Why women really do feel more pain than men

January 23, 2012, 9:03 pm

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Why women really do feel more pain than men PA

It's a frequently debated question - are women better at dealing with pain than men?

Women endure with the agony of childbirth, while men are meant to crumble at the first sign of illness - hence the term 'man flu' - and now researchers have suggested that the fairer sex experience more pain than their partners.

US researchers examined the patient records of 11,000 people and discovered that women were more likely to give a higher rating (on a scale of 0-10) to their pain than men.

Women said they felt higher levels of pain for 14 out of 47 conditions, while the rest of the results were similar between the sexes.

Lead author Dr Atul Butte, chief of systems medicine in the department of pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, said that the difference between the two sexes was "the most surprising finding".

He added: "We completely wouldn't have expected such a difference where women were reporting a whole pain point higher on the 0-to-10 scale than men."

Jeffrey Mogil, a pain specialist at McGill University in Montreal agreed and added: "What this paper does above and beyond what came before is a matter of sheer size. In my mind, it puts the story to bed forever."

Do women feel more pain than men or not? Let us know below...

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Kirsty Young reveals bulimia battle

January 23, 2012, 9:54 pm

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Filed under: Celebrity

Kirsty Young reveals bulimia battle PA

Presenter Kirsty Young has opened up about her struggle with bulimia when she was a teenager.

The Desert Island Discs presenter told the Radio Times she was working as an au pair in Switzerland when she developed the eating disorder.

She said: "I feel funny saying it because I'm now a different person Although it was horrible, I don't want to overplay it because people suffer for decades."

"I was lucky. I talked myself out of it in six months."

The 43-year-old said she was starting to consider the effect of her father leaving the family when she was three weeks old.

Kirsty said she was brought up by the man her mother married - carpenter John Young - who she thinks of as her father.

She explained: "My early years had a profound effect on me that I didn't care to examine until now. I've never been to a psychiatrist but I'm sure we'd get there after a few sessions."

"I'm in a show-off profession and very confident. But if I'd seen my family disintegrate, I'd have had a sense of abandonment, a feeling I was not good enough."

"I've benefited incredibly from my mother, who is effervescent and stoic - an interesting combination. Life is complicated. It's mostly never as it seems."

For more information about eating disorders visit the Beat website

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Celebrity breakup hair

January 23, 2012, 11:00 pm

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Filed under: Beauty

Celebrity breakup hair EMPICS Entertainment; Ian West/PA Wire

Katy Perry recently hit the bottle - of hair dye - after announcing her split from Russell Brand. The star went from bright and happy pink to bold, brooding blue in a classic post-breakup hair makeover.

Celebrities and mere mortals alike choose to start afresh after a relationship comes to an end, and there's no better way to do it than with a subtle or dramatic hair change. Check out which other stars celebrated their newly single status by going for a new cut or colour in our gallery of celebrity breakup hair below.

Celebrity breakup hair

Cameron Diaz
 After the star's split from baseball player Alex Rodriguez in September 2011, she went for the chop in November, sporting a shoulder-length style which apparently wasn't dramatic enough - in January 2012, she stepped out with a shorter, wavy 'do and lighter platinum shade.
Sarah Harding
 Maybe blondes don't have more fun - Sarah Harding ditched her lighter locks in favour of red hot waves in September 2011, soon after her split from fiance Tom Crane.
Ashlee Simpson
 Ashlee got a head start on her dramatic hair makeover - going for a platinum pixie cut a few months before her split from Pete Wentz became official news.
Scarlett Johansson
 Scarlett ditched her sexy, beachy waves in favour of a more grown-up shaggy bob in a darker blonde hue when she separated from hubby of two years, Ryan Reynolds.
Olivia Wilde
 After eight years of marriage, Olivia split from hubby Tao Ruspoli in February 2011. She decided to lighten up after the news, keeping her signature long locks and fringe but adding some ombre caramel highlights.
Sandra Bullock
 Just days after her Oscar win came reports of trouble in paradise between Bullock and her unfaithful hubby Jesse James. She updated her look with a trendy blunt cut.
Jennifer Love Hewitt
 Jennifer and Ghost Whisperer co-star Jamie Kennedy broke up after a year of dating in March 2010; Jennifer lopped off her tumbling waves and debuted a wavy bob hairstyle.
Reese Witherspoon
 Another couple who announced their split post-(Reese's) Oscar win, the duo parted ways in October 2006. Reese went from sweet to sexy with an edgy new cut and fringe.
Britney Spears
 When Britney and Kevin called it quits in 2006, the singer went through a dark time - as reflected in her newly dyed brunette shade. While the look is less flattering than her blonde mane, it's a lot better than the hair makeover she gave herself in 2007: Full head shave.
Kim Kardashian
 After making it through a whopping 72 days of marriage, Kim and Kris Humphries called it quits. Kim coped with the breakup by encasing herself in a skintight, cleavage-exposing mini-dress and debuting a heavily extensioned, fringed hairdo.

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Could stem cells help blind people see again?

January 23, 2012, 11:30 pm

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Filed under: Health & wellbeing

Could stem cells help blind people see again? Getty

Researchers at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London have said the results of a trial to implant stem cells into the eye to restore vision appear to suggest the treatment is "safe".

Two patients have undergone an operation in which embryonic stem cells have been implanted into the eye. Four months ago two nearly blind women in the US had the same procedure and were reported to have improved vision as a result.

The researchers told The Lancet: "The ultimate therapeutic goal will be to treat patients earlier in the disease processes, potentially increasing the likelihood of photoreceptor and central visual rescue."

The first of 12 patients in Europe to undergo the procedure was Marcus Hilton, who was injected with retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.

He suffers from Stargardt's macular dystrophy, which is an inherited type of macular degeneration which causes blindness.

Scientists are hopeful that the stem cell treatment could one day treat age-related wet or dry macular degeneration.

Mr Hilton said he was "thrilled" to be participating in the research. He explained: "I'm over the moon. They have had early results in America showing this treatment could work."

"It could change many people's lives - to have some sight restored would be a dream come true."

British expert Professor Daniel Brison, co-director of the North West Embryonic Stem Cell Centre in Manchester, told the Daily Express that the research was "a ground-breaking moment for embryonic stem cell therapies".

Do you think blind people will one day be able to see again thanks to stem cell research or not? Let us know below...

And don't miss our gallery on foods that will keep you looking and feeling great.

Youth food

Avocados
 All hail the avocado! This wonderful fruit helps keep your skin glowing with its high levels of vitamin E.
Blueberries
 Sprinkle some blueberries on your cereal or add them to a bowl of natural yoghurt, as they're packed with antioxidants which help prevent premature ageing.
Broccoli
 If you want to look and feel young, broccoli is one of the best foods to add to your diet. It helps to fight free radicals, contains vitamin C and regulates blood sugar.
Brown rice
 Wholegrains such as brown rice, quinoa and porridge are a good source of antioxidants and as an insoluble fibre, they help the body to get rid of what it doesn't need.
Carrots
 When you want to appear healthy and younger looking, grab a carrot. The beta-carotene gives skin a special glow, while the vitamin A in this wonderful vegetable will keep your eyes sparkling.
Chocolate
 Who says health food has to be boring? Eat a moderate amount of dark chocolate to absorb the benefits of the flavonoids they contain, which help to mop up ageing free radicals.
Olive oil
 Keep skin supple and healthy by including olive oil in your daily diet. You can also use it as a moisturiser and a hair treatment, as well as pouring it on salads and using it in cooking.
Red grapes
 Red grapes help skin to stay looking young due to their high antioxidant quotient. It's better to eat them raw, rather than in wine, as you'll absorb more of their nutrients this way.
Salmon
 Healthy fats, like salmon, can decrease inflammation in the body and keeps skin looking fresh. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, they ensure skin keeps its moisture levels topped up and stays plump.
Walnuts
 Eat a handful of walnuts every day to treat your skin to an antioxidant-rich, circulation-boosting fix.

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Heidi Range says ice skating helped her get back to a size 6

January 24, 2012, 1:00 am

≫ Next: Rubbish heap towers over houses in West Midlands

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Filed under: Celebrity

Heidi Range says ice skating helped her get back to a size 6 Rex

Heidi Range is delighted at the effect the training for Dancing on Ice has had on her figure.

The Sugababes star has revealed she's gone back to a tiny size 6 after losing a stone since she started the show.

She told the Daily Mirror: "The weight loss has been brilliant. I was just over eight-and-a-half stone before I started. I've always had to work really hard on my figure. I guess I've been stressed over the past few months too - lots of things have added to the weight loss."

"I bought size 6 jeans the other day - I don't want to be putting my size 10 on again... I think they were a big 6 though, if I'm honest."

"But I'm thinking the world is my oyster right now. The show has been brilliant - it has given me my confidence back."

Heidi showed off her slinky figure in a skintight gold catsuit as she took to the ice with her partner Andrei Lipanov to dance to Shirley Bassey's rendition of the classic Bond song 'Goldfinger'.

Heidi told the paper that she's surprised herself with the sounds she makes during training.

"We've been trying some lifts, really high ones, this week and I'm shaking like a leaf during them, screaming and making random noises - I'm shocked by the noises I make," she said. "Some of them are quite manly grunts, and sometimes I sound like my little dog, Betty."

Is Heidi right to be happy as a size 6 or is that too small? Let us know below...

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Rubbish heap towers over houses in West Midlands

January 24, 2012, 3:40 am

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Filed under: In the news

Rubbish heap towers over houses in West Midlands Rex

Despair at the state of your neighbour's garden? Annoyed at people dumping their old mattresses on your street?

Imagine if you had a dump next to your house so huge it could be seen from over a mile away.

Pity the residents of Brierley Hill in the West Midlands, who have lived with an enormous 30 foot rubbish heap dwarfing their houses for more than a year.

They say rats have been spotted scurrying around among the debris and clouds of black dust settle on their houses.

Sally Round, a resident, told the BBC: "In the summer it gets really dusty, really filthy, windows get black and we wake up looking at a tip."

The company who is responsible for the dump, Refuse Derived Fuels Ltd, could be forced to discontinue its operations if it does not meet a deadline of 28 February to reduce the stack of refuse.

So far the company, which is meant to shred and dry waste so it can be turned into fuel, has failed to meet five out of seven deadlines set by the Environment Agency to reduce the size of the tip.

David Hudson, environment manager with the agency, said: "Compliance has been very poor to date, very disappointing."

"We were hoping to see this level of the waste on the site slowly come down in a reasonable way for the company and the residents would see progress, but I'm afraid it's just not happened."

Should the council take better action to resolve this problem or is this what to expect when you live next to a dump?

Don't miss our gallery of top weird news stories from 2012.

Weird news

Breastmilk couriers help working mothers in Indonesia
 Indonesian motorbike couriers are feeling the need for speed - they're busy transporting freshly pumped breastmilk from new mums who have had to return to work, reports the Telegraph. This innovative service, which charges between £2.20 and £3 per delivery, ensures that mothers can feed their children with their own milk and still manage their working schedules. Jakarta's crowded roads mean that each delivery can take up to an hour, so let's hope grannies looking after the babies have a dummy to hand.  <o:p></o:p>
Mobile phone photo of grinning mortician found holding severed head
 Children in Aylesbury found a mobile phone with this photo of a mortuary assistant laughing as he held up a severed head. The children's father removed the SIM from the phone and started viewing images on his computer when he came across this photo. He told the Daily Mail: "It's like when you find a wallet, you look inside to see if there's anything to say who it belongs to." "However, after finding that, I don't want to get in touch with this guy. It's a total lack of respect for the dead." "That was probably someone's father, someone's son and someone's brother, it's unbelievable to think they could do that to someone." Police are currently investigating the case.
Man doesn't notice 9cm nail stuck in his brain
 Dante Autullo, from Illinois, accidentally shot a 9cm nail into his brain with a nail gun - and didn't notice for 36 hours. He eventually went to hospital, complaining of nausea and headaches, where it was discovered that the nail was lodged just millimetres from the part of the brain that controls motor functions, making the fact he was "walking and talking" even more miraculous. His fiancee's reaction to the ordeal? "Un-freaking-believable." Autullo had the nail removed and a titanium plate installed in his skull and is said to be recovering well.
Giant rat found in shoe shop
 Seems like the rats in New York are getting too big for the sewers - <a href="http://lifestyle.aol.co.uk/2012/01/09/giant-mutant-rat-found-in-shoe-shop/" target="_self">staff in a Bronx location of Foot Locker uncovered a three-foot-long giant rat in their storeroom</a>, believed to be a Gambian pouched rat. Some questioned the validity of the photo of the dead rat (was it just a trick of perspective?), which was posted to Twitter by @TheGoodFella_.
Traditional New York accent could be dying out
 <div> It may soon be time to bid adieu to a classic - the strong Noo Yawk accent (one of Woody Allen's trademarks). Kara Becker, an assistant professor of linguistics at Reed University, wrote in the New York Post that: "Current linguistic research finds that many of the defining features of local speech are losing ground."</div> <div> </div> <div> "Research shows that not all accents are created equal in the US. When Americans are asked to rank locations in descending order from most to least 'correct' speech, the New York City accent is rated second to last (only the South rates lower). Speakers of the New York City accent, it turns out, are associated with a number of negative attributes, like being unfriendly and unkind." Get outta hee!</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>
Indian minister's shoelace row
 Gauri Shankar Bisen, a minister in the state government of Madhya Pradesh, has found himself a bit tied up recently - the result of footage emerging of a child tying his shoelaces as he attended a state event. Bisen - who had been advised by doctors not to lean forward after a bypass surgery and hernia operation - has since pledged to wear only slip-on shoes from now on after Congress minister Kamal Nath referred to the incident as "the most obnoxious episode" he'd seen.
Thai man marries dead girlfriend
 In the ultimate show of romance (or creepiness), Chadil Deffy (also known as Deff Yingyuen), married his deceased girlfriend in a funeral/wedding ceremony after Sarinya "Anne" Kamsook died tragically in a car accident. The footage of the ceremony - and Deffy slipping a ring onto his dead bride's finger - later went viral on YouTube, prompting critics to accuse Deffy of publicity-hounding (he also posted photos of himself on Facebook in an album called "Corpse Bride").
'Ugly' dog breeds increasing in popularity
 It turns out getting a cute puppy to cuddle and admire isn't motivating pet owners these days - new statistics from the Kennel Club show that 'ugly' dog breeds (like the Mexican hairless and Chinese crested), which provoke a reaction, are increasing in popularity. Paul Keevil, who runs a group called British Heritage Dog Breeds, told the Telegraph that the trend was about "making a statement - whatever that statement is." "There is certainly a growing appeal for these breeds, who seem to be, shall we say, a less attractive bunch. "It is a desire for the bizarre. People want something that looks a bit unusual, a bit striking. The dog is to make some kind of fashion or lifestyle statement. "Maybe it makes the owner more beautiful. They say that people look like their dogs, but perhaps it doesn’t apply in these cases."
TV gardening expert feeds his plants Viagra
 Viagra's been known to help those with wilting issues, and one gardening expert, David Domoney, has tried the little blue pill on his blooms - and claims it helps them stay alive for up to a week longer. "You only need a tiny amount of Viagra to stiffen things up nicely. Just 1 mg - there are 50mg in a single tablet - dissolved into water with your plants will make them last a week longer." "Viagra contains nitric oxide - which slows down the dying process in plants. The same chemical relaxes the muscles in a man's penis - allowing the blood rush which is how Viagra perks things up in men, too." "We are very similar to plants - our genetics are compatible in many ways. Now scientists are working on ways to market a gardeners' version of Viagra for plants." If you don't have any Viagra handy, aspirin works too - on your flowers.
Pony kept in living room of semi-detached house
 Pensioner Stephanie Noble, based in the remote Scottish island village of Back, Lewis, wasn't horsing around when she moved her pony, Grey Lady Too, into her living room after a grazing dispute left the horse without a field. "This is my own property - if I want to even keep an elephant in the house I can," Noble said. "I have had nothing but stick from people because it is unconventional. "It is not normal to keep birds in a cage, because they should be flying about, but people don’t complain about that. Grey Lady Too is very happy. "She goes out to the lawn - though she has eaten a couple of the neighbour’s plants - and comes back in the house herself. The situation is not ideal, but it is safe and secure for her."

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New app helps to find out why your relationship ended

January 24, 2012, 9:48 pm

≫ Next: Brits are becoming more dishonest

≪ Previous: Rubbish heap towers over houses in West Midlands

Filed under: In the news

New app helps to find out why your relationship ended Getty

If you've ever been left wondering where it all went wrong after a break-up, a new website and app promises to help you find out.

Curious singletons who log onto WotWentWrong can use an online form to get back in touch with their ex and find out just why their relationship hit the skids.

The service is completely free and users can choose from 11 different templates so that they can make their request for information sound 'flippant' or 'cool', if they wish.

Their ex is then given a rough structure for their response and can choose from a number of options, or write their own - but the emphasis is firmly on being 'nice'.

Feedback is broken down into two sections: positive feedback, where your ex lists your positive traits, and constructive feedback - where they tell you why things didn't work out.

Categories that describe the things that bothered them about the relationship include, 'Physical', 'It's not you' and 'Lifestyle', with more specific options including, 'You don't pay for dinner when we go out', 'You don't make me feel attractive', and 'You text instead of calling'.

The app's developer, Audrey Melnick, believes that WotWentWrong can help people get back in touch with an ex without seeming needy or desperate.

She believes that this makes it easier to learn from past mistakes and increases the chances of of getting it right next time. She says that the app is designed to help users get 'closure' and help them move on if the object of their affections suddenly stops calling or if they never hear back from someone after what they thought was a great first date.

Although presumably it could also make you feel rubbish if you find out that Mr Right never called because he doesn't fancy you, thinks you're a bad kisser and found you boring.

Melnick says: "WotWentWrong is the breakup app for couples who never really broke up. Instead, someone just faded away, and the lack of explanation makes it difficult for the other party to move on. We're providing a socially acceptable way to tie up the loose ends, learn from what happened and improve your dating Zen for the next relationship - no stalking required."

Just to encourage them to respond, users are told that they will be able to find out whether their ex found them attractive or thought they were good in bed - but only when they have submitted their feedback.

Which begs the question, would you tell someone who dumped you without an explanation that they were gorgeous and red hot in the sack? No, us neither...

Would you use WotWentWrong? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some celebrity break-up hair...

Celebrity breakup hair

Cameron Diaz
 After the star's split from baseball player Alex Rodriguez in September 2011, she went for the chop in November, sporting a shoulder-length style which apparently wasn't dramatic enough - in January 2012, she stepped out with a shorter, wavy 'do and lighter platinum shade.
Sarah Harding
 Maybe blondes don't have more fun - Sarah Harding ditched her lighter locks in favour of red hot waves in September 2011, soon after her split from fiance Tom Crane.
Ashlee Simpson
 Ashlee got a head start on her dramatic hair makeover - going for a platinum pixie cut a few months before her split from Pete Wentz became official news.
Scarlett Johansson
 Scarlett ditched her sexy, beachy waves in favour of a more grown-up shaggy bob in a darker blonde hue when she separated from hubby of two years, Ryan Reynolds.
Olivia Wilde
 After eight years of marriage, Olivia split from hubby Tao Ruspoli in February 2011. She decided to lighten up after the news, keeping her signature long locks and fringe but adding some ombre caramel highlights.
Sandra Bullock
 Just days after her Oscar win came reports of trouble in paradise between Bullock and her unfaithful hubby Jesse James. She updated her look with a trendy blunt cut.
Jennifer Love Hewitt
 Jennifer and Ghost Whisperer co-star Jamie Kennedy broke up after a year of dating in March 2010; Jennifer lopped off her tumbling waves and debuted a wavy bob hairstyle.
Reese Witherspoon
 Another couple who announced their split post-(Reese's) Oscar win, the duo parted ways in October 2006. Reese went from sweet to sexy with an edgy new cut and fringe.
Britney Spears
 When Britney and Kevin called it quits in 2006, the singer went through a dark time - as reflected in her newly dyed brunette shade. While the look is less flattering than her blonde mane, it's a lot better than the hair makeover she gave herself in 2007: Full head shave.
Kim Kardashian
 After making it through a whopping 72 days of marriage, Kim and Kris Humphries called it quits. Kim coped with the breakup by encasing herself in a skintight, cleavage-exposing mini-dress and debuting a heavily extensioned, fringed hairdo.

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Brits are becoming more dishonest

January 24, 2012, 10:31 pm

≫ Next: Who fancies a 996-calorie Burger King burger?

≪ Previous: New app helps to find out why your relationship ended

Filed under: In the news

Brits are becoming more dishonest Getty

A new survey suggests that Britons are becoming less honest and are more tolerant of behaviour like lying, having an affair and drink driving than they were ten years ago.

The survey was carried out by the University of Essex, which today launches Britain's first Centre for the Study of Integrity.

Researchers found that, in 2000, 70 per cent of people believed that an extra-marital affair could never be justified; today only 50 per cent of people say the same.

In addition, the proportion of people who say picking up money in the street is never justified fell from 40 per cent to 20 per cent. The Independent reports that lying and breaking the speed limit have also become an accepted part of life. Lying in a job application and having an affair are less acceptable, but many people don't rule them out.

There have also been smaller changes in attitudes towards failing to report damage to a parked car, buying stolen goods and drink-driving. The only behaviour that people are more disapproving of is cheating on benefit claims. The proportion of respondents condemning benefit cheats has risen from 78 to 85 per cent, with researchers believing that this reduced tolerance has developed as a result of the tough economic climate.

The results of the study suggest that women have slightly more integrity than men, but there there is little variation in terms of social class, education or income. However age is a factor as younger people are much more likely to tolerate dishonesty.

Researchers found that only 33 per cent of under-25s think that lying on a job application is never justified, compared with 41 per cent of middle-aged people and 55 per cent of those over 65.

The report's author, Professor Paul Whitely, believes that there may be a "life cycle" effect whereby people become more honest as they age. However he explains that other research suggests that people learn honesty or dishonesty as children, and don't change much as they get older.

He says: "It appears Britons are growing more and more tolerant of low-level dishonesty and less inclined to sanction activities which would have been heavily frowned on in the past."

He adds: "It is apparent that large changes have occurred in sexual mores, attitudes to keeping money found in the street, and to smoking cannabis. These activities are much more sanctioned than they were 11 years ago."

Researchers warn that the 'integrity problem' is likely to get worse because young people are more tolerant of dishonest behaviour. As a result, they claim that we may be heading for an 'integrity crisis.'

Do you consider yourself to be essentially honest or dishonest? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some long-lasting celeb marriages...

Long-lasting celebrity marriages

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick: Married 14 years
With three kids and two careers to juggle, SJP is the first to admit her relationship has been through its share of ups and downs, telling the Telegraph that "kids can really distract you from your relationship." Their secret? To keep secrets. SJP told Parade.com: "I like having some mystery in our relationship. I like not knowing everything about my husband. I think people should have things that are theirs, things that are the unknown to someone else. I think it's good to have some privacy and some secrets in our lives."</div> <div> </div>
David Bowie and Iman: Married 19 years
 The rock god and model goddess pairing is a common one, but what's unusual about these two is that they've stuck it out for so long. One reason it works? Only one of them's a fighter. Iman told Harper's Bazaar US that: "David doesn't fight. He is English, so he just stays quiet. I'm the screamer. Then he always makes me laugh. It's like cabaret. I keep him entertained too. I still fancy him - totally! - after all these years." <div> </div> <div> </div>
Elton John and David Furnish: Civil partnership since 2005; together 12 years before that
 Elton and David further cemented their relationship in 2005, when they became fathers via surrogate to baby Zachary. How do they make it work after all of these years? John told Parade magazine in 2010 that they say it in writing. "Every Saturday for 16 years, we've sent each other a card, no matter where we are in the world, to say how much we love each other."
Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas: Married 15 1/2 years
 The two actors have been through thick and thin together (including Griffith's multiple stints in rehab for prescription pill and alcohol abuse), but look cosier and happier than ever. In fact, as Banderas told Hello! magazine back in 2010, it was their obstacles that strengthened their union: "... there were people who literally didn’t give us more than six months! But we love each other and above all we love our family. We’ve figured out how to get past obstacles - and some of them have been really tough ones - in our relationship; and if you get past those you only get stronger... We keep moving forward, and each day we become even more united."
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell: Happily unmarried for 27 years
 Goldie and Kurt still look as happy as they did when they started dating in 1983. Perhaps it's because they never tied the knot. On US chat show The View in September 2011, Hawn said: "We're not gonna get married. I mean, we're happy. I still like the idea that I'm his girlfriend."
David and Victoria Beckham: Married 12 years
 After over a decade together, four children, three countries and multiple career changes for Victoria, these two seem inseparable. Victoria says they are "soul mates" and David has admitted that what he loves most about his wife is that she's "an amazing mother." The soccer star told Hello! magazine that they always make time for each other and have a 'date night' once a week, while Victoria explained they focus on the kids and the relationship to keep things strong: "You go into a marriage knowing there are going to be ups and downs. We’re in the public eye so we have more to deal with than most. We accepted that years ago. It’s just about us and the family."
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson: Married 23 years
 The Hollywood power couple is also one of Tinseltown's longest-standing relationships, with 23 years and two kids under their belt. Wilson has said that the secret to their wedded bliss is that "we want to be married to each other" and told Success magazine that: "We have a great time together; we have shared values and a desire to be committed to each other." <div> </div> <div> </div>
Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick: Married 23 years
 The man who famously said the secret to a happy marriage is to "keep the fights clean and the sex dirty" opened up to Piers Morgan on CNN about his devotion to his wife and why he wouldn't stray: "I feel like I made a commitment to this person and we enjoy spending time together, and I don't want to do anything that's going to threaten that."
Annette Bening and Warren Beatty: Married 20 years
 Once Hollywood's most notorious bad-boy, Beatty has been happily married to Bening for two decades and the duo have four children together. The secret to their success? Making time for themselves. "I'll tell you one secret to keeping the spark there: I think you've got to get away, just the two of you, with no kids. And you've got to spend time alone; you need to cultivate your own sense of self and nurture that as well," Bening said in the past.
Sting and Trudie Styler: Married 20 years; together for a decade before
 Sting and Trudie have famously kept the flame of love burning with tantric sex sessions, and even though their all-night long lovemaking may have been exaggerated, the two certainly keep their bedroom antics exciting. "I don't think pedestrian sex is very interesting," Sting told US Harper's Bazaar in 2011. "There's a playfulness we have; I like the theater of sex. I like to look good. I like her to dress up." As for romance, Trudie doesn't expect flowers or chocolates on special occasions. "Romantic? We like tawdry," he told the mag. <div> </div> <div> </div>

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Who fancies a 996-calorie Burger King burger?

January 24, 2012, 10:57 pm

≫ Next: Decorating dilemmas: How to detox your home for the New Year

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Filed under: In the news

Who fancies a 996 calorie Burger King burger? Getty

If your New Year diet is still going strong, you might want to look away now.

Burger King have been slammed by healthy-eating campaigners for offering a new burger which packs an almighty 966 calories - which is almost half of a woman's recommended daily intake of 1,900.

The Smoked Bacon and Cheddar Double Angus burger contains two beef patties, steakhouse sauce, applewood smoked bacon, Irish mature cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion - and a dollop of creamy mayonnaise for good measure.

On its website, Burger King admits that this is for "more peckish types" - which seems like something of an understatement.

The Daily Mail reports that it's the biggest - and most fattening - on the high street and contains twice as many calories as a McDonald's Big Mac. It costs £5.29 and has a fat content of 58g - half of which is saturated fat - which means a woman would use up her entire recommended allowance of 25g in one go.

Sue Baic, from the British Dietetic Association, said: "Of course foods like burgers can play a role in a balanced diet but this sort of massive portion size in a high fat and energy dense food is really making it far too easy for us to overeat.

"The values given here don't even include the chips and shake or fizzy drink which many people order with it. If you add a large fries and large coke to that you get almost 1600 calories in the one meal."

A spokesperson for Burger King said they provided calorie information on their menu boards and it was up to customers to make "informed choices". They also explained that they have lower calorie options on the menu, including the sweet chilli chicken wrap, at 296 calories, and the hamburger, at 260 calories.

Have you tried the Smoked Bacon and Cheddar Double Angus? Let us know below...

Click on the image below for some healthy lunch ideas...

Five healthy lunch ideas

Tomato soup
 Store-bought soups are often packed with hidden salt, so buy your own fresh veggies and make a tasty tomato soup (an especially welcome treat in the cold winter months). Top it off with some yoghurt for added flavour.
Couscous salad
 Trying to be healthy by eating spinach leaves every day is pretty uninspiring, so skip the leafy salad one day and try a couscous and Mediterranean vegetable version instead. It only takes five minutes to cook, and you can keep it exciting by swapping the veg for beans and nuts to amp up the protein.
Falafel and pitta sandwich
 If you're craving the taste of something fried, a baked falafel and hummous sandwich is a high-protein option that's veggie-friendly, tastes delicious and has more nutritional value than any fried fast food alternative. Add some tomatoes and lettuce to garnish and finish off with a low-fat Greek yoghurt.
Bean salad
 For a low-cal, high-protein lunch with lots of flavour, try a bean salad. You can toss a few different bean varieties together (like cannellini, garbanzo and kidney, for example), mix tuna and white beans for a winning combo or team beans with brown rice and goat or feta cheese.
Chicken mango wrap
 There's a misconception that healthier options aren't as flavoursome as their highly caloric counterparts. This chicken and mango wrap packs a lot of flavour into an easy meal - just add some peppers and avocado to tantalise your tastebuds. Or try another protein/veg combo wrap with pesto or salsa instead of your usual mayo-filled sandwich.

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Decorating dilemmas: How to detox your home for the New Year

January 24, 2012, 11:00 pm

≫ Next: Simon Cowell is going grey!

≪ Previous: Who fancies a 996-calorie Burger King burger?

Filed under: Home

New year, new beginnings. Get set for a new season of style with a harder-working, uncluttered storage regime. After all, practical storage is the key to a streamlined and better-looking home.

From nifty space-saving devices to planning the perfect clothes-stowing space, storage expert Suzanne Baker of The Holding Company shares her top tips on how to declutter the home.

Decorating dilemmas: How to detox your home for the New Year The Holding Company

1. Hallway

The passage between home and the outer world, a clutter-free, organised hallway makes life easier on all fronts and creates a beautiful entrance to your family's home. The hallway brings the outside in - along with boots, umbrellas and overcoats. Plan storage for outerwear and rainwear near the front door. Pegs and hooks hold rain gear, jackets and summer hats - overdoor hooks are a quick and easy solution for this. Roomy pockets that hang on walls are great for stashing gloves and scarves.

Axis overdoor 5-hook rack, £19 from The Holding Company

2. Kitchen

Maximise your kitchen cupboard space with an expanding shelf organizer. This expands widthways so that you can use every inch of valuable space and helps to keep worktops free of clutter. Choose the most accessible areas in your kitchen to store the items you use the most.

Expanding shelf organiser, £11 from The Holding Company

Decorating dilemmas: How to detox your home for the New Year Home office and wardrobe storage solutions. The Holding Company

3. Bathroom

All bathrooms have one thing in common - there's never enough storage space. A hoarder's bathroom is a nest of perfume bottles, sample packets, and throwaway cosmetics, so assign each member of the family a different plastic organizer or a basket to hold cosmetics and toiletries. Also, outdated products can be harmful to your health. To eliminate the pile-up, throw out all perfumed products that have not been used in three years.

Handle basket, £5.50 from The Holding Company

4. Home Office

Just as a normal office needs a centre for paper handling and storage, a home office needs to be especially efficient and stylish, without imposing on your home. A designated desk is ideal because it will provide storage and an appropriate workspace.

To prevent unnecessary clutter and wasted time, limit the amount of items on your desk. Don't forget to utilise the space available behind the door or on the wall over a desk. Organise your papers in a file bureau that is smart as well as stylish.

Magazine box files, £11 from The Holding Company

5. Bedroom

A good storage system is essential for hiding away all those bulky winter jumpers and blankets that all too often fill our bedrooms. Vacuum storage bags are ideal for this. The air is removed by using the nozzle on a vacuum cleaner; within seconds you have a small vacuum-sealed packet. It is always important to use the bottom of wardrobes and underbed systems that will make the most of redundant space.

Save up to 10% of hanging space in your closet with clever multiple shirt/trouser or skirt hangers and eliminate the daily rummage in the sock-drawer/tie-drawer with compartments to sort this out. Finally, clear shoe cubby storage systems allow you to see what is inside each box, without having to open each one up.

Shoe storage, £10 from The Holding Company

For more smart buys and practical tips for your storage space, visit theholdingcompany.co.uk/

Do you have any decorating dilemmas? If you want to know what design classics to invest in for now or later - or get a sneak preview on the hottest trends for Spring/Summer 2012, email decodilemmas@aol.co.uk

- Shop storage furniture

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Simon Cowell is going grey!

January 24, 2012, 11:15 pm

≫ Next: Sam Fox looks fabulous at 45

≪ Previous: Decorating dilemmas: How to detox your home for the New Year

Filed under: Celebrity

Simon Cowell is going grey PA

It looks as if Simon Cowell has decided that it's time to go grey gracefully.

Simon, 52, was snapped in Blackpool during auditions for Britain's Got Talent, with 'salt and pepper' hair instead of his usual dark brown.

This is a surprise move from Mr Cowell who has been open about his efforts to fight the signs of ageing, and has admitted to using Botox to keep wrinkles at bay.

He reportedly paid £1,000 a tooth to get those dazzling veneers fitted and, last year, he revealed that he was hooked on an anti-ageing smoothie that's made from lingonberry, acerola berry and chokeberry.

So while we don't know what's behind his decision to debut the silver fox look in 2012, we think it suits him...

Do you think that Simon looks good grey? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which other celebs have gone grey...

Celebrities who have gone grey

Julie Walters
 The 61-year-old recently told a mag that her "white hair and laughter lines" are the secret to her success in Hollywood.
Kelly Osbourne
 Her mum Sharon is still rocking fire engine red, but Kelly's worked grey into her hair repertoire, opting for a lavender-tinted shade in a punky-retro style.
Jamie Lee Curtis
 The actress has embraced her silver tresses since her late 40s, and makes them work to her advantage with a trendy, choppy pixie cut.
Debbie Harry
 We all think of her as a blond-ie, but Debbie's no stranger to her natural grey. Too bad she tried to match her eyeshadow to her multi-streaked locks.
Pink
 Pink's hair has seen every hue from black to blonde - by way of pink, of course. The songstress ensures her grey mane is anything but granny-ish by teaming with a cleavage-exposing dress.
Angela Lansbury
 Angela keeps her grey mane looking polished with a sophisticated pixie cut.
Carmen Dell'Orefice
 The 80-year-old model's career is still going strong and we suspect that glorious silver mane's got something to do with it.
Diane Keaton
 Her signature style - turtlenecks, masculine tailoring and black-rimmed specs - has become iconic, as have her hairstyles. She makes grey streaks work for her by adding white-blonde and gold highlights.
Emmylou Harris
 The multi-Grammy winner and country star's locks went prematurely grey in her twenties and now she's kept to her natural hue for over two decades. She keeps it ultra-flattering with face-framing bangs and layered lengths.
Helen Mirren
 It seems that Helen Mirren makes everything look chic, from baring her body in a bikini to working the red carpet. She's mastered grey locks, too, working every hairstyle from stylish updos to bobs and pixie cuts.
Angelina Jolie
 OK, so hasn't exactly gone grey in real life, but the actress did sport a salt-and-pepper colour for her role in 2010's Salt. And yes, of course it suited her.
Judi Dench
 Dame Judi ditched the dye bottle from the age of 66. Her boyish white crop always looks pert and polished.
Ellie Goulding
 As a songstress, copious hair colour change is par for the course, so it's no surprise Ellie went the grey (and lavender) route at the ripe young age of 25.
Kristen McMenamy
 The top model came out of retirement - grey locks and all - to land a series of covers and catwalks... subsequently getting the ball rolling on the grey hair trend of 2010.
Maggie Smith
 The British dame wears her grey locks in a simple bob off-screen, but on-screen, we get to see those silver tresses worked into elaborate updos and adorned with embellished hats for her role as the delightfully snobby Dowager Duchess of Grantham on Downton Abbey.
Ellen Burstyn
 This Hollywood leading lady's hair has seen every shade from brunette to blonde to silvery white, which she keeps classic with a power blowout.
Kate Moss
 Critics weren't impressed when Mossy debuted some grey streaks in 2010... thankfully she went back to her usual golden blonde shortly after.
Lady Gaga
 Compared to some of her outlandish ensembles and hairdos (remember the egg?), going grey was a tame move by Gaga's standards.
Roseanne Barr
 The American comedienne keeps her grey locks long and loose, and even adds in a few feathers for hippy appeal.
Pixie Geldof
 The rock chick went granny chic when she dyed her blonde locks grey in '09. She continues to hit the dye bottle - we've seen pink, orange and blue since then.
George Clooney
 The quintessential silver fox - he went grey aged 33 - has a special place in our homage to grey-hairs.
Queen Elizabeth II
 No one rocks the stately hair colour quite like Queen Elizabeth - and frankly, no other can beat her in the accessories department, either.

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Sam Fox looks fabulous at 45

January 25, 2012, 3:53 am

≫ Next: Sticky pork and vegetables with rice

≪ Previous: Simon Cowell is going grey!

Filed under: Celebrity

Sam Fox looks fabulous at 45 Sam Fox/Twitter

She found fame in the 80s as a Page Three Girl, and her recent holiday snaps prove that Sam Fox is still in great shape 30 years later.

The 45-year-old former topless model shared some photos of herself in a bikini during a recent holiday to Thailand - and it looks as if she hasn't forgotten how to strike a pose.

In one of the shots she stands up in the water, wearing a navy blue bikini that shows off her flat tummy - and a large tattoo in her leg.

In another she's topless - with her back to the camera - as she takes a beachside shower.

Sam Fox looks fabulous at 45 Sam Fox/Twitter

One more shot shows her kneeling in the water with her hands on her hips and, in another, she lies on the sand showing off her famous cleavage.

Sam won The Sun's Page Three Girl of the Year award for three years in a row between 1984 and 1986, and later posed nude for men's magazines.

She started her career at the age of 16, but retired from Page Three modelling at the age of 20 to begin a music career.

She obviously makes an effort to stay in shape and look her best, as she tweeted that she'd been to the gym and also posted pictures of her tucking into a healthy salad and having a massage during her break.

However she also tweeted: "Dinner! It's not always a salad", accompanied by a picture of a table loaded with delicious Thai food including satay, curry, stir fry and plenty of steamed rice.

Do you think that Sam Fox looks great in a bikini? Let us know below...

Click on the image below to find out which lingerie is best for your body shape...

Lingerie for your body shape

Full-coverage balcony bra and contouring high-waisted brief - Apple
 Support an apple's ample bust with a balcony (or balconette)-style bra, which offers full coverage but is cut low so you can wear lower-cut tops. We love this 60s-inspired style from Ultimo, and the high-waist knickers provide extra  slimming and contouring support around the tum and bum area. Ultimo Spy Balcony Bra, £28-£31, and Brief, £14.50, <a href="http://www.ultimo.co.uk/shop/spy-balcony-bra-dd-g-1252?clid=1572&from=/shop/quick-shop?sale=1" target="_blank">Ultimo</a> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=853" target="_blank">- Shop lingerie</a>
High-waisted suspender brief and corset bra - Inverted triangle
 Divert attention downwards and away from broader shoulders and upper bodies with this sexy high-waisted suspender brief, which adds curves to slimmer hips. To further elongate your line, add stockings and heels for a special night in. Olympia bra, £26, and high-waisted brief, £18, <a href="http://www.annsummers.com/" target="_self">Ann Summers</a> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=853" target="_blank">- Shop lingerie</a>
Lace triangle underwire bra and brief - Athletic
 Soften an athletic frame with a delicate lace bra and briefs. A triangle-shape is particularly flattering on smaller busts, and the skimpy lace and silk design on this Stella McCartney set draws attention to a toned physique while adding a feminine touch.  Stella McCartney Selma Dancing Bra, £96 and Brief, £48, <a href="http://www.foxandrose.com/" target="_blank">Fox & Rose</a> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=853" target="_blank">- Shop lingerie</a>
Underwire bra and high-rise thong - Hourglass
 Flaunt your curves in a lightly padded underwire bra and high-cut thong knickers to play up your bum and hip area. This playful floral print with lace trim is very nice... and just a little bit naughty. George <a href="http://direct.asda.com/george/womens/lingerie/bras/satin-floral-bra/GEM119183,default,pd.html" target="_blank">Satin Floral Bra</a>, £6, and <a href="http://direct.asda.com/george/womens/lingerie/knickers/satin-floral-thing/GEM119191,default,pd.html" target="_blank">Satin Floral Thong</a>, £3.50, ASDA <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=853" target="_blank">- Shop lingerie</a>
Lace-detail bra and lace boy short - Petite/Slim
 Frilly additions like lace and floral patterns help add curves to smaller frames. The high-rise detail on these red hot knicker shorts from Simone Perele give the illusion of creating a longer leg line, while the lace detail around the bottom will help shape the bum. Perfect for Valentine's Day and beyond. Divin half-cup bra, £74, and shorty, £45, <a href="http://www.simone-perele.com/fr/language/shop" target="_blank">Simone Perele</a> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=853" target="_blank">- Shop lingerie</a>
Push-up bra and high-cut knickers - Pear
 A pear shape with a smaller bust and bigger hips will look great in a push-up bra and bikini brief cut high up on the legs - to elongate and slim the leg and hip line and flaunt your curvier bum. TK TK <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=853" target="_blank">- Shop lingerie</a>
Shapewear slip - For larger bustshttp://www.simplyyours.co.uk/shop/
 Gok Wan's new Wall of Fame shapewear range for Simply Yours is sexy and silhouette-enhancing - this slip provides all the support a larger-busted woman needs and is a versatile piece that can be worn under all of your frocks (the straps are removable), while the suspenders take it into sultry evening territory... Sassy slip, £55, <a href="http://www.simplyyours.co.uk/shop/" target="_blank">Gok Wan for Simply Yours</a> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=853" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 12pt; " target="_blank">- Shop lingerie</a>
Corset top and tummy shaper - To hide a bigger tum
 Cinch in your waist and camouflage problem areas with this silk and lace high-waist brief and corset bra set, which offer all of the sex appeal of a skimpy lingerie set but will keep you feeling body-confident thanks to the fuller coverage. This set from M&S is bridal-perfect for your honeymoon, but works just as well for day-to-day. M&S Autograph bra, £32.50 and waist-nipper brief, £19.50, <a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/b/42966030?ie=UTF8&intid=gnav_hp_img&pf_rd_r=1PS2FB2BDF2ZPPN0ZRM8&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=43270030&pf_rd_p=467211433&pf_rd_s=global-top-3" target="_blank">Marks & Spencer</a> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=853" target="_blank">- Shop lingerie</a>
Playsuit - Universal
 This retro-style, high-waisted polka dot playsuit is a playful and useful item that will suit a variety of shapes. The ruffle detail at the hem can add curves to slim or athletic frames, and draw the eyeline away from bigger shoulders on an inverted triangle shape. The vintage 50s shape also suits curvy body types like the hourglass or bigger-bosomed, and the belt can help add definition to the waist of apple shapes. Mimi Holliday Polka Dot playsuit, £86, Fox & Rose <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=853" target="_blank">- Shop lingerie</a>
Soft cup bra - Small bust
 The worst mistake someone with a small chest can make is overcompensating with too much padding. Work your assets in this adorable heart print soft-cup bra from Playful Promises; the heart design and bow detail are a subtle way to add some curves. Heart Noir Bra, £19, <a href="http://www.playfulpromises.com/shop/product/617/heart-noir-black-and-white-heart-bra" target="_self">Playful Promises</a> <a href="http://aolshopping.aol.co.uk/search_attrib.php/page_id=853" target="_blank">- Shop lingerie</a>

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Sticky pork and vegetables with rice

January 25, 2012, 8:45 pm

≫ Next: Could eating chocolate prevent bowel cancer?

≪ Previous: Sam Fox looks fabulous at 45

Filed under: Health & wellbeing

Sticky pork and vegetables with rice Danone Activia

Celebrate the start of Chinese New Year with this healthier version of one of your favourite dishes: sticky pork and vegetables with rice.

Filling and delicious, this recipe offers a balanced mix of protein, whole grains and vegetables and is ready in under 30 minutes, making it an easy and nutritious dinner option for your whole family.

Cook 350g of rice according to the pack instructions, drain and set aside. Steam 1 small pack of baby sweetcorn, 1 small pack of mange tout and a couple of handfuls of broccoli florets. Then mix together 2 tbsp of honey, 1 tbsp of Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp of olive oil and black pepper. Cover 4 lean pork chops with the mixture and turn to coat evenly. Place the pork chops under a pre-heated grill, brushing with any remaining honey mixture until the meat is cooked thoroughly. Serve with the rice and steamed veg.

Ingredients

350g rice

1 small pack of baby sweetcorn

1 small pack of mange tout

Couple of handfuls of broccoli florets

2tbsp honey

1tbsp Dijon mustard

1tbsp olive oil

black pepper

4 lean pork chops

Cooking time: 25 min

Feeds 4

* Approximate calories per serving 601 kcal

For more healthy recipes visit: http://www.danoneactivia.co.uk

For a chance to win a year's gym membership with Fitness First, click here.

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Could eating chocolate prevent bowel cancer?

January 25, 2012, 9:13 pm

≫ Next: Carol Vorderman wears favourite bust-boosting gown for NTAs

≪ Previous: Sticky pork and vegetables with rice

Filed under: Health & wellbeing

Could eating chocolate prevent bowel cancer? PA

Next time you reach for that piece of chocolate, don't beat yourself up too much as you could be doing your health a favour.

Researchers have said eating chocolate every day could decrease the danger of developing bowel cancer.

Dr Maria Arribas, of the Science and Technology Institute of Food and Nutrition in Spain, who headed the research, said: "Foods like cocoa, which is rich in polyphenols, seems to play an important role in protecting against disease."

Tests carried out on rats showed the group fed a diet which contained 12% cocoa for eight weeks grew fewer pre-cancerous lesions when they were exposed to the carcinogen azoxymethane.

However Sarah Williams, a spokesperson from Cancer Research UK, told the Daily Mail that eating large amounts of chocolate could also be harmful to health.

She said: "This study involved rats in the lab who were fed very large quantities of cocoa over a number of weeks, so it's impossible to conclude that that eating chocolate or drinking cocoa protects people against bowel cancer."

"But we do know that chocolate is high in fat and calories, so eating too much of it could lead you to put on weight."

"And being obese has been shown to increase the risk of bowel cancer, so eating lots of chocolate is unlikely to be a good way to cut the risk."

Enough to make you reach for a chocolate bar or not? Let us know below...
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Carol Vorderman wears favourite bust-boosting gown for NTAs

January 25, 2012, 9:42 pm

≫ Next: Weird news

≪ Previous: Could eating chocolate prevent bowel cancer?

Filed under: Celebrity

Carol Vorderman digs out bust-boosting gown she wore in 2010 for NTAs PA

Carol Vorderman knows how to dazzle a crowd.

Stepping out for last night's National Television Awards, the Loose Women presenter was the centre of attention in a daring white gown with an extremely low-cut neckline.

The skintight dress, which was made of a brocade satin, featured a corset-style top which gave Carol a remarkably pumped-up cleavage.

The 51-year-old did what many of us do when we want to look good at a special event and wheeled out an old favourite.

She first wore the dress to the Rose D'Or awards in Switzerland in 2010.

She was joined on the red carpet by fellow Loose Women presenters Sally Lindsay, Janet Street Porter, Sherrie Hewson, Jane McDonald, Andrea McLean, Lisa Maxwell and Carol McGiffin.

Carol Vorderman digs out bust-boosting gown she wore in 2010 for NTAs PA

Unfortunately Carol's dress didn't get a chance to shine on stage as the Loose Women team were beaten to the best Talk Show award by presenter Alan Carr.

What do you think of Carol's choice of outfit? Let us know below...

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Weird news

January 25, 2012, 10:00 pm

≫ Next: Dogs raise risk of Lyme disease

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Filed under: In the news

Weird news AP

Weird, funny or just plain bizarre, there are lots of unusual stories around the world everyday, from finding a giant rat in a New York shoe shop to discovering a strange photo of a laughing mortuary assistant holding up a severed head.

Check out our gallery below for our round-up of the top weird news stories of 2012 so far - from the gardening expert who gives his plants Viagra to the man unaware of the 9cm nail stuck in his brain.

Weird news

Breastmilk couriers help working mothers in Indonesia
 Indonesian motorbike couriers are feeling the need for speed - they're busy transporting freshly pumped breastmilk from new mums who have had to return to work, reports the Telegraph. This innovative service, which charges between £2.20 and £3 per delivery, ensures that mothers can feed their children with their own milk and still manage their working schedules. Jakarta's crowded roads mean that each delivery can take up to an hour, so let's hope grannies looking after the babies have a dummy to hand.  <o:p></o:p>
Mobile phone photo of grinning mortician found holding severed head
 Children in Aylesbury found a mobile phone with this photo of a mortuary assistant laughing as he held up a severed head. The children's father removed the SIM from the phone and started viewing images on his computer when he came across this photo. He told the Daily Mail: "It's like when you find a wallet, you look inside to see if there's anything to say who it belongs to." "However, after finding that, I don't want to get in touch with this guy. It's a total lack of respect for the dead." "That was probably someone's father, someone's son and someone's brother, it's unbelievable to think they could do that to someone." Police are currently investigating the case.
Man doesn't notice 9cm nail stuck in his brain
 Dante Autullo, from Illinois, accidentally shot a 9cm nail into his brain with a nail gun - and didn't notice for 36 hours. He eventually went to hospital, complaining of nausea and headaches, where it was discovered that the nail was lodged just millimetres from the part of the brain that controls motor functions, making the fact he was "walking and talking" even more miraculous. His fiancee's reaction to the ordeal? "Un-freaking-believable." Autullo had the nail removed and a titanium plate installed in his skull and is said to be recovering well.
Giant rat found in shoe shop
 Seems like the rats in New York are getting too big for the sewers - <a href="http://lifestyle.aol.co.uk/2012/01/09/giant-mutant-rat-found-in-shoe-shop/" target="_self">staff in a Bronx location of Foot Locker uncovered a three-foot-long giant rat in their storeroom</a>, believed to be a Gambian pouched rat. Some questioned the validity of the photo of the dead rat (was it just a trick of perspective?), which was posted to Twitter by @TheGoodFella_.
Traditional New York accent could be dying out
 <div> It may soon be time to bid adieu to a classic - the strong Noo Yawk accent (one of Woody Allen's trademarks). Kara Becker, an assistant professor of linguistics at Reed University, wrote in the New York Post that: "Current linguistic research finds that many of the defining features of local speech are losing ground."</div> <div> </div> <div> "Research shows that not all accents are created equal in the US. When Americans are asked to rank locations in descending order from most to least 'correct' speech, the New York City accent is rated second to last (only the South rates lower). Speakers of the New York City accent, it turns out, are associated with a number of negative attributes, like being unfriendly and unkind." Get outta hee!</div> <div> </div> <div> </div>
Indian minister's shoelace row
 Gauri Shankar Bisen, a minister in the state government of Madhya Pradesh, has found himself a bit tied up recently - the result of footage emerging of a child tying his shoelaces as he attended a state event. Bisen - who had been advised by doctors not to lean forward after a bypass surgery and hernia operation - has since pledged to wear only slip-on shoes from now on after Congress minister Kamal Nath referred to the incident as "the most obnoxious episode" he'd seen.
Thai man marries dead girlfriend
 In the ultimate show of romance (or creepiness), Chadil Deffy (also known as Deff Yingyuen), married his deceased girlfriend in a funeral/wedding ceremony after Sarinya "Anne" Kamsook died tragically in a car accident. The footage of the ceremony - and Deffy slipping a ring onto his dead bride's finger - later went viral on YouTube, prompting critics to accuse Deffy of publicity-hounding (he also posted photos of himself on Facebook in an album called "Corpse Bride").
'Ugly' dog breeds increasing in popularity
 It turns out getting a cute puppy to cuddle and admire isn't motivating pet owners these days - new statistics from the Kennel Club show that 'ugly' dog breeds (like the Mexican hairless and Chinese crested), which provoke a reaction, are increasing in popularity. Paul Keevil, who runs a group called British Heritage Dog Breeds, told the Telegraph that the trend was about "making a statement - whatever that statement is." "There is certainly a growing appeal for these breeds, who seem to be, shall we say, a less attractive bunch. "It is a desire for the bizarre. People want something that looks a bit unusual, a bit striking. The dog is to make some kind of fashion or lifestyle statement. "Maybe it makes the owner more beautiful. They say that people look like their dogs, but perhaps it doesn’t apply in these cases."
TV gardening expert feeds his plants Viagra
 Viagra's been known to help those with wilting issues, and one gardening expert, David Domoney, has tried the little blue pill on his blooms - and claims it helps them stay alive for up to a week longer. "You only need a tiny amount of Viagra to stiffen things up nicely. Just 1 mg - there are 50mg in a single tablet - dissolved into water with your plants will make them last a week longer." "Viagra contains nitric oxide - which slows down the dying process in plants. The same chemical relaxes the muscles in a man's penis - allowing the blood rush which is how Viagra perks things up in men, too." "We are very similar to plants - our genetics are compatible in many ways. Now scientists are working on ways to market a gardeners' version of Viagra for plants." If you don't have any Viagra handy, aspirin works too - on your flowers.
Pony kept in living room of semi-detached house
 Pensioner Stephanie Noble, based in the remote Scottish island village of Back, Lewis, wasn't horsing around when she moved her pony, Grey Lady Too, into her living room after a grazing dispute left the horse without a field. "This is my own property - if I want to even keep an elephant in the house I can," Noble said. "I have had nothing but stick from people because it is unconventional. "It is not normal to keep birds in a cage, because they should be flying about, but people don’t complain about that. Grey Lady Too is very happy. "She goes out to the lawn - though she has eaten a couple of the neighbour’s plants - and comes back in the house herself. The situation is not ideal, but it is safe and secure for her."

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Dogs raise risk of Lyme disease

January 25, 2012, 10:43 pm

≫ Next: Joan Rivers gets 734th cosmetic operation

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Filed under: Health & wellbeing

Dogs raise risk of Lyme disease Getty

It's been estimated that around a third of British households own a dog.

Whether you're a Chihuahua lover, Staffy freak or adore your Great Dane, having a pet can bring happiness to your home and even, some studies have suggested, be good for your health.

Unfortunately for pooches, a new study has found having a dog can increase the risk of a nasty illness called Lyme disease.

The condition is spread by ticks which bite the skin (they present as a bull's eye type of rash) and can cause flu-like symptoms, tiredness and joint pain. If it is not treated, the infection can spread to the brain, leading to paralysis and blindness.

Researchers at Bristol University randomly checked 3,500 dogs who were brought into vets around the country from March to October.

They found 14.9% of the dogs had ticks and 2.3% of the ticks were infected with Lyme disease.

Previous estimates had put the figure of infected ticks on dogs at just 0.5%.

Faith Smith, who led the research, said: "Lyme disease appears to be a rapidly growing problem in the UK with important health and economic impacts in terms of loss of working hours and potential decrease in tourism to tick hotspots."

"Without considerably better surveillance and routine diagnostic testing, Lyme disease is only likely to become more prevalent.

A spokeswoman from the Health Protection Agency said pet owners should brush off clothes and pets' fur after they had been for a walk to prevent ticks returning inside.

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Joan Rivers gets 734th cosmetic operation

January 26, 2012, 1:00 am

≫ Next: Why have the number of heart attacks in Britain halved in eight years?

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Filed under: Celebrity

Joan Rivers gets 734th cosmetic operation PA

There's cosmetic surgery, there's extreme cosmetic surgery and then there's Joan Rivers.

The comedienne recently revealed her 734th surgical procedure for the cameras as part of her reality show Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best.

The 78-year-old had an operation to "tune up" her neck, despite the protestations of her daughter Melissa, who was seen pleading: "I don't want you to die."

Joan responded rather flippantly: "My body is a temple, and my temple needs redecorating."

On the show Joan also revealed she wished she had been given some tips on sex when she was younger.

She said: "I wish someone had taught me sex tricks. Nobody teaches girls how to be good in bed."

"It was all trial and error, and in my day, you didn't even talk about it, so it was really finding out by yourself."

Is Joan right to be having operations at her age or is it up to her what she does with her body? Let us know below...

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Why have the number of heart attacks in Britain halved in eight years?

January 26, 2012, 2:00 am

≫ Next: Mammoth fur ball removed from cat's stomach

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Filed under: Health & wellbeing

Why have the number of heart attacks in Britain halved in eight years? Getty

Researchers have said the number of people having fatal heart attacks has dropped by 50% from 2002-2010.

They also found the number of people who had heart attacks decreased by 31% in men and 33% in women.

Experts attribute the fall to people giving up smoking and to improvements in treatment by the NHS.

However they warned that the figures could soon rise due to the number of people who are obese and suffer from diabetes.

A study by Oxford University scientists found the number of people dying from heart attacks in Britain dropped by 50% for men and 53% for women.

They looked at information on 834,000 patients admitted to hospital for heart attacks or who died from a heart attack.

One of the authors of the study, Professor Michael Goldacre, told the Daily Mail: "A big decline in smoking, people eating healthier fats, lower levels of blood pressure and more statins all helped, while there were big gains in treatment."

"These gains should continue for the next few years but there are complications, with some factors moving in the opposite direction. Obesity and diabetes are two big risk factors for coronary heart disease and the youngest age group is showing a hint of levelling off."

"We think people are fitter today but people in their 30s and 40s - the group just coming into the age bracket for heart attacks - had less exercise when they were young than older people."

"They played less sport and tended not to walk to school, and this energy imbalance may be significant."

Do you think the figures will rise again or will better treatment prevent an increase? Let us know below...

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Mammoth fur ball removed from cat's stomach

January 26, 2012, 3:25 am

≫ Next: Cake and Eat It: Vegan pear, chocolate and hazelnut muffins

≪ Previous: Why have the number of heart attacks in Britain halved in eight years?

Filed under: In the news

Mammoth fur ball removed from cat's stomach Rex

Any pet owner will know that the noise of a cat hacking up a fur ball is one of the most disgusting sounds you're ever likely to hear.

Meet poor Gemma, who nearly died because she had no chance of spitting up the giant fur ball in her stomach as it was the size of two iPhones and weighed an astonishing 214g.

The long-haired ginger and white cat washed herself so often that she ended up swallowing enough hair to create a ball in her stomach that measured five inches across.

When Gemma refused her food for five days, her owners took her to see a vet in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

Mammoth fur ball removed from cat's stomach Rex

Vet David Fennell from the Cromwell Vet Group said he was worried it was a tumour when he felt her stomach.

He explained to the Sun: "It was a mixture of shock and relief when we realised what it was."

"Nobody had seen anything like it before, in themselves hairballs are relatively common but I have never seen anything this size."

"We think Gemma's condition was caused by her grooming herself a lot and then swallowing the hair so it built up in her stomach."

"When we cut her open it was matted together in a great big ball in the exact shape of her stomach - it must have accumulated over a few weeks at least to get to this size."

Luckily the operation was a success and Gemma was able to return home the next day.

We hope Gemma's owners take the time to invest in a comb to help her out with her grooming efforts from now on.

Freak accident or lack of proper care? Let us know below...

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