Current Affairs 20 March 2024 for UPSC And State PSC Exam

Wearable Technology

News- Earlier this year, at its Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung unveiled a novel smart wearable device, the Galaxy Ring, marking a new addition to its product lineup.

About

Definition and Varieties: Wearable technology encompasses electronic devices designed for wear as accessories, integration into clothing, body implants, or skin tattoos. This broad category includes devices like smartwatches, fitness trackers, head-mounted displays, smart jewelry, smart clothing, and implantable gadgets, all characterized by their ability to carry sensors, software, and connectivity features.

Functioning Principle: The core functionality of wearables involves sensors collecting data from the user, which is then processed by software. This data is transmitted to a processing device via wireless connectivity, relying on the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem for seamless integration and communication.

IoT Ecosystem: Wearable technology operates within the Internet of Things framework, similar to home smart devices like thermostats and smart speakers, but with a focus on personal use. The IoT’s appeal lies in its ability to interpret and utilize the data collected by sensors for actionable insights.

Benefits of Smart Rings

• Offer more accurate health readings by utilizing capillaries in the finger, potentially surpassing the accuracy of smartwatches.
• Tend to have longer battery life compared to smartwatches, making them more efficient for continuous use.

Limitations

• Smart rings are limited in functionality compared to smartwatches, lacking features like GPS and screens, which restricts their capability to replicate the full range of smartwatch functions.

IceCube Neutrino Observatory

News- Researchers analyzing data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica have potentially identified the first evidence of astrophysical tau neutrinos, often referred to as “ghost particles.”

About

Location and Organization: The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is positioned at the South Pole and specializes in detecting neutrinos, subatomic particles. It’s an international project led by the University of Wisconsin, Madison, under the IceCube Collaboration, involving numerous universities globally.

Structure: The observatory is comprised of thousands of sensors buried over 1.4 kilometers beneath the ice, supplemented by additional detectors on the surface, making it the largest neutrino telescope in existence.

Functionality: Neutrinos interacting with the Antarctic ice can generate charged particles and radiation. The observatory’s sensors are designed to detect this radiation, enabling the identification of neutrino presence.

Data Analysis: By analyzing the properties of detected radiation, the IceCube Observatory can deduce information about the neutrinos, such as their type.

Neutrino Types and Detection: IceCube is capable of identifying various types of neutrinos, with some detections occurring in real-time, aiding in the further understanding of these elusive particles.

World Air Quality Report 2023

News-According to the World Air Quality Report 2023, Delhi was highlighted as the capital city experiencing the most significant challenges with air quality.

About

• The World Air Quality Report 2023, published by the Swiss organization IQAir, highlights significant findings on global air pollution levels.
• India ranks as the third-worst country globally for air quality, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter, trailing behind Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• Bangladesh is listed as the world’s most polluted country, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter; Pakistan follows, with a concentration of 73.7.
• For the fourth consecutive year, Delhi has been identified as the most polluted capital city globally.
• Begusarai in Bihar is named the world’s most polluted metropolitan area.
• Among the top 11 most polluted cities worldwide, 10 are in India, with Lahore, Pakistan, being the exception.
• Approximately 96% of India’s population is exposed to PM2.5 levels exceeding the WHO’s annual guideline by more than seven times.
• Particulate Matter (PM) consists of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air, originating from various sources including burning fossil fuels and dust-generating activities.
• PM varies in size; larger particles typically stem from soil, while smaller ones originate from the combustion of fossil fuels.
• PM is categorized into primary and secondary types, where primary PM is directly emitted from sources like smokestacks and tailpipes, and secondary PM forms from chemical reactions of gaseous emissions downwind from their sources.

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