20 April 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper-3: Science & Technology / Health

⭐ Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)

⭐ Why in News

• The Maharashtra government informed the Bombay High Court that no

dedicated policy has yet been framed to address SSPE.

⭐ Nature of the Disease

• SSPE (also called Dawson disease) is a progressive and fatal neurological

disorder.

• It is linked to a previous measles (rubeola) infection.

⭐ Onset & Progression

• Develops years after recovery from measles.

• Occurs despite the initial infection appearing fully resolved.

⭐ Epidemiology

• Reported globally, but rare in developed countries.

• More common in males than females.

• Mainly affects children and adolescents.

• Incidence: about 1 in 50,000 measles cases.

⭐ Cause & Pathology

• Normally, the measles virus does not affect the brain.

• In SSPE, due to abnormal immune response or mutated virus, it damages the

brain.

• Leads to chronic inflammation that may persist for years.

GS Paper-3: Science & Technology

⭐ Memristor

⭐ Why in News

• Researchers at the University of

Cambridge have developed a

brain-inspired nanodevice based

on a hafnium-oxide memristor.

⭐ Definition & Concept

• A memristor (memory + resistor) is an electronic component whose resistance

depends on past current flow.

• It can retain previous electrical states, effectively “remembering” information.

⭐ Comparison with Resistor

• Resistor: Provides constant resistance.

• Memristor: Resistance varies based on history of current, enabling memory

function.

⭐ Key Features

• Retains resistance even after power is switched off.

• Enables non-volatile data storage (no continuous power needed).

• Built at nanoscale, occupying minimal space.

• Requires very low energy for operation.

⭐ Material & Structure

• Typically made using a thin layer of titanium dioxide between two metal

electrodes.

GS Paper-3: Environment & Biodiversity

⭐ Cyrtodactylus jayadityai

⭐ Why in News

• A new gecko species, Cyrtodactylus jayadityai, has been discovered in Tripura.

⭐ Taxonomy & Classification

• Belongs to the group of bent-toed geckos.

• Recently described as a distinct species within the genus Cyrtodactylus.

⭐ Habitat

• Found in lowland forest ecosystems.

⭐ Genetic Features

• Genetically distinct from its closest relative, Cyrtodactylus tripuraensis.

• Shows 4.7–5.2% divergence based on mitochondrial DNA analysis.

⭐ Behaviour

• Nocturnal in nature.

• Active at night for feeding.

• During the day, hides in burrows and rock crevices.

⭐ Regional Significance

• Discovery increases the total number of Cyrtodactylus species in Northeast India to

31.