Top 5 Current Affairs: 2 August 2017

India and Somalia sign agreement on transfer of sentenced persons

With an aim to deepen humanitarian cooperation between the two nations, India and Somalia on 1 August 2017 signed a bilateral agreement for the transfer of sentenced persons. Signing the agreement with Somalia will facilitate the Indian prisoners imprisoned in Somalia or vice-versa to be near to their families, for serving the remaining part of their sentence. The step will also facilitate their social rehabilitation.

Chemical from turmeric helps treat cancer in children: Research

A group of scientists in the U.S. discovered that curcumin, the bioactive component of turmeric, holds the power to treat cancer in children.
Researchers at Nemours Children’s Hospital and the University of Central Florida (UCF) found that nanoparticles loaded with curcumin can target and destroy neuroblastoma tumour cells.

In the study conducted by the researchers, curcumin was attached to cerium oxide nanoparticles and then tested the nano-curcumin formulation in cell lines of a high-risk form of neuroblastoma. The report was published recently in Nanoscale.

Union Government launches e-RaKAM portal for selling agricultural produce

e-RaKAM, a portal that provides a platform to sell agricultural produce was launched by Union Government. The portal is a joint initiative by state-run-auctioneer MSTC and Central Warehousing Corporation arm CRWC.

The platform is a digital initiative that aims to bring together the farmers, PSUs, civil supplies and buyers on a single platform to ease the selling and buying process of agricultural products. The e-RaKAM is a first-of-its-kind initiative that leverages technology to connect farmers of the smallest villages to the biggest markets of the world through internet and e-RaKAM centres.

Dhanraj Pillay conferred with Bharat Gaurav by East Bengal Football Club

Former India hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay was honoured with the 'Bharat Gaurav' by East Bengal Football Club on its foundation day, that is, 1 August. Bharat Gaurav is the highest award of the club.

On the other hand, the club presented lifetime achievement awards to Subhash Bhowmick, a member of the 1970 Asian Games bronze medal-winning national football team and Syed Naeemuddin, former national team coach.

Marian Diamond, known for studies of Einstein's brain, passes away

Marian Diamond, one of the founders of modern neuroscience, passed away in July 2017. She was 90.

Diamond is mostly known for her investigations of Albert Einstein’s brain. After receiving four preserved slices of the physicist’s brain in 1984, she discovered that it contained an uncommonly high number of glia, cells that were once believed to merely be supporting structures in the brain.