New exhibition focuses human brain at US museum

NEW YORK: The brain, which has been humans' biggest advantage in surviving catastrophes and subjugating other species throughout history, is the focus of a new exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History. "Brain: The Inside Story," which run until August 14, 2011, shows how the human brain evolved over millions of years and uses molecular, chemical and electrical signals to interpret information, weigh decisions and learn at every stage of life. It allows humans to not just react to the world, but to imagine how it could be and to plan to make those dreams a reality. "Visitors should take away from the

Protein reversed memory loss in Alzheimer's mice

CHICAGO: Boosting levels of a memory-related protein reversed memory loss in mice with Alzheimer's disease, a finding that could lead to new approaches to treating people, U.S. researchers said on Monday. They said raising levels of CREB-binding protein (CBP) -- a protein needed to create long-term memories -- improved memory in mice bred to develop Alzheimer's, a fatal brain-wasting disease that affects memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to handle daily activities. "We can reverse the learning and memory deficits by increasing the level of this protein called CBP," said Salvatore Oddo of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, whose study appears in the in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He said boosting CBP in

Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds to divorce

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood stars Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds have called it quits after two years of marriage, they said in a statement on Tuesday. "After long and careful consideration on both our parts, we've decided to end our marriage. We entered our relationship with love and it's with love and kindness we leave it," their statement said. Johansson, the 26-year-old star of movies such as "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and "He's Just Not That Into You," married Reynolds in September 2008. The 34-year-old Canadian native, whose credits include "Van Wilder" and the upcoming "Green Lantern," was previously engaged to singer Alanis Morissette. US Weekly cited a source as

Int’l cricket home to corruption: Aftab

 LAHORE: Aftab Gul, the counsel of cricketer Salman Butt, has said that corruption and fixing is very common in international cricket, adding that he had threatening and unbelievable evidences relating to corruption.

Butt is currently suspended from international cricket over spot-fixing allegations, which were leveled during England tour this year.

Talking to a British television, Aftab Gul said he shudders to think that how much international cricket has been plagued with corruption, adding that now ‘spot-fixing’ has made unlawful activities easier.

He claimed having several concrete evidences and threatened to reveal the names of many international players involved in the menace.

When contacted by mediamen on

Ruggiero replaces Holbrooke as acting Af-Pak envoy

 WASHINGTON: Career civil servant Frank Ruggiero has replaced his late boss Richard Holbrooke as the acting special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, the State Department said Tuesday.

Ruggiero joined US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a National Security Council meeting Tuesday at the White House that focused on the annual review of Afghanistan policy, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.

"He has assumed the acting SRAP (Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan) responsibility. He is at the White House as we speak," Crowley told reporters after Holbrooke died on Monday from complications from a torn aorta.

Ruggiero became Holbrooke's deputy in