14 October : Daily Current Affairs Quiz

Answer:  Option C - United States

Explanation:

• The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an advanced missile defense system developed by the United States.
• It is designed to intercept and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of descent using hit-to-kill technology, which relies on kinetic energy rather than explosive warheads.
• THAAD operates at high altitudes, providing wide-area coverage and complements other missile defense systems, enhancing the overall defense capabilities against missile threats.

Answer:  Option C - High-resolution imaging of small particles like rain droplets

Explanation:

• X-band radars operate within the 8-12 GHz frequency range, providing high-resolution images by utilizing shorter wavelengths to detect smaller particles, such as rain droplets and soil.
• This technology enhances environmental monitoring, particularly for early landslide warnings by tracking particle movements in real time.
• Although limited in range due to faster signal attenuation at higher frequencies, X-band radars are effective for localized monitoring and are part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to improve radar infrastructure across India.

Answer:  Option D - Ladakh

Explanation:

• Ladakh recently experienced auroral sightings, characterized by reddish or greenish lights, marking a significant event in a lower-latitude region.
• The latest aurora occurred on October 10-11, following previous occurrences in May 2023 and November and May 2022.
• These sightings, captured by all-sky cameras operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, underscore advancements in space weather monitoring and reflect increased solar activity, including coronal mass ejections, as the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year activity cycle.

Answer:  Option B - Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah near the Israel-Lebanon border

Explanation:

• Ramyah, the Blue Line, and Meiss ej Jebel, all in South Lebanon, gained attention due to recent clashes between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah along the volatile Israel-Lebanon border.
• The Blue Line, a UN-established demarcation, and nearby locations saw heightened tensions, including an IDF attack on a UN peacekeeping facility.
• These incidents reflect ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, exacerbating regional instability in West Asia.

Answer:  Option B - A cancer immunotherapy

Explanation:

• NexCAR19 is India's first domestically developed CAR-T cell therapy, approved in 2023.
• It is a cutting-edge cancer immunotherapy that modifies a patient’s T cells to target and destroy cancer cells.
• This therapy focuses on treating specific types of blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
• The development of NexCAR19 marks a significant advancement in India’s medical biotechnology sector, promoting more accessible and advanced cancer treatments within the country.