Daily Current Affairs 2025  

06/10/2025

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CA-06/10/2025

 
Why in news?

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has validated the Quantiplus MTB FAST detection kit, developed by Huwel Lifesciences in Telangana.
• It is an indigenous, open-system real-time PCR assay for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).
• The kit can simultaneously process up to 96 samples, offering scalability for high-throughput testing.

Key features of Quantiplus MTB FAST Detection Kit

• It performs rapid qualitative PCR testing for MTB detection from various sample types including sputum, body fluids (CSF, pleural, ascitic, synovial), pus, menstrual fluid, urine, and tissue.
• The kit contains an advanced formulation with Uracil DNA Glycosylase (UDG/UNG) to prevent PCR carryover contamination and Far-Red Neutralizer (FRN) to improve specificity.
• Diagnostic accuracy was validated in multi-center clinical studies with recorded sensitivity around 86% and specificity around 96% compared to MGIT liquid culture, making it comparable to the Xpert MTB/RIF assay.
• The kit uses a quick extraction-free lysis protocol, improving turnaround time for results.
• It is an open system kit designed for molecular labs with real-time PCR capability.

This kit supports rapid and reliable TB diagnosis, which is crucial for early treatment and control of tuberculosis spread.
 
 
   
About the ortolan bunting (Emberiza hortulana):

• The ortolan bunting is a small bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, about 16–17 cm long with a wingspan of 23–29 cm.
• It has a greenish-grey head, distinguishing it from the closely related yellowhammer, which has a bright yellow head.
• Natural habitat: Open and semi-open agricultural land, scrub, grassland, and mountainous slopes primarily across Europe and West Asia.
• The bird is migratory, breeding in Europe and West Asia and wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Sightings of the ortolan bunting outside its usual range, such as in India, are rare and considered notable.

It is classified as ‘Least Concerned’ under the IUCN Red List.
 
 
   
Why in news?
Chlorophytum vanapushpam is a newly discovered perennial herb of the genus Chlorophytum, belonging to the family Asparagaceae.
 
Features of Chlorophytum vanapushpam

• It grows up to 90 cm tall with slender, grass-like leaves.
• It bears white flowers arranged in small clusters.
• Unlike its well-known relative, Chlorophytum borivilianum also called safed musli.
• Flowering and fruiting occur from September to December.

Medicinal Properties of Chlorophytum Species

• Many species of Chlorophytum are noted for their use as health tonics, aphrodisiacs, and immunoenhancers.
• The well-known Chlorophytum borivilianum, is widely used in traditional medicine for its medicinal and therapeutic benefits, including boosting immunity, enhancing sexual health, and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Its phytochemical profile indicates the presence of bioactive compounds like saponins and sterols, which are associated with medicinal benefits in other Chlorophytum species.

The species name "vanapushpam" is derived from Malayalam, where "Vanam" means forest and "Pushpam" means flower, reflecting its natural habitat and flowering nature. 
 
 
     
Key facts about the Coral Triangle:

• The Coral Triangle is a marine region spanning the waters of six countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.
• It is often called the "Amazon of the seas" due to its vast marine biodiversity.
• It covers about 5.7 million square kilometers of ocean waters.
• It contains more than 76% of the world's shallow-water reef-building coral species.
• About 37% of the world's reef fish species are found in this region.
• It is a global hotspot for marine biodiversity and a priority for conservation.
• About 120 million people rely on the Coral Triangle marine ecosystem for livelihood.
• Marine ecosystem of Coral Triangle has an estimated GDP of around $1.2 trillion per year.
• The coral reefs act as natural barriers protecting coastal communities from storms, tsunamis, and flooding.

The Coral Triangle faces threats from unsustainable fishing, pollution, coastal development, and climate change-induced coral bleaching.
 
 
 
   
About Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary 
 

• Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary is a significant protected area located on the southern edge of Delhi, extending into parts of Haryana, ancient Aravalli mountain range.
• This makes it ecologically important as it merges with the Indo-Gangetic plain and helps connect wildlife habitats, notably as part of the North Aravalli Leopard Wildlife Corridor.

Flaura

• The landscape is dominated by open-canopy, thorny scrub forests identified as "Northern Tropical Thorn Forests".
• The native plants are adapted to arid, extreme climates, mainly featuring drought-resistant species such as Ber, Neem, and Dhau.

Fauna

• Over 300 bird species (such as peafowl, pigeons, blue rock thrush)
• Mammals like leopards, nilgai (blue bull), blackbuck, jungle cats, porcupines, jackals, civets, and black-naped hare.
• Reptiles such as the Indian rock python, cobra, and common krait.
• More than 80 butterfly species and hundreds of insect species.

 
   
Why in news?

• The Tikhir tribe of Nagaland is currently observing their important annual festival called Tsonglaknyi from October 9th to 12th,
• It is a festival of sanctifying shields and weapons, symbolizing protection and valor. 

About the Tikhir tribe:

• The Tikhir tribe is an indigenous Naga tribe primarily found in Nagaland, with some members living across the border in Myanmar.
• According to the 2011 census, the Tikhir population in Nagaland was 7,537.
• They are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe.
• The Tikhir speak a language called Naga Yimchungru, which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family.
• Historically, the Tikhir were headhunters, and a man's prestige depended on the number of enemies he had killed.
• Their traditional livelihood is based on agriculture and hunting.

Most Tikhirs have converted to Christianity with the arrival of Christian missionaries but many continue to practice elements of their folk religion alongside Christianity.
 
 

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