Women who suffer from high blood pressure during their pregnancies have higher levels of a hormone that increases blood pressure in the tissue that connects mother and fetus, researchers say.

When they tested 21 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., found high levels of the hormone angiotensin II in part of the placenta that supplies food and oxygen from the mother to the fetus.

Oxygen bars pop up across France

PARIS: As oxygen bars begin to pop up across France, health authorities are beginning to question the merits or otherwise of sniffing O2.

Supposed to improve health and well-being, oxygen bars date back to the late

1990s, spreading from Canada to California and to Britain and Japan, in nightclubs, health clubs, airports or even trade fairs.

But Paris' first oxygen bar opened only last week. Flagged as "a revolutionary anti-fatigue, anti-stress and anti-depression concept", the city's maiden O2 bar is housed in an up-market beauty institute owned by no less than the wife of top French publicist and political "kingmaker" Jacques Seguela.

Seguela has been very much in the news recently for bringing together President Nicolas Sarkozy and his new wife Carla Bruni around a dinner table, a coup that comes almost three decades after helping propel leftwing leader Francois Mitterrand to the country's highest public office.

O2 bars set French officials sniffing

PARIS - AS oxygen bars begin to pop up across France, health authorities are beginning to question the merits or otherwise of sniffing O2.

Supposed to improve health and well-being, oxygen bars date back to the late 1990s, spreading from Canada to California and to Britain and Japan, in nightclubs, health clubs, airports or even trade fairs.

But Paris' first oxygen bar opened only last week.

Flagged as 'a revolutionary anti-fatigue, anti-stress and anti-depression concept,' the city's maiden O2 bar is housed in an up-market beauty institute owned by no less than the wife of top French publicist and political 'kingmaker' Jacques Seguela.

Mr Seguela has been very much in the news recently for bringing together President Nicolas Sarkozy and his new wife Carla Bruni around a dinner table, a coup that comes almost three decades after helping propel leftwing leader Francois Mitterrand to the country's highest public office.

O2 BARS SET FRENCH OFFICIALS SNIFFING

PARIS, Feb 13, 2008 (AFP) - As oxygen bars begin to pop up across France, health authorities are beginning to question the merits or otherwise of sniffing O2.
Supposed to improve health and well-being, oxygen bars date back to the late 1990s, spreading from Canada to California and to Britain and Japan, in nightclubs, health clubs, airports or even trade fairs.
But Paris' first oxygen bar opened only last week.
Flagged as "a revolutionary anti-fatigue, anti-stress and anti-depression concept", the city's maiden O2 bar is housed in an up-market beauty institute owned by no less than the wife of top French publicist and political "kingmaker" Jacques Seguela.
Seguela has been very much in the news recently for bringing together President Nicolas Sarkozy and his new wife Carla Bruni around a dinner table, a coup that comes almost three decades after helping propel leftwing leader Francois Mitterrand to the country's highest public office.

Commentary: Will Fred pounce on Clinton misstep?

As Hillary Clinton continues to stretch her lead in national polls among likely Democratic Party primary voters it is becoming increasingly clear that the nomination is hers to lose – unless she makes a major mistake. In the most recent debate she may have done just that on an issue that resonates strongly with the voters: illegal immigration.When asked about her position on a controversial proposal by New York Governor and fellow Democrat Elliot Spitzer to grant drivers' licenses to illegal aliens Clinton expressed support, opposition and indecision about the plan…all in the space of a single answer. “Do I think this is the best thing for any governor to do?" Clinton said. “No. But do I understand the sense of real desperation, trying to get a handle on this? Remember, in New York we want to know who's in New York.

Scientists, artists and artistes head the field in the New Years ...

Griffiths, now 60, was born in Thornaby-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, and grew up caring for his deaf mute parents.OBE for top film producerIAIN Smith, the Scottish film producer behind such movies as The Fifth Element and Seven Years in Tibet, which starred Brad Pitt, was appointed an OBE for his services to film.Born in Glasgow, and educated in film technique in London, Smith, 58, began his career working with the late Bill Douglas on My Childhood, before going on to work with David Puttnam and Hugh Hudson on Chariots of Fire.He acted as line producer on Local Hero, The Killing Fields and The Mission before then going on to produce Entrapment, starring Sean Connery and Alexander starring Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie.Mr Smith is a board member of the UK Film Council as well as Scottish Screen and was recently appointed to the board of Creative Scotland.He is currently producing a film called Wanted for Universal Pictures.Kylie tells of her joy and surpriseKYLIE Minogue's battle against breast cancer inspired millions around the world and her return to the music scene was met with delight by her army of fans.Now the Australian pop princess's achievements have also been recognised by the Queen with an OBE.Minogue was among an A-list cast of stars of stage and screen to be honoured in this year's New Year Honours list.Others include chat-show supremo Michael Parkinson, actress Julie Walters and sports commentator Des Lynam.Speaking from Australia, where she has been spending Christmas with her family, Minogue, 39, said: "I am almost as surprised as I am honoured to be awarded an OBE."I feel deeply touched to be acknowledged by the UK, my adopted home, in this way."This last year I have felt so much love and support from everyone as I took greater steps back into the public domain, and it is with absolute gratitude and joy that I say farewell to 2007 and look forward to what the New Year will bring."Minogue's OBE for services to music seals her reputation as one of pop's most enduring icons after she first hit No 1 in the charts with I Should Be So Lucky almost 20 years ago.In 2005, fans were shocked by the news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Michael Price Buys HearstArgyle Television Inc., AutoNation Inc., Hilltop Holdings Inc., Sells BristolMyers Squibb ...

Billionaire investor Michael Price's value approach is to buy stock in out-of-favor small cap companies that are of good values. This strategy has made him the 271st richest person in the world. These are his buys and sells during the fourth quarter. He owns 81 stocks with a total value of $511 million.

Michael Price buys HearstArgyle Television Inc., AutoNation Inc., Hilltop Holdings Inc., GLG PARTNERS, INC., Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc., Marlin Business Services Corp., Leggett & Platt Inc., Miller Industries Inc., ZEP INC, FIRST FINANCIAL NORTHWEST, INC., AmeriCredit Corp., Journal Communications Inc., Thomas Properties Group Inc., Bassett Furniture Industries Inc., Finish Line Inc., sells BristolMyers Squibb Company, Covidien Ltd., Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc., Freedom Acquisition Holdings Inc, Liberty Media Corp.