News In Shorts: 23 September 2024

45th Chess Olympiad 

• This was the second time a country won gold in both sections since Soviet times (China also achieved this feat in 2018)

About Chess Olympiad:

• It is organised by FIDE( International Chess Federation)
• 45th Chess Olympiad took place in Budapest, Hungary
  • Nations also win trophies: Top Open team winning the Hamilton-Russell Cup
  • The top Women’s team winning : Vera Menchik Cup
  • Best combined classification in the Open and Women’s sections: Nona Gaprindashvili trophy.

India’s First Comprehensive Cancer Multi-omics Data Portal

About ICGA cancer multi-omics data portal:

• The India Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) Foundation has launched India’s first cancer multi-omics data portal. 
• This platform provides open access to data specifically from Indian cancer patients, making it a significant tool for cancer research in the country.
• The portal offers clinically correlated data aimed at advancing research and improving cancer treatments for Indian populations.
• It is the first of its kind in India to provide integrated DNA, RNA, and protein profiles of breast cancer patients, alongside their clinical outcomes.
• The data is accessible to researchers globally under India’s PRIDE guidelines, which foster ethical data sharing and collaboration in cancer research.

Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA)

• The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) is a national initiative aimed at mapping various types of cancer across India.
• It is operated by the ICGA Foundation, a Section 8 not-for-profit organisation, which functions through a public-private-philanthropic partnership.
  • The initiative is supported by a diverse team of over 50 clinicians, researchers, and data analysts.
• Main goal of the ICGA: To improve cancer diagnosis and treatment for Indian patients, while also contributing to the global understanding of cancer biology.
• Foundation’s first project: Focuses on multi-omics profiling of breast cancer, with future plans to extend this approach to other cancers.

ASOSAI (Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions)

About ASOSAI (Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions):

• ASOSAI is one of the regional groups of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI).
  • It focuses on fostering cooperation and improving public audit standards in Asia.
• Founded: Established in 1979, with 11 member SAIs; membership has since grown to 48 SAIs.
• Proposal: First proposed by Mr. Tantuico, Chairman of the SAI of the Philippines, during the 9th INTOSAI Congress (October 1977, Lima, Peru).
• Charter Signing: In September 1978, 9 Asian SAIs signed the ASOSAI Charter in Berlin, West Germany.
• Assembly: The Assembly consists of all members of the Organization and meets once in three years. 
  • First Assembly: Held in May 1979 in New Delhi, India, where the rules and regulations were approved.
• Secretariat: The Secretariat of ASOSAI is headed by the Secretary General, who is elected by the Assembly. 
  • ASOSAI Secretariat serves for three-year terms that can be renewed twice(up to 9 years).
  • Presently, the Auditor General of the National Audit Office of China is the Secretary General of ASOSAI.
• India’s membership: India is a member of ASOSAI. 
  • India is a charter member of ASOSAI, and the CAG of India has been elected as the Chairman of ASOSAI for the period 2024-2027

Vancomycin

About Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA):

• Staphylococcus aureus is a significant bacterial species contributing to AMR.
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain that has developed resistance to many antibiotics.
• In 2019, MRSA was responsible for over 100,000 deaths globally.

About Vancomycin:

• Vancomycin is an antibiotic used to treat severe bacterial infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
• Vancomycin has been a key first-line treatment for MRSA for 40 years.
• MRSA rarely develops resistance to vancomycin, but when it does, it becomes Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA).
• VRSA is still relatively rare, with only 16 reported cases in India to date.
• VRSA acquires resistance to vancomycin through the transfer of a gene cluster known as the vanA operon from other vancomycin-resistant bacteria during co-infections.
• The acquisition of vancomycin resistance usually leads to slower bacterial growth and lower fitness, which is why VRSA remains rare.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR):

• Antimicrobial Drug Resistance or Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines.
• Impact: Infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death.
• Reason: AMR is a natural process that happens over time through genetic changes in pathogens.