Monday 14 June 2010

Common antihypertensives raise cancer risk

Certain drugs commonly used to treat hypertension, heart failure and damage caused by diabetes in the kidney are associated with a slightly increased risk of developing cancer, according to Scientists at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.

This finding, published in the online journal The Lancet Oncology, supports the need for more research to calculate, in the future, the exact risk of cancer associated with these drugs.

The ARBs act by blocking angiotensin II, a hormone that raisesd pressure. A previous study has demonstrated the existence of a significant increased risk of developing cancer in patients taking the ARBs candesartan, compared with placebo.

To analyze the effects of ARBs in malignancies, the team of researchers led by Ilke Sipahi, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, conducted a meta-analysis of all published data ARBs Randomized trials published before November 2009.

They studied new data from cancer in five trials involving 61 590 patients, common cancers in solid organs (lung, prostate and breast cancer) in five trials of 68 402 patients and cancer deaths in eight studies, which included 93 515 patients. Most of these trials examined patients which received the ARB telmisartan (85.7%).

The results showed that patients taking ARBs had a significant increase in the odds of being diagnosed with cancer, compared with the control group (7.2% vs. 6%).

Among the solid organ cancers examined, only the risk of lung cancer showed a significant increase in patients taking ARBs compared with the control group (0.9% versus 0.7%).

In addition, the data analyzed in the study were limited to three of the seven ARBs approved by FDA, telmisartan, losartan and candesartan. (http://www.sevensidedcube.net)

Medal Of Honor Beta Drafting June 21st

If you aren’t already a Battlefield: Bad Company 2 player, or you are but don’t have plans to pre-order Medal of Honor, but you’re still interested in joining the Beta to see what all the fuss is about, you’re going to have to wait until June 21st. While BF:BC 2 users who pre-order are going to have a few days head start, the rest of you are just going to have to wait, you see. Don’t fret, however, as I think judging from the trailer, the multiplayer may just be worth it.

According to the EA press release, the Medal of Honor multiplayer beta features two heart-pounding modes set across two maps inspired by real world locations: Helmand Valley and Kabul City Ruins. In Team Assault mode, players must rely on their raw skill and map knowledge to stay alive in intense and close quarter combat. In Combat Mission, a tactical and team-based mode, gamers fight through a series of objectives revealed through an engaging narrative. Both modes pit two teams of 12 players (total 24 players) against one another with realistic destruction, tactical support actions, and a weapon customization system with modifications that generate hundreds of combinations.

Ariel, Luna Maya Sex Tape: Indonesia's First Celebrity Sex Tape Scandal


Indonesians grappled with their first-ever celebrity sex-tape scandal, casting aside social taboos as they swarmed around office computers and mobile phones to watch clips allegedly showing a much-loved pop star with two girlfriends.

The story topped newscasts for a week and dominated chatter on social-networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. But just as controversial was the reaction of officials in the newly democratic nation.

Police initially threatened to charge the "stars" under a strict anti-pornography law.

Several high schools were raided for mobile phones so the offending clips could be removed. And some ministers said the incident pointed, once again, to moral decay and the need for stricter controls of the Internet.

When the scandal spurred debate as to whether education about sex – a subject still taboo at home and in the classroom – should be added to the school curriculum, Minister of Education Muhammad Nuh responded with a flat out "no."

"I may be obsolete, but I don't see that sex education in schools is needed," he told reporters. "I believe people will learn about sex naturally."

The first six-minute video clip appears to show pop singer Nazril Irham, better known as Ariel, in bed with his girlfriend Luna Maya, a top model, actress and, up until the scandal, the face of Lux beauty soap.

The first six-minute video clip appears to show pop singer Nazril Irham, better known as Ariel, in bed with his girlfriend Luna Maya, a top model, actress and, up until the scandal, the face of Lux beauty soap. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com)

pic ariel

E3 2010: Xbox 360 Slim Is It Real Or Just A Hoax?

Here’s word on the much-anticipated Xbox 360 Slim that first appeared on a certain Italian website. Think this real? Well then, think again. Because someone out there put a lot of Photoshop skills and talents into waste. To put it simply, it’s fake. Assuming you’ve seen the ad, it shows a black 250GB 360 with really eye-catching side vents, much like those on the fenders of a Shelby Cobra. And then the author proposes another selling point—it’s compatible with a system called ‘Kinect‘.

We’re just as puzzled as you as to what that refers but there’s one thing we’re certain—it’s a far-fetched illusion. You can see the ad right here. Just be quick about it because Microsoft will probably burn it down in a few. Its tagline, written in fine Italian, is translated into ‘Live today’ with the rest of the copy translated as ‘ready for the technology tomorrow’—clearly words of a gadget nut with delusions of grandeur.

We’ll just have to see what Microsoft has to say about all this. Microsoft will be holding an E3 conference tomorrow. Hopefully, that thing they’re promising ‘for everyone’ doesn’t turn out to be the urban legend we’re talking about. (http://www.sevensidedcube.net)

Friday 11 June 2010

FDA Approves Novartis Multiple Sclerosis Drug

On Thursday, the FDA approved a drug by Novartis that helps relieve some of the symptoms, such as tremors, associated with multiple sclerosis.

The medical innovation will certainly bring forth a much-needed improvement. Though the Novartis drug will require additional screening before it can finally be released, experts believe that it will serve as the first oral treatment for multiple sclerosis.

The name of the Novartis drug is Gilenia, and it is the first multiple sclerosis treatment that can be consumed through the mouth. Previous proposed treatments were rejected by the FDA, partially due to the fact that they required regualr injection.

Cynthia Sitcov, who represents the FDA panel, believes that Gilenia is, for the most part, an effective drug despite some of the small risks.

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is said to cause cognitive problems in addition to physical tremors. The FDA panel voted 25-0 to approve the multiple sclerosis drug. Some of the possible side effects of Gilenia include visual, cardiovascular, and respiratory problems. Experts believe, however, that the proposed dose of Gilenia is generally safe.(http://www.sevensidedcube.net)

iPhone 4G Cell Phone Not Only Available through AT&T?

iPhone 4G consumers may be happy to find out that soon enough the top smartphone on the market may be available through other carriers.

It was recently reported that as early as this Fall, T-Mobile could become a player in the iPhone 4G service industry. Apple is looking to expand its market share, and offering the iPhone through multiple carriers is a step in the right direction.

AT&T will lose its right to exclusively offer the iPhone as early as next year. The iPhone 4G features will then be brought to additional carriers who contract with Steve Jobs and Apple representatives.

Right now, T-Mobile representatives are keeping quiet, as they do not want to bring truth to any of the smartphone rumors that have been circulating. From a business standpoint, however, it would be foolish for Steve Jobs not to offer the iPhone through additional carriers.

Shaw Wu was the first to break the information. Apple and AT&T are not releasing any information about when their mutual contract ends. Obviously, the early iPhone 4G reviews will lead many to believe that Apple will do whatever it takes to gain a large market share. (http://www.sevensidedcube.net)

Google Homepage: How To Change Google Background

Google would pull the service back soon enough as is of no view to maintain the Bing style background changes.

How To Change Google Background On Google Homepage:

Well, the steps are quiet simple. All you need to do is look for a link which says Change Background Image and click it. The link is neatly placed at the left hand side on bottom of the page. Upon clicking the link, it would lead you to pop-up screen which says, ‘Select a background image for your Google homepage’.

More further, you would be provided with a variety of images to pick from, which are designed by some great artists and photographers worldwide. If you think your pick is not quiet worthy, you can also upload an image from the Picassa Album or from your computer itself. That’s all…You are done. (http://www.sevensidedcube.net)

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Roger Federer crashes out of French Open quarter finals to end historic semis run

Roger Federer's six-year record of reaching 23 Grand Slam semi-finals was washed away yesterday when he crashed out in the French Open quarter-finals.

The Swiss world No.1, who had not missed out on the last four at one of the major tournaments since 2004, suffered a shock 3-6 6-3 7-5 6-4 defeat to Swede Robin Soderling in a rain-disrupted clash.

Federer said: "I didn't think I played a bad match but he came up with some great tennis. I'm not blaming the conditions but they were in his favour towards the end."

Fifth seed Soderling said: "It's a big win but it's not the Final. I don't want to celebrate too much. I want to focus on the next game."

The Swede will take on Andy Murray conqueror Tomas Berdych, who thrashed Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 6-1 6-2, for a place in the Final. Rafa Nadal will reclaim the No.1 ranking next week if he wins the title. The Spaniard faces countryman Nicolas Almargo in today's last-eight clash.

Francesca Schiavone became the first Italian since 1954 to reach the French Open women's singles semi-finals after a shock 6-2 6-3 win over Danish No. 3 seed Caroline Wozniacki.

Schiavone's next opponent is No. 5 seed Elena Dementieva, who saw off fellow Russian Nadia Petrova 2-6 6-2 6-0. (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk)

40 year old son of Ted Koppel was found dead today in his New York City apartment

The passed away body of Ted Koppels sun was found in his friends New York City apartment in upper Manhattan after a day of clubbing and bar hopping.

Detective John Sweeney confirmed that the time of decease was determined as 1:30 a.m. Monday morning, however the cause of death has not been determined yet. Now signs of any forced entry were found at the Washington Heights apartment.

Koppel was drinking for hours with another man, hows identity is not yet to be disclosed by local authorities since the investigation is still not closed.

It appears that the two man started drinking at Smith’s Bar and Restaurant in Manhattan and continued the bar hopping for several hours.

It is not confirmed yet, but it appears that the other man was Russell Wimberly, he also said that Koppel was heavily drinking whiskey without eating anything.

Koppel was working for the city Housing Authority as attorney in their civil litigation division from 2001 till 2008, when he decided to resign from this position.

Andrew Koppel was the son of Ted Koppel who was a longtime anchor for the ABC “Nightline” news show.

The apartment in which the soulless body was found belongs two Koppel’s friend, Wimberley and Belinda Caban, they had found the unbreathing body.(http://www.sevensidedcube.net)