Current Affair 1:

Carpathian Convention marks its 20th anniversary

 

News:

The Carpathian Convention, a multinational environmental agreement, unites the seven Carpathian countries—Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine—in a unique partnership to protect the natural and cultural heritage of the Carpathian region while promoting sustainable development.

To conserve these fragile and precious ecosystems and support local communities, the Carpathian Convention unites the region’s nations through a subregional treaty.

 

Current Affair 2:

Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP)

 

News:

The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, is set to be part of the Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP).

CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) is collaborating with 20 research groups across the world on a ground-breaking integrated genomics and epigenomics study to understand the genetics behind Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in diverse populations, including South Asians.

The project — “Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP)” — is to uncover the effects of genomic and environmental diversity in disease risk observed in people across the world, including those in Asia, Africa and North and South America.

It is a five-year international project.

Researchers will be studying individuals representing diverse genetic and environmental contexts and learn which DNA methylation patterns contribute to their disease risk in each context

The study will develop software and infrastructure and conduct advanced statistical analyses to build new resources.

Significance of this initiative

• This research will enable identification of disease-causing mechanisms that are common worldwide and those which are unique to particular groups or regions.
• It will help with answering questions such as whether medicines developed in one part of the world will be effective for all.
• Ultimately the DEEP study hopes to enable targeted interventions or treatments and reduce global health disparity and inequity.

What is DNA methylation?

1. It is a process where chemical groups attach to DNA in order to help to turn genes on and off.
2. It is a type of epigenetic modification, helps the body to respond to environmental signals and ultimately contributes to whole system health and disease status.
3. Understanding relationships between DNAm, genetics and environment is essential for understanding pathways of health, disease and consequences.

Current Affair 3:

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

 

India is a member:

Current Affair 4:

About Saraswati Samman Award

 

News:

It is given annually for outstanding literary works in 22 Indian languages in Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution in the last 10 years. It is among the highest recognitions in the field of Indian literature.

It was instituted by the K. Birla Foundation. It carries a citation, a plaque and prize money of 15 lakh rupees. So far 32 awards have been presented.

CA5. Species news

1. New toad species

A group of scientists from India and the United Kingdom have discovered a new species of toads - Bufoides bhupathyi in Dampa tiger reserve of Mizoram. It is the third of a genus bufoides found only in a very narrow area in northeast India.

 

1. The Nilgiri Tahr’ project:

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister recently launched ‘The Nilgiri Tahr’ project for the conservation of Tamil Nadu’s state animal.

Conservation Status:

IUCN Red List: Endangered

Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I

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