Science and Technology

Shingles vaccine & lower dementia risk - Indian Express

A recent South Korean study found that individuals vaccinated against shingles had a 23% lower risk of developing cardiovascular conditions.
 

What is shingles?

• Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. 
• After an episode of chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate later, especially when the immune system is weakened, leading to shingles
• A shingles vaccine is recommended for adults over 50 years and for those with weakened immunity, such as people living with HIV, to prevent reactivation of the virus.

 Welsh Study on Shingles Vaccine and Dementia – Key Findings:

• Finding: Shingles vaccine recipients had a 20% lower relative risk of dementia over 7 years (3.5 percentage point reduction).
• Why it's unique:
  • Used a natural experiment due to Wales' age-based vaccine rollout in 2013.
  • Only those aged 79–80 on September 1, 2013, were eligible that year.
  • 78-year-olds got the vaccine a year later; those over 80 were never eligible.
  • This created two comparable groups, mimicking a randomised control trial (RCT).
• Possible reasons for reduced dementia risk:
  • Prevention of varicella-zoster virus reactivation, which may affect cognitive health.
  • Immune system changes triggered by the virus or vaccine may offer protection,
• Do Both Shingles Vaccines Protect Against Dementia? – Key Points:
  • Two approved shingles vaccines:
    • Zostavax – live, weakened virus.
    • Shingrix – recombinant, non-live vaccine.
    • Both available in India (Rs 6,000–17,000 per dose).
  • Zostavax Evidence (Welsh Study):
    • Based on people vaccinated with Zostavax.
    • Found a 20% reduction in dementia risk over 7 years.
  • Shingrix Evidence (Oxford Study, US):
    • Based on health records of 200,000 people.
    • Found a 17% reduction in dementia diagnoses over 6 years.
  • Other Vaccines and Dementia Risk:
    • Study in Alzheimer’s & Dementia (130 million people): Lower dementia risk linked to hepatitis A, typhoid, and diphtheria vaccines.

International Relation

New North-East link to Kolkata- Indian Express

Proposed Shillong–Silchar Highway – Key Points:

• A 166.8-km, four-lane highway from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong, Meghalaya) to Panchgram (near Silchar, Assam) is being developed along NH-6.
• It is the first high-speed corridor in the North-East, implemented by NHIDCL for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).  The highway will serve as an extension of the Kaladan Multi-Modal
• Transport Project in Myanmar, providing an alternative sea link between the North-East and Kolkata.
•  This initiative counters Bangladeshi adviser Muhammad Yunus’s remark that the North-East is "landlocked" and Dhaka is its "only guardian of the ocean.”

Shillong–Silchar Highway: Strategic Relevance

•  The Siliguri Corridor is currently the only direct land link to the North-East.
• Bangladesh has restricted Bay of Bengal access, limiting regional water movement.
• The Kaladan project with Myanmar offers an alternative sea route, expected to be ready alongside the highway.
• The project requires major engineering work, including slope stabilization in difficult hilly terrain.

WHAT IS U.S. BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, AND CAN TRUMP END IT? - Indian Express

Birthright Citizenship Case: Key Points

What is Birthright Citizenship?

● Based on the 14th Amendment (1868): anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen, regardless of parents' status, except children of foreign diplomats.

● Spported by the Immigration and Nationality Act (1952).

Trump’s Executive Order (Jan 2024):

●  Directs federal agencies to deny citizenship to U.S.-born children without at least one American citizen or lawful resident parent.

● Aimed at curbing "birth tourism" and illegal immigration.

Supreme Court's Past Rulings:

●        1898 (Wong Kim Ark case): Court upheld citizenship for a U.S.-born child of Chinese immigrants.

●        1884 (John Elk case): Denied citizenship to a Native American born in a tribe (not under U.S. jurisdiction).

●        SC has not ruled directly on children of undocumented immigrants.

Trump Administration’s Argument:

Interprets “jurisdiction” in the 14th Amendment as political allegiance, denying citizenship to children without a legally resident parent.

Opponents’ Argument:

Claim the order violates the Constitution, bypasses Congress’s authority, and disrupts the existing system of citizenship by birth certificate.

Defence

Akashteer: The Unseen Force Behind India’s New War Capability- PIB

What is Akashteer?

●        A fully indigenous, automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System.

●        Provides real-time situational awareness, enabling fast and coordinated responses to aerial threats.

●        Successfully intercepted missiles and drones during Pakistan’s May 9–10 attack

Key Features:

●        Integrates radars, sensors, and communication tech into a single operational network.

●        Enables automated detection, tracking, and engagement of enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles.

●        Part of India’s C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) framework.

●        Vehicle-based and mobile, ideal for deployment in active war zones.

Strategic Value:

●        Shifts India’s defence approach from passive monitoring to proactive retaliation.

●        Ensures seamless coordination between Army (AAD), Air Force (IACCS), and Navy (TRIGUN).

●        Reduces risk of friendly fire through unified battlefield awareness.

Indigenous Strength:

●        Part of the Make in India initiative alongside platforms like Tejas, Arjun MBT, ALH, and ATAGS.

●        Supports India’s goal of becoming Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) in defence

Global Impact:

●        Recognized as a major leap in warfare strategy.

●        Demonstrates India’s capability to counter asymmetric threats and cross-border terrorism.

●        Establishes India among the few nations with integrated, automated air defence command systems.