London, October 24 : American scientists have revealed that a gas released by bad eggs, known as hydrogen sulphide, acts as a muscle relaxant to regulate blood pressure in certain animal cells.

While hydrogen sulphide can be fatal for humans, several studies have shown that it can put mice into a state of suspended animation, and help limit the damage caused by a heart attack.

Sol Snyder and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, say that they have identified the enzyme that produces this gas in tissues that help to control blood flow in mice.

With a view to determining the function of the enzyme called CSE, the researchers genetically engineered mice to lack the gene to make CSE.

Washington, Oct 24 : A Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine study has found a possible mechanism by which alcohol weakens bones and decreases bone mass.

The U.S. Government panel has urged that cancer should be the top priority as it is the “terrorist within”. More funds for cancer research should be sanctioned by the government.

With the cancer cases on the rise and the funding on the decline with the inflation on the rise, it becomes a priority for the government to consider this aspect.

Dr. LaSalle Leffall of Howard University in Washington said that less funding means decline in the basic research and clinical trials.

"We have become complacent about this fearsome disease and have lacked the will to change aspects of our cancer-fighting enterprise that are preventing significant and rapid reductions in cancer illness and death," Leffall said in a statement.

Taipei - Taiwan's pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party is to stage an anti-China protest on Saturday, to be followed by a series of demonstrations when Chinese top envoy Chen Yunlin visits the island next month, the party leader said Friday.

"We will start a series of events, including a large-scale march in Taipei on Saturday, to make our voices known to Chen Yunlin during his Taiwan visit that we do not want military threats, tainted food, and suppression of our sovereignty from China," said DPP chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen.

Manila - Fighting between government troops and Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines is not likely to escalate into a full-scale war, an international security think tank said Friday.

The Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) said several factors, including lack of resources, "militate against the widening of the conflict" between security forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in the strife-torn southern region of Mindanao.

"The likelihood of full-scale war engulfing Mindanao seems low," the ICG said. "Neither side has the resources to engage in sustained combat.