Current Affairs 21st August 2016

Current Affairs 21st August 2016 - Important Points

• Which country wins gold in women’s football event at Rio Olympics – Germany
• Chinese scientists discover which molecule to repair organs - XMU-MP-1
• Gymnothorax indicus, new species of eel found in - Bay of Bengal
• Myanmar to support China’s - OBOR, BCIM initiatives

Current Affairs 21st August 2016 - Details

Which country wins gold in women’s football event at Rio Olympics – Germany

Among Important Sports Current Affairs, on 19th August 2016 Germany defeated Sweden by 2-1 and won their first ever Olympic gold medal in women's football.

Now, Germany is one of only three women's teams to win both the Olympics and World Cup.

However, in year 2012 Germany failed to qualify for the Olympics but won the bronze the last three times they played, in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

Canada won the bronze medal in the event.

Chinese scientists discover which molecule to repair organs - XMU-MP-1

Among Important International Current Affairs, Chinese scientists have discovered a small molecule (new drug) named as XMU-MP-1 that can help to regenerate tissue. 

Also it has a potential to eliminate transplants of some organs. It was discovered by team of researchers from Xiamen University and Peking University of China. 

However, these findings were published in Science Translational Medicine. 

Do You Know – 

• The drug named as XMU-MP-1 can promote, repair and regeneration in the liver, intestines and skin. 

• It was also found that it has ability to inhibit the activity of two enzymes MST1 and MST2, the central component of this pathway which normally prevents cells from proliferating. By inhibiting the activity of MST1/2, XMU-MP-1 can also promote cell growth in four different mouse models with acute injuries.

Gymnothorax indicus, new species of eel found in - Bay of Bengal

Scientists from have discovered Gymnothorax indicus (proposed name Indian unpatterened moray), a new species of eel (a snake-like fish) in the northern Bay of Bengal region along the West Bengal coast. 

It was also discovered after it was collected in a trawl net by fishermen in northern Bay of Bengal, about 70 km off the coast. 

Know About Gymnothorax indicus – 

• The ell species Gymnothorax indicus is slender-bodied. It was found at a depth of 35 metres in the sea. 

• It is about one feet-long and edible too. It has 194 vertebrae. Its dorsal fin has a black margin.

Myanmar to support China’s OBOR, BCIM initiatives

Among Important National Current Affairs, Myanmar has officially declared to support for China’s ambitious One Belt and One Road (OBOR) connectivity initiative along the ancient Silk Road. 

It was also announced in the joint statement, which is released by both countries during official state visit of Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi to China. 

Do You Know – 

• Aung San Suu Kyi’s visited to China Myanmar also Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor, which is meant to industrialise a stretch spanning more than 2,000-km. 

• BCIM corridor also links Kunming in China with Mandalay in Myanmar and passes through Bangladesh and ends at Kolkata in India.