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Washington D.C. [USA], Sept.22 : A new research suggests that smoking may shorten the lives of those with terminal illness, such as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

ALS damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. These cells control many vital muscle functions, including speaking, swallowing and breathing.

Though no cure for this disease has been found, scientists have identified several risk factors, including genes, gender, age and underlying health issues.

For this study, researchers explored the link between tobacco and development of ALS.

They collected data on the smoking habits of 650 people diagnosed with ALS between 2007 and 2011 in northern Italy. They also looked at chronic lung disease (COPD) among these patients.

New Delhi [India], Sep 22 : With India's biggest online marketplaces going head to head with their flagship sales events CashKaro, India's largest cash-back and coupons site is expecting to drive Rs. 500 crore worth of GMV this festive season (Oct-Dec).

This said GMV is a combined estimate of CashKaro (Rs. 300 crore) and UK based cash-back site Pouring Pounds (Rs. 200 crore). With an expected growth of 300 percent in revenues, Ratan Tata and Kalaari capital backed Cashkaro is expected to credit over Rs. 15 crore of Cashback during these three months alone!

Mumbai [India], Sept.22 : Beckman Coulter India is pleased to announce the launch of the DxH500Hematology Analyzer designed for low - to medium-volume hematology workloads and to promote rapid specimen turnaround in medium-sized clinics.

The new system is able to provide a complete blood count (CBC) plus five-part differential from as little as 12 µL of whole blood or 20 µL for pre-dilute analysis. This makes the DxH500 ideal for laboratories serving pediatric and geriatric patients, from whom sample taking can be difficult. The analyzer provides speed; compactness and ruggedness?a must for low- to medium-volume laboratories seeking cost-effective high-end results.

London [UK], Sept. 22 : Five-foot tall Kourtney Kardashian, though has snapped a perfect bikini selfie, feels she has flaws as she had to step on a chair to get it in front of camera.

The 37-year-old reality star had recently posted a bikini selfie on Twitter and captioned it 'Short girl problems', reports the Daily Mail.

The photo is reportedly from Nantucket, where she was seen vacationing with her children and ex-Scott Disick.

Clad in a chic white suit for the sexy social media selfie, Kourtney stood on top of a green sofa wearing a wide-brimmed tan fedora while the plush cushions helped get her full bikini-bod in view.

Washington D.C [USA], Sept. 22 : Page O'Hara, who plays Belle in the 1991 'Beauty and the Beast' appreciated Dan Stevens and other actors cast for the upcoming live-action, 'Beauty and the Beast.'

The 60-year-old American actress, whiles sharing her words of appreciation for Stevens, spoke about how she reacted after his character died in British drama series, 'Downton Abbey,' reports People magazine.

"I fell in love with him on Downton Abbey," she exclaimed, "I was so angry and upset for three days after he got killed off that series - I almost boycotted it I was so angry!"

London [UK], Sept. 22 : French actress, Marion Cotillard, who was rumoured to be having an affair with Brad Pitt, has finally spoken out on Instagram to clarify the issue, after the news about Brangelina's splitsville started trending.

The 50-year-old actress posted a lengthy Instagram message to make the announcement and to dispel rumours on Wednesday, reports the Daily Mail.

The Academy Award winner revealed that she is pregnant with her second child and finally wished Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie "peace in this very tumultuous moment."

The 'The Dark Knight Rises' actress addressed reports that she and Pitt had sparked a romance during the filming of their new WWII drama, 'Allied.'

The Instagram message read: