ATLANTA, March 4 /PRNewswire/ --

Mutations in genes governing an important cell-signaling pathway influence human longevity, scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have found.

The report is the latest finding in the Einstein researchers’ ongoing search for genetic clues to longevity through their study that by now has recruited more than 450 Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jews between the ages of 95 and 110. Descended from a small founder group, Ashkenazi Jews are more genetically uniform than other groups, making it easier to spot gene differences that are present.

Bacteria are ubiquitous on Earth. They've been found from the upper reaches of the atmosphere to miles below the ocean floor. Because of their ubiquity, scientists have long believed bacteria to be cosmopolitan, having similar genetic histories across the globe.

GENEVA, March 4 /PRNewswire/ --

-- Fuel economy enthusiasts drive from London to Berlin on single tanks of fuel ... and then keep going! -- Fuel consumption of less than 4.3 L/100 km (over 66 miles per gallon) achieved in Jeep(R) Compass and Patriot -- Distance of 1124 kilometres (698 miles) travelled through six countries on marathon fuel economy challenge -- Couple achieves record SUV distance on single tank of fuel -- Drivers achieve more than 50 percent improvements over rated fuel economy on both vehicles on independent drive

Curing cancer with 'natural' products used to be dismissed as shaman quackery but many chemotherapies that fight cancer in modern medicine are natural products or were developed on the basis of natural substances. Thus, taxanes used in prostate and breast cancer treatment are made from yew trees. The popular periwinkle plant, which grows along the ground of many front yards, is the source of vinca alkaloids that are effective, for example, against malignant lymphomas. The modern anti-cancer drugs topotecan and irinotecan are derived from a constituent of the Chinese Happy Tree.

Looking for new compounds, doctors and scientists are increasingly focusing on substances from plants used in traditional medicine. About three quarters of the natural pharmaceutical compounds commonly used today are derived from plants of the traditional medicine of the people in various parts of the world. The chances of finding new substances with interesting working profiles in traditional medicinal plants are better than in common-or-garden botany.

Computers are commonly used as tools to design and manipulate three-dimensional objects but soon they may provide people with a way to sense the texture of those objects or feel how they fit together, says the creator of a haptic, or touch-based, interface at Carnegie Mellon University.

Most haptic interfaces rely on motors and mechanical linkages to provide some sense of touch or force feedback but the device developed by Ralph Hollis, research professor in Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute, uses magnetic levitation and a single moving part to give users a highly realistic experience. Users can perceive textures, feel hard contacts and notice even slight changes in position while using an interface that responds rapidly to movements.

WIGAN, England, March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- London is bidding to become the cleanest city on earth in the run-up to the 2012 Olympic Games. Two British stars from Olympic past and future are urging Londoners to join them in the Capital Clean-up campaign.

Exciting Beijing medal hope Jessica Ennis and 1992 Olympic gold winner Sally Gunnell will wear vests bearing the slogan "London Needs You!" as they urge residents to get the city in tip-top condition for 2012 and beyond.

Launch Details

Photo opportunity: Jessica and Sally will don special "London Needs You" kit as they join volunteers cleaning up the foreshore of the Thames. Sally will be available for interviews as are spokespeople from Capital Clean-up. This will take place on:

ALKMAAR, The Netherlands, March 4 /PRNewswire/ --

- The Development of Two New Filters Completes the Full Package

The quality of indoor air is a theme that is gaining importance worldwide. A poor indoor environment is experienced as being stale and stuffy, and can be the cause of health complaints. Euromate, the specialist in air purification, has recently introduced two new main filters for the VisionAir air cleaner in order to tackle the problems of polluted indoor air.

Happiness in life is as much down to having the right genetic mix as it is to personal circumstances according to a recent study.

Psychologists at the University of Edinburgh working with researchers at Queensland Institute for Medical Research in Australia found that happiness is partly determined by personality traits and that both personality and happiness are largely hereditary.

GENEVA, March 4 /PRNewswire/ --

As another key element in its overall global strategy to improve fuel economy and reduce oil consumption and CO2 emissions, General Motors Chairman Rick Wagoner announced today that GM will introduce a second-generation version of the GM Hybrid System with a new, more powerful lithium-ion battery.

Hitachi Vehicle Energy Ltd., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Hitachi Ltd., will supply an advanced lithium-ion battery, which will help make the next-generation GM Hybrid System nearly three times more powerful than the system it replaces. Overall fuel economy improvements for cars and trucks using the system are expected to be up to 20 percent, depending on engine and vehicle application.