07 May 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. As drone hits pick up inside Russia, the war is coming home for Putin
C. GS 3 Related
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. FDA approves first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
F. Prelims Facts
1. Scientists identify mutations in DNA for early diagnosis of drug-resistant bacteria for TB
2. Recent rain likely to expand cotton farming in the north
G. Tidbits
1. Charles III crowned in regal ceremony
2. 10 Indian languages to get technical-term dictionaries
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

A. GS 1 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

C. GS 3 Related

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. FDA approves first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus

Syllabus: Developments in the field of Science and Technology.

Mains: Vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus(RSV).

Prelims:  RSV Vaccine.

Context:  FDA approved the first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus on 3rd May 2023.

Details

• The first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The name of the vaccine is Arexvy.
• It aims to lower respiratory tract disease in people older than 60 years.
• The vaccine is manufactured by a company named GSK. 
• The FDA approved the vaccine on the basis of a phase-3 trial conducted on approximately 25000 participants.
• It was found that a single dose of vaccine reduced the risk of developing lower respiratory tract disease caused by the RSV virus by almost 82.6% (people with ages above 60 years). Moreover, it reduced the risk of severe disease by 94.1%.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Comorbidities:

• As per the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, lower respiratory tract disease caused by the RSV virus leads to around 60000 to 120000 hospitalizations and nearly 6000 to 10000 deaths among people with age 65 or more.
• The RSV virus considerably impacts adults with comorbidities. For instance, the common cold with mild symptoms can become deadly for older people with RSV.
• According to the Atlanta-based CDC, RSV is also a cause of concern for infants. Approximately 58000 to 80000 children (below 5 years) in the U.S. are hospitalized and about 100 to 300 die due to RSV.

Vaccines for RSV:

• Arexvy will be available for older adults in the U.S. ahead of winter 2023-24.
• It is highlighted that two more RSV vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna have completed clinical trials and might be approved by FDA in the coming months.
  • The vaccine developed by Pfizer is a protein-based vaccine whereas the vaccine by Moderna is a mRNA vaccine.
• Trials are also underway by GSK for people aged between 50 to 59 (including people with comorbidities).

Nut Graf: The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus. It has the potential to considerably reduce respiratory tract-related disease in persons aged above 60 years.

D. GS 4 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

G. Tidbits

1. Charles III crowned in regal ceremony

• King Charles III formally ascended the throne on 6th May 2023 at Westminster Abbey.
• He will be the titular head of the U.K. and 14 former commonwealth countries.
• Notably, he was crowned at the age of 74. Whereas Queen Elizabeth II became queen at the age of 25 (in 1953).
• The coronation was attended by heads of state and governments from across the country.
• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar along with his wife represented India at the event.
• The coronation ceremony was a mix of tradition and modernity. For instance,
  • King Charles was seated on the throne of Edward the Confessor, used at every coronation since 1300. 
  • Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a Hindu, for the first time read from the Bible.
  • The ceremony was opened by a Welsh Song and there was a Black gospel choir and female bishops.
  • According to his personal preference and being referred to as a “Defender of Faith”, King received coronation regalia from individuals of different religions.
  • Moreover, he greeted a diverse group of religious leaders at the end of his service.
• The Queen Consort, Camilla (the second wife of King Charles) was also crowned during the event. She wore Queen Mary’s Crown (first used in 1911) to promote “sustainability and efficiency”.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements: (Level- Moderate)

1. Geoglyphs are a form of prehistoric rock art, created on the surface of laterite plateaus.
2. Petroglyphs in Ratnagiri are locally known as Katal Shilpa. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: Geoglyphs are a form of prehistoric rock art, created on the surface of laterite plateaus by removing a part of the rock surface through incision, picking, carving, or abrading. 
• Statement 2 is correct: Ratnagiri has more than 1,500 pieces of petroglyphs, locally called “Katal Shilpa”.

Q2. With respect to Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which of the following
statements is/are correct? (Level-Moderate)

1. In PMLA, the prosecution bears the burden of proof. 
2. PMLA is a Predicate Offence oriented law.

Options:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Under the PMLA, the burden of proof lies with the accused, who has to prove that the suspect property/assets have not been obtained through proceeds of crime.
• Statement 2 is correct: PMLA is a Predicate Offence oriented Law. A predicate offence is an offence whose earnings may become the subject of any money-laundering offences established under the Convention.

Q3. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to Tagin people?
(Level- Difficult)

1. The Tagin’s are one of the major tribes of Assam.
2. The most important festival of the Tagins is the Si-Donyi Festival, involves the veneration of the earth and the sun.
3. Tagin is a Sino-Tibetan language.

Options:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: 

• Statement 1 is not correct: The Tagin’s are one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Statement 2 is correct: The most important festival of the Tagins is the Si-Donyi Festival, which involves the veneration of the earth and the sun.
• Statement 3 is correct: Tagin is a Sino-Tibetan language.

Q4. Swarming migratory locusts – which threaten food security across the globe – avoid
being eaten by other locusts by producing a smelly pheromone called(Level- Difficult)

1. Dodecen-1-yl acetate
2. Norepinephrine 
3. Pheromone Frontalin
4. PhenylAcetoNitrile (PAN)

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation: Swarming migratory locusts avoid being eaten by other locusts by producing a smelly pheromone called phenylacetonitrile (PAN),

Q5.   At present, scientists can determine the arrangement or relative positions of
genes or DNA sequences on a chromosome. How does this knowledge benefit us?
(Level- Easy)

1. It is possible to know the pedigree of livestock.
2. It is possible to understand the causes of all human diseases.
3. It is possible to develop disease-resistant animal breeds.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: 

• Statements 1 and 3 are correct: The knowledge of the arrangement or relative positions of genes or DNA sequences on a chromosome is helpful in determining the pedigree of livestock and developing disease-resistant animal breeds.
• Statement 2 is not correct: It is not possible to understand the causes of all human diseases through such knowledge.