Monthly Archives: February 2012

The cause of Whitney Houston's death remains under investigation -- but according to Celine Dion, this case is already closed. Speaking via phone on Monday's Good Morning America (she called the late icon "an amazing inspiration") the "My Heart Will Go On" singer didn't mince words looking back on Houston's legendary career and troubled later life. PHOTOS: Whitney's life remembered "It's just really unfortunate that drugs, bad people, bad influences took over her dreams, her motherhood," the French-Canadian star, 43, said of Houston, who famously fessed up in a 2002 interview with Diane Sawyer about using cocaine, marijuana and pills. "When you think about Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson . . . To get into drugs like that for whatever reason--because of stress, bad influence, whatever." PHOTOS: Tragic celeb deaths of 2011 Dion lamented that her immensely talented idol, who left behind daughter Bobbi Kristina, apparently succumbed like other superstars before her. "What happens when you have everything? Love, support, motherhood…Something happens that I don't understand. That's why I'm scared of show business, of drugs and hanging out. That's why I don't go to parties!" PHOTOS: The troubled life of Amy Winehouse Tell Us: Did Dion speak … Continue reading →

13 February 2012 Last updated at 09:55 ET New insights into how cells multiply could help scientists develop drugs to treat cancer, it has been claimed. Edinburgh University researchers have been studying two key proteins which control cell division. They have found a link between the proteins' activity and formation of new healthy cells, which could be vital to the development of anti-cancer drugs. The team from Edinburgh is working in collaboration with researchers at Montreal University in Canada. They have identified a key process in the way the proteins called "polo" and "aurora" work to divide cells correctly. Their discovery will contribute to the development of new drugs which stop cancerous cells multiplying and so prevent the spread of the disease. Dr Mar Carmena, of Edinburgh University's school of biological sciences, said: "Cell division is a complex and tightly regulated process, and when it goes out of control this can lead to cancer. "The greater our understanding of the proteins that control cell division, the better equipped scientists will be to design more effective treatments against cancer." More: Proteins hope for cancer drugs … Continue reading →

Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has suggested decriminalizing drugs in order to reduce violence in the Americas. • A version of this post ran on the author's blog, centralamericanpolitics.blogspot.com. The views expressed are the author's own. Skip to next paragraph Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has repeated his suggestion that Guatemala and the other nations of Central America should consider decriminalizing drugs in order to help reduce violence. The Guatemalan president said he will propose legalizing drugs in Central America in an upcoming meeting with the region's leaders. President Perez Molina said in a radio interview that legalization would include decriminalizing the transportation of drugs through the area. The Guatemalan president said the war on drugs, and all the money and technology received from the US, has not diminished drug trafficking in the area. While the details would have to be worked out, he would also consider setting up legal mechanisms to sell drugs (link in Spanish). Some effort at decriminalization would be beneficial both to the people of Central America and the United States. On the other hand, I'm not convinced that the US government and regional governments could design some sort of effective policy. They would include too … Continue reading →