Undermining what has long been considered as irrefutable proof in investigation of criminal cases, scientists announce that DNA evidence found at crime scenes can "easily" be fabricated. A scientific company specialized in forensic DNA analysis revealed that while DNA fingerprinting is considered one of the leading forensic tools in dealing with criminal cases, DNA evidence can easily be falsified and planted at crime scenes prior to collection by law enforcement officers. According to the Tel Aviv-based life science company, Nucleix, a sample of DNA matching any profile can be constructed using basic equipment and access to DNA or a DNA profile in a database without obtaining any tissue from that person. DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is the material that makes up the genetic code of most organisms and no two individuals have the same DNA blueprint.

While the Mediterranean diet had long been linked to greater weight loss, a new study finds this diet more efficient in controlling blood sugar. According to the study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean-style diet is more effective in diabetes management compared to typical low-fat, calorie-restricted diets. Following a Mediterranean diet with at least 30% of daily calories from fat (mostly olive oil) delays the need for taking diabetes medication and improves certain heart disease risk factors. The Mediterranean diet -- rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in red meat and processed foods -- also resulted in trimmer waistlines and increased the "good" HDL-cholesterol levels, all of which are considered to be heart-healthy changes in the body. Scientists concluded that reducing the need for diabetes treatment should also be added to the Mediterranean diet's long list of health benefits including greater longevity.

The Internal Revenue Service will expand a program designed to catch tax cheats that searches for inconsistencies between mortgage payments and income. After prompting from an IRS auditor, the agency will study whether it should make greater use of data on mortgage-interest payments provided to it by banks. The IRS currently uses such data to send notices to non-filers who it believes should have filed a return. The data could also be used to target for audits individuals who don't file tax returns, or who report less income than they paid in mortgage interest, according to a letter released Monday by the Treasury inspector general for tax administration. The IRS move will expand a regional research project on mortgage interest to a nationwide level by December 2011. Such initiatives, called Compliance Initiative Projects, typically involve examination of a small number of tax returns to evaluate new enforcement strategies. Howard Levy, a tax attorney with the Cincinnati firm Voorhees Levy, said mortgage-interest data might be the best source of information the IRS has on small-business owners, such as roofers or carpenters, who are paid in cash and don't report all their income to the IRS.

he Social Security Administration has entered into an agreement to test the use of the Microsoft HealthVault software for SSA's disability determination process. SSA has been trying out several ways to collect electronically the health records of people applying for disability income. SSA currently requests about 15 million to 20 million medical records a year in a process that is labor- and paper-intensive. HealthVault is a free online personal health record service in which patients are encouraged to collect and store their health information in a single location. The SSA said Aug. 27 that it and Microsoft are developing a technical prototype connecting the two organizations that will be available later this year. SSA also will collaborate with Microsoft to study current personal health record standards, gaps in those standards, and options for filling those gaps....The agency recently issued a Request for Information asking vendors to propose how to link more providers' records through the NHIN. SSA also is working with MedVirginia to test sharing of digital patient records in that state.

The Israeli occupation army has canceled a number of planned arrest operations in the West Bank fearing soldiers will be seen by US diplomats touring the territories. Israeli army officers serving with their units in the occupied West Bank said they were instructed by brigade commanders in recent weeks to call off the planned arrests of wanted men inside Palestinian towns, because of these diplomats' presence. The diplomats, mostly employees of the U.S. consulate in occupied East Jerusalem, have been traveling regularly to the West Bank to gather testimony on settlement construction, to oversee American-funded projects and to meet with Palestinian Authority officials. "We were told that the situation with the Americans is sensitive, and that it is not desirable that operations are conducted that could lead to violent situations when they [the Americans] are there," one of the Israeli officers said.

The European Commission had announced a contribution of €13 million to support the Job Creation Program of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which will help to create more than 1,4 million work days for Gaza's unemployed. Mr. Christian Berger, the European Commission Representative for the West Bank and Gaza Strip and UNRWA, made the announcement to UNRWA Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd at Gaza City 's port, Al-Mina. The €13 million donation will go towards UNRWA's Job Creation Program in the Gaza Strip, which provides temporary employment opportunities designed to alleviate the current unemployment crisis and high poverty rates in the area. The ongoing blockade of Gaza continues to dictate the lives of ordinary people and has led to an unprecedented unemployment rate of 40 percent – one of the highest in the world. This is the first time that the European Commission contributes funds directly towards UNRWA's Job Creation Program in Gaza .