It has been known for some time that autism has a strong genetic influence - but up until now only eight or nine genes have been confirmed as playing a role.

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And its proximity to Wall Street, which has embraced the iPad, has been a strong positive influence, said Baroudi.

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"Sport has such a strong power to influence society and bring about change, " the crossbench peer said.

BBC: Olympic Games debate

But there is a strong French influence, as there has been on all international cuisine.

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Perhaps a strong economy has bred complacency, or perhaps the influence of the pollsters has grown even weightier.

ECONOMIST: John Kasich, fading Jacobin

However, although the growing Russian influence may look strong, the fact is that it has a strong weakness: its economy is at every time becoming more dependent on the oil industry, and in particular, on the high oil prices.

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