Researchers from 28 institutions across six States and two UTs have compiled India’s first government-supported national biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs).

• Biobank is a special facility where biological samples like blood, tissue, or DNA are collected and safely stored along with health information.

About Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs)

• LSDs are a group of inherited metabolic diseases arising due to defects in genes encoding lysosomal proteins. 
• LSDs cause a buildup of toxic materials in the body’s cells.
• Treatment options are limited and extremely costly, with many LSDs having no cure yet.

Note: Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles, also called the “suicidal bags” of the cell, contain digestive enzymes to break down waste and recycle cellular components.

A MP has submitted a notice to move a substantive motion against the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha.

• Motion is a proposal by a member seeking a decision or opinion of the House.

About Substantive Motion

• It is a self-contained proposal moved by a member of the House to bring forward a specific subject for discussion and decision. 
• The conduct of persons in high authority can only be discussed on a substantive motion drawn in proper terms. 
• Motions for the impeachment of President, or a no-confidence motion are examples of substantive motions.
• A substantive motion against an MP may result in censure (formal disapproval without removal), suspension, or expulsion.

Other Major Motions 

• Subsidiary motions – Dependent on a substantive motion and used to regulate debate (e.g., amendments, adjournment).
• Substitute Motion: Motions moved in substitution of the original motion for taking into consideration a policy or situation.

A rare mud volcano eruption has been reported in Diglipur, Andaman Islands, prompting scientific monitoring.

• Andaman Islands lie near the convergence of several tectonic plates which makes the region prone to seismic and volcanic features.

Mud Volcano

• Geological structures that release a mixture of mud, water and gases (mainly methane) due to subsurface pressure, without magma involvement.
• Genesis: Associated with tectonic activity, sediment compaction and hydrocarbon-rich regions.
• Characteristics: mud is cold or perhaps only slightly warmer than the ground temperature.
• Significance: Indicators of underground gas reserves and active geological processes.

In a first for India, investments in gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) were greater than inflows into equity-oriented mutual funds.

About ETFs

• It is an investment fund that holds multiple underlying assets. It can be bought and sold on an exchange, much like an individual stock.
• ETF share prices fluctuate throughout the trading day, unlike mutual funds, which only trade once a day after the market closes.
• ETFs, generally, have higher daily liquidity and lower fees than mutual fund schemes.
• It cannot be bought or sold in fractions, unlike mutual fund units.

ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has successfully achieved induced breeding of mangrove clam (Geloina Erosa) under captive conditions.

About Mangrove Clam

• Mangrove clams, commonly known as mud clams, are ecologically important but dwindling bivalve species distributed across mangrove and estuarine ecosystems in South and Southeast Asia.
  • Bivalves are diverse group of mollusks that include clams, oysters, scallops and mussels. 
  • These have two shells and live in both freshwater and saltwater.
• Inhabits organic-rich muddy substrates; ecologically important for nutrient recycling and sediment stabilisation.
• Supports coastal livelihoods and food security (locally called Kandal Kakka in parts of Kerala).

A study highlighted that short-term species turnover has slowed in many ecosystems over the past century.

• Observed deceleration is a side effect of environmental degradation and the shrinking of regional species pools.

About Species Turnover

• ‘Turnover’ is defined as the rate at which species exit and are replaced by others within ecological communities.
• Species turnover occurs because of species interactions like competition, predation, mutualisms etc. 
• The loss of turnover momentum could reduce ecosystems’ capacity to cope with future climate fluctuations, amplifying the risk of abrupt ecological regime shifts.

India assumed the first-ever command of Combined Task Force-154, a key multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

About CMF

• Multinational maritime partnership (coalition of the willing) upholding the International Rules-Based Order (IRBO).
• Membership: 47 nations, including India; voluntary and flexible contributions.
• Mandate: Counter illicit non-state actors; ensure maritime security, stability and free flow of global commerce.
• Five Combined Task Forces (CTFs)
  • CTF-150: Maritime security operations outside Arabian Gulf
  • CTF-151: Counter-piracy
  • CTF-152: Maritime security inside Arabian Gulf
  • CTF-153: Red Sea maritime security
  • CTF-154: Maritime security training

Kerala becomes first state in the country to declare Bacillus subtilis as ‘State microbe’.

What is Bacillus subtilis?

• It is a type of probiotic or “good” bacteria found widely in the environment and naturally in the gut of humans as well as in fermented foods.
• Industrially, it is valuable for producing enzymes (e.g., amylases, proteases), antibiotics (e.g., bacitracin), and as a probiotic in agriculture and livestock feed.
• Its GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status makes it suitable for food and pharmaceutical applications.