UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 17th October 2024

·       Swell waves organise themselves into groups of similar heights and periods, and then travel long distances without much change.

·       During such storms, huge energy transfer takes place from the air into the water, leading to the formation of very high waves. Such waves can travel thousands of kilometres from the storm centre until they strike shore.

·       These waves can propagate in directions that differ from the direction of the wind, in contrast to a wind sea.

·       It occurs without precursors or any kind of local wind activity and as a result.

·       The United States began developing the AGM-114 Hellfire in 1972 to address the Army’s requirement for a helicopter-launched antitank missile to counter Soviet armor formations.

·       The missile is used to target armored vehicles, including tanks, bunkers, radar systems and antennas, communications equipment, soft targets, or hovering helicopters.

·       It has a length of 1.62 m, a diameter of 17.7 cm and a wingspan of 0.71 m.

·       Each Hellfire weighs 45.4 kg-49 kg including an 8 kg-9 kg multipurpose warhead.

·       It is propelled by a single-stage solid-propellant solid-fuel rocket motor.

·       The missile has a maximum velocity of 950 mph.

·       It aims to accelerate economic growth and promote peace and security in Southeast Asia.

·       Brunei joined in 1984, followed by Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999.

·       East Timor has been granted observer status and is expected to become a full member in 2025.

·       ASEAN Regional Forum – It aims to foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security issues of common interest and concern.

·       It makes significant contributions to efforts towards confidence-building and preventive diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region.

·       The current participants in the ARF are:

·       Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,

·       European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New and

·       Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United States, and Viet Nam.

·       Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) – It was established in 2012 as a Track 1.5 Forum with a view to engage the several countries in a dialogue on important maritime issues of common interest.

·       The countries include Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States of America.

·       ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus – Is a platform for ASEAN and its 8 Dialogue Partners Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States (collectively referred to as the “Plus Countries”).

·       It aims to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability and development in the region.

·       Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

·       APEC’s 21 member economies are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America.

·       It is caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make a toxin.

Treatments

·       neutralization of unbound toxin with Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT)

·       antibiotics to prevent further bacterial growth; monitoring and supportive care to prevent and treat complications, e.g. airway obstruction, myocarditis.

·       It can spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.

·       People can also get sick from touching infected open sores or ulcers.

·       The bacteria can also infect the skin, causing open sores or ulcers. However, diphtheria skin infections rarely result in severe disease.

·       Although diphtheria can be treated with medications, in advanced stages, the bacterial infection can damage the heart, kidneys and nervous system.

·       Roopkund, also known as the ” lake of skeletons” is a glacial lake in Uttarakhand.

·       It is situated at 16,500 feet above sea level at the base of Mt. Trishul in the Garhwal Himalayas.

·       Measuring a mere 130 feet in width, the lake is encased in ice for the majority of the year.

·       It is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush green meadows.

Mystery:

·       It is called the “lake of skeletons” as the glacial body conceals numbers of human skeletons, some with preserved flesh. These skeletons become visible when snow melts in the region.

·       These skeletal remains, dating back to around the 9th century AD, have led to various theories about the cause of death.

·       A 2019 study by scientists from India, the US, and Germany challenged the belief that the skeletons belonged to a single group that perished in a single event, instead suggesting they were genetically diverse individuals who died over a span of up to 1,000 years.