science and tech

HAL’s Combat Air Teaming System Completed Crucial Test

Context: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has successfully conducted the engine ground run for its full-scale demonstrator of the Combat Air Teaming System. About Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) CATS is a semi-autonomous, futuristic combat system designed to operate in collaboration...

Rise of Smaller Language Models, Advantages and Limitations

Context: Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have seen a shift from scaling up massive models to focusing on smaller, more efficient models. About Small Language Models (SLMs) SLMs are artificial intelligence (AI) models that can process, understand and generate...

AI Integration in India’s Defence Sector

Context: India is modernizing its military with a defence budget of ₹6.21 lakh crore ($75 billion) in 2023, focusing on AI integration. Progress in Military AI Integration Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has highlighted AI’s revolutionary potential in military operations,...

ICMR gets Low-Cost Tech to Detect Iron Deficiency – AnemiaPhone

AnemiaPhone AnemiaPhone is developed by Cornell University researchers to accurately, quickly and cheaply assess iron deficiency. It has been transferred to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for integration into its programmes for anaemia alleviation, women’s health, and maternal...

Sudden Cardiac Deaths in Athletes

Context: A study into the benefits of pre-participation medical evaluation (PPME) demonstrated a drop in the incidence of SCD by 90% in young athletes from 3.6/100,000 person-years to 0.4/100,000 person-years. About Sudden Cardiac Death Sudden, unexpected death due to cardiac...

Sex Differences in Human Brain Structure at Birth

Context: A recent study published in the Biology of Sex Differences journal has examined the brain differences between newborn male and female infants. Different Brain Size and Composition Boys: Larger brain volumes: On average, male infants had significantly larger intracranial...

How Curiosity-driven Research into a Worm Won 4 Nobels

Context: The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their role in regulating gene expression. This research, conducted using the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). About Caenorhabditis elegans (C. Elegans) It is...

Twigstats Cutting-edge Tool, Innovation and Advantages

Context: A cutting-edge tool named Twigstats was developed by an international research collaboration to trace individual-level ancestry. About Twigstats Twigstats is a new method developed by researchers to study the genetic history of populations. It helps scientists trace the ancestry...

Cowpea Seeds Sprout in Space – Achievements of POEM-4 Mission

Context: ISRO’s PSLV-C60 POEM-4 mission achieved a milestone by germinating cowpea seeds in space and operating India’s first space robotic arm. A batch of cowpea seeds which were taken into orbit by an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) mission and...

India’s First Case of Avian Influenza Among Animals

Context: Three tigers and one leopard have died due to the H5N1 Virus (avian influenza) at the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in December 2024. This is the first reported case of avian influenza among animals in India. About...