New highly fluorescent material for detection of Methotrexate (GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- A new highly fluorescent material with exceptional optical properties has been developed using phosphorene, cystine, and gold (Ph-Cys-Au) which can be used as a visual sensing platform for detecting anti-cancer drug MTX overdosage of which has toxic effect on lungs, stomach, and heart.
- Monitoring therapeutic drugs and their elimination is crucial because they may cause severe side effects on the human body.
Methotrexate (MTX):
- Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used anti-cancer drug.
- The MTX value of more than 10 µM in blood plasma is hazardous if it remains in the system for more than 10 hours, resulting in poisoning effects on the lungs, ulcers of the stomach, and heart stroke.
- MTX is highly expensive, and the detection of unwanted overdoses using traditional procedures is time-consuming and involves complex instrumentation.
Key Highlights:
- The scientists of Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), a have developed a highly fluorescent material using phosphorene, cystine, and gold (Ph-Cys-Au).
- The material has exceptional optical properties and thus can be used as a visual sensing platform for detecting the anti-cancer drug MTX.
- This non-enzymatic approach for the detection of anticancer drug Methotrexate can help cytotoxicity screening for therapeutic analysis.
Outcome:
- The developed sensing platform outperforms all former systems as the materials are biocompatible with an appreciable detection limit.
- The material shows a detection limit of about 0.0266 nM (for a linear range of 0–140 µL) and 0.0077 nM (for a linear range of 160–260 µL).
- Moreover, the nanocomposite exhibited in vitro cytotoxicity towards cancerous cells, but it was non-cytotoxic for non-cancerous cells.
SpaceX launches South Korea’s first military spy satellite from California
(GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- A SpaceX rocket recently launched South Korea's first military spy satellite, intensifying a space race on the peninsula after Pyongyang launched its own first military eye in the sky earlier.
Details:
- South Korea's reconnaissance satellite, carried by SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, lifted off from the Vandenberg US Space Force Base in California.
- The rocket was emblazoned with the word "KOREA."
- Set to orbit between 400 and 600 kilometers (250 to 370 miles) above Earth, Seoul's satellite is capable of detecting an object as small as 30 centimeters (11.8 inches).
Way Forward:
- Reaching orbit would mean that South Korea has acquired its first domestically built spy satellite to monitor nuclear-armed North Korea.
- It plans to launch four additional spy satellites by the end of 2025 to bolster its reconnaissance capacity over the North.
UAE announces 30 bn dollar fund to boost climate investments
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- The UAE, host of the 28th Conference of Parties (COP-28), announced a $30-billion commitment to an investment fund called ALTÉRRA.
About ALTÉRRA:
- The privately managed fund aims to mobilise $250 billion globally by 2030 and be the largest of its kind, geared towards climate investments and transforming emerging markets and developing economies.
- COP-28 President Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber will chair the fund and Director-General Majid Al Suwaidi will serve as its chief executive officer.
- ALTÉRRA has been established by Lunate, an independent global investment manager, and is domiciled in the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
ALTÉRRA will have four key verticals namely:
- Energy Transition,
- Industrial Decarbonisation
- Sustainable Living
- Climate Technologies
Clean energy capacity in India:
- From the initial tranche, an unspecified amount has been earmarked for the development of over 6 GW (1 GW is 1,000 MW) of new clean energy capacity in India.
- This includes establishing 1,200 MW of wind and solar projects that will begin producing clean power by 2025.
Way Forward:
- ALTÉRRA provides a transformational solution for attracting private capital.
- By 2030, emerging markets and developing economies will require reportedly $2.4 trillion every year to address climate change.
