Table of Contents
UPSC Prelims News of 1st September 2022
Atal Bridge
Context: Recently, Prime Minister inaugurated the iconic ‘Atal Bridge’ in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat.
Key facts about Atal Bridge:
- This bridge is built on the banks of the Sabarmati Riverfront on Sabarmati River which flows through the city of Ahmedabad.
- Equipped with attractive design and LED lights, this bridge is about 300 meters long and 14 meters wide.
- The bridge is made up of steel and glass.
- The bridge will provide connectivity to various public developments on the East and West Bank, from multi-level car parking and plazas, to the proposed arts, cultural and exhibition center between the Flower Park on the East Coast and the West Bank’s Event Ground.
- Apart from pedestrians, cyclists can also use this bridge to cross the river.
- The total cost of construction of this bridge is Rs 74.29 lakh crore.
Sabarmati River Front
- It is a waterfront being developed along the banks of Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad, India. Proposed in the 1960s, the construction began in 2005. Since 2012, the waterfront is gradually opened to public.
Solomon Islands Ban Foreign Navy Vessels
Context: Solomon Islands has temporarily decided against allowing foreign Navy vessels from visiting its ports.
Recent Events in Solomon Islands:
- Chinese influence: China has signed a security agreement with Solomon Islands, which also includes a clause allowing deployment of Chinese security officials.
- This has started rumours of lead to a Chinese military base on the island nation
- Western governments believe that the islands could provide China with a military foothold in a strategically region part of the world.
Solomon Islands:
- Solomon Islands is located in South Pacific Ocean Region.
- It was once a British protectorate and achieved independence as a republic in 1978.
Stakes for China:
- Belt and Road Initiative: China considers Pacific Island region as an important component of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- It sees the region as a critical air freight hub in its so-called Air Silk Road, which connects Asia with Central and South America.
- Strategic importance: The strategic location of Solomon Islands in the Pacific may prove to be advantageous for China from a military perspective.
- Security treaty with Solomon Islands allows Chinese naval vessels to replenish there.
Oncolytic Virus
Context: A new study says that body’s immune capacity against cancer can be boosted by using oncolytic viruses.
About Oncolytic Virus:
- Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a category of viruses that selectively target and kill cancer cells while leaving normal ones.
- These viruses can enhance the immune system’s ability to recognise and terminate cancer cells.
The Study:
- The study focused on a specific category of oncolytic virus known as myxoma.
- T-cells infected with myxoma virus can cause a type of cancer cell death not previously observed.
Autosis:
- Autosis is a type of cell destruction that is useful against solid tumours, which are usually treatment-resistant.
- The research identified unexpected link between T-cells and MYXV (myxoma virus) to strengthen solid tumour cell autosis that reinforces tumour clearance.
- Myxoma-equipped T-cells works more efficiently as cancerous cells in the vicinity of those targeted are also killed.
- CAR T-cell therapy (CART) and T Cell Receptor Engineering (TCR) are the two types of immunotherapy that are mentioned in the study.
Significance of Study:
- Cold tumour: The study emphasizes that immunotherapy combined with virotherapy has potential to seek and destroy ‘cold tumours’ that go under the immune system’s radar.
- Targeted killing: Oncolytic virus attack cancerous cells but leave out healthy ones in the process.
Anti-Radiation Pills
Context: The European Union has decided to pre-emptively supply anti-radiation pills to the residents near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Anti-Radiation Pills:
- They are known to provide some protection from radiation exposure.Potassium Iodide (KI) is the most preferred pills.
- The pills contain non-radioactive iodine that can help block absorption, and subsequent concentration, of radioactive iodine in the human thyroid gland.
Working of Anti-Radiation pills:
- Radioactive iodine deposited during external exposure can be removed using warm water and soap but the biggest threat is posed by inhalation.
- The human thyroid gland is unable to differentiate between radioactive and non radioactive iodine, which results in its absorption.
- Non-radioactive iodine taken before exposure will ensure that non-radioactive iodine in the medicine is absorbed quickly to make the thyroid “full”.
- During exposure, the thyroid gland will not have capacity to absorb additional iodine, thus protecting the gland.
Radiation Emergency:
- It is an unplanned or accidental event that create radio-nuclear hazard to humans and the environment.
- It involves radiation exposure from a radioactive source and requires prompt intervention to reduce the threat.
Shortcomings of Potassium Iodide Pills:
- Pre-emptive working: The pills work only pre-emptively to protect from radiation. It cannot reverse any damage done by radiation to the thyroid gland.
- Thyroid gland exposed to radiation has high chances of developing thyroid cancer.
- Effectiveness: Potassium Iodide pills are not full proof. The effectiveness also depends on how much radioactive iodine is absorbed in the body.
- Limited protection: The Potassium Iodide pills can only protect thyroid gland from radioactive exposure but cannot protect other organs of the body.
Thyroid Gland:
- Thyroid is an endocrine gland that is responsible for secreting thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) hormones.
- The thyroid gland needs iodine to produce hormones.
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