Washington, Mar 20 : A new study, conducted by researchers at University of Edinburgh, has shed new light on the genetics of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The researchers found that a gene called DISC1 - known to play a role in the development of mental illness - may control the way some patients respond to psychiatric medication.

They also identified seven proteins that are important to the development of mental illness and hope the research could help to create new medicines that target these proteins.

Washington, Mar. 20 : President Barack Obama congratulated the Iranians on their New Year early on Friday, hinting that the United States might be willing to ease trade sanctions against Tehran if it behaves more responsibly in international affairs.

Obama's comments, which were videotaped for broadcast to the Iranian people, contrasted with exhortations from the Bush administration for the Iranian people to rise up and overturn their Islamic government, reports the Washington Times.

Washington, Mar 20 : Dita Von Teese is in no mood to reconcile with ex-hubby Marilyn Manson, and is paying no heed to his constant apologies.

Von Teese and Manson exchanged vows in November 2005, but just after a year, the burlesque dancer filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.

Since then, the goth rocker has been repeatedly calling the sexy star to apologise for their failed marriage.

But the 36-year-old beauty is too happy juggling the men in her life, and doesn’t want to reunite with her ex.

Washington, Mar 20 : Melanie Chisholm was shocked to give birth to a baby girl, as she was expecting that the tot would be a boy.

The former Spice Girl gave birth to her first child Scarlett with partner Thomas Starr last month.

Although the couple wanted to find out the sex of their child, they decided to keep it a surprise until the birth.

However, Scary Spice had the intuition that she was expecting a boy, as she was having recurring dreams about a revealing scan of her baby.

Quetta, Mar. 20 : Reacting to reports that the United States might initiate drone attacks in Baluchistan , several provincial leaders have said that Washington can not be fooled by statements that deny the presence of the Taliban or Al-Qaeda in the region.

"We cannot fool the Americans. They are ruling the whole world. They have the expertise to find out who is hiding where and who their supporters, financers and protectors are," provincial president of the Awami National Party (ANP), Khuda-e-Dad said.

Washington, March 20 : Scientists at the University of Illinois have moved a step closer to realising higher speed electronics and higher performance electrical and optical integrated circuits, for they have successfully created a microwave signal mixer made from a tunnel-junction transistor laser.

The researchers have revealed that their mixing device accepts two electrical inputs, and produces an optical signal that was measured at frequencies of up to 22.7 gigahertz.