A recent

An increased risk of birth defects has been seen in babies whose mothers took epilepsy drugs during pregnancy. The study published in the latest issue of the journal Neurology linked Topamax (topiramate) to birth defects in humans confirming its findings based on studies done previously on animals. Topiramate, brand name Topamax, is a drug for epilepsy as well as used by some migraine patients.

Scientists at the Leeds Dental Institute have developed a new mouth wash. It kills plaque-causing bacteria when a light is shone into the mouth. Its working can be same as some cancer treatment methods. In cancer treatment a substance is painted on target area exposed to light of a certain wavelength to kill cancer cell.

Dental plaque is the leading cause of gum disease. It causes bad breath, calculus deposits on teeth and loosening of teeth in some cases. The new mouthwash will prove useful for patients who cannot take care of their teeth due to various disabilities.

A new rule has been introduced by the US government to fight with the leading problem of obesity. Under the rule, the chain restaurants such as McDonalds, Burger King; Applebee's, operated by DineEquity Inc, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks and Subway, will have to post calorie count on their menus along with the prices, or else they might have to face a fine up to $ 2000.

Studies have revealed that one in three New Yorkers consume some 1000 calories at the lunch time, because mostly all working individuals take this meal outside their homes. New York has become the first city which has imposed this rule, and soon San Francisco and Seattle are also expected to join in the queue by introducing the ‘calorie-rule’ in few months.

According to a US journal report, scientists have for the first time succeeded in using human cells to grow blood vessels in mice. The team at Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital Boston reported that the progenitor cells teamed up to form working blood vessels that connected to the circulatory systems of the mice.  Experts hope to find a way to replace arteries that are damaged or blocked in a heart attack or stroke using this technique.

Harvard's Joyce Bischoff, who led the study said, "what's really significant about our study is that we are using human cells that can be obtained from blood or bone marrow rather than removing and using fully developed blood vessels.”

A new study reveled that a few aspects of autism are hereditary.

The study researchers, who carried out psychological examinations on 42 parents of children having autism, discovered that these parents appeared to be "socially aloof."

Lead researcher Dr. Joe Piven of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and neuroscientist Dr. Ralph Adolphs, of the California Institute of Technology accriied out the research with the help of his fellow workers.

The findings has been published in the July 17 issue of Current Biology.