Washington, October 24 : A team of researchers have found that the human rhinovirus (HRV), which causes 30 to 50 per cent of common colds, can manipulate the host’s genes to cause some of the most annoying symptoms.

The researchers say that HRV hijacks many of your genes, and causes an overblown immune response that ends up with the host’s nose being overblown.

"The study''s findings are a major step toward more targeted cold prevention and treatment strategies while also serving as a valuable roadmap for the broader respiratory science community," said Dr. David Proud, a professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the University of Calgary.

Washington, Oct 24: Former press secretary of George W Bush, Scott McClellan, has backed Democrat Barack Obama to triumph in the race for the White House.

McClellan made his declaration, which had been expected, during the taping of a CNN programme to be broadcast on Saturday.

“From the very beginning I’ve said I’m going to support the candidate who has the best chance of changing the way Washington works and getting things done,” the former White House spokesman told presenter DL Hughley.

“I will be voting for Barack Obama,” he said.

McClellan’s endorsement comes days after another prominent Republican, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, announced his support for Obama.

London, Oct 24 : A new study conducted by University of Nottingham researchers suggests that happiness depends upon the number of old friends one has.

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Dengue took the death toll to four when a 21-year-old, Rupesh Kumar Mishra died at a city’s nursing home by suffering from the same.

The deceased who originally hailed from Jaunpore in Uttar Pradesh was living with his father at Bechu Chatterjee Street in Ward 38, Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and was admitted to the nursing home on Saturday.

London, Oct 24 : Scientists in New Orleans have created a cat that may look like a normal tabby in light but glows in the dark.

The six-month-old cat, named Mr Green Genes, has been genetically modified as part of an experiment at the Audubon Centre for Research of Endangered Species in New Orleans that could lead to treatments for conditions like cystic fibrosis.

Betsy Dresser, the centre''s director, said that Mr. Green Genes is the first fluorescent cat in the United States and probably the world, reports the Telegraph.

It was created so that researchers could learn whether a gene could be introduced harmlessly into the feline''s genetic sequence to create what is formally known as a transgenic cat.