41.Which organisation launched the first fully private astronaut mission to the International Space Station?
[A] NASA
[B] ISRO
[C] SpaceX
[D] ESA
Correct Answer: C [SpaceX]
Notes:
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched Ax-1, a mission from Houston-based Company Axiom Space. It is the first fully private astronaut mission to the International Space Station.
The four-member crew officially began a ten-day journey that will include eight days aboard the International Space Station. Their capsule is known as Endeavour.
42.Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) functions under which organisation?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] Indian Railways
[D] Indian Air Force
Correct Answer: C [Indian Railways]
Notes:
Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) is a research organisation, functioning under Indian Railways.
Indian Railways has announced that the operation of diesel locomotives with B-5 bio-diesel have been tested by Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO). Bio-diesel may be used for running diesel locomotives in a pilot initially.
43.Which country conducted the first open-air trial of genetically modified mosquitoes?
[A] China
[B] United States
[C] Germany
[D] Italy
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
Oxitec, a UK-based biotech firm initially founded at Oxford University, released genetically modified mosquitoes in an effort to curb wild mosquito populations.
Oxitec had already tested the genetically modified mosquitoes in the field in Brazil, Panama, the Cayman Islands and Malaysia, but this was the first open-air trial of genetically modified mosquitoes in the United States.
44.The first human case of H5N1 bird flu was reported in which country?
[A] UK
[B] Australia
[C] Kenya
[D] North Korea
Correct Answer: A [UK]
Notes:
The first human case of H5N1 bird flu was reported in the United Kingdom. Recently, the second case is reported in the United States.
The person tested positive for avian influenza A(H5) virus was involved in the culling of poultry presumed to have had H5N1 bird flu. H5N1 viruses are found in US commercial and backyard birds in 29 states and in wild birds in 34 states.
45.Which country’s scientists have grown plants in lunar soil for the first time?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] UK
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
The researchers at the University of Florida (UF) in the US demonstrated that plants can successfully sprout and grow in lunar soil.
Plants were grown in Moon’s soil, also known as lunar regolith, brought back to Earth by astronauts in the Apollo missions. Arabidopsis plant is used in the research as its genetic code is fully mapped. This is a step towards producing food and oxygen on the Moon during future space missions.
46.What is the name given to robots that are flexible which can be programme to execute specific tasks?
[A] Flexi Robots
[B] Soft Robots
[C] Super Robots
[D] Multi-task Robots
Correct Answer: B [Soft Robots]
Notes:
Soft robots are robots that are flexible and unlike traditional robots can be used to perform more delicate functions.
Soft robots can be programmed to execute specific tasks such as reaching into difficult gaps or holding onto delicate objects.
47.Which Global group formed a company to build and supply devices that allow small satellites in orbit?
[A] Tata Group
[B] Sony
[C] Samsung
[D] Amazon
Correct Answer: B [Sony]
Notes:
Sony has announced that it formed a new company to build and supply devices that allow small satellites in orbit to communicate with one another via laser beams.
The devices will work between satellites in space and satellites communicating with ground stations. There are around 12,000 satellites in orbit, a number that is projected to increase rapidly in the coming years
48.‘DAVINCI Mission’ which was seen in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] USA
[B] Russia
[C] Japan
[D] Israel
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
The Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging (DAVINCI) is a mission of American space agency NASA.
The Mission is on course to study the planet Venus in 2029 to understand its chemical composition and whether humans can inhabit it. DAVINCI will be the first mission to Venus to incorporate fly-bys, analyse Venus’ temperature and atmosphere.
49.Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, which was seen in the news, is associated with which part of the body?
[A] Legs
[B] Face
[C] Liver
[D] Intestine
Correct Answer: B [Face]
Notes:
Music icon Justin Bieber has revealed that he has been diagnosed with a condition called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, which has fully paralysed the right side of his face.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is neurological disease in which the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) causes inflammation of the nerves involved in facial movements. It leads to temporary facial palsy or paralysis. The Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) also causes chickenpox and shingles.
50.Which institution has designed a mechanism to inactivate SARS-CoV-2?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IISc Bengaluru
[C] AIIMS New Delhi
[D] NIV Pune
Correct Answer: B [IISc Bengaluru]
Notes:
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with researchers from the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology have designed peptides that can bind to and block the spike protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
This approach provides an alternative mechanism to render viruses like SARS-CoV-2 inactive, promising a new class of peptides as anti-virals
