Washington, February 27 : A potential new gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which predominantly affects men, may soon be available, thanks to a significant breakthrough achieved by University of Missouri scientists in the United States.

The researchers say that they have identified the location of genetic material responsible for the production of nNOS, a molecular compound that produces nitric oxide and is vital to curing the disease.

They describe nNOS as a "helper" molecular compound that enables a protein called dystrophin to prevent the muscle tissue from being replaced with fibrous, bony or fatty tissue, and losing function.

Washington, Feb 27 : A new research has found that prehistoric global cooling that started in Antarctica about 35.5 million years ago, was caused by a sharp drop in the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.

Even after the continent of Antarctica had drifted to near its present location, its climate was subtropical. Then, 35.5 million years ago, ice formed on Antarctica in about
100,000 years, which is an "overnight" shift in geological terms.

"Our studies show that just over thirty-five million years ago, `poof,' there was an ice sheet where there had been subtropical temperatures before," said Matthew Huber, assistant professor of earth and atmospheric sciences at Purdue University.

Washington, Feb 27 : Caring for houseplants can have very positive effects on the lives of retirement community residents, according to a new study.

Quality of life becomes an important issue for older adults who move from their own homes to assisted living or long-term-care facilities.

When adults make the transition from living on their own to an assisted-living, they begin to feel a loss of control in their choices and independence. This loss of mastery has a negative impact on their overall sense of health and well-being.

Washington, Feb 27 : Statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol levels, can decrease the severity of strokes and significantly improve recovery, according to a new study.

In the study, Mayo Clinic researchers have shown that patients who were taking statins before a stroke experienced better outcomes and recovery than patients who weren''t on the drug - even when their cholesterol levels were ideal.

"We were trying to determine if the daily use of statins had more of an impact on stroke patients than simply lowering their "bad" (low-density lipid) cholesterol," said lead author Latha Stead, M. D.

Washington, Feb. 27: Usually, teams visit the White House after winning a championship, but the Chicago Bulls made the trip Thursday less than 24 hours after one of their worst losses of the season in New Jersey.

Of course, it helps when the President is a big fan.

Players, coaches broadcasters and front office personnel for the Bulls met with and posed for photos with President Obama on Thursday afternoon for about 10 to 15 minutes in the Blue Room of the White House, reports the Chicago Sun Times.

The Bulls presented the President, a long-time Bulls fan, with a Bulls jersey with "Obama" and No. 44 on the back.

Marana (Arizona, US), Feb. 27 : Golf champion Tiger Woods celebrated comeback from knee surgery after eight months at the Accenture Match Play Championship ended after two rounds Thursday with a 4-and-2 defeat to Tim Clark.

Even one moment of magic - a hole-out from the bunker on the 14th - couldn''t swing the momentum.

Woods made more mistakes down the stretch and couldn''t match the South African''s six birdies in 16 holes.

"I''ve played with Tiger a few times. You either let it get the best of you or you thrive on it," said Clark.