Washington, Apr 23 : A glass of 100 percent juice every morning can lower the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome - a cluster of conditions that increases risk for stroke, heart disease and diabetes, concludes a new study.

New research presented at the Experimental Biology (EB) 2009 meeting highlights the association among adult men and women, with evidence showing that 100 percent juice drinkers were leaner, had better insulin sensitivity and had lower risk for obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Washington, April 23 : Researchers at University of British Columbia have identified a `molecular key' that has the potential to increase the success of blood stem cell transplants.

Blood stem cell transplants are currently used to treat diseases such as leukemia, Hodgkin''s lymphoma and aplastic anemia.

During the procedure, donor blood stem cells - which can produce red and white blood cells and platelets - are injected into the recipient to produce new blood.

Washington, April 23 : A new study in rats has suggested that eating grapes could help in fighting high blood pressure and could also reduce other cardiovascular risks and heart muscle damage.

University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center researchers, who conducted the study, said that the benefits may be the result of the phytochemicals - naturally occurring antioxidants - turning on a protective process in the genes that reduces damage to the heart muscle.

Marburg, Germany (dpa) - Dangerous moles and birthmarks can be recognized using five criteria, according to a German health and consumer organization based in Marburg.

People can determine whether they need to consult a doctor about a possible case of skin cancer by using five criteria to evaluate their own moles and birthmarks. They are summed up as the ABCDE rules - A for asymmetry, B for border, C for colour, D for diameter and E for embossment.

Washington, Apr 22: A University of Leicester researcher has made some significant advancements on the causes of cancer, which can lead to improved and effective therapies.

Professor Andrew Fry, of the Department of Biochemistry aims to understand the molecular control of cell division and as a result identify proteins, which can be targeted in specific tumours, leaving other cells unharmed.

Many current cancer treatments act by killing all dividing cells and are not necessarily specific for the cancer cells, hence the severe side effects.

Ludhiana, April 22: With a rising concern for health across the world, a lot of people in Punjab are increasingly getting drawn to alternate systems of medicine to escape the side effects of modern-day drugs.

A two-day awareness meet was held here recently to educate people on the traditional systems of medicine in India. `Arogya’ – meaning `holistic health’ was the ninth such event organised in the country aimed at promoting healthy living in modern-day society.