Answer:  Option A - Land astronauts on the lunar South Pole and explore resources

Explanation:

• NASA's Artemis 3 mission aims to land astronauts on the lunar South Pole in September 2026, marking the first crewed moon landing since 1972.
• The mission will include the first woman and a man on the lunar surface, focusing on exploring the region's resources, particularly water ice.
• By utilizing advanced technologies such as the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft, Artemis 3 is a crucial step in establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

Answer:  Option C - Elusive neutrinos and their role in cosmic processes

Explanation:

• The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) in China is dedicated to studying neutrinos, subatomic particles that are notoriously difficult to detect.
• Set to become operational in late 2025, JUNO aims to analyze neutrinos produced by nuclear reactions and those from nearby nuclear power plants, providing insights into the universe's early processes.
• This $300 million project involves collaboration with international institutions and is expected to enhance our understanding of fundamental cosmic phenomena.

Answer:  Option B - MicroRNA and its function in gene regulation

Explanation:

• The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA (miRNA) and its role in gene regulation.
• Their research revealed that miRNAs can attach to messenger RNA (mRNA) to control protein production, transforming our understanding of gene control across various organisms.
• This discovery has significant implications for health, particularly in the context of development, stress responses, and diseases such as cancer.

Answer:  Option D - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Explanation:

• The FAO report, "The Unjust Climate," underscores the disproportionate impact of climate change on India's rural poor, revealing that these households lose an average of 5% of income from heat stress and 4.4% from floods annually.
• It emphasizes the need for policy interventions to enhance social protection and livelihood support, particularly during extreme weather events.
• In response, NITI Aayog pointed to India's initiatives like the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) and the employment guarantee scheme.

Answer:  Option C - The prolonged defense by vastly outnumbered Indian troops against the Chinese army.

Explanation:

• The Battle of Walong, fought during the 1962 Indo-China war, is significant for the fierce defense mounted by Indian troops who, vastly outnumbered, held their ground against the Chinese forces for 27 days.
• With only 800 soldiers facing approximately 4,000 Chinese troops, the Indian Army displayed remarkable bravery, forcing the People's Liberation Army to deploy additional reinforcements.
• This battle exemplifies the courage and resilience of the Indian forces in challenging circumstances.