Washington, April 23: A new study on radiologists has suggested that playing baroque classical music in the reading room can help improve mood and productivity.

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, MD, Harbor Hospital in Baltimore, MD, and the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia, PA.

Eight radiologists participated in the study and rated their mood, concentration, perceived diagnostic accuracy, productivity and work satisfaction on a seven point scale.

Marburg, Germany (dpa) - Dangerous moles and birthmarks can be recognized using five criteria, according to a German health and consumer organization based in Marburg.

People can determine whether they need to consult a doctor about a possible case of skin cancer by using five criteria to evaluate their own moles and birthmarks. They are summed up as the ABCDE rules - A for asymmetry, B for border, C for colour, D for diameter and E for embossment.

Hamburg - "This is the workplace," says Carsten Dietrich pointing to a long, narrow row boat.

Two thin metal rails affixed with a sliding plastic seat are where Dietrich is pointing. In front of it are two slanted boards with straps for the feet. At first glance, the contraption seems more like a rowing machine in a dreary fitness centre than something that could be used for a summer outing along river.

Sydney - Workplaces that try and stop employees using their computers for blogging, online shopping, social networking and other private purposes might be making a mistake, an Australian researcher says.

Around a quarter of Australian firms try and prevent workers from going online during company time by blocking YouTube, Facebook and other entertainment sites and threatening retribution for errant surfers.

Cologne, Germany - This summer's garden furniture designs are large and larger: Chaises and garden sofas are the "in" items, and they are impressive not only because of their size.

No design element is being spared as the trendsetters displace foldable lounge chairs and wooden benches that might have been stylish once, but are now better left in the shed. Several well-known designers have expanded their lines into garden furniture and have transformed once low-cost and functional furnishings into exclusive items.

Sydney  - Most of us know what stock we were bred from and can even name mums and dads going back generations.

An Australian animal shelter is now offering a genealogy service for dogs.

Lort Smith Animal Hospital in Melbourne is the first provider of DNA testing for dogs outside the United States.

There's been a scramble for the appropriately named BITSA test, which costs around 100 US dollars, is a mail-order service, and can establish breeding going back three generations. All the Lort Smith pet detectives need is a saliva sample.