Kolkata, Jan. 21 : Parents often search for the perfect gift for their children. Well, here is the opportunity to give your baby a gift of a lifetime - bank his or her cord blood at birth. This gift would ensure treatment against diseases like leukemia, Alzheimer, breast cancer, diabetes and Parkinson's for your baby in future.
Umbilical cord blood is the blood which remains in the umbilical cord after birth of the baby. It is the richest source of adult stem cells which is collected, processed and cryogenically stored for future use if required.
Beijing - A 16-year-old boy died Tuesday of bird flu, becoming the third person in China in a little more than two weeks to succumb to the disease.
The boy died of H5N1 in Huaihua in the central province of Hunan, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing provincial health officials. They said he had contact with poultry, it reported.
Earlier, a senior government virus expert warned of an "epidemic" and said more human infections were expected.
Taipei - Taiwan's parliament Monday approved a revision to the anti-smoking bill that would double the health duty imposed on cigarettes, officials said.
"The parliament's move, which would raise the current health duty imposed on cigarettes to 20 Taiwan dollars (60 US cents) from 10 Taiwan dollars per pack, is aimed at discouraging smoking," said Hsiao Mei-ling, director of Bureau of Health Promotion.
With the increase expected to take effect in two weeks after promulgation by the Presidential Office, cigarettes would be sold at around 70 Taiwan dollars per pack.
Taipei - Taiwan on Sunday began to ban smoking in all indoor public places, becoming the 17th country in the world and the second in Asia to take the move to protect people's health.
The ban is a victory for anti-smoking campaigners and health workers, but is a nightmare for die-hard smokers who now can only smoke at home or in the open.
"Since Ireland banned indoor smoking in 2004, 14 countries and one territory - Bermuda - have followed suit, and Taiwan is the 17th worldwide to ban indoor smoking," the John Tung Foundation, the leader in Taiwan's anti-smoking campaign, said in a statement.
London, Jan 21 : The risks of severe complications linked with epidurals and spinal anaesthetics are "exaggerated", according to a study.
Kolkata, Jan. 21 : Parents often search for the perfect gift for their children. Well, here is the opportunity to give your baby a gift of a lifetime - bank his or her cord blood at birth. This gift would ensure treatment against diseases like leukemia, Alzheimer, breast cancer, diabetes and Parkinson's for your baby in future. 
Beijing - A 16-year-old boy died Tuesday of bird flu, becoming the third person in China in a little more than two weeks to succumb to the disease.
Srinagar, Jan 19 : With migratory birds flocking Jammu and Kashmir, authorities are taking all measures to prevent outbreak of avian flu.
