Piezoelectricity
Command Hospital, Pune became the first government hospital in India to conduct successful piezoelectric Bone Conduction Hearing Implants (BCI).
- Piezoelectricity – Appearance of positive electric charge on one side of certain non-conducting crystals and negative charge on the opposite side when the crystals are subjected to mechanical pressure.
- Applications – Microphones, sensors, Piezoelectric Motors etc.
- Piezoelectric BCI system – Implantable medical electronic device for hearing impaired patient
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)
India’s Jagjit Pavadia has been re-elected to INCB for term 2025- 2030.
- INCB – Independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body for implementation of UN international drug control conventions.
- Established in – 1968, in accordance with Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961.
- Members – 13 members
- Elected by – UN Economic and Social Council for 5 years
New formulations by ICAR
To promote use of beneficial microorganisms, ICAR-IISR have developed 2 gypsum-based bacterial formulations.
- Bactogypsum – Ameliorates high pH soils and ensures simultaneous delivery of plant-beneficial bacteria.
- Trichogypsum – Ameliorates high pH soils and ensures delivery of Trichoderma (a fungal biocontrol agent).
- Gypsum – A compound containing Calcium and Sulphate.
- It is used to counteract soil salinity
Global hepatitis report 2024
Global hepatitis report revealed that India accounted for 11.6% of the global burden
- Released by – WHO
- India’s Rank – Ranked 2nd after China for hepatitis B & C cases.
- Hepatitis – Inflammation of the liver caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents (alcohol, autoimmune, drugs).
- 5 main strains of the hepatitis virus – Type A, B, C, D and E.
- Types B and C lead to chronic disease and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related death.
- Vaccine is available for type B but not for Type C.
Gudi Padwa
President extended greetings on the eve of Gudi Padwa.
- Symbolizes the beginning of the new year or harvest season in Maharashtra.
- Also known as – Samvatsar Padvo
- Celebrated on – 1st day of Chaitra month
- Other Spring festivals across India –
- Ugadi – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana.
- Cheti Chand – Celebrated by Sindhis.
- Navreh – Jammu and Kashmir.
- Sajibu Cheiraoba – Manipur