According to Canadian and French researchers, who compared the reactions of newborn babies with mothers monolingual in English to those whose mothers were bilingual in English and Tagalog, a language spoken in the Phillipines, bilingual education begins in the womb.

The study findings published in the latest edition of the journal Psychological Science show, babies whose mothers were bilingual mothers indicated interest when they heard both languages, however, babies with monolingual mothers reacted only when they heard the English language.

France began Thursday vaccinating the general public against swine flu. The first wave of inoculations concerns what the French Health Ministry described as top-priority segments of the population.

This group of about 6 million people includes relatives and others in close proximity to infants six months of age and younger; health professionals; and high-risk individuals, notably those suffering from respiratory ailments.

Paris based AXA, certainly the biggest insurer in France, is looking forward to fund the potential acquisitions in a certain sector that has been terribly affected by the current financial crisis. The bankers at HSBC and BNP Paribas have also been prearranged to proceed the works on the necessities for the capital - raising.

A rights offer to raise about 2 Billion Euros, that amounts to about $2.98 Billion, has been launched by AXA. The deal is expected to issue about 174.11 Million shares at a minimum and 11.90 Euros is the offering rate for the new shares.

According to French researchers, a gene therapy for Parkinson’s tested on lab monkeys has also shown encouraging results in an early small-scale trial on humans.

Three dopamine producing genes are taken, after which they are inserted in a disabled equine virus and then injected into the brain. Dopamine is a key neuro-chemical that is depleted in Parkinson’s disease.

Clinical trials on six human volunteers began a year ago, yielding extremely encouraging results so much so, another half-dozen volunteers are scheduled to be recruited into the trial.

The capital of Britain for 20th consecutive year took the top position in the ranking of Europe's best cities for doing business. Five hundred executives from Europe's leading companies participated in the poll.

There were three criteria for determining the best cities: market access, skilled personnel and availability of labor resources.

London dominated significantly as per the three indicators over its rivals in the ranking.

According to a new study, saturated fat in certain foods increases the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Malcolm Darby, 70, who is a grandfather and has had to wear glasses since he was two due to measles, reveals that suffering a massive stroke has miraculously helped cure his sight and he can now see without help from any of the six pairs of glasses, he owns.

Andrew Lansley, acting health secretary, is set to publish the Tories health policy review, clearing the way for Google, Microsoft and other international software firms to hold and manage NHS records.