Washington, Jan 13 : Scientists at Iowa State University have come a step closer to finding how to counter the Ebola virus.

They have now unfolded the structure from a key part of the Ebola protein known as VP35.

VP35 interferes with the natural resistance of host cells against viral infections.

"Usually when viruses infect cells, the host immune system can fight to eventually clear the virus. But with Ebola infections, the ability of the host to mount a defence against the invading virus is lost," said Gaya Amarasinghe, an assistant professor in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, who led the study.

London, Jan 13 : Scientists from Children''s National Medical Centre have identified key developmental mechanisms of the amygdala - a brain region critical in processing and memory of emotional reactions.

The finding may provide insights into autism.

Using studies of embryonic mice, the researchers have identified a group of precursor cells of neurons that are set aside specifically for the amygdala, and are crucial to the growth and development for this portion of the brain.

Autism and similar disorders are often attributed to altered function of this region.

Washington, January 13 : Conducting experiments on mice, a group of German researchers has shown that chemicals known as opiods reduce the symptoms of neuropathic pain.

Halina Machelska and colleagues, at Freie Universitat Berlin, describe neuropathic pain as the pain that is associated with injury to nerves, such as caused by the trauma of amputation, entrapment, and compression.

The researchers point out that it can be extremely debilitating, and treatments show limited or no effectiveness.

They also reveal that nerve injury underlying neuropathic pain is associated with an inflammatory response, and immune cells are thought to be contributors to the pain.

London, Jan 13: Stockbrokers who have long ring fingers are more successful than their counterparts, according to a new study.

In a study of highly pressured London traders, the Cambridge University scientists found that people who had long ring fingers in relation to their index fingers made far greater profits than their counterparts.

The trait - which is linked to higher exposure to testosterone in the womb - is thought to be associated with attributes such as confidence, risk-taking ability, extra vigilance and quick reactions.

The study suggests that such qualities could provide traders making snap decisions on high-risk deals with a competitive edge.

With the help of the Zadko Telescope, an enormous gamma ray burst that happened 11 billion years ago -- before planet Earth was formed was captured by Astronomers in Australia.

Dr. David Coward of the University of Western Australia, also the lead Astronomer behind the discovery informed that the image which they recorded is a window in time thus allowing them to look into the distant past to a time when the universe was very unusual.

Dr. Coward reported, "We are discovering the richness of this transient universe, one that is filled with brief but extremely bright flashes. If a similar explosion happened in our galaxy today, it could result in mass extinctions on Earth."

London, Jan 12 : Based on the results of a recent research, scientists are hopeful that installing a home water softener can help relieve children''s eczema symptoms.

The study, which began in 2007, and will run until this summer, will also look at the differing effects of hard and soft water on the condition, which leads to dry and itchy skin.

While the skin ailment has been reported to be more common in hard-water areas, scientists are unaware of why that happens.