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1. World Immunisation Day, observed on November 10, highlights the importance of vaccines in preventing diseases. In India, key immunisation programs include the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), which has achieved 93.23% coverage in FY 2023-24, and Mission Indradhanush (MI), launched in 2014 to target low-immunisation areas. The U-WIN portal simplifies vaccine delivery and record-keeping. Public health milestones include the COVID-19 vaccination campaign (220 crore doses administered), polio eradication in 2014, and elimination of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus in 2015. India also became the first WHO-certified yaws-free country and is close to eliminating Kala-azar. UIP provides free vaccination against 12 diseases, reducing the under-5 mortality rate from 45 to 32 per 1,000 live births since 2014.
2. Human cases of a novel reassortant H5N1 bird flu virus were recently reported in Cambodia. This new strain results from the mixing of clade 2.3.2.1c, common in Southeast Asia, with the global 2.3.4.4b clade. H5N1, which causes avian influenza in birds, was first identified in 1996. It can infect people working closely with infected animals or their byproducts, such as dairy workers, but does not spread from person to person. The H5N1 virus is a single-stranded RNA virus with a lipid-containing envelope. Seasonal flu vaccines do not provide protection against animal influenza A viruses like H5N1.
3. The Supreme Court recently affirmed that access to environments, services, and opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) is a fundamental human right. The court urged the government to ensure universal accessibility in public and private spaces, services, and products as mandated by Rule 15 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017. This rule covers accessibility in the physical environment, transport, and information technology. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 aims to protect and promote the rights of PWDs in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which India ratified in 2007. The act defines a person with benchmark disability as having at least 40% disability. Key initiatives for empowerment include the Accessible India Campaign, Unique Disability Identification Portal, and assistance for purchasing aids and appliances.
4. A recent study on the impact of debranning five Indian small millets revealed that removing the bran reduces protein, fiber, fat, minerals, and phytate content, while increasing carbohydrates and amylose, raising the glycemic load and diminishing health benefits. De-branning also shortens cooking time and extends shelf life, but vacuum-sealing whole-grain millets can achieve similar results without removing the bran. Millets are rich in minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium, and are beneficial for managing diabetes, hyperlipidemia, weight loss, and cardiovascular disease. They are gluten-free and low glycemic, making them suitable for individuals with celiac disease or diabetes. Millets are drought-tolerant, require minimal water and chemicals, and are grown primarily in dry, arid regions. India is the largest producer and exporter of millets, and 2023 was designated as the International Year of Millets by the FAO to promote their ecological and economic benefits.
5. LignoSat, the world’s first wood-panelled satellite, was launched to explore timber as a sustainable material for space missions. Developed by Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry of Japan, LignoSat uses wooden panels crafted from magnolia trees, employing traditional Japanese techniques without screws or glue. The satellite combines wood with conventional aluminum structures and electronics. Its primary goal is to test the wood's durability in extreme space conditions (ranging from -100°C to 100°C) and its potential to shield semiconductors from space radiation. Researchers believe wood could replace metals in space exploration, similar to early wooden airplanes. Unlike conventional aluminum satellites, which release harmful pollutants when they burn up in the atmosphere, LignoSat's wood composition may reduce space pollution, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative for future missions.