Researchers produce a 3D model of the ribosome and visualise how it is made

About Ribosomes:

• Ribosomes are non-membrane-bound cell organelles made of RNA and proteins.
• They are found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• In eukaryotic organisms, ribosomes are found in the cytoplasm, mitochondria, and chloroplast.
• All prokaryotic ribosomes are found free in the cytoplasm of the cell.
• Ribosomal structure and function are strikingly similar in all organisms and organelles.
• They are made of two subunits, the large and the small subunit which comprises ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and proteins.
• Primary Function:
• They are complex molecular machines that make proteins from amino acids in a process called protein synthesis, or translation.
• Every cell needs ribosomes to manufacture proteins.
• The ribosome reads the messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence and translates that genetic code into a specified string of amino acids, which grow into long chains that fold to form proteins.
• The newly formed proteins detach themselves from the ribosome site and migrate to other parts of the cell for use.

What is mRNA?

• mRNA is a type of single-stranded RNA involved in protein synthesis.
• mRNA is made from a DNA template during the process of transcription.
• The role of mRNA is to carry protein information from the DNA in a cell’s nucleus to the cell’s cytoplasm(watery interior), where the protein-making machinery reads the mRNA sequence and translates each three-base codon into its corresponding amino acid in a growing protein chain.
• So, mRNA really is a form of nucleic acid which helps the human genome, which is coded in DNA, to be read by the cellular machinery.

UNCTAD raises alarm over disruptions in shipping routes for global trade

About the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):

• It is the UN’s leading institution dealing with trade and development.
• It is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964. 
• Its objective is to assist developing countries, especially the least developed countries, and countries with economies in transition, to integrate beneficially into the global economy.
• It also seeks to help the international community promote a global partnership for development, increase coherence in global economic policy-making, and assure development gains for all from trade.
• It provides economic and trade analysis, facilitates consensus-building, and offers technical assistance to help developing countries use trade, investment, finance, and technology for inclusive and sustainable development.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• UNCTAD membership consists of 195 states.
• Its activities are advisory by nature.
• Reports published by UNCTAD:
• Trade and Development Report
• World Investment Report
• The Least Developed Countries Report

PM Modi cites crocodiles in Ken River to hail tech use in saving wildlife

About Ken River:

• It is one of the major rivers of the Bundelkhand region of central India.
• It flows through two states, namely Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
• It is a tributary of the Yamuna River. The river is the last tributary of the Yamuna before the Yamuna joins the Ganga.
• Course:
• The river originates near the village of Ahirgawan on the northwest slopes of the Kaimur Range in the district of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• Crossing the Bijawar-Panna hills, the river cuts a 60 km long, and 150- 180 m deep gorge. It is joined by several streams in this gorge, making waterfalls.
• It travels a distance of 427 km and then merges with the Yamuna at Chilla village, near Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh. 
• It is known for its rare Sajhar or Dendritic Agate stone.
• Tributaries: The major tributaries of the Ken River are Bawas, Dewar, Kaith, Baink, Kopra, and Bearma.

G-33 countries call for permanent public stockholding solution for food security

About G-33:

• The G33 (or the Friends of Special Products in Agriculture) is a coalition of developing and least-developed countries.
• Despite the name, there are currently 47 member nations. Some of the main countries include India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Philippines, Turkey, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Korea.
• It was established prior to the 2003 Cancun ministerial conference that was coordinated during the Doha Round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, specifically in regard to agriculture.
• Dominated by India, the group has "defensive" concerns regarding agriculture in relation to WTO negotiations, and seeks to limit the degree of market opening required of developing countries. 
• The group has advocated the creation of a "special products" exemption, which would allow developing countries to exempt certain products from tariff exemptions, and also a "special safeguard mechanism" which would permit tariff increases in response to import surges.

HAM Operators from Cyclone Shelters of Nachugunta Island, Andhra Pradesh, excel in Island On The Air (IOTA) Expedition

About Island On The Air (IOTA) Programme:

• It is a pioneering programme that connects radio amateurs worldwide with stations on islands.
• It was established in 1964.
• It is managed by IOTA Ltd in collaboration with the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), categorising islands into groups for communication.

 Key Facts about Amateur Radio (HAM Radio)

• Amateur radio is a popular hobby involving the use of radio frequency spectrum for non-commercial purposes.
• HAM radio operators communicate using designated radio frequencies, engaging in diverse activities like contests, emergency communication support, experimentation, technical learning, and community engagement.
• The hobby offers a unique blend of technical learning, community engagement, and global connectivity through radio waves, emphasising innovation and service.
• In India, as per the Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Amendment Rules, 1984
• ‘Amateur service’ means a service of self-training intercommunications and technical investigation carried on by Amateurs that is, by persons duly authorised under these rules interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.”
• Any citizen of India who is above 12 years of age can become a ham by qualifying in the Amateurs Station Operators’ examination (ASO) and obtaining a valid Amateur wireless telegraph station licence.

INDIA-JAPAN JOINT EXERCISE ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ COMMENCES IN RAJASTHAN

About Exercise Dharma Guardian:

• It is an annual exercise and is conducted alternatively in India and Japan.
• It is the 5th edition of joint military exercise between India and Japan.
• The aim of the Exercise is to foster Military Cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in the semi-urban environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The Exercise would focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills.
• Significance
• It will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for conducting tactical operations.
• The Exercise will also facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops of both sides.
• This will enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

Other Exercises between India and Japan:

• Malabar: It is a multinational naval exercise in which India, Japan, the United States and Australia participate.
• JIMEX(naval)
• SHINYUU Maitri (Air Force)

DRDO hands over 23 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology to industries during Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo 2024

About SAMAR Assessment Certificates:

• System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating (SAMAR) certificateis a benchmark to measure the competency of defence manufacturing enterprises.
• It is an outcome of the collaboration between DRDO and the Quality Council of India (QCI) to strengthen the defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country to further the vision of making India self-reliant in defence manufacturing. 
• Objective:
• Provide an objective assessment of the manufacturing capability of Defence Manufacturing Enterprises
• Enable enterprises to benchmark their performance across a range of business capabilities to enhance quality, reliability and competitiveness
• Create a credible database of Defence manufacturers for ease in vendor selection and development
• Strengthen the Defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country with an objective to realise the vision of making India self-reliant in Defence manufacturing
• Eligibility: All defence manufacturing enterprises, both MSME and Large enterprises, are eligible to apply for this certification.
• Validity: It is valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issuance of the certificate.
• The certification is based on a maturity assessment model developed by QCI and is applicable to all defence manufacturing enterprises i.e., micro, small, medium and large enterprises.