Bangalore, Oct 24 : Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman G. Madhavan Nair has said that India''s manned mission would take atleast another three years.

India''s space programme took a leap on Wednesday when the ISRO undertook a flawless lift off of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) carrying Chandrayaan-I, a cuboid spacecraft which includes a Moon Impactor Probe gadget.

India hopes to send an astronaut into space by 2012 and a manned mission to the moon by 2020.

The Indian Government has approved the launch of Chandrayaan-2, which is expected to take off between 2010 and 2012, and will include a rover that will land on the moon. 

Washington, Oct 24 : Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have discovered the first gene behind one of the most common birth defects in human - clubfoot.

In a study on a multi-generation family with clubfoot, the researchers closed in on a gene called PITX1, which is critical for early development of lower limbs.

The finding is the first step toward improved genetic counselling and the development of novel therapies, say the researchers.

Seoul - South Korea's benchmark Kospi index on Friday lost 10.57 per cent, dropping below the 1,000-point level, the lowest since May 2005, as foreign investors continued to sell stocks.

The Kospi fell 110.96 points, or 10.57 per cent to close at 938.75.

Kospi heavyweight Samsung Electronics Co dropped 5.2 per cent after quarterly profit reports were down to the lowest in three years.

On the currency markets, the won fell to 1,422 against the dollar, down from Thursday's close of 1.408, the lowest finish since June 17,
1998.

New Delhi - Indian equities extended losses Friday as the benchmark Sensex tumbled 8 per cent to a two-year low as investors sold heavily after the central bank disappointed them by keeping key rates unchanged in its policy review.

The 30-share-sensitive index, which had shed 912 points over two sessions since Wednesday, lost another 782.62 points by mid-session Friday.

The Sensex fell sharply to 8,989.08, a loss of 8.01 per cent, by noon (06 30 GMT), after a credit and monetary review was announced by the Reserve Bank of India.

Banking, metal and realty stocks shed between 6 to 8 per cent to lead the Sensex to below 9,000, a level last seen in 2006.

A recent study has suggested that warm hands lead to warm thoughts about the person.

The study headed by Lawrence Williams of the University of Colorado studied a group of college students in a controlled experiment.

The volunteers were tested at the psychology building of Yale University of Colarado.

During an elevator ride a woman handed over cups of coffee to the volunteers. Half the volunteers were given hot cup of coffee whereas the other half were given iced coffee. They held the cups while riding an elevator which means just for a few seconds.

Thereafter the students were asked to fill up a questionnaire.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved carotid stent for the treatment of patients with carotid artery disease. The stent will be manufactured by Boston Scientific Cardiovascular Business.

Hank Kucheman, Senior Vice President and Group President of Boston Scientific's Cardiovascular business said,"We are pleased to bring this proven technology to physicians in the United States.Excellent patient outcomes and ease of use in complex anatomy have already made this system the number-one stenting option for treating carotid artery disease in Europe and other countries outside the U.S. It offers a less-invasive alternative to surgery for treating carotid artery disease, and can help reduce the risk of stroke, which can have devastating effects."