THE HAGUE, SEPT 02 (DNA) – Dutch researchers claimed on Thursday to have discovered the maximum age “ceiling” for human lifespan, despite growing life expectancy because of better nutrition, living conditions and medical care. Mining data from some 75,000 Dutch people whose exact ages were recorded at the time of death, statisticians at Tilburg and Rotterdam’s Erasmus universities pinned the maximum ceiling for female lifespan at 115.7 years. Men came in slightly lower at 114.1 years in the samples taken from the data which spans the last 30 years, said Professor John Einmahl, one of three scientists conducting the study.
Trump names former Navy aviator to head NASA
WASHINGTON, SEPT 02 (DNA) – US President Donald Trump announced Friday he plans to appoint James Bridenstine, a former navy pilot and Republican congressman. Bridenstine, 42, who backed Trump during the US presidential campaign, had long been considered the favorite for the job of NASA administrator. But the nomination drew fire from two US senators from Florida who questioned the Oklahoma representative’s qualifications to lead such a complex and highly technical agency. Senator Bill Nelson, the ranking Democrat on the committee that oversees NASA, told the news site Politico the agency’s new leader should be “a space professional, not a politician.”
Human stem cells restore mobility in Parkinson’s monkeys: study
PARIS, AUG 31 (DNA) – Lab monkeys with Parkinson’s symptoms regained significant mobility after neurons made from human stem cells were inserted into their brains, researchers reported Wednesday in a study hailed as “groundbreaking”. The promising results were presented as the last step before human clinical trials, perhaps as early as next year, the study’s senior author, Jun Takahashi, a professor at Kyoto University. Parkinson’s is a degenerative disease that erodes motor functions. Typical symptoms include shaking, rigidity and difficulty walking. In advanced stages, depression, anxiety and dementia are also common.
Study challenges conventional wisdom on fats, fruits and vegetables
OTTAWA, AUG 30 (DNA) – Global dietary guidelines should possibly be changed to allow people to consume somewhat more fats, to cut back on carbohydrates and in some cases to slightly scale back on fruits and vegetables, a large study suggests. Over the course of about seven years, diets with roughly 35 percent of calories from fats were tied to a lower mortality rate than diets with about 60 percent of calories from carbohydrates. “What we are suggesting is moderation as opposed to very low and very high intakes of fats and carbohydrates,” said Mahshid Dehghan from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
India exceeds expectations for first month of GST collection
NEW DELHI, AUG 30 (DNA) – India collected nearly $14.5 billion from a new goods and services tax in its first month of operation, well beyond government estimates, according to official data. The government promised that the national tax, which replaced more than a dozen separate levies, would transform India s $2 trillion economy into a single market for the first time. In the first month of collection the tax netted just short of $14.5 billion, some $200 million more than forecast for July, data from the finance ministry showed.
Trump may be inciting ‘violence’ against media: UN
GENEVA, AUG 30 (DNA) – The UN human rights chief said Wednesday that President Donald Trump s relentless attacks on the media could trigger violence against journalists, suggesting the US leader would be responsible. In a broad condemnation of Trump s conduct in office, Zeid Ra ad Al Hussein said he viewed the US presidency as the driver of “the bus of humanity”, accusing Trump of “reckless driving”. Zeid, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, also blasted Trump s decision to pardon former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of criminal contempt last month for illegally profiling Hispanic immigrants.
Alia Bhatt reaches Occupied Kashmir for shooting of ‘Raazi’
MUMBAI, AUG 29 (DNA) – Bollywood diva Alia Bhatt has reached Occupied Kashmir for the shooting of Meghna Gulzar’s upcoming movie ‘Raazi’.Alia Bhatt is performing a role of a Pakistani army officer’s wife however, the film will be recorded in Punjab and Kashmir, followed by a small portion in Mumbai.”I am trying to do something in a new space, recreating India and Pakistan of the ‘70s on sets and real locations. A lot of research has gone into getting the period and dialect right. There are some action pieces too. Its work in progress with workshops and reading sessions,” informed Meghna.
PM Khaqan Abbasi chairs ECC meeting to discuss 10-point agenda
ISLAMABAD, AUG 29 (DNA) – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is chairing the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting in Islamabad to discuss 10 points agenda. The participants will exchange views on petroleum and gas sector The ECC meeting is being held in the cabinet room of the Prime Minister’s office.
Notice issued to Rani Mukerji over illegal construction
MUMBAI, AUG 28 (DNA ) – Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji was served with a notice from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over allegations of illegal construction around her Juhu bungalow, Krishna Ram.According to Indian media, the actress didn’t allow the officials of BMC to visit her house for inspection however, the team will revisit on August 30.Rani’s spokesperson said, “At the outset, I wish to state Mrs Mukerji is an upstanding citizen of the country and the allegations of illegal construction occurring at her bungalow are completely baseless.”
Two million pilgrims converge on Makkah for the Hajj
MAKKAH, AUG 28 (DNA) – Two million Muslims from across the globe are converging on Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the hajj pilgrimage, a religious duty and for some pilgrims the journey of a lifetime. This year sees the return of pilgrims from Shiite Iran, regional rival to Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia, and comes with the Gulf mired in political crisis and Islamic State group jihadists squeezed in Iraq and Syria. “I m so excited because many people dream of coming to this place,” said 47-year-old Eni from Indonesia, her face framed in a sand-coloured veil trimmed with lace. “We feel more religious when we leave this place,” she said.
