One shot to lower bad cholesterol? An Expert Explains how new gene-editing therapy works
The article discusses a new gene-editing therapy aimed at lowering 'bad cholesterol' levels, explaining its mechanism of action.
Read analysisCurrent Affairs
News & Analysis · Science & Technology
Syllabus-mapped editorials, PIB updates, reports, judgments, and policy news for prelims and mains revision.
19 August 2026
16 August 2026
Russia’s SMR edge: Why India’s new nuclear rules could favour Moscow
India's draft SHANTI Act rules, requiring foreign nuclear technology to be design-certified and operational in its country of origin or another foreign country, could significantly favor Russia in India's nuclear sector. Russia's state-owned Rosatom has a clear lead in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with operational units like the Akademik Lomonosov, unlike most Western competitors whose SMRs are still in the design certification phase. This policy, coupled with Russia's cost-competitive Light Water Reactors (LWRs) compared to Western alternatives, positions Moscow to expand its nuclear cooperation with India, including proposals for new-generation VVER-1200 reactors and SMRs for localized applications.
Read analysis07 August 2026
NASA astronauts Anil Menon, Jessica Meir undertake spacewalk to upgrade space station
NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir conducted a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) to install a modification kit for a power channel. This upgrade is crucial for the future installation of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSA), which will provide additional power for the orbiting laboratory and support its critical systems, including its eventual deorbit. This was the first of three spacewalks planned for the Expedition 75 crew this month, with subsequent spacewalks focusing on replacing communication antennas and connecting power/data relay systems.
Read analysis05 August 2026
NASA to track SpaceX rocket part as it crashes into Moon
NASA is set to track a part of a SpaceX rocket as it is projected to crash into the Moon. This event highlights the issue of space debris and the tracking capabilities of space agencies.
Read analysisMet today’s protein target? Research suggests less may help you live longer
A new review article challenges the popular notion of high protein consumption, suggesting that low-protein diets may promote metabolic health, healthspan, and lifespan across diverse organisms. The research traces its origins to 1935 studies on Calorie Restriction (CR) and highlights mechanisms like the FGF21 hormone, catabolic pathways, and autophagy. While acknowledging official guidelines for higher protein intake and the needs of specific groups (e.g., pregnant women, children), the article calls for further clinical research to determine optimal, individualized dietary protein levels.
Read analysis25 July 2026
SpaceX launches Starship on another test flight, this time with the most advanced Starlinks
SpaceX successfully launched its Starship rocket, the world's largest and most powerful, on another test flight. This flight included advanced Starlink satellites designed for inter-satellite laser communication and tested Starship's heat shield robustness. The Starship is crucial for NASA's Artemis III mission as a lunar lander and is intended by Elon Musk for future Mars colonization. The test focused on reusability and advanced space technologies, with both the booster and spacecraft ditching into the sea after the flight.
Read analysis22 July 2026
Quality sleep key to protecting brain health amid rising screen time, say neurologists
Neurologists warn that increasing screen time, chronic stress, and irregular sleep patterns are severely impacting brain health, leading to cognitive decline and a higher risk of neurological disorders like stroke and dementia. On World Brain Day (July 22), experts emphasized that quality sleep is crucial for brain repair, memory consolidation, and metabolic waste clearance. Excessive screen exposure disrupts the circadian rhythm by suppressing melatonin, while chronic stress elevates cortisol, both negatively affecting brain function. Recommendations include 7-8 hours of quality sleep, reduced screen time before bed, physical activity, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques.
Read analysis09 July 2026
The quantum computing age will only begin when we silence the noise
The article delves into the foundational principles, current challenges, and future potential of quantum computing. It explains core concepts like quantum mechanics, qubits, superposition, and entanglement, contrasting them with classical computing. Key challenges such as decoherence, noise, and high error rates are discussed, alongside recent breakthroughs in error correction, notably by Google Quantum AI. The article also highlights India's National Quantum Mission (NQM) and its objectives, emphasizing the long-term vision for quantum technologies despite current limitations in practical utility.
Read analysis05 July 2026
Why tanks still matter in modern warfare
The article discusses the continued relevance of tanks in modern warfare, emphasizing that ground presence is crucial for territorial control despite advancements in drones and precision weapons. It highlights the evolution of tanks with advanced protection, sensors, and networked capabilities, drawing lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war regarding their vulnerabilities to drones and their effectiveness in integrated combined-arms operations. The piece focuses on India's strategic initiatives, including the indigenous Zorawar light tank for high-altitude operations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Project Ranjeet (Future Ready Combat Vehicle) to replace aging main battle tanks, addressing India's unique dual challenge of conventional warfare in plains and armoured operations in the Himalayas.
Read analysis04 July 2026
Centre orders blocking of battery management apps used to turn off e-rickshaws
The Union government has ordered the blocking of certain battery management apps, primarily developed by Chinese firms, after they were found to be exploited to remotely shut down e-rickshaw batteries, even while transporting passengers. This vulnerability, which does not require internet access, has led to incidents of extortion and public safety concerns. The article highlights the lack of cybersecurity requirements in e-rickshaw testing standards and mentions that such acts are punishable under IPC/BNS sections for criminal mischief.
Read analysis03 July 2026
Indian team discovers rare ‘bow and arrow’ radio galaxy two billion light years from Earth
An Indian-led team of researchers has discovered a rare, bow-and-arrow shaped radio galaxy, named RAD-BAARG, approximately two billion light-years from Earth. This unique structure, 1.8 million light-years wide, was identified using the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey. The discovery, published in the 'Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society', was made by the RAD@home Astronomy Collaboratory, India's first citizen science platform in astronomy. The unusual morphology is attributed to the interaction of the galaxy's radio plasma with a large bow-shock structure formed as the host galaxy falls through hot gas towards a cluster of galaxies. The structure was named after Manipur's Loktak Lake.
Read analysis22 June 2026
Laser strums atoms trillions of times in search for better computers
Researchers have discovered a new method to induce terahertz (THz) frequency vibrations in a superlattice of platinum and copper atoms using laser pulses. This 'strain engineering' technique, driven by electron pressure rather than heat, allows for mechanical changes at the atomic level trillions of times per second. This breakthrough is crucial for developing faster and more efficient computers, particularly in fields like spintronics, and for creating advanced thermoacoustic metamaterials using scalable industrial processes like sputtering.
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