Washington, November 5: An Indian-origin researcher at the University at Buffalo has found that the brains of obese mothers’ babies can get programmed to induce obesity in adulthood, while they are still in womb.

Biochemist Mulchand Patel’s findings are based on a study of obese rats.

His study has shown for the first time that the metabolic programming occurs in the foetal hypothalamus, the area of the brain responsible for maintaining body weight throughout life.

London, Nov 5: Children who play violent video games are likely to display high levels of physical aggression, say researchers.

Two studies from Japan and the United States have shown that violent video games have harmful effects on kids and adolescents.

The study including more than 1,2000 Japanese youths aged between 12 and 18 as well as 364 children aged nine to 12 in the US has shown that despite cultural differences and disparities in crime rates, children across the spectrum were equally affected by violent video games.

Washington, Nov 5: Apelin, a hormone produced by fat and other tissues, might serve as a promising target for managing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

Usually, insulin makes it possible to store blood sugar in the form of glucose in the liver or adipose tissue (fat). The stored glucose is needed for the satisfactory function of the heart, brain and so on according to the body''s demands.

Washington, Nov 5 : High blood pressure experienced during pregnancy can be an important indicator of a woman’s risk of developing heart disease, according to a new study.

The condition called pre-eclampsia affects least 5-10 per cent of all expectant mothers.

In the study involving 400 Ontario women, the researchers found underlying cardiovascular risk factors of elevated blood pressure and lipids (fats) at a rate that was two to three times greater than the control group.

Washington, Nov 5 : Daily doses of multivitamin supplements, including folic acid and vitamin B6 and B12, have no effect in preventing cancer in women, according to a group of researchers.

Folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 (water-soluble, essential B vitamins) are thought to play an important role in cancer prevention.

The study found that folic acid and vitamin B6 and B12 had no significant effect on the overall risk of cancer, including breast cancer, among women at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

The research team led by Dr Shumin M. Zhang, Sc. D., of Brigham and Women''s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, conducted a trial

London, Nov 5 : Scientists have developed a new drug that mimics the effects of an ingredient in red wine, which may be a powerful weapon in the fight against obesity and diabetes.

While testing the compound, called SRT1720, researchers found that it protected mice from weight-gain and insulin disorders – even when they ate a high-fat diet.

They also found that the drug appears to increase energy levels when exercising.