Western Disturbance
It is an extra-tropical storm that originates in the Mediterranean region.
o The disturbance travels from the “western” to the eastern direction and gradually travels across the Middle East from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to enter the Indian subcontinent.
§ Disturbance means an area of “disturbed” or reduced air pressure. Equilibrium exists in nature due to which the air in a region tries to normalize its pressure.
o In the term “extra-tropical storm”, the storm refers to low pressure.
§ “Extra-tropical” means outside the tropics (as WD originates outside the tropical region).
Hypersonic Missiles
The Hypersonic Cruise Missile is capable of exceeding five times the speed of sound (over 6,100 km/hr) for extended periods.
The speed is achieved through a cutting-edge air-breathing engine, which utilizes supersonic combustion to sustain long-duration flight.
These missiles are also more maneuverable, which allows them to more easily evade air defence systems.
The two types of hypersonic weapons systems are Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles.
o The HGVs are launched from a rocket before gliding to the intended target while HCMs are powered by air-breathing high-speed engines or 'scramjets' after acquiring their target.
Doomsday Glacier (Thwaites Glacier)
It is an outflow glacier of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS), flowing into the Amundsen Sea.
o The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is one of the 16 climate tipping elements on the planet.
It is nicknamed 'Doomsday Glacier' due to its potential to cause major sea-level rise.
According to the authors of a study, about two-thirds of the detected earthquakes, 245 out of 362, occurred near the marine end of the Thwaites Glacier.
o The complete destruction of the Doomsday Glacier could lead to a global sea level rise of 3 meters.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. Most infections are asymptomatic and self-limiting.
Nature: HPV is a DNA virus from the Papillomaviridae family.
o Diseases Caused by HPV:
o Cervical cancer (over 95% of cases linked to HPV).
o Other cancers: anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile and oropharyngeal cancers.
o Genital warts (non-cancerous).
HPV vaccination: It prevents infection from the most dangerous HPV types. Most effective when given before sexual debut (ages 9–14 years).
Copper
Copper (Cu) is a reddish-orange, soft and highly malleable metal with atomic number 29, known for its exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity.
These properties make it vital for electrical wiring, power transmission, plumbing and electronic applications.
Copper is also a key component of important alloys such as brass (copper–zinc) and bronze (copper–tin), which enhance strength and corrosion resistance.
Biomaterials
Biomaterials are materials derived wholly or partly from biological sources, or engineered using biological processes, that are designed to replace or interact with conventional materials.
o They are increasingly used across sectors such as packaging, textiles, construction and healthcare.
Common examples include bioplastics made from plant sugars or starch, bio-based fibres used in textiles and medical biomaterials such as biodegradable sutures and tissue scaffolds.
Categories : Biomaterials fall into three main categories:
o Drop-in biomaterials that match petroleum-based materials and work in existing systems
o Drop-out biomaterials that require new processing or disposal methods,
o Novel biomaterials that provide entirely new functions and properties.
Water Vapour
Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
It is a condensable gas, easily changing from gas to liquid.
Its concentration decreases with altitude and from the equator towards the poles.
It can constitute up to 4% of air by volume in warm tropical regions.
In cold, dry deserts and polar regions, it may be less than 1%.
