United States

US airports testing full body scanners

US airports testing full body scannersMelbourne, 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.

Human population has exceeded Earth’s “limits of sustainability”, says scientist

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.

Blood protein may hold key to stopping cancer progression

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.

Jennifer Hudson wants her dogs to walk down aisle with her

Jennifer Hudson wants her dogs to walk down aisle with herWashington, 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.

US military to boost satellite monitoring programme to avoid space smash-up

US military to boost satellite monitoring programme to avoid space smash-upLondon, April 1 : The US military is planning to boost the number of satellites it routinely monitors for the risk of a smash-up with orbiting debris, like the recent collision between a US communications satellite and a defunct Russian probe.

The US Air Force has catalogued more than 19,000 pieces of space debris larger than 10 centimetres across, General Robert Kehler, Commander of Air Force Space Command, told New Scientist.

Daiichi Sankyo intends meeting US FDA to sort out Ranbaxy plant’s regulatory problems

Daiichi SankyoTakashi Shoda, the President and CEO of the Japanese pharmaceutical company Daiichi Sankyo - which bought a majority stake in Ranbaxy Laboratories last year - said that the company soon intends meeting officials of US Food and Drugs Administration to sort out regulatory problems at the Ranbaxy plant at Poanta Sahib in India.

Pages