London, March 4 : Scientists have determined that an unexplored lake, which has been frozen for hundreds for thousands of years beneath Antarctica, could contain "unique forms of life" that give clues to life on Mars.

According to a report in Telegraph, buried nearly two miles beneath Antarctica, the unspoilt lake has been "frozen in time" for hundreds of thousands of years, sealed off from the outside world.

Scientists believe it may contain tiny life forms that never been seen by humans, whose existence would throw light on how life could develop in other icy environments, including Mars.

The team also hopes the exploration of the waters will yield vital clues about climate change and future sea-level rise.

London, March 4 : In an analysis of the nitrate content of an ice core drilled at Dome Fuji station in Antarctica, scientists have found what may be chemical traces of supernovae that exploded a thousand years ago.

According to a report in New Scientist, the analysis was done by Yuko Motizuki of the RIKEN research institute in Wako, Japan, and colleagues.

Nitrate is produced in the atmosphere by nitrogen oxides, which in turn should be created by the gamma radiation from a supernova.

Motizuki''s group found high nitrate concentrations in three thin layers about 50 metres deep. Because snow gradually builds up into layers of ice, depth indicates age.

London, Mar 4 : Scientists from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Centre have identified a gene that appears to play a critical role in severity of lung disease in people with cystic fibrosis.

After studying nearly 3,000 cystic fibrosis patients, the team found small genetic differences in a gene called IFRD1 linked to lung disease severity.

"This is a good example of researchers with different expertise coming together and using the knowledge gained from mapping the human genome to make discoveries that improve our understanding of cystic fibrosis," Nature magazine quoted Carl Langefeld, Ph. D., a study co-author and Wake Forest University School of Medicine researcher as saying.

London  - Paul Hart was confirmed on Tuesday as Portsmouth's manager until the end of the season.

Brian Kidd will stay on as first-team coach. Hart replaced Tony Adams last month.

Executive Chairman Peter Storrie told the club website: "(Owner) Sacha (Gaydamak) and I have been delighted with how the team have fared under Paul's and Brian's control. They both have so much experience in the game, and they have the respect of the players."

Washington  - US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Tuesday called for a worldwide solution to the economic crisis while urging nations to work together to regulate financial markets.

The two leaders met for the first time since Obama took office on January 20 and one month ahead of the Group of 20 (G20) summit of the world's leading economies.

Washington  - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrived at the White House Tuesday for talks with US President Barack Obama expected to focus largely on the global economic crisis.

The two leaders were to explore ways to boost the global economy as Obama weighs whether to ask Congress for billions of more dollars in funding to bail-out the finance sector. The meeting comes about one month ahead of the Group of 20 summit in London.