Greedy gene GAD2 isolated

Researchers at Imperial College London have identified the 'greedy' gene that encourages people to overeat, leading to obesity!

Experiments on 1,200 volunteers helped in the discovery of two forms of the GAD2 gene. While one acts against obesity, the other seems to encourage it in boosting the appetite. Volunteers who were thinner, were more likely to carry the 'protective' gene, while the other version was more common in obese people. GAD2 increases production of GABA, or gamma-amino bituryic acid, a chemical messenger in the brain that combines with another molecule that stimulate overeating.

The identification of the gene may make it possible to develop a screening test to identify those at risk from obesity. However, obesity is complex. It isn't due to a single factor alone.

Solar storms bathe Earth

Earth can expect more electrical and radio disturbances as the intense solar storms that began in mid-October could intensify by late No-vember. These originate from coronal mass ejections, CMEs, which are a result of solar flares near sunspots, or dark areas on the sun's surface. They are believed to af-fect solar activity and Earth's climate, as their magnetic fields are thousands times stronger than of this planet.

The solar storms are some of the most powerful on record and may help to solve some mysteries of the sun.