Steel Slag
Guidelines for Utilization and Processing of Steel Slag in Road Construction, released by Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).
- A solid waste generated in the process of steel making.
- Composed of – Oxides of calcium, iron, silicon, magnesium, etc.
- Key Applications – Road base course material (Steel Slag Road Technology (SSRT)), Blending material for Portland cement, Fertilizer and soil improvement
- Benefits – Improved durability of road and Reduction of carbon footprint in road construction
Megafauna
Archaeologists discovered world’s oldest known 41,000-year-old ostrich nest in Andhra Pradesh.
- Describes animals above a certain weight threshold (generally above 50 kg).
- Classification (Based on their dietary type) – Megaherbivores (plant-eaters), megacarnivores (meat-eaters), and megaomnivores (who eat both plants and meat).
- Some extinct megafaunal species – Woolly mammoths, sabre-toothed tigers, giant sloths etc.
Colombo Process
India chaired its first meeting as Chair of the Colombo Process.
- Regional Consultative Process that provides platform for consultations on the management of overseas employment and contractual labour.
- Comprises of – 12 Member States of Asia such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc.
- India is one of the founding members.
- UN’s International Organization for Migration provides technical and administrative support to the Colombo Process.
Snowblind Malware
A new malware called ‘Snowblind’ is targeting Android phones.
- A malware that targets Android devices to steal banking and other sensitive information.
- Malware – Any program or file that’s intentionally harmful to a computer, network or server.
- It repackages an app to avoid detection and misuses accessibility features to steal sensitive information and control the app remotely.
Nova Explosion
T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) or the “Blaze Star,” is on the precipice of a Nova explosion.
- Instance of a star exploding as it interacts with another, nearby star.
- Hydrogen from red giant accretes on the surface of white dwarf, causing a buildup of pressure and heat, eventually triggering a big thermonuclear explosion.
- T CrB – A binary star system some 3,000 light-years away that consists of a white dwarf and a red giant.