Science and Techonology Current Affairs
150 Computers at Maharashtra Mantralaya Attacked by Locky Virus
- On May 26, 2016, 150 computers of Mantralaya, Headquarters of the Maharashtra government, were attacked by a malicious software known as Locky ransomware, which blocks access to computers.
- Virus attacked targeted files from the revenue and public works departments but the damage was contained before it could spread.
- The government has now directed its employees to only use their official ID and not use private e-mail IDs such as Gmail or Yahoo. It has also decided to provide an advisory to employees to exercise caution while using pendrives and CDs procured without authenticating sources.
Faecal Incontinence Management System ‘Qora’ Launched
- The indigenously developed faecal incontinence management system ’Qora’ was launched by Minister of State for Science & Technology YS Chowdary in New Delhi on May 19, 2016.
- It is an innovative medical device developed under Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology supported Bio design Programme by Consure Medical, New Delhi.
- The QoraTM stool Management Kit is the world’s first FDA 510(k) approved indwelling faecal drainage device for the management of faecal incontinence that can be used across a continuum of care facilities from ICUs to nursing homes.
- Faecal Incontinence (FI) is a medical condition marked by inability to control one’s bowel movements, causing stool (faeces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. It affects nearly 100 million bed ridden patients worldwide.
- Furthermore, about 50% of the psychiatric ward patients have FI due to long-term neurological diseases. At present, absorbent pads and faecal drainage catheters are the only available solutions for this condition.
World-First Scanning Helium Microscope Built in Australia
- Australian researchers on May 16, 2016 built the world’s first Scanning Helium Microscope to examine materials without disturbing them.
- It will help to study human, animal and plant samples, as well as computer chips and pharmaceutical drugs, without damaging or changing them.
- The University of Newcastle in collaboration with scientists from England’s University of Cambridge developed the microscope with helium to examine structures without damaging or changing them.
