Washington, Apr 1 : Chronic insomnia with short sleep duration is an independent and clinically significant risk factor for hypertension, according to a new study.

In the study, researchers found that participants with insomnia and an objectively measured, severely short sleep duration of less than five hours had a risk for hypertension that was 500 percent higher than participants without insomnia who slept more than six hours.

People with insomnia and moderately short sleep duration of five to six hours had a risk for hypertension that was 350 percent higher than normal sleepers.

Washington, Apr 1 : Parkinson''s disease sufferer Michael J. Fox has revealed that his medical condition has helped him become a better father.

During an interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on her daily talk show in America, the ‘Back To The Future’ star said that his disease has made him put his kids first - and his work second.

Melbourne, April 1 :Some American airports are using whole body scanners at security checkpoints, which can penetrate people's clothing.

Developed by New York-based L3 Communications, the scanner has become a cause of concern, with reports suggesting that even underwear is visible in the scans.

Due to this ability of the novel scanner, it is being likened to scanners on the 1990 science fiction film Total Recall, which revealed the bodies of Mars-bound passengers beneath their clothing.

London, April 1: One of most influential science advisors in the US government has said that the human population had exceeded the Earth's "limits of sustainability".

According to a report by BBC News, the statement has been made by Nina Fedoroff, the science and technology advisor to the US secretary of state since 2007.

Initially working with Condoleezza Rice, Fedoroff now advises Hillary Clinton, under the new Obama administration.

"We need to continue to decrease the growth rate of the global population; the planet can''t support many more people," Fedoroff said, stressing the need for humans to become much better at managing "wild lands", and in particular water supplies.

Washington, April 1: Scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have reached a step closer to developing a new drug to inhibit tumour growth in cancer patients, and potentially help in the healing of wounds.

The researchers looked at angiogenesis - the body''s formation of new blood vessels from existing blood vessels - and how some blood proteins are involved in that process and affect blood vessel growth during a study.

They found that a protein called ferritin binds to and cripples the ability of another blood protein, called HKa, to shut down blood vessel growth.

The researcher point out that new blood vessels supply a steady stream of nutrients and oxygen, which are essential for tumour growth.

Washington, Apr 1: American singer-songwriter Jennifer Hudson, who is all set to tie the knot with beau David Otunga, wants her three dogs to accompany her on her wedding.

Jennifer, whose family was brutally murdered last year, has revealed her intention of making her three dogs - Oscar, Grammy and Dreamgirl - a vital part of her wedding.

She has revealed that she wants all of them to walk down the aisle with her, while Oscar will be her ring bearer.