Tobacco-derived compound prevents memory loss in Alzheimer's disease mice

Cotinine, a compound derived from tobacco, reduced plaques associated with dementia and prevented memory loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, a study led by researchers at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System and the University of South Florida found. The findings are reported online in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease in advance of print publication. "We found a compound that protects neurons, prevents the progression of Alzheimer's disease pathology, enhances memory and has been shown to be safe," said Valentina Echeverria, PhD, a scientist at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System and an assistant professor of Molecular Medicine at USF Health....

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Scientists can track origin of shark fins using 'zip codes' in their DNA

An international team of scientists, led by the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University, has used DNA to determine that groups of dusky sharks (Carcharhinus obscurus) and copper sharks (Carcharhinus brachyurus) living in different coastal regions across the globe are separate populations of each species. Both are large apex predators that are heavily exploited for the shark fin trade, which claims tens of millions of animals every year to produce the Asian delicacy, shark fin soup. Many of these species are declining as a result of this fishing pressure for their fins. The dusky shark is classified as "Endangered"...

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Swiss-US team finds indigenous cases of leprosy in the Southern United States

Using advanced DNA analysis and extensive field work, an international research team has confirmed the link between leprosy infection in Americans and direct contact with armadillos. In a joint collaboration between the Global Health Institute at EPFL in Switzerland and Louisiana State University, clear evidence was found that a never-before-seen strain of Mycobacterium leprae has emerged in the Southern United States and that it is transmitted through contact with armadillos carrying the disease. The results will be published on April 28th in the New England Journal of Medicine. There are only around 150 cases of leprosy in the United States...

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Super bug researcher calls for global action

The World Health Organisation (WHO) must take a tougher stance on super bugs, according to a University of Queensland infectious diseases expert. Professor Tim Walsh, from UQ's Centre for Clinical Research, suggests that bacteria is more widespread than previously thought, with his research published in the Lancet. The research indicates NDM-1 is present in New Delhi's drinking water and seepage, and thus is widely prevalent in the Indian environment. Professor Walsh said international efforts were crucial to stem the tide of antibiotic resistant bacteria (known as NDM-1 positive bacteria). "Along with the fact that some people infected...

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Chilli keeps hunger pangs at bay

The latest diet aid comes in the form of capsaicin, which gives peppers their heat and can reduce hunger pangs while increasing energy levels, according to researchers from Indiana. So does the answer to weight loss lie in our spice cupboard? The study, conducted at Purdue University, suggests a sprinkling of chilli pepper on your supper could help you burn calories faster and curb cravings for fatty, salty and sweet foods. ‘We found that consuming red pepper can help manage appetite and burn more calories after a meal, especially for individuals who do not consume the spice regularly,’ says Professor Richard Mattes. ‘Dietary changes that...

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Chronic illness is the 'biggest killer', says WHO

The Global Status report said so-called noncommunicable diseases accounted for more than 36m deaths in 2008. It showed 80% of the deaths were in low and middle income countries. It said they posed a greater threat than infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV and tuberculosis. Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director General, said: "The rise of chronic noncommunicable diseases presents an enormous challenge. "For some countries, it is no exaggeration to describe the situation as an impending disaster; a disaster for health, for society, and most of all for national economies." Chronic noncommunicable diseases deliver a two-punch blow to development....

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Salman's 'Character Dheela' a tribute to Raj, Dilip and Dharmendra

Director Anees Bazmee and superstar Salman Khan say that the song 'Character Dheela' from their upcoming film 'Ready' is a tribute to legendary Bollywood actors - Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dharmendra. In the song Salman and Zarine will be seen paying tribute to these yesteryear actors of Hindi cinema. Both will play different hit movie pairs of the past. "We often use this word 'character dheela hai' in a negative way. We were trying to make it sound good. Eventually the song should look good and presentable. Personally, my character is less 'dheela' as you can see my average is very less...and I am 46-year-old," said Salman. In one act,...

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Saif gets into different body shapes for Agent Vinod

Saif had promised himself that whenever he did an action film it would be something that would make his kids sit on the edge of their seat. He is living up to his self-promise. It now comes to light that Saif will change his bodyline, muscle-tone and weight to a radical extent for every major action sequence in Agent Vinod. While for the recently-concluded sequences shot in and around locations in the outdoors of Delhi, Saif was athletic and agile on his feet, now for the next bout of action, a one-to-one combat where the camera will focus on Saif's brawn quotient in tight close-ups, he will work building those rippling muscles. Director Sriram...

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Prince William, Kate at Westminster for rehearsal

Prince William and Kate Middleton took part in a final wedding rehearsal at Westminster Abbey. St. James's Palace said that the couple, the bride's parents and Prince Harry were at the abbey with senior clergy for the private rehearsal. Wednesday's rehearsal was the couple's last chance to run through the service before their wedding Friday. British police said guests at the wedding will have to pass through security checks to enter the abbey. Police would not say what methods will be used. Some 5,000 police will be deployed at the wedding and 60 people have been barred as part of their bail conditions from entering the area. Metropolitan...

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Sony may face global legal scrutiny over breach

Sony Corp. could face legal action across the globe after it belatedly revealed one of the biggest online data breaches ever. In the United States, several members of Congress seized on the breach, in which hackers stole names, addresses and possibly credit card details from users of Sony's PlayStation Network, to push for tougher laws protecting personal information. The staff of a House of Representatives subcommittee were directed to investigate the hacking incident. Attorneys general, who act as consumer advocates, had begun investigating the matter or reviewing it with staff in several states, including in Iowa, Connecticut, Florida...

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Apple iPad 2 “We Believe” TV Ad Released, Is It Effective?

Apple has just published online today their newest TV advertisement and it’s for the new Apple iPad 2 tablet. The new Ad is titled ‘We Believe’  and the subtitle is ‘It’s everything we believe technology should be’. In the new commercial Apple underplays but doesn’t let you forget about the new technology and physical features included in the new second generation iPad tablet. But Apple does play up what the technology in iPad 2 can actually allow you to do via applications. You can watch the new 31 second advertisement below. After your done watching tell me if you think the new Ad is an effective one or a dud. Here are the main features...

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Samsung launches Galaxy S sequel

The local debut of the Galaxy S II comes as it is locked in a legal battle with Apple Inc over alleged mobile technology patent infringements and design copy claims, as they jockey for position in the competitive smartphone market. The South Korean firm said on Thursday it would roll out the new model, at the heart of its drive to boost smartphone shipments to 60 million units this year, globally from May through 140 operators in 120 countries. Samsung aims to sell more than 10 million units of the new smartphone this year and is also targeting an over five-fold rise in sales of its Galaxy Tab tablets, the head of its mobile division, JK...

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44 Air India flights cancelled, pilots still on strike

Delhi/Mumbai:  The Delhi High Court yesterday asked the agitating Air India pilots to call off their strike in "larger public interest," but they seem to be no mood to return to the cockpit. The 700 pilots, demanding higher pay, are continuing with their strike today as well, hitting both domestic and international flight operations badly. So far 16 flights have been cancelled out of Mumbai and 28 out of Delhi. On Wednesday, at least 24 flights were cancelled and several others were running upto three hours late. "These pilots cannot dictate terms, they are the highest-paid in the country", said Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi....

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Nifty choppy ahead of expiry tomorrow; ONGC, Bharti gain

Indian equity benchmarks saw some selling pressure amid a choppy trade at 13:19 hours, dragged down by financial, capital goods, cement, metal, realty and Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) companies' shares. NTPC, Reliance Industries, TCS and Wipro too were adding pressure. The 50-share NSE Nifty slipped 43 points, to trade at 5,824, hammered by 45 shares out of 50. Technical Analyst, Vijay Bhambwani said the index would remain in a range of 5800-5925 today. However, ONGC, Bharti Airtel, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki and Infosys Tech were only gainers on Nifty. The 30-share BSE Sensex lost 117 points to 19,429. The Nifty May futures...

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Wipro net rises 15 % to Rs.5,298 crore

Wipro on Wednesday announced that it had posted consolidated revenues of Rs.31,099 crore, an increase of 15 per cent over the previous year. The company posted a net profit of Rs.5,298 crore, an increase of 15 per cent over the previous year. The company's mainstay, IT services, generated revenues amounting to Rs.23,485 crore, an increase of 16 per cent over the previous year. Revenues from IT products were more muted — Rs.3,691 crore, which was 3 per cent lower than in the previous year. The consumer care and lighting business earned revenues of Rs.2,726 crore, 21 per cent higher than in 2009-10. The company has declared a final dividend...

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'New Breakthrough' In Military Ties With India: China

Beijing, : China today said a “new breakthrough” has been achieved in its military relations with India, noting that a high-level Indian defence delegation would soon be visiting this country. “New breakthroughs” and developmental momentum have emerged in Sino-India military ties, Geng Yansheng, a spokesman for the Chinese Defence Ministry, was quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency as saying. The visiting delegation of Indian border patrol forces will include officers from several branches of India’s military, Geng said, without providing details. He was apparently referring to a recent decision by India and China to resume defence...

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Gaddafi's Daughter Tells Children Stories Of Afterlife

New York :  Though the Libyan first family strikes defiant postures publicly, Aisha al-Gaddafi, the lone daughter of the country's strongman Muammar Gaddafi, says she tells her children bedtime stories of afterlife as she feels they are appropriate in present times. "To make them ready," the 36-year-old lawyer by training said, offering a glimpse into the increasingly fatalistic mind setup of the isolated family at the head of the battle for Libya, the bloodiest arena in the popular uprising sweeping the region. "Because in time of war we never know when a rocket or bomb might hit you and that will be the end," Aisha said in reflections...

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Outsourcing Hot Issue Near Polls, India Trade Balanced: Blake

Washington  : With political parties in the United States gradually entering election mode, a top Obama Administration official has acknowledged that "outsourcing” could be one of the campaign issues, but unlike the past, the positive aspect is that trade with India is balanced. “Outsourcing is always a hot button issue around elections, particularly when unemployment is high. People naturally take a look at these kinds of things,” Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake told Knowledge @ Wharton in an interview. “But the point I would make about our economic relations with India is that they’re increasingly...

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Retd Major's Son Attempts To Commits Suicide, Hospitalized

Chandigarh : Karandeep Singh, the  25-year-old son of a retired  Army Major Jaswant Singh shot at himself from his father's licensed revolver on Wednesday night. He is presently in a critical condition at the Fortis Hospital here, reports India TV reporter Raj Kumar. House No 2525B at sector 47 in Chandigarh reverberated with the sounds of gunfire, as Karandeep, after a tiff with his father over money, fired at himself from a  7.65 caliber pistol inside his bedroom. Karandeep had earlier, too, tried to commit suicide twice, says Jaspal Singh, SHO, Sec 31 police station. Police have registered a case of attempt to commit suicide...

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26 Air India Flights Cancelled, Strike Still On

New Delhi, : Air India had to cancel 18 flights from Delhi and 8 flights from Mumbai on Thursday morning as the striking pilots continued to remain away from duty despite a Delhi High Court order asking them to return to work, report India TV bureaux from both metros. Eight flights cancelled from Mumbai include: Mumbai-Hyderabad, Mumbai-Bangalore, Mumbai-Nagpur- Mumbai-Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai-chennai, Mumbai-Delhi and Mumbai-Kolkata. The 18 Air India flights cancelled at Delhi include: Cancelled Air India Flights 1. AI 1116 Amritsar    06:30 2. AI 665 Mumbai     08:00 3. AI 411 Lucknow   ...

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12-Year-Old Padmanabh 'Crowned' Jaipur's New Maharaja

Jaipur : In 12-year-old Kumar Padmanabh Singh, the adopted grandson of the late Sawai Bhawani Singh, Jaipur got its new maharaja today with a ‘coronation’ ceremony held at the Royal Palace. The ‘raj tilak’ took place on the 12th day of mourning following the demise of Bhawai Singh on April 16 at the age of 80 at a hospital in Gurgaon. According to traditions of the royal family, the solemn yet elegant ceremony was attended by members of the former princely states besides prominent citizens of Jaipur.  Bhawani Singh, who had no son, had adopted his daughter’s elder son Padmanabh in 2002, when he was a five years old. This afternoon,...

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