Coffee addiction ‘in your genes’

Coffee buffs, you can now blame your genes for downing another cup of the hot beverage, for a new study has claimed that genetic factors could explain why some people consume large amounts of caffeine.

Researchers scanned genetic variations in over 40,000 individuals to search for links with high caffeine intake. And they found two stretches of DNA associated with high intake of tea, coffee, chocolate, softdrinks and other caffeine sources.

Study author Dr Neil Caporaso of the National Cancer Institute in Maryland, said people with the high consumption genetic variation consume more caffeine — about 40 mg – or a third of a cup of coffee or a can of cola — than others.

“There are hundreds of genes known for specific medical conditions – for dietary consumption we know very little. Now, for the first time, we know specific genes that influence the amount of caffeine that individuals consume,” he was quoted as saying by the  BBC .

The two stretches of DNA linked with high caffeine consumption contain two genes thought highly likely to be involved in the way the body processes caffeine.

The study s co-author, Dr Marilyn Cornelis of the Harvard School of Public Health, said there has always been some anecdotal evidence that everyone responds differently to caffeine, but most research has focused on environmental factors. “For caffeine at last we have been able to find some genetic factors.”

Egypt’s fallen dictator Mubarak back in the dock

CAIRO: The murder and corruption trial of Egypt’s fallen dictator Hosni Mubarak resumes on Monday in what lawyers say will be a lengthy process that he may successfully appeal.

Mubarak, 83, is accused of involvement in the killings of anti-regime activists during a January and February revolt that ended his three decades in power.

He also faces corruption charges with his two sons, Gamal and Alaa, and shares the murder charges with his former interior minister Habib al-Adly and six former police commanders, who are being tried by the same judge in separate hearings.

Mubarak is being held in a military hospital on the outskirts of Cairo.

In the first session on August 3, Mubarak was wheeled in on a stretcher after being flown by military plane from a hospital in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, where he was receiving treatment for a heart condition.

His appearance in court, penned in a black metal cage, came as a shock to Egyptians who watched the proceedings on live television. Few believed he would ever be seen in court.

But as the first hearing progressed, the difficult task facing judge Ahmed Refaat became clear, as dozens of lawyers representing victims’ families jostled to make their demands of the court.

Mubarak’s lawyer Farid al-Deeb, who told an Egyptian newspaper that Mubarak will be present for the second hearing, asked the judge to call 1,600 witnesses, including top military officials.

The military was called out on January 28, after protesters torched police stations across the country, and took charge on February 11 when Mubarak resigned.

Ahmed Mekki, a recently retired deputy head of Cairo’s appeals court, said the trial will now move to investigating the evidence and calling witnesses, first for the prosecution and then for the defence.

But the court will probably cull the list of witnesses demanded by Deeb, which would provide him with solid ground for appealing a possible guilty verdict, said one of the lawyers representing victims in civil suits.

“If the court does not listen to all the witnesses, it will give grounds for appeal,” said Taher Abu Nasr, whose Front for the Defence of Egyptian Protesters represents 35 plaintiffs.

“There will be an appeal, and the appeal will be successful,” Abu Nasr said.

Most of the lawyers have yet to review the thousands of documents of evidence that have been provided by the court, some say belatedly.

But judging by the cases of dozens of police commanders who face charges or are on trial over alleged crimes during the revolt, they fear the evidence against Mubarak to be patchy and ill-prepared.

Legal experts say that a thorough investigation into Mubarak’s alleged crimes should have taken several more months, but the military and the government expedited the process to mollify protesters.

“The prosecution (filed the case) perhaps before questioning people they should have questioned,” said Abu Nasr.

“The case was filed under street pressure,” said Mekki, adding that he believed the court would still conduct the trial fairly.

“The prosecution may be amenable to pressure, but the court will not rule unjustly,” he said.

More than 850 people were killed in the 18 days that led to Mubarak’s ouster, and thousands more were wounded. AGENCIES

India says Pakistan shown as terror ‘sanctuary’

NEW DELHI: The killing of Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden near Islamabad is further evidence that terrorists find “sanctuary” in Pakistan, Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Monday.

We take note with grave concern that part of the statement in which (US) President Obama said that the firefight in which Osama bin Laden was killed took place in Abbottabad ‘deep inside Pakistan’,” Chidambaram said in a statement.

“This fact underlines our concern that terrorists belonging to different organisations find sanctuary in Pakistan,” he said. AGENCIES

Amelia Earhart Clue Found

Scientific investigations have revealed that human DNA may be present in fragments of material that could provide crucial information about the fate of Amelia Earhart, the legendary pilot who disappeared 74 years ago while flying over the Pacific Ocean in a record attempt to circle the world at the equator. Scientists at the University of Oklahoma attempted to detect human DNA from three bone fragments recovered last year by a group of aviation enthusiasts on an expedition to Nikumaroro Island, 2,900km south of Hawaii.

A doctor in Fiji determined the bones were of a human male, but the remains disappeared.

“There is simply no way that the Earhart aircraft could be anywhere near Papua New Guinea,” he said.

Mr Gillespie says radio transmissions and other evidence indicate Earhart landed on an atoll in the central Pacific and perished from a lack of food and water.

PCB ask former SA coach Arthur to back up ‘fixing’ claim

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has asked former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur to back up reported comments that he suspected a one-day international against Pakistan in 2007 was fixed.

Arthur, in an interview with South African website News24 last week, there were “strong suspicions” of match-fixing when Pakistan collapsed dramatically to lose the fifth and decisive ODI against South Africa in Lahore three years ago.

“There was a strong suspicion of match fixing and it took some of the gloss off the series win,” Arthur said according to News24.

The PCB said in a statement on Friday that it had “served a legal notice on Mickey Arthur asking him to share with PCB any evidence in this regard.”

“If the evidence is not provided PCB and Pakistani players reserve the right to initiate legal proceedings against Micky Arthur including but not limited

PCB ask former SA coach Arthur to back up ‘fixing’ claim

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has asked former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur to back up reported comments that he suspected a one-day international against Pakistan in 2007 was fixed.

Arthur, in an interview with South African website News24 last week, there were “strong suspicions” of match-fixing when Pakistan collapsed dramatically to lose the fifth and decisive ODI against South Africa in Lahore three years ago.

“There was a strong suspicion of match fixing and it took some of the gloss off the series win,” Arthur said according to News24.

The PCB said in a statement on Friday that it had “served a legal notice on Mickey Arthur asking him to share with PCB any evidence in this regard.”

“If the evidence is not provided PCB and Pakistani players reserve the right to initiate legal proceedings against Micky Arthur including but not limited

Respiratory infections caused by childhood obesity

A virus which causes respiratory infections has been linked to childhood obesity, in a study that is likely to reignite a controversial debate.
Previous animal research has implicated common viruses in weight gain, but the evidence has been disputed. The latest study, in Pediatrics, found that obese children with antibodies specific to a certain virus weighed 35lbs (15.8kg) more than those without.
Nothing has yet been proven on this theory, say UK experts. Previous research has shown that chicken or mice injected with similar types of viruses showed a statistically significant weight gain. A link between the AD36 virus (adenovirus 36) and obesity in human adults has also been written about previously. But how AD36 infects people and why it affects people differently is still not known.

Israel, Palestinians set for face-to-face talks

WASHINGTON: With a diplomatic push from U.S. President Barack Obama, Israeli and the Palestinian leaders will start direct peace talks on Thursday shadowed by skepticism on all sides and fresh violence in the volatile West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet at the State Department, relaunching talks after a 20-month hiatus and seeking a deal within one year that will set up an independent Palestinian state side-by-side with a secure Israel.

Obama, who has staked considerable political capital on the Washington talks during a pivotal U.S. congressional election year, urged both sides to grasp the chance for peace after separate meetings at the White House on Wednesday.

“This moment of opportunity may not soon come again. They cannot afford to let it slip away,” Obama said after a day of personal

Amir is an honest man: Friend

Staff Report

KARACHI: Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir’s domestic team mate from National Bank of Pakistan, Irafnuddin said his friend is an honest man.

While talking to SAMAA, Irfanudding said that he believed Amir would be declared as an innocent from spot-fixing scandal. SAMAA

Veena hands over match fixing evidence to ICC

Staff Report

LAHORE: One of Pakistan’s famous actresses, Veena Malik, is in the headlines these days after the match-fixing row against Pakistan’s cricketers. Veena met the anti corruption team of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and handed over evidence of match fixing against fast bowler, Mohammad Asif.

The three-member team held a meeting with Veena at her residence. She handed over the evidence, which included documents, phone call recordings and SMS records of Mohammad Asif with Indian book-maker and press photographer, Dheeraj Dexit. SAMAA

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