China is experiencing a surge in HMPV cases, particularly in children under 14 years of age.

About HMPV

• A respiratory virus that causes mild infections similar to that caused by a common cold.
  • Discovered in 2001, it belongs to the Pneumoviridae family along with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
• Transmission: Spreads from person to person or surfaces to person.
• Symptoms: Cough, fever, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath.
• Treatment: Currently, there is no specific antiviral therapy to treat HMPV and no vaccine to prevent HMPV.

Scientists have proved that Nano-formulation of Melatonin could be therapeutic solution for Parkinson's disease (PD). 

• It could be a potential inducer of mitophagy to mitigate PD.
  • Mitophagy identifies and removes dysfunctional mitochondria and reduces oxidative stress.
• PD is a neurological disorder caused by the death of dopamine-secreting neurons in the brain.

About Melatonin

• A neurohormone secreted from the pineal gland, an endocrine gland present in the brain in response to darkness.
• Regulates the sleep-wake cycle (part of circadian rhythms) and is used to treat insomnia (sleep disorder).
  • Circadian rhythms are the physical, mental, and behavioral changes an organism experiences over a 24-hour cycle.
• Being exposed to light at night can block melatonin production.

The Union Home Minister chaired the 7th meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA).

About IDA

• Genesis: Set up in 2017 
• Aim: To promote holistic development of Islands 
  • IDA reviews the progress of different developmental projects. 

Manastu Space (IIT Bombay startup) successfully tested their green propulsion system VYOM 2U onboard PSLV C60 in space using POEM-4.

• POEM-4 offers triple the capacity of its predecessor, POEM-3.

About POEM

• Launched by: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) 
• Purpose: To provide a cost-effective platform for on-orbit experiments. So far. Launching proprietary systems into space has traditionally been prohibitively expensive for smaller entities. 
• Working: Transforms PSLV's fourth stage into a free-flying space testbed in low Earth orbit.
• Strategic importance: Reduces entry barriers for startups, promotes space technology innovation in India. 

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has revised rules for expert selection for the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) as per reports.

• New rules require expert members to disclose conflicts of interest.

GEAC

• About:  India's apex regulatory body for genetically modified (GM) seeds.
• Genesis: Constituted as statutory committee under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Micro Organisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (Rules, 1989)”.
  • These rules are framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Responsibilities:
  • Evaluating large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from an environmental standpoint.
  • Appraisal of proposals relating to release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials. 

Ministry of Finance launched a revamped e-auction portal ‘BAANKNET’.

About BAANKNET

• It consolidates information on e-auction properties from all Public Sector Banks and offers a one-stop destination for buyers and investors to discover a wide range of assets.
• The listings include residential properties such as flats, independent houses, and open plots, as well as commercial properties, industrial land and buildings, shops, etc. 
• The platform is expected to unlock the value of distressed assets and boosting investor confidence.

Quantum-based atomic clock to has been developed in United Kingdom 

About Atomic clock

• Atomic clock, type of clock that uses certain resonance frequencies of atoms (usually cesium or rubidium) to keep time with extreme accuracy.
  • It is claimed that Quantum-based atomic clock will lose less than one second over billions of years, allowing scientists to measure time at an unprecedented scale.

Benefits of Quantum-based atomic clock: 

• Increasing accuracy of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), 
• Enhance the accuracy of advanced weapon systems, like guided missiles etc.

Supreme Court held that CBI does not require sanction of a state government to register a case under a Central legislation like the Prevention of Corruption Act against a Central government employee posted in state concerned.

• This overturned an Andhra Pradesh High Court decision that had dismissed cases against central employees due to lack of state consent.

About State Consent for CBI 

• Law: Section 6 of Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946 requires CBI to get state consent for investigations a crime in a state.
• Two types of consent: General Consent, and Case-specific Consent.