UPSC Prelims Facts – 25 January 2024

UPSC Prelims Facts

Ministry of Mines notified four rules to implement the Exploration License (EL) regime

  • Exploration License – Licence granted for undertaking reconnaissance operations (preliminary survey to determine mineral resources) or prospecting operations (exploring, locating, or proving mineral deposits) or both.
  • Act – MMDR Amendment Act, 2023.
  • Scope – Cover 29 minerals specified in 7th Schedule of MMRD Act including Cobalt, Lithium, Nickel, Gold, etc. 
  • Granted by – State governments through competitive bidding.
  • Tenure – 5 years from date of execution of license.

India presents immense opportunity for growth of autonomous driving vehicles.

  • Autonomous driving or self-driving vehicles – Vehicles that do not require human operation to navigate to a destination.
  • Features – Combine sensors to create and maintain an internal map of their surroundings.
  • 6 levels in Automation – No Automation, Driver Assistance, Partial Automation, Conditional Automation, High Automation and Full Automation

Serum Institute of India joins CEPI global network to boost production of vaccines.

  • What is CEPI? – An innovative global partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil society organisations.
  • Head Quarters – Oslo, Norway
  • Founded by – Governments of Norway and India, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and World Economic Forum. (Founded in Davos, 2017)
  • Function – Provide funds to accelerate development of vaccines against pandemic threats and making them accessible
  • Examples of CEPI-funded vaccines – Nipah Virus, Lassa fever Vaccine etc.

New research findings on Mpembe effect

  • Mpembe effect – A phenomenon whereby hot water freezes faster than its colder counterpart
  • Reason – When heated, hydrogen bonds in water break
    • Cause water molecules to move apart
    • Facilitate quicker freezing due to energy loss.
    • Cold water’s freezing process, in contrast, is impeded by presence of gases and impurities.

Scientists warn that melting Arctic permafrost could unleash ‘zombie viruses’.

  • Zombie Viruses – Refers to ancient viruses frozen in permafrost for thousands of years.
  • Permafrost – Any ground that remains completely frozen for at least 2 years straight.
  • Threat – Melting of permafrost can revive pathogen viruses.
  • Have potential of triggering a global medical emergency

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *