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Type: Discovered / Found

  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Scientists Discover New Species in Angola’s Lisima Plateau

    8 June 2026 | Discovered / FoundPrelims OnlySpecies | Environment
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

    Why in the news?

    Wildlife experts under the Wilderness Project discovered several new insect and spider species during an expedition to the Lisima Plateau in Angola.

    Newly Identified Species

    • 8 new dragonfly species.
    • 3 new grasshopper species.
    • Around:
      • 60 new butterflies and moths.

    Other Notable Discoveries

    • Armoured predatory cricket.
    • New copper caterpillar species and butterfly.
    • Fluorescent crowned crab spider.
    • Blood-orange ladybird orb-web spider.

    Fluorescent Crowned Crab Spider

    • Special Feature: Fluoresces under ultraviolet (UV) light.
    • Fluorescence may help:
      • Communication
      • Camouflage
      • Predator avoidance.

    Ladybird Orb-Web Spider

    • Feature: Mimics ladybirds using bright coloration.
    • Purpose: Warns predators about:
      • Toxicity
      • Bitter taste.
    • Example of: Mimicry in nature.

    About Lisima Plateau

    • Remote plateau region in: Angola.

    Hydrological Importance

    • Feeds four major African river systems:
      • Congo River
      • Okavango River
      • Zambezi River
      • Cuanza River.

    Global Biodiversity Context

    • Around 8.7 million species exist globally.
    • Only about: 1.5 million species are documented.
    • Extinction Concern: More than 800 animal species extinct since 1500 due to human activities.

    [2023] Consider the following statements:
    1.Some mushrooms have medicinal properties.
    2.Some mushrooms have psycho- active properties.
    3.Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties.
    4.Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    [A] Only one

    [B] Only two

    [C] Only three

    [D] All four

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Next Generation Nanomedicine for Breast Cancer

    4 June 2026 | Discovered / FoundPIBPrelims Only | Science and Technology
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-16.Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology

    Why in the news?

    Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute developed a biodegradable nanomedicine platform capable of silencing cancer driving genes in breast cancer cells, offering a promising precision oncology therapy.

    Key Highlights

    • Research published in: Advanced Healthcare Materials.
    • Developed under: Department of Science and Technology.
    • Uses: Targeted gene silencing strategy.
    • Aim: Effective tumour inhibition with minimal toxicity.

    What is Nanomedicine?

    Nanomedicine refers to the use of nanoscale materials and technology for:

    • Diagnosis
    • Drug delivery
    • Treatment of diseases.

    What is Precision Nanomedicine?

    • Precision nanomedicine: Targets disease causing cells specifically.
    • Reduces:
      • Damage to healthy tissues.
      • Side effects associated with conventional therapies.

    Key Technology Used

    Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

    • Biodegradable nanoparticles with:
      • High drug loading capacity.
      • Tunable surface chemistry.
    • Used to deliver: Small interfering RNA (siRNA).

    What is siRNA?

    • Small interfering RNA (siRNA): Molecules that silence specific genes by preventing protein production.
    • Used in:
      • Gene therapy
      • Cancer treatment research.

    [2015] With reference to the use of nanotechnology in health sector, which of the following statements is/are correct?
    1.Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology
    2.Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy
    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 only

    [C] Both 1 and 2

    [D] Neither 1 nor 2

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Tylosaurus rex – The “T. rex of the Sea”

    2 June 2026 | Discovered / FoundPrelims Only | Environment
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

    Why in the news?

    Scientists have identified a new species of giant marine reptile named Tylosaurus rex, a fearsome predator that lived during the age of dinosaurs. The findings were published in the Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History.

    Key Highlights

    • Tylosaurus rex was:
      • A giant marine reptile.
      • One of the apex predators of the Cretaceous Period.
    • Scientists identified it as a distinct species based on:
      • Huge body size
      • Serrated teeth
      • Strong jaw and neck musculature
      • Anatomical differences from related species.

    About Tylosaurus rex

    • Lived around 80 million years ago.
    • Habitat: an inland sea that once divided North America.
    • Features:
      • Streamlined body
      • Long snout
      • Paddle like flippers
      • Powerful tail.

    What are Mosasaurs?

    Tylosaurus rex belonged to:

    • Mosasaurs: Group of extinct marine reptiles.
    • They evolved from Land dwelling lizards.
    • Became: Apex marine predators during the late Cretaceous Period.

    [2018] The term “sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction” is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of

    A. Widespread monoculture practices in agriculture and large-scale commercial farming with indiscriminate use of chemicals in many parts of the world that may result in the loss of good native ecosystems.

    B. Fears of a possible collision of a meteorite with the Earth in the near future in the manner it happened 65 million years ago that caused the mass extinction of many species including those of dinosaurs.

    C. Large scale cultivation of genetically modified crops in many parts of the world and promoting their cultivation in other parts of the world which may cause the disappearance of good native crop plants and the loss of food biodiversity.

    D. Mankind’s over-exploitation/misuse of natural resources, fragmentation/loss of natural habitats, destruction of ecosystems, pollution and global climate change.

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    Webb Telescope Captures Weather on Exoplanet WASP-94A b

    1 June 2026 | Discovered / FoundPrelims Only | Science and Technology
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-17.Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

    Why in the news?

    Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope observed weather patterns on the exoplanet WASP-94A b located nearly 700 light years away from Earth.

    Key Highlights

    • The study was published in the journal Science on May 21, 2026.
    • Scientists detected:
      • Cloud formation
      • Atmospheric circulation
      • Dynamic weather cycles on the exoplanet.
    • The exoplanet studied is:
      • WASP-94A b.

    About WASP-94A b

    • It is a Gas giant exoplanet.
    • Nearly Twice the size of Jupiter.
    • It has about half Jupiter’s mass.
    • Completes one revolution around its star in Four days.

    What are Hot Jupiters?

    • “Hot Jupiters” are Massive gas giant exoplanets orbiting very close to their host stars.
    • Characteristics:
      • Extremely high temperatures
      • Tidally locked rotation
      • One side permanently facing the star.

    Tidally Locked Planets

    A tidally locked planet has:

    • Rotation period equal to revolution period.
    • As a result:
      • One side remains permanently day side.
      • The other side remains permanently night side.

    Weather on WASP-94A b

    Scientists observed:

    • Morning side: Clouds of magnesium silicate, iron and magnesium sulphide.
    • Evening side: Relatively clear skies.

    Clouds form on the cooler night side and move towards the hotter day side through powerful winds before dissipating.

    How Were the Atmospheres Studied?

    Scientists used:

    • Spectroscopy
    • Transit method

    Spectroscopy

    • Light from the host star is split into wavelengths.
    • Atmospheric gases absorb specific wavelengths.
    • This helps identify chemical compounds present in the atmosphere.

    Transit Method

    • The exoplanet passes in front of its host star.
    • The atmosphere absorbs part of the starlight.
    • Scientists analyse these changes to study atmospheric composition.

    About the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

    • Launched: December 2021.
    • Joint project of:
      • NASA
      • ESA
      • CSA.
    • Purpose:
      • Study the early universe
      • Exoplanets
      • Infrared astronomy.

    About Extremely Large Telescope (ELT)

    • Being built by the European Southern Observatory.
    • Location: Northern Chile.
    • Importance: May help discover more Earth like exoplanets and planetary systems.

    [2017] What is the purpose of ‘evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)’ project?

    [A] To detect neutrinos

    [B] To detect gravitational waves

    [C] To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system

    [D] To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Long-tailed Duskhawker Rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh

    28 May 2026 | Discovered / FoundSpecies | Environment
    Mains Paper 3: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

    Why in News?

    A rare dragonfly species, the Long-tailed Duskhawker, has been rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh after 110 years in Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve.

    About the Species

    • Scientific name: Gynacantha khasiaca
    • Belongs to the order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)
    • Known for:
      • Near 360° vision
      • Compound eyes with thousands of lenses
      • Ability to hover still in air

    Rediscovery

    • Last recorded in 1914 from the erstwhile Abor Hills
    • Rediscovered at Deban in Namdapha National Park in October 2024
    • Study published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa

    Ecological Importance of Dragonflies

    Dragonflies and damselflies are:

    • Predators and prey in freshwater ecosystems
    • Indicators of healthy aquatic habitats
    • Important for ecological balance

    Odonata Diversity

    • Global: 6,442 species across 693 genera
    • India: 504 species and 27 subspecies
    • Arunachal Pradesh: Around 110 species recorded

    Distribution of Long-tailed Duskhawker

    Apart from Arunachal Pradesh, reported from:

    • Assam
    • Maharashtra
    • Meghalaya
    • Uttarakhand
    • West Bengal

    Significance of Rediscovery

    • Highlights rich biodiversity of Northeast India
    • Emphasises habitat protection and biodiversity monitoring
    • Shows importance of citizen science in conservation

    About Namdapha National Park

    • Located in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh
    • One of India’s largest protected areas
    • Known for tropical rainforests and rich wildlife diversity

    [2017] Due to some reasons, if there is a huge fall in the population of species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences?
    1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected.
    2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infections of some cultivated plants.
    3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds.
    Select the correct using the code given below:

    [A] 1 only

    [B] 2 and 3 only

    [C] 1 and 3 only

    [D] 1, 2 and 3

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