Lafora Disease

Context: Recently, Lafora disease, a rare and fatal genetic disorder , has been in the news due to advancements in research and awareness efforts

About Lafora disease

• Lafora disease is a rare and serious genetic disorder that affects the brain and nervous system.
• It is part of a group called progressive myoclonic epilepsies (PMEs).
• The disease usually starts in teenage years (10–18 years) and gets worse quickly.
• Naming: Named after Spanish neurologist Gonzalo Rodríguez Lafora, who first reported it in a teen with worsening seizures.
• What Causes Lafora Disease?
  • Caused by mutations in the EPM2A or NHLRC1 (EPM2B) genes.
    These genes help in managing glycogen (a type of sugar used for energy).
  • Mutations cause abnormal sugar buildup (called Lafora bodies) in brain cells, damaging them.
    • It interferes with normal brain function.
• Lafora Disease in India
  • This disease is found in states of India where consanguineous marriages (marriage between close relatives) are more common.
  • Currently, there is no cure for Lafora disease, and treatment mainly focuses on managing symptoms.

Dongria Kondh

Context: NHRC has asked Odisha’s Chief Secretary for a report on poor living conditions and lack of basic facilities of Dongria Kondh PVTG families in Kalahandi and Rayagada districts of odisha.

About Dongria Kondh

• The Dongria Kondh are an indigenous tribe living in the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha.
• They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
• The tribe worships Niyam Raja, the sacred deity believed to live in the hills.
• Language and Oral Traditions
  • They speak Kui, an old Dravidian language.
  • Cultural knowledge is preserved through songs, stories, and dances passed down orally.
• Traditional Farming Practices: The Dongria Kondh practise podu cultivation, a form of shifting agriculture.

Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme

Context: The Union Government has approved an extra 2.8 million tonnes of rice from FCI for making ethanol.

Purpose of the Allocation : This move is part of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, which aims to:

• Cut down pollution, and
• Reduce the need to import fossil fuels.

About Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme

• It is a government initiative to promote ethanol as a fuel. 
• Launched in : 2003
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG).
• Objective; create clean fuel alternative by blending ethanol with petrol. 
• Sources of Ethanol for Blending
  • Primary source: Sugarcane molasses
  • Secondary source: food grains ( rice and wheat) and agricultural residues (rice husk and maize)

PM SHRI Scheme

Context: The Kerala government has decided to approach the Supreme Court against the Centre’s decision to withhold the release of Rs 1,500 crore to the state under various centrally sponsored education schemes.

About the PM SHRI Scheme

• Implemented By:  The Union Ministry of Education (Department of School Education and Literacy).
• Aims: To upgrade over 14,500 existing schools into model schools aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Funding and Implementation:  It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme(CSS).
• Total outlay: ₹27,360 crore for 5 years (2022–23 to 2026–27).
• Requirement for State Participation: States must confirm their participation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Education Ministry.
• Current Status (as of 2025): 12,400 schools across 670 districts have been brought under the scheme.
• States Not Participating: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have not joined the scheme.

Geotubing

Context: Recently, scientists from NIOT, KSCADC officials, and coastal engineering experts studied an offshore breakwater system using geotube technology along Poonthura’s coast.

About Geotubeing

• Geotubeing, or the use of geotextile tubes, is a method of dewatering and managing sediments, sludge, and other materials. 
• These tubes, made from high-strength geotextile fabric, act as a container that allows water to pass through while retaining solids. 
• This process is used in various applications like land creation, shoreline protection, and dewatering sludge from wastewater treatment plants. 

How Geotubes Work?

• Geotubes are typically filled with a slurry of water and solids (like sand, sediment, or sludge). 
• The water permeates through the permeable geotextile fabric, while the solids are retained inside the tube. 
• This process, often with hydraulic pressure, helps to separate the water from the solids and dewaters the material. 

Applications of Geotubing

• Dewatering Sludge/Sediment: Used in wastewater treatment plants, industrial sludge, and dredging operations to separate water from solids.
• Shoreline & Coastal Protection: Acts as breakwaters or barriers to prevent erosion from waves and tides.
• Land Reclamation: Helps build up land in marshy or underwater areas by retaining sediments.
• Containment of Contaminated Materials: Isolates polluted sediments during environmental cleanup projects.
• Agriculture & Aquaculture: Used in pond liners, dyke reinforcement, and water retention.

Germanium

Context: India is engaging with the Chinese government to navigate export restrictions on germanium.

India’s Dependence

• India has no domestic production of germanium.
• Completely reliant on imports.
• Presently sourcing via United Arab Emirates, increasing costs for Indian importers.

China’s Role

• Produces over 50% of the world’s germanium.
• Has export restrictions:
  • November 2023: Major restrictions on exports to the United States.
  • Earlier: Imposed export licensing for other countries.
• Also holds a practical monopoly in refining REEs (rare earth elements) — germanium is not among REEs.

Germanium

• Germanium is a shiny, durable, silver-white metalloid with a diamond-like crystalline structure. 
• It plays a vital role in the electronics and optics industries due to its semiconducting properties.

Major Applications

• Electronics: Used in transistors and semiconductors.
• Fiber Optic Cables: Forms part of the core preform, enabling high-speed data transmission.
• Infrared Imaging Devices: Essential in night-vision tech and thermal imaging.
• Defense: Enhances performance of weapon systems under extreme environments.
• Solar Cells:
  • Favoured for space-based solar panels.
  • Offers high thermal stability and better energy conversion efficiency.
• Alloys & Catalysts: Sometimes used in specialty alloys and polymerization catalysts.

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