What is the News ?

Recently, an Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent departed to participate in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23, scheduled to be held at Cairo (West) Air Base, Egypt, from 27 August to 16 September 2023.

Facts About:

• It is a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise.
• This multinational exercise was launched in 1980 as part of the US-brokered peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
• This is the first time that IAF is participating in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23.
• Participating countries: United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar.
• The Indian Air Force contingent will consist of five MiG-29, two IL-78, two C-130 and two C-17 aircraft.
• Personnel from the IAF's Garud Special Forces, as well as those from the Numbers 28, 77, 78 and 81 Squadrons, will be participating in the exercise.
• Objective: To practice planning and execution of joint operations. Besides leading to the formation of bonding across borders, such interactions also provide a means to further strategic relations between participating nations.
• India and Egypt have had an exceptional relationship and deep cooperation wherein the two jointly undertook the development of aero-engine and aircraft in the 1960s, and training of Egyptian pilots was done by Indian counterparts.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1955399

What is the News ?

Independent scientists have found that LK-99 is not a superconductor.

Facts About:

• LK-99 has been claimed by South Korean scientists as a superconductor at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. However, currently scientists have discarded their claims.

What are the reasons behind discarding LK-99 as a superconductor?

• First, when superconductors get cold, they push away magnets, causing repulsion below their transition temperature. The South Korean video showed LK-99 partly repelling a magnet. However, independent researchers found that the material was an insulator whose impurities could be magnetized.
• Second, the South Korean scientists saw less resistance in LK-99 around 104°C, which could mean it’s a superconductor. However, researchers found that this drop occurred due to the copper sulphide impurities present in the material.
• Hence, as per the scientists, no formal confirmation aligns with the initial declarationthat this material can conduct electricity without resistance in regular conditions.

What lies ahead?

• The LK-99 case raises concerns over misunderstandings caused in the open science competition. However, this misunderstanding shouldn’t stop open collaboration.
• Moreover, now, the burden lies on South Korean group to show evidence for their claim

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/lk-99-room-temperature-superconductor-hype/article67233834.ece

What is the News ?

Alongwith the population growth, strong education and quality infrastructure are key to reap economic gains in India: Moody

Facts About:

Relation between population growth and economic growth:

Population Growth as a Driver of Economic Growth (Early Stages)

• A larger population means a larger labor force, which can lead to increased production, consumption, and innovation. This phenomenon is often referred to as the demographic dividend. When the ratio of working-age individuals to dependents (children and elderly) is high, it can create a favorable environment for economic expansion.

Labor Force and Human Capital:

• A growing population can provide a larger labor force, which, if properly educated and skilled, can contribute to higher productivity and economic growth. However, for population growth to positively impact economic growth, there must be adequate investments in education, healthcare, and skill development to ensure that the workforce is productive and capable of contributing to economic activities.

Consumption and Demand:

• A larger population can lead to increased consumption and demand for goods and services, which can stimulate economic growth. Businesses may expand to meet this increased demand, leading to higher levels of investment and production.

Urbanization and Productivity:

• Population growth often leads to urbanization, as people move from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities. Urbanization can lead to increased productivity due to factors like economies of scale, improved infrastructure, and better access to markets and resources.

Resource Constraints and Negative Impacts:

• Rapid population growth without corresponding economic development and resource management can lead to resource constraints, environmental degradation, and increased competition for limited resources. This can have negative effects on economic growth in the long run.

Demographic Transition:

• As economies develop and standards of living improve, birth rates tend to decline. This results in a shift from high population growth rates to lower ones. During this demographic transition, countries can experience a period of accelerated economic growth due to a relatively smaller dependent population.

Aging Population:

• In more advanced economies, declining birth rates and increased life expectancy can lead to an aging population. While this may result in a decline in the working-age population, it can also create opportunities for innovation and growth in industries related to healthcare, elderly care, and technology.

Quality of Institutions and Policies:

• The relationship between population growth and economic growth is influenced by the quality of institutions and policies in place. Good governance, effective healthcare systems, education policies, and infrastructure development play a crucial role in determining how population growth impacts economic growth.

In summary, the relationship between population growth and economic growth is not deterministic, and its effects can vary widely based on numerous factors. While a growing population can potentially provide a demographic dividend and contribute to economic growth, this positive outcome depends on factors such as investments in human capital, infrastructure, and sound governance. 

Additionally, as countries progress in their development, the relationship often becomes more nuanced, with demographic transitions and changingpopulation structures influencing economic dynamics.

Factors responsible for India’s population growth

• Falling mortality: The IMR has decreased from 40.7 in 2015-16 to 35.3 in 2019-21.
• Increasing Life expectancy at birth: It reached to 69.7 years in the 2015-19 period from 31 in 1947.
• Unintended pregnancies: 1 in every 7 unintended pregnancies of world occur in India.
• Lack of female education, child marriage and early marriages, etc.

Challenges caused by growing population

• Pressure on resources: As India has only 2.45% of the global surface area and 4% of the water resources. 
• Pandemic outbreaks: Due to increasing urbanization and expansion of humans in wild habitats. 
• Disruption and Conflicts: Due to rise in struggle for finite resource. 
• Decline in social indicators: Due to suboptimal public expenditures on health and education may not be possible. 
• Pressure on economy: Due to low skilled workforce, stagnant economy, unemployment, etc.
• Widening gender gap: If expenditure on health and education decline, women would suffer the most.

Way ahead to harness the benefits of population growth 

• Supporting Reproductive Justice: Provisions of safe and effective methods of family planning and freedom to make the best reproductive choice. 
• Education for all: Educational attainment, particularly of girls, enhances intergenerational formation of human capital and has a positive impact on demographic behaviour with respect to nuptiality, fertility, health, etc. 
• Foster Inclusive Growth developing democratic institutions to facilitate equity in the society. 
• Facilitate migration to bridge the demand and supply of the workforce. 
• Investment in green technology and social innovations to adapt to and mitigate climate and environmental changes. 
• Better geriatric care, health insurance and pension facilities for 65+ age category.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/india-must-focus-on-education-and-infra-for-growth-moodys-report/articleshow/103147127.cms?from=mdr

What is the News ?

British nurse was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty in the worst child serial killer case in the history of the U.K.

Facts About:

What are patient safety provisions in India?

National Patient safety Implementation Framework - It was launched for the period 2018-25 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Patient safety - It is the fundamental element of public healthcare, defined as the freedom for a patient from unnecessary harm.

Hippocratic Oath - It is an oath of ethics historically taken by physician which is one of the most widely known of Greek medical texts. 

Consumer Protection Act,1986 - It deals with medical negligence and deficiency of services

Clinical Establishment Act, 2010 - It sets out the legal rights of the patients.

Institutional Mechanism - To see the patients’ rights in terms of medication and devices are protected and that they are not overcharged.

• National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority 
• Drugs Controller General of India 

Charter of patients’ rights - It is adopted by the National Human Rights Commission.

It act as a guidance document for the Union Government and State Governments to formulate concrete mechanisms for Patients’ Rights.

Charter of Patients’ Rights and Responsibilities - It is approved by National Council for Clinical Establishments.

Responsibilities of Patients’ -

• Provide all health related information.
• Cooperate with Doctors during examination and treatment.
• Pay hospitals agreed fees on time.
• Respect dignity of doctors and other hospital staff.
• Never resort to violence

How is neonatal safety maintained?

• Rules - There are no exclusive rules for neonatal care and safety, or protection against external harm in Indian hospitals. 
• However, there are provisions and checks against issues like inadvertent mix-up of babies at birth and abduction.
• Training - The healthcare staff is also trained to counsel parents and provide emotional support, contributing to the safety and development of neonates.
• Adequate manpower - Trained healthcare is fostered by adequate staffing which can closely monitor each baby’s condition and respond swiftly to any concerns.
• Equipment - Neonates are typically kept in controlled environments to avoid exposure to external infections and temperature fluctuations.

What lies ahead?

• Regular training and continuing medical education for healthcare staff are essential to maintain high-quality neonatal care and uphold safety standards.
• The global organisation has also advised families that prompt medical care should be sought in case of danger signs.
• These include feeding problems, reduced activity, difficult breathing, fever, fits or convulsions, jaundice in the first 24 hours after birth.
• Families are also required to register the birth and bring the baby for timely vaccination, according to national schedules.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/explained-what-is-the-care-protocol-for-babies-in-india/article67239285.ece