[Newsbits] 25-30.04.2024: Article 244(A), Phi-3-mini, Nilgiri Tahr Survey & More

The WHO’s New Global Malaria Strategy for 2030 aims to significantly accelerate efforts to combat malaria, a pervasive global health threat that continues to cause substantial mortality and morbidity, particularly in Africa. In 2022 alone, there were approximately 608,000 malaria-related deaths and 249 million new cases. The strategy focuses on establishing unified norms, introducing innovative tools, promoting strategic information utilization, and providing leadership to enhance malaria control efforts. Emphasizing equity, the plan targets the needs of vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and indigenous populations, addressing barriers to access and treatment. The approach is holistic, prioritizing resilience, country ownership, and system integration to ensure sustainable and efficient healthcare delivery.
China recently launched the Shenzhou-18 mission from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong space station. This event marks another significant step in China’s ambitious space program, which includes plans for lunar and Mars missions and opening the station to international astronauts and tourists. The mission underlines China’s rapid advancements in space technology and its goals to establish a long-term human presence in space.
On April 27, 2024, the Madras High Court ordered the Tamil Nadu government to enforce the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)’s Guidelines for Elimination of Corporal Punishment in schools. The court’s decision, led by Justice S M Subramaniam, aims to address the persistent issue of corporal and mental abuse in educational settings by implementing these guidelines across Tamil Nadu. This directive not only seeks to safeguard the mental health of children but also establishes a framework for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the guidelines.
The world’s first personalised mRNA vaccine for melanoma, known as mRNA-4157 (V940), developed by Moderna and Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), is advancing into Phase III trials in the UK. This innovative vaccine is tailored to each patient’s unique tumor genetic signature, working in conjunction with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to boost the immune response against cancer cells. Early results are promising, showing a significant reduction in the risk of death or recurrence of melanoma. This vaccine not only holds potential for treating melanoma but is also being tested for other cancer types, possibly revolutionizing cancer treatment and significantly improving survival rates.
The Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2023, prepared by ISRO’s IS4OM and unveiled by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, shows a significant increase in the number of space objects, with 3,143 new additions due to 212 launches and on-orbit breakup events. This year saw a higher number compared to the previous year’s 2,533 objects from 179 launches. The report highlights India’s robust space monitoring and management capabilities, emphasizing the need for a globally accepted framework for Space Traffic Management to address the challenges posed by increasing space debris and close approach alerts.
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