SKorean experts claim to have cloned glowing dogs

In this undated photo released by the Seoul National University shows the world's first transgenic female beagle dog carrying fluorescent genes that make the canine glow red, named Ruppy in 2 days after birth at Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, April 28, 2009. [Agencies]

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean scientists say they have engineered four beagles that glow red using cloning techniques that could help develop cures for human diseases. The four dogs, all named "Ruppy" — a combination of the words "ruby" and "puppy" — look like typical beagles by daylight.

But they glow red under ultraviolet light, and the dogs' nails and abdomens, which have thin skins, look red even to the naked eye.

Seoul National University professor Lee Byeong-chun, head of the research team, called them the world's first transgenic dogs carrying fluorescent genes, an achievement that goes beyond just the glowing novelty.

"What's significant in this work is not the dogs expressing red colors but that we planted genes into them," Lee told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

His team identified the dogs as clones of a cell donor through DNA tests and earlier this month introduced the achievement in a paper on the Web site of the journal "Genesis."

Scientists in the U.S., Japan and in Europe previously have cloned fluorescent mice and pigs, but this would be the first time dogs with modified genes have been cloned successfully, Lee said.

In this undated fluorescence photo released by the Seoul National University shows the world's first transgenic female beagle dog carrying fluorescent genes that make the canine glow red, named Ruppy in 2 days after birth at Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, April 28, 2009. [Agencies]

He said his team took skin cells from a beagle, inserted fluorescent genes into them and put them into eggs before implanted them into the womb of a surrogate mother, a local mixed breed.

Six female beagles were born in December 2007 through a cloning with a gene that produces a red fluorescent protein that make them glow, he said. Two died, but the four others survived.

The glowing dogs show that it is possible to successfully insert genes with a specific trait, which could lead to implanting other, non-fluorescent genes that could help treat specific diseases, Lee said.

The scientist said his team has started to implant human disease-related genes in the course of dog cloning, saying that will help them find new treatments for genetic diseases such as Parkinson's. He refused to provide further details, saying the research was still under way.

A South Korean scientist who created glowing cats in 2007 based on a similar cloning technique said that Lee's puppies are genuine clones, saying he had seen them and had read about them in the journal.

"We can appraise this is a step forward" toward finding cures for human diseases, said veterinary professor Kong Il-keun at South Korea's Gyeongsang National University. "What is important now is on what specific diseases (Lee's team) will focus on."

Lee was a key aide to disgraced scientist Hwang Woo-suk, whose breakthroughs on stem cell research were found to have been made using faked data. Independent tests, however, later proved the team's dog cloning was genuine.

taken from : China Daily


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Scarlett Johansson wins the booby prize

Scarlett Johansson

Halle Berry

Salma Hayek

Jessica Simpson

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Scarlett Johansson has beaten off competition from many other curvy stars in a poll by U.S. TV show Access Hollywood and won her award for the best breasts in Hollywood!

The actress's renowned bosom topped the poll put together by Access Hollywood to find out the actress with the best breasts in Hollywood.

Mexican beauty Salma Hayek was named in at second place, while Halle Berry was judged to have the third-best boobs in the business.

Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Love Hewitt came fourth and fifth respectively.

taken from : China Daily


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Model Marisa Miller at the premiere of "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past"

Model Marisa Miller poses at the premiere of "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 27, 2009.[Agencies]

Model Marisa Miller poses at the premiere of "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 27, 2009.[Agencies]

Cast member Matthew McConaughey and his girlfriend Brazilian model Camilla Alves pose at the premiere of "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 27, 2009.[Agencies]

Cast member Matthew McConaughey and his girlfriend Brazilian model Camilla Alves pose at the premiere of "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 27, 2009.[Agencies]

Cast member Matthew McConaughey and his girlfriend Brazilian model Camilla Alves pose at the premiere of "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 27, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Officials say US deaths expected from swine flu

A doctor wearing full body protective gear stand in the Naval hospital as patients, wearing face masks stand in line to be treated, are reflected in a window in Mexico City, Tuesday, April 28, 2009.[Agencies]

NEW YORK – The global swine flu outbreak worsened Tuesday as authorities said hundreds of students at a New York school have fallen ill and federal officials said they expected to see U.S. deaths from the virus. Cuba suspended flights to and from Mexico, becoming the first country to impose a travel ban to the epicenter of the epidemic.

The mayor of the capital cracked down further on public life, closing gyms and swimming pools and ordering restaurants to limit service to takeout.

Confirmed cases were reported for the first time as far away as New Zealand and Israel, joining the United States, Canada, Britain and Spain.

Swine flu is believed to have killed more than 150 people in Mexico, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the U.S. has 68 confirmed cases in five states, with 45 in New York, one in Ohio, one in Indiana, two in Kansas, six in Texas and 13 in California.

"I fully expect we will see deaths from this infection," said Richard Besser, acting director of the CDC.

That was echoed by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

"It is very likely that we will see more serious presentations of illness and some deaths as we go through this flu cycle," she said.

President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion in emergency funds to fight the illness.

In New York, there were growing signs that the virus was moving beyond St. Francis Preparatory school, where sick students started lining up last week at the nurse's office. The outbreak came just days after a group of students returned from spring break in Cancun.

At the 2,700-student school, the largest Roman Catholic high school in the nation, "many hundreds of students were ill with symptoms that are most likely swine flu," said Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden. The cases haven't been confirmed.

Twelve teachers reported flu-like symptoms as well, said the principal, Brother Leonard Conway.

A nearby public school for special education students was shut down after more than 80 students called in sick. Frieden said that some of the students have siblings at St. Francis.

"It is here and it is spreading," Frieden said.

Some of the New York students who tested positive for swine flu after a trip to Mexico passed it on to others who had not traveled — a significant fact because it suggests the strain suspected in dozens of deaths in Mexico can also spread through communities in other countries, said Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general of the World Health Organization.

"There is definitely the possibility that this virus can establish that kind of community wide outbreak capacity in multiple countries, and it's something we're looking for very closely," Fukuda said. So-called "community" transmissions are a key test for gauging whether the spread of the virus has reached pandemic proportions.

Fukuda warned, however, against jumping to the conclusion that the virus has become firmly established in the United States.

Still, U.S. officials stressed there was no need for panic and noted that flu outbreaks are quite common every year. The CDC estimates about 36,000 people in the U.S. died of flu-related causes each year, on average, in the 1990s.

The increase in cases was not surprising. For days, CDC officials said they expected to see more confirmed cases — and more severe illnesses. Health officials nationwide stepped up efforts to look for symptoms, especially among people who had traveled to Mexico.

Scientists hope to have a key ingredient for a vaccine ready in early May, but it still will take a few months before any shots are available for the first required safety testing. Using samples of the flu taken from people who fell ill in Mexico and the U.S., scientists are engineering a strain that could trigger the immune system without causing illness.

"We're about a third of the way" to that goal, said Dr. Ruben Donis of the CDC.

The economic toll also spread. Officials said Mexico City is losing $57 million a day amid a shutdown that includes schools, state-run theaters and other public places.

Cuba announced a 48-hour ban on flights to and from Mexico, except in "exceptional cases." The last flight from Mexico touched down in Havana around 4 p.m., then returned to Mexico City with passengers before the two-day suspension officially began.
The U.S. stepped up checks of people entering the country and warned Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico. Canada, Israel and France issued similar travel advisories.

For all the government intervention, health officials suggested that efforts to contain the flu strain might prove ineffective. Around the world, officials hoped the outbreak would not turn into a full-fledged pandemic, an epidemic that spreads across a wide geographical area.

"Border controls do not work. Travel restrictions do not work," said WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl, recalling the SARS epidemic earlier in the decade that killed 774 people, mostly in Asia, and slowed the global economy.

The pork industry was dealing with a public relations nightmare over the virus, which is a never-before-seen hybrid of human, swine and bird influenza that is widely called swine flu.

Public health officials have said people cannot get sick from eating pork, but some countries, such as China, Russia and Ukraine, have banned imports from Mexico and parts of the U.S.

U.S. officials said they may abandon the term "swine flu" for fear of confusing people into thinking they could catch it from eating pork.

"It's killing our markets," said Francis Gilmore, 72, who runs a 600-hog operation in Perry, Iowa, outside Des Moines, and worries his small business could be ruined by the crisis. "Where they got the name, I just don't know."

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency to help California agencies coordinate efforts in response to the outbreak. He cautioned, however, that "there is no need for alarm."

In New York, the city called on the CDC for additional resources to investigate the outbreak at St. Francis Prep.

About 1,500 students replied to surveys sent out by the health department about the outbreak, helping the city get a better sense of how the virus is spreading. Some students have complained of sudden nausea; others dealt with high fever, sore throats, coughs and aches.

Rachel Mele and her mother, Linda, were relieved when the 16-year-old's fever broke Tuesday for the first time in five days. It had been hovering around 101.

The family could finally breathe easy — a relief after a terrifying night Thursday in which Mele's parents bundled her into the car and rushed her to the hospital when they realized she was having trouble breathing.

"I could barely even catch my breath. I've never felt a pain like that before," Mele said. "My throat, it was burning, like, it was the worst burning sensation I ever got before. I couldn't even swallow. I couldn't even let up air. I could barely breathe through my mouth."

taken from : China Daily


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Jackman and Berry pose at an industry screening of X-Men Origins: Wolverine in Hollywood

Cast member Hugh Jackman poses at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Cast member Lynn Collins poses at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Cast member Ryan Reynolds arrives at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Cast member Lynn Collins smiles at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Actress Amanda Peet poses at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Actress Halle Berry waves as she arrives at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Cast member Hugh Jackman waves at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Cast member Hugh Jackman poses at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Singer Fergie poses at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Apl.de.Ap (L), Fergie (C) and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas pose at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Actress Halle Berry poses at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Cast member Lynn Collins poses at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Actor Mel Gibson and actress Oksana Grigorieva arrive at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Actress Halle Berry waves as she arrives at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Cast member Hugh Jackman waves at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Actress Halle Berry poses at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Cast members Hugh Jackman (R) and Ryan Reynolds pose at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Actress Halle Berry poses at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]

Cast member Hugh Jackman (C) poses with co-stars (from L-R) Dominic Monaghan, Ryan Reynolds, Lynn Collins and Will.i.am at an industry screening of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California April 28, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 1. [Agencies]


taken from : China Daily

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Walking in the US first lady's shoes

Orders have been pouring in at Reoblan ever since Michelle Obama was seen wearing Bandolino Berry shoes at a public function at the beginning of the year.

The Reoblan factory in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, makes the Berry shoes. It was doing good business, selling as many as 500,000 pairs in the second half of 2007 alone, even before Michelle Obama was seen wearing its shoes.

But then the global financial crisis struck, reducing sales of everything from houses and cars to clothes and shoes.

Berry shoes caught the imagination of the fashionistas after coolspotters.com, a fashion website, posted a photograph of Michelle Obama in a "J Crew dress with Bandolino women's Berry pumps" with the caption: "This sweet and tangy Berry is a thoroughly delicious treat."

The US first lady has become a style icon, with the media scrutinizing her choice of clothes and footwear ever since the US presidential election race heated up.

Such has been the impact of her image in Berry shoes that Reoblan has "received orders for 300,000 pairs, mainly from the US market", said Wu Deguo, owner and general manger of the Chengdu factory.

In fact, "we have received orders for Berry shoes every day of the week throughout spring, and more than 100,000 pairs have been delivered in the past two months", Wu said.

Berry shoes with leather uppers, classic pointed toe pumps, were priced at $69 on Bandolino Berry's official website yesterday.

A senior manager of Paramont Asia Ltd Dongguan, international office of Jones Apparel Group, which includes Bandolino, confirmed last week that the US first lady had worn a Berry on a formal occasion. "It was not a customized pair for Michelle. Bandolino shoes are identical and are made exclusively in China," said the manager, who requested not to be named.

It's not only Westerners who think Berry shoes are cool. Fashion conscious people in China too seem to like them.

Huang Xiping, a 48-year-old housewife, said that at $69 a pair, the leather shoes were not expensive. But the Beijing resident added: "Though I'd be convinced about the quality and design of a foreign brand if the US first lady favored it, I buy stuff that suits my personality."

Ken Zhong, a production expert with a global management consultation firm, said: "Shoes are essential necessities. That's why China-made low- and medium-end shoes are selling well overseas despite the economic recession."

taken from : China Daily


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Here comes agent Marceau

French actress Sophie Marceau promotes "Les femmes de l'ombre" ("Female Agents") at the film's Beijing premiere on April 27, 2009, one day ahead of its official Chinese release. In the spy thriller, Marceau plays one of five female agents who carry out daring missions during World War II. Marceau has been to China several times and says each visit brings her new experiences. She says she is looking forward to working with Chinese filmmakers in the future. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

French actress Sophie Marceau promotes "Les femmes de l'ombre" ("Female Agents") at the film's Beijing premiere on April 27, 2009, one day ahead of its official Chinese release. In the spy thriller, Marceau plays one of five female agents who carry out daring missions during World War II. Marceau has been to China several times and says each visit brings her new experiences. She says she is looking forward to working with Chinese filmmakers in the future. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

French actress Sophie Marceau promotes "Les femmes de l'ombre" ("Female Agents") at the film's Beijing premiere on April 27, 2009, one day ahead of its official Chinese release. In the spy thriller, Marceau plays one of five female agents who carry out daring missions during World War II. Marceau has been to China several times and says each visit brings her new experiences. She says she is looking forward to working with Chinese filmmakers in the future. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

French actress Sophie Marceau promotes "Les femmes de l'ombre" ("Female Agents") at the film's Beijing premiere on April 27, 2009, one day ahead of its official Chinese release. In the spy thriller, Marceau plays one of five female agents who carry out daring missions during World War II. Marceau has been to China several times and says each visit brings her new experiences. She says she is looking forward to working with Chinese filmmakers in the future. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]
taken from : China Daily


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Sleeping too much or too little increases your risk of diabetes

People who get too little sleep, or too much, are far more likely to develop diabetes, say scientists.

A study has found that those who did not enjoy the optimum level of seven to eight hours sleep a night were two and a half times more likely to develop a blood sugar abnormality linked to type 2 diabetes.

Researchers who studied the habits of 276 volunteers over a six-year period said they did not know the cause.

The findings, published in the journal Sleep Medicine, suggest seven to eight hours' sleep a night seems to be the ideal amount for adults to protect against common diseases and premature death.

Scientists say they do not know the cause, but previous studies have shown a link between sleep patterns and obesity, cardiovascular disease and overall mortality.

Obesity is known to be linked to diabetes, but the greater risk of diabetes due to sleeping habits remained even when obesity was taken into account.

Previous research suggests sleep loss could disturb the production of hormones that control the desire for calorie-rich foods, hunger and energy expenditure.

Researcher Angelo Tremblay said 'This study is a continuation of our recent investigations having focused on the relationship between sleep duration and the risk of obesity.

'The greater risk towards diabetes that we document in our most recent paper remains significant even after a statistical adjustment for body mass index and waist circumference.

'With respect to clinical implications, it is clear that the recommendation to seek an optimal sleep duration seems to be appropriate but for some individuals, it is easier to say than to do.'

Other surveys have revealed fewer and fewer people are getting the right amount of sleep.

Around one third of the UK adult population regularly sleep five hours or fewer a night. The average night's sleep is seven hours which research suggests is the 'healthiest' amount.

It is possible the increased risk for long sleepers might be a symptom of impending health problems.

taken from : China Daily


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Tom Hanks arrives for Film Society Gala Tribute to honor him with the Chaplin Award in NY

Actor Tom Hanks smiles as he arrives for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor him with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

Actress Charlize Theron arrives for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor actor Tom Hanks with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

Actress Charlize Theron arrives for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor actor Tom Hanks with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, arrive for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor Hanks with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

Actress Rita Wilson, wife of actor Tom Hanks, arrives for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor Hanks with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

Actress Julia Roberts arrives for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor actor Tom Hanks with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

Actress Julia Roberts arrives for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor actor Tom Hanks with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor Tom Hanks (R) is interviewed as he arrives for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor him with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson arrive for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor Hanks with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor Adrien Brody arrives for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor Tom Hanks with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor Jeremy Irons arrives for a Film Society Gala Tribute to honor actor Tom Hanks with the Chaplin Award in New York April 27, 2009. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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