Washington, Apr 16 : A gene, known as RGS17, has been identified as a distinct gene linked to increased lung cancer susceptibility and development in a new study.

Cancer cell biologists at the University of Cincinnati (UC) say that this gene can predispose people with a strong family history of lung cancer towards developing the disease.

They say that further research may make the gene a marker to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from earlier, more aggressive lung cancer screening.

London, Apr 16 : Scientists from The University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston have identified a genetic variant linked to increased risk of ischemic stroke.

While analysing the genomes, or DNA, of almost 20,000 individuals from the United States and Europe, the research team discovered a variant on chromosome 12 near one gene associated with brain injury repair called NINJ2 and another connected to blood pressure control called WNK1.

The data suggests that about 20 percent of whites and 10 percent of blacks have at least one copy of this genetic variant and that each copy increases the risk of ischemic stroke by approximately 30 percent.

Washington, Apr 16 : In a first-of-its-kind trial at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, a stroke patient has been treated by intravenously injecting him with his own bone marrow stem cells.

Roland "Bud" Henrich, 61, suffered a stroke while working on his farm in Liberty, and was then transferred to Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center on March 25.

Washington, April 16 : Using a drug called methamphetamine during pregnancy can cause abnormal brain development in children, says a new study.

This study is the first of its kind to examine the effects of methamphetamine use during pregnancy.

London, Apr 16 : A diet low in vitamins A and C could raise the risk of asthma, says a new study.

A Nottingham University-led team reviewed 40 studies carried out over the past 30 years and found that people with a low intake of vitamin C had a 12 percent increased risk of asthma, the Thorax journal reported.

The team said, for vitamin A the raised risk was less clear cut but there was still a significant association.

Australia, Apr 16 : Analysing a batch of bacteria brought back by the shuttle Discovery crew last month, scientists could soon develop a vaccine against food poisoning from salmonella bacteria.

The researchers conducted a series of experiments aboard the International Space Station, and are now working to develop compounds for a salmonella vaccine