Daily Quiz 31 August 2023

Explanation:

• Option (2) is the correct answer: El Niño means Little Boy, or Christ Child in Spanish. It represents the above-average sea-surface temperatures that periodically develop across the east-central equatorial Pacific. It is laden with high air surface pressure in the western Pacific. During El Niño, trade winds weaken. Warm water is pushed back east, toward the west coast of the Americas, resulting in a weaker Walker cell. Typically occurs every 3-5 years and lasts 9-12 months. It affects the world climate/weather in following ways:
  • Droughts in eastern Australia
  • Flooding in western South America
  • Weak upwelling over the west coast of South America.
  • The monsoon is affected so heavily that 70% reduction of the rainfall is expected. The winds doesn’t carry the moisture towards Indian landmass during El Nino causing deficiency in rainfall.

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: Tropical cyclones are low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters. They typically form when the sea-surface temperature is above 26.5°C. Majority of the tropical cyclones generally form around the equator at 5 ° – 30 °. However, tropical cyclones generally do not form on the Equator or in the area that is located within five degrees of latitude from the Equator.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Coriolis forces at the equator are too small to generate a vortex powerful enough to form a cyclone. Coriolis force at and beyond 5° latitudes is significant enough to create a storm [cyclonic vortex]. About 65 per cent of cyclonic activity occurs between 10° and 20° latitude.
• Hence statement 2 correct explanation of statement 1.

Explanation:

A study published in the journal Nature Communications suggests that a combination of global warming and a cyclical phenomenon called the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) could make equatorial-origin tropical cyclones more frequent in the coming years.

• Statement 1 is correct: During the positive phase of the PDO, the sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific are warmer than average, while the western Pacific tends to be cooler than average. A ‘warm’ phase of PDO occurred from 1977 to 1999 (22 years). This warmer-than-normal condition can lead to various effects on weather and climate, such as:
  • Increased likelihood of wetter and cooler conditions along the western coast of North America.
  • Warmer and drier conditions in the western Pacific, including Australia and parts of Asia.
  • Altered atmospheric circulation patterns, affecting storm tracks and precipitation patterns.
• Statement 2 is correct: During the negative phase of the PDO, the sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific are cooler than average, while the western Pacific is relatively warmer than average. A ‘cool’ phase of PDO occurred from 1947 to 1976 (29 years). This phase also has significant impacts on weather and climate:
  • Increased likelihood of drier and warmer conditions along the western coast of North America.
  • Cooler and wetter conditions in the western Pacific, affecting regions like Australia and parts of Asia.

Explanation:

Recently, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government over a video of a student.

• Option (4) is correct: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is a statutory body.
  • It was established on 12 October 1993.
  • The statute under which it is established is the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
  • It is in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the first international workshop on national institutions for the protection of human rights held in Paris in 1991.
    • The Paris Principles provide an agreed basis for assessing the independence and effectiveness of national human rights institutions.
    • The key pillars of the Paris Principles are pluralism, independence and effectiveness.

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that affect hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen through the body. Normally, red blood cells are disc-shaped and flexible enough to move easily through the blood vessels. In the sickle cell disease, the red blood cells are crescent- or “sickle”-shaped. These cells do not bend or move easily and can block blood flow to the rest of the body.
• Statement 2 is correct: One is the Sickle Cell trait, in which the individual does not exhibit any disease or symptoms and lives a normal life. The second form is characterised by the presence of symptoms related to sickle cell disease. Swelling of hands and feet, Anemia, Periodic episodes of extreme pain, infections, vision problems, significant reduction in life expectancy are the common symptoms of SCD.
• Statement 3 is correct: SCD can only be cured by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation. These transplants are normally reserved for children with severe SCD since they are hazardous and can have substantial adverse effects.