27 January 2025- Daily Current Affairs Updates

Iron Age; GS-1 (History)

▪️Why in the News: Radiometric dating of burial urn samples from Sivagalai indicates a thriving Iron Age civilization in southern India, contemporaneous with the Indus Valley Civilization.

• Definition

• The Iron Age represents a transformative era in history, during which iron replaced stone and bronze as the primary material for making tools and weapons.

• It was characterized by significant advancements in metallurgy and technological innovation, which brought about profound societal and economic changes.

- Timeframe of the Iron Age:

• Globally, the Iron Age is believed to have begun around 1200 BCE.

• However, recent archaeological discoveries in Tamil Nadu indicate that the Iron Age in India may have started as early as 3,345 BCE, earlier than the Hittite Empire's documented use of iron around 1380 BCE.

- Notable Iron Age Sites in India:

• Brahmagiri (Karnataka): Iron Age artifacts from this site date back to around 2,140 BCE.

• Gachibowli (Telangana): Evidence of iron usage dates to approximately 2,200 BCE.

• Sivagalai (Tamil Nadu): This site provides the earliest evidence of iron use in India, dating back to 3,345 BCE,

• Mayiladumparai (Tamil Nadu): Artifacts reveal iron tools from approximately 2,172 BCE.

Lake Victoria; GS-1 (Geography) ▪️Why in the news: An international team of researchers from North America and Kenya has completed a genetic survey of cyanobacteria in the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya.

> Geographic Location:

• Lake Victoria is located in East Africa and is shared by three countries: Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.

> Global Significance:

It is the largest tropical lake in the world

• By surface area, it is the second-largest freshwater lake globally, following Lake Superior.

• It holds the distinction of being the largest lake within the African Great Lakes region.

• Local Names:

• In Kenya, it is referred to as Victoria Nyanza.

• In Uganda, it is known as Nalubaale.

• In Tanzania, it is called Ukerewe.

> Connection to the Nile River:

• Lake Victoria serves as the source of the White Nile, which flows northward and later joins the Blue Nile in Sudan to form the Nile River.

> What is Cyanobacteria?

Cyanobacteria are aquatic and photosynthetic; that is, they live in the water and can manufacture their own food

• They are quite small and usually unicellular. Cyanobacteria lack a membrane-bound nucleus, and mitochondria.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS); GS-3 (Sciene and Technology) ▪️Why in the news: A man suspected to have contracted Guillain-Barre

Syndrome (GBS) recently died in Maharashtra's Solapur district.

> Definition:

• Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a neurological condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system.

• The peripheral nervous system includes all nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, controlling muscle movements, pain signals, and sensations like temperature and touch.

The syndrome is also referred to as acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP).

* Age Group Affected:

• While it can occur at any age, it is most commonly observed in individuals aged between 30 and 50 years.

> Causes of Guillain-Barre Syndrome:

• The exact cause remains unknown, but the condition is frequently triggered after viral or bacterial infections, vaccinations, or major surgeries.

• During such events, the immune system becomes overactive, leading to this rare neurological disorder.

> Symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome:

• The onset is often marked by an unexplained fever, followed by weakness and other symptoms related to the nervous system.

• The symptoms may worsen over hours, days, or weeks, potentially leading to severe muscle weakness or even complete paralysis of certain muscles.

> Treatment for Guillain-Barre Syndrome:

• Currently, there is no definitive cure for Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

• The most commonly employed treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin

(IVIG), derived from donated blood containing healthy antibodies.

Rhodamine B; GS-3 (Environment and Ecology) ▪️Why in the news: Studies have indicated that Rhodamine B can cause DNA damage, leading to mutations and potentially triggering cancerous growth.

> Rhodamine B:

• It is a chemical colour used in dyeing clothes, paper, leather, printing, and plastics.

• It is used to give red and pink colours.

• Rhodamine B is not one of the permitted food coloring agents under India's food safety regulations.

• Risks:

• Rhodamine-B is carcinogenic.

Rhodamine B may also damage the eye and cause irritation in the respiratory tract.

Rhodamine B is not fit for consumption and may lead to acute toxicity.

• Punishment on Violation:

Using these harmful chemicals violates the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products, Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011

• Violation attracts imprisonment of up to 7 years and fine of up to Rs 10 lakhs.

> Food Colours Allowed by FSSAI:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), India's apex food safety regulator, allows the use of very few natural and synthetic colours in food items.

• There is also a restriction on which colours can be used in what type of food product.