Tokyo - The Tokyo market closed modestly higher Monday after optimism was dampened by concerns over the spread of swine flu. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average rose 18.35 points, or 0.21 per cent, to close at 8,726.34.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 3.05 points, or 0.38 per cent, at 833.1.

Market sentiment was boosted in morning trading after Wall Street advanced before the weekend thanks to US carmaker Ford Motor Co reported better-than-expected earnings.

London, Apr 27 : Scientists from The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research have identified a novel way to boost immune response to cancer.

During the study, the research team led by Dr. Pamela Ohashi, co-director, CFIBCR combined interleukin-7 (IL-7), a key component of the immune system, with a viral vaccine to improve the ability of the cells of the immune system to attack tumours.

They found that the combination improved immunity to tumours.

Washington, Apr 27 : Statins, drugs widely prescribed to lower cholesterol, could protect against prostate cancer and other related diseases, according to a new study.

In the large Mayo Clinic cohort study, researchers looked at three different aspects of urological health-prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction and prostate enlargement.

Sydney - Five Australians recently returned from either North America or Mexico and who developed flu-like symptoms are being tested for swine flu, authorities said Monday. New South Wales chief health officer Kerry Chant said the symptoms in the three adults and two children were mild.

"There have been some tests performed, but no cases meet the probable case definition, and there have been no confirmed cases," she said.

London, Apr 27 : Two studies at Stanford University have revealed that brain cells need to follow specific rhythms for proper brain functioning.

Such rhythms are apparently not working in tandem in diseases like schizophrenia and autism.

But, the new studies have shown that precisely tuning the oscillation frequencies of certain neurons can affect how the brain processes information and implements feelings of reward.

Washington, Apr 27 : Pomegranate juice could help prevent prostate cancer recurrence, finds a new study.

During the study, the researchers followed a total of 48 participants over six years. These patients were asked to drinking eight ounces of pomegranate juice daily.

The participants had a rising PSA after surgery or radiotherapy, a PSA greater than 0.2 ng/ml and less than five ng/ml and a Gleason score of seven or less.