1.   By measuring electrical activity in their leg muscles, the researchers found that muscles naturally tighten to help dampen vibrations in the surrounding tissue.

2.   A band that can be implanted around the stomach and tightened to help severely obese people lose weight won government approval Tuesday.

3.   A Japanese government panel said Tuesday that laws should be tightened to help eliminate discrimination against female workers in job advertisements, employment, placement and promotion.

4.   Nashev said border controls between Macedonia and Bulgaria had been tightened to help track down the would-be killers.