Washington, Apr 24 : A particular type of vitamin B1 supplementation can offer an effective treatment against common cause of blindness, says a research team led by an Indian-origin scientist.

Kota V. Ramana, from University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and colleagues have found that supplementation with benfotiamene, a fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 can significantly help cure uveitis, one of the leading causes of blindness.

Uveitis is an inflammation of the tissue located just below the outer surface of the eyeball.

Washington, Apr 24 : By using nanotechnology- or more specifically "nano-electromechanical systems", or NEMS-scientists have taken a major step towards creating ''artificial noses''.

In a bid to track down single molecules, nano researchers have developed NEMS, which are actually minute strings that resonate in characteristic fashion.

If a molecule docks onto one of the strings, then it becomes heavier, and its oscillations become measurably slower. But until recently, such methods have not been utilised in many practical applications.

Washington, April 24 : Smoking to relieve stress is nothing new. But a new study has shown just how nicotine calms people down.

The study, conducted by a team of researchers at the University of California, suggests that nicotine may alter the activity of brain areas that are involved in the inhibition of negative emotions such as anger.

The research team, led by Jean Gehricke, studied the effect of nicotine patches on the subjects'' tendency to retaliate in response to anger provocation.

Germany/Washington - In the high-stakes scramble for survival in the car industry, Italian car manufacturer Fiat Friday said it could pursue a deal with GM's Opel and Vauxhall brands if the pending partnership with Chrysler collapses.

Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne said that completing arrangements with Chrysler by the US-government-imposed deadline of April 30 was still his "first and foremost objective," the Detroit Free Press reported online.

But if that falls through, he would pursue the Opel and Vauxhall path.

Washington - US stocks gained Thursday after energy, technology and tourism firms posted smaller-than-expected losses despite the deep, ongoing US recession.

Marriott International Inc, the largest US hotel chain, posted a net loss of 25 million dollars in the first quarter, largely on one- time restructuring costs that signalled the company was on its way back to profits. Marriott shares jumped 12 per cent.

San Francisco - Microsoft reported a drop in quarterly revenues Thursday for the first time in the 23 years since it went public.

But investors still gave the world largest software company their approval, sending Microsoft shares higher in after-market trading as its aggressive cost cutting measures preserved profitability.