PENNSYLVANIA: A new clinical study shows that substituting walnuts for monounsaturated fat in a Mediterranean diet improves, and even restores, endothelial function (the property of arteries to dilate in order to meet an increased demand of blood, for instance due to a physical effort).

Walnuts also reduce harmful cell adhesion molecules which are associated with atherosclerosis, commonly known as hardening of the arteries. These dual effects enhance the circulatory system, therefore aiding in the prevention of heart disease.

The study concludes that the results provide further support for the inclusion of walnuts in healthy diets. "This is the first time a whole food, not its isolated components, has shown this beneficial effect on vascular health," according to Emilio Ros, M.D., the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, researcher who directed the study at the setting of the Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS). Dr. Ros notes, "Compared with the Mediterranean diet, the walnut diet increased endothelium-dependent vasodilation by 64 percent and reduced levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 by 20 percent. In addition, as in previous studies, the walnut diet decreased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol."

MUMBAI: Actress Emma Watson struggled to find suitable outfits for premieres of the " Harry Potter" movies and often wore bridesmaid dresses.

"Everyone images stylists were on tap from the studio, but we got nothing. Sometimes I had two days' notice before an event and there was nothing appropriate for a 14-year-old to wear. I'd look in my wardrobe and there was literally nothing," femalefirst quoted her as saying.

"It was either borrow from my stepmother, or go to the bridesmaid department at Harrods."

LOS ANGELES: "Megamind" led the North American box office to its best weekend in more than three months on Sunday, but the $47.7 million opening for the DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc release fell a little short of industry forecasts.

Observers had predicted the 3D cartoon about a hapless super villain would earn more than $50 million during its first three days of release across the United States and Canada. But the studio's March release "How to Train a Dragon" also underperformed initially before becoming a worldwide smash.

Also new were the comedy "Due Date" at No. 2 with $33.5 million, and the drama "For Colored Girls" at No. 3 with $20.1 million, both in line with expectations.

The three newcomers accounted for most of the $146 million total for the top 12 movies, according to the box office division of Hollywood.com. It marks the highest tally since July 23-25, when reigning champion "Inception" drove sales to $155 million.

"Megamind" revolves around a hapless criminal voiced by Will Ferrell, and is not to be confused with the recent hit cartoon "Despicable Me," which revolved around a hapless criminal voiced by Steve Carell.

The film's early international total, from No. 1 openings in Russia, Ukraine, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, stands at $18.6 million. The studio will release the film to tie in with school holidays in individual markets, although "Despicable Me" is still playing strongly internationally.

STOCK SOCKED

DreamWorks Animation said "Megamind" performed to its expectations and it was confident that the film would hold up well through the holidays. It noted that the film received a bullish A-minus score in exit polls conducted by tracking firm Cinemascore. Costs were in line with recent releases: $130 million for production, and $160 million for global marketing.

By way of comparison, "How To Train Your Dragon," the studio's previous non-sequel, opened to $44 million, and the studio's share price fell 8 percent the following Monday. But the movie displayed strong staying power, ending up with $218 million domestically and $276 million internationally.

Still, DreamWorks Animation's current stock price -- $35.42 as of Friday -- is off 17 percent since "Dragon" opened. Archrival Walt Disney Co is up about 5 percent over the same period.

"Due Date" stars Robert Downey Jr and Zach Galifianakis as an odd couple forced to endure each other on a road trip, and is not to be confused with "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," the 1987 comedy starring Steve Martin and John Candy. The new film was directed by Todd Phillips who, along with Galifianakis, is currently shooting a sequel to their hit comedy "The Hangover."

Warner Bros. said the film set a new opening record for an R-rated comedy in November, surpassing the $26.5 million debut for "Borat" in 2006.

"For Colored Girls" marks prolific filmmaker Tyler Perry's latest exploration of the life of black women, but the Lionsgate release is definitely not to be confused with the slapstick comedies starring his "Madea" alter-ego. "Girls," an adaptation of Ntozake Shange's play about a group of women dealing with abuse issues, played to a slightly older female crowd than is usual for Perry films, Lionsgate said.

The top-five was rounded out by the Summit Entertainment crime drama "Red," starring Bruce Willis, holding steady at No. 4 with $8.9 million in its fourth week; and last weekend's champion, the Lionsgate horror "Saw 3D," which slid to No. 5 with $8.2 million. Their respective totals rose to $71.9 million and $38.8 million.

"Megamind" was released by Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures under a distribution deal with DreamWorks Animation. Warner Bros. is a unit of Time Warner Inc. Lionsgate is a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Summit Entertainment is privately held. Via www.Geo.Tv

MADRID: Americans have cleaned up at the MTV Europe Awards in Madrid, as Lady Gaga picked up three top prizes and awards crowned Katy Perry, Canadian teen idol Justin Bieber and half a dozen US outfits.

The US diva Lady Gaga received her trophies, for female artist of the year, best pop act and best song for "Bad Romance", on stage in the Hungarian capital Budapest where she was performing to a packed concert audience.

"This means so much to me. Europe I love you," Lady Gaga, who bagged a slew of prizes at the US version of the awards in September, told fans via a live link, switching between sets from a leopard bodice to a see-thru nurse outfit.

The Canadian-born Bieber, who shot to stardom after his songs were spotted on YouTube, was named best male act at the awards ceremony, based on a vote of 46 million people and hosted live by "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria.

"It's a big achievement for me," said the 16-year-old, who was up against established rivals including Eminem and Kanye West. "All the other artists in this category are such an inspiration."

Katy Perry, who like Lady Gaga was nominated in five categories, picked up the best video award for her hit single "California Gurls".

Best rock went to US band Thirty Seconds to Mars, the best new act prize to the US singer Ke$ha and best alternative to the US pop-punk outfit Paramore.

The best hip hop award was for Eminem, who offered his thanks in a video beamed from Brazil, and the best live act award went to the Americans "Linkin Park" -- who were performing in downtown Madrid at the same time.

MTV also presented US rockers Bon Jovi, who have sold over 125 million albums worldwide, with a Global Icon prize.

"Thanks for making us icons," frontman Jon Bon Jovi said upon receiving the award. "I want to thank you fans for this unbelievable ride over a quarter of a century."

And a "Free Your Mind Award" rewarding social responsibility went to Shakira for her campaigning for education for disadvantaged children -- most recently using the proceeds from the "Waka Waka" World Cup anthem.

The MTV Europe Awards are held each year in a different European city, with past hosts including Copenhagen in 2006, Liverpool in 2008, Lisbon in 2005, Rome in 2004, Paris in 1996 and Barcelona in 2002.

Sunday's host Longoria -- who said before the event she planned to "pull off some way-out outfits" -- was true to her word, trumping Lady Gaga's now infamous meat dress with a tongue-in-cheek "Spanish ham dress".

After switching between half a dozen outfits, from magenta slit-front tuxedo jacket to black, shoulderless mini dress, the glamorous 35-year-old actress shimmered onstage in a layered satin gown.

But US singer Katy Perry, who picked up a best video award at the event for "California Gurls", promptly whisked off Longoria's gown to reveal a shimmering black bustier and mini-shorts beneath.

And then the fashion finale, as Longoria waddled onstage in a life-size tribute to the "meat dress" -- made entirely of raw steak -- which Lady Gaga wore to the September MTV music awards in the United States.

Longoria's reply, the "Jamon Iberico" or Spanish Ham dress, was shaped like a fleshy leg of cured ham, with only her head poking out of its centre.

"Lady Gaga couldn't be here tonight but she left this dress backstage," the actress quipped. "Who knew Spanish ham was one of my colours?"Via www.Geo.tv

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Vidya Balan who was at the shooting venue of a film directed by Sujoy Ghosh, reportedly, fatigued due to the pressure of hectic schedules.

Medical reports confirmed that the physical condition of Vidya Balan deteriorated due to the huge workload. Vidya is believed to be busy with rigorous shooting schedules since about three months.

She, according to the grapevine, was busy with shooting as well as dubbing concurrently devoid of a break for at least a single day.

When asked for confirmation, she said, "It is true that I fatigued on the sets of a film directed by Sujoy Ghosh in Kolkata. Excessive stress is the root cause of my condition which send a shiver down the spine of the entire unit of the film."