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1. Researchers at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have developed the GQ-RCP platform for early and accurate HIV detection. This platform uses G-Quadruplex (GQ) structures, a unique DNA conformation, to target HIV-derived DNA with enhanced diagnostic reliability and reduced false positives. It employs a fluorometric test, reverse transcription, and amplification processes for detection. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the immune system, particularly CD4 cells, leading to AIDS if untreated. In India, around 2.4 million people live with HIV, with high-risk groups being female sex workers and injecting drug users. The National AIDS Control Program (NACP) focuses on prevention, treatment, and care, with Phase V aiming to reduce HIV infections and related deaths by 80% by 2025. Legal protections for people living with HIV are provided under the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act (2017).
2. Plants have a sophisticated communication system essential for survival, using chemical signals and underground networks. When threatened by herbivores or other dangers, plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that travel through air and soil, alerting neighboring plants to prepare defensive mechanisms like producing toxins. Additionally, plants form an underground network called the "wood wide web" through symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. This network facilitates nutrient exchange and distress signals, enabling plants to collectively respond to threats like droughts or pests. In resource-scarce environments, plants also share nutrients with struggling neighbors, fostering cooperation that enhances ecosystem resilience and forest health.
3. Recent discoveries in Madikkai, Kerala, include 24 pairs of prehistoric Megalithic footprints and a human figure, believed to date back over 2,000 years. The footprints point westward, potentially symbolizing the souls of deceased individuals, a belief shared by archaeologists and local residents who associate them with a goddess. These findings resemble prehistoric rock art from Udupi, Karnataka, and align with other discoveries in Kerala, such as temple decorations and carvings in Neeleswaram and Wayanad. Megalithic culture, which flourished between the 3rd century BC and 1st century AD, is characterized by large stone monuments and iron technology. It spread across regions like the Deccan, Punjab Plains, and parts of South India. Rock paintings from these sites depict hunting, cattle raids, and dancing, highlighting the culture's rich heritage.
4. The Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the "Bhu-Neer" portal during the 8th India Water Week-2024 to enhance groundwater regulation in India. Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the portal aims to improve groundwater management with greater transparency, efficiency, and sustainability. Key features include a centralized database for groundwater policies, a user-friendly interface with a PAN-based single ID system, and the ability to generate No Objection Certificates (NOCs) with QR codes for streamlined processes. CGWA, established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, regulates groundwater development, while NIC, founded in 1976, supports e-Government applications for sustainable development.
5. The government has imposed restrictions on the annual jatara of Beladakuppe Sri Mahadeshwaraswamy Temple, located in the core area of Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Karnataka. The temple lies within the Hediyala range, a protected wildlife area. BTR, a vital part of the Western Ghats landscape, is home to 1/8th of the world's tiger population and forms part of the Bandipur-Nagarahole-Wayanad-Mudumalai-Sathyamangalam Tiger Landscape across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. It is also a key component of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India's first biosphere reserve (1986), and the Mysore Elephant Reserve, which houses the world's largest population of Asian elephants. Tiger reserves like BTR use a core and buffer conservation approach, with the core area free of human activities and the buffer zone focusing on conservation-compatible land use.