A study has investigated the influence of Kindlins in various cancers as targeting it could lead to new cancer treatments. 

Kindlins

• Kindlins are adapter proteins that exist inside the cells attached to the cell membranes of almost all types of cells in vertebrates.
• They play pivotal role in conveying extracellular signals within the cells.
• Kindlins may undergo mutations under the influence of innumerable chemical and physical carcinogens like nicotine, ultraviolet rays etc.
• Structural disruptions in these proteins can disrupt homeostasis (balanced state) of the body.

Athletes are turning to genetic testing for improving their performance.

About Genetic Testing

• Genetic testing analyzes an individual's DNA to identify genetic variants that may influence various traits, including athletic performance, health risks, and nutritional needs.
• Genetic tests are performed on a sample of blood, hair, skin, amniotic fluid, or other tissue.

Significance of genetic testing:

• Performance Optimization: Identifies genetic factors to enhance endurance and strength.
• Nutritional Guidance: Tailors diet plans by detecting allergies and nutrient absorption issues.
• Injury Prevention and Recovery: Reveals genetic risks for injury and recovery times for tailored care

National Payments Corporation of India temporarily suspends payments in banks possibly affected by ransomware attack. 

About Ransomware

• It is a type of malware that holds a victim’s sensitive data or device hostage, threatening to keep it locked unless the victim pays a ransom to the attacker.
  • Examples: WannaCry, NotPetya, etc. 
• It attacks by Phishing, exploiting existing vulnerabilities, Malicious downloads, etc.

Types of Ransomwares

• Crypto ransomware: Holds victim’s data hostage by encrypting it.
• Leakware/doxware: Steals sensitive data & threatens to publish it.
• Wipers: threaten to destroy data if victim does not pay the ransom.

Indian astronomers discovered 34 new Giant Radio Sources using Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT).

• Located near Pune, GMRT is operated by National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) and consists of 30 fully steerable gigantic parabolic dishes for research using metre-wavelengths range of radio spectrum.

Giant Radio Sources (GRSs)

• GRSs are among the largest objects in the universe and at the heart of GRSs lies a supermassive black hole.
• Serving as central engine, black hole pulls in surrounding matter, creating jets of hot plasma, and producing massive lobes of radio emissions. 

 A study reported the impact of woody encroachment on open ecosystems. 

• Woody encroachment is the increase of tree and shrub cover and it is widespread across most ecosystems.
  • It entails the conversion of open habitats to habitats with greater tree cover and/or shrub density. 
  • It results in homogenisation of an ecosystem, meaning a diverse, multi-layered ecosystem turns into a uniform layer of woody plants.
• Woody encroachment in open ecosystems like savannahs and grasslands has reduced number of native grassland birds.

About World Trade Statistical Review (WTSR) 2023

• It is the WTO’s flagship statistical publication.
• WTSR 2023 looks into the latest developments in world trade, featuring key data on global trade in merchandise and commercial services.
• Key highlights:
  • India retains 8th position in global agriculture exports in 2023
  • India ranked 18th in merchandise exports and 7th in services exports.
  • China, USA and Germany  remained the top three merchandise exporters in 2022.

Scientists discover six new lineages of bent-toed geckos from the Northeast

About Bent-toed geckos

• They have been discovered from Arunachal Pradesh (Namdapha and Kamlang Tiger Reserves), Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram (Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary)
• Behaviour: Nocturnal species
• Habitats: Found along forest streams, rocks and vegetation in multiple locations.
• Each Northeastern state has its own endemic bent-tod gecko 
  • 30 species of the group found  in the northeast itself

• States can purchase rice from Food Corporation of India (FCI) under the OMSS Domestic without participating in the e-auction from August 1, 2024.
  • It aims to reduce the huge surplus of stocks prior to the commencement of the new procurement season.
• OMSS - Domestic refers to offering of food grains (wheat & rice) in the open market at prices, fixed by the Ministry of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution through e-auction.
  • It aims to control the price in the market with the aim to curb inflation.