Current Affairs - Science

AIIMS Mangalagiri organized an awareness rally on June 19, 2025, in Andhra Pradesh to observe World Sickle Cell Day. The event was held in collaboration with the Departments of Health, Family Welfare, and Tribal Welfare. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about sickle cell disease, particularly in tribal communities where the prevalence is higher. Key officials and community members participated in the event, emphasizing a unified commitment toward eliminating the genetic disorder by 2047 under India’s National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission. AIIMS Mangalagiri’s active engagement demonstrates its pivotal role in public health education and tribal outreach.

The parasitic wasp species 'Losgna Occidentalis' was discovered in Chandigarh, highlighting the region's unexplored biodiversity. Belonging to the Ichneumonidae family (Darwin wasps), these insects play a crucial role in biological pest control by laying eggs in or on other arthropods. This discovery underscores the importance of further research into India's diverse ecosystems, as many species remain undocumented. Chandigarh's urban and semi-urban habitats may host more such unique species, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts even in developed areas to maintain ecological balance and natural pest management systems.

TR1 cells, or Type-1 Regulatory T-cells, have been found to play a crucial role in regulating the immune system, particularly in the context of malaria. These cells help control and balance immune responses, reducing inflammation and preventing excessive immune reactions. In malaria, TR1 cells promote immune tolerance, allowing coexistence with the parasite and developing clinical immunity that prevents severe illness. This discovery can help make better malaria vaccines and boost long-term protection. TR1 cells act as peacekeepers, moderating the immune response to protect the body.

The world’s first in-human bladder transplant was successfully performed in the United States by a team of surgeons from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC). This groundbreaking surgery was carried out in Southern California on a 41-year-old male patient who had lost bladder function following treatment for a rare form of bladder cancer. The successful procedure marks a major milestone in regenerative medicine and offers new hope for patients suffering from severe bladder conditions, potentially revolutionizing how such cases are treated globally.

In 2019, only 7.8% of patients in India suffering from carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (CRGN) infections received the correct antibiotic treatment. This low percentage underscores a critical gap in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in diagnostic testing, standardized treatment protocols, and antibiotic availability. The study, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, revealed that India fared only slightly better than the average of 6.9% across eight low- and middle-income countries. With nearly a million CRGN cases in India and fewer than one lakh treated appropriately, the result was approximately 3.5 lakh preventable deaths, highlighting an urgent need for improved access to effective antibiotics and robust stewardship programs.