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Resistant microbes are more difficult to treat, requiring alternative medications or higher doses of antimicrobials. These approaches may be more expensive, </span></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_effect" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline" title="Adverse effect"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">more toxic</span></span></a> <span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">or both.</span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Details</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Researchers used a bioinformatics approach to design a new short protein (peptide) called <strong>Omega76</strong> that can kill</span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828"> <strong><em>A.</em></strong><em> <strong>baumannii</strong> </em><span style="background-color:whitesmoke">by breaking down its cell membrane.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">It was also found that high doses of <strong>Omega76</strong> given for prolonged periods did not produce any toxic effects. Since it is safe and effective, it is a promising candidate for developing new antibiotics,</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">While standard drugs act by “blocking specific pathways or processes in bacterial cells, bacteria can mutate to gain resistance against such drugs.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs</span></span></span></strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">) actually punch holes in the bacterial cell membrane. The chances of drug resistance are much lower because they act by multiple ways and cause actual physical damage.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p> </p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'iisc-researchers-develop-new-protein', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7233/d36hv21ltt0wck06g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7233/d36hv21ltt0wck06g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'IISc researchers develop new protein to kill', 'metakeyword' => 'IISc researchers develop new protein to kill', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have designed an Anti-Microbial Peptide (AMP) that, researchers say, can effectively and quickly kill', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/64lxzpqlcyr64go/IISc_researchers_develop_new_protein.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 39 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1919, 'title' => 'New drug-resistant TB medicine', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Treating drug-resistant </span></span></span><strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke">tuberculosis</span><span style="background-color:#ffffff"> </span></strong><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) — got a shot in the arm on August 14 when the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new drug <strong>Pretomanid.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">According to the WHO, the treatment success in MDR-TB patients is about 54%, while it is just 30% in the case of XDR-TB patients. Most drugs are ineffective in people with XDR-TB and so a combination of eight drugs for more than a year is need for XDR-TB treatment.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Drug resistant TB bacteria</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Antibiotic resistant bacteria</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <span style="background-color:white">are</span> bacteria <span style="background-color:white">that are not controlled or killed by antibiotics. They are able to survive and even multiply in the presence of an</span> antibiotic<span style="background-color:white">. Most infection-causing</span> bacteria <span style="background-color:white">can become</span> resistant <span style="background-color:white">to at least some antibiotics.</span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Details</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">People with TB who do not respond to at least <strong>isoniazid</strong> and <strong>rifampicin,</strong> the first-line TB drugs are said to have <strong>MDR-TB</strong>. People who are resistant to<strong> isoniazid and rifampin </strong>plus any other injectible drugs are said to have <strong>XDR-TB</strong>.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Pretomanid drug along with<strong> bedaquiline</strong> and<strong> linezolid</strong> is meant for treating adults with <strong>XDR-TB.</strong> These can be used only in those patients who cannot tolerate the MDR-TB treatment or do not respond to standard MDR-TB treatment regimen.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">Side effects of drugs</span></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">The FDA has approved the drug based on limited clinical safety. The Safety and effectiveness of the drug has been studied and established only when used in combination with <strong>bedaquiline</strong> and <strong>linezolid.</strong></span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">In trial it was reported to have caused serious adverse reactions including <strong>liver toxicity</strong> (hepatotoxicity), <strong>suppression of bone</strong> <strong>marrow activity</strong> leading to reduced production of red blood cells, as well as peripheral and optic neuropathy.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#282828">The drug can cause lactate to accumulate in the body leading to sharp reduction in the pH of the blood (<strong>lactic acidosis</strong>)</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p> </p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'new-drug-resistant-tb-medicine', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a90b/4wp5tcbvuqkcrpx6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/a90b/4wp5tcbvuqkcrpx6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'New drug-resistant TB medicine', 'metakeyword' => 'New drug-resistant TB medicine, drug-resistant, TB medicine', 'metadescription' => 'Treating drug-resistant tuberculosis multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) — got a shot in the arm on August 14 when the U.S. Food & Drug', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/lf0ispddobevhfh/New_drug-resistant_TB_medicine.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 40 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 1931, 'title' => 'Genetically Modified crops', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Maharashtra Chief minister-led panel has favored using genetically modified oil seed crops in restricted places.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:black">The Chief Ministers’ Panel on Agriculture is deliberating with other state governments on whether to permit genetically modified (GM) crops in the country in’ restricted spaces’. The move may take time as some state governments have opposed the introduction of GM crops.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:black">The issue of use of GM crops is a much debated one due to fears arising from various sections including environmentalists.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">What are GM crops?</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:black">Genetically Modified or GM Crops are that type of plants in which DNA has been modified through genetic engineering for imbedding a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species. Foods produced from or using GM organisms are often referred to as GM foods.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:40px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Potential of GM crops</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul style="margin-left:40px"> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">India exports 65% edible oil and to reduce this quantity, we need to develop a variety of oilseeds. GM crops are important in this regard.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">GM organisms</span></span> <span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">are likely to include plants with increased nutrient levels, plants producing pharmaceutically important molecules and plants with improved resistance to diseases, cold, or drought, thus suitable for increasing food security.</span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It reduces the use of pesticide and insecticide during farming. It can feed a rapidly increasing population because it shows dramatically increased yields. It can produce more output in small area of land.</span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-left:40px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Drawbacks of GM crops</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li style="list-style-type:none"> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="color:black">The production imposes high risks to the disruption of ecosystem and biodiversity because the “better” traits produced from engineering genes can result in the favoring of one organism. Hence, it can eventually disrupt the natural process of gene flow.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="color:black">It increases the cost of cultivation and more inclined towards marketization of farming that work on immoral profits.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="color:black">The transgenic crops endanger not only farmers but also the trade, and the environment as well. It is biologically altered. Hence, biotech foods may pose a human health risk.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'genetically-modified-crops', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/efcf/ikzzcm39zbdff2q6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/efcf/ikzzcm39zbdff2q6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Genetically Modified crops | GM crops', 'metakeyword' => 'Genetically Modified crops, GM crops', 'metadescription' => 'Maharashtra Chief minister-led panel has favored using genetically modified oil seed crops in restricted places', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/4sg23nutc9tuzcp/Genetically_Modified_crops.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 41 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2015, 'title' => 'India-Specific cancer genome database being developed', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the <strong>Indian Institute of Technology-Madras</strong>, is developing India-specific cancer genome database that will help identify biomarkers specific to the Indian population.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">According to the National Cancer Registry Programme of the India Council of Medical Research (ICMR), more than 1300 Indians die every day due to cancer. Between 2012 and 2014, the mortality rate due to cancer increased by approximately 6%.</span></span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> <em><span style="background-color:white">Cancer</span></em><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> burden in <em>India</em> has more than doubled over the last 26 years, the highest increase among all therapy areas.This makes research in cancer very important.</span></span></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Importance of research</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To concentrate on its prevention, researchers are focusing on genetics so that personalised drugs can be developed. It also aims at public-private partnership to generate funds for cancer treatment.</span></span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">This will help in early diagnosis, and also identify drug targets for the Indian population.</span></span></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">It would reduce the cost of genomics treatment for cancer. Samples taken to Western countries for testing, costs Rs.5- Rs.7 lakh. When done in India, the cost could come down to Rs.50,000.</span></span></span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'india-specific-cancer-genome-database', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/48c7/gjabir144h36x3z6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/48c7/gjabir144h36x3z6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'India-Specific cancer genome database being developed', 'metakeyword' => 'India-Specific cancer genome database being developed', 'metadescription' => 'The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, is developing India-specific cancer genome database', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/o4stb1dca3ruoup/India-Specific_cancer_genome.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 42 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2027, 'title' => 'Albino lizards to study human vision problems', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Issue</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">A team of scientists at the University of Georgia have overcome challenges to successfully make albino anole lizards, and say that it could help us better understand vision problems in humans with albinism.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Background</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">Humans with albinism often have problems with their vision, and researchers can use the lizards as a model to study how the gene impacts the development of the retina.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Details</span></span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">Reptiles like snakes, lizards, and crocodiles were considered off the gene-editing table because of the creatures' unusual reproductive systems. </span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">The scientists injected the females' unfertilized eggs with Crispr tech while they were still in the ovaries and then allowing mating and breeding to happen naturally.</span></span></span></span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">The genetic editing allowed lizards to be be born as albinos, which could be studied for gene’s role in vision related issues.</span></span></span></span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">CRISPR-Cas9</span></span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><br /> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">CRISPR gene editing is a method by which the </span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333">genomes</span></span><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#333333"> of living organisms may be edited. CRISPR-Cas genome editing techniques have many potential applications, including medicine and crop seed enhancement.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="color:#222222">Albinism</span></span></span></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Albinism</span></span><span style="background-color:white"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> is a congenital disorder characterized in humans by the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes. Albinism is associated with a number of vision defects, such as photophobia, nystagmus, and amblyopia. Lack of skin pigmentation makes for more susceptibility to sunburn and skin cancers.</span></span></span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'albino-lizards-to-study-human-vision-problems', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/79fa/ov6g35qxd1em1vl6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/79fa/ov6g35qxd1em1vl6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Albino lizards to study human vision problems', 'metakeyword' => 'Albino lizards to study human vision problems, study human vision problems', 'metadescription' => 'A team of scientists at the University of Georgia have overcome challenges to successfully make albino anole lizards, and say that it could help us', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/rgp474ofkialfqb/Albino_lizards_to_study_human_vision_problems.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 43 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2080, 'title' => 'Filter based kits developed for TB diagnosis', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Issue</span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To address the TB diagnostic challenges, a multi-institutional team has developed three cost-effective kits that improve the sensitivity of smear microscopy, enable transport of sputum samples at ambient temperature without using bio-safe containers, and extract DNA for diagnosing drug-resistant TB<span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="color:#282828">.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Background</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In India, each year, approx. 220,000 deaths are reported due to Tuberculosis. Between 2006 and 2014, the disease cost Indian economy USD 340 billion. This public health problem is the world's largest tuberculosis epidemic.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">India bears a disproportionately large burden of the world's tuberculosis rates, as it continues to be the biggest health problem in India.</span></span></li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Details</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The three kits developed are TB Detect, TB Concentration & Transport, and TB DNA Extraction.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The TB Detect kit is for diagnosis using LED fluorescence microscopy, while the TB Concentration & Transport, and the TB DNA Extraction kits together are for detection of drug-resistance.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The TB Detect kit helps increase the positivity of LED fluorescence microscopy by about 5%, while the TB DNA Extraction kit allows the detection of drug-resistant TB bacteria with a high level of sensitivity. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">TB detection kit uses a simple filter-based system to separate TB bacteria from the sputum to improve the sensitivity of LED fluorescence microscopy. In this, the sputum, which is viscous, is first liquefied using a proprietary reagent and pre-filtered. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The liquefied sputum containing the TB bacteria then comes in contact with a highly porous, plastic membrane filter made up of multiple fibrous pads kept at the base of the filter device. While the sputum gets sucked by the fibrous pad due to capillary forces, the bacteria remain on the membrane.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The membrane concentrates the bacteria in a small surface, which is about 1 cm in diameter. This leads to an increase in the detection limit by separating the bacteria from sputum.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Advantages of System</span></strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It becomes possible to detect TB bacteria even when they are fewer in number. </span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It also takes less time to examine a sample under a microscope which one minute whereas it is three-five minutes when the sputum is spread on a glass slide.</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The TB concentration & transport kit now makes it easy and simple to transport samples by transporting it in sealed covers at ambient temperature making containment at low temperature redundant. This is because the bacteria are killed using a disinfectant.</span></span></li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'filter-based-kits-developed-for-tb-diagnosis', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d17a/w5bh3glaxpwnvv06g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d17a/w5bh3glaxpwnvv06g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Filter based kits developed for TB diagnosis', 'metakeyword' => 'Filter based kits developed for TB diagnosis', 'metadescription' => 'To address the TB diagnostic challenges, a multi-institutional team has developed three cost-effective kits that improve the sensitivity of smear microscopy', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/fyzhbgx1mrk0wmp/Filter_based_kits_developed_for_TB_diagnosis.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 44 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2132, 'title' => 'Biocatalyst to cut disacharge during leather processing', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">A novel amylase-based biocatalyst developed by researchers at the Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai, helps in processing leather in an environment-friendly way and also drastically cutting the time taken to process the skin at the pre-tanning stage.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Pre-tanning process generates 60-70% of total pollution during processing. This pollution is responsible for polluting water bodies and their ecosystem. The new discovery can lead to reduction in water pollution.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">In the new proceess using bio-catalyst ,the quantum of effluent discharge is considerably cut as there is threefold reduction in water usage.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Chromium, that is used for increasing the stability of the collagen through cross-linking is less utilised. Since no chemicals are used, the chemical oxygen demand drops by about 35% while the total solid effluent load reduces by over 50%.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The reason why less chromium and water are required at the pre-tanning stage when the biocatalyst is used is primarily because of the 120-fold higher binding of the biocatalyst to the glycan sugar present predominantly in the skin.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Once the catalysts binds to the sugar, it selectively breaks down (hydrolysis) the sugar thus opening up the skin fibre without much effort.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Traditionally, enzymes take three-to-four hours to open the fibres. If lime and sulphate are used it takes 12 hours to complete the process. Using Bio-catalyst reduces the time required to 10 minutes.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Importance of Biocatalyst discovery</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The biocatalyst also penetrates deep into the skin unlike the traditionally used enzymes. Deep penetration of the biocatalyst ensures less amount of chromium to be used to increase the stability of the collagen and the quality of the finished leather also becomes superior.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">About 21% of the chromium used gets absorbed by the skin, which is far more than when other enzymes or chemical-based methods are used, leading to reduced chromium in the effluent discharge.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The biocatalyst is stable even at a high temperature of 90 degree C and pH 10 and so up to 95% of the enzyme can be recovered after a single process and reused.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><strong>Additional Information</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Biocatalysis refers to the use of living systems or their parts to speed up chemical reactions. In biocatalytic processes, natural catalysts, such as enzymes, perform chemical transformations on organic compounds.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'biocatalyst-cut-disacharge-leather-processing', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b14c/kwj3q0ueahplv7w6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b14c/kwj3q0ueahplv7w6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Biocatalyst to cut disacharge during leather processing', 'metakeyword' => 'Biocatalyst to cut disacharge during leather processing', 'metadescription' => 'The biocatalyst is stable even at a high temperature of 90 degree C and pH 10 and so up to 95% of the enzyme can be recovered after a single process and reused.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/okbyystlhplugr0/Biocatalyst_to_cut_disacharge.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 45 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2243, 'title' => 'Transgenic mosquitoes', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Genes from genetically-modified <em>Aedes aegypti </em>mosquito were found to have been transferred to naturally-occurring <em>A. aegypti </em>mosquito population in three areas in Brazil where transgenic mosquitoes were released as part of a pilot program to reduce population of disease causing mosquitoes.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">About 4,50,000 transgenic male mosquitoes were released each week for 27 months (June 2013 to September 2015) in three areas in Brazil.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> Genetic analysis of naturally occurring mosquitoes were done prior to the release and at six, 12, and 27-30 months after the releases to ascertain the effects of the move.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The transgenic strains can be distinguished from naturally-occurring mosquitoes by using fluroscent lights and filters. It was found that some transgenic genes were found in 10-60% of naturally-occurring mosquitoes.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tthe naturally occurring<em> A. aegypti </em>mosquitoes carrying some genes of the transgenic mosquitoes were able to reproduce in nature and spread to neighbouring areas 4 km away.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The genetic strategy employed to control <em>A. aegypti </em>population known as RIDL (the Release of Insects carrying Dominant Lethal genes) was supposed to only reduce the population of the naturally occurring A. aegypti mosquitoes and not affect or alter their genetics.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The offspring of the mosquitos are not supposed to grow to adult mosquitoes and reproduce as per claims made by the British company Oxitec Ltd, which had developed the technology and field-tested it in several countries.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>How Transgenic mosquitoes help in reducing disease burden?</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The transgenic male mosquitoes released frequently in large numbers would compete with the naturally occurring male mosquitoes to mate with the females.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Offspring from the mating of transgenic male mosquito and naturally occurring female mosquito do not survive to the adult stage.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This is because <strong>tetracycline</strong> drug, which prevents the dominant lethal gene from producing the lethal protein during rearing in labs, is not present in sufficient quantity in nature. In the absence of tetracycline, there is overproduction of the lethal protein causing the larvae to die.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Implications of the research</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The presence of transgenic mosquito genes in the natural population will affect the disease transmission capacity or can make mosquito control efforts more difficult.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'transgenic-mosquitoes', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b004/60vk0osd4piv4ma6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/b004/60vk0osd4piv4ma6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Transgenic mosquitoes', 'metakeyword' => 'The transgenic male mosquitoes released frequently in large ', 'metadescription' => 'The transgenic male mosquitoes released frequently in large numbers would compete with the naturally occurring male mosquitoes to mate with the females.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/9ab6lnx52trzox6/Transgenic_mosquitoes.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 46 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2289, 'title' => 'Sensor to detect drug resistant leukaemia', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A highly sensitive carbon nanotube based sensor capable of detecting multidrug-resistant myeloid leukaemia cells even when present at very low concentration of has been fabricated by researchers.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Compared with drug-sensitive leukemic cells, multidrug-resistant leukaemia cells have better ability to bind to the antibody found on the nanotubes.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The expression of P-glycoprotein transporter present on leukaemia cell surface gets enhanced when the cell becomes multidrug-resistant.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists used chemotherapy drug doxorubicin to make the leukaemia cells drug resistant and work in the research.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Using chemical vapour deposition technique, the sensor produced vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes were grown on a silicon wafer substrate.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To miniaturise the sensor and make it flexible, moisture-resistant and stable even at 180 degree C, the researchers transferred the carbon nanotubes to a flexible substrate made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To convert the carbon nanotubes into a sensor, the researchers functionalised the nanotubes. Nanotubes that are functionalised have better ability to bind to a leukaemia antibody, which in turn binds to the leukaemia cells present in the sample. As more antibodies get bound to carbon nanotubes, the sensitivity improves.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The presence of leukaemia cells bound to the antibody is determined by measuring a drop in the conductivity of the carbon nanotubes. To measure changes in conductivity, three electrodes , carbon nanotubes as a working electrode, a counter electrode made of platinum and a reference electrode are immersed in a electrolyte and a constant voltage is applied and a change in current is measured.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Leukaemia cells are insulating in nature. So the conductivity of carbon nanotubes reduces as the cells bind to the antibody. The more the concentration of cells bound to the antibody the greater is the reduction in the current flow.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'sensor-to-detect-drug-resistant-leukaemia', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/dbdf/gqwgd7rc3698lu66g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/dbdf/gqwgd7rc3698lu66g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Sensor to detect drug resistant leukaemia', 'metakeyword' => 'To convert the carbon nanotubes into a sensor, ', 'metadescription' => 'To convert the carbon nanotubes into a sensor, the researchers functionalised the nanotubes. Nanotubes that are functionalised have better ability', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/qcf2o3p1nl9bnuz/Sensor_to_detect_drug_resistant_leukaemia.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 47 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2290, 'title' => 'Genes involved in bipolar disorder identified', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A study by researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), in Bengaluru, identifies two specific genes which may be related to bipolar disorder.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The experiment involves doing thousands of genotyping reactions and a large amount of sequencing of reactions for a large family with several affected members. But researchers have clarified that, not all those at risk may develop the disease.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In a family if there are multiple members with the disorder, then those genes that are shared among the ill members, and not shared by the unaffected members can help identify the responsible gene.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group identified regions within chromosome 1 and chromosome 6 and, subsequently, found that variants of two genes (KANK4 and CAP2) were the likely candidates.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since the human genome is over three billion base pairs long, researchers use a number of markers to identify which region of the genome is shared, and look up the gene in that region.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers tell that the mutations in KANK4 and CAP2 are rare variants and occur in less than 1% of the population.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Understanding the consequences of this variation in biological processes in the brain and further analysis of these two genes in people with bipolar disorder will be beneficial and help understand the biological aspects of the disease.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Bipolar disorder</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bipolar disorder is an illness that affects about 0.8% of the global population. Also known as manic-depressive illness, it is characterised by mood swings, irrational behaviour and phases of mania or extreme highs, and at other times, phases of depression<span style="font-size:13.5pt"><span style="background-color:whitesmoke"><span style="color:#282828">.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'genes-involved-in-bipolar-disorder-identified', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c768/btodhtu3cp4sy2a6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/c768/btodhtu3cp4sy2a6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Genes involved in bipolar disorder identified', 'metakeyword' => 'can help identify the responsible gene.y if there are multiple me', 'metadescription' => 'In a family if there are multiple members with the disorder, then those genes that are shared among the ill members, and not shared by the unaffected members ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/081uojympc5jxgr/Genes_involved_in_bipolar_disorder_identified.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 48 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2453, 'title' => 'Protein that helps in precise gene editing', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers at CSIR-IGIB have discovered a protein variant from a different species of bacteria that can edit the DNA with very high precision.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In the currently used tool for gene editing, CRISPR technology, Cas9 protein behaves like a molecular scissors that cuts the DNA at a specific location and inserts a foreign piece of DNA to correct the mutation that causes the disease.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The commonly used Cas9 protein from <em>Strepotococcus pyogenes</em> bacteria (SpCas9) and its engineered derivative tend to potentially bind to DNA at multiple unintended sites thereby leading to unnecessary alterations in the DNA.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers found their new Cas9 protein, which binds and cuts the DNA, was able to correct sickle cell anaemia mutation in patient-derived stem cells. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The protein (FnCas9) used by the researchers to edit the DNA is derived from a bacterium — <em>Francisella novicida.</em></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Cas9 protein is supposed to bind to the DNA only when there is a perfect match between the DNA and the protein but the currently used SpCas9 protein binds and cleaves the DNA at unintended places.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new FnCas9 protein showed negligible binding when there exists more than one mismatch in the target DNA.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The FnCas9 protein was found to increase the HDR repair rate fourfold compared to the widely used SpCas9.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Problems associated with old cas9 protein</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If the Cas9 protein remains bound to DNA at mismatched locations for a long time, there is a possibility that it might cut the DNA at these locations.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Cas9, if bound at multiple unintended sites then the transcription machinery gets stalled and the expression of genes at these locations might be altered.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'protein-that-helps-in-precise-gene-editing', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1696/yyjh9p7rs3s2okb6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1696/yyjh9p7rs3s2okb6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Protein that helps in precise gene editing', 'metakeyword' => 'Protein that helps in precise gene editing', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers at CSIR-IGIB have discovered a protein variant from a different species of bacteria that can edit the DNA with very high precision.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/z39ccs7mpvqkxk2/Protein_that_helps_in_precise_gene_editing.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 49 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2519, 'title' => 'New Virus inspired technique to deliver drugs to brain', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have engineered small particles, similar to the size of viruses, to cross the protective border and reach the brain.</span></span><br /> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The research is path-breaking because a protective layer protects circulating blood from brain. The new particle could be used to deliver drugs to the brain more effectively in the future.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new method allowed for combination drug delivery through intravenous injection to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB).</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To make it possible, the scientists modified components from a virus that targets the brain called bacteriophage fd to deliver drugs across the BBB.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Importance</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Crossing the blood-brain-barrier has hindered the industry from effectively addressing central nervous system diseases, including brain tumours, and many neurological diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">But now since a new way has been discovered, there are more chances of having drugs that can treat these brain affecting neurodegenerative diseases.</span></span><br /> </p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'new-virus-inspired-technique-to-deliver', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/dc7f/fzccqfnjioh6r6s6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/dc7f/fzccqfnjioh6r6s6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'New Virus inspired technique to deliver drugs to brain', 'metakeyword' => 'New Virus inspired technique to deliver drugs to brain', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers have engineered small particles, similar to the size of viruses, to cross the protective border and reach the brain.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/sp8htbfu0zvlgkk/New_Virus_inspired_technique_to_deliver_drugs_to_brain.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 50 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2526, 'title' => 'Protein that kills anti-biotic resistant strain of bacteria', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Issue</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune have discovered novel protein targets that can be used by candidate drug molecules to kill antibiotic-resistant strains of <em>Staphylococcus aureus,</em> including<strong> vancomycin-</strong>resistant <em>S. Aureus.</em></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Antibiotic resistance is the ability of a microorganism to withstand the effects of an antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance evolves naturally via natural selection through random mutation, but it could also be engineered by applying an evolutionary stress on a population.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The protein targets identified are crucial for the growth and survival of the bacteria.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><em>S. aureus </em>are less likely to cause mutations in them to confer drug-resistance.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Any drug candidate that can bind to the targets will be able to inhibit the protein from functioning leading to eventual death of <em>S. aureus,</em> including the drug-resistant ones.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The researchers used a small molecule (quinone epoxide) and attached an indole residue to it to increase the ability of the molecule to cross the cell barrier of the bacteria and bind to the proteins.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The small molecule binds itself to multiple proteins, including those that are crucial for growth and survival of the bacteria. These proteins are crucial as they bind to the DNA and activate it for normal cellular functioning.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The small molecule was found to bind to a particular amino acid (cysteine) that is very important for many catalytic functions in the cell. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Inhibiting the functioning of this amino acid can have a cascading effect leading to death of the bacteria.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'protein-that-kills-anti-biotic-resistant-strain-of-bacteria', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e072/wsie00slk81l7626g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e072/wsie00slk81l7626g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Protein that kills anti-biotic resistant strain of bacteria', 'metakeyword' => 'Protein that kills anti-biotic resistant strain of bacteria', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune have discovered novel protein targets that can be used by candidate', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/q0140epgfdo94ej/Protein_that_kills_anti-biotic_resistant_strain_of_bacteria.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 51 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2643, 'title' => 'CSIR offers free mapping of Indian genomes', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Indians interested for having their genes mapped can join the IndiGen initiative, a programme managed by the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB).</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The programme is a culmination of a six-month project by the CSIR in which 1000 Indians, had their genomes scanned in detail. They were chosen from across the land to represent the width of genetic variability.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Those who do get their genes mapped this way will get a card and access to an app, which will allow them and doctors to access clinically actionable information on their genomes.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The aim of the exercise was twofold: To test if it’s possible to rapidly and reliably scan several genomes and advise people on health risks that are manifest in their gene and, understand the variation and frequency of certain genes that are known to be linked to disease.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A genetic test, which is commercially available at several outlets in the country, usually involves analysing only a portion of the genome that’s known to contain aberrant genes linked to disease.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The outcomes of IndiGen will have applications in a number of areas including faster and efficient diagnosis of rare genetic diseases.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The IndiGenome card and app ensures privacy and data security, which is vital for personal genomics to be implemented at scale.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Genetic mapping</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gene mapping describes the methods used to identify the locus of a gene and the distances between genes.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0cm"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Importance</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Genetic mapping can offer firm evidence that a disease transmitted from parent to child is linked to one or more genes.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mapping also provides clues about which chromosome contains the gene and precisely where the gene lies on that chromosome.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Genetic maps have been used successfully to find the gene responsible for relatively rare, single-gene inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Genetic maps are also useful in guiding scientists to the many genes that are believed to play a role in the development of more common disorders such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and psychiatric conditions.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'csir-offers-free-mapping-of-indian-genomes', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ecc8/2fl3f7njqbf7f7j6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/ecc8/2fl3f7njqbf7f7j6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'CSIR offers free mapping of Indian genomes', 'metakeyword' => 'Genetic maps have been used successfully to find the', 'metadescription' => 'Genetic maps have been used successfully to find the gene responsible for relatively rare, single-gene inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Duchenne ', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/gudkjshxqx9hop8/CSIR_offers_free_mapping_of_Indian_genomes.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 52 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 2952, 'title' => 'Using E.Coli to study cell wall development in bacteria', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers have identified an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the enlargement and growth of bacteria, by studying <em>E. coli.</em></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">One of the most important features of a bacterium is its cell wall which protects it from external environmental conditions and also internal pressure and keeps it in shape. Harming the cell wall causes irreversible damage to the bacterium and eventually kills it.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The enzyme MepK helps in cutting a particular class of bonds that connect the peptidoglycan, which is a sac-like molecule that envelops the cell. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This action allows more material to be added to the cell wall, making a larger compartment for the cell to reside in.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bacteria die when the integrity of the cell wall is destroyed. Its crucial role in maintaining the wellbeing of the bacterium makes the cell wall a target of study, especially by scientists interested in developing new drug strategies to combat the bacteria.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Earlier research showed that opening the cell wall by hydrolysing enzymes is crucial for the new material to be incorporated into it, leading to the cell’s expansion and elongation.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The cell wall is made up mostly of a single net-like molecule (peptidoglycan) which consists of many sugar polymers interconnected by short peptides. It encloses the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The peptides connecting the bag-like structure are cross-linked in several ways. The significance to this work is the link between particular amino acid residues located on adjacent peptide chains. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This is a rare component present only in bacterial cell walls and is known as mDAP for short.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group identified an enzyme (MepK) which helps in breaking down the bond between two mDAP residues. This leads to cutting the molecular mesh and thus aiding the growth (or enlargement) of the cell.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The study has higher significance in organisms like <em>Clostridia</em> and <em>M. tuberculosis</em> because cell walls of these bacteria have very high levels of mDAP-mDAP type of cross-links. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The next course of experiments would be identifying small-molecule inhibitors for this class of enzymes and also to understand the molecular mechanisms by which the cell wall growth is initiated.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'using-e-coli-to-study-cell-wall-development-in-bacteria', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/502e/ltke0gr20tu20kn6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/502e/ltke0gr20tu20kn6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Using E.Coli to study cell wall development in bacteria', 'metakeyword' => 'Using E.Coli to study cell wall development in bacteria', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers have identified an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the enlargement and growth of bacteria, by studying E. coli.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/bdu4syiyiwm7kjj/Using_E_Coli_to_study_cell_wall_development_in_bacteria.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 53 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 3006, 'title' => 'Typhoid vaccine', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A typhoid vaccine (Typbar TCV) developed by the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has shown 81.6% efficacy in preventing typhoid fever at 12 months in a Phase-III clinical trial.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine confers protection two-three weeks after vaccination. The duration of protection is currently not known. The trial was carried out in Nepal in over 10,000 children who received the vaccine.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A single does of the vaccine was found to be effective in preventing typhoid in children aged nine months to 16 years.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Typbar TCV vaccine was recommended by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (WHO-SAGE) in December 2017. WHO prequalified the vaccine in January 2018.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Nearly 11 million fall sick due to typhoid and about 1,17,000 deaths are reported each year. The bacteria spread through contaminated food or water.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Typbar TCV typhoid vaccine tested in Nepal is a conjugate vaccine. Conjugate vaccine is one in which the is chemically linked to a carrier protein.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Two other typhoid vaccines<strong> </strong>such as polysaccharide typhoid vaccine and live weakened typhoid vaccine are already used commercially. But the efficacy of the vaccines to protect against typhoid is lower than the conjugate vaccine that was tested in Nepal.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The conjugate vaccine can be given to babies as young as six months, while the other two vaccines cannot be given to children below two years of age.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">While typhoid bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, the microbes have developed resistance against multiple antibiotics. Multi-drug resistant typhoid bacteria (XDR) are seen in south Asia including India. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In Pakistan, a strain of typhoid has developed resistance to all but one of the antibiotics used to treat the disease.<strong> </strong>Pakistan is the first country to introduce the typhoid conjugate vaccine as part of its national immunisation programme.<strong> </strong></span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Typhoid</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a bacterial infection due to a specific type of Salmonella that causes symptoms. Typhoid fever spreads through contaminated food and water.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Symptoms include high fever, headache, stomach pain, weakness, vomiting and loose stools. Treatment includes antibiotics and fluids.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'typhoid-vaccine', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e007/961ds56o3f8b7lj6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/e007/961ds56o3f8b7lj6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Typhoid vaccine | A typhoid vaccine (Typbar TCV)', 'metakeyword' => 'Typhoid vaccine, A typhoid vaccine (Typbar TCV)', 'metadescription' => 'A typhoid vaccine (Typbar TCV) developed by the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has shown 81.6% efficacy in preventing typhoid fever at 12 months', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/nomtj7polfm5pmz/Typhoid_vaccine.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 54 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 3024, 'title' => 'Molecule to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee identified a potent molecule that exhibits broadspectrum bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria, <em>Escherichia coli,</em> <em>Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae </em>and <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis.</em></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule identified by IIT Roorkee kills the bacteria by damaging the DNA and by inhibiting cell division. This also ensures that there is no further replication in bacteria that can cause drug resistance.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule also shows antibacterial activity against <em>Staphylococcus aureus </em>and diarrhoea causing <em>Clostridium difficile.</em></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule belongs to the nitrofuran class of antibiotics — nitrofurantoin and furazolidone — which are routinely used for treating urinary tract infections and intestinal ailments, respectively.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule kills the bacteria by damaging their DNA as well as by inhibiting cell division. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When half the concentration required to kill the bacteria was used, the researchers found the daughter cells were unable to separate on cell division, leading to the bacteria forming into long filaments.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Since the molecule targets two pathways to kill the bacteria, microbes are less prone to resistance generation or would take a longer time to develop resistance.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule was found to be effective against both gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as against anaerobic bacteria such as <em>C. dificile.</em></span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bacteria are less likely to develop resistance against a pro-drug as it becomes active only after getting inside the bacteria.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The molecule was effective against persister bacteria that remain in a dormant state. Persister bacteria can survive high doses of antibiotic treatment and are responsible for causing recurring bacterial infections. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Bacteria generally can tolerate antibiotics by flushing out the drugs using the efflux pumps. But the efflux pump mechanism was unable to flush out the molecules from within the bacteria.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Generally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by a drug helps kill the bacteria. But in this case, generation of the reactive oxygen species followed bacterial killing.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'molecule-to-combat-multi-drug-resistant-bacteria', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1dfe/xzc0haulwu8tvii6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/1dfe/xzc0haulwu8tvii6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Molecule to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria', 'metakeyword' => 'Molecule to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria', 'metadescription' => 'Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee identified a potent molecule that exhibits broadspectrum bactericidal activity against multidrug', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'http://www.mediafire.com/file/fnz96rxsnimhd8v/Molecule_to_combat_multi-drug_resistant_bacteria.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 55 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 3306, 'title' => 'Genome of Indian cobra sequenced', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A team of Indian researchers and their collaborators abroad have sequenced the genome of the highly poisonous Indian cobra.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This research may go a long way in reducing mortality and disability from snake bites. This also makes Indian cobra the first among the most venomous four Indian snakes, which are collectively called the infamous “big four”, to be genetically mapped.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The Indian cobra, together with the common krait, Russell’s viper and saw scaled viper, accounts for nearly 46,000 snake bite deaths in the country every year.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Worldwide, 5.4 million snake bites occur every year, with 2.8 million of them in India. They are responsible for 4,00,000 disabilities globally, of which 1,38,000 are from India.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Through study, the researchers found that the Indian cobra genome has 19 key toxin genes, primarily expressed in the venom glands of the snake.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Targeting these toxins using synthetic human antibodies should lead to a safe and effective anti-venom for treating Indian cobra bites.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Currently, antivenom is produced by immunising horses with extracted snake venom and is based on a process developed over 100 years ago. This process is laborious and suffers from a lack of consistency leading to varying efficacy and serious side-effects.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Venom is also a great source of drug-like molecules. The Indian cobra genome is no exception and it codes for toxin molecules that can block pain, reduce blood pressure and prevent blood clotting.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientists say that the next step would be to use this genomic blueprint for venom toxins to make recombinant proteins, generate neutralising antibodies and test them in the clinic.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This high-quality genome will not only be a wonderful resource for understanding the evolution of the medically important snake and its venom repertoire but can also be very useful for the innovation of next generation recombinant antivenoms.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'genome-of-indian-cobra-sequenced', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7c48/s4f0zrzlsfh804i6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/7c48/s4f0zrzlsfh804i6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Genome of Indian cobra sequenced', 'metakeyword' => 'Genome of Indian cobra sequenced', 'metadescription' => 'A team of Indian researchers and their collaborators abroad have sequenced the genome of the highly poisonous Indian cobra.', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/qg1pskckggckl7k/Genome_of_Indian__cobra_sequenced.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 56 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 3308, 'title' => 'Cheaper pneumococcal vaccine', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">A vaccine against a leading cause of deadly childhood pneumonia, the pneumococcus bacterium, has achieved prequalification by the World Health Organization (WHO).</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine is developed though a collaboration spanning over a decade between Serum Institute of India, Pvt., Ltd. (SIIPL) and PATH and with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The vaccine is expected to provide protection for children on par with other pneumococcal conjugate vaccines at a price that is more affordable for low- and middle-income countries.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In addition to pneumonia, the pneumococcus bacterium causes other serious, life-threatening diseases like meningitis and sepsis. It is estimated to cause nearly 400,000 deaths in children under five years of age each year worldwide.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have helped significantly reduce pneumococcal deaths and illness where introduced but are difficult for many countries to afford.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are among the most complex vaccines to manufacture.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The current manufacturing process has been optimized to make it more efficient, reducing costs while preserving vaccine quality and making the vaccine a more affordable option for countries with the highest burdens of pneumococcal disease.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Conjugate vaccine</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Conjugate vaccines combine a weak antigen with a strong antigen as a carrier so that the immune system has a stronger response to the weak antigen.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The antigen of some pathogenic bacteria does not elicit a strong response from the immune system, so a vaccination against this weak antigen would not protect the person later in life. In this case, a conjugate vaccine is used in order to invoke an immune system response against the weak antigen.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Pneumonia</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs with a range of possible causes. It can be a serious and life-threatening disease. It normally starts with a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.</span></span></p> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'cheaper-pneumococcal-vaccine', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/771b/82y0z3jf43tq91m6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/771b/82y0z3jf43tq91m6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Cheaper pneumococcal vaccine', 'metakeyword' => 'Cheaper pneumococcal vaccine', 'metadescription' => 'A vaccine against a leading cause of deadly childhood pneumonia, the pneumococcus bacterium, has achieved prequalification by the World Health', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/zaey8hnn9w0q9ff/Cheaper_pneumococcal_vaccine.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 57 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 3386, 'title' => 'Breakthrough in fight against Malaria', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists at the CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have announced development of an alternative and economic way of gene delivery within the <em>Plasmodium Falciparum</em> cells, responsible for majority of severe cases of malaria and deaths, called the ‘<strong>Lyse-Reseal’</strong> method.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates 3.4 billion people across 92 countries to be at risk of being infected with Plasmodium parasites and suffering from malaria<strong>. </strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Malaria occurs when Plasmodium parasites grow in the oxygen-carrying Red Blood Cells (RBCs) in the body. A malaria biologist has to cross a four-membrane layer to reach the genes. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Gene delivery into the target cells is a popular choice to manipulate and study gene functions with the widely used method ‘electroporation’ where pores are created in the cell membrane using electric field to send desired chemicals like DNA.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The team working with Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’ has been able to fill in RBCs by opening them up, a process also called ‘lyse’, with circular DNA of their choice. The RBCs are then resealed to close the pores and these are infected with Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The parasite goes inside the RBC and passively takes up the DNA from RBC. The DNA eventually ends up in the parasite’s nucleus with its own genes. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The group has shown the technique to be as effective as ‘electroporation’ with two different Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’ strains and claim it works with 10 times lesser DNA than what is needed in ‘electroporation.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The scientific group also demonstrated that RBCs of blood group ‘O+’ provide the most efficient delivery of DNA into Plasmodium ‘Falciparum’ in vitro.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Ease of making genetic alterations in the parasite will help in better understanding the biology of malaria pathogen and, thereby, help in control of the malaria parasite better.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'breakthrough-in-fight-against-malaria', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d17c/sswox3i4w8lfunb6g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d17c/sswox3i4w8lfunb6g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Breakthrough in fight against Malaria', 'metakeyword' => 'Breakthrough in fight against Malaria', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists at the CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have announced development of an alternative and economic way of gene delivery', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/tk8veql413vd8px/Breakthrough_in_fight_against_Malaria.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 58 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 3437, 'title' => 'Xenobots: The living machines', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists in the United States have created the world’s first “living machines”, tiny robots built from the cells of the African clawed frog, that can move around on their own.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Background</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They have named the millimetre-wide robots “xenobots”, after the species of aquatic frog found across sub-Saharan Africa from Nigeria and Sudan to South Africa, Xenopus laevis.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Scientists have repurposed living cells scraped from frog embryos and assembled them into entirely new life-forms.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Their primary goal is to use the cutting-edge critters to better understand how cells of all sorts communicate with one another.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The xenobots can move toward a target, and pick up a payload (like a medicine that needs to be carried to a specific place inside a patient) and heal themselves after being cut.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The new creatures were designed on a supercomputer at the university, and then assembled and tested by biologists at Tufts University. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The bot can perform functions like searching out nasty compounds or radioactive contamination, gathering microplastic in the oceans, travelling in arteries to scrape out plaque.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The latest research is a breakthrough because it designs, for the first time ever, completely biological machines from the ground up.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The use of living cells to achieve the simulated designs and behaviors is an especially promising indication of our future ability to generate bio-compatible robots, and soft robots that leverage the resiliency and intelligence of living tissues.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> ', 'created_date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {}, 'posturl' => 'xenobots-the-living-machines', 'image' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/8e7d/q8ka9vb2f7qr7n46g.jpg', 'fbimage' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/8e7d/q8ka9vb2f7qr7n46g.jpg', 'metatitle' => 'Xenobots: The living machines', 'metakeyword' => 'Xenobots: The living machines', 'metadescription' => 'Scientists in the United States have created the world’s first “living machines”, tiny robots built from the cells of the African clawed frog, that can move around', 'author' => null, 'downlaodpdf' => 'https://www.mediafire.com/file/iv0i26cutpzq347/Xenobots_The_living_machines.pdf/file', '[new]' => false, '[accessible]' => [ [maximum depth reached] ], '[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]], '[repository]' => 'currentaffairs' }, (int) 59 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) { 'tag' => 'Biotechnology', 'keyword' => 'biotechnology', 'id' => (int) 3502, 'title' => 'Stem cell banking', 'description' => '<p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Issue</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Stem cell banking or preservation is the extraction, processing and storage of stem cells, so that they may be used for treatment in the future, when required. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Stem cells</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood are like those taken from bone marrow, capable of producing all blood cells: red cells, platelets and immune system cells. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When used, stem cells are first concentrated, and then injected into the patient. Once transfused, they produce new cells of every kind.</span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">They're capable of producing all types of blood cells: red cells, platelets and immune system cells. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The stem cells can treat around 70 blood related disorders and genetic disorders including thalassemia, sickle cell anaemia, leukaemia, and immune related disorders.</span></span></p> </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Harvesting stem cells</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The blood collected from the umbilical cord of the newborn is a rich source of stem cells. This blood is collected and sent to a cord blood bank, where the stem cells are separated, tested, processed, and preserved in liquid nitrogen. Technically, there is no expiry date and these stem cells can be preserved for a lifetime.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Drawbacks</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The primary disadvantage of cord blood banking is that it isn’t a cheap procedure and many families may not be able to afford it. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The odds that any given child will need their cord blood are only about 1 in 217. 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style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Stem cell banking or preservation is the extraction, processing and storage of stem cells, so that they may be used for treatment in the future, when required. </span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"> </p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Details</strong></span></span></p> <p style="margin-right:0in"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><strong>Stem cells</strong></span></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood are like those taken from bone marrow, capable of producing all blood cells: red cells, platelets and immune system cells. </span></span></p> </li> <li> <p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">When used, stem cells are first 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