Washington, September 18: A new study at the University of Rochester Medical Center has shown that the cancer-promoting effects of a mutation to the DNA sequence of the JAK gene in fruit flies, which is closely related to a common cancer-causing gene in humans, can be passed from parents to offspring, even if the mutation itself is not passed to the offspring.

The researchers say that under some circumstances, having one parent with the mutation is enough to ultimately affect the offspring, even when the mutation itself is not passed to the next generation.

Washington, Sept.18: The increasing challenges to President Pervez Musharraf's grip on power are forcing the United States to explore an alternative course to keep its crucial ally on board in the "war against terror," former State Department officials and Pakistan experts in the US say.

Experts say that there is a sense in Washington that Pakistan is going through a period of political transition and that President General Musharraf needs greater popular legitimacy in order to muster grassroots support for the US counter-terrorism agenda.

Washington, Sept 18: A new study has revealed that use of a dental splint is more effective in alleviating snoring than breathing mask.

According to the study, 45 percent of adults snore at least occasionally and 25 percent are habitual snorers.

Snoring can lead to sleep deprivation for the snorer and result in daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of focus, and decreased libido. Treatment options can include lifestyle changes (weight loss), use of specialized devices, and surgery

Washington, Sept 18: Researchers have revealed that people with a specific gene mutation are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease before they turn 50.

For the study, researchers analysed the genes of 278 people with Parkinson’s disease and 179 people without the disease.

Washington, Sept 18: A new study has revealed that one specific part of the genome, TRAF1 (TNF receptor-associated factor 1), is associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an abnormal immune reaction to various tissues within the body. As well as affecting joints and causing an inflammatory arthritis, it can also affect many other organs of the body. An association has been shown previously in humans with the part of the genome that contains the human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), which are involved in the immune response.

Washington, September 18: A team of engineers from Brown University has discovered a novel, bone-growing material that may revolutionise orthopaedic implants.

The study led by Associate Professor Thomas Webster shows that for orthopaedic implants to be successful, bone must meld to the metal that artificial hips, knees and shoulders are made of. He says that the new material may help increase this success rate.

Washington, Sept 18: According to a new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), it is a person’s genes that decide whether or not a smoking-cessation drug would help when it comes to quitting smoking.

The study found that the enzyme, which is known to metabolise both the smoking cessation drug bupropion and nicotine, influences smoking cessation and is highly genetically variable in all ethnicities.

Washington, Sep 18: Britney Spears’ likelihood of getting the full custody of her two sons from ex-hubby Kevin Federline has further been put in jeopardy, with her former bodyguard accusing the pop star of taking drugs and walking around naked in front of her kids.

During a custody hearing on Sep 17, former minder Tony Barretto claimed that Spears took drugs in front of her two young sons, Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James, and even walked around naked in front of them.

Washington, Sept 18: Zoe Saldana has signed on to star in the new ‘Star Trek’ movie to be helmed by JJ Abrams.

Saldana will be playing Uhura, the communications officer on the USS Enterprise.

In original TV series, Uhura - which means freedom in Swahili - rose to the rank of commander. The character was played by Nichelle Nichols in the series.

Saldana is currently filming James Cameron's sci-fi tentpole "Avatar."

Abrams is also producing "Star Trek" through his Paramount-based Bad Robot shingle.

New York, September 17: An upcoming biography of George H. W. Bush reveals that his liking among people has increased with the ratings of his son, President George W. Bush, showing a sharp decline.

Timothy Naftali's ‘George H.W. Bush’, edited by the late Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., has revealed that the 41st US president’s nostalgia has risen not because of his own dramatic stint at the White House, but rather due to the shortcomings of his son.

Washington, Sept 17: “The Bourne Ultimatum” has retained its top position at the international box office with 20.8 million dollars

The Matt Damon hit was followed by "The Simpsons Movie" conjured 10.5 million dollars at the second spot, reports Variety.

Disney's "Ratatouille" with 5.5 million dollars and Ogre pic ‘Shrek the Third’ (5.3 million dollars) finished third and fourth respectively.

‘No Reservations’ rounded off the top five, at the fifth slot with 4.9 million dollars.

September 17: Hollywood star George Clooney has conferred a lifetime achievement award on the producer of the Ocean’s film series, Jerry Weintraub.

The filmmaker received the award at a gala dinner, which was held as the annual film festival kicked off in Boston, the US.

"He's more than the consummate producer, he's one of the greatest friends you could ever have," the BBC quoted Clooney, who himself has starred in the Ocean's series, as saying.

New York, Sept 17: As she steps up her attempt to become the first female President of the United States, Hillary Clinton is getting some fashion tips from Donatella Versace, who is telling her to ditch the suits.
 
Donatella, the Vice-President of the Versace Group and Chief Designer of the fashion line, says that the Presidential candidates needs to lose the suits, and the thick heels when she hits the campaign trail.
 

Washington, September 17: A new study has shown that chemoradiation therapy for cancers of head and neck leaves patients with fewer side effects if the process involves the use of generic drug Paclitaxel in conjunction with radiotherapy, rather than the use of other anticancer drugs.

Advanced cancer in the head and neck is traditionally treated with surgery followed by radiotherapy.

Dhaka, Sept 16: A senior official from the United States will visit Bangladesh, now under a state of emergency, on Tuesday to take stock of the country's progress on roadmap towards “democratic elections” which is likely to take place by the end of next year.

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian affairs, John A Gastright Jr., is expected to stay here for two days to discuss matters of bilateral interest, according to a press statement issued by the US embassy here today.

London, Sept 16: It seems that Britney Spears has decided to offer her ex-hubby Kevin Federline a hefty amount to gain joint custody of her two sons.

The pop star planned to make the move after K-Fed banned her from attending her youngest son Jayden James’ birthday party.

The singer’s pals say that Spears wants to solve the tussle before the rapper digs up dirt on her to ensure that she loses the custody of their kids.

A new study conducted at the University of Florida has revealed that teen girls who are on dieting are twice as likely to start smoking on a regular basis, as compared to girls who may not be on diet.

Researchers analyzed about 8,000 teenage girls to watch their dieting and smoking routines.

They discovered that dieting did not have the equal effect on boys as it performed on girls.

Mildred Maldonado-Molina who led the study stated, “Dieting was a significant predictor of initiation of regular smoking among females.”

According to a recent report, Liberal MP Belinda Stronach, who is combating breast cancer, went to California last June for some of her breast cancer treatment.

Greg MacEachern, Stronach’s representative, told that the former cabinet minister had a later-stage surgical operation in the US after her Toronto physicians referred her.

Baltimore: Dr. Martin D. Abeloff, an authority on the breast cancer treatment and chief oncologist at Johns Hopkins, died on Friday in Baltimore. He was 65 years old.

Mr. Abeloff guided the Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University for the last 15 years.

Vanessa Wasta, a representative for the cancer center said that Abeloff’s death followed a fight with leukemia, a type of cancer.

Wasta added that his leukemia was growing slowly, but his condition got worsened this past spring.

Alan O. Trounson, embryonic stem cell research and invitro fertilization specialist, from Australia, has been nominated as president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), that is at the top of California’s stem cell program worth $3 billion.

Mr. Trounson has a glorious record in research & investigation, management skills and confronting Australia's controversial politics circling embryonic stem cell research.

Trounson is well-known through-out the world for his work in stem cell investigation and human fertilization.