Are you a heavy drinker? Take note. Besides alcohol taking a toll on your health in many ways, it may also trigger a long-lasting genetic change resulting in an even greater craving for alcohol, researchers including one of Indian-origin have warned. "We found that people who drink heavily may be changing their DNA in a way that makes them crave alcohol even more," said Dipak K Sarkar, Professor at Rutgers University in the US. "This may help explain why alcoholism is such a powerful addiction, and may one day contribute to new ways to treat alcoholism or help prevent at-risk people from becoming addicted," said Sarkar. For the study, researchers focused on two genes implicated in the control of drinking behaviour: PER2, which influences the body's biological clock, and POMC, which regulates our stress-response system. By comparing groups of moderate, binge and heavy drinkers, the team found that the two genes had changed in binge and heavy drinkers through an alcohol-influenced gene modification process called methylation, according to the findings, published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. In addition, the binge and heavy drinkers also showed reductions in gene expression, or the rate at which these genes create proteins. These changes increased with greater alcohol intake. Also, in another experiment, the drinkers viewed stress-related, neutral or alcohol-related images. They were also shown containers of beer and subsequently tasted beer, and their motivation to drink was evaluated. Results showed that alcohol-fuelled changes in the genes of binge and heavy drinkers were associated with a greater desire for alcohol. The findings may eventually help researchers identify biomarkers -- measurable indicators such as proteins or modified genes -- that could predict an individual's risk for binge or heavy drinking, Sarkar noted. In 2016, more than three million people died from the harmful use of alcohol. More than three quarters of alcohol-caused deaths were among men. The harmful use of alcohol also caused 5.1 per cent of disease and injuries worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation.

ore than eight people are feared to be trapped under the debris of a four-storey under construction building in Gurugram which collapsed in the wee hours of Thursday. The incident has occurred in Ullawas village in Sector 65 of Gurugram. The Rescue operation is underway. Three teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been mobilised for the rescue effort. More details are awaited... Haryana: More than five people trapped after a four-storey building collapsed in Ullawas, Gurugram, early morning today. Rescue operation underway. pic.twitter.com/Ac1B0JA4ct

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that although the marriage between a Muslim man and Hindu woman is an irregular marriage, described as "fasid" in Mohamadan law, the children born out this wedlock are legitimate and have claim over the property of the father. "The marriage of a Muslim man with an idolater or fire­worshipper is neither a valid (sahih) nor a void (batil) marriage, but is merely an irregular (fasid) marriage. Any child born out of such wedlock (fasid marriage) is entitled to claim a share in his father's property," observed the bench of Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar in their judgment. Upholding an order of the trial court and that of the Kerala High Court, Justice Shantanagoudar speaking for the bench said: "It would not be out of place to emphasise at this juncture that since Hindus are idol worshippers, which includes worship of physical images/ statues through offering of flowers, adornment, etc., it is clear that the marriage of a Hindu female with a Muslim male is not a regular or valid (sahih) marriage, but merely an irregular (fasid) marriage." The top court said this upholding the plea by one Mohammed Salim. He was born to Mohammed Ilias and Valliamma, and court described him as their legitimate child. Having held that a child born out of Hindu mother and Muslim father is legitimate and has claim over the property of father, the court said: "The position that a marriage between a Hindu woman and Muslim man is merely irregular and the issue from such wedlock is legitimate has also been affirmed by various high courts."