Sydney, April 28 : A new Australian study has suggested that reef fish, which are stressing about environmental changes, are creating irregular offspring that have wonky ears.

According to a report by ABC News, the study shows a clear link between mothers producing the stress hormone cortisol, and the development of asymmetrical ears in the offspring of the common coral reef fish, Pomacentrus amboinensis.

Most animals produce the hormone cortisol as a response to stress. Reef fish typically produce it in response to an encounter with a predator.

"Cortisol is needed for development," said study lead author Dr Monica Gagliano of James Cook University in Townsville.

Melbourne, Apr. 28 : Ex-Olympian swimmer Ian Thorpe''s contract with Foxtel is finished and will not be renewed.

According to insiders, Thorpe's lucrative million-dollar television contract was terminated as he had lost interest in his once-promising media career.

Media sources yesterday claimed Thorpe had in recent times become a reluctant participant in the Foxtel relationship as he focuses increasingly on his university study and the years lost to schooling while in the pool.

Sydney  - Australians were warned against travel to Mexico Tuesday as doctors were monitoring the health of 20 people who returned from the Americas with flu-like symptoms.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon stressed that there had been no confirmed case of swine flu in Australia.

Roxon has ordered the captains of aircraft arriving from the Americas to report to quarantine officers any passengers they suspect of having influenza.

In Queensland, Premier Anna Bligh activated the state's pandemic plan after 12 people were checked for swine flu.

Melbourne, April 27 : Nicole Scherzinger is reportedly planning to quit The Pussycat Dolls to focus on her solo career.

Rumours are abuzz that Scherzinger, who is dating F1 ace Lewis Hamilton and is by far the highest-profile - and most ambitious - of the Pussycats, is planning to leave the group at the end of their tour, reports Herald Sun

The singer is said to have already quit the girl group but will make the announcement of her departure once they complete their touring commitments.

Melbourne, April 27 : Michelle Williams, former partner of late actor Heath Ledger and mother of his daughter Matilda, is reportedly getting married to director Spike Jonze.

"They''re in love and absolutely thrilled with each other," the Daily Telegraph quoted a source as telling US magazine Star.

"They don''t see why they should wait much longer," the source added.

Jonze, ex husband of Hollywood royalty Sofia Coppola, is said to have charmed Matilda.

Melbourne, Apr 27 : There has been a drastic increase in the number of sex crimes Down Under, according to a new report.

The recent police figures on pub and club offences have revealed that there were 61 sexual attacks in Victorian licensed premises last financial year including 22 rapes and 39 sexual assaults.

According to the police and rape support groups, drunk and drug-affected women in bars were easy targets of sex predators.

Most rapes took place in toilets, private rooms, alcoves and offices and sexual assaults happened anywhere from beer gardens to dance floors.