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...

India Releases Compilation of 10,000 Human Genomes from 83 Population Groups

Context: The Genome India Project has achieved a significant milestone by compiling a database of 10,000 human genomes from 83 population groups, representing about 2% of India's 4,600 population groups. About Genome India Project Genome India Project is a government-led initiative...

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...

India’s Indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter ‘ALH Dhruv’ Crash

Context: An Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-III of the Indian Coast Guard crashed during a training sortie, killing all three on board. This marks the second fatal crash of the ALH Mark-III in the last 4 months. About Advanced Light...

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...