Washington, Mar 16 : In a breakthrough study, scientists from Duke University Medical Centre and Arkansas Children''s Hospital have successfully cured peanut allergy by building up children''s tolerance to the oval-shaped nut.

During the study, tests of several immunologic indicators suggest the body builds tolerance quickly.

"It appears these children have lost their allergies," said Dr Wesley Burks, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Duke.

London, Mar 16 : A new class of Alzheimer's drugs have been found to reduce long-term damage caused by traumatic brain injury, say researchers from Georgetown University Medical Centre.

The drugs called gamma-secretase inhibitors are designed to target amyloid plaque that accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer''s disease.

Sydney - People with companion animals are like people with companion humans: happier, healthier and longer-lived, says Melbourne researcher Tim Rogers.

While the standard logic is that pet owners get out more, and so are fitter because they take more exercise, Rogers says it has more to do with the quality of the outing than simply the cardiovascular benefits of being at one end of a leash.

"Most researchers are now converging on the idea that it's the sense of emotional closeness and support that pets provide that is behind their stress-busting power," he said. "It now appears that animal companions benefit our lives in much the same way as do human companions."

London, Mar 16: A team of American scientists has discovered a ‘fat controller’ in the gut that may help fight obesity.

According to researchers, by disabling the enzyme that helps the body to absorb fat, it is possible to prevent weight gain.

The discovery could pave the way for new drug treatments to protect against obesity, and could also help stop the development of high cholesterol and even a fatty liver.

Munich  - Pregnant women, who are experiencing problems with their blood circulation, should be placed on their left side and medical assistance called immediately, according to Germany's Professional Association of Gynaecologists in Munich.

Symptoms to watch out for include sudden breathlessness, dizziness, increased heart rate and nausea.

Hamburg, Germany  - German researchers have found that the symptoms of cystic fibrosis can be prevented in an animal model by spraying amiloride into the lungs of young mice.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that leads to the dehydration of the mucous membranes in the lungs, intestines and other organs. It is the most common, life-shortening genetic disease in Western Europe and North America.

The Heidelberg University Hospital researchers have succeeded in preventing cystic fibrosis lung disease in an animal model by spraying amiloride into the lungs of young mice. This is the first therapy to successfully attack the root cause of the widespread hereditary disease in a living organism.