Since S&T is one of the more dynamic portions of GS, and there seems to be no ongoing thread dedicated to it, we can probably contribute in this thread the important S&T topics or news links.
The major themes are, as per syllabus: IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology, and IPR. Environment & any indigenous technology are, of course, UPSC's priority. However, it can be absolutely anything significant that has been in news (although probably not the kind of news that potatoes are good for your heart as found by a recent survey of 100 people :P) The aim is to have a crowd-sourced list of topics, similar to we had this year for Prelims, that we can rely on for revision in November. Just that we will start early for Mains.
So, without further ado, my first contribution:
Herschel Space Observatory:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herschel_Space_ObservatoryESA's space observatory that became non-functional in April as it ran out of coolant (liquid Helium). The coolant helped in minimizing the internal vibration of atoms of the instrument which made possible observation of even very faint signals. In a way, the coolant was reducing the background noise.
Comments
It was in news earlier this year when SCOTUS ruled that naturally occurring genes cannot be patented. It was again in news, tangentially, after Angelina Jolie's pre-emptive surgery.
It relates to both biotechnology and IPR (ethics). On one hand, Biotech companies are claiming that not allowing such patents will disincentivize R&D investment. On the other hand, researchers are claiming that allowing such patents will stifle innovation (Angelina Jolie's pre-emptive surgery was possible based on the research linking the genes in question with the propensity of breast cancer. In case a gene is patented, such a research might need permission).
However, some people are asking something more fundamental: how can nature be patented?
Apart from the fact that UPSC has traditionally showed its fondness for El Nino :P, the other reason it is important for us is because it might be responsible for the unusual number of cyclones in Arabian Sea lately:
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/arabian-sea-why-more-cyclones-in-some-years/article4675013.ece
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/icann-suspends-closed-generic-top-level-domain-bids/article4870401.ece
Potential questions could be a) the meaning of "Closed generic top level domains" b) ramifications viz-a-viz Exclusive rights for certain domains.
Person In news related to S&T -
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/mouse-inventor-who-foresaw-the-modern-internet/article4881832.ece
PS: Cartosat-2B was asked in 2010 paper; Cartosat-2 series had a resolution of 0.8 m.
Cherenkov Telescope Array -
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/fear-unfounded/article4885673.ece
Also, look up on Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer method mentioned in the article.
He has been well-known for developing the AKS Primality test - an algorithm to find if a number is prime or not.
When the population affected by a disease at a particular time in a particular geography is along expected lines, it is Endemic to the given population. e.g. Malaria, seasonal flu.
When the population affected by a disease at a particular time in unexpectedly high in a particular geography, it becomes an Epidemic. e.g. 1994 Plague epidemic in Surat.
When an epidemic crosses geographical boundaries and becomes global, it's called a Pandemic e.g. H5N1 flu pandemic.