UPSC QUIZ 07.09.2023

Explanation:

• Some researchers from India and the US have proposed a novel method to determine the Hubble constant and the Rate of Expansion of the Universe.
• About 13.8 billion years ago, a really small, really dense, and really hot spot lying beyond spacetime began to expand. Its expansion and cooling – in an event that scientists have called the Big Bang – produced the universe as we know it.
• The universe continued to expand, at first really rapidly before slowing down to a great degree. Then, about five or six billion years ago, dark energy – an unknown and largely uncharacterised form of energy – accelerated its expansion again.

Hubble Constant

• In 1929, Edwin Hubble formulated Hubble's law, providing the first mathematical description of the universe's expansion.
• The precise rate of this expansion, termed the Hubble constant, remains a contentious issue in cosmology.

Explanation:

• Researchers from Indiana University, Bloomington, shed light on the evolutionary potential of cells with minimal genes (smallest set of genes that are essential for the survival and reproduction of an organism).
• Their study, published in the journal Nature, explores how cells stripped down to only essential genes can adapt and evolve, challenging conventional notions of genetic flexibility and mutation rates.

Gene

• A gene is a segment of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that codes for a specific protein or function. Genes are the basic units of heredity and can be inherited from parents or mutated by environmental factors.

Gene Mutation

• A gene mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of a gene that may affect its function or expression.
• Gene mutations can be caused by errors during DNA replication, exposure to radiation or chemicals, or other factors.

Explanation:

• Prime Minister of India interacted with the winners of the National Teachers’ Award 2023 on the eve of Teachers’ Day.
• The purpose of the National Teachers’ Award is to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country and to honour those teachers who, through their commitment, have not only improved the quality of education but also enriched the lives of their students.
• The awards are conferred by the President of India on 5th September.The awards consist of a silver medal, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000.
• This year, the scope of the award has been expanded from including teachers selected by the Department of School Education & Literacy to now also including teachers selected by Department of Higher Education and Ministry of Skill Development.

Explanation:

• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
• The signing ceremony was held in Bengaluru.
• The MoU focuses on the area of Short Range Air Defense Systems.
• BEL and IAI have previously worked together on joint development, production and product support programs for the Indian Defense Forces.
• The MoU is in line with India's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) and 'Make in India' policies.
• These policies emphasize self-reliance in domestic manufacturing and defense capabilities.BEL and IAI aim to contribute to these national objectives through their collaboration.

Explanation:

• Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan made this announcement during the 63rd Foundation Day celebrations of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in Delhi.Bal Bhavan will be merged with NCERT.
• An Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) laboratory was inaugurated to integrate technology in education.
• NCERT will include a chapter on the success story and findings of Chandrayaan-3 in 22 recognized languages.
• A Vidhya Samiksha Kendra was also inaugurated as part of the celebrations.