London, March 30 : Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the U. S. have announced the discovery of a gene that suppresses tumour growth in melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

The finding was made as part of a systematic genetic analysis of a group of enzymes implicated in skin cancer, and many other types of cancer.

According to the analysis, one-quarter of human skin cancer tumours had mutations in genes that code for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes.

London, Mar 30: Watching how a tot reacts to cartoons could help spot autism, according to a new research.

It is already known that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) tend to stare at people''s mouths rather than their eyes. Now, the new study of 2-year-olds with the social deficit disorder has suggested why they might find mouths so attractive: lip-sync-the exact match of lip motion and speech sound.

Berlin - Vaccinations can alleviate the symptoms of hay fever when conventional methods such as nasal sprays, eye drops and antihistamines fail, according to Germany's Berlin-based Professional Association of Dermatologists.

This form of treatment is called immunotherapy and should be initiated weeks in advance of pollination.

Those who are allergic to the pollen of the hazel and alder trees which blossom in early spring should begin a course of immunotherapy in autumn.

For grass allergies, on the other hand, there is still time to begin a course this year as pollination in the northern hemisphere begins in May.

Singapore  - Singapore is considering a health insurance increase for foreign workers following the recent hospitalization of some workers whose medical bills had more than doubled the coverage, it was reported Monday.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said he was considering increasing the foreign workers' insurance coverage, citing a case of a Filipino maid whose medical expenses rose to 20,000 Singapore dollars, or four times the maximum.

Hamburg, Germany  - A team of German scientists say they have found a genetic cause for mysterious sudden deaths of perfectly healthy athletes who collapse and die of cardiac arrest.

German researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital claim to have discovered a seemingly insignificant genetic modification that may in fact spawn a potentially, fatal cardiac condition.

Hamburg  - Diabetics are not only at higher risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, they are also more susceptible to diseases of the eyes, kidneys and nervous system.

But in cases where blood-sugar levels are well controlled, and blood pressure and blood fat levels reduced, the risk is lower, according to Jens Kroeger from Germany's Centre for Diabetology in Hamburg.