C Das, a former government employee from Orissa, was diagnosed with prostate cancer two months ago. He and his family decided to follow a new form of treatment - prostate brachytherapy.

Dr Vivek Anand, consultant radiation oncologist at Hinduja Hospital in Mahim said: "This is the first time that we will use brachytherapy to treat prostate cancer in India.''

A recent study revealed that every extra pond of weight increases the risk of heart disease. The study also revealed that even a little amount of physical activity appears to decrease the risk of heart failure.

Research team led by Dr. Satish Kenchaiah followed more than 21,000 physicians for two decades, measuring among other factors like the influence of overweight and physical activity on development of heart failure, the progressive loss of ability to pump blood, which is often a prelude to major coronary events.

Recent research has shown that intake of chocolate, wine and tea in moderation can help in improving cognitive performance. Research team from Norway and the Oxford University collected data from 2,031 older people aged between 70 and 74.

The study subjects were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding their habitual food intake. Mental ability of study subjects was also tested.

South Korean major Samsung Engineering in consortium with Linde (Germany) has pocketed $1.5 billion contract from ONGC Petro addition (OPaL) for the construction of a dual feed ethylene cracker unit and associated unit plant.

Speaking on this, Samsung Engineering spokesperson Charlotte J Lee said, “The engineering, procurement, construction & commissioning contract is for a dual feed ethylene cracker unit and associated units plant of OPaL.”

The ongoing global slowdown can hit the export growth rate of the nation for the current financial year. Country's growth target for 2009-10 may be revised under such hard circumstances. It is said by the Executive Director of Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC), Mr D. K. Sareen in the sidelines of a conference on India Soft 2009 on Tuesday.

The Union Government announced to issue the oil bonds worth Rs 22,000 cr to three oil marketing companies of the country. Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum, and Bharat Petroleum would get Rs 11,975.51 crore, Rs 4,693.73 crore and Rs 5,330.76 crore respectively.