Hayat Ashraf

Recently, at least 34 people have died, and around 100 others have been hospitalised after consuming hooch, or spurious liquor, in Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi.  About Hooch: It is a commonly used term for poor quality alcohol, derived from Hoochinoo, a native Alaskan tribe that was known to produce very strong liquor.  Unlike branded liquor which is produced in factories with sophisticated equipment and rigorous quality control, hooch is made in much more crude settings. How is hooch produced? All alcohol is produced using two basic processes: fermentation and distillation.  Fermentation:When heated, yeast reacts with sugar (from grain, fruits, sugarcane, etc.) to ferment and produce a mixture containing alcohol. This is an age-old process, used to create beverages like beer or wine. Limitation: As fermentation continues, and alcohol levels rise, conditions in the mixture become toxic for the yeast. Eventually, no more fermentation can take place. Thus, to make anything str...

In a landmark achievement, Chad has become the first country in 2024 and the 51st globally to eliminate a neglected tropical disease (NTD) — the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT).  About Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT): It is also known as sleeping sickness. It is caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by infected tsetse flies and endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. It takes 2 forms, depending on the subspecies of the infecting parasite:  Trypanosoma brucei gambiense: It is found in 24 countries of west and central Africa, currently accounts for 92% of reported cases and causes a chronic illness. A person can be infected for months or even years without major signs or symptoms. When evident symptoms emerge, often the disease is advanced with the central nervous system already affected. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense: It is found in 13 countries of eastern and southern Africa, accounts for 8% of reported cases and causes an acute disease. First signs ...

Researchers have discovered a new genus of the Gomphonemoid diatom found in the clean water river of the Eastern Ghats and it has been named Indiconema to value its restricted distribution in the country.  About Diatoms: These are photosynthetic, single celled organisms. These are microscopic algae and serve as a base of the aquatic food chain. Due to their sensitivity towards any water chemistry changes, they are excellent indicators of aquatic health. They are a major group of algae and form one of the most common forms of phytoplankton. Habitat: They are found in almost every aquatic environmentincluding fresh and marine waters. Diatoms have cell walls made of silica, Each species has a distinct pattern of tiny holes in the cell wall (frustule) through which they absorb nutrients and get rid of waste. Collectively, they are responsible for generating up to 50% of the oxygen produced globally each year. Key facts about Indiconema...

The Mudgal Fort, which stands as a testament to the rich historical and cultural tapestry of Karnataka and India offering a glimpse into the region’s past through its enduring architectural, cultural and historical significance  About Mudgal Fort: It is located in the state of KARNATAKA. The fort has a 1000-year history having connections to various dynasties, including the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas Deccan Sultanate and Vijayanagara Empire. The fort gained prominence during the Bahmani Sultans who ruled large areas of the Deccan Plateau from Gulbarga (now Kalaburagi). It later went to the hands of the Vijayanagara Empire. After the Sultanate broke into five States (Nizam Shahi of Ahmednagar, Qutb Shahi of Golconda (Hyderabad), Barid Shahi of Bidar, Imad Shahi of Berar and Adil Shahi of Bijapur), the fort was a major cause of clashes between the Vijayanagara Empire and Adil Shahi Sultanate. Strategic location  Standing on the border of the Adil Shahi and Vijayanagara empires...

Recently, food safety authorities in Denmark have recalled three types of South Korean spicy instant noodles over possible risks of “acute poisoning” due to high Capsaicin levels.  About Capsaicin: It is a naturally-occurring botanical irritant in chili peppers, synthetically derived for pharmaceutical formulations.  It is most abundantly found in the “placenta” (white membrane to which seeds are attached) of some chili peppers — fruits of plants of genus Capsicum. How does it act in humans?  The chemical binds to TRPV1 receptors in humans’ nose, mouth, skin, and insides. These receptors help in detecting heat (and pain), and are most commonly activated by a rise in temperature.  But capsaicin ‘tricks’ them into reacting, even though there is no actual temperature rise. The brain, thus, believes that the body is on fire, causing the painful, burning sensation associated with consuming chilis. The body then tries to cool down — hence the sweating, and the red fac...

The President has appointed Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term MP from Cuttack, as the pro tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha.  About Pro-tem Speaker:  Pro-tem is a Latin phrase which translates to 'for the time being' in English, and so the pro-tem speaker is a temporary speaker appointed for a limited period of time to conduct the work in Lok Sabha or in state legislatures. A Pro-tem speaker is chosen for the conduct of the house when the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies have been elected and the vote for the speaker and deputy speaker has not taken place. The Constitution does not expressly use the term ‘Pro-tem Speaker’. The office of the pro tem speaker ceases to exist after the new Speaker of the House is chosen. Who selects the pro-tem speaker?  The Speaker Pro-tem is appointed by the President of InThe President has appointed Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term MP from Cuttack, as the pro tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha.  About Pro-tem Speaker:  Pro-tem ...

Assam’s wildlife officials said a team of herpetologists recorded the striped caecilian (Ichthyophis spp) in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve for the first time during a rapid herpetofauna survey conducted recently.  About Caecilians: The Caecilians are elongated, segmented, limbless amphibians. They are classified in the order Gymnophiona or Apoda ("without legs"). They belong to the same group of animals that includes frogs and salamanders. Lacking limbs, caecilians resemble earthworms or snakesin appearance. The name Caecilian means "blind". Some caecilian species are eyeless, while others have small eyes hidden under their skin. There are about 200 known caecilian species.  Habitat:  Most caecilians inhabit moist tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America, South and Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.  Almost all caecilians are terrestrial, but they are elusive as...

A project by the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT-Delhi), has won the joint second prize in Trinity Challenge’s second competition, on tackling the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).  About The Trinity Challenge (TTC): It is a charity supporting the creation of data-driven solutions to help protect against global health threats. It is a partnership of over 40 leading global organizations across the private, public, and social sectors. TC partners are united by the common aim of using data and advanced analytics to create inclusive innovations and build a world that’s better prepared for health emergencies.  To that purpose, TTC is launching, supporting, and funding public challenges.  It was launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which highlighted a global need to be better prepared to tackle healthcare emergencies. The initial Challenge asked teams to deliver data-driven solutions to predict, respond to and recover f...

The Bombay High Court recently pulled up the Maharashtra government for not having a proper and sufficient mechanism including a proper medical board in place for enforcing living wills.  About Living Will: A Living Will or Advance Medical Directive, is a document prescribing a person's wishes regarding the medical treatment the person would want if he/she was unable to share his/her wishes or not in a position to make an informed decision by reason of being unconscious or in a coma.  Legality of Living Will in India:   It was not legally viable in India until 2018. However, the Supreme Court in Common Cause vs. Union of India (2018), recognised that a terminally ill patient or a person in a persistent vegetative state can execute an “advance medical directive” or a “living will '' to refuse medical treatment, and gave sanction to passive euthanasia and living will/advance directives.  The court also laid down principles r...

The Indian Railway conducted a successful trial run on the newly-constructed world's highest railway bridge, Chenab Rail Bridge, in Jammu and Kashmir.  About Chenab Rail Bridge: Location: It is located between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The 1.3-km-long bridge is located 359 metres above the Chenab riverbed. It is the highest single-arch railway bridge in the world. It is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project. The construction of the Chenab bridge has been a collaborative effort, involving various international organizations and renowned Indian institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and the Geological Survey of India. Features:  It consists of 17 spans, with the main arch spanning an impressive 467 metres, making it the longest of its kind. The arch consists of steel boxes. Concrete has bee...