London, Jan 12 : Based on the results of a recent research, scientists are hopeful that installing a home water softener can help relieve children''s eczema symptoms.

The study, which began in 2007, and will run until this summer, will also look at the differing effects of hard and soft water on the condition, which leads to dry and itchy skin.

While the skin ailment has been reported to be more common in hard-water areas, scientists are unaware of why that happens.

London, Jan 12 : Get ready for a supercar that could reach a top speed of 155mph without harming the environment, for it runs on wind energy.

Designed in California, the environmentally friendly Formula AE car will initially use a solar-powered battery to move, but later depend upon the airflow around it to power a turbine.

The high performance car will take less than four seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph.

The car is expected to cost around 100,000 pounds when it hits the market.

The two-seater's bodywork boasts paper-thin solar panelling that could fully charge the battery in just 1.5 hours.

However, this time will be reduced to just six minutes with a new prototype battery.

Vijay Mallya, owner of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has maintained that he has not yet finalized Rahul Dravid as the skipper of the Indian Premier League team.

Commenting over the media report that Dravid has been retained as captain of the team, Mallya said, "Who said so? After all, I am the boss of the team. I will decide who will be the captain."

London, Jan1 2 : Prenatal tests for autism may soon be available, thanks to scientists at Cambridge University''s autism research centre, whose breakthrough study has prompted experts to call for a national debate about the consequences of screening for the disorder in the womb, and allowing women to terminate babies with the condition.

The study followed 235 children from birth to the age of eight, and found that high levels of testosterone in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women was linked to autistic traits, like a lack of sociability and verbal skills, in their children by the time they are eight.

The discovery has raised the possibility of an amniocentesis (the same procedure used to test for Down''s syndrome) to detect autism.

Hobart, Jan. 12 : Australian fast bowler Doug Bollinger hopes he won''t be snubbed for Australia''s tour of South Africa next month, despite a number of his rival quicks getting the chance to shine in front of selectors in the limited-overs format.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Bollinger is relying on his one and only Test appearance in Sydney to assure him a plane ticket to South Africa.

Bollinger took 2-131 on debut against the Proteas and was unlucky not to have taken more wickets.

The 27-year-old has tonight''s Twenty20 clash against Tasmania at ANZ Stadium, another Twenty20 clash against Victoria on Saturday and a Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at the end of the month to enhance his Test prospects.

Karachi, Jan. 12 : Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday claimed that incoming US Vice-President Joe Biden played a key role in convincing former President Pervez Musharraf to take off his army uniform.

"This was not done by us or any other party," The News quoted him, as saying.

He further said, "Pakistan is a sovereign country and permission for US drone attacks could not be given and we are seeking support of other countries also against these attacks, as the miscreants slip nearer."