Mobile phone manufacturers enter electric vehicle market

Science & technology
CURRENT AFFAIRS 5 jan
GitHub
Issue
The GitHub platform has been used once again to host a page named 'Bulli
Bai' that showed Muslim women in bad light.
Background
A similar page named ‘Sulli deals’ was seen few months back on the same
GitHub platform.
Details
The IT ministry sent a request to the coding platform to remove the
derogatory page, after which the page has been removed.
GitHub
 The platform was launched by Tom Preston-Werner, Chris Wanstrath, PJ
Hyett, and Scott Chacon in 2007. It was acquired by Microsoft in 2018.
 GitHub is a coding repository where software developers and coders
can store their codes online. It is not a social media platform.
 The platform contains a feature called ‘Git’ that shows changes made
to software using version control, allowing greater coordination between
multiple coders.
Functioning
 The platform is usually used by developers, coders and software
engineers, but any lay person can open a free account on GitHub.
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 The coders can isolate parts of their codes according to the needs and
later merge them after improving or fixing bugs.
 The platform is extensively used for open-source software development
where multiple coders can contribute to improve software.
Anonymity
Users can decide to remain anonymous while joining the platform as only
email id is required for creating account.
The Bulli Bai app controversy

 The word ‘bulli’ is a derogatory terms for certain section of people.
Several photos of women belonging to Muslim community were uploaded on
the platform for ‘auction’.
 The women belonged to various professions such as activists, journalists
as well as artists. A similar app called ‘Sulli deals’ was earlier hosted on the
platform.
NOTES
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IHU variant of Covid-19
Issue
A newly discovered highly-mutated variant of Covid-19 called IHU is causing
panic among people.
Background
The new variant was discovered in France and has been officially designated
as B.1.640.2. The variant is said to have 46 mutations, including some in the
spike protein.
Details
 The new variant has been found in other countries as well apart from
France. It is not a new one and has been around since more than 3 months.
 The variant came back in news after a similar one was found among a
group of travelers who had visited Cameron.
 The newly discovered variant has been named IHU after it was found to
have similarities to B.1.640, which was first discovered in January last year.
Spread of cases
 About 427 cases have so far been registered across the globe. Majority
of the cases are in France. There is also one case from India among 90,000
samples studied.
 It has been identified across 19 countries of the world. There are about
17 cases from Germany and 16 from the United Kingdom.
 The B.1.640 variant had been classified by the WHO as variant under
monitoring, or VUM. This means that the variant will be monitored with
interest.
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Relief
The initial studies have shown that the B.1.640 is not spreading at a rate that
is concerning. It is not as dangerous as Omicron variant.
NOTES
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Mobile phone manufacturers enter car making
Issue
Global electronics hardware manufacturers have been increasing their
interests in electric vehicles (EVs) with potentially autonomous capabilities.
Details
 The interest in self-driving EVs is driven by the fact that these vehicles
are majorly software-infused transportation platforms.
 The earlier hard-ware based vehicles have been increasingly ignored
for modern soft-ware driven ones. The moving parts in modern future cars
are significantly lower.
 Software and specialised hardware functionalities in EVs are extremely
augmented in self-driving cars. For strong electronics developers it is a
natural progression.
Sony’s plan
 Japanese electronics manufacturer Sony plans to enter e-vehicle
segment by launching a separate company called Sony Mobility.
 Sony has strong presence in sensors and entertainment devices. It
wants to leverage its expertise in developing next-generation mobility
solutions.
Other companies
 Huawei has launched a new vehicle called the Aito M5. It is a great
competitor to Tesla in Chinese EV market.
www.studyiq.com
 Apple is also currently working on a secretive car project code-named

Project titan. It has been hiring experts from automotive industry.
Self-driving segments
Many companies are involved in self-driving sector. Alphabet’s Waymo self-
driving car division has seen work stuck so as Uber’s.
NOTES
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Effects of Covid-19 vaccines on menstrual cycle
Issue
A new study has tried to identify the effects of Covid-19 vaccines on women’s
menstrual cycle.
Background
There have not been enough studies carried out on women’s menstrual cycle
under the influence of vaccines.
Details
 The study focused on the data of nearly 4,000 US based individuals. It
was published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.
 Temporary changes in the length of their monthly menstrual cycles can
be observed by some people after taking Covid-19 vaccine.
 Typically, the women who receive Covid-19 may observe that their
menstrual cycles start a day later than they are supposed to.
The study
 The study was conducted using an application called ‘Natural Cycles’.
The participants were between the ages of 18 and 45 years and had normal
menstrual cycles for three consecutive cycles before taking vaccine.
 Majority of vaccinated women received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (55
percent) and about 35 percent received the Moderna vaccine.
 In most cases, the change has been a single day. However, individuals
receiving two vaccine doses within the same menstrual cycle may see that
their cycle length increase by two days.
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 Such changes vanish quickly and by next cycle normality is restored.

However, the vaccines did not impact the length of periods or on bleeding.
Limitations of study
 The study is not universal as all participants are US citizens, educated,
white and do not use any hormonal contraception.
 There is no enough data to study long term effects on cycle duration
after finding that cycles return to normalcy after one cycle.
NOTES
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The Light Combat Aircraft programme
Issue
The LCA-MK1A is expected to take flight in June this year after getting all
required components fitted from Israel.
Background
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas was first conceptualized in 1984. It has
eventually managed to deliver after multiple delays.
Details
The indigenous single engine 4.5 generation multi-role fighter jet was
christened ‘Tejas’ by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The LCA programme

 Indian Defence Ministry has signed an Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL to
supply 83 LCA-Mk1A to the IAF. This includes 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter
aircraft and 10 LCA Mk-1 trainer aircraft.
 Mk-1A will have many modifications over the Mk-1 variant. This
includes Electronic Warfare system, Advanced Electronically Scanning Array
(AESA) radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles and network warfare
system including Software Defined Radio (SDR).
LCA development programme

 The Phase I of the programme included designing and developing two
Technology Demonstrators (TDs) at a cost of Rs 2,188 crore.
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 Phase-II of the programme included fabrication of three Prototype

Vehicles (PVs), production facility at HAL for production of eight aircraft per
year and manufacturing and delivery of eight Limited Series Production (LSP)
aircraft.
Way forward
 The first three MK1A aircraft has to be delivered to IAF in 2024 followed
by 16 aircraft per year for the next five years, according to the contract.
 Two additional assembly lines have been operationalised by HAL to
ramp up production. Back end activities have also been going on.
 The current indigenous content is about 52% in the LCA. The HAL is
planning to increase it to 65% in next few years.
 HAL is also pitching its products to foreign countries in South East Asia
and West Asia. The LCA Tejas is competing in Malaysia.
Upgradation
 The LCA-MK2 aircraft is expected to be ready soon. It has the ability to
carry heavy standoff weapons like Scalp, Crystal Maze and Spice-2000 and
enhance capability.
 The DRDO and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) are developing
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and a new Twin Engine Deck
Based Fighter (TEDBF) to operate from aircraft carriers.
NOTES
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BrahMos advanced variant
Issue
The new sea-to-sea variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was test
fired from INS Vishakhapatnam.
Details
 The naval variant was initially tested in October and December 2020
from the Navy’s indigenously-built stealth destroyers INS Chennai and
Rajput-class destroyer INS Ranvijay.
 It can be launched either in a vertical or a horizontal mode from
moving/stationary assets to target both land and sea targets.
Significance
The missile provides additional operational capabilities to the Navy. It also
certifies the accuracy of the ship’s combat system.
BrahMos
 BrahMos is joint collaboration between Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) and Mashinostroyenia of Russia.
 It is capable of being launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against
surface and sea-based targets.
 The initial range of the missile was capped at 290 km but will soon be
extended after India became a member of MTCR. It can now be extended to
450 km and to 600km at a later stage.
www.studyiq.com
INS Vishakhapatnam
INS Vishakhapatnam is the first of the Project-15B class stealth guided missile
destroyers constructed indigenously.
NOTES
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Surgeons transplant pig heart in human
Issue
For the first time ever, doctors have managed to transplant heart of a
genetically modified pig into a human body.
Background
The patient was ineligible for a conventional or artificial heart due to his
medical conditions. Heart from a pig was a last shot.
Details
 Transplanting organs across different species is known as
Xenotransplantation. The experiment first took place in 1984 when a baby
received a baboon heart.
 The surgery was a success but the baby could not survive owing to the
rejection by her body’s immune system.
 However, since many years, pig heart valves have been used to replace
damaged human valves.
Need for genetically engineered pig

 The pig was genetically modified to make at least 10 genetic
modifications that are needed to prevent rapid rejection of foreign organs by
the human body.
 GalSafe pigs were used in the surgery. The pig had undergone genetic
modification to remove gene that codes for Alpha-gal (a sugar molecule),
which can elicit a devastating immune response in humans.
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Modifications in pig
 Carbohydrate antigens were eliminated by removing of the CMAH and
Beta-4-Gal genes of the pig.
 To maintain a human-sized organ, the growth hormone receptor gene
was also removed.
 Two human anti-coagulant genes (EPCR and Thrombomodulin), and two
human immune-modulating genes (CD47 and HO1) were inserted.
Significance
If Xenotransplantation becomes successful in the long run, it would provide
humans alternative source for damaged body organs.
NOTES
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Meteorite suggests existence of life on Mars
Issue
A new scientific study has managed to give explanation of some of the
organic compounds found on meteorite called (ALH) 84001.
Background
Earlier it was believed that these organic compounds were proof of ancient,
primitive life on Mars.
Details
 The meteorite ALH 84001 arrived on Earth in 1984 from Mars. Among
many assumptions, it was believed that compounds could have come from
volcanic activity, impact events on Mars or hydrological exposure.
 Eventhough no material from Mars has been analyzed till now, the
meteorite certainly came from Mars as it had the presence of traces of
certain gases that can only occur in Mars.
Study on organic compounds

 The study says that the organic compounds found in the meteorite were
a result of the interactions between water and rocks that occurred on Mars. It
was similar to that of Earth.
 This reaction between water and rock forms various organic compounds
from which life could have evolved.
ALH 84001 meteorite
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 The meteorite was discovered at the Far Western Icefield of Allan Hills in
Antarctica by a US meteorite hunting expedition group.
 It was the most unusual rock collected. The rock was shaped like a
rounded brick or a large potato.
 The outer layer was covered with black glass (like it was dipped in tar). It
is known as fusion crust and forms on all meteorites when they burn through
the Earth’s atmosphere.
Meteorite
Meteorite is a space object that enters the Earth’s atmosphere and hits the
ground. It is believed that they may contain clues about the beginning of the
solar system.
NOTES
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Europe dealing with energy crisis
Issue
Europe is facing a natural gas shortage of high magnitude. The reserves
have been all-time low and prices have gone up.
Background
Natural gas is the major source for heating homes during the harsh winters.
Customers are already facing high bills.
Details
 European countries import majority of their energy from middle-east.
The pandemic has affected supply chains and raised costs.
 Countries rely on underground gas stored in caverns to handle sudden
additional demand for gas for heating or electricity.
 This year, the caverns were only 56% full compared to 73% last year.
The reasons include harsh winters, non delivery from Russia and high
demands in Asia.
 The cold weather would mean that the countries would need to import
5-10% more gas compared to normal times.
Effects
 The shortage of supply and growing demands has pushed the prices
higher. Prices have climbed to nine times their level at the start of last year.
 Analysts have observed that traders have diverted their Asia bounds
ships from middle of the ocean towards Europe to take advantage of
lucrative prices.
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Role of Russia
 State-owned Gazprom has sold less gas on short term. The company is
focusing on fulfilling its long-term contracts.
 Russia may be using the opportunity to pressurize west European
nations in resolving border tensions that occurred near Ukraine.
Role of weather
Mild winter will be the key in averting the shortage disaster. The
temperatures have been normal till now but it can change fast.
Moves by government
 Many countries are offering cash subsidies to consumers to tide over
high prices and soften the impact on household income.
 On a long term, there should be focus on renewable energy such as
solar and wind.
Cooperation between countries

 In extreme situations, countries can declare gas emergency and shut
down industrial customers to spare households. This will hurt economy but
save lives.
 Countries can request supplies from neighbouring countries under EU
legislation. It remains to be seen if countries are willing to help even if they
face shortages.
 The mechanism has not been tested till now but many changes are
being envisioned such as joint purchase of gas.
NOTES
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Bacterial resistance to drugs
Issue
A scientific study called global impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has
recently been published in Lancet.
Background
Many people succumb to previously treatable bacterial infections because
many bacteria have become tolerant to antibiotics.
Details
 The study has found that 1.27 million people died in 2019 as a direct
result of AMR. It has become the leading cause of deaths, more than HIV/
AIDs or malaria.
 The study has compiled statistical modeling to estimate deaths linked to
23 pathogens and 88 pathogen-drug combinations.
 The study divided cases into two categories. The first category
comprised of deaths that occurred as a direct result of AMR.
 The second category consisted of deaths that were associated with AMR
but resistance itself may or may not have been the direct cause of death.
Pathogen categorization
 The responsible pathogens were categorized into six varieties: E coli, S
aureus, K pneumoniae, S pneumoniae, A baumannii, and P aeruginosa.
 The resistance to fluoroquinolones and beta-lactam antibiotics
accounted for more than 70% of deaths caused by AMR.
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 The methicillin-resistant S aureus or MRSA was responsible for causing

more than 1 lakh deaths directly.
Antibiotics during covid-19

 Mortality due to Covid-19 is almost 50-60% when patients acquire
drug-resistant infections in hospitals. This is due to improper use of drugs.
 Azithromycin drug was routinely prescribed to Covid-19 patients even
though it has not proven effective in treatment. This would turn detrimental
when these drugs are needed for bacterial infections.
Importance of study
It will help in identifying role of antibiotics in causing deaths. There will also
be a repository of new resistance related deaths.
Antibiotic resistance
 It is form of medical condition in which pathogens like bacteria and
fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs developed to kill them.
 The major reason for occurrence of antibiotic resistance is rampant
overuse of antibiotics for treating minor infection.
NOTES
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iSIM technology
Issue
Qualcomm along with Vodafone and Thales have developed new technology
known as iSIM.
Background
The physical SIM cards have not undergone much of a change. The recently
introduced eSIM has failed to get attraction.
Details
 The technology of a physical SIM card is embedded and integrated into
a device’s main processor. SIM can be built-in the processor instead of a SIM
card slot.
 The iSIM complies with GSMA specifications and is similar to the eSIM
technology. It will enhance performance and increases the memory capacity
Benefits of iSIM
 iSIM can be used beyond mobile devices. They could be embedded in
laptops, wearable devices, IoT devices and also virtual reality platforms.
 By removing SIM card slot, more space will be available for innovation
and design. The device will have capacity of SIM cards.
Opportunities
 It will be particularly useful for IoT devices. Individual can stay
connected securely to IoT platform through iSIM enabled device.
 Since SIM cards will not at all be required, lots of plastics can be
reduced. It will however need approval from telecom operators.
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Existing devices
Currently, the technology is in initial concept and has just been demonstrated
in a controlled environment. The initial experiment has showed potential for
future applications.
NOTES
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Hong Kong orders to cull hamsters
Issue
About 2,000 hamsters will be culled in Hong Kong after 11 hamsters in the
city tested positive for Covid-19.
Background
Hong Kong is aggressively following the ‘zero covid’ strategy to tackle rise of
Covid-19 infections in the country, especially animals to human
transmissions.
Details
 As part of the strategy, the government has asked people visiting pet
shops to quarantine themselves. It has asked owners of hamsters to
handover their pets.
 Many citizens have signed petitions asking government to take back its
decision. Many individuals have hired private jets to take away their hamsters
from the city.
Zero covid policy of China

 China has been aggressively tackling covid infection breakout by
barring flights from various parts of the world.
 People have been asked to use masks and gloves before opening
parcels coming from abroad after the source of omicron variant was found to
be a parcel from Canada.
 The panic among government authorities have resulted in China
experiencing poor scores in global normalcy index, which tracks situations
across the globe.
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Government’s decision
 The government says that its decision was based on scientific reasons
and people should give up their irrational attitude.
 Animal rights groups have criticized the move to cull hamsters as there
are no concrete evidences to say that they transmit the infection.
Role of animal infections

 Many animals have earlier tested positive for the virus. Denmark had
culled its farmed mink population to prevent infection spread.
 Studies say that risk of animals spreading the virus to humans is low.
Humans can transmit virus to animals but more studies are required to
confirm.
NOTES
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Lithium shortage for manufacturing batteries
Issue
The lithium metal is in high demand for vehicle battery manufacturing,
causing shortages in world supply.
Background
The global net zero carbon goals are driving investments in electric car
technology, which is driven by lithium powered batteries.
Details
The government of Serbia has cancelled the mining license of Anglo-
Australian miner Rio Tinto Plc, which is likely to further exaggerate shortage.
Lithium metal
 Hard rock or brine mines are the two major sources of lithium metal.
Australia obtains from hard rock whereas China, Argentina and Chile rely on
brine lakes.
 The global prediction for lithium production in 2021 was 485,000
tonnes, followed by 615,000 tonnes in 2022 and 821,000 tonnes in 2023.
 About two-thirds of the produced lithium will be used for electric vehicle
batteries, which is expected to boom.
Price rise
Strong demand from Chinese battery manufacturers has pushed lithium
carbonate prices to record highs over the past year.
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Major producers of lithium

 Australia
 Chile
 China
 Argentina
 Bolivia
Applications
 The biggest and most important application is for rechargeable
batteries that power electric vehicles and digital goods like mobile phones
and laptops.
 The metal is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things
like heart pacemakers, toys and clocks.
 It is used as an alloy of aluminium and magnesium to improve their
strength and making them lighter.
 Lithium and its compounds are used in glass manufacturing, industrial
dyes, high-temperature lubricant and for storing hydrogen fuel.
Challenges
 Lithium batteries threaten water bodies and soil as they can be
polluters. Without proper planning for their disposal and recycle, lithium
could turn into a hazard.
 Lithium is also a major tool for geopolitical conflict. Countries like
China and US could go to any extent to secure lithium sources for future.
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Community transmission stage of covid-19
Issue
India has acknowledged during the third wave that the Covid-19 pandemic is
now in community transmission stage.
Background
Previously, India never acknowledged that the disease had spread in the
community. This is the first time India has officially accepted the fact.
Details
 Community transmission is a stage where it becomes difficult to
establish the chain of infections, or determine who infected whom.
 In early stages, the infection is carried by travelers and they transmit it
to their contacts. The infection can be linked, directly or through a chain, to
these travelers.
 As more people get infected, it becomes difficult to determine the origin
as some people may be asymptomatic.
 Soon, the chain of transmission gets lost and the origin cannot be
traced. The infections become locally acquired.
WHO guidelines
 Community transmission is a final stage. There are three more stages
classified by WHO. They are no active cases, sporadic cases and cluster of
cases.
 India has till now maintained that it was in second category, where
there were clusters of cases arising in the country.
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Implication
 The accepted community transmission will have implications for deciding
containment strategies and response measures to deal with the epidemic.
 The admission is largely an academic one and will not trigger any
change in the kind of response measures that are being taken at the central,
state or local levels.
Way ahead
Containment strategy would not work in such cases. It would be better to
focus attention on surveillance, with the objective of keeping an eye on future
dangerous mutations.
NOTES
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Effect of smoking habits on next generation
Issue
A new study has stated that consequences of smoking are likely to be passed
on to the next few generations.
Background
Smoking is a dangerous habit, as it can pose serious health hazards. The
new study says that consequences of smoking are more far-reaching and
long-term.
Details
 Individuals having smoking habit can experience harmful effects not just
on themselves, but also on their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
 The study was known as ‘Children of the 90s’ and its findings were
published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The ‘children of 90s’ project

 The project was carried out for a period of 30 years during which blood,
urine, placenta, teeth, hair and nails samples were collected from
participants.
 The project aimed to assess the environment and genetic factors that
affect an individual’s health and development.
 Some information found was fascinating such as lines on a baby’s teeth
can help determine their risk of developing depression, or how watching TV
is linked to an increased risk of asthma.
 The effects of consumed food during three years of age could determine
the performance in school was also found out.
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Study on smoking
 The study included only grandfathers and great-grandfathers as less
grandmothers and great-grandmothers claimed to have smoked before
puberty.
 Women whose paternal grandfathers and great-grandfathers began
smoking before puberty saw increased body fat.
 The most intriguing fact was that increased body fat was found only in
granddaughters and great-granddaughters but not in the grandsons or great-
grandsons.
 Children had elevated levels of cotinine in their blood if their mother
smoked. This was seen in those children whose mothers smoked 10 cigarettes
a day.
 Men who started smoking before the age of 11 had sons who had about
5-10 kg more body fat than their compatriots.
 If a woman’s maternal grandmother smoked during pregnancy then she
was 67 per cent more likely to show certain traits linked to autism, such as
poor social communication skills and repetitive behaviours.
NOTES
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Apple iCloud outage
Issue
The iCloud service of Apple has experienced an outage across the globe,
making many users unable to access some services.
Details
 The major issue was related to login, file access and server connection.
The company admitted the issue and has taken steps to resolve them.
 The Apple services that were impacted include iCloud Mail, Game
Centre, Apple Card, Photos, iCloud Storage upgrades and iCloud Web apps.
Importance of iCloud
 The iCloud is the backbone for many services provided by the company.
It is a cloud storage used by the company.
 The service is used by Apple users to store photos, backup data, notes,
files and also passwords from iPhone, iPad and MacBook. Its failure can
impact user services.
Issues
Some users were unable to sign into the services. Others could not verify
iCloud on their device. The passwords of apps also could not be verified as
they are also stored on iCloud.
Response of Apple
Apple has not given any reasons for the outage but has stated that the issue
was resolved in a timely manner.
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Cloud storage
Cloud storage is a model of computer data storage in which the digital data
is stored on internet and not local device.
Benefits of cloud storage technology

 Data is protected in a more secure way by storing it over multiple data
centres. This prevents them from getting lost.
 Cloud storage reduces the need to develop and maintain internal
storage facilities. It will save cost for many companies.
 Files or data can be accessed anytime using internet service. The service
does not need a particular device for accessing.
Concerns
 Failure of cloud system can impact multiple clients or users. The
compromise can lead to leakage of huge amount of data.
 The service needs continuous access to internet without which it is
difficult to use the features of cloud technology.
NOTES
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ISRO’s SSLV satellite
Issue
The maiden development flight of ISRO’s indigenous launch rocket, the Small
Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) will soon be conducted.
Details
 The SSLVs are especially earmarked for the launch of small satellites
into low earth orbits. Its demand has grown to cater to developing countries,
private corporations, and universities for small satellites.
 Till now, launch of small satellites is carried out as ‘piggy-back’ along
with large satellites on ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
 Because of this, the contract for small satellites is dependent on the
finalising of launch contracts for the larger satellites by ISRO.
Capabilities of SSLV
 SSLV has the capability to carry satellites weighing up to 500 kg to a
low earth orbit whereas PSLV can carry a payload of up to 1000 kg.
 It can be integrated within 72 hours unlike existing 60-70 days. This
ensures that satellites can be launched on short notice.
 The cost of launching a satellite will come down to 30 crores. It will be
an on demand vehicle based on customers.
Usage
 The SSLV is perfectly suited for launching multiple microsatellites at a
time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs.
 It is expected that 15-20 SSLVs are required every year to cater to
domestic demands itself.
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Private partnership
 The government of India recently created New Space India Limited
(NSIL) with an aim to use research and development carried out by ISRO for
commercial purposes through Indian industry partners.
 At present, around 500 industries are involved in contributing to ISRO’s
programs. Half of the budget flows to these industries.
PSLV
PSLV is an indigenously developed four-stage rocket propulsion system
comprising a combination of solid and liquid-fuelled rocket stages.
GSLV
GSLV is a three-stage rocket propulsion system that is designed to carry a
heavier payload into outer space.
NOTES
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Experimental HIV vaccine
Issue
Vaccine giant Moderna is developing a vaccine that can neutralise using
HIV-1 antibodies (bNAbs) and eventually target multiple HIV strains.
Background
Since the discovery of HIV 40 years ago, medications for disease have been
elusive.
Details
 The mRNA vaccine is under trials and the first dose of the vaccine was
administered recently in Washington DC.
 The technology used in the vaccine is same as that of the Covid-19
vaccine. It uses mRNA to teach the body’s cells how to make proteins that
trigger immune response.
 Non-profit foundation International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and
Scripps Research were involved in developing immunogens, which were
delivered by mechanism of Moderna.
The working
The broadly neutralising HIV-1 antibodies (bNAbs) are rare and produced by
certain B cells. The vaccine will stimulate B cells to produce bNAbs to act
against many variants of HIV.
Trials
 It is the first-in-human, open label study to evaluate the safety and
immunogenicity of the HIV vaccines.
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 They will test efficacy of vaccines mRNA-1644 and mRNA-1644v2-Core

in HIV-infected individuals.
Previous studies of bNAbs

 Previous studies of HIV vaccines have shown that antibodies produced
were either ineffective or partially effective. The bNAbs are more potent than
reactive antibodies.
 Initial studies have shown that the bNAbs can overcome genetic
variability of HIV by targeting the regions of the envelope protein, which is
known as ‘glycan shield’.
HIV burden
 According to WHO, about 36.3 million people have lost their lives so far
to the disease. In India, around 2.1 million people suffer.
 Eventhough it does not have a cure, it has become a manageable
chronic disease with better access to effective prevention, diagnosis and
treatment.
NOTES
www.studyiq.com
NeoCov
Issue
A group of Chinese researchers have published a study on a new
Coronavirus category known as NeoCov.
Background
The Coronavirus outbreak in China in late 2019, which is still causing havoc,
has worried large sections of public about a new virus.
Details
 First identified in 2011, NeoCov is a Coronavirus found in bat species
called Neoromicia. This species is distributed in the Afro-Malagasy region
and commonly known as aloe bats.
 NeoCov is the closest relative of MERS-CoV as it shares 85% similarity
to MERS-CoV in the genome sequence.
Infection in humans
The current form of the virus cannot interact with human receptors. Thus far
it has not infected anyone or has caused any death.
Importance of study
 Eventhough similar to MERS-CoV, both virus use different receptors for
entering cells. Its way of interacting with ACE2 receptor is different.
 The virus can get the capability to infect humans if specific mutations
are artificially created in the receptor-binding domain.
www.studyiq.com
Future infections
 The future spillover events can occur as human interaction with animals
increase due to expansion of habitat.
 Regular monitoring should be carried out of the Coronavirus species to
find clues of zoonosis and also ways to prevent modification in receptor
proteins.
Coronavirus
 Coronavirus is a family of virus that can infect animals and humans.
The alpha and beta categories commonly infect mammals such as bats and
humans.
 The gamma and delta category primarily impacts birds. Eventhough
bats are reservoirs of virus, spill over to other species rarely occurs.
 Human coronaviruses such as OC43, HKU1, 229E, and NL63 cause
mild illness whereas MERS and SARS are serious.
 The SARS-CoV-2, responsible for Covid-19, is the seventh category of
Coronavirus that causes severe infections in humans.
MERS
 The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infected humans
through dromedary camels in 2012.
 It has mainly infected people in Middle East, Africa and South Asia. It
has a fatality rate of 35%.
Infection mechanism
 A key part of virus, known as its receptor-binding domain, will
determine the type of host receptor the virus will use and the host that it will
be able to infect.
 Coronavirus currently uses 4 types of receptors, including ACE2. SARS-
CoV and SARS-CoV-2 use ACE2 whereas MERS-CoV uses DPP4.
www.studyiq.com
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