Prelim Bits 11-10-17

Compound to destruct cancer cells

• Scientists have discovered a new compound that directly drives cancer cells to commit suicide while sparing healthy cells.
• It paves the way for faster and more efficient treatment of cancer cells.
• The compound which causes the self-destruction of cancer cells is “BTSA1”.
• It combats cancer by triggering “Apoptosis”, a process that rids the body of malfunctioning cells.

Quasi-Zenith Satellite System

• Quasi-Zenith is a regional terrestrial positioning network system launched by Japan.
• The satellite system consists of 4 satellites which will operate at an altitude of between 33,000 and 39,000 km above the earth in geosynchronous orbit.
• Its function is to improve GPS data accuracy for smartphones and vehicle navigation systems and complementary use of GPS.
• Japan recently launched its fourth and final quasi-zenith satellite into orbit.
• These satellites will be to establish communications during a malfunction of traditional networks due to a natural disaster.

Mitra Shakti

• It is India-Sri Lanka joint military exercise.
• It had started in 2012 as a response to China’s efforts to increase its influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.
• This year exercise, fifth in the series will be held in Pune.
• The armies of India and Sri Lanka also serve together in the United Nations Peacekeeping missions.

Joint Military Exercises

Wind farm

• Wind farm is a group of wind turbines used for producing electricity.
• Turbines need a wind speed at least 16km/hr.
• Ideal location-related criteria for wind farm include near-constant flow of non-turbulent wind all year round, minimum likelihood of sudden burst of powerful wind.
• The top 4 wind power countries are China, US, Germany and India.
• Recent research has found that wind farms located over open seas can produce five times the amount of energy as compared to the ones situated on land.
• Europe is currently the world leader in offshore wind power, with the first farm (Vindeby) being installed in Denmark in 1991.
• In India, major wind power producing states are Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
• India’s total wind energy output – 28,700 MW.
• India set a new national record producing 3600 MW from new installations in 2016 which helps in attaining 4^th largest market country.

International Day of the Girl Child

• Since 2012, 11^th October has been marked as the International Day of the Girl, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.
• UNICEF observes the day to spur global attention and action to the challenges and opportunities girls face before, during, and after crises.

IMF’s growth projection

• In IMF’s recent world economic outlook report, it has raised its projection for economic growth of major economies, but it drastically reduced the growth rate for India.
• It projects that India would grow by 6.7% in 2017 and 7.4% in 2018 which are 0.5 and 0.3 percentage points lower than earlier projections.
• It cited demonetisation and GST as the reason for slower growth.
• At this rate, India will lose the tag of the fastest-growing major economy. China is projected to grow by 6.8 per cent in 2017.

Source: The Hindu, Indian Express.