Recent study showed the role played by FTO gene in making a person fat or lean. Research team led by Dr Ulrich Ruther, from the University of Dusseldorf in Germany used animal models to determine how this gene influences weight gain.

Researchers found that this gene affects energy expenditure at the cellular level. Study showed that mice without the FTO gene remained very lean because they spontaneously burn off enormous amounts of energy.

According to a survey of young Britons, almost one in three young people admit to having drunken one-night stands, later regretting them. The Sex Factor survey, a part of a report from the charity, YouthNet, into young people's attitudes towards sexual health, polled more than 2,000 young people aged 16 to 24, revealing 32% (the same number) indulged in unprotected sex while under the influence of liquor.

According to the poll:

• "One in five (22%) young people went home with a stranger.
• "15% invited a stranger back to their home.

The ISRO is reported to have got a green signal from Planning Commission for Rs 12,400-crore manned space mission scheduled for launch by 2015.

Speaking with the reporters here after a two-hour meeting with top ISRO scientists and officials of the Department of Space, Montek Singh Ahluwalia (Chairman, Deputy Commission) said: “We had a good meeting. The general inference is that ISRO has done an expert job and it needs to be supported. The Planning Commission will support it.”

The government-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd started its next generation 3G mobile services in the country even as the private operators are still waiting to get spectrum through auction process.

Earlier last year, ahead of auction for private players, both BSNL and MTNL (for Delhi and Mumbai) were given 3G spectrum.  

For the private operators, the government has referred the issue of 3G spectrum auction to a Group of Ministers in view of inter-ministerial differences over the reserve price.

It was a tough day for World champion Viswanathan Anand in the office as he had to play out a hard-fought draw with Grandmaster Lenier Dominguez of Cuba in the third round of the 22nd Ciudad de Leon chess tournament. The draw was agreed to in 41 moves.

Anand maintained to be in the third position with 1.5 points behind Levon Aronian (Armenia) and Alexander Grischuk of Russia.

Currently, both Aronian and Grischuk are placed at number one position with two points each.

Mahashivratri, the most important religious festival of Kashmiri Pandits, is being celebrated across the Kashmir valley today.

Though a majority of Pandits migrated from the valley due to the eruption of militancy about 18-years-ago, people here continue to cherish the traditional glory associated with the annual festival.

Mahashivratri is celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits as ‘Hairath’.

The Governor, NN Vohra and several other top leaders have extended their greetings to the Pandits on the eve of Mahashivratri.