UPSC QUIZ 6.03.2024

Explanation:

• India has conducted the first human clinical trial of gene therapy for 'Haemophilia A' at Christian Medical College - Vellore.
• In the trial, the FVIII transgene was expressed in the patient's own hematopoietic stem cells. Hematopoietic stem cells are such stem cells, Which give rise to other blood cells.
• Factor VIII (FVIII) is a blood clotting protein, also known as anti-hemophilic factor (AHF). In this, the technique of using a lentiviral vector to express the FVIII transgene was used.

Haemophilia A

• It is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to form blood clots.
• It is a rare disorder in which the blood doesn't clot in the typical way because it doesn't have enough blood-clotting proteins.
• It is a sex linked disorder. The gene for haemophilia is carried on the X chromosome.

Explanation:

• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered a new marine species of head-shield sea slug.
• This species belonging to the Melanochlamys genus has been discovered off the coast of Digha off the West Bengal coast and Udaipur off the Odisha coast.
• The species has been named 'Melanochlamys Draupadi" after President Draupadi Murmu.This new species of head-shield sea slug is not found anywhere in the world except India.

Melanochlamys Draupadi

• This is the second species of head-shield sea slug found in India.
• The first species is Melanochlamys bengalensis off the West Bengal and Odisha coast.
• This species has been confirmed by examination of morphological, physiological and molecular characteristics.
• It is a small invertebrate and hermaphroditic animal.
• Its maximum length is up to 7 mm.

Explanation:

• Union Environment Ministry released the report “Status of Leopards in India 2022”. The report made several important findings regarding the leopard population in the country. Here are all the key findings of the report.

Wildlife survey report released by Environment Ministry

• The report has been prepared by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India, in collaboration with state forest departments.
• According to this report, the number of leopards in India has increased by 8% between 2018 and 2022.
• The number of leopards in India is expected to increase from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022.
• The highest number of leopards was recorded in Madhya Pradesh (3,907).

Explanation:

• Federal Parliament of Belgium has made history by becoming the first country in the European Continent to recognise ‘ecocide’ as a national as well as an international crime.
• The law targets individuals in positions of decision-making power and corporations, aiming to prevent and punish severe environmental degradation such as extensive oil spills.
• Belgium is a federal and constitutional monarchy divided into two main linguistic and cultural regions: Flemish (Dutch)-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia.
• Belgium is called the 'Cockpit of Europe' because it is where the largest number of European battles have taken place in history.Its capital, Brussels, is also the seat of the European Union (EU).

Explanation:

• FIU-IND has imposed a penalty of ₹5.49 cr on Paytm Payments Bank.
• The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) has imposed this penalty for money laundering violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
• Following the receiving of information from law enforcement agencies regarding a few entities and their network of enterprises involved in various unlawful acts, FIU-IND began an investigation into Paytm Payments Bank Ltd.
• These unlawful acts included organising and facilitating online gambling.
• The funds obtained from these unlawful activities were directed and passed through bank accounts these organizations kept with Paytm Payments Bank Ltd.
• Paytm Payments Bank was instructed by the RBI on January 31 to cease taking deposits or top-ups in any customer accounts, wallets, FASTags, and other devices after February 29.
• The deadline was later extended to March 15. The allegations involved violations of different norms including KYC.

Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND)

• It was set up in November 2004. It is an independent body.
• It reports directly to the Economic Intelligence Council, which is headed by the Finance Minister.
• It is responsible for receiving, processing, analyzing and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions.