AMIGOS IAS Daily Current Affairs (28^th August 2024)

Effects of Spaceflight on the human body

GS 3: Science and Technology: Health related effects on astronauts

Why is it in the news?

• On August 24, 2024, NASA announced that Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule, which transported astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS), was deemed unsafe for their return.
• Consequently, their stay on the ISS has been extended until February 2025, and they will return aboard a SpaceX crew capsule scheduled for September 2024, while Boeing’s Starliner will return uncrewed.

More about the news

• Space, starting from the Karman line 100 km above sea level, presents various conditions as it transitions from ‘earth-like’ to ‘space-like.’ The Van Allen radiation belts, extending from 640 km to 58,000 km, trap charged particles from outer space, exposing astronauts to radiation beyond this protective zone.
• Spaceflight impacts the human body significantly but variably, given the small sample of astronauts and differing mission durations.
• In microgravity, astronauts experience bone weakening, potential kidney stones, slower digestion leading to weight gain, and spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), where fluid buildup affects vision.
• Further, the heart may shrink due to reduced activity, muscles lose mass, and blood cell loss increases, necessitating dietary adjustments. The brain also works harder to maintain balance due to altered sensory signals in space.
• These effects stem from radiation exposure, confined environments, distance from Earth, and microgravity, alongside psychological factors like fatigue and separation from family.
• Astronauts follow strict exercise regimens and routines, with agencies developing communication protocols to support their well-being.Research into space nutrient and drug metabolism has identified changes in metabolic pathways and potential issues like excess iron and low urinary magnesium.
• A 2022 report suggested using portable optical coherence tomography machines to detect SANS and exploring countermeasures such as lower body negative pressure and artificial gravity.
• Hence, understanding spaceflight’s health impacts remains incomplete, with ongoing research needed to determine which effects are health-related and improve data interpretation.
• Space omics studies, including NASA’s Twins Study, have highlighted significant genetic differences due to space exposure, which could inform health protection strategies.
• International research efforts, such as Japan’s KAKENHI, Europe’s Space Omics Topical Team, and the U.S. ‘Complement of Integrated Protocols for Human Exploration Research’ project, aim to advance standardized methods and ethical guidelines for studying astronaut health in space.
• Moreover, the average duration of space missions has increased from one month in the 1960s to up to six months today. Williams and Wilmore’s mission will last 256 days.
• Records include Russia’s Valeri Polyakov with 437 days, the U.S.’s Frank Rubio with 370 days, and Russia’s Oleg Kononenko with over 1,000 days across multiple missions. Peggy Whitson, with 675 days, is the second active spacefarer with the most time in space.
• Hence, as agencies plan for lunar stations and Mars missions, new safety challenges are anticipated.

The legal validity of Lie-detector tests

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Polygraph tests

Why is it in the news?

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted a second round of polygraph tests on key suspects in the rape and murder case of a resident doctor from R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata.

More about the news

• Deception detection tests (DDTs) like polygraphs aim to detect deceit by measuring physiological responses such as heart rate and blood pressure during questioning. Other methods, such as narco-analysis and brain mapping, use drug-induced states or neural activity measurements to identify deception.
• However, their reliability is questioned due to flaws in the underlying principles and high false positive rates. Critics also note that individuals might train themselves to manipulate these tests.
• Indian courts historically supported DDTs, as seen in cases like Rojo George v. Deputy Superintendent of Police and Dinesh Dalmia v. State, considering them essential for modern investigations and not violative of fundamental rights.
• However, the 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Selvi v. State of Karnataka changed this stance, ruling that lie detector tests can only be administered with the accused’s consent, in line with the right against self-incrimination and privacy under Articles 20(3) and 21 of the Constitution.
• The Court stressed that results should not be considered confessions but could corroborate other evidence.
• Despite this ruling, DDTs remain widely used in India, raising concerns about their invasive nature and the potential for coercion.
• Critics argue that these tests can undermine fundamental rights and influence court perceptions unfairly. Hence, the issues with consent and misuse in high-profile cases underscore the need for stringent ethical guidelines and safeguards in administering these tests.

Government bans 156 Combination drugs over efficacy issues

GS 3: Economy: Fixed-dose Combination

Why is it in the news?

• The Indian government has recently banned 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, including well-known medicines like Cheston Cold and Foracet, which are used for treating cold, fever, and pain.
• This move represents the most extensive crackdown on FDCs since 2018, when 328 such drugs were banned. Since 2014, a total of 499 FDCs have been prohibited.

More about the news

• FDCs are medications that combine two or more active ingredients into a single dosage form, such as a pill or injection.
• They are designed to simplify treatment regimens for conditions like tuberculosis and diabetes, where patients need to take multiple medications regularly. By reducing the number of pills needed each day, FDCs can improve patient adherence to treatment.
• However, FDCs can sometimes include unnecessary components. For example, Cheston Cold contains paracetamol, cetirizine, and phenylephrine. While effective for allergy-related symptoms, it is not suitable for bacterial infections, where such a combination might be ineffective or unnecessary.
• The ban targets “irrational” combinations that either do not work well together or include unnecessary ingredients.
• A key concern is the presence of antibiotic FDCs, which contribute to antibiotic resistance—a significant public health issue. Despite previous bans, a 2023 study indicated an increase in the proportion of antibiotic FDCs sold in India, highlighting the problem’s persistence.
• Another reason for the ban is to address pricing control issues; companies sometimes create FDCs to bypass government-imposed price ceilings on essential medicines.

India-Brazil Strategic Partnership   

GS 2: International relations: India-Brazil

Why is it in the news?

• The strategic partnership between India and Brazil has significantly evolved and expanded over the years, now encompassing a broad range of areas including defence, space, security, technology, and people-to-people relations.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized this expansion during the ninth India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) held in New Delhi on August 27th.

More about the news

• In his opening remarks, Mr. Jaishankar extended congratulations to Brazil for successfully hosting the G-20 meetings and for the release of the first Ministerial consensus document at a key gathering.
• He reaffirmed India’s support for Brazil’s G-20 presidency and noted the support Brazil had offered during India’s own presidency, commending the focus on creating a just world and a sustainable planet.
• Brazilian Foreign Minister has expressed enthusiasm about President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s upcoming welcome for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G-20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro this November. Brazil currently chairs the influential G-20 bloc, having received the presidency from India last year.
• Mr. Jaishankar noted the growth and diversification of the strategic partnership, established in 2006, and mentioned the challenges faced in the past year, which he looked forward to discuss.
• Further, Brazilian Foreign Minister underscored the shared values of Brazil and India as “vibrant and multi-ethnic democracies” from the developing world, emphasizing their positive influence on international affairs. He highlighted their joint commitment to sustainable development and prosperity and their common perspectives on pressing global issues.

SC orders retrospective application of relaxed bail rules for first-time offenders

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Bail Provisions

About the news

• The Supreme Court of India has ruled that the relaxed bail provisions under the new criminal law, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), will apply retrospectively.
• This means that even for offences committed before the BNSS came into effect on July 1, 2024, first-time offenders who are already detained can benefit from the new bail provisions.
• The ruling could significantly impact the large number of undertrial prisoners in India, who currently face overcrowded conditions in the nation’s jails.
• As per the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau’s 2022 report, India’s prisons are operating at 131.4% capacity, with undertrials constituting about 75% of the total prison population of 573,200.
• Under both the BNSS and the previous Criminal Procedure Code of 1973, undertrial prisoners are entitled to bail if they have served up to half of the maximum possible imprisonment period for their offence, unless the offence is punishable by death or life imprisonment.
• The BNSS introduces a more lenient provision specifically for first-time offenders, allowing them to be released on bail after serving up to one-third of the maximum imprisonment period.
• The Supreme Court has been addressing prison conditions since 2013 through the case Re Inhuman Conditions in 1382 Prisons, which was initiated to tackle issues such as overcrowding and inadequate prison staff.

Creation of five new districts in Ladakh

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Enhancing service delivery

Why is it in the news?

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang. This decision aims to enhance governance and ensure that public services reach every part of Ladakh.
• Currently, the region is divided into two districts, Leh and Kargil, each managed by autonomous hill development councils.

More about the news

• Ladakh, known for its sparse population and challenging geography, faces significant administrative difficulties in reaching its remote areas. The creation of new districts is expected to streamline the delivery of public welfare schemes and foster more balanced development across the region.
• In India, the power to create, alter, or abolish districts rests with State governments. This process can be carried out either through an executive order or by passing legislation in the State Assembly. Most states opt for the executive route, issuing a notification in the official gazette to implement these changes.
• The Central government does not directly influence the creation or alteration of districts; this authority is reserved for State governments. However, if a State wishes to change the name of a district or railway station, it must submit a proposal to the Home Ministry.
• The Home Ministry then forwards the proposal to relevant departments such as the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Geographical Survey of India, and Railway Ministry for clearance.
• Following the review and receipt of no-objection certificates from these departments, the district’s name can be officially changed.

RT-PCR testing kits to detect Mpox in India

GS 3: Science and Technology: Tackling Mpox

About the news

• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved Siemens Healthineers for the production of RT-PCR testing kits designed to detect Mpox.
• Siemens Healthineers will produce these kits at their molecular diagnostics facility in Vadodara, which has an annual production capacity of one million units.
• The new RT-PCR kits promise to deliver results within 40 minutes, significantly faster than traditional testing methods. This rapid turnaround will facilitate quicker responses and more efficient reporting.
• According to the Managing Director of Siemens Healthcare, the IMDX Monkeypox Detection RT-PCR Assay targets two distinct regions of the viral genome, covering both clade I and clade II variants of Mpox. This comprehensive approach ensures thorough detection of various viral strains.
• The assay is compatible with existing lab setups and does not require new equipment, leveraging current COVID-19 testing infrastructure to enhance efficiency.
• The assay, which has been clinically validated by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology, Pune, has demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity.