Washington, November 3: Rockefeller University scientists say that an overlooked and undervalued protein, sarcospan, may ameliorate the most severe form of muscular dystrophy if added to muscle cells.

The researchers write in their study report that in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the mutated dystrophin protein fails to anchor correctly to its membrane glycoprotein complex, causing muscle cells to experience severe contraction-induced damage.

The say that sarcospan is part of the anchoring complex, but because mice without sarcospan do not seem any worse for its absence, it has not received much attention to date.

Guwahati, Nov 3: The Assam Government has decided to constitute a Special Task Force headed by an Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank officer to deal with militancy and combat Jehadi forces in the state.

It will be formed in line with the National Security Guards (NSG).

Two battalions of the STF will be raised at the initial stage. The State Government will also form a Security Advisory Council by involving retired police officers to guide the Government in security and law and order-related matters.

Washington - After an historic 20 months of rallies, debates and countless commercials in the most expensive election campaign ever, voters will finally get their chance Tuesday to pick Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain as the next US president.

Across the country, state officials are preparing for record turnout and huge lines at polling stations, a testament to the massive interest that has been generated in an election widely considered the most important in recent memory.

Chicago - Strangers chat about politics on the train and buttons peer out from coats with the smiling face of Chicago's favourite son, Barack Obama, as the city is gripped with excitement about the looming election.

But Chicago, population 2.7 million, is not just waiting for Tuesday night to learn whether the US senator from Illinois, who got his political start on the city's South Side, will become the first African-American president.

Not relying on polls that show Obama ahead of Republican opponent John McCain, Chicagoans instead gathered by the thousands at phone banks across the city, where they hoped to get out the vote in key swing states that will likely decide the next president.

Beijing - The death toll has risen to at least 22 with 45 people still missing after heavy rain caused several landslides in mountainous areas of southwestern China's Yunnan province, the government said Monday.

Torrential rain caused mud and rock to flow down valleys and hillsides in at least 13 counties of Yunnan over the past few days, affecting more than 411,000 people, the provincial Civil Affairs Department reported on its website.

At least 284 homes collapsed and more than 700 others were damaged with electricity and telecommunications cut off to several areas, the report said.

State media quoted officials as saying it was still too early to confirm the exact number of landslides in remote areas.