Washington, Apr 3 : High levels of lead concentrations in blood might put women at increased risk of death from coronary heart diseases (CHD), according to a new study.

The research led by University of Pittsburgh and the University of Maryland scientists found that those with blood lead concentrations above 8µg/dL were three times more likely to die of CHD.

During the study, the team followed a group of 65-87 year old women and recorded their cause of death.

"Lead is a toxic metal, and our results add to the existing evidence of adverse affects of lead on health as seen in an older cohort who experienced greater historic environmental lead exposure," said lead researcher Naila Khalil.

Washington, Apr 3 : Chicken soup with matzoh balls can help combat high blood pressure, say researchers.

According to lead researcher Ai Saiga, from Japan, the popular home remedy also used to treat common cold sometimes can help fight high blood pressure.

Previous studies have shown that chicken breast contains collagen proteins with effects similar to ACE inhibitors, mainstay medications for treating high blood pressure.

Washington, April 3: Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have gained fresh insights into how the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is used by nerve cells to communicate with one another, helps brain cells to process important information.

Studying cells in mice, the researchers have found that this neurotransmitter causes certain brain cells to become more flexible, and changes brain-cell circuitry to process important information differently than mundane information.

London, Apr 3: Bribing your child with a chocolate bar to finish his or her maths homework is an excellent idea, according to researchers who claim that the yummy treat could improve the brain''s ability to do the most “dreadful” subject.

According to Prof David Kennedy, director of the brain, performance and nutrition research centre at Northumbria University, and a co-author of the study, chocolate could be beneficial for mentally challenging tasks.

London, Apr: Too much grapefruit can swell the risk of blood clots from the Pill, it has been claimed.

American doctors have reported that a woman who went on an intense grapefruit-based diet developed a blood clot in her leg and risked losing the limb.

The case, reported in the Lancet medical journal, said that the unnamed woman came to the casualty department of the Providence St Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington state after she had problems walking, shortness of breath and felt light-headed, The BBC reported.

By the next day her left leg had turned purple.

Beijing  - Ministers from 27 nations have backed a 15-billion-dollar plan to provide universal access to diagnosis and treatment of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) by 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday.

The ministers agreed to remove barriers to TB care, guarantee supplies of medicines, and develop full management and training systems for treatment of MDR-TB and extremely drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), the WHO said in a statement.