Current Affairs 27th December 2013

Michiaki Takahasi: Developer of chickenpox vaccine passed away

Dr. Michiaki Takahashi (85), a Japanese virologist, who developed a vaccine for the chicken pox virus passed away. Dr. Takahashi developed his vaccine by growing live but weakened versions of the virus in animal and human cells. The disease was not sourced by the vaccine, but the vaccine encouraged immune system to create antibodies. Thus, it fools the immune system into thinking that it has seen this disease before.

About Chicken Pox

Caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) which is a form of herpes.
Highly contagious disease that is spread via contact with infected person.
Symptoms: rashes in the body, fever, loss of appetite, headache and tiredness.
It’s most common in kids under age 12, but anyone can get chickenpox.

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a form of herpes. If a person contracts the virus, has an active infection and then recovers, the virus is not actually gone from the body. It can hide in nerve cells for years or decades, then emerge again to cause shingles, a painful condition that causes a skin rash and occurs mostly in adults.

Defense Ministry clears procurement proposals worth over Rs 16000 cr

The Defense Ministry cleared procurement proposals worth over Rs.16, 000 crore including that of Israeli Barak missiles. The Ministry had put on hold procurement of Barak-I missiles because of a CBI probe in the case since 2006. The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defense minister AK Antony approved the proposal. The proposal is for

Acquiring two deep submarine rescue vessels for the Navy while approving the indigenous construction of the 16 anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft at the cost of Rs.13,000 crore.

262 Barak-I missiles worth Rs.880 crore, which are expected to be put on the aircraft carrier INS Virat and picked out air defense system for the new aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

Aquiring 41 indigenously-built Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruvs, for the Army.

In the Rs.300 crore procurement, one of the choppers would be provided to the Navy.