Washington, Sept 23 : Green plants and animals enjoy a relatively close evolutionary relationship than previously thought, a new study by an East California University biologist has revealed.

Plants, fungi and animals are all in a group called the eukaryotes – distinguished by their advanced cellular machinery. But some eukaryotes, most notably the fungi, have long been considered more closely related to animals than plants are.

Washington, Sept 23 : Scientists at the University of Leicester have discovered a natural fruit-based extract that dramatically improves the growth and probiotic qualities of ‘friendly’ bacteria, such as the lactic acid bacteria, which are found in the most widely-advertised health supplement drinks.

There is currently a great deal of interest in the health-associated properties of probiotics, also known as ‘beneficial’ or ‘friendly’ bacteria, and prebiotics, the food needed for the growth of probiotic when inside our bodies.

New York: Merck, US pharmaceutical company has stopped examinations of an anti-AIDS vaccine after an analysis proved it ineffectual.

The conclusion is seen as a delay for the cause of battling the wide-reaching AIDS outbreak as the vaccine known V520 was primarily billed as predicting.

Washington, Sept 23 : Climate change is accelerating the spread of dengue fever throughout the Americas and in tropical regions worldwide, a new study by a Harvard Medical School researcher has revealed.

The study said more rainfall in certain areas and warmer overall temperatures was providing optimal conditions for mosquitoes –which spread the virus that causes dengue – to breed and expand into new territories.