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  • Genome Sequencing of Cobra Venom

    This week, an international team of researchers reported that they have sequenced the genome of the Indian cobra, in the process identifying the genes that define its venom.  This has provided a blueprint for developing more effective antivenom.

    Big four in Snake bites

    • India alone accounts for about 50,000 deaths annually, and these are primarily attributed to the “big four”.
    • The challenge has been producing antivenom for the species known collectively as the “big four” — the Indian cobra (Naja naja), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), and saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus).
    • In India, common antivenom is marketed for the treatment of bites from the “big four”, but its effectiveness is questionable.
    • While the common antivenom worked as marketed against the saw-scaled viper and the common cobra, it fell short against some neglected species and also against one of the “big four” — the common krait.
    • Accidental contact with snakes leads to over 100,000 deaths across the world every year.

    What is antivenom?

    • Antivenom is currently produced by a century-old process — a small amount of venom is injected into a horse (or a sheep), which produces antibodies that are then collected and developed into antivenom.
    • This is expensive, cumbersome and comes with complications. Some of the antibodies raised from the horse may be completely irrelevant.

    Why has production of effective antivenom been challenging?

    • Venom is a complex mixture of an estimated 140-odd protein or peptides.
    • Only some of these constituents are toxins that cause the physiological symptoms seen after snakebite.
    • But antivenom available today does not target these toxins specifically.

    Issues with present antivenom

    • The horse also has a lot of antibodies floating in its blood that have nothing to do with the venom toxins.
    • One more problem with horse antibodies — our immune system recognises it as foreign and when antivenom is given our body mounts an antibody response. This leads to what is called serum sickness.
    • Also, next time if one is unlucky and has a snakebite incident (even if it is a different snake) and they are given a horse-derived antivenom, the body is going to have a severe allergic reaction.

    How does decoding the genome help?

    • In the Indian cobra genome, the authors identified 19 key toxin genes, the only ones that should matter in snakebite treatment.
    • They stress the need to leverage this knowledge for creation of antivenom using synthetic human antibodies.
    • Targeting these 19 specific toxins using synthetic human antibodies should lead to a safe and effective antivenom for treating Indian cobra bites.

    Back2Basics

    Genome Sequencing

    • Genome is an organism’s complete set of DNA, including all of its genes.
    • Each genome contains all of the information needed to build and maintain that organism. In humans, a copy of the entire genome—more than 3 billion DNA base pairs—is contained in all cells that have a nucleus.
    • Genome sequencing is figuring out the order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in a genome—the order of As, Cs, Gs, and Ts that make up an organism’s DNA.

  • Goldilocks Zone

    NASA has reported the discovery of an Earth-size planet, named TOI 700 d, orbiting its star in the “habitable zone”.

    Goldilocks Zone

    • A habitable zone, also called the “Goldilocks zone”, is the area around a star where it is not too hot and not too cold for liquid water to exist on the surface of surrounding planets.
    • Our Earth is in the Sun’s Goldilocks zone. If Earth were where the dwarf planet Pluto is, all its water would freeze; on the other hand, if Earth were where Mercury is, all its water would boil off.
    • Life on Earth started in water, and water is a necessary ingredient for life as we know it.
    • So, when scientists search for the possibility of alien life, any rocky exoplanet in the habitable zone of its star is an exciting find.

    TOI 700 d

    • The newest such planet was found by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission, which it launched in 2018.
    • The star, TOI 700, is an “M dwarf” located just over 100 light-years away in the southern constellation Dorado, is roughly 40% of our Sun’s mass and size, and has about half its surface temperature.
    • The find was confirmed by the Spitzer Space Telescope, which sharpened the measurements that TESS had made, such as orbital period and size.
    • TOI 700 d measures 20% larger than Earth. It orbits its star once every 37 days and receives an amount of energy that is equivalent to 86% of the energy that the Sun provides to Earth.

  • Person in news: Revolutionary Ashfaqullah Khan

    The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved a proposal for a zoological garden spread across 121 acres in Gorakhpur, to be named after the freedom fighter and revolutionary Ashfaqullah Khan.

    Ashfaqullah Khan

    • Khan was a freedom fighter who, along with Ram Prasad Bismil, was sentenced to death for the Kakori train robbery, commonly referred to as the Kakori conspiracy of 1925.
    • He was born on October 22, 1900, in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
    • He grew up at a time when Mahatma Gandhi had launched the non-cooperation movement and urged Indians not to pay taxes to the government or co-operate with the British.

    Moved by NCM withdrawal

    • Within about 1.5 years of the movement’s launch, in February 1922, the Chauri Chaura incident took place in Gorakhpur — a large number of non-cooperation protestors clashed with the police and set the police station on fire, killing roughly 22 policemen.
    • Opposed to violence, Gandhi called off the movement.
    • The youth of the country were greatly disappointed and disillusioned with this. Khan was one among these youths.
    • Subsequently, he joined the revolutionaries and became acquainted with Bismil.

    Ashfaqullah Khan and the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association

    • In the mid-1920s, Khan and Bismil went on to found the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), with the aim of winning freedom for the country through an armed revolution.
    • HSRA published its manifesto titled “The Revolutionary” in 1925.
    • It held that the immediate object of the revolutionary party in the domain of politics is to establish a federal Republic of United State of India by an organized and armed revolution.
    • The final constitution of this Republic shall be framed and declared at a time when the representatives of India shall have the power to carry out their decision.
    • But the basic principles of this Republic will be universal suffrage and abolition of all system which make the exploitation of man by man possible, e.g. the railways, the mines and other industries such as the manufacture of steel and ships all these shall be nationalised.

    The Kakori Conspiracy

    • In August 1925, an armed robbery took place on board the Kakori Express, going from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow, carrying money that had been collected at various railway stations and was to be deposited in Lucknow.
    • In this planned robbery, carried out to fund the activities of the HSRA, Bismil, Khan and over 10 other revolutionaries stopped the train and fled with the cash they found in it.
    • Within a month of the robbery, many members of the HSRA were arrested.
    • In September 1926, Bismil was arrested however Khan was on the run and was later arrested.
    • The trial for the case went on for about 1.5 years. It ended in April 1927, with Bismil, Khan, Rajendra Lahiri and Roshan Singh sentenced to death, and the others given life sentences.

  • Epiphany festival

    The Epiphany festival was celebrated in parts of India, such as Goa and Kerala. In Goa, the celebration is known by its Portuguese name ‘Festa dos Reis’, and in parts of Kerala by its Syriac name ‘Denha’.

    Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day

    • Epiphany is among the three oldest and major festival days in Christianity, the two others being Christmas and Easter.
    • It is celebrated on January 6 by a number of Christian sects, including Roman Catholics, and on January 19 by some Eastern Orthodox churches.
    • In the West, the duration between December 25 and January 6 is known as the Twelve Days of Christmas.
    • Epiphany is a feast day, or a day of commemoration, which in Christianity marks the visit of the Magi (meaning the Three Wise Men or Three Kings) to the Infant Jesus (Christ from his nativity until age 12).
    • According to Christian belief, the Magi — Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar (or Casper), the kings of Arabia, Persia, and India, respectively — followed a miraculous guiding star to Bethlehem to paid homage to the Infant Jesus.
    • The day also commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.

    Celebrations in India

    • In Goa, the Magi or Three Kings are called ‘Reis Magos’ in Portuguese.
    • The Reis Magos fort, and church, in Bardez, and the Three Kings Chapel in Cansaulim, get their name from the belief.
    • Communities in Bardez, Chandor, Cansaulim, Arossim, and Cuelim are known to celebrate Epiphany.
    • In Kerala, at the St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Cathedral in Piravom, ‘Denha’ is an important annual celebration, in which a big congregation takes part.

  • Decimate Prelims Program | Score 125 + in UPSC Prelims 2020

     

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  • 9th January 2020| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement

    The topics covered in the upcoming AWE on 10th January are:

    Q.1) Salient features of the world’s physical geography.

    Q.4) Case Studies

     

    Question 1)

    “Regional assertiveness can prove to be a peril to National Unity.” Examine the statement with suitable examples? (15 Marks)

    Question 2)

    ‘The Indian Constitution has inherent unitary tilt’. In the light of the statement mention the provision in the Constitution which are in favour of the strong Centre and highlight its implications. (15 Marks)

    Question 3)

    With the Indian Economy sputtering, there is a growing demand for a cut in taxes. There is also a section clamouring in favour of boosting the demand and opposing the tax cuts. Evaluate the effects both the option could have on the economy. (15 Marks)

    Question 4)

    You are the officer in charge of overseeing refugees’ related issues in a multilateral humanitarian organisation. There is an ethnicity-based civil war going on in a region and as a result, many people are being displaced. Hitherto, the economically better-off neighbouring countries have accommodated the streams of migrants with financial support from your organisation. The violence in the region has increased recently and the flux of people seeking refuge has grown substantially. With countries sealing their borders, the refugees are left in a vulnerable situation. You are sent to negotiate for humanitarian settlement of refugees with the neighbouring countries, who also happen to be a powerful economic bloc. However, they refuse any more accommodation on the following grounds: (a) Drainage of resources in the face of subdued economic conditions. (b) Domestic political repercussions. (c) Rehabilitation will encourage more influx and indirectly fuel the persecutors. (d) Permanency of settlement in face of better prospects than at home. What are the counter-arguments that can be cited to convince the countries for an immediate solution? Suggest some long term measures as well that should be followed to address the problem. (15 Marks)

    Reviews will be provided in a week. (In the order of submission- First come first serve basis). In case the answer is submitted late the review period may get extended to two weeks.

    *In case your answer is not reviewed in a week, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. If Parth Sir’s tag is available then tag him.

    For the philosophy of AWE and payment, check  here: Click2Join

  • [op-ed of the day] There is a design flaw with this military post

    Context

    Recently Chief of Defence Staff post was created by the Government. The utility of this post and the problem it could create are debated.

    History leading to the post

    • First World War brought to the fore the command and control dilemmas of concurrent conflicts.
    • During the colonial years of Great Britain, an issue that received consideration was the British higher command and control structures.
    • With the declaration of the Second World War, the responsibility of higher command fell on War Cabinet serviced by the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
    • Winston Churchill as prime minister given the supreme power but remained responsible to the parliament.
    • After the U.S. entered the war, a unified command required a single commander.
    • After the war ended and the Cold War started, Eisenhower became the supreme commander of NATO.
    • While political powers were vested in the NATO council.
    • Despite the experience of the World Wars the U.S. has not created CDS.
    • In the U.S., the military chain of command runs directly from theatre commanders to civilian secretaries to the President.
    • Britain, however, created the post of the Chief of Defence Staff.

    The outline for India

    • The three-tier defense management structure was adopted by Jawaharlal Nehru.
    • Cabinet Committee on security has served India for well over the years.

    Role of CDS

    • Department of Military Affairs, headed by CDS will deal with the Army, Navy and Air force and The Territorial Army.
    • Works related to procurement related exclusively to the services except for capital acquisition.
    • He will also act as a Principal Military Advisor to the Defence Minister.
    • CDS will not exercise any military command, including the three Service Chiefs, so as to be able to provide impartial advice to the political leadership.

    A subordination

    • There would be an implied subordination of the three service chiefs to the CDS notwithstanding any declaration to the contrary.
    • CDS is tasked with facilitating the restructuring of military commands.
    • Bringing about jointness in operations including through the establishment of joint/ theatre command.
    • This could encroach upon the domain of the service chiefs.
    • The CDS would outrank the three service chiefs even though all are four-star.
    • CDS could override the Service Chiefs on critical tactical and perhaps even strategic issues.

    Conclusion

    • The Department of Military Affairs would exercise control over the three services and also most problematic is the erosion of the civilian supremacy which could result with the creation of the post.

  • [op-ed snap] Amidst a tragedy, an opportunity

    Context

    The raging fire in Australia gives provides an opportunity for India and Australia to deepen their dialogue including on energy.

    Scope for the two countries

    • At this moment India and Australia have a rare opportunity to translate their converging interests into a partnership.
    • At Australia India Leadership Dialogue last month in Melbourne, the breadth and depth of the relationship was evident.
    • As a consequence of the bushfires, the debate on global warming, climate change and fossil fuels is going to intensify in the weeks ahead.
    • Environmental activism has gained ground throughout Australia.
    • Indian Ocean Dipole may have triggered the drought that is related to the fires.
    • The campaign against fossil fuels and the export of coal is sure to intensify.
    • India and Australia are two economies with a great stakeholding in fossil fuels.
    • It is critical for India and Australia to ensure that their dialogue on energy acquires momentum.
    • Both countries must simultaneously strengthen the International Solar Alliance and the search for other alternative green fuels.

    Common threat of China

    • Leadership Dialogue also recognised that we are living through a period of immense turbulence, disruption, and even subversion.
    • Presence of assertive China is the single biggest challenge to our two countries.
    • In India, there is a consensus that the Australia-India relationship is an idea whose time has well and truly come.

    Area of coordination

    • India and Australia can work on the area of water management to trauma research to skill and higher education.
    • Both the countries can also work in the area of maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism,
    • In a survey, Indians ranked Australia in the top four nations towards which they feel most warmly.
    • Both have a strategic interest in ensuring a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
    • Indians are today the largest source of skilled migrants in Australia.
    • there is need for an early conclusion of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement.

     Conclusion

    There is a large scope for both countries to coordinate on wide issues like energy, research, security and work together for the benefit of both countries.

     

     

  • 8th January 2020 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    [WpProQuiz 332]

  • [op-ed snap] Children of lesser gods

    Context

    The deaths of nearly 200 children in Kota, from largely preventable diseases, lays bare the condition of the healthcare system in India.

    Where does India stand?

    • According to UNICEF’s ‘State of World’s Children 2019’ report, India reported the maximum number of deaths of children under five in the world in 2018.
    • 8,82,000 children under five died that year.
    • That means around 2,416 deaths per day.
    • The death of children due to largely-preventable illnesses is a matter of serious concern and calls for urgent introspection.

    Factors that govern child health

    • Most of the children who died in Gorakhpur, Muzaffarpur and Kota belong to the lowest strata of the society.
    • It won’t be wrong to conclude that they were victims of structural violence.
    • This structural violence is unleashed through a multitude of social, political and economic factors apathy of healthcare professionals, poor health services/infrastructure
    • And low rates of female literacy, economic inequality, the rigid caste system, social apartheid, lack of political will and patriarchy play role.
    • As a society, we have stopped looking at the deaths of our citizens through the prism of compassion and concern.
    • Structural violence influences the nature and distribution of extreme suffering.

    What is being done in the wrong way?

    • The government is considering the takeover of 750 district hospitals by private medical colleges through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
    • This, despite ample evidence about the failure of the model in the country’s healthcare system.
    • Nobel laureate Kenneth Arrow demonstrated that profit and private involvement in healthcare lead to an erosion of trust.
    • An Individual’s demand for medical services is irregular and unpredictable, the involvement of a private market model for such services can be disastrous.
    • The U.S.’s experiences in the PPP model in healthcare have shone a light on the deficits in transparency and highlighted the lack of care of vulnerable groups.

    Conclusion

    • What urgently a sincere engagement by the state in matters concerning peoples’ health.
    • We need to question the government’s priorities in a country where nearly a million children die every year

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