Washington, April 20 : A new report has determined that climate change and major water conservation projects are a major risk to the long-term "health" of the Yangtze River in China.

The Yangtze Conservation and Development Report 2009, compiled by the China Academy of Science (CAS), states the basin of China's longest waterway has been hit by a yearly reduction in rain since 2006, brought on by global warming.

New Delhi, Apr 20 : The growth of the Chinese Navy is in line with its economy and "it's no surprise to see it develop the way that it has," a top US naval officer has said.

"The advancement and growth of the PLA navy is consistent with China's economic advancement and its role in a globalised world," said Admiral Gary Roughead, US Chief of Naval Operations.

Admiral Roughead told reporters in Beijing that China's plan to build its first aircraft carrier is not a cause of worry.

Tehran - Tehran called on the United States Monday not to politicise the case of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, and to respect the Iranian judiciary's decision and independence.

Saberi was sentenced by an Iranian revolutionary court to eight years in prison for spying for the United States.

Both US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressed deep concern over the journalist's fate and their disappointment over the verdict. Obama said Sunday that he was confident Saberi was not involved in espionage against Tehran.

Washington, Apr 20 : A herb used in traditional medicine by many Middle Eastern and Asian countries not only kill pancreatic cancer cells but also appears to inhibit development of pancreatic cancer as a result of its anti-inflammatory properties, researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson found.

Washington, April 20 : A new study has determined that a widely discussed "atmospheric engineering" scheme intended to combat global warming could have unanticipated consequences in reducing the effectiveness of certain kinds of solar power around the Earth.

In the study, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's Daniel M. Murphy examines a proposal to minimize climate change by enhancing the stratospheric aerosol layer, which reduces sunlight to Earth by scattering it to outer space.

Washington, Apr 20 : Michigan scientists have unravelled the mystery behind the much hyped healing power of the main ingredient in turmeric, a spice revered in India as `holy powder.'

Turmeric has been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat wounds, infections, and other health problems.

While many scientists have conducted research on its main ingredient-curcumin-no details had been revealed as to how it functions in the body, until now.