Indian researchers have developed an open source AI tool, Disobind that predicts interactions of IDPs using protein language models 

About IDPs 

• These are flexible, shapeshifting protein segments that do not adopt a single fixed structure.
• Functions: These proteins play critical roles in health and disease, from cell signalling and gene regulation to cancer progression and neurodegeneration.
  • Regulate which genes are switched on or off, assist protein folding and quality control, and allow proteins to move efficiently.
  • They act like molecular glue, enabling transient yet precise interactions inside cells.

Government invited nominations for Sukhatme National Award in Statistics. 

About the award 

• Ministry: Instituted by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
• Aim: To recognize the contribution made by the individuals in terms of high-quality research work, to improve the system of official statistics.
• Award: Award carries a citation, shawl and memento.
• Frequency: Given in alternate years since the year 2000.
• Eligibility - Indian Statisticians of the age 45 years and above for their Lifetime Contributions and Achievements in the field of Statistics.

In order to enhance operational efficiency and reduce cost of funding for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs), SEBI proposed to allow netting of funds for FPI transactions in the cash market.

• Netting will allow FPIs to use same-day sale proceeds to fund same day purchases in the cash market, thereby requiring FPIs to fulfil only the net fund obligation.
• Purpose: Reduces liquidity pressure and funding costs for FPIs.
• Safeguard: Applies only for outright transactions done by FPIs which refer to those transactions where there is either a purchase or a sale transaction, but not both, in a security in a particular settlement cycle.

Rajya Sabha's privileges committee will examine a complaint against a Member of Parliament for alleged breach of privilege and contempt of the House.

About Committee of Privileges

• Nature: Standing Parliamentary Committee.  
• Each house has its own Committee of Privileges.
  • Rajya Sabha committee has 10 members nominated by Chairman while Lok Sabha committee has 15 members nominated by Speaker.
• Function: It has semi judicial functions and examines the cases of breach of privileges of the house and its members. 

Coconut is under threat from root wilt disease.

About Root Wilt Disease

• It is a debilitating, slow-spreading disease of coconut palms caused by phytoplasmas, characterized by flaccid, inwardly curving leaflets (ribbing), yellowing, root decay, and reduced yield.
• Phytoplasmas are phloem-restricted plant-pathogenic bacteria transmitted by insects

About Coconut

• Climate: Prefers humid, tropical climates, typically in coastal areas 
• Temperature: 20°C to 32°C.
• Rainfall: 1000 mm is sufficient.
• It requires plenty of sunlight.
• Soil: Red sandy loam, laterite and alluvial soils
• India is the third largest coconut-producing country. (2021-22)
• Major Producing States: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu etc.

Home Minister laid foundation stone of first state-funded BSL-4 Containment Facility and laboratory in Gandhinagar.

About Bio-Safety Level (BSL)

• BSL are individual safeguards designed to protect laboratory personnel, as well as the surrounding environment and community.
• Four Bio-Safety Levels:
  • BSL-1: Low-risk agents; basic lab practices and standard PPE.
    • BSL-1 applies to laboratory settings in which personnel work with low-risk microbes that pose little to no threat of infection in healthy adults.
  • BSL-2: Moderate-risk agents; restricted access, biosafety cabinets and enhanced PPE.
  • BSL-3: High-risk airborne pathogens; controlled airflow, sealed labs and advanced PPE.
  • BSL-4: BSL-4 labs work with highly dangerous and exotic microbes. 
    • Infections caused by these types of microbes are often fatal and come without treatment.

Recently both the reports were released by WHO.

Key findings 

• Impact of Health taxes: Taxes can reduce consumption of harmful products sugary drinks and alcohol preventing Non communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, mental disorders
  • They can also help raise resources for government to invest in health
  • Case study - UK tax on sugary drinks in 2018 led to reduced sugar consumption, reduced obesity and increased revenue.
• Rising real affordability for alcohol: as most countries tax It, but it has become more affordable in most countries, as taxes don't get adjusted for inflation and income growth.
• Tax Gaps for sugary drinks: Though sugary drinks  e.g. carbonated drinks are taxed, other products, eg. 100 % fruit juices, sweetened milk, and ready-to-drink coffees and teas, escape taxation. 

India is exploring options to retain presence in Iran's Chabahar port amid US pressure on Iran.

About Chabahar Port

• It is located in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province on the Gulf of Oman.
• It is Iran’s sole deep-sea port directly connected with the Indian Ocean.
• There are two terminals in Chabahar Port project i.e. Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari. 
• The port is part of the proposed International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
  • INSTC is a 7,200 km multimodal corridor connecting India with Russia and Europe through Iran and the Caspian Sea.