SNIPPETS 26 FEBRUARY 2026

Tetrodotoxin: A highly potent, naturally occurring marine neurotoxin+ Certain fish and marine organisms; commonly found in pufferfish, octopus (especially blue-ringed octopus)+Produced by symbiotic bacteria, not by the fish itself+ It is a non-protein, heat-stable neurotoxin (not destroyed by cooking or freezing)+Symptoms of poisoning+ Early – Numbness of lips and tongue, tingling sensation, Moderate – Vomiting, dizziness, muscle weakness., Severe – Paralysis, respiratory failure, and death in extreme cases+ No specific antidote available

Contarinia icardiflores: A newly discovered species of blossom midge (tiny fly) that has been identified as a serious pest affecting jasmine crops in India+ The insect is very small (~1.5–2 mm), making early detection difficult+ Although morphologically similar to Contarinia maculipennis (another jasmine pest), C. icardiflores is genetically distinct, confirmed by scientists.

Photo-capacitor: It is an innovative sunlight-powered supercapacitor using a single device that integrates solar energy harvesting and energy storage+ Developed by – Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru+ Nodal Authority – Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology+ Working Principle – The device simultaneously absorbs sunlight and stores the generated electrical charge+ Key Features – Integrated Architecture – Combines sunlight harvesting and charge storage in a single device, eliminating the need for separate solar panels and storage units.