Daten von Studie über Revlimid® bei unbehandelten Patienten mit chronischer lymphozytischer Leukämie (CLL) auf der ASCO-Tagung vorgelegt

June 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment

BOUDRY, Schweiz–(Business Wire)–
ABSTRACT #6508

Celgene International Sàrl (NASDAQ:CELG) gab heute bekannt, dass Wissenschaftler
Daten einer industrieunabhängigen Phase-II-Studie über Lenalidomid (REVLIMID)
bei Patienten mit nicht vorbehandelter chronischer lymphozytischer Leukämie auf
der Jahrestagung der American Society of Clinical Oncology präsentiert haben.

Die einarmige Phase-II-Studie ergab, dass sich die Gesamtansprechrate (OR) bei
einer Nachuntersuchung von 60 beurteilbaren Patienten nach durchschnittlich 23
Monaten auf 62 Prozent belief und 15 Prozent der Patienten eine
Komplettremission (CR/CRi) erzielten. Nach der mittleren Nachbeobachtungszeit
war die mittlere progressionsfreie Überlebensdauer noch nicht erreicht und die
Gesamtüberlebensrate lag bei 90 Prozent.

Die häufigsten nachteiligen Ereignisse 3. bis 4. Grades, die während der Studie
auftraten, waren Neutropenie (38 % der Behandlungszyklen), Thrombozytopenie (14
% der Behandlungszyklen) und Anämie (< 1 % der Behandlungszyklen). Bei 15
Prozent der Patienten traten Infektionen 3. bis 4. Grades auf.

Die an der Studie teilnehmenden Patienten waren mindestens 65 Jahre alt und mit
nicht vorbehandelter CLL diagnostiziert. Sie erhielten während der ersten 56
Behandlungstage 5 mg Lenalidomid täglich und wurden danach je nach
Verträglichkeit in 5-mg-Schritten auf bis zu 25 mg pro Tag an Tagen 1 bis 21
jedes Zyklus (28 Tage) auftitriert.

Diese Daten stammen aus einer experimentellen Studie. REVLIMID hat keine
Marktzulassung zur Behandlung von Patienten mit nicht vorbehandelter CLL.

Über REVLIMID®

REVLIMID ist ein IMiDs®-Wirkstoff. REVLIMID und andere immunomodulatorische
Substanzen (IMiDs) werden in über 100 andauernden klinischen Studien untersucht.
Die IMiDs-Pipeline ist durch ein umfassendes urheberrechtliches Portfolio von
erteilten und angemeldeten Patenten in den USA, der EU und anderen Regionen
geschützt, einschließlich Zusammensetzungs- und Nutzungspatente.

REVLIMID ist in fast 50 Ländern, darunter die Europäische Union, alle Teile
Amerikas, der Nahe Osten und Asien, in Kombination mit Dexamethason für die
Behandlung von Patienten mit multiplem Myelom zugelassen, die mindestens eine
frühere Therapie durchgemacht haben. In Australien und Neuseeland ist REVLIMID
in Kombination mit Dexamethason für die Behandlung von Patienten zugelassen,
deren Erkrankung nach einer Therapie weiter fortschritt.

In den USA, Kanada und mehreren lateinamerikanischen Ländern sowie Malaysia und
Israel besitzt REVLIMID außerdem die Zulassung für transfusionsabhängige Anämie
aufgrund von MDS der niedrigen oder intermediate-1-Risikoklasse, das mit einer
zytogenetischen Fehlbildung mit Deletion am Chromosom 5q und mit oder ohne
weitere zytogenetische Abnormalitäten in Verbindung gebracht wird. In einer
Reihe weiterer Länder werden Zulassungsanträge derzeit geprüft.

REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) ist in Kombination mit Dexamethason für die Behandlung
von Patienten mit multiplem Myelom indiziert, die sich mindestens einer
Vorbehandlung unterzogen haben.

REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) ist für die Behandlung von Patienten mit
transfusionsabhängiger Anämie aufgrund eines myelodysplastischen Syndroms (MDS)
der Risikoklasse niedrig oder intermediär-1 indiziert, das mit einer
zytogenetischen 5q-Deletionsanomalie mit oder ohne zusätzliche zytogenetische
Anomalien einhergeht.

Wichtige Sicherheitsinformationen

WARNHINWEISE:

POTENZIELLE MISSBILDUNGEN WÄHREND DER SCHWANGERSCHAFT

Lenalidomid ist ein Analog von Thalidomid. Thalidomid ist als fruchtschädigend
(teratogen) beim Menschen bekannt und verursacht schwere lebensbedrohliche
Missbildungen bei Ungeborenen. Wird Lenalidomid während der Schwangerschaft
eingenommen, kann es zu Missbildungen oder zum Tode des ungeborenen Kindes
führen. Frauen im gebärfähigen Alter sollte bei Einnahme von REVLIMID®
(Lenalidomid) von einer Schwangerschaft abgeraten werden.

Männliche Patienten:Es ist nicht bekannt, ob Lenalidomid im Sperma von
Patienten, die das Arzneimittel einnehmen, nachgewiesen werden kann.Darum
sollten Männer, die REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) einnehmen, bei jedem Sexualkontakt
mit Frauen im gebärfähigen Alter stets ein Latex-Kondom benutzen, selbst wenn
sie sich einer erfolgreichen Vasektomie unterzogen haben.

Spezielle Verschreibungsbedingungen

Aufgrund dieser potenziellen Reproduktionstoxizität und zur Verhinderung von
Geburtsschäden durch Kontakt von Ungeborenen mit REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) gelten
für REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) Vertriebsbeschränkungen. In den USA wird dieses
Programm als „RevAssist®” bezeichnet, und das Produkt darf nur von entsprechend
registrierten Ärzten verschrieben und von registrierten Apothekern ausgegeben
werden. Außerdem darf REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) nur an registrierte Patienten
ausgegeben werden, die alle Kriterien des RevAssist®-Programms erfüllen.

HÄMATOLOGISCHE TOXIZITÄT (NEUTROPENIE UND THROMBOZYTOPENIE)

Dieses Arzneimittel wird mit signifikanter Neutropenie und Thrombozytopenie in
Verbindung gebracht.Bei 80 Prozent der MDS-Patienten mit 5q-Deletion musste in
der Hauptstudie eine Verzögerung/Verringerung der Dosis vorgenommen werden. Bei
34 Prozent der Patienten musste die Dosis ein zweites Mal verzögert bzw.
verringert werden. Bei 80 Prozent der Studienprobanden wurde eine hämatologische
Toxizität 3. oder 4. Grades beobachtet. Bei Patienten unter Therapie für
5q-del-MDS sollte das Blutbild in den ersten 8 Therapiewochen wöchentlich,
danach mindestens vierwöchentlich überwacht werden. Bei diesen Patienten kann
eine Unterbrechung und/oder Verringerung der Dosis notwendig sein. Die Patienten
benötigen unter Umständen zusätzliche Blutprodukte und/oder Wachstumsfaktoren.
(Siehe unter „DOSIERUNG und VERABREICHUNG”).

TIEFE VENENTHROMBOSE UND LUNGENEMBOLIE

Dieses Arzneimittel zeigte ein deutlich erhöhtes Risiko der tiefen
Venenthrombose (TVT) und Lungenembolie (LE) bei Patienten mit multiplem Myelom,
die mit der REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid)-Kombinationstherapie behandelt wurden.
Patienten und Ärzten wird deshalb angeraten, auf die Anzeichen und Symptome von
Thromboembolien zu achten. Patienten sind anzuweisen, sich beim Auftreten von
Symptomen wie Atemlosigkeit, Schmerzen in der Brust oder Anschwellen von Armen
oder Beinen in ärztliche Behandlung zu begeben. Es ist nicht bekannt, ob
zusammen mit REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) verordnete prophylaktische koagulations-
oder plättchenhemmende Therapie das Risiko venenthromboembolischer Ereignisse
verringern kann. Die Entscheidung für prophylaktische Maßnahmen ist nach
eingehender Prüfung der zugrundeliegenden Risikofaktoren der einzelnen Patienten
zu treffen.

Informationen über REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) und das RevAssist®-Programm erhalten
Sie im Internet unter www.REVLIMID.com oder telefonisch unter der (in den USA)
gebührenfreien Rufnummer des Herstellers: 1-888-423-5436.

WEITERE WARNHINWEISE: HÄMATOLOGISCHE TOXIZITÄT

Multiples Myelom

* In den gemeinsam betrachteten Studien zum multiplen Myelom traten
hämatologische Toxizitäten 3. und 4. Grades bei Patienten, die mit der
Kombination von REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) und Dexamethason behandelt wurden,
häufiger auf als bei Patienten, die nur Dexamethason erhielten.
* Bei Patienten, die sich dieser Therapie unterziehen, sollte daher das
komplette Blutbild in den ersten 12 Wochen vierzehntäglich, danach monatlich
überwacht werden.
* Bei diesen Patienten kann unter Umständen die Unterbrechung und/oder
Verringerung der Therapiedosis erforderlich sein.

KONTRAINDIKATIONEN:

Schwangerschaftskategorie X:

* Bei schwangeren und schwangerschaftsfähigen Frauen ist Lenalidomid
kontraindiziert. Sollte keine Alternative bestehen, können Frauen im
gebärfähigen Alter mit Lenalidomid behandelt werden, sofern angemessene
Schwangerschaftsverhütung angewandt wird.

Überempfindlichkeit:

* REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) ist bei allen Patienten kontraindiziert, die eine
Überempfindlichkeit gegen das Arzneimittel oder seine Inhaltsstoffe gezeigt
haben.

VORSICHTSMASSNAHMEN:

Angioödem, Stevens-Johnson-Syndrom und Lyell-Syndrom (toxische epidermale
Nekrolyse)

* Angioödem und schwere dermatologische Reaktionen, einschließlich
Stevens-Johnson-Syndrom (SJS) und Lyell-Syndrom (TEN) wurden berichtet. Diese
Reaktionen können tödlichen Ausgang nehmen. Patienten mit einer Vorgeschichte
von Hautausschlägen 4. Grades in Verbindung mit Thalidomidtherapie sollten
REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) nicht einnehmen. Bei Hautausschlägen 2. bis 3. Grades
ist die Unterbrechung oder das Absetzen von REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) in Betracht
zu ziehen. Bei Angioödem (Quincke-Ödem), Hautausschlägen 4. Grades, exfoliativer
Dermatitis, bullösen Hautausschlägen oder bei Verdacht auf SJS oder TEN ist
REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) abzusetzen und nach derartigen Reaktionen nicht wieder
aufzunehmen.

Tumorlyse-Syndrom

* Lenalidomid weist eine antineoplastische Wirkung auf. Daher können
Komplikationen des Tumorlyse-Syndroms auftreten. Das Risiko des
Tumorlyse-Syndroms besteht insbesondere bei Patienten mit einer hohen
Tumorbelastung vor der Therapie. Diese Patienten sind engmaschig zu überwachen
und es sind geeignete Vorsichtsmaßnahmen zu treffen.

Nierenfunktionsstörung:

* Da Lenalidomid hauptsächlich unverändert über die Nieren ausgeschieden wird,
werden Anpassungen der REVLIMID®-Anfangsdosis (Lenalidomid) empfohlen, um eine
geeignete Arzneimittelmenge bei Patienten mit moderater oder schwerer (CLcr < 60
ml/Min) Nierenfunktionsstörung und bei Dialyse-Patienten sicherzustellen.
* Da die Nierenfunktion eher bei älteren Patienten abnimmt, ist die Dosierung
bei diesen sehr sorgsam zu wählen, und eine Überwachung der Nierenfunktion ist
anzuraten.

Einnahme während der Stillzeit: Es ist nicht bekannt, ob REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid)
über die Muttermilch ausgeschieden wird.

* Aufgrund potenzieller nachteiliger Reaktionen bei Säuglingen ist entweder das
Absetzen des Arzneimittels oder das Abstillen in Betracht zu ziehen, wobei die
Bedeutung des Arzneimittels für die Mutter zu berücksichtigen ist.

NACHTEILIGE REAKTIONEN:

Multiples Myelom

* In der REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid)/Dexamethason-Behandlungsgruppe wurde bei 151
Patienten (45 %) mindestens eine Dosisunterbrechung mit oder ohne
Dosisverringerung von REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) vorgenommen im Vergleich zu 21 %
der Placebo/Dexamethason-Behandlungsgruppe.
* Bei den Patienten, bei denen die Dosis mit oder ohne Dosisverringerung einmal
unterbrochen wurde, erfolgte bei 50 % der REVLIMID®
(Lenalidomid)/Dexamethason-Behandlungsgruppe mindestens eine weitere
Dosisunterbrechung mit oder ohne Dosisverringerung, verglichen mit 21 % in der
Placebo/Dexamethason-Behandlungsgruppe.
* Die meisten unerwünschten Nebenwirkungen und nachteiligen Ereignisse 3. oder
4. Grades traten bei MM-Patienten, die die Kombination von REVLIMID®
(Lenalidomid)/Dexamethason erhielten, häufiger auf als bei der
Placebo/Dexamethason-Gruppe.

Weitere nachteilige Ereignisse, die bei Patienten mit multiplem Myelom berichtet
wurden (REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid)/Dexamethason vs. Dexamethason/Placebo):
Verstopfung (39 % vs. 19 %), Müdigkeit (38 % vs. 37 %), Schlaflosigkeit (32 %
vs. 37 %), Muskelkrämpfe (30 % vs. 21 %), Durchfall (29 % vs. 25 %), Neutropenie
(28 % vs. 5 %), Anämie (24 % vs. 17 %), Asthenie (23 % vs. 25 %), Fieber (23 %
vs. 19 %), Übelkeit (22 % vs. 19 %), Kopfschmerzen (21 % vs. 21 %), peripheres
Ödem (21 % vs. 19 %), Schwindel (21 % vs. 15 %), Dyspnoe (20 % vs. 15 %),
Zittern (20 % vs. 7 %), Gewichtsverlust (18 % vs. 14 %), Thrombozytopenie (17 %
vs. 10 %), Hautausschlag (16 % vs. 8 %), Rückenschmerzen (15 % vs. 14 %),
Hyperglykämie (15 % vs. 14 %) und Muskelschwäche (15 % vs. 15 %).

Myelodysplastische Syndrome

* Thrombozytopenie (61,5 %; 91/148) und Neutropenie (58,8 %; 87/148) waren die
am häufigsten berichteten nachteiligen Ereignisse, die bei den Probanden mit
Del-5q-MDS beobachtet wurden.

Weitere nachteilige Reaktionen bei Del-5q-MDS-Patienten (REVLIMID®
(Lenalidomid)): Durchfall (49 %), Juckreiz (42 %), Ausschläge (36 %), Müdigkeit
(31 %), Verstopfung (24 %), Übelkeit (24 %), Nasopharyngitis (23 %),
Gelenkschmerzen (22 %), Fieber (21 %), Rückenschmerzen (21 %), peripheres Ödem
(20 %), Husten (20 %), Schwindel (20 %), Kopfschmerzen (20 %), Muskelkrämpfe (18
%), Dyspnoe (17 %) und Pharyngitis (16 %).

DOSIERUNG UND VERABREICHUNG:

* Die Dosierung wird auf der Basis klinischer und Laborergebnisse beibehalten
oder modifiziert. Dosierungsmodifikationen werden zur Bewältigung von
Neutropenie oder Thrombozytopenie 3. oder 4. Grades oder anderer Toxizitäten 3.
oder 4. Grades empfohlen, die nach ärztlicher Einschätzung im Zusammenhang mit
REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) stehen.

* Beim Auftreten anderer Toxizitäten 3. oder 4. Grades, die nach ärztlicher
Einschätzung im Zusammenhang mit REVLIMID® (Lenalidomid) stehen, ist die
Therapie zu suspendieren und nach dem Abklingen der Toxizität auf Grad 2 oder
weniger mit der nächstniedrigeren Dosierungsmenge wieder aufzunehmen.

Bitte beachten Sie die ausführlichen Verschreibungsinformationen, einschließlich
gerahmte WARNHINWEISE, KONTRAINDIKATIONEN, VORSICHTSMASSNAHMEN und NACHTEILIGE
REAKTIONEN

Über chronische lymphozytische Leukämie

Von den vier Hauptarten der Leukämie ist CLL die häufigste. Die Gesamtinzidenz
von CLL beläuft sich auf etwa vier in 100.000. Bei der Krankheit vermehren sich
die CLL-Zellen im Laufe der Zeit und verdrängen die normalen Lymphozyten im
Blut, dem Knochenmark, den Lymphknoten und der Milz, womit sie den Körper
außerstande versetzen, Infektionen durch normale Antikörperreaktionen zu
bekämpfen. Derzeit gilt CLL als unheilbar.

Über Celgene International Sàrl

Celgene International Sàrl, ansässig in Boudry im Schweizer Kanton Neuenburg,
ist eine 100-prozentige Tochtergesellschaft und der internationale
Hauptgeschäftssitz der Celgene Corporation. Die Celgene Corporation mit
Hauptsitz in Summit, New Jersey, ist ein integriertes, globales
Biopharmaunternehmen, das sich hauptsächlich auf die Entdeckung, Entwicklung und
Vermarktung innovativer Therapien zur Behandlung von Krebs und
Entzündungskrankheiten durch Gen- und Proteinregulierung konzentriert. Weitere
Informationen finden Sie auf der Website des Unternehmens unter:
www.celgene.com.

Diese Mitteilung enthält bestimmte zukunftsbezogene Aussagen, die bekannte und
unbekannte Risiken, Verzögerungen, Ungewissheiten und andere Faktoren
beinhalten,über die das Unternehmen keine Kontrolle hat. Die tatsächlichen
Ergebnisse, Leistungen oder Errungenschaften des Unternehmens könnten sich
maßgeblich von den Darstellungen dieser zukunftsbezogenen Aussagen
unterscheiden. Wichtige Faktoren, aufgrund derer tatsächliche Ergebnisse,
Leistungen oder Errungenschaften maßgeblich von den zukunftsbezogenen Aussagen
abweichen könnten, sind in den Pflichtmitteilungen des Unternehmens an die
US-Börsenaufsicht SEC enthalten, z. B. den vom Unternehmen eingereichten
Formularen 10-K, 10-Q und 8-K. Angesichts dieser Risiken und Ungewissheiten wird
der Leser gewarnt, sich nicht übermäßig auf die zukunftsbezogenen Aussagen zu
verlassen.

Die Ausgangssprache, in der der Originaltext veröffentlicht wird, ist die
offizielle und autorisierte Version. Übersetzungen werden zur besseren
Verständigung mitgeliefert. Nur die Sprachversion, die im Original
veröffentlicht wurde, ist rechtsgültig. Gleichen Sie deshalb Übersetzungen mit
der originalen Sprachversion der Veröffentlichung ab.

Celgene International Sàrl
Kevin Loth
Director of External Relations
+41 32 729 86 21

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Zarlink Announces Recommencement of Normal Course Issuer Bid

June 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

OTTAWA, CANADA, Jun 03 (MARKET WIRE) —
Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. (TSX: ZL) today announced that the Toronto
Stock Exchange (TSX) has approved the common share buyback program
authorizing the Company to repurchase up to 11,874,330 common shares,
representing approximately 10 percent of its public float of 118,743,306
common shares as of May 31, 2010. As at May 31, 2010, Zarlink had
121,606,782 issued and outstanding common shares.

The NCIB will allow Zarlink to repurchase up to 10 percent of its public
float of common shares using available cash during a 12-month period from
June 7, 2010 to June 6, 2011. The timing and exact number of common
shares purchased under the bid will be at Zarlink’s discretion, will
depend on market conditions, and may be suspended or discontinued at any
time. All shares purchased by Zarlink under the bid will be cancelled.

Purchases under the bid will be made at the prevailing market price
through the facilities of TSX. The average daily trading volume of
Zarlink over the last six complete calendar months was 407,108 common
shares (the “ADTV”). Under TSX rules, Zarlink may purchase up
to 25% of the ADTV (or 101,777 common shares) per trading day. To the
knowledge of Zarlink, after reasonable inquiry, no director, senior
officer or any of their associates, or any person acting jointly or in
concert with Zarlink, currently intends to sell common shares under the
issuer bid.

Zarlink purchased, through the facilities of TSX, 921,900 common shares
out of a maximum permitted amount of 11,971,633 common shares under a
previous normal course issuer bid which expired May 29, 2010 at an
average price of $0.9157 per share. All common shares purchased by
Zarlink under the bid were cancelled.

“We believe that the stock repurchase program emphasizes our belief
in the long-term value of Zarlink and our commitment to unlock
shareholder value,” said Mr. Adam Chowaniec, Chairman of the Board,
Zarlink Semiconductor.

Zarlink may enter into an automatic share purchase plan with a broker in
order to facilitate repurchases of its Common Shares under its normal
course issuer bid. Under the automatic share purchase plan, Zarlink’s
broker may repurchase shares under the normal course issuer bid at any
time including, without limitation, when Zarlink would ordinarily not be
permitted to due to possession of material non-public information or
blackout periods imposed by Zarlink on insiders. Purchases would be made
by Zarlink’s broker based upon the parameters prescribed by the TSX and
applicable Canadian and United States securities laws and the terms of
the parties’ written agreement.

As previously disclosed, American Appraisal Canada Inc. (“American
Appraisal”) was engaged by Zarlink’s Board of Directors to prepare a
valuation report for Zarlink’s formal issuer bid launched on June 8, 2009
under which it purchased $21,000 principal amount of the convertible
debentures (the “Valuation”). The Valuation, which is dated May
29, 2009, contains American Appraisal’s opinion that, based on the scope
of its review and subject to the assumptions, restrictions and
limitations provided therein, the fair market value of the convertible
debentures, as of May 18, 2009, falls within the range (per $100
principal amount) of $51.10 to $58.60. The Valuation is available at
www.sedar.com.

About Zarlink Semiconductor

Zarlink Semiconductor delivers world-leading, mixed-signal chip
technologies for a broad range of communication and medical applications.
The company’s core capabilities include network timing solutions that
manage time-sensitive communication applications over wireless and wired
networks, line circuit products supporting high-quality voice services
over broadband connections, and ultra low-power radios enabling new
wireless medical devices and therapies. Serving the world’s largest
original equipment manufacturers, Zarlink’s highly integrated chip
solutions help customers simplify design, lower costs and reach market
quickly. For more information, visit www.zarlink.com.

Shareholders and other individuals wishing to receive, free of charge,
copies of the reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission and Canadian Securities Regulatory Authorities, should visit
the Company’s web site at www.zarlink.com or contact Investor Relations.

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially
different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties
and assumptions include, among others, the following: our dependence on
the successful development and market introduction of new products; our
ability to integrate any business, technologies, product lines or
services that we have or will acquire; our dependence on revenue
generation from our legacy products in order to fund development of our
new products; current market conditions, including the lack of liquidity
in the markets and economic slowdown, may increase our operating costs or
reduce our revenue, thereby negatively impacting our operating results;
our ability to operate profitably and generate positive cash flows in the
future; the impact of the current economic crisis on our suppliers and
customers and our ability to transfer parts to other suppliers; our
dependence on our foundry suppliers and third-party subcontractors; order
cancellations and deferrals by our customers; our substantial
indebtedness could adversely affect our financial position; the cost and
accounting implications of compliance with new accounting standards; and
other factors referenced in our Annual Report on Form 20-F. Investors are
encouraged to consider the risks detailed in this filing.

Zarlink and the Zarlink Semiconductor logo are trademarks of Zarlink
Semiconductor Inc.

Contacts:
Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.
Ed Goffin
Media Relations and Investor Relations
613-270-7112
edward.goffin@zarlink.com
www.zarlink.com

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hamilton looks for clean sweep against Red Bull heroes in Brit GP

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 19 (ANI): Formula One 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton has said that he wants revenge in the form a clean sweep against the Red Bulls in next month”s British Grand Prix.

The Red Bull duo of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel are dominating their rivals, starting all six rounds from pole and winning three times.

“It was a bit too easy for Red Bull. They are a long way ahead but I have a lot of belief and faith in my team. I still reckon we can win both championships. We”re the best team,” The Sun quoted him, as saying. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Collingwood unfazed by Australian win

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

England captain Paul Collingwood said he was unsurprised by Australia’s remarkable last-over win over Pakistan and believes his team are ready to beat their old rivals in Sunday’s Twenty20 World Cup final.

Mike Hussey hit 60 off 24 balls, including three sixes in the last over, as Australia won their semi-final against Pakistan in dramatic style, having looked out of the game.

“We always knew what Australia were capable of,” said Collingwood, “Nothing surprised us yesterday. All we can concentrate on is our game.

“Australia have always been a very strong side, and they still are. It bodes well for what should be a very, very good final.

“Whether it had been Pakistan or Australia, we were going to have to play very, very good cricket,” he said.

England have marched to the final on the back of a series of impressive performances, comfortably dealing with Sri Lanka in their semi-final after winning all three Super Eight games and Collingwood said the team, which is likely to be unchanged, are relishing the biggest challenge yet.

“There’s plenty of confidence in our side, the way we’ve played throughout this tournament has given us a lot of belief.

“We believe we’ve got the skills to beat any side on the day. We have surprised a few ourselves in this tournament — and the guys are very, very positive.

England have never won a global limited overs in the 35 years since the ICC began organising them but Collingwood said there were no signs of excessive pressure taking a toll.

“When you’re going into a World Cup final there’s a lot of emotion around. But the guys seem very relaxed, and know their roles very well.

“We haven’t won anything yet — that’s the thing. We’ve got to a final, but it means nothing until we win a World Cup. Until we do that, we’re going to keep our feet on the ground.

England and Australia’s rivalry, which dates back to the first official test match in 1877, adds some extra spark to a game which, after Friday’s drama, is being highly anticipated.

“This is literally the ultimate. You’ve got through to a World Cup final; you’re playing against the old enemy, Australia. It doesn’t get much better than this,” he said.

England’s last attempt to win a world event was the 2004 Champions Trophy, which ended in defeat to West Indies and Collingwood is the only survivor from that team.

In contrast Australia currently hold the two other international limited overs titles — the 50 overs World Cup and the Champions Trophy, but Collingwood said England’s lack of big final experience would not necessarily work against them.

“I think if you have played in big matches it does help but there is also the cause that if you are fresh into a side and you don’t know what it’s all about it can sometimes help.

“There are a lot of guys in our side that haven’t experienced finals but I really do sense the guys are ready. The guys seem very relaxed going into such a big occasion and that’s a great sign,” he said.

(Editing by Alison Wildey

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Qaeda’s ability to launch complex attacks diminished: US

May 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Al-Qaeda’s ability to carry out large-scale complex strikes has “diminished” due to recent aggressive campaigns against it, but the terror network is trying to launch smaller attacks which are much more difficult to detect and thwart, the US Defence Department has said.

“…their (al-Qaeda and its extremist allies) ability to launch large-scale, complex attacks has clearly been diminished by the fact that we have taken the war as aggressively as we have to them,” Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said.

“Now, has al-Qaeda and other associated terrorist groups, have they been able to disperse and crop up elsewhere? Yes. Are there problems that we need to deal with around the world? Yes,” he told MSNBC.

It is the belief of Pentagon and the Obama Administration that “we have been able to protect the homeland because we have been taking the fight to the terrorists where they operate, where they plan, where they try to hatch these attacks,” he said.

“By keeping them on their toes, unable to really launch large-scale, sophisticated, complex attacks which result in mass casualties, like we saw on 9/11, they are far diminished,” Morrell said in response to a question.

At the same time, the Pentagon spokesman conceded that these terrorist groups have been trying to carry out small-scale attacks.

“Well, listen, this is a very difficult situation that we are arriving at. Whereas we are having tremendous effect going after large-scale operations; so as a result, the terrorists are adapting, and they’re using more individuals to launch smaller attacks,” he said.

Such attacks, he observed, are much more difficult to detect and thwart, “because it’s not a number of people collaborating, increasing the chances that communications can be intercepted, individuals can make a mistake, the group’s activities can be uncovered by our detectives, by our intelligence apparatus”.

But a single person wishing to do harm is far more likely to get through the layers of protection, he argued, two weeks after Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad allegedly tried to blow up a Nissan Pathfinder packed with explosives in the crowded Times Square.

“That is a reality we are confronted with; and yet, we are doing all we can to even prevent those. Individuals, as you saw with that vendor (in Times Square who alerted police about the parked vehicle with explosives inside) and others, can make a difference. That’s why we all have to be vigilant to protect the homeland against terrorists,” Morrell said.

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Pietersen crucial for England’s chances of winning World Cup: Collingwood

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 13 (ANI): Skipper Paul Collingwood has said that Kevin Pietersen, who arrived back in the Caribbean after becoming a father, is crucial for England’s chances of winning their first cricket World Cup after 35 years of trying.

Pietersen landed last night and will regain his place at No.3 in the World Twenty20semi-final with Sri Lanka today. Pietersen”s wife Jessica Taylor gave birth to their first baby, a boy, on Sunday.

Collingwood insisted Pietersen will rejoin a squad oozing with confidence, excitement and talent, The Sun reports.

“I’m sure KP will be happy and raring to go. Fatigue shouldn’t be an issue and he will be in a great state of mind. He won’t have a formal practice, but I’m sure he will have a few hits,” the England skipper said.

‘There is nothing technical he needs to change and I’m sure his mind will be 100 per cent right. KP is very important. He played two man-of-the- match innings before he went home and looks back to his best,” Collingwood said.

England won all three of their Super Eights matches against Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand.

“Captaining England in a world semi-final, that’s brilliant. I had a real sense when we turned up with this squad that we could do well. We’ve made some selections that have really come good,” Collingwood said.

“I think there was a real belief in the squad at the start of the tournament and now there is a lot of excitement. Sometimes, when you get to these situations, you sense some nerves but that hasn’t been the case. The boys can’t wait to play.

“This is the most powerful England side I”ve played in – definitely. Everybody can hit sixes all the way down to No 10. The bowlers are also thinking for themselves,” added. (ANI)

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Pak in list of US panel’s list of 13 violators of religious freedom

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Apr.30 (ANI): A US governmental panel has included Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and China in a list of 13 countries that have seriously violated religious freedoms.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom, described the countries where religious freedom is endangered as ‘hot spots’, and called upon the US Government to take steps to improve conditions in those nations.

“It is a small but critically important point of intersection of foreign policy, national security and international religious freedom standards,” the report stated.

This year’s list of countries included all eight nations named last year where religious freedom is being attacked besides five new countries like Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Vietnam.

The panel’s report said that though Saudi Arabia has implemented several steps to cut the violation of religious freedom, there has been a “systematic, egregious and ongoing” breach of religious freedom.

Leonard Leo, the panel’s chairman said that visits to the ‘hot spots’ had found situations “where freedom of religion is obstructed and related human rights are trampled.”

“In China, the government continues to engage in systematic and egregious violations of the freedom of religion or belief,” The Daily Times quoted the report, as saying.

Leo said the report offers important foreign policy solutions that should be implemented by the respective government’s and the US should also urge the nations named in the list to take those into consideration.

“The report’s conclusion is clear, the administration must do more,” he said. (ANI)

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Body-piercing ritual at Kochi Temple

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Kochi, Mar. 31 (ANI): Devotees at Kerala’s Aaryyankavu Bhagwathi Temple have devised a new way of performing the banned ancient Thookkam, or body-piercing ritual.

In the original Thookam ritual, the back of the person willing to perform the ritual is pierced with sharp hooks and lifted up to a height of over 30 feet on a scaffold, before the bleeding victim is brought down and hooks taken out.

However, the new method doesn’t require the devotee to be hung or lifted.

“After a court put a ban on the ancient ritual of multiple body-piercing and hanging from rope, now only single piercing is done in the body and the person just stands still and does not hang. The devotees also fast for 41 days,” said Shiv Raman, a temple committee member.

In 2004 – following a widespread protest by social activists and even Hindu priests – the practice was banned by a court.

The legend behind the ritual goes back to the ancient days. Legend has it that even after slaying the demon Darika, the Goddess Kali remained bloodthirsty.

Hindu god Lord Vishnu then sent his mount, the giant bird Garuda, to Kali. Garuda gave the goddess some drops of blood, which pacified her thirst.

The ritual is performed based on this belief. (ANI)

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Sven’s ‘right time’ arrival to help Ivory Coast ‘win big’ in WC: Drogba

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 31(ANI): Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has welcomed the appointment of former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson as the Ivory Coast coach and predicted he can help them “win big” at this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Ivory Coast are in the toughest pool after having been drawn in Group G with Brazil, Portugal and North Korea, but Drogba believes that Eriksson can help his team make an impact when the tournament gets under way in June.

“There is no doubt Sven will succeed. This is someone who knows the game inside-out,” The Daily Express quoted Drogba, as saying.

“I have every belief in his ability to take us far. With the little I saw of him while he was in England and what I have heard, read and watched, I think Sven has come at the right time,” he added.

The 32-year-old further said that all his national team-mates were enthusiastic about the appointment of a new coach.

“For weeks and months we have been pondering over going to the World Cup without a coach, but what we feared most has taken a different twist. Now I don’t have to wake up every morning and think about the future of my team without a coach,” Drogba said.

“We are going to South Africa to win big. This is not something I am saying alone. It is the general feeling when you talk to the boys in our team,” he added.

Eriksson, a Swede who arrives in Ivory Coast after helping Mexico to the World Cup finals, replaces Vahid Halilhodzic, who only lost one competitive match in two years – the one that cost him his job, against Algeria in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations in January. (ANI)

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Alex Reid turns to spiritual healer to ease pressures of fame

March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 24 (ANI): Katie Price a.k.a. Jordan’s hubby Alex Reid is said to have turned to a spiritual healer as he struggles to cope with the pressures of fame.

Reid, 34, has been seeing Denis Fleming, a self-development and belief specialist, and he says the Emotional Freedom Technique treatment has helped him keep calm when “everyone is attacking us”.

He admitted he and Jordan, 31, have struggled with the negative publicity their relationship and marriage has received.

EFT is a gentle treatment, similar to acupuncture, said to enable the release of trapped emotions.

“Denis’s work has allowed me to not only be myself, but to cultivate my nature and be proud of who I really am,” the Daily Star quoted him as saying.

“I am eternally grateful for that because it’s so easy to get lost in everything that’s going on.

“I’m pacing myself more and have a deeper connection with Kate as I feel more positive influences are rubbing off on her,” he added. (ANI)

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Paper products go carbon neutral

March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A Shoalhaven-based paper company says it has made one-third of all its specialised products carbon neutral.

Australian Paper, which owns a mill near Nowra, says the products are independently certified to comply with international standards.

Its sustainable development general manager, Paul Allen, says it has made the change due to public demand.

“Manufacturing but also full life cycle, all the emissions from the cradle to the grave of the paper’s life have been counted, reduced and off-set. It won’t be the whole mill yet, although we hope to get there,” he said.

Mr Allen says there are extra costs involved but the outlay is worth it.

“Being a manufacturer in Australia is not a sexy thing to be,” he said.

“It’s tough, but our belief is that because corporate and government entities are wanting more improvements in their own sustainable footprint, ideally we are going to grow demand for this type of paper and protect our local manufacturing industry.”

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Tom Cruise’s cousin dodges Scientology question

March 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New York, March 22 (ANI): It looks like Tom Cruise’s cousin William Mapother is apprehensive to talk about his belief in Scientology.

The ‘In The Bedroom’ star did not give a definite answer when asked, “Are you now a Scientologist?”

“I have kind of an unusual feeling about questions like that. On the one hand, I”m grateful that people are interested . . .” the New York Post quoted Mapother as saying.

He added: “At the same time . . . there”s kind of an ever-wavering boundary between the things I”m willing to talk about, and the things I”m not.

Referring to Cruise’s belief in the religion, he said: “And part of the reason that I find myself particularly cautious in this area is because of the things my cousin has been through.” (ANI)

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Probe launched into blackout blaze

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

PowerCor is trying to find out what sparked a fire that cut more than 9,000 electricity connections around Horsham yesterday evening.

A fire at the town’s electricity substation caused the outage about 5:00pm (AEDT). Power supplies were returned about an hour later.

Company spokesman Damian Batey says it will take some time to establish the cause.

“It will take us some time. It’s clearly a technical fault that’s occurred inside the zone substation – or that’s certainly our belief at this point in time,” he said.

“But these investigations will help validate that. We will probably take some days to run our complete analysis.”

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Beveridge tells Wildcats to simply believe

March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Perth Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge says his side is still well placed to win a record fifth NBL championship despite losing game two of the grand final series to Wollongong.

The Wildcats went down 75-63 to the Hawks in Wollongong on Tuesday night to force a grand final decider in Perth on Friday night.

Beveridge says his team just needs to believe in itself and work hard on its perimeter shooting.

“We shot the ball very poor from the three-point line, it’s one of the worst performances we’ve had,” he said.

“A lot of them were open looks as well. I think we were second guessing ourselves and you can’t do that.

“You just have to believe in the work you’ve done and Friday night, if we get the same opportunity, we’ll definitely be taking it with a lot more authority and belief.”

Beveridge says the Wildcats’ home court advantage on Friday night could prove decisive and the Hawks should expect a hostile reception.

“We finished first, they finished second and right now most teams hold serve on their home court,” he said.

“We’ll be going back and we’ll be a lot more confident.

“I understand that it’s a passionate sport and they’re not feral here [in Wollongong], we’re not feral in Perth, it’s just the passion of the game.

“It’s going to happen on Friday night, they’re going to get exactly the same.”

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Arsenal can win Champions League: Bendtner

March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar.10 (ANI): Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner believes Arsenal can win the Champions League after scoring his first ever hattrick last night.

The Mirror quoted Bendtner, whose stunning treble destroyed Porto, as saying: “This will give us a lot of confidence. We want to win the Champions League. It’s something we haven’t done.”

Delighted Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also paid tribute to Bendtner after his team’s brilliant win completed their first ever comeback from an away leg defeat in the Champions League.

Wenger said: “Football can change very quickly in three days, it goes quickly up and quickly down. It shows you he’s not lost his confidence, he came back with focus and the same belief. It’s one of his strengths.”

Wenger insisted his team could also rule Europe after their amazing victory – and the Arsenal manager says he is ready to face Chelsea or Manchester United in the quarterfinals. (ANI)

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Nine-day ‘Navratri’ festival begins all over India

September 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi/ Faizabad/Allahabad, Sept 19 (ANI): The nine-day ‘Navratri’ festival began across India with religious fervour on Saturday.

Thousands of devotees queued up at various temples dedicated to Goddess Durga.

In New Delhi, devotees converged at Jhandewalan to offer prayers prior to dawn and observed fast throughout the day.

“We observe fast on the first day of Navratri. On the first day, we pray for the whole day and meditate on Goddess Durga,” said Madan Gehlot, a devotee.

Meanwhile, at Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh, people made a beeline to the temple of Goddess Badi Devkali.

The devotees believe their wishes are fulfilled if they pray to Goddess Badi Devkali during the festival.

“People believe that coming here redeems them from their sins. Since the Goddess Devkali is the deity of Lord Rama’s dynasty, her significance is all the more. That’s why people come here to offer prayers to the Goddess,” said Poonam, a devotee.

Earlier on Friday, a day prior to the commencement of Dusshera, a unique annual horse procession was taken out through the streets of Allahabad.

The belief is that the horse representing sage Vyasa would relate the Ramayana.

Musical bands led the attractively decorated white horse procession organised by a leading Ram Lila committee of the city.

“Legend says that when Maharishi Valmiki narrated the story of Lord Rama to Luv and Kush then this horse standing next to them also listened to the story. The horse in the form of sage Vyasa tells the story of Rama to people during the Navratri celebrations,” said Ajay Kumar Shukla, secretary, Ramlila Committee.

“Naaratri”, which literally means nine nights, is observed twice a year.

The festival lasts for nine days in honour of nine manifestations of Durga, goddess of power, and fall in the months of April-May and September-October.

It is believed that during the Navratri, Goddess Durga descends on earth to rid it of the demons and blesses her devotees with happiness and prosperity. (ANI)

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Twitter Gate: Congress will take action against Tharoor at the appropriate time: Tewari

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.18 (ANI): The Congress party on Friday said it would take appropriate action against Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor for his “cattle class” comments through the medium of Twitter at the appropriate time.

Addressing a party news conference in the capital, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said: “We will take appropriate action (against Mr. Tharoor) at the appropriate time.

Tewari further said that action against Tharoor was not ruled out.

He also justified Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s statement on Thursday seeking Tharoor’s resignation for what he called “irresponsible” comments on the social networking site Twitter.

“It was unfortunate and unbecoming on his part to make such comments. In my view he should tender his resignation as Minister,” Gehlot had said.

“To make such irreverent comments is all the more despicable when one is holding a responsible position as that of the Minister of State for External Affairs,” Gehlot told journalists at his official residence here after a “Roza Iftar” party on Thursday evening.

Gehlot had termed Tharoor’s references posted on the site such as “cattle class” and “holy cows” as unacceptable in Indian politics.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan also said Tharoor had no right to continue in the Union Cabinet.

“I believe that in a democracy, people are God. To refer to them as ‘cattle’ is an insult to them. And I believe that such a person has no right to be a Union minister,” he told reporters.

Tharoor, who is on an official visit to Liberia, had earlier apologized through the Twitter medium, saying he was “sorry” for hurting any sentiments and that his words had been misunderstood.

“To those hurt by the belief that my repeating the phrase showed contempt: sorry. It’s a silly expression, but means no disrespect to economy travellers, only to airlines for herding us in like cattle. Many have misunderstood,” Tharoor said.

The minister said that he had learned belatedly of the fuss “over my tweet and pointed out that the phrase “cattle class” was used in the query, which he just repeated. (ANI)

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Spanking found to have negative effects on low-income toddlers

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, September 16 (ANI): Spanking negatively affects the behaviour of toddlers in low-income families, according to a new study.

Published in the journal Child Development, the longitudinal study looked at how low-income parents discipline their young children.

It showed that spanking 1-year-olds leads to more aggressive behaviours and less sophisticated cognitive development in the next two years.

Verbal punishment, however, was not found to be associated with such effects, especially when it was accompanied by emotional support from mothers.

Besides, 1-year-olds’ fussiness predicted spanking and verbal punishment at ages 1, 2, and 3.

The study explored whether mothers’ behaviours lead to problematic behaviour in children, whether children’s challenging behaviours elicit harsher discipline, or both.

It looked at more than 2,500 exclusively low-income White, African American, and Mexican-American mothers and their young children, interviewing and observing them at home when the children were 1, 2, and 3 years old.

All participants’ family incomes were at or below the federal poverty level.

Using their own interpretations of spanking, mothers reported how often anyone in the home had spanked their children in the past week.

The study also looked at how often mothers verbally punished-scolded, yelled, or made negative comments-their children.

It showed that African American children were spanked and verbally punished significantly more than the other children in the study.

The authors speculated that that might be due to cultural factors, such as belief in the importance of children’s respect for elders and in the value of physical discipline to instil that respect.

Moreover, some African American mothers said that in preparing their children for a harsh, physically dangerous, and racially discriminating world, there was little room for error in their childrearing.

The study also shed light on information about the effects of such types of discipline.

“Our findings clearly indicate that spanking affects children’s development,” said Lisa J. Berlin, research scientist at the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University and the study’s lead author.

Specifically, children who were spanked more often at 1 behaved more aggressively when they were 2, and had lower scores on tests measuring thinking skills when they were 3.

Similar findings were made even after taking into consideration such family characteristics as mothers’ race and ethnicity, age, and education; family income and structure; and the children’s gender.

The study also found that children who were more aggressive at age 2, and had lower cognitive development scores at ages 1 and 2, were not spanked more at ages 2 and 3.

“So the mothers’ behaviours look more influential than the children’s,” said Berlin.

Unlike spanking, however, verbal punishment alone didn’t affect either children’s aggression or their cognitive development.

Interestingly, when verbal punishment was accompanied by emotional support from moms, the children did better on the tests of cognitive ability. (ANI)

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Tito Jackson forgives MJ’s personal doctor Conrad Murray

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep 16 (ANI): American singer Tito Jackson has revealed that he has forgiven his late brother Michael Jackson’s personal doctor Conrad Murray, the prime suspect in the ‘Thriller’ star’s death.

Jacko’s death on June 25, at the age of 50, has been officially declared a homicide.

However, Tito, 55, says that he does not hate the doctor.

“Have I forgiven him? We are supposed to forgive as humans,” the Mirror quoted him as saying.

“I’m not a hater or anything like that. I’m just going to take things one moment at a time.

“I’m supposed to forgive. We are supposed to forgive. That’s just my belief.

“So yes, I forgive. It’s what God said. You’re supposed to forgive. It’s a religious thing,” he added.

Jackson died from an overdose of the powerful anaesthetic Propofol.

Dr. Murray admitted administering a dose shortly before the star’s death at his Bel Air home. (ANI)

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Brain’s face processing ability does reduce with age

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, September 9 (ANI): A British study suggests that the ability to identify a face, when it is shown for only a fraction of a second, reduces as people age.

Lead researcher Guillaume Rousselet, from the University of Glasgow, came to this conclusion after analysing electric activity from the brains of young and old people as they watched pictures of faces with cloud-like noise.

He said: “Very few studies have attempted to measure the effect of ageing on the time-course of visual processing in response to complex stimuli like faces. We found that, as well as a general reduction in speed in the elderly, one particular component of the response to a face, the N170, is less sensitive to faces in the elderly.”

The N170 occurs 170 milliseconds after a stimulus is presented.

The researchers revealed that it was more closely associated with the appearance of a face among the young subjects.

However, in older subjects, the researcher said that it occurred also in response to noise, perhaps implying reduced ability to differentiate faces from noise.

Revealing the findings of the study, Rousselet said: “Our data support the common belief that as we get older we get slower. Beyond this general conclusion, our research provides new tools to quantify by how much the brain slows down in the particular context of face perception. Now, we need to identify the reasons for the speed reduction and for the heterogeneity of the effects – indeed, why the brains of some older subjects seem to tick as fast as the brains of some young subjects is, at this point, a complete mystery.”

The study has been published in the journal BMC Neuroscience. (ANI)

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