UPSC QUIZ 29.11.2023

Explanation:

• Contrary to public perception, the Antarctic ozone hole has been the largest on record over the past three years, new research has found.
• In their study published in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers said that the ozone hole over Antarctica has become significantly larger and longer lasting over the past four years and that chlorofluorocarbons are not solely responsible for it.

Key Highlights of the Study

• The Antarctic ozone hole has been consistently large and has shown thinning over recent years, contrary to the expected recovery trend observed since the 2000s.
• The concentration of ozone at the center of the hole has notably reduced, indicating significant thinning of the ozone layer.
• The concentration of ozone at the core of the ozone hole has decreased by 26% from 2004 to 2022, despite the efforts outlined in the Montreal Protocol, which aimed to reduce human-generated chemicals that deplete the ozone layer.

Explanation:

• 2nd CII (Confederation of Indian Industries) India Nordic-Baltic Business Conclave 2023 was held in New Delhi, aiming to foster collaboration between India and the Nordic Baltic Eight (NB8) countries, known for their prowess in innovation and technology.

Nordic Baltic (NB) 8

• The NB8 is a regional cooperation format that brings together the Nordic countries and the Baltic states.
• It comprises five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, along with three Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
• The group shares historical, cultural, and geographical ties, fostering collaboration and cooperation in various fields, including politics, economics, trade, security, and culture.
• While the Nordic countries are located in Northern Europe and share similarities in governance, social systems, and values, the Baltic states are situated in Northeastern Europe and have their unique historical backgrounds and geopolitical positioning.

Explanation:

• Comedian Vir Das made history as the first Indian to win an International Emmy Award in the comedy category for his Netflix show, "Vir Das: Landing on Monday.
• Producer and filmmaker Ektaa Kapoor became the first Indian woman filmmaker to win the International Emmy Directorate Award, which is given to individuals or organizations for outstanding contributions to international television.

Emmy Awards

• The Emmy Awards stand as prestigious accolades for excellence in television and emerging media performances.
• Unlike the Oscars and Golden Globe Awards, the Emmys specifically recognize achievements in television.
• The term "Emmy" has no specific meaning; it serves as the name for the award.
• Originally intended as "Immy," derived from the image-orthicon camera tube crucial in television's technical development.
• Modified to "Emmy" for a more "feminine" touch, symbolizing the "muse of art uplifting the electron of science."

Explanation:

• Researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in disease study through the creation of a two-dimensional (2D) protein monolayer using lysozyme molecules.

Lysozyme and Amyloidosis

• Lysozyme is a naturally occurring enzyme found in various bodily secretions like tears, saliva, mucus. It plays a crucial role in the body's defense system against bacteria.
• This enzyme works by breaking down the cell walls of certain bacteria, essentially disrupting their structure and leading to their destruction.
• It is also the principal component of airway fluid, serving as a model protein in investigating diseases like Amyloidosis, which trigger multi-organ dysfunction.
• Amyloidosis refers to a group of rare conditions characterized by the accumulation of abnormal protein clumps called amyloids in various organs and tissues throughout the body.

Explanation:

• 2023 Booker Prize presented to Irish writer Paul Lynch for the novel 'Prophet Song.'
• He won the award by beating London-based Indian-origin author Chetna Maru's debut novel "Western Lane" at a ceremony in London on November 26.
• 46-year-old Lynch won the award for his novel presenting a dystopian vision of Ireland in the grip of totalitarianism, which the author described as an attempt at radical empathy.
• Lynch is the fifth Irish writer to win the award, while the last Irish writer Anna Burns won the award in 2018.
• In 2022, Shehan Karunatilaka had won the Booker Prize for ‘The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.'

Booker Prize

• It was launched in 1969.
• It is a literary prize awarded every year for the best novel written in English and published in the UK or Ireland.
• The winner receives £50,000, and £2,500 is given to all the shortlisted authors.