India / All Themes
Reebok reveals the athlete within Lewis Hamilton
16.07.2008 10:25
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Reebok and driving ace Lewis Hamilton announced a multi-year partnership making Lewis the new Reebok brand ambassador. Reebok unveiled “The Athlete within the Driver,” a rare insight into Hamilton''s demanding fitness regime. Hamilton revealed how Reebok''s new Smoothfit training footwear and apparel range is helping him to train better than ever before. “Lewis is synonymous with individuality, creativity and self expression which is reflected in our brand. He is one-of-a-kind, a true challenger and this perfectly reflects the spirit of the Reebok brand,” said Subhinder Singh, Managing Director, Reebok India. “He''s an individual; we''re a brand that celebrates individuality, in sport and life. We encourage people to do it their way; Lewis does it his way. We make products that fit people''s lives; Lewis is the perfect fit for Reebok.” Reebok and Hamilton presented a visually spectacular glimpse into Hamilton''s precision based training schedule, revealing how each muscle Hamilton uses is affected in competition and the performance benefits of Reebok''s Smoothfit technology. According to extensive research commissioned by Reebok*, Hamilton''s cardiovascular system faces enormous pressures during competition so an advanced training regime is vital. For example, in an average race, his heart rate will maintain a level equivalent to playing two global football games back to back. Also, Lewis''s blood pressure will rise to and stay at a level that is the equivalent to riding a "white knuckle" roller coaster ride non-stop for an hour and 50 minutes. “To be a top driver, you have to have exceptional cardiovascular fitness and muscle endurance,” said Hamilton. “I work very hard to be as fit as I can be and have a precise training routine that involves running and muscle specific drills. When Reebok talked to me about how Smoothfit can help me train better, I was very interested to try the technology out. I am pleased to say its true how incredibly comfortable Smoothfit is, and it feels completely different to any training gear I have used before.” SmoothFit is a unique technology that eliminates all exposed stitching and bonding in shoes and apparel to reduce the amount of abrasion against the foot and body. This delivers the ultimate in comfort allowing the wearer to train for longer without the risk of blistering or irritation. Commenting on his global partnership with Reebok, Lewis said: “I am very excited to be the newest member of the Reebok family, joining top athletes like Thierry Henry, Yao Ming, Allen Iverson, Amir Khan, Carolina Kluft and many more. The athletes from around the world who make up the Reebok family do it their way, and are not afraid to stand out from the crowd. Also, the products Reebok creates for these top athletes provide them with a real competitive advantage.” Lewis Hamilton is the latest sporting icon to join the Reebok roster which includes basketball superstars Yao Ming and Allen Iverson, FC Barcelona striker Thierry Henry, Indian cricket sensations M.S. Dhoni and Rahul Dravid, women''s tennis star Jelena Jankovic, NHL star Alexander Ovechkin and legendary Swedish heptathlete Carolina Klüft among many others. (ANI)
India
Economics & Finance
Now, buy fags a mile high, courtesy Qantas
16.07.2008 10:25
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A move by Australia’s national airliner Qantas to resume in-flight cigarette sales, has been criticised by the anti-tobacco lobby as a "greedy cash grab'''' at the expense of good health. Qantas reintroduced tobacco sales on board this month, almost a decade after they were stopped, reports news.com.au. Legislation prohibits the packs from being advertised in the shopping catalogue, but it is legal to stack them on the duty-free trolley and wheel them through the cabin. Qantas has defended the move as a response to customer demand, but lobby groups argue it is an unacceptable return to the "bad old days''''. "At a time when Australian governments are moving to put tobacco displays out of sight to protect young people in particular, Qantas has gone backwards,'''' said Anne Jones, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health. "Retail tobacco display is a powerful form of advertising, especially in association with a highly respected brand name like Qantas, and research shows it normalises and encourages young people to smoke,'''' she added. Another group, Quit, joined the criticism, with executive director Fiona Sharkie labelling it a ``greedy cash grab''''. "Perhaps the flying kangaroo should be renamed the cancer kangaroo, such is their insistence on the in-flight sale and display of a product that will ultimately kill more than half of long-term users,'''' she said. Qantas Group General Manager (Customer Product and Services) Lesley Grant defended the move, saying the move was motivated by passenger demand. (ANI)
India
Economics & Finance
Shopping is dictated more by touch than taste
16.07.2008 10:25
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For many consumers, when it comes to buying a product, the chief factor which rules their mind is an item’s look instead of its price or quality. Now, according to a new study, co-authored by an Indian-origin researcher, touch of a product is an essential criterion for people, before they decide to buy something. According to the research conducted by Maureen Morrin, an associate professor of marketing at the Rutgers School of Business—Camden, and Aradhna Krishna, a professor of marketing at the University of Michigan, manufacturers and marketers need to consider how their product packaging feels if they want consumers to make the purchase. In the study, Morrin and Krishna examined how the varying firmness of otherwise identical cups affected the evaluations of taste by more than 1,000 men and women who were served samples of the same mineral water. The research suggests that companies “should not skimp on the touch-related aspects of their products,” says Morrin. “Touch is an important part of the consumer experience – a benefit that should not be discounted simply because we don’t ordinarily consciously process that information,” Morrin added. In their research, Morrin and Krishna focused on how “nondiagnostic haptic cues” – those unrelated to product quality, such as the feel of the container – affect the process of consumer decision-making. The researchers were especially interested in the effects of cues with negative connotations, such as the flimsy feel of a cup. Consumers generally fall into one of two categories: Those with a high need for touch (NFT), and those with a lower NFT. Given that high-touchers are more apt to squeeze the grapefruit (or the roll of toilet paper) before making a selection, they would seem more likely to take the quality of the container into account when assessing the taste of the water. “We had that hypothesis at the outset of our project,” Morrin says. But the Rutgers—Camden researcher found that participants in the experiment who had a higher NFT made taste judgments that were significantly less affected by the feel of the cup than did lower-NFT people. Members of the latter group were consistently more likely to have less favorable judgments about the taste of the water when it was served in a flimsy cup, and more favorable assessments when the same water was served in a firm cup. The difference in taste evaluations between high- and low-touchers held even when the research subjects did not touch the cups but were told about the firmness of the bottles in which the water is sold. In this case, the low-NFT people were willing to pay higher prices for the water, simply by being told that bottles were firmer. “High-NFT shoppers appear to know when the information gained through touch should influence their decisions, such as when trying to buy a soft sweater or a lightweight computer, and when it should not, such as when tasting water served in a firm or flimsy plastic cup,” Morrin says. (ANI)
India
Economics & Finance
Forensic patients with tattoos might suffer from antisocial personality disorder
16.07.2008 10:24
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Forensic psychiatric patients with tattoos are likely to suffer from antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), say researchers. They are also expected to have histories of suicide attempt, substance abuse, and sexual abuse. ASPD is a mental disorder characterised by several psychological and behavioural phenomena, including a lack of empathy and remorse, a low tolerance for anxiety, and shallowness. People with ASPD prefer action to thought, and pathological lying, cheating, stealing, physical aggression and drug abuse are not uncommon. Forensic psychiatrists work with courts in evaluating an individual''s competency to stand trial, defences based on mental diseases or defects (e.g., the "insanity" defense), and sentencing recommendations. During the study, the researchers from Michigan Centre for Forensic Psychiatry (CFP) studied 36 male inpatients of a maximum-security state forensic psychiatric facility. Around half of the subjects had been admitted because they were found to be unfit to stand trial and the other half had been found not guilty by reason of insanity. Of the patients studied, 15 had tattoos and 17 were diagnosed as having ASPD. Of those with tattoos, 11 of 15, or 73pct, had ASPD, whereas only six of 21, or 29pct, of those without tattoos had the same diagnosis. The research also found an increased likelihood for those with tattoos to have previously suffered from sexual abuse, abused substances or to have attempted suicide. "Our findings suggest that forensic psychiatric inpatients with tattoos are significantly more likely to suffer from ASPD than those without tattoos, and patients with ASPD were also significantly more likely to have higher numbers of tattoos, a larger percentage of their body covered with tattoos, and tended to have tattoos in more visible locations" said lead researcher Dr. William Cardasis, of CFP, Michigan. The research is published in Personality and Mental Health. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Turning on hormone tap may help fight osteoporosis
16.07.2008 10:24
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European pharmacologists say that a potential new drug that ''opens the taps'' for the release of useful hormones may trigger the growth of new bones, and eventually bring relief to osteoporosis sufferers. The researchers made a presentation on the exciting potential of the so-called negative allosteric modulators at a special symposium at The Federation of European Pharmacological Societies (EPHAR) 2008 Congress at The University of Manchester, UK, on Wednesday. They said that their work focussed on the stimulation of parathyroids—tiny glands located above the thyroids that control the release of the parathyroid (PTH) hormone into the bloodstream. When the concentration of calcium is too low in the blood''s plasma, PTH is released and acts on various tissues to increase the level of calcium in the blood. This calcium then activates the calcium sensing receptor on the parathyroid cell, which then reduces PTH release. The first POSITIVE allosteric modulator was recently introduced into clinical practice for treating patients displaying high levels of PTH in the plasma – such as those with chronic kidney disease on dialysis and those displaying hypercalcaemia with parathyroid cancer. It mimics the effect of calcium on the receptor and so reduces PTH release. The researchers said that negative allosteric modulators had been found to block the effect of calcium on the parathyroid cell in pre-clinical trials, and thereby increase the release of PTH in the serum. "Daily administration of a negative allosteric modulator of the calcium sensing receptor should promote a sustained increase of PTH in such a way that it will stimulate new bone formation," said symposium organiser Martial Ruat, a neuropharmacologist at the government funded Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France. "Now clinical trials will have to demonstrate the effectiveness and suitability of negative allosteric modulators for treating osteoporosis in humans," the researcher added. Dr. Raut also said that it might take at least another eight to 10 years before negative allosteric modulators were passed for use in patients. "Osteoporosis is a complex disease and the timescale might be rather long," said Dr. Ruat, who is himself carrying out research to learn more about the potential benefits of both negative and positive allosteric modulators. "The calcium sensing receptor is also found in the kidney, the intestine, in some vascular and bone cells and also in the brain. We still need to identify the roles of this receptor in these tissues before being able to specify novel applications of these drugs," he added. European pharmacologists are studying negative and positive allosteric modulators to identify the functions of calcium sensing receptors in the control of blood pressure also. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Soon, a simple fluorescence test to check for urinary tract infections
16.07.2008 10:24
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A simple fluorescent light test would soon make it possible for people to have an almost instantaneous diagnosis for urinary tract infections and that too at home. Developed by Macquarie University researchers, this unique fluorescence test holds the potential to provide warnings about the presence of other disorders and diseases including cancer. According to researcher Professor Ewa Goldys, of the university''s Department of Physics, the research could lead to a home diagnosis kit that uses simple technology now available. She pointed out that the impact of urinary tract infections is underestimated till date. Causing about 60 in 1000 patient consultations annually, UTIs are estimated to account for 30 to 40 percent of all hospital-acquired infections. In the study, the researchers analysed 70 urine samples and found that there exists a clear variation in the fluorescence levels at certain wavelengths in normal and bacteria-infected urine. They said that this difference is caused due to the presence of bacteria that makes the body to respond by increasing levels of the enzyme indoleamine dioxygenase (IDO), which aids in fighting off infection by reducing levels of tryptophan, an amino acid that promotes microbial growth. Goldys said that even though urinary tract infections can be easily treated with antibiotics, there needs to be a rapid and inexpensive form of diagnosis to avoid the condition to deteriorate further. While the current method used for confirming a urinary tract infection is via chemical analysis of a urine sample, which may take 24 hours to be available, the fluorescence test requires a light detector and light source to view the urine sample. "The physiology that we believe is actually behind this is also present in many other conditions. It''s about the activation of the immune system. The immune system begins to attack the disease and induces the same enzyme to be released,” ABC Online quoted Goldys, as saying. Her research colleague, Dr Subramanyam Vemulpad, of Macquarie University''s Department of Health and Chiropractic, said that if this research turns out to be a success, it could lead to the test being able to indicate the presence of any disease or disorder. "We are not looking for the elephant in the room, but for evidence of the presence of the elephant," he said. He added that under this test, the "evidence of the elephant" is the body''s response to the presence of bacteria. And even though the research is very preliminary the "potential of this is enormous". Goldys further said that in the long run, home kits based on the fluorescence test may act as an early alarm to warn people to go and see a doctor, as soon as possible. However, she said that the research is in its "early stages" and has involved a small sample. "We don''t want to make any pronouncements, but we are on a bit of a trajectory and can see the potential ... we like dreaming here," she said. The study was presented at the recent 21st Congress of the International Commission for Optics held in Sydney. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Now, a method to produce hydrogen without the carbon footprint
16.07.2008 10:24
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Penn State researchers have determined that a greener, less expensive method to produce hydrogen for fuel may eventually be possible with the help of water, solar energy and nanotube diodes that use the entire spectrum of the sun''s energy. "Other researchers have developed ways to produce hydrogen with mind-boggling efficiency, but their approaches are very high cost," says Craig A. Grimes, professor of electrical engineering. "We are working toward something that is cost effective," he added. Currently, the steam reforming of natural gas produces most of our hydrogen. As a fuel source, this produces two problems. The process uses natural gas and so does not reduce reliance on fossil fuels; and, because one byproduct is carbon dioxide, the process contributes to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the carbon footprint. Grimes'' process splits water into its two components, hydrogen and oxygen, and collects the products separately using commonly available titanium and copper. Splitting water for hydrogen production is an old and proven method, but in its conventional form, it requires previously generated electricity. Photolysis of water solar splitting of water has also been explored, but is not a commercial method yet. Grimes and his team produce hydrogen from solar energy, using two different groups of nanotubes in a photoelectrochemical diode. They report that using incident sunlight, "such photocorrosion-stable diodes generate a photocurrent of approximately 0.25 milliampere per centimeter square, at a photoconversion efficiency of 0.30 percent." "It seems that nanotube geometry is the best geometry for production of hydrogen from photolysis of water," said Grimes. In Grimes'' photoelectrochemical diode, one side is a nanotube array of electron donor material - n-type material - titanium dioxide, and the other is a nanotube array that has holes that accept electrons - p-type material - cuprous oxide titanium dioxide mixture. While titanium dioxide is very absorbing in the ultraviolet portion of the sun''s spectrum, many p-type materials are unstable in sunlight and damaged by ultraviolet light, they photo-corrode. To solve this problem, the researchers made the titanium dioxide side of the diode transparent to visible light by adding iron and exposed this side of the diode to natural sunlight. The titanium dioxide nanotubes soak up the ultraviolet between 300 and 400 nanometers. The light then passes to the copper titanium side of the diode where visible light from 400 to 885 nanometers is used, covering the light spectrum. The photoelectrochemical diodes function the same way that green leaves do, only not quite as well. They convert the energy from the sun into electrical energy that then breaks up water molecules. The titanium dioxide side of the diode produces oxygen and the copper titanium side produces hydrogen. "These devices are inexpensive and because they are photo-stable could last for years," said Grimes. "I believe that efficiencies of 5 to 10 percent are reasonable," he added. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Corporations can profit from being environmentally friendly
16.07.2008 10:24
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A new study has shown that companies that develop green production processes can not only offset the costs of regulations, but can also reap further benefits. George Mason University researcher Nicole Darnall carried out the study. The study, which looked at more than 2,600 manufacturing facilities operating in seven different countries, showed that more stringent environmental policies are related to diminished company profits. However, organizations that improve their environmental performance by enhancing their internal efficiencies and developing new green products and technologies can offset the cost of regulation or even accrue a net gain. "The primary reason why the United States and many other countries do not have national climate change policy and do not implement more stringent environmental legislation is due to the costs the regulations would impose on firms," said Darnall. "The results of this study are important because realizing that these costs can be offset-or eliminated entirely-is further evidence that policymakers could support the advancement of more ambitious environmental policy goals without putting undue financial burdens on corporations," he added. The study showed that businesses can profit in two important ways. First, by improving their internal production processes to reduce waste, companies are more likely to enhance profits. "Many companies paint their products with solvent-based paints. By switching to water-based paints these businesses can eliminate toxic wastes in their production process and the need to meet certain environmental regulations," said Darnall. "They also can speed up the time it takes to get their product to market and avoid long term liabilities associated with toxic waste disposal," he added. The second way companies can profit from going green is by developing innovative green products and technologies and entering new markets. Businesses that do so are poised to take advantage of increased market demand for green products and make less environmentally friendly technologies obsolete. According to recent research, 15 percent of consumers routinely pay more for green products, and another 15 percent seek green products if they do not cost more. "There are people who pay premium prices for these kinds of products," said Darnall. Corporate buyers also are demonstrating a growing demand for purchasing green products. "Companies don''t want to inherit waste from their suppliers. As a result, many companies are using green production as a condition of purchasing a supplier''s products," said Darnall. "Many policymakers believe environmental regulations are a win-lose proposition-society benefits from a cleaner environment, but businesses are at an economic disadvantage," according to Darnall. "This research shows it can be a win-win. Companies that develop greener production practices benefit society, and can also green their bottom line," he added. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
Antony orders inquiry into harassment of woman Army captain
16.07.2008 08:27
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Defence Minister A.K.Antony on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into an allegation of physical and mental harassment that was leveled by Captain Poonam Kaur of the Kalka-based Army Services Corps (ASC) battalion against her superior officers. Capt. Kaur has accused her seniors, including her commanding officer, of physically and mentally harassing her over the past few months. However, the Army has described the allegations as baseless. Capt. Kaur was posted to Kalka on October 18, 2007 from Eastern theatre. In December, she requested for allotment of married accommodation on compassionate grounds. Though she was unmarried and not authorised to get married accommodation, her case was sympathetically considered and granted by the Army. On June 30, Capt. Kaur was ordered to move to Pathankot to command a detachment of her unit located there. She initially accepted the orders, but then requested that the posting be delayed till July 11 for personal reasons. The Army said that this request was also accomodated. On July 11 Capt. Kaur was again instructed to move, but she again requested that she be allowed to leave on July 12, which was also agreed to. On July 12, Capt. Kaur refused to move to Pathankot, thereby disobeying legal and legitimate orders. The Army said that on July 13, she asked for an interview with the Major General ASC headquarters, Western Command. She was granted the interview on July 14 and when she was asked to give her grievance in writing, she refused and returned to her unit. When the Major General visited the ASC battalion at Kalka on July 15 to meet Capt. Kaur, she refused to come out of her quarters to meet him. The Army clarified that the officer in question has not been placed under any restrictions and is totally free to move around. “During her last posting at Misamari in Assam, the officer had indulged in similar activities. She had refused to carry out her assigned duties, and when questioned, had alleged mental harassment,” the Army said. These were inquired into and disciplinary action was contemplated. Keeping in view of her young age and pleadings by her mother, she was let off. However her “mental weakness” was recorded in her profile, it added. Capt. Kaur has alleged that her commanding officers -- Colonel R K Sharma, Lt Colonel Ajay Chawla and Major Suraj Bhan -- had physically and mentally harassed her after she had turned down their physical advances. She also accused them of keeping her in illegal confinement in her quarters at the Kalka military station. Capt. Kaur claimed that the harassment has been going on ever since her posting to the ASC unit in Kalka in October 2007. She said her efforts to resolve the problem with the intervention of the Army authorities had failed on Tuesday, when her mother and younger brother, who were staying with her, were thrown out of the quarters and she was illegally detained there. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Military honours for World War II hero
16.07.2008 08:27
b4uindia.com
The Army bade farewell to their World War II veteran Subedar S.K. Thangaraj with full military honours here today. Subedar Thangaraj of Eleven Madras Engineers Regiment took part in World War II, riot control activities in Punjab during partition, Indo-China War 1962 and Indo-Pakistan War in 1965. He was cremated with full military honours by local Army unit. His body was draped in tri-colour and was given final gun salute with bugle calls of ''Last-Post''. A two-minute silence was observed before his mortal remains were consigned to flames. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Jammu shuts down over Amarnath land transfer issue
16.07.2008 08:27
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Pro-Hindu organisation activists today observed a shutdown in Jammu over the issue of forest land not being transformed to the Amarnath Shrine Board. It may be recalled that initially the Congress-led State Government of former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had ordered the transfer of the land to the shrine board, but when Muslims in the Kashmir Valley raised strong objections to the move, the order was withdrawn. Thereafter, the State Government said that it would be taking responsibility for activities associated with the Amarnath Shrine including staying arrangements for pilgrims, much to the chagrin of Hindus in the state. Wednesday’s shutdown saw shops and business establishments closed and public transport being affected. Protesters also clashed with policemen and marched through deserted streets. They said they would keep up their agitation till their demand of restoring the land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) was met. The nearly 100 acres of forestland was to be used for the building of temporary shelters for pilgrims who trek annually to the shrine.
India
Social Life
If the UPA govt falls on July 22, let it fall, says Rahul Gandhi
16.07.2008 08:26
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AICC General Secretary and Nehru-Gandhi family scion, Rahul Gandhi today said that the proposed Indo-US nuclear deal was in the national interest, and if the Congress-led UPA Government falls on July 22 during the trust vote on the deal, "let it fall". Fully backing Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for going ahead on the nuclear deal, a mature-looking Rahul said, "sometimes one has to take risks in life (in the national interest). Our prime minister has shown a vision, and I give a 100 percent backing to him. I would say that he should try for such a deal again and again until it was finalised (with the US)." "Those opposing the deal say that uranium could produce only three percent power. How do we know it.......may be some bright scientist in our country works on it and successfully produces 70 percent power out of it," he added. Speaking to press reporters during his visit to Amethi, he claimed that young MPs across the party lines were supporting the deal saying that they fail to understand why their party leadership was against the deal. "Even a section of BJP MPs, particularly young, have confided in me that they support the deal. They also tell me that their party leadership was against the deal," he said and added that the deal was in national interest but those opposing it were doing so only due to "political and ideological" reasons. Drawing a parallel between the deal and computerisation being introduced by his late father Rajiv Gandhi during his prime ministership, he said, "when I was a young boy, my father talked about computerisation. But people opposed the idea saying that India lived in villages and how would a computer help a farmer. Today you can see how much a computer has changed our lives........today everyone of us has a computer in our houses." Castigating the Uttar Pradesh government for not doing enough to eradicate poverty, he said: "today the priority for the present day Uttar Pradesh government, or any government in the country, should be remove poverty. In my opinion, the UP government is not doing enough in this direction." (ANI)
India
Social Life
Khadi industry set to be come more competitive
16.07.2008 08:26
b4uindia.com
Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Mahabir Prasad today said that the Government is proposing to provide Rs.84 crore as assistance for 200 institutions for replacement of Charkhas and looms and for making the Khadi industry more competitive and profitable. Speaking at the inaugural session of the third meeting of the National Khadi and Village Industries Board (NKVIB) here, Prasad said his ministry is planning to include 45 institutions managed by persons belonging to SC/STs under this scheme with a view to promote inclusive growth. This scheme will make the Khadi Industry more market driven and provide higher wages to artisans, he added. "For Khadi artisans, the Government had introduced a pilot scheme of ''Workshed for Khadi artisans'' under which worksheds would be provided to 38,000 Khadi artisans, at a maximum cost of Rs.25,000 per unit," he said. Through this scheme, he said that the Government is hopeful of providing the spinners in particular, a better working environment, which will improve their productivity and income. Spelling out the Government''s steps to make the Khadi sector more competitive in this era of globalization, Prasad said that his ministry has recognized the need for modern marketing strategies in the sector and is formulating a new scheme on marketing development assistance to Khadi institutions. "The new scheme is expected to provide assistance towards renovation, computerization, marketing infrastructure, quality improvement of products and better packaging of Khadi products," he said. Prasad said his Ministry is planning to strengthen the Rural Employment Generation Programme by bringing in wide spread improvement in the scheme. He further added that he would request banks particularly those operating in the far flung areas to cooperate in the implementation of Khadi schemes, which are related to increase in employment opportunities. The day-long meeting discussed among other things agenda items relating to improving the marketability of Khadi Village Industry products, role of science and technology in the changing market scenario, streamlining of Khadi sector, export performance of KVICs and pereformance of various schemes in NER. (ANI)
India
Social Life
Gene variants that may help predict sickle cell disease severity identified
16.07.2008 08:26
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A new collaborative study by scientists at Children''s Hospital Boston and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, has cited the discovery of five gene variants that could potentially be helpful in predicting sickle cell disease severity. While sickle cell disease is a single-gene disorder, its symptoms are highly variable and this latest feat may even lead to better treatment approaches in the future. The scientists highlighted that the gene variants influence blood levels of fetal haemoglobin (HbF), which are known to affect symptom severity in sickle cell disease, which may cause some patients to experience frequent, severe pain crises and organ damage, while others are scarcely aware of their disease. "Our study is a first step towards a better understanding of foetal haemoglobin regulation in patients with sickle cell disease. But further validation experiments are needed before these findings can become useful in the clinic," said Guillaume Lettre, PhD, of the Broad Institute and Children''s Hospital Boston, and co-first author on the paper. "Eventually, understanding the factors giving rise to heterogeneity in HbF levels might allow us to take severely affected patients and make them more like those with more benign symptoms," added Vijay Sankaran, co-first author on the paper with Lettre and an MD-PhD student in the laboratory of Stuart Orkin, MD. In sickle cell disease, a single genetic mutation results in the production of an abnormal type of haemoglobin molecules that tend to form long chains, causing red blood cells to become stiff and sickle-shaped. The distorted cells have difficulty passing through blood vessels and can block the smaller vessels, resulting in severe pain and eventual organ damage as tissues are robbed of their blood supply. The sickle-shaped red blood cells also have a very short lifespan, causing patients to be chronically anaemic. In earlier studies it was found that by retaining high levels of another type of hemoglobin—HbF, found at high levels in the foetus—it is possible to improve sickle cell disease symptoms. Also, population studies in Saudi Arabia and parts of India had identified groups of sickle cell patients with very high levels of HbF and relatively benign forms of the disease, and additional epidemiologic studies led by Orah Platt, MD, chief of laboratory medicine at Children''s, showed that HbF is an ameliorating factor. "The more you have, the better off you are," said Sankaran. In the current study, the researchers analysed 1600 patients with sickle cell disease, and found that previously identified DNA sequence variants in three chromosome locations (small regions on chromosome 2, 6, and 11) were linked with high or low HbF levels. After adding these five variants to a model previously designed by Platt to predict disease severity, which also factors in age, sex, degree of anaemia and HbF levels, the model''s predictive ability was enhanced. While the results need to be validated in large, prospective clinical studies, the researchers are hopeful about the possible future clinical implications of their work. "As we find gene variants that regulate HbF levels or predict severity, we might eventually want to genotype patients for these variants, to get more predictive information on their disease," said Sankaran. And when the study will finally be validated, the knowledge of how these variants actually affect HbF levels might someday lead to new drugs that do the same thing. "If we can gain better insight into what these variants are doing, we may eventually have better, more targeted therapies for sickle cell disease," added Sankaran. The study was published online by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (ANI)
India
Health & Beauty
40-minute daily walk cuts disability risk in older adults
16.07.2008 08:26
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A 40-minute daily walk can cut disability risk in older adults, suggests a new study. During the study, 26 low-income adults aged 60 and older were randomly assigned to either a walking exercise group, which met three times a week for four months, or a nutrition education control group At the beginning of the study, the group would walk for 10 minutes continually, but as the weeks progressed, they increased their walking time to 40 continuous minutes. It suggested that elderly could decrease their risk of disability and increase their likelihood of maintaining independence by 41 percent. “Our study found that walking offers tremendous health benefits that can help older adults stay independent,” said study co-author M. Elaine Cress, professor of kinesiology and researcher in the UGA Institute of Gerontology. Trudy Moore-Harrison, the lead author of the study and a former UGA doctoral student, said the researchers focused their study on low-income individuals because people with fewer financial resources are less likely to be physically active and are more likely to have chronic health conditions and lack health care coverage The team from University of Georgia also measured the aerobic capacity of the participants using a treadmill test and found that while the control group saw an 9 percent decline in aerobic capacity over the four-month study period, the aerobic capacity of the walking group increased by 19 percent over the same time period. The walking exercise group also improved their physical function by 25 percent. While the control group saw their risk of disability increase over the four-month period, the walking exercise group saw their disability risk go from 66 percent to 25 percent – a decrease of 41 percent in just four months. “We know that walking is good for you, but too many people still aren’t doing it,”. “This study shows that just walking on a regular basis can make a huge impact on quality of life,” Moore-Harrison said. The study appears in the current issue of the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. (ANI)
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