MODY

Context: Scientists in Chennai (Madras Diabetes Research Foundation) and the United States (Washington University School of Medicine) have found a new, previously unknown type of MODY.

What is MODY?

• MODY refers to Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young
• It is a type of monogenic diabetes which is a rare, inherited form of diabetes.
• It usually appears in teenagers and young adults.
• Caused by a mutation in a single gene.
• Pattern: It follows autosomal dominant inheritance (a genetic inheritance pattern where one altered gene from one parent causes the condition). 
• So far, 13 subtypes of MODY were known , this is a newly discovered one.
• Why Is This Important?
  • This is the first time scientists have seen a switch from congenital hyperinsulinism (high insulin) to diabetes in MODY patients.
  • It changes how we understand and treat this type of diabetes.

What Makes This New MODY Different?

• The scientists looked at a gene called ABCC8. This gene helps control how insulin is released.
• They found a “Loss of Function” (LOF) mutation in this gene. This means the gene doesn’t work as well as it should.

‘Climate Taxonomy’ Document

Context: Recently, the Finance Ministry has made public a draft document, ‘Framework of India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy.’

What is Climate Finance Taxonomy?

• A climate finance taxonomy is a system that classifies economic activities as sustainable investments.
• It guides investors and banks to direct funds into impactful projects tackling climate change.

India’s Climate Finance Taxonomy

• India’s initiative is part of a global trend along with  the EU, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia.
• Objectives:
  • Its aim is to direct investments towards clean-energy projects and climate-resilient infrastructure.
  • It helps identify activities aligned with India’s climate action goals and transition strategy.
  • The taxonomy seeks to support India’s goal of achieving Net Zero by 2070 while ensuring affordable and reliable energy access.
  • It also aims to prevent greenwashing and contribute to India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
• The Taxonomy classifies activities into two main categories:
  • Climate-Supportive Activities: Reducing or avoiding greenhouse gas emissions, Adaptation to reduce the impact of climate change, and Research and development in clean technologies.
  • Transition-Supportive Activities: Improving energy efficiency and Reducing emissions intensity in sectors where completely stopping emissions is currently not possible.
• Which Sectors Are Covered?
  • Hard-to-abate sectors: Iron, Steel, Cement.
  • Sectors with both mitigation and adaptation benefits: Power, Mobility (transport), and Buildings. 
  • Key climate adaptation and resilience sectors: Agriculture, Food, and Water security.

Revival of Ayurvedic Manuscripts by Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)

Context: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush, has revived two rare and significant Ayurvedic manuscripts i.e Dravyaratnakara Nighantu and Dravyanamakara Nighantu.

About Dravyaratnakara Nighantu

• Authorship and Date: Authored by Mudgala Paṇḍita in 1480 AD, this text represents a classical Ayurvedic lexicon from the 15th century.
• Nature of the Text: The text offers comprehensive information on synonyms of medicinal substances, their therapeutic actions, and medicinal properties.
• Sources and Influences: The work draws from classical Nighaṇṭus like Dhanvantari and Raja Nighaṇṭu, while also documenting numerous novel medicinal substances.
• Scope of Coverage: It includes substances of plant, mineral, and animal origin.
• Historical Significance: Widely referenced in Maharashtra until the 19th century.

About Dravyanamakara Nighantu

• Authorship and Context: Dravyanāmākara Nighaṇṭu is attributed to Bhisma Vaidya and serves as a supplementary appendix to the Dhanvantari Nighaṇṭu, one of the foundational texts of Ayurvedic pharmacology.
• Focus: This unique manuscript exclusively explores homonyms of drugs and plant names.
  • Homonyms can lead to significant ambiguity in drug identification, making this work critical for ensuring accuracy in medicinal usage and interpretation.
• Relevance to Specialized Fields Of: Rasashastra (alchemy and medicinal minerals), Bhaishajya Kalpana (Ayurvedic pharmaceutics), and Classical Ayurvedic pharmacology.

Robert Francis Prevost

Context: Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new pope after cardinals in the Vatican concluded voting at the papal conclave.

•  He takes the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff in history.

About Robert Francis Prevost

• Early Life and Heritage: Robert Francis Prevost, born in Chicago in 1955, is an American cardinal of French-Italian heritage, former missionary in Peru, and head of the Dicastery for Bishops; 
• Rise in the Church Hierarchy: He was elevated to Cardinal in 2023 and became Pope Leo XIV in 2025.
• Succession: With his election on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV becomes the 267th pontiff of the Catholic Church, succeeding Pope Francis.

Small Snail Infestation

Context: Small snails are increasingly damaging cardamom plantations in Idukki, Kerala.

About Small Snail Infestation

• Factors Enabling Infestation: Plentiful summer rains in the region have created ideal conditions for snail proliferation. 
  • Increased post-evening humidity, particularly after 7 p.m., triggers snail activity.
• Nature of Crop Damage: The snails primarily target the tender parts of cardamom plants, especially new panicles and flowers.
• Control Measures: Farmers are using Metaldehyde pellets. 
  • But officials warn that overuse can harm native snail species and disturb the ecological balance of the Western Ghats.
• Eco-Friendly Alternatives: Manual collection and group destruction.
  • Bait traps using cabbage leaves.

United Nations Forum on Forests

Context: Recently, India participated in the 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) at the UN Headquarters in New York.

United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)

• The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) is an intergovernmental policy forum  to promote sustainable forest management (SFM) globally.
• It was established in 2000 under the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• Key Functions : 
  • Facilitates policy dialogue and decision-making on forests.  
  • Supports implementation of the UN Forest Instrument (UNFI) and the Global Forest Goals (2021-2030).  
  • Monitor progress toward the Global Forest Goals (GFGs) and other forest-related targets (e.g., SDG 15 – Life on Land).  
• Membership & Structure: All UN member states are part of UNFF.

India’s participation at the UNFF20

• Forest Conservation and Management Achievements: Forest and tree cover in India now stands at 25.17% of its geographical area.
• Key initiatives contributing to this progress:
  • Aravalli Green Wall restoration
  • 7.86% increase in mangrove cover over a decade
  • 1.55 lakh hectares afforested under the Green India Mission
  • 1.4 billion seedlings planted through the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (Plant4Mother) campaign
• International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): India invited all UN Member States to join the IBCA, a global platform for conserving seven big cat species.
• Country-Led Initiative (CLI) and Global Forestry Cooperation: India advocated for action on the Dehradun CLI (October 2023) focused on:
• • Forest fire management
  • Forest certification

Tamil Nadu Bans Egg Mayonnaise

Context: The Tamil Nadu government has banned the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of mayonnaise made using raw eggs, citing public health risks.

Reason for Ban: Cited public health risks, especially the risk of food poisoning from pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli found in raw eggs.

What is Mayonnaise?

• Mayonnaise is a thick, creamy sauce made by blending the following ingredients:
  • Oil (usually vegetable oil)
  • Egg yolk
  • An acid (like lemon juice or vinegar)
• The egg yolk acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and acid (which don’t normally mix) combine into a smooth, stable mixture.

Indo-Pacific Logistics Network

Context: The Quad partners convened in Honolulu, Hawaii for a simulation Tabletop Exercise to launch the Quad-IPLN-exercise (IPLN).

About the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN)

• The IPLN is a Quad-led initiative designed to enhance logistical coordination among the four Quad nations.
• Aim: To enhance civilian humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Partners: Four Quad countries- India, USA, Australia and Japan.
• Complementary Efforts: Works in tandem with other Quad initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness and pandemic preparedness programs.

Service Charges in Restaurants

Context: Recently, the  Delhi High Court prohibited the imposition of compulsory service charges  generally ranging from 5-20%  on a consumer’s pre-tax bill.

Issue Overview

• Legal battle in Delhi HC between Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) and restaurant associations (NRAI, FHRAI) over service charges (5%-20%).
• CCPA (2022 Guidelines): Prohibits mandatory service charges.
• Restaurant Associations: Argue it’s an 80-year-old practice, ensures fair wage distribution.

About Service Charge

• A service charge is an additional fee imposed by businesses (e.g., restaurants, hotels, banks, airlines) to cover service-related costs. Unlike tips, it is mandatory and paid directly to the company, not the staff.
• Key Features
  • Pre-determined: Fixed percentage (e.g., 5%-20%) added to the bill.
  • Non-negotiable: Must be paid unless explicitly waived.
  • Purpose: Covers staff wages, operational costs, or administrative expenses.

Service Charge vs Tip

Snow Leopard

Context: Recently, a study conducted by Ladakh’s Department of Wildlife Protection has revealed that the union territory hosts 477 snow leopards, accounting for nearly 70% of India’s total population of the species. 

• With one of the highest global densities of these elusive big cats, Ladakh emerges as a crucial stronghold for snow leopard conservation.

About Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)

• Geographical Spread: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 
• Distribution: Closely aligned with the distribution of their main prey species, such as the ibex and blue sheep (bharal).
• State Animal: Recognized as the state animal of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh in India.
• Adaptations: Known as the “ghosts of the mountains” for their elusive nature and ability to camouflage. 
• Behaviour: Unlike other big cats, snow leopards do not roar; instead, they communicate through growls, hisses, meows, and a unique sound called a “chuff.” 
• They are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. Typically solitary, much like other cat species.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Listed as Vulnerable.
  • CITES: Included in Appendix I.
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I for the highest protection.

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