About Cushing’s Syndrome:

• It is a disorder that occurs when the body makes too much of the hormone cortisol over a long period of time.
  • Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands and helps control blood pressure, metabolism, immunity, and the body’s response to stress.
• Cause:
  • The most common cause is long-term use of steroid medicines prescribed for asthma, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, or after organ transplants.
  • The body produces excess cortisol on its own. This is usually due to a non-cancerous tumour in the pituitary gland (called Cushing’s disease).
• Signs and Symptoms:
  • Weight gain especially around the abdomen and face and develop fat buildup between the shoulders.
  • The skin becomes thin and bruises easily. Wounds may heal slowly. Wide purple stretch marks can appear on the abdomen, thighs, breasts, or arms.
  • Acne and increased facial or body hair (especially in women) can also occur.
  • Women may notice irregular or absent periods, while men may experience reduced libido or fertility issues.
  • Many people develop high blood pressure and high blood sugar, and some develop diabetes.
  • Bone loss can lead to osteoporosis and fractures.
  • Anxiety, irritability, depression, mood swings, sleeps problems and memory problems.
• Risks: Women are more commonly affected than men in naturally occurring (endogenous) cases, especially between ages 30 and 50.
• Treatment:
  • Treatment depends on the cause and aims to bring cortisol levels back to normal.
  • If steroid medicines are the cause, doctors slowly reduce the dose under supervision.
  • If a tumour is causing excess cortisol, surgery is usually the first treatment.

About New Earthworm Species:

Moniligaster girishi:

• It is endemic to Western Ghats and belongs to the family Moniligastridae.
• It is named after P. Girish Kumar, a scientist at the Zoological Survey of India’s Western Ghats Regional Centre, Kozhikode.
• It was collected from the tropical wet evergreen forest.
• Characteristics of Moniligaster girishi:
• It is of the gravelyi species-group.
• It is distinguished by a single undivided spermathecal atrial gland on each side of the anterior body, particularly by the condition of its prostate and prostatic capsule.
• It has a smooth, tubular capsule at one end that flattens into a strap-like shape.

About Drawida reynoldsi

• It was collected from the montane grassland.
• It is named after John Warren Reynolds, an eminent Canadian earthworm specialist.
• It belongs to the robusta species-group characterised by glandular prostates and bilobed spermathecal atria.

Key Facts about Earthworms

• They are terrestrial worms of the class Oligochaeta (phylum Annelida)—in particular, members of the genus Lumbricus. 
• Earthworms are harmless, often beneficial residents of the soil.
• Benefits:
• They breakdown dead and decaying organic matter into rich humus soil, thereby supporting plant growth.
• Earthworm releases waste from their bodies called castings. Castings contain many nutrients that the plant can use.
• They also dig tiny channels and make holes that aerate soil and improve drainage.

About Karbi Anglong Ginger:

• It is grown as an important cash crop in Singhasan Hills of Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
• It is cultivated using the age-old system of Jhum and Tila cultivation.
• Properties of Karbi Anglong Ginger:
  • It is one of the most aromatic and flavourful varieties of ginger in India.
  • It is renowned for its bold flavour, rich pungency, and high oil content.
  • It is known for its pungent aroma and medicinal properties.
  • The ginger has a distinct earthy flavour with a hint of spiciness that makes it perfect for cooking.
• It received the Geographical Indication tag in 2015.

Key Facts about Geographical Indication tag

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• It is used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it can be renewed.

About Musa sikkimensis:

• It is a wild banana species.
• It is native to the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India.
• Other Names: It is commonly known as the ‘Darjeeling banana’ or ‘Sikkim banana’,
• Features of Musa sikkimensis:
  • It is a tall, evergreen perennial plant that belongs to the banana family.
  • It has large, paddle-shaped leaves that can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) long and 2 feet (60 cm) wide.
  • The plant produces beautiful, pendulous flowers that are a deep maroon color and can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) long.
  • It is not widely cultivated for edible fruit. It plays a crucial role in strengthening crop resilience and ensuring sustainable production.
  • Its germplasm exhibits strong adaptive potential across diverse environmental conditions.
  • It is a wild-seeded species that serves as a crucial genetic reservoir.
• Required Climatic Conditions for Musa sikkimensis:
  • It prefers high humidity levels, around 50-60%. 
  • It prefers warm temperatures between 20-30°C.
  • It can tolerate cooler temperatures, but not below 10°C.
• Significance: It possesses traits linked to disease resistance, environmental stress tolerance and climate adaptability, making it an invaluable resource for future banana breeding and crop improvement programmes.

About Cassava Brown Streak Disease:

• It is a devastating disease that causes loss of cassava root (tuber) production and quality.
• Cause: It is caused by two types of virus, Cassava Brown Streak Virus (CBSV) and Ugandan Cassava Brown Streak Virus (UCBSV).
• It was first identified in Africa in the coastal region of East Africa close to the mid-20th century.
  • Its presence has now been confirmed in several eastern, central and southern African countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, the DRC, South Sudan, Malawi and now Zambia.
• Spread: It is primarily spread by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, a pest that exists as a complex of genetically distinct groups.
  • It spreads through particular whitefly populations in sub-Saharan Africa, known as Sub-Saharan Africa 1 and 2, are highly efficient at transmitting the virus.
• Symptoms of Cassava Brown Streak Disease:
  • Symptoms of Cassava brown streak disease can be observed on leaves, stems and cassava roots
  • Typical CBSD symptoms are leaf chlorosis, brown streaks on stems and dry hard rot in roots which affects both the quality and quantity of edible storage roots. 
  • The disease causes necrosis in the roots of infected plants, often leading to total crop loss. 
• It is observed that weak clean-seed systems, whitefly transmission and climate pressures accelerating spread of Cassava Brown Streak Disease.
• Management of CBSD: Planting of clean cassava cuttings is the main way of controlling CBSD.
  • Use of resistant varieties is the most sustainable way of controlling CBSD.

About Oleum:

• Oleum is a powerful chemical solution composed of sulfur trioxide (SO₃) dissolved in sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).
• Though oleum and sulfuric acid are closely related, they differ significantly in composition and reactivity.
  • Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a powerful acid in its own right, but oleum is even more reactive due to the additional dissolved SO₃.
  • The Contact Process is the primary industrial method for producing sulfuric acid, and by extension, oleum.
• Oleum is available in different concentrations, with the SO₃ content varying to suit industrial needs.
• It’s often referred to as “fuming sulfuric acid” due to its tendency to release SO₃ fumes upon exposure to air.
• In terms of appearance, oleum ranges from colorless to pale yellow, with an oily consistency.
• Applications:
  • Oleum's high reactivity makes it a vital component for producing highly concentrated sulfuric acid and in synthesizing crucial chemicals like explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Oleum’s high viscosity contributes to its “oily” appearance and influences its handling requirements in industrial applications.
  • It is also an efficient dehydrating agent and can strip water from organic compounds, which is essential in certain industrial reactions.
• Is Oleum Dangerous?
  • It is highly corrosive, meaning it can burn and damage skin, eyes, and other materials very quickly.
  • Because it releases toxic fumes, it can also be harmful if inhaled.

About Ruddy Shelduck:

• It is a migratory bird species belonging to the duck family called Anatidae.
• Scientific Name: Tadorna ferruginea
• In India it is known as the Brahminy duck.
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • It is known to breed in Central Asia and parts of Europe and spends the winter months in South Asia, including the Himalayan region.
  • Ruddy Shelducks typically arrive in the Himalayan region between October and November and leave by March or April.
  • It favors inland water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.
  • It is often found in open areas and is less common in forested regions. It can also be found in brackish waters and saline lagoons.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern.

About Takydromus ultapanensis:

• It is a new species of Asian grass lizard.
• It was discovered in Assam’s Manas Biosphere landscape.
• It was found in the Ultapani Reserve Forest in the Kokrajhar district.
• Unlike many of its congeners found in montane or subtropical habitats, T. ultapanensis inhabits lowland, semi-evergreen forests interspersed with waterlogged grasslands and fern patches.
• Researchers recorded the lizards basking on fern bushes in small open patches criss-crossed by seasonal water channels.
• Morphologically, the new species differs from its northeastern Indian relatives—including T. khasiensis and T. sikkimensis, in scale patterns, body proportions, and diagnostic head features.
• The fact that T. ultapanensis is currently known from a single forest range raises conservation concerns.

About Shtil Missile:

• It is a medium-range, ship-based, vertical-launch surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Russia.
• It primarily uses the 9M317ME semi-active radar homing (SARH) missile.
• It is designed to defend warships from aerial threats such as helicopters, supersonic fighter aircraft, anti-ship cruise missiles, and drones.
• It can engage up to 12 targets simultaneously.
• It has a range of 3.5 to 50 km and can engage targets at altitudes between 5 meters and 15 km.
• The Shtil SAM system uses the information provided by the ship's 3D radar system.
• It has been highly automated to reduce the reaction time in the event of an attack.
• It can travel at 5 times the speed of sound.