Transplant groups win Spanish Prince of Asturias award for International Cooperation

Transplant groups win Asturias award

MADRID — Two organizations that have worked together to promote a global strategy for ethical organ donations were awarded Spain’s Prince of Asturias award for international cooperation on Wednesday.

Heavy rains lash Mumbai, cripple all traffic (Third Lead)

MUMBAI - Heavy rains Wednesday threw life out of gear in Mumbai, inundating several areas and seriously affecting rail, road and air traffic. Forty six people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in the state in the last few days, officials said.

Delhi experiences warm day, no rains expected

NEW DELHI - The capital Wednesday experienced a warm day though some pockets of the city witnessed a slight drizzle, the weatherman said.

Action plan to secure Vaishno Devi track against landslides

JAMMU - A team of scientists arrived here from Bangalore Wednesday to study the hilly track leading to the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, in a bid to secure the route against landslides and falling stones that often injure or kill pilgrims.

Fossilized fig wasp hasn’t changed for over 34 million years

WASHINGTON - World’s oldest fig wasp fossil, found on the Isle of Wight, proves that this tiny, specialised insect has remained virtually unchanged for more than 34 million years.

Drug combo found effective against pancreatic cancer

WASHINGTON - Cancer medication sorafenib, which is used for advanced liver and kidney cancer, appears to be effective against cancer stem cells in pancreatic cancer, according to a new study.

35 years after war, panel says $300 million needed to cope with Agent Orange legacy in Vietnam

$300 mln to cope with Agent Orange in Vietnam

What makes black holes at galaxy centre become active

WASHINGTON - Scientists have found the reason for active galactic nuclei; they say the black holes in the centres of most galaxies “switched on” nearly 700 million years ago after major galaxy merger events.

Leaded gasoline chief culprit for 20th century neurological defects

WASHINGTON - Leaded gasoline is to be blamed for nearly two-thirds of toxic lead ingested or inhaled by African-American children in Cleveland during the latter two-thirds of the 20th century, says a new study.

Wikipedia eases editing restrictions on controversial pages

LONDON - Wikipedia says it has taken an “important step” towards making easier the editing of some its most controversial articles - the online encyclopaedia is now relaxing editing restrictions on up to 2,000 divisive articles.

Exercise preserves freedom of movement following breast cancer surgery

WASHINGTON - A study has found that exercise can help patients maintain shoulder movement and minimize loss of arm or shoulder function after breast cancer surgery.

Taking a step closer to organic nanoelectronic

WASHINGTON - Taking a step closer to organic nanoelectronics, scientists have found a way to order organic molecules in the PEDOT, the single most industrially important conducting polymer.

3 gene mutations hold the key to suicidal behaviour

WASHINGTON - Mutations in three genes could predispose people to suicidal behaviour, found a study study by a team of Spanish researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital and Columbia University in the City of New York (United States).

Digestive disorder in infants may be genetic

WASHINGTON - Digestive tract disorder pyloric stenosis is more prevalent among twins and siblings, indicating that this is a genetic and inherited disorder, according to a study.

ESA’s Rosetta headed for ‘blind date’ with asteroid Lutetia

WASHINGTON - The European Space Agency’s Rosetta comet chaser is heading towards asteroid Lutetia for what is being touted as a ‘blind date’.

Oz boffins report breakthrough in lung cancer treatment

NEW DELHI - Australian scientists have discovered that targeting a protein involved in cell division could result in reducing deaths from lung cancer.

Faster employees inspire colleagues to bolster output

TORONTO - You wouldn’t think that there would be much similarity between a hockey line and an automobile assembly line.

Talking on phone while driving makes spouse suspicious

WASHINGTON - Besides known dangers, chatting on cell phones while driving might make your partner suspicious.

35 years after war, panel says $300 million needed for Agent Orange cleanup in Vietnam

$300 million needed for Agent Orange in Vietnam

Scientists identify new antiviral defense

WASHINGTON - Canadian researchers have discovered a new way the body combats respiratory viral infections.

Climate change ‘dangerous for alpine regions’

WASHINGTON - A new study has suggested that climate change can cause increasing and unpredictable hazard risks in mountainous regions.

Voters tend to choose good-looking politicians

WASHINGTON - A new study has shown that politicians’ facial competence predicts voting behaviour.

IUDs cut pregnancy rates compared to hormonal contraceptives

WASHINGTON - A new study by Cochrane Researchers has revealed that women who have intrauterine devices (IUDs) fitted as contraceptives have less chances of becoming pregnant than those who have hormone injections.

Whale poo ‘offsets CO2 emissions’

WASHINGTON - Sperm whales are unknowingly doing their bit to fight climate change as their faeces help oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the air, say scientists.

New giant horned dinosaur is actually an ancestor of Triceratops

WASHINGTON - A newly found fossil of a horned dinosaur Ojoceratops fowleri is apparently the ancestor of the more famous and common Triceratops and Torosaurus.

Newly identified molecule could pave way for personalized melanoma treatment

WASHINGTON - Scientists have identified a key player in a signalling pathway involved in the development of melanoma-a discovery that could offer hope for new targeted therapies for the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Inbred sperm fertilize fewer eggs

WASHINGTON - Inbred male sperm fertilise fewer eggs when in competition with non-inbred males, found a new study by the University of East Anglia.

Giving patients oxygen to inhale during heart attack ‘not beneficial’

WASHINGTON - Scientists claim that there’s no evidence to support the fact that giving patients oxygen to inhale during a heart attack is beneficial.

UV rays may have triggered life on Earth

WASHINGTON - Scientists have found that ultraviolet light may have triggered Earth’s chemistry into forming the building blocks for biology.

Day 57: Oil spill could have powered 68,000 cars for a year

WASHINGTON - 57 days after the Gulf oil spill, updated figures show that the amount of oil wasted could have powered 68,000 cars for a year.

Sea snail venom offers potent pain relief

LONDON - Scientists have developed a pill for nerve-related pain using sea snail venom that could be 100 times as potent as leading treatments.

Synthetic sutures ‘less painful for stitches after birth’

WASHINGTON - A new research has suggested that synthetic sutures cause less pain than natural “catgut” sutures in women who receive stitches after a vaginal birth.

Topical treatments offer effective local pain relief

WASHINGTON - Gels, creams and sprays containing painkillers such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen, and piroxicam are safe and effective treatments for local pain, according to researchers.

One of universe’s biggest, brightest comets to paint skies green this week

WASHINGTON - Comet McNaught’s green glow is set to light the early morning skies most visibly this week before it gets too close to the sun to see, according to experts.

UK MPs told Apple iPhone not safe from snooping

LONDON - The British Government has advised against the issue Apple iPhones to staff Ministers because they are not safe safe from electronic snooping.