Washington, April 2 : Cannabinoids such as the main active component of marijuana (THC) have anticancer effects on human brain cancer cells, a new study has found.

In the study, Guillermo Velasco and colleagues at Complutense University, Spain, found that THC induced the death of various human brain cancer cell lines and primary cultured human brain cancer cells by a process known as autophagy.

Consistent with the in vitro data, administration of THC to mice with human tumours decreased tumour growth and induced the tumour cells to undergo autophagy.

Washington, Apr 2: Researchers from UC Davis Cancer Centre have identified a protein that may allow breast cancer to spread and make it resistant to drugs.

The research team led by Kermit Carraway have discovered a protein called Muc4, which belongs to a group of proteins called mucins, commonly found in fluids such as tears and mucus.

"Breast cancer deaths are caused by metastasis, not by the primary tumour," said Carraway.

Washington, Apr 2: Proposing a new theory of autism, scientists have revealed that the brains of autistic people are structurally normal but dysregulated, which implies that the disorder might be reversible.

The theory put forward by scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University is centred on the principle that autism is a developmental disorder caused by impaired regulation of the locus coeruleus-a bundle of neurons in the brain stem that processes sensory signals from all areas of the body.

Washington, Apr 2 : Think you're doing your teeth a favor by sipping white wine instead of tea or coffee? Well, its time you rework the tooth-whitening mantra, for a new study has found that the transparent beverage increases the risk of dark dental stains.

In the study, NYU dental researchers compared two sets of six cow teeth, whose surface closely resembles that of human teeth, and used a spectrophotometer, an instrument that measures color intensities, to evaluate staining levels.

Washington, April 2 : Children who had low weight at the time of their birth may be at an increased risk of inflammatory processes in adulthood, which are linked with chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, according to a study.

While various studies have suggested that babies with lower weight at birth are at a higher risk for developing chronic diseases, there has been little understanding to explain why.

Washington, Apr 2: Portuguese researchers have identified a vital component of olive oil that gives greatest protection from heart attack and stroke.

Lead researcher Fatima Paiva-Martins from University of Porto has discovered an antioxidant called DHPEA-EDA that protects red blood cells from damage more than any other part of olive oil.

“These findings provide the scientific basis for the clear health benefits that have been seen in people who have olive oil in their diet," said Paiva-Martins.