What is the News ?

A recent research study has shown that utilizing a liquid-biopsy method to assess DNA-methylation levels in the blood could enhance the early detection of pregnancies at risk of developing preeclampsia.

Facts About:

Preeclampsia is a severe condition characterized by elevated blood pressure that typically emerges during pregnancy, usually after the 20th week.

• This condition can have adverse effects on multiple organs in the body and poses risks to both the mother and the developing fetus.

Symptoms:

• Individuals with preeclampsia commonly experience high blood pressure (hypertension) and elevated levels of protein in their urine (proteinuria).
• Additional symptoms may include vision changes such as temporary loss of vision, blurred vision, or heightened sensitivity to light.

Prevention:

• The primary clinical recommendation for preventing preeclampsia is the use of low-dose aspirin, supported by strong clinical evidence.

Additionally, adopting a healthy lifestyle and making prudent choices is advisable, especially for individuals who have previously experienced preeclampsia.

What is the News ?

The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY), an inventive employment incentive scheme introduced by the Central Government, has surpassed its initial objectives for generating employment. This achievement highlights its effectiveness in promoting job creation and supporting economic recovery amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facts About:

• Launched in 2020, the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY) was created to stimulate the creation of new job opportunities.
  • It achieves this by providing financial support to employers who are part of the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO).
• The primary objective of this scheme is to incentivize the employment of individuals, including those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
• It does so by covering both the employee and employer contributions, which amounts to 24% of wages, for establishments with up to 1000 employees.
• For larger establishments with over 1000 employees, the scheme covers only the employee's EPF contributions, which is 12% of wages, in relation to new employees.
• As of July 31, 2023, the ABRY has successfully enrolled more than 7.58 million new employees, surpassing its initial target for employment generation.
• This achievement underscores its significant contribution to revitalizing the job market and supporting economic recovery during these challenging times.

What is the News ?

The Meghalaya government has just started using advanced AI-powered robots to ensure that Umiam Lake, a popular tourist destination, remains clean and free from pollution.

Facts About:

Umiam Lake, also known as Barapani Lake, is located 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) north of Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.

• This beautiful lake is surrounded by the lush green hills of East Khasi and covers an expansive 10 square kilometers.

The history of Umiam Lake dates back to 1965 when a dam was built to generate hydroelectric power as part of the Umiam Umtru Hydroelectric Power Project, marking the lake's inception.

The primary source of water for the lake is the confluence of two streams, Umkhrah and Umshvrpi, which merge to form the Wah Ro-ro stream in the northwest of the town.

• This stream then joins the River Umiam, ensuring a steady flow of water into the lake.

The catchment area for the lake and dam extends over 220 square kilometers, encompassing not only Shillong but also its neighboring regions.

• Umiam Lake has gained popularity as a hub for water sports and adventure activities, making it a favorite destination for thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.

What is the News ?

Recently, the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) has revealed three fresh licensing agreements obtained via the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP).

Facts About:

• In May 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Costa Rica, in collaboration with 44 Member States, the UN Development Programme, Unitaid, UNAIDS, and implementing partners like the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), launched C-TAP.
• C-TAP operates based on the principles outlined in the Solidarity call to action.
• Its primary objective is to provide a platform where developers of COVID-19 treatments, diagnostics, vaccines, and other health products can voluntarily share their intellectual property, knowledge, and data.
• This sharing is aimed at expediting technological advancements and increasing global production capabilities in the fight against the pandemic.

What is the News ?

The National eGovernance Division (NeGD) within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is gearing up to incorporate Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) into its established Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) platform.

Facts About:

DIKSHA is a national education platform initiated by the National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) under the Ministry of Education.

• Its primary purpose is to deliver educational content to schools through both an online portal and a mobile application.

The platform was developed with a strong emphasis on key principles such as open architecture, open access, open licensing, choice, and autonomy.

• It relies on open-source technology tailored to India, featuring internet-scale capabilities that accommodate various teaching and learning needs.

Key Features:

• DIKSHA incorporates many essential components of the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR), enabling successful use-cases like interactive textbooks, online courses, content creation, content sourcing, interactive quizzes, question banks, chatbots, analytics, and dashboards.

To support the learning needs of Children With Special Needs (CWSN), DIKSHA offers a substantial collection of resources, including audiobooks, Indian Sign Language (ISL) videos, and a comprehensive dictionary.

What is the News ?

The National eGovernance Division (NeGD) within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is gearing up to incorporate Personalised Adaptive Learning (PAL) into its established Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA) platform.

Facts About:

DIKSHA is a national education platform initiated by the National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT) under the Ministry of Education.

• Its primary purpose is to deliver educational content to schools through both an online portal and a mobile application.

The platform was developed with a strong emphasis on key principles such as open architecture, open access, open licensing, choice, and autonomy.

• It relies on open-source technology tailored to India, featuring internet-scale capabilities that accommodate various teaching and learning needs.

Key Features:

• DIKSHA incorporates many essential components of the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR), enabling successful use-cases like interactive textbooks, online courses, content creation, content sourcing, interactive quizzes, question banks, chatbots, analytics, and dashboards.

To support the learning needs of Children With Special Needs (CWSN), DIKSHA offers a substantial collection of resources, including audiobooks, Indian Sign Language (ISL) videos, and a comprehensive dictionary.