Washington, Mar 11 : Exposure to stress in adolescence might put teens at an increased cardiovascular disease risk in adulthood, suggests a new study.

Andrew J. Fuligni, a professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA has revealed that stressful experiences might put otherwise healthy kids at increased heart disease risk.

The researchers found that a greater frequency of stress was associated with higher levels of an inflammatory marker called C-reactive protein, or CRP, which has been identified as an indicator for the later development of cardiovascular disease

Washington, Mar 11: Researchers from Scripps Florida have identified a potential therapeutic target for hepatitis C.

The research tem led by Professor Donny Strosberg has found that peptides (molecules of two or more amino acids) derived from the core protein of hepatitis C inhibits the production of the actual virus.

"We went for the simplest solution, taking a peptide from core to see if we could block the interaction," Strosberg said, "and it did."

Washington, Mar 11 : Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University Life Sciences have identified a new mechanism the malaria parasite uses to enter human red blood cells, which could lead to the development of a vaccine cocktail to fight the mosquito-borne disease.

Malaria is transmitted to humans through bites from mosquitoes.

For decades, researchers have known that a molecule called glycophorin B, which is found on the surface of human red blood cells, is important for invasion of the malaria parasite.

However, the specific molecule by which the malaria parasite attaches itself to invade the host was not known until now.

Washington, Mar 11 : Blinking frequently while sitting in front of the computer helps reduce the risk of dry eyes from prolonged use, say researchers.

Keshia Sims Elder, assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, has revealed the blinking frequently helps keeps the front surface of the eye moist.

“Many work in front of a computer all day and this can leave vision vulnerable to problems like dry eyes, eyestrain and other problems that may signal computer vision syndrome,” said Elder.

Washington, Mar 11 : A simple "one-leg balance" (OLB) test may soon help predict cognitive decline in Alzheimer''s disease, say researchers.

In the new study, the researchers analyzed the 686 outpatients suffering from AD. They were evaluated by a geriatrician every six months for up to two years, and their degree of cognitive impairment was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).

A "one-leg balance" (OLB) test was given to the participants where they hadto stand on one leg for as long as possible.

Washington, Mar 11 : It may soon be possible to detect cancer or diabetes using breath or urine samples, says a University of Missouri researcher.

Xudong "Sherman" Fan, investigator in the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center is developing a sensor device that will analyze breath or urine samples for volatile markers inside the body that indicate whether a patient has breast cancer, diabetes or asthma.

The volatile markers, such as alkanes, acetones or nitric oxide, give doctors clues about what is happening inside the body and can be used as a diagnostic tool.