Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA)
Several major Wall Street banks, including Goldman Sachs Group Inc., have announced their exit from the NZBA.
- Led by banks and convened by the UN, this alliance comprises leading global banks dedicated to aligning their lending, investment, and capital market activities with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
- Notably, no Indian bank is part of NZBA.
- It serves as the climate accelerator for the UNEP Finance Initiative’s Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB).
Dozer Push Mining Method
The CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR) successfully conducted the first trial blast for the Dozer Push Mining Method.
- Uses unmanned, automated machinery to optimize the mining process while ensuring that vibrations and flyrock are controlled within safe limits.
- Advantages over conventional mining:
- Faster coal recovery
- Reduced delays due to adverse weather conditions
- Highly cost-effective
- Lower risks for manual laborers
Nanopore Technology
Scientists have developed a nanopore-based tool that could diagnose illnesses more quickly and accurately by analyzing signals from individual molecules.
- Consists of nano-scale holes embedded in a thin membrane to detect potential changes when charged biological molecules pass through.
- Enables the sequencing of DNA or RNA directly from biological samples in real time.
- Potential applications include detecting disease markers and non-invasive early diagnosis of cancer.
Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA)
The Centre approved Rs 676.70 crore for the infrastructural development of various universities and colleges in Odisha under PM-USHA.
- In light of the NEP 2020, the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) scheme was launched as PM-USHA in 2023.
- A Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at funding specific State government universities and colleges to improve their quality by ensuring their conformity to prescribed norms and standards.
- Focus areas:
- Equity and inclusion in higher education
- Developing Quality Teaching & Learning processes
- Accreditation of Non Accredited Institutions
- ICT-based Digital Infrastructure
- Enhancing Employability through multidisciplinary approaches
Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)
HMPV has been reported 3 cases in India.
- A respiratory virus causing mild infections similar to a common cold.
- Discovered in 2001, it belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
- Transmission: Spreads from person to person or surfaces to person.
- Treatment: Currently, there is no specific antiviral therapy or vaccine to prevent HMPV.