Previous studies have shown various harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy on the baby. Recent research has revealed that smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of delivering physically aggressive children.

Universite de Montreal researcher Jean Seguin, one of the lead researchers in the study, said, "What's new about this study is that we can pick up the link (between smoking and physical aggression) in children as early as 17 to 42 months of age."

Two recent researches showed that girls of school going age and women in their 70s are less active than their male counterparts.

Researchers at Liverpool John Moores University studied the behavior of 10 and 11-year-old children in the playground. The study revealed that girls take part in 6% less vigorous playtime activity than boys. Researchers found that boys and girls tend to play differently.

These days, scientists are busy in developing ‘Love potion.’ Animal studies have shown that the hormone oxytocin can 'reinforce' emotional feelings and enhance monogamy.

Research team led by Prof. Larry Young of Emory University in Georgia are studying the brain chemistry responsible for the complex feelings that actually draw people to a particular member of the opposite sex as well as help in keeping humans monogamous.

Prof. Larry Young said that there is intriguing overlap between the brain areas involved in vole pair bonding and those associated with human love.

Bird flu is continuously spreading to different parts of the country.

Health officials, on Wednesday, have confirmed a fresh H5N1 virus outbreak in the Darjeeling region of eastern India.

The officials ordered the veterinary and health workers to restart culling operations.

Mr. Surendra Gupta, district magistrate, stated, “We have started culling operations at Rangli Ranglikot area of Darjeeling. This time a total of 7,000 poultry will be culled.”

Recent research showed that fitting deaf children with implants immediately after birth improves their brain activity.

Research team led by Rob Shephard of the Bionic Ear Institute in Melbourne studied how this artificial stimulation affects the brain using animal models.

Researchers recorded electrical activity in the cortex of 17 8-month-old cats that were deaf from birth. Each cat's cochlear implant was activated while researchers monitored their brains.

Addressing media during a function on Monday to mark the up gradation of the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute at the Victoria Hospital complex, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss revealed plans regarding National Urban Health Mission.