An international team has found that substantially cutting calories -- by as much as 30 per cent -- from a normal diet could slow the ageing process and thereby increase life expectancy.
In fact, researchers have found that reducing calories just above malnutrition levels can reduce risks of developing heart disease or cancer by almost half and increase lifetimes by nearly a third.
For the study, the team followed 76 rhesus macaques, half of which consumed 30 per cent fewer calories, over 20 years beginning around adulthood. They found that 37 per cent of the animals on the restricted diet are still alive today, compared to just 13 per cent of monkeys who ate a normal diet.
"It suggests to me that the fundamental biology of caloric restriction being studied in mice, flies, worms, blah, blah, blah seems to apply nicely to primates," team leader Richard Weindruch of University of Wisconsin in Madison said.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Nicotine patch helps quit smoking successfully
The researchers say that, according to the latest data, changes should be made to nicotine patch labelling.
"Right now, the nicotine patch is only recommended for use after the quit date," explained Jed Rose, lead author of the study.
The current labelling comes as a result of concerns that using a patch while smoking could lead to nicotine overdose, but a literature review found concurrent use of a nicotine patch and cigarette smoking appears to be safe.
"People who use the patch before quitting are likely to spontaneously reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke because the patch satisfies their need for nicotine and makes the act of smoking less enjoyable," said Rose.
Nicotine patch also decreases withdrawal symptoms.
"Yet people are afraid to try a pre-cessation patch because the current labeling recommends users not smoke while on treatment. That's why our study is so important. It reinforces the findings of previous studies, which show the value of pre-cessation patch therapy, and demonstrates that using a pre-cessation nicotine patch can make a significant difference in a person's ability to quit," he added.
To find a successful smoking cessation method, the researchers randomised 400 people, who smoked an average of slightly more than one pack of cigarettes per day.
"Right now, the nicotine patch is only recommended for use after the quit date," explained Jed Rose, lead author of the study.
The current labelling comes as a result of concerns that using a patch while smoking could lead to nicotine overdose, but a literature review found concurrent use of a nicotine patch and cigarette smoking appears to be safe.
"People who use the patch before quitting are likely to spontaneously reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke because the patch satisfies their need for nicotine and makes the act of smoking less enjoyable," said Rose.
Nicotine patch also decreases withdrawal symptoms.
"Yet people are afraid to try a pre-cessation patch because the current labeling recommends users not smoke while on treatment. That's why our study is so important. It reinforces the findings of previous studies, which show the value of pre-cessation patch therapy, and demonstrates that using a pre-cessation nicotine patch can make a significant difference in a person's ability to quit," he added.
To find a successful smoking cessation method, the researchers randomised 400 people, who smoked an average of slightly more than one pack of cigarettes per day.
They were put in four groups who either used a nicotine or placebo patch for two weeks prior to quitting smoking, and were further randomised to smoking their regular brand of cigarettes or a low-tar and nicotine cigarette.
After the quit date, all groups received standard nicotine patch treatment at reduced dosages for a total of 10 weeks.
Twenty-two percent of participants in the pre-cessation nicotine patch groups abstained from smoking continuously for at least 10 weeks, compared to 11 percent in the placebo patch groups.
Rose said that the use of the pre-cessation patch is significant because it helps researchers predict people's subsequent quit success.
"People on the patch are more likely to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. We found that is a potent predictor of subsequent abstinence. Smokers who did not reduce their smoking on the patch were less likely to succeed," the researcher added.
The study has been published in the online edition of the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
After the quit date, all groups received standard nicotine patch treatment at reduced dosages for a total of 10 weeks.
Twenty-two percent of participants in the pre-cessation nicotine patch groups abstained from smoking continuously for at least 10 weeks, compared to 11 percent in the placebo patch groups.
Rose said that the use of the pre-cessation patch is significant because it helps researchers predict people's subsequent quit success.
"People on the patch are more likely to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. We found that is a potent predictor of subsequent abstinence. Smokers who did not reduce their smoking on the patch were less likely to succeed," the researcher added.
The study has been published in the online edition of the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
'Allergy gene' identified by scientists 10 Jul 2009, 1752 hrs IST, PTI
A team, led by the University of Edinburgh, has found that the filaggrin gene helps skin produce a protective barrier against the foreign bodies that trigger allergies, the British Medical Journal reported.
In fact, in their analysis of 24 previous studies, the scientists found that people with defects in this gene are much more likely to develop unwelcome reactions like sneezing and itchy eyes, dermatitis, asthma, hay fever and eczema.
The gene mutations also increased the risk of asthma in people with severe dermatitis, the findings revealed.
Lead scientist Prof Aziz Sheikh said: "What we found was a more than doubling in the risk of these allergies among people with this defect.
"These findings provide strong supporting evidence that, at least in a subset of those with allergic problems, the filaggrin gene defect may be the fundamental predisposing factor not only for the development of eczema but also for initial sensitisation and progression of allergic disease.
"Our finding suggests filaggrin is a robust biomarker for allergic conditions. What's striking is a high proportion of people who are getting eczema, it's an incredibly common disorder, and if the filaggrin gene is the major factor. It may be we can target it with drugs that can repair this protective skin barrier in due course."
In fact, in their analysis of 24 previous studies, the scientists found that people with defects in this gene are much more likely to develop unwelcome reactions like sneezing and itchy eyes, dermatitis, asthma, hay fever and eczema.
The gene mutations also increased the risk of asthma in people with severe dermatitis, the findings revealed.
Lead scientist Prof Aziz Sheikh said: "What we found was a more than doubling in the risk of these allergies among people with this defect.
"These findings provide strong supporting evidence that, at least in a subset of those with allergic problems, the filaggrin gene defect may be the fundamental predisposing factor not only for the development of eczema but also for initial sensitisation and progression of allergic disease.
"Our finding suggests filaggrin is a robust biomarker for allergic conditions. What's striking is a high proportion of people who are getting eczema, it's an incredibly common disorder, and if the filaggrin gene is the major factor. It may be we can target it with drugs that can repair this protective skin barrier in due course."
China bans mosque prayers in Urumqi
URUMQI, CHINA: A Chinese official said that mosques in riot-hit Urumqi have been ordered to stay closed for Friday prayers in the wake of ethnic
Ethnic Uighurs walk as Chinese army troops patrol outside the main mosque in Urumqi. (Reuters Photo)
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violence that left 156 dead, and another city in Xinjiang province has suspended visits by foreigners. ( Watch )
The official who identified herself as a government worker but refused to give her name said on Friday that the decision to close mosques had been made for public safety and that "people should stay at home today and pray."
Separately, officials in Kashgar in southwestern Xinjiang have told visiting journalists that they and other foreigners had to leave the city.
The city's foreign affairs office says that although the city has had no unrest, the decision was made to ensure the safety of the visitors.
Uighur Muslims said they had been directed to pray at home, as armed forces saturated the streets of the northwest Xinjiang region's capital five days after clashes that authorities said left 156 people dead.
"The government said there would be no Friday prayers," said a Uighur man named Tursun outside the Hantagri mosque, one of the oldest in the capital, as about 100 policemen carrying machine guns and batons stood guard nearby.
"There's nothing we can do... the government is afraid that people will use religion to support the three forces."
The "three forces" is a Chinese government term referring to extremism, separatism and terrorism, forces it says are trying to split the remote Xinjiang region from the rest of the country.
Xinjiang's eight million Uighurs have long complained about religious, political and economic repression under Chinese rule, and this deep-set anger spilled out on Sunday in protests that quickly turned violent.
The Chinese government said 156 people were killed and more than 1,000 others were injured, as Uighur Muslims attacked people from China's dominant Han ethnic group.
But Uighur exiles have said security forces over-reacted to peaceful protests. They said up to 800 people may have died in the unrest, including the security crackdown.
The unrest continued early in the week as thousands of Han Chinese took to the streets wielding knives, poles, meat cleavers and other makeshift weapons vowing vengeance against the Uighurs.
AFP witnessed Han Chinese mobs assaulting two Uighurs in separate attacks, and Uighurs alleged many other beatings took place, but the extent of the violence throughout the week was unclear.
China poured in thousands of extra police and army troops on Tuesday, and the Urumqi government said the situation was under control the next day.
Many security forces remained in place on Friday, and the traditional Muslim day of prayer passed with many Uighurs and other Muslims such as from the Hui ethnic group unable to attend mosques.
"Go home to pray," said handwritten notices on the front gates of five shuttered mosques that AFP visited on Thursday.
The Liu Daowan mosque in a Uighur and Hui district of eastern Urumqi, which normally holds about 1,000 people, was also closed on Friday, according to an AFP reporter who went there.
The small Xida mosque that Hui normally attend was also shut.
"According to an order from higher up, out of concern for the safety of the people and during this special time, we ask all people to go home and pray there," a notice outside said.
"We don't want to give the criminal element a chance to ruin the situation. The government fears that the bad elements will try to use Islam to promote the three forces," said an assistant imam named Feng.
When asked if all mosques in Urumqi were closed on Friday, a spokesman for the Xinjiang regional government told AFP that "all religious activities should go on normally", without elaborating.
China's leaders vowed on Thursday to severely punish those responsible for this week's unrest, the nation's worst ethnic conflict for decades.
"The planners of the incident, the organisers, key members and the serious violent criminals must be severely punished," President Hu Jintao and the other eight members of the ruling Communist Party's elite Politburo said.
Local party leaders in Urumqi had on Wednesday warned that people involved in any killings would be sentenced to death, and earlier announced that more than 1,400 people had been arrested for their involvement in the unrest.
Ethnic Uighurs walk as Chinese army troops patrol outside the main mosque in Urumqi. (Reuters Photo)
More Pictures
violence that left 156 dead, and another city in Xinjiang province has suspended visits by foreigners. ( Watch )
The official who identified herself as a government worker but refused to give her name said on Friday that the decision to close mosques had been made for public safety and that "people should stay at home today and pray."
Separately, officials in Kashgar in southwestern Xinjiang have told visiting journalists that they and other foreigners had to leave the city.
The city's foreign affairs office says that although the city has had no unrest, the decision was made to ensure the safety of the visitors.
Uighur Muslims said they had been directed to pray at home, as armed forces saturated the streets of the northwest Xinjiang region's capital five days after clashes that authorities said left 156 people dead.
"The government said there would be no Friday prayers," said a Uighur man named Tursun outside the Hantagri mosque, one of the oldest in the capital, as about 100 policemen carrying machine guns and batons stood guard nearby.
"There's nothing we can do... the government is afraid that people will use religion to support the three forces."
The "three forces" is a Chinese government term referring to extremism, separatism and terrorism, forces it says are trying to split the remote Xinjiang region from the rest of the country.
Xinjiang's eight million Uighurs have long complained about religious, political and economic repression under Chinese rule, and this deep-set anger spilled out on Sunday in protests that quickly turned violent.
The Chinese government said 156 people were killed and more than 1,000 others were injured, as Uighur Muslims attacked people from China's dominant Han ethnic group.
But Uighur exiles have said security forces over-reacted to peaceful protests. They said up to 800 people may have died in the unrest, including the security crackdown.
The unrest continued early in the week as thousands of Han Chinese took to the streets wielding knives, poles, meat cleavers and other makeshift weapons vowing vengeance against the Uighurs.
AFP witnessed Han Chinese mobs assaulting two Uighurs in separate attacks, and Uighurs alleged many other beatings took place, but the extent of the violence throughout the week was unclear.
China poured in thousands of extra police and army troops on Tuesday, and the Urumqi government said the situation was under control the next day.
Many security forces remained in place on Friday, and the traditional Muslim day of prayer passed with many Uighurs and other Muslims such as from the Hui ethnic group unable to attend mosques.
"Go home to pray," said handwritten notices on the front gates of five shuttered mosques that AFP visited on Thursday.
The Liu Daowan mosque in a Uighur and Hui district of eastern Urumqi, which normally holds about 1,000 people, was also closed on Friday, according to an AFP reporter who went there.
The small Xida mosque that Hui normally attend was also shut.
"According to an order from higher up, out of concern for the safety of the people and during this special time, we ask all people to go home and pray there," a notice outside said.
"We don't want to give the criminal element a chance to ruin the situation. The government fears that the bad elements will try to use Islam to promote the three forces," said an assistant imam named Feng.
When asked if all mosques in Urumqi were closed on Friday, a spokesman for the Xinjiang regional government told AFP that "all religious activities should go on normally", without elaborating.
China's leaders vowed on Thursday to severely punish those responsible for this week's unrest, the nation's worst ethnic conflict for decades.
"The planners of the incident, the organisers, key members and the serious violent criminals must be severely punished," President Hu Jintao and the other eight members of the ruling Communist Party's elite Politburo said.
Local party leaders in Urumqi had on Wednesday warned that people involved in any killings would be sentenced to death, and earlier announced that more than 1,400 people had been arrested for their involvement in the unrest.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Google to take on Microsoft's Windows OS with Chrome
NEW DELHI: In a direct attack on Microsoft's Windows Operating System (OS), installed in over 90% of the world’s personal computers (PCs), rival
Google has announced its own OS, Google Chrome, to be commercially available from the second half of 2010. Initially, Google Chrome OS will be for netbooks, the low-cost computers optimised for internet surfing and other web applications.
The Chrome OS is expected to work well with many of the company’s popular software applications such as Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Maps. It will be fast and lightweight, enabling users to access the web in a few seconds, Google said. The new OS is based on open-source Linux code, which allows third-party developers to design compatible applications.
The Chrome OS is expected to work well with many of the company’s popular software applications such as Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Maps. It will be fast and lightweight, enabling users to access the web in a few seconds, Google said. The new OS is based on open-source Linux code, which allows third-party developers to design compatible applications.
Microsoft India declined to comment on the development, while Google India’s spokesperson said that at present the company cannot comment beyond what is on the Google blog, posted by Sundar Pichai, Google’s VP for product management, and Linus Upson, engineering director.
The blog noted, “The operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web. So today, we’re announcing a new project that’s a natural extension of Google Chrome (the browser launched in 2008) — the Google
Chrome Operating System. It’s our attempt to rethink what operating systems should be.”
The blog noted, “The operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web. So today, we’re announcing a new project that’s a natural extension of Google Chrome (the browser launched in 2008) — the Google
Chrome Operating System. It’s our attempt to rethink what operating systems should be.”
About 1.5 lakh Indians return from UAE due to slowdown
NEW DELHI: An estimated 1.5 lakh Indian workers have come back home from the United Arab Emirates due to economic crisis and recession, the Lok
Sabha was told today.
Replying to a question, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi informed the House that an estimated 50,000 to 1,50,000 workers have returned to India as result of the delay in execution of projects due to economic slowdown and recession in the UAE.
He said most of the workers have returned to India on leave without pay with the expectation that they would be able to go back to the Gulf country once the situation improves.
Ravi said while Indian Missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar have informed that there has been some job losses in these countries, some Indians have also returned from Malaysia due to economic slowdown.
"Information received from Indian Missions in Afghanistan, Syria
, Sudan, Brunei, Libya, Jordan and Lebanon indicate that there is no report of Indians affected by the recession," the Minister said.
Replying to a question, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi informed the House that an estimated 50,000 to 1,50,000 workers have returned to India as result of the delay in execution of projects due to economic slowdown and recession in the UAE.
He said most of the workers have returned to India on leave without pay with the expectation that they would be able to go back to the Gulf country once the situation improves.
Ravi said while Indian Missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar have informed that there has been some job losses in these countries, some Indians have also returned from Malaysia due to economic slowdown.
"Information received from Indian Missions in Afghanistan, Syria
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