Researchers have mapped out a region on human chromosome 1 that contributes to genetically elevated blood triglyceride levels, a major risk factor for heart disease.

Triglycerides (TG), the main form of dietary fat, continuously circulate in the blood, but if their concentration elevates the risk of atherosclerosis and subsequently heart disease increases. Circulating TG levels depend on many factors including diet, exercise, and smoking, but around 40% of the variation in the population is due to genetics.

To locate the genes contributing to increased TG levels, Qing Wang and colleagues scanned 714 Caucasians from 388 families with premature heart disease. They identified a novel region on chromosome 1, 1p31-32.

PARIS, April 25 /PRNewswire/ --

- Third consecutive Quarter of Improved Margins

- Continued Refocusing of the Product Portfolio

Following the meeting of its Board of Directors, Valeo presented its first quarter 2008 results.

(in EUR million) 1 January - 31 March 2008* 2007** change Total operating revenues 2,473 2,499 - 1.0% Gross margin 392 377 + 4.0% % of sales 16.1% 15.3% + 0.8 pt Operating margin(1) 90 74 + 21.6% % of total operating revenues 3.6% 3.0% +0.6 pt Net income (attributable to the 43 33 + 30.3% company's shareholders) % of total operating revenues 1.7% 1.3% +0.4 pt Basic earnings per share from 0.57 0.42 +35.7% continued operations (EUR)

READING, England, April 25 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Service Provides Differentiation and Value Added Benefits From Person-to-Person Messaging

Acision, the messaging and charging company of choice for over 300 network operators and service providers worldwide, has today announced that SingTel Mobile, the leading mobile operator in Singapore, has launched Acision's Message Plus across its subscriber base. Voted Best Mobile Service For Consumers at the 2007 Mobile Messaging Awards, Message Plus enables network operators to differentiate their messaging service through a range of flexible personalised services already familiar to consumers from the PC messaging environment.

Tests of the peptide sequences in T. rex bone fossils have put more meat on the theory that dinosaurs' closest living relatives are modern-day birds.

Molecular analysis, or genetic sequencing, of a 68-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex protein from the dinosaur's femur discovered in 2003 by paleontologist John Horner of the Museum of the Rockies confirms that T. rex shares a common ancestry with chickens, ostriches, and to a lesser extent, alligators.

The new research results represent the first use of molecular data to place a non-avian dinosaur in a phylogenetic tree, a "tree of life," that traces the evolution of species.

The earthquake on April 18, 2008, about 120 miles east of St. Louis, registered 5.2 on the Richter scale and hit at 4:40 a.m. with a strong aftershock occurring at approximately 10:15 a.m. that morning, followed by lesser ones in subsequent days. The initial earthquake was felt in parts of 16 states.

To the surprise of many, originated in the Wabash Valley Fault, not the better-known and more-dreaded New Madrid Fault in Missouri’s boot heel.

The concern of Douglas Wiens, Ph.D., and Michael Wysession, Ph.D., seismologists at Washington University in St. Louis, is that the New Madrid Fault may have seen its day and the Wabash Fault is the new kid on the block.

MILAN, April 25 /PRNewswire/ --

- Positive Tests Results for New Drugs Against Hepatitis C

- Improved Screening for Hepatitis C Reflects Physicians'Optimism

- New Drugs Effective Against Hepatitis B, But Patient Selection Necessary

Scientists presenting at today's sessions of the 43rd Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) reported encouraging findings regarding the potential efficacy of treatment strategies using new drugs designed to combat hepatitis B and C.

PATERSON, New Jersey, April 25 /PRNewswire/ --

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC is pleased to announce the execution of an Asset Purchase Agreement for Amneal's wholly-owned subsidiary, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York, LLC, to acquire the assets, facilities and business of Interpharm. The acquisition includes Interpharm's facilities on Long Island, New York as well as the intellectual property including ANDA's, technology and processes.

Amneal will use its strong leadership and financial position to fully realize the potential of Interpharm's powerful product line, ensure approval of its well defined development pipeline and leverage the unique manufacturing capabilities.

LAS VEGAS, April 25 /PRNewswire/ --

- The Longest African Road Rally This Year -

Vanguard Integrity Professionals CEO & CTO Ronn Bailey announced today that he will be the sole U.S. participant entering this year's most challenging African road rally, the FIA OPTIC 2000 Tunisia Rally 2008. The nine day race, which extends over three countries and 4,123 km of terrain, is the first step of the Rally World Cup. The 2008 Tunisian race starts in Marseilles, France on April 23rd, runs through Libya and Tunisia and finishes in the city of Djerba, Tunisia on May 3rd.

COLLEGEVILLE, Pennsylvania and TARRYTOWN, New York, April 24 /PRNewswire/ --

- Final Decision from European Commission Expected by Mid-2008

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), and Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNX), today announced that the companies have received a positive opinion for RELISTOR(TM) (methylnaltrexone bromide) subcutaneous injection from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). The companies are seeking the approval of RELISTOR in Europe for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation in advanced-illness patients who are receiving palliative care when response to usual laxative therapy has not been sufficient.

SAN DIEGO, April 24 /PRNewswire/ --

- HspE7 Phase 2 Trial for Cervical Dysplasia to Begin Mid-2008 -

Nventa Biopharmaceuticals Corporation (TSX: NVN) today announced the completion of the safety and tolerability assessment of the fourth and final cohort of patients in its Phase 1 clinical trial of HspE7, its lead therapeutic candidate, in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Findings from the fourth cohort safety review demonstrated that HspE7 was safe and well tolerated with no serious adverse events being reported.

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