David Cameron has been criticised for eating too much junk food by an American medical association, who believe the PM is spotted all too often stuffing his face with hotdogs, fried food and other culinary sins.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) wrote to Number 10 on Wednesday, claiming that photo opportunities of the PM eating greasy grub are too common. They aren't just singling out Cameron for criticism though - letters have been sent to the White House asking Barack Obama to also think before he scoffs in public.

According to the PCRM: "The letter requesting a policy change argues that food-oriented photo ops featuring prominent leaders receive massive publicity, akin to product placement in movies, and drown out the government's health messages."

PCRM president Neal Barnard is quoted thus: "Cameron has backed a 'fat tax' on unhealthy foods to stem Britain's obesity crisis. So why is he setting a bad personal example by chowing down on junk food for the cameras?

"Hot dogs, sausage, and other unhealthful foods have already contributed to rising cancer rates in Britain. The prime minister is free to eat what he likes in private, but at orchestrated public events, our leaders are role models."

Well that's you told, Dave. And it's not as if there isn't the evidence to back them up...

A study by researchers at the UCLA School of Nursing has found that male cyclists may experience hormonal imbalances that could affect their reproductive health.

According to a study, recently published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology, the levels of sex hormones in men can change substantially, after periods of intense cycling.

The researchers divided 107 healthy male study subjects (ages 18 to 60) into three groups: 16 triathletes, 46 cyclists and 45 recreational athletes.

"Plasma estradiol and testosterone levels were significantly elevated in serious leisure male cyclists, a finding not previously reported in any type of male athlete," said Leah FitzGerald, an assistant professor at the UCLA School of Nursing, and principal investigator and senior author of the study.

Estradiol is a form of estrogen and, in males, is produced as an active metabolic product of testosterone. Possible conditions associated with elevated estrogen in males include gynecomastia, a condition that may result in the loss of pubic hair and enlarged breast tissue.

"Plasma estradiol concentrations were more than two times higher in the cyclists than in the triathletes and recreational athletes, and total testosterone levels were about 50% higher in cyclists than in the recreational athletes," said researchers, in a statement.

In addition to this research, a study also recently reported a link between cycling and 'diminished sexual pleasure in women'.

Women who spend a lot of time in the saddle can experience decreased genital sensation, a study by Yale found.

Published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, the paper found women whose handlebars are lower than the saddle were especially at risk, as the position results in increased pressure on the nerves and blood vessels surrounding the genitalia.

Scroll down to see how most men try and improve their chances of conception

Commenting on the results of her study of male sex hormones, FitzGerald said: "Although preliminary, these findings warrant further investigation to determine if specific types of exercise may be associated with altered sex-hormone levels in men that could affect general health and reproductive well-being."

Another interesting study finding related to to the use of chamois cream.

Some cyclists applied it to their perineum area to help prevent chaffing and bacterial infections related to bicycle saddle sores.

However, many commercial creams contain a variety of ingredients, including lubricants, polymers and oils, and some also contain parabens, which are anti-microbial preservatives and weak estrogen agonists.

In the study, 48.5% of cyclists — compared with 10% of triathletes — reported using a paraben-containing chamois cream.

The study found an association between an increase in estrogen levels and increasing years of chamois cream use, particularly for male cyclists using the cream for more than four years.

At this time, however, no direct cause and effect has been found, the researchers said.

The first one-a-day pill for stroke prevention and irregular heartbeat has been given the green light by the NHS.

Rivaroxabin, also known as ‘Xarelto', a drug designed to combat blood clotting, has been approved by health professionals and is the first once-a-day anti-coagulent drug since the development of warfarin – a drug based on rat poison.

Warfarin has been prescribed to stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF) sufferers since the 1950s, but is known to react badly with certain foods. It has also proven difficult to control, meaning not all AF patients can take it.

Experts believe that rivaroxabin is just as effective as warfarin – but has fewer side effects and is safer for widespread use.

Leading health experts claim the new drug could benefit up to 900,000 AF and stroke patients in the UK and is predicted to ‘shake up’ the stroke prevention services.

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Atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes the upper chambers of the heart to beat faster than normal, is triggered by high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid and excessive alcohol consumption.

It’s believed that it causes over 12,000 stroke-related deaths a year as it allows blood to pool and clot – the main cause of a stroke.

It’s estimated that there are 1.2m people with AF, but unfortunately many sufferers remain undiagnosed.

However, experts hope the new cost-effective drug (it costs £2 a day, £64 for a month's supply), could potentially prevent up to 5,000 strokes a year.

Trudie Lobban from the Atrial Fibrillation Association said in a statement: “Today's recommendation is welcome news for thousands who struggle with existing treatment.

“The increase in treatment choice significantly increases the likelihood patients will receive therapy that is both manageable and effective, which could have a significant impact on quality of life.”

As rates of obesity-related diseases soar, researchers are focusing their attention on why we love our food so much.

Researchers affiliated with the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CR-CHUM) suggest that rich foods may cause similar chemical reactions in the brain to illicit drugs.

In a study published by the International Journal Of Obesity, researchers Stephanie Fulton and Sandeep Sharma reveal these ‘food high’s could ultimately lead to depression as the 'come-downs' take their toll.

"Data shows that obesity is associated with increased risk of developing depression, but we have very little understanding of the neural mechanisms and brain reward patterns that link the two," Fulton said, in a statement.

"We are demonstrating for the first time that the chronic consumption of palatable, high-fat diets has pro-depressive effects."

See Also:

Saturated Fat Linked To Cognitive Decline and Poor Memory

High Sugar Diet ‘Sabotages Learning, Memory And Cognitive Skills'

The research team used mice to evaluate the relationship between food rewards and resulting behaviour and emotions.

Mice that have been fed a higher-fat diet exhibited signs of being anxious, such as an avoidance of open areas, and of being depressed, such as making less of an effort to escape when trapped, the study reported.

The mice also had higher levels of cortisone in the body, a hormone associated with stress, and their brain chemistry had been altered.

Fulton and her team are part of a research network that is working together to address the biological reasons for obesity and its related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and of course depression.

"Although popular culture jokes about these illnesses and even mocks the people who are suffering, obesity is a serious and major public health issue that already affects hundreds of millions of people. As a society, we must avoid creating stigma and discriminating against obese and depressed people," Fulton said.

"With regards to research, it is urgent that we identify the molecules and neural pathways involved in obesity and obesity-related illnesses."

According to a new survey, men who are not consulted about healthy changes to the daily dinner menu by their wives are more likely to binge on fast food, when away from home.

A study by the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health focused on how men described the roles their wives played in shaping their eating behaviour.

It found the 83 African-American volunteers were rarely consulted about how meals could be made less fattening and often disliked the healthy changes their wives made.

Crucially, however, these men preferred to “maintain marital harmony” than put up a fight.

See Also: Brits Spend 14 Years Of Their Life On A Diet

According to the Daily Mail, men actually gain weight, as result.

"The key to married men adopting a healthier diet is for couples to discuss and negotiate the new, healthier menu changes as a team,” said Derek Griffith, assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, to the Daily Mail.

"I think at dinner a lot of men are eating healthier, but they compensate for the dissatisfaction of not eating what they want by making unhealthier choices outside the home," Griffith said.

Physicians can help by recognizing that wives play a central role in what men eat at home, Griffith said.

“Doctors could suggest that men have a tactful conversation with their wives in a way that ensures the husbands aren't sleeping on the couch that night,” Griffith said.

A brave dad who was told twice he was going to die from a brain tumour was saved when doctors took off his entire face to remove the growth - and put it back again in time for his wedding day.

Tommy Kirkland, 42, had the skin at the top of his face cut, peeled down and a quarter of his skull removed so doctors could reach the deadly lump.

The operation was the third in a series of four in which surgeons removed four tumours - the largest of which was the size of a BASEBALL - over five years.

Tommy, who suffers from a mystery condition that causes tumours to develop in his body, totted up a total of 38 hours on the operating table during the life-saving operations.

The father-of-one said he has now healed and is looking forward to marrying his fiancée Gillian Williams, 32, next month.

Tommy Kirkland in a hospital bed

Tommy, who lives in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, said: "I feel great. Doctors thought I was beyond help a couple of times but I'm still here.

"I wake up every morning happy and the fact that I am getting married soon is the icing on the cake.

"The operation where I had my face removed was a big one. There were seven specialists - one for my eyes, one to monitor my breathing and five to carry out the operation.

"It was a big shock but I had a lot of support and I am looking forward to living my life."

Tommy, a retail manager, was fit and healthy until out of the blue he began to suffer headaches and sickness in summer 2006.

He went for an MRI scan and doctors told him he had a tumour the size of a baseball in the left side of his brain and he should say goodbye to his family before an operation to remove it.

Tommy went under the knife and 14 hours later woke up to find the operation, which took place in October that year, had been a complete success.

He started on chemotherapy and thought his troubles were behind him.

But in May 2007 Tommy began to feel ill again and following an MRI scan was diagnosed with another brain tumour.

The operation was simpler and six hours later the brave dad began his recovery.

Everything ran smoothly until 2009 when doctors found yet another tumour.

Tommy was told the growth was too deep inside his brain and the chances of him surviving were slim.

But thanks to the skills of surgeons Southern General Hospital in Glasgow in March that year Tommy went under the knife for a third time in a mammoth 12 hour operation.

His entire face was removed along with the front part of his skull so doctors could remove the lump, again in the left side of his brain.

He was stitched back up and continued radiotherapy to stop any more tumours developing.

Tommy, who still bears the scars of that operation, added: "They told me that was me.

"So when they said they were going to operate I was incredibly nervous, especially when I found out what the operation involved.

"They passed tubes through my groin and through my heart and inserted things into my brain before the operation to stop it growing more and then they just got on with it."

Tommy carried on his life with radiotherapy treatment at the Beatson Clinic in Glasgow.

He returned to normal until July last year when he began to suffer sudden seizures.

To his horror doctors found another brain tumour and Tommy was rushed back into surgery for a six-hour operation in August.

He initially suffered bouts of sickness, contracting meningitis and septicaemia but the plucky Scot pulled through and celebrated his recovery by completing a 56-mile walk around the Isle of Arran on Saturday to raise money for charity.

Tommy, who has a five-year-old son, Leo, is also expecting his second child in October this year.

The brave dad, who attends support group Brain Tumour UK, added: "The best way to beat the tumours is to keep fit, keep a great attitude and enjoy life.

"Thanks to Brain Tumour UK I regained my confidence and found a new way of dealing with my illness.

"The doctors don't know what has caused my tumours. I played a lot of rugby when I was younger so that could be behind it but also my grandmother suffered from the same condition so it could be hereditary.

"I am trying to get on with my life and I want to spread the message that a brain tumour is not necessarily a death sentence. And in my case, neither is four."

Brain Tumour UK group organiser Gus Ironside said: "People affected by brain tumours can feel very isolated, so having a place to go for mutual support and to share their experiences of living with the effects of a brain tumour can be a lifeline."

Calcium supplements, taken by millions of elderly people and post-menopausal women to prevent bone thinning, may double the risk of having a heart attack, a study has found.

Researchers warned that the pills should be "taken with caution", and experts commenting on the findings questioned their safety.

Previous studies linked higher calcium intake with a reduction of heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

But the new research from Germany points to a vital difference between dietary calcium from sources such as milk, cheese, greens and kale, and supplements.

Taken in supplement form, the mineral floods the bloodstream, causing changes that may produce hard deposits on the walls of arteries, scientists believe.

Researchers analysed data on 23,980 German men and women aged 35 to 64 taking part in a study called the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.

SEE ALSO:

• Beauty Supplements Linked To Diabetes
• Vitamin E Supplements 'Weakens Bones'
• Vitamin A 'Could Prevent Skin Cancer'

Over a period of 11 years, a total of 354 heart attacks, 260 strokes and 267 associated deaths were recorded.

Participants whose diets included a moderate intake of calcium - around 820 milligrams (mg) daily - from all sources had a 31% lower heart attack risk than those with the lowest intake.

But no significant benefit was seen when calcium intakes rose to more than 1,100 mg per day.

The picture changed for the worse when the scientists focused on supplements. People taking supplements that included calcium were 86% more likely to suffer a heart attack than those taking no supplements.

For participants who only used calcium supplements, heart attack risk more than doubled.

The researchers led by Professor Sabine Rohrmann, from the University of Zurich, Switzerland, wrote in the online edition of the journal Heart: "In conclusion, this study suggests that increasing dietary calcium intake might not confer significant cardiovascular benefits, while calcium supplements, which might raise MI (myocardial infarction, or heart attack) risk, should be taken with caution."

In a comment article accompanying the research paper, two experts from New Zealand examined the safety of calcium supplements.

Professors Ian Reid and Mark Bolland, from the University of Auckland, pointed out that previous research had linked the supplements to kidney stones and gut and abdominal symptoms.

For many healthy middle-aged women, taking calcium supplements to ward off brittle bones, the overall protective effect was only about 10%.

Profs Reid and Bolland stressed that dietary calcium, taken in small amounts spread throughout the day, was absorbed slowly.

But supplements caused calcium levels in the blood to soar above the normal range, possibly increasing the risk of artery calcification.

"It is now becoming clear that taking this micronutrient in one or two daily boluses is not natural, in that it does not reproduce the same metabolic effects as calcium in food," wrote the experts, from the University of Auckland's faculty of medical and health sciences.

"The evidence is also becoming steadily stronger that it is not safe, nor is it particularly effective. Therefore, the bolus administration of this micronutrient should not be encouraged, rather, people should be advised to obtain their calcium intake from an appropriately balanced diet."

Find out which foods help keep your heart healthy...

The British Heart Foundation urged people not to stop taking calcium supplements prescribed by their doctors.

Natasha Stewart, the charity's senior cardiac nurse, said: "This research indicates that there may be an increased risk of having a heart attack for people who take calcium supplements. However, this does not mean that these supplements cause heart attacks.

"Further research is needed to shed light on the relationship between calcium supplements and heart health. We need to determine whether potential risks of the supplements outweigh the benefits calcium can give sufferers of conditions such as osteoporosis.

"If you have been prescribed calcium supplements, you should still keep taking your medication, but speak to your doctor if you have any concerns."

Dr Carrie Ruxton, from the Health Supplements Information Service, which is funded by an association representing supplement manufacturers, criticised the research.

She pointed out that calcium intakes were only measured once, and no attempt was made to observe the effect of modifying them or make comparisons with a "dummy" placebo supplement.

She said: "Vitamin and mineral supplements were never intended to treat chronic health conditions. Instead, their role is to help people meet recommended nutrient intakes.

"According to the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey, women consume only 740mg of calcium per day from food sources on average.

"This is 43mg lower than in 2000/01. Osteoporosis (brittle bone disease) is a real issue for women and it is irresponsible for scientists to advise that women cut out calcium supplements on the basis of one flawed survey, particularly when the link between calcium, vitamin D and bone health is endorsed by the European Food Safety Authority."

Babies born by Caesarean are twice as likely to be obese later in life, claims new research.

According to the Archive of Disease in Childhood, nearly 16% of babies born by C-section were classed as obese by the time they reached their third birthday compared to 7.5% of children born naturally (vaginal birth).

Although the study does little to investigate the reasons behind the link, they speculate that it could be down to the composition of gut bacteria picked up during the C-section birth.

This isn't the first time Caesareans have been linked to obesity in children

Other research have also identified different levels of bacteria in the guts of children born vaginally and by Caesarean.

Studies have found that children born by Caesarean delivery have higher numbers of Firmicutes bacteria. Other research found that obese people have higher levels of the same bacteria in their guts.

SEE ALSO:

• Caesarean Sections To Be 'Available To All Women' On NHS


• Why Are Twice As Many Women Dying During Childbirth?


• Sweet-Toothed Pregnant Women Risk Having Sugar-Addict Babies

Researchers from the recent study investigated the birth records of 1,255 mother and child pairs in eastern Massachusetts between 1999 and 2002.

One in four of the children was born by Caesarean section. They were all measured and weighed at birth, six months and three years.

"An association between Caesarean birth and increased risk of childhood obesity would provide an important rationale to avoid non-medically indicated Caesarean section," write the authors.

"Expectant mothers choosing Caesarean delivery in the absence of an obstetrical or medical indication should be aware that their children may have a higher risk of obesity."

Take a look at other pregnancy-related stories that have hit the headlines recently...

A drug used to treat schizophrenia may provide an effective weapon against treatment-resistant cancers, research suggests.

The anti-psychotic drug thioridazine appears to "tame" deadly cancer stem cells, turning them into ordinary non-cancerous cells.

Stem cells are thought to be the source of many cancers and are often impervious to traditional chemotherapy.

First identified in certain types of leukaemia in 1997, they are now known to play a role in breast, brain, lung, gastrointestinal, prostate and ovarian cancers.

Scientists discovered thioridazine's surprising properties after screening hundreds of compounds looking for ways of attacking cancer stem cells.

SEE ALSO:

• Smoking Is 'Important Risk Factor' For Schizophrenia
• Dementia Patients Prescribed Anti-Psychotic Drugs ‘At Risk'
• Cannabis Does Not Cause Schizophrenia...

In tests, the drug turned leukaemia stem cells into stable cells that no longer divided uncontrollably.

It latched onto specific proteins found on the surface of the cancer stem cells, but not normal blood stem cells.

The same proteins, called dopamine receptors, are present on some breast cancer stem cells. They are also targeted by thioridazine in the brain, where they play a role in schizophrenia.

Plans are now under way for a clinical trial using thioridazine in combination with standard anti-cancer drugs to treat adult acute myeloid leukaemia.

Dr Mick Bhatia, from McMaster University in Canada, who led the research reported in the journal Cell, said: "You have to find something that's truly selective for cancer stem cells. We've been working for some time and it's hard to find that exact formula.

"We're excited about bringing this drug to patients. We also hope our platform can now be a pipeline for other cancer stem cells drugs."

Dopamine receptors may serve as biomarkers allowing the early detection of aggressive breast cancers and leukaemia, the researchers believe.

The receptors activate dopamine, a neurotransmitter chemical that, in the brain, relays signals between nerve cells. Excess dopamine activity is associated with schizophrenia.

Any use of thioridazine will have to take account of its side effects.

At higher doses, the drug can trigger involuntary tremors, restlessness, and in some cases a potentially fatal heart condition.

For this reason it is no longer a first choice of treatment for schizophrenia.

Men who suffer from mental health problems are more likely to succumb to cancer post-diagnosis, a new study has revealed.

According to researchers from the Wellcome Trust, the University College London (UCL), University of Southampton and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, 23%of men with mental illness die from cancer within a year of a cancer diagnosis, compared to 9% in men with no history of mental problems.

The widespread study of nearly 17,000 men with cancer shed light into mental illness and cancer mortality.

Talking about the study’s findings, Dr David Batty from UCL said in a statement:

“Our findings show that men with mental illness at the time they are diagnosed with cancer are less likely to survive the disease than men who have no history of psychiatric disorders.

But why are men with mental illness more vulnerable to death so soon after being diagnosed with cancer?

“There may be many reasons for this: those with mental illness may be more likely to have other illnesses, they may be less likely to comply with cancer treatment, and they may be more likely to be obese and to smoke,” explains Dr. Batty.

But experts from the study believe a key reason could be down to delays in diagnosing men with mental illness early enough before it develops further.

“And this could be because men with mental illness tend to have more contact with psychiatric staff who may be less skilled at recognising cancer symptoms. It may also be that their cancer symptoms are put down to their mental illness and not picked up as quickly as they could be,” says Dr. Batty.

Martin Ledwick, head information nurse at Cancer Research UK, added: “This new study gives an interesting insight into what other factors can affect cancer survival.

“The researchers show that relatives and doctors looking after men who suffer from mental illness should keep an eye out for possible cancer symptoms. And, for those with cancer, it’s important that doctors and carers think about any extra care that these men may need.”

Vegetarian men are ‘less manly’ than meat-eating males, a recent study has revealed.

According to research published in the Journal of Consumer Research, men who prefer to nibble a green salad at lunch and tuck into tofu rather than a steak are considered to be less macho than their meat-eating ‘beefcake’ counterparts.

The study investigated the link between the words ‘vegetarian’, ‘meat’ and ‘masculinity’ by examining people’s word associations with certain foods.

Researchers asked participants to rate the masculinity of foods like meat, dairy products and vegetables.

They discovered that the majority of people classed meat (in particular ‘muscle meat’ like steak) as ‘manly’ and used masculine words when associating the food to metaphors.

The study also delved into how people pronounce meat-related words and investigated how ‘manly’ the words sounded. They discovered that ‘meat’ in 23 languages is spoken with a more masculine pronoun than the word ‘vegetable’.

“To the strong, traditional, macho, bicep-flexing, All-American male, red meat is a strong, traditional, macho, bicep-flexing food.

"Soy is not. To eat it, they would have to give up a food they saw as strong and powerful like themselves for a food they saw as weak and wimpy,” claimed the report.

Researchers believe that if food experts want to make a vegetarian diet appealing to men, they should re-market veggie foods so they resemble meat (for example, soy burgers that look like grilled burgers), as it might help cautious men make the transition.

"In marketing, understanding the metaphor a consumer might have for a brand could move the art of positioning toward more of a science," add the study authors.

Do these men look 'wimpy' to you?

These results follow a previous study by the University of British Columbia, which discovered that women view vegetarian men as less masculine than ‘real men’ who eat meat.

“Although abstaining from meat is widely established with the symbol of power, status and masculinity, it seems that the vegetarian man is perceived as more principled, but less manly, than his omnivorous counterpart,” explained lead researcher Dr Steven Heine at the time.

Are you a reluctant vegetable eater? Be tempted by these colour-boosting veggies that'll excite your tastebuds...

The National Health Service has come under fire after it was revealed that it spent £17 on one prescription gluten-free pizza – and that doesn’t include handling and delivery fees.

Gluten-free food products (like bread, cake mixes and biscuits) are currently available to those with coeliac disease (an autoimmune condition triggered by an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye) on the NHS.

For more information about the gluten-free prescription service, take a look here.

However, it has been discovered that the NHS have been duped into paying extortionate prices as a result, with coeliac-friendly pizza bases costing four times the amount of a normal pizza.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Dr Fayyaz Choudri shed light on the costly gluten-free food service, saying: “We saw there were occasions where there was a bread loaf costing £2.50 and there was a handling fee of £32.”

Unsurprisingly, it was also revealed that gluten-free prescriptions cost the NHS £27m last year.

Although the prescription service was created to help coeliac sufferers stick to a gluten-free diet – something sufferers are encouraged to do throughout their life to avoid the risk of osteoporosis, infertility and some cancers (illnesses linked to coeliac disease), concerns about rising costs have prompted health experts to evaluate the service.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has promised the area is ‘under ongoing review”, according to the BBC.

“We are currently considering how we might get better value from the prescribing of gluten-free products whilst ensuring patients continue to get the products they need," Lansley said in a statement.

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• 'Burger Pizza' Launches, Pleasing Junk Food Fans

Responding to these concerns, Coeliac UK agree that more needs to be done to lower the cost of prescription food products.

“The additional costs quoted in the media are of great concern to us. Agreement on the reasonable cost of products is made at a national level. We are aware that NHS commissioners have come across evidence of additional local charges being added to products and as a result are restricting access. The patient is losing out as a result,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“We need the situation resolved as quickly as possible to ensure this important service remains available, keeping people with coeliac disease healthy and avoiding adding more cost to the NHS long term.”

They also added that although they support the prescription of food staples like bread and pasta, they did not agree on hand-outs for cakes and chocolate biscuits.

“We do not support such prescribing. We have issued national guidance which states that prescriptions should focus on staple products such as breads, flours and pastas.”

Forget the latest iPad - the latest invention getting everyone in a flap is this ketchup bottle.

Why? For anyone who has furiously shaken a ketchup bottle trying to get that last glob of sauce to no avail will understand – this clever, non-stick creation allows the tomato sauce to flow freely from the bottle just like milk.

Designed by Dave Smith, an engineer from the Massachusetts Institute Technlogy, his ingenious ‘LiquiGlide’ is a ‘super slippery’ coating made of nontoxic material that can be applied to most food packaging.

Once added to the inside of the ketchup bottle, it stops the thick sauce sticking to the sides, enabling it to pour as easily without any effort. The slippery coating has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“It’s kind of a structured liquid. It’s rigid like a solid, but it’s lubricated like a liquid,” Smith told FastCoExist.

“It just floats right onto the sandwich,” he added.

Next on the list for Smith’s team? "We were really interested in - and still are - using this coating for anti-icing, or for preventing clogs that form in oil and gas lines, or for non-wetting applications like, say, on windshields," he adds.

They also trialed their invention on mayonnaise bottles.

But for now, we can live with the hope that the days of pounding our ketchup bottles in vain could soon be over…

A team of scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have suggested a pill designed to treat sleeping disorders could help fight cancer.

A team led by Carla Grandori of the Hutchinson Center’s Human Biology Division has been focusing on genes that have the potential to cause cancer, in particular a gene called 'Myc', connected to the spread of brain, breast, lung, ovary and liver cancer, which the study says has an “Achilles heel”.

“Their rapid growth and division damages their DNA, and they rely on other genes to repair that damage. Disabling those genes can cripple the cancer’s ability to grow,” said Grandori, in a statement.

During their research, Grandori and colleagues found more than 100 genes which, when blocked, caused the death of Myc-driven cancer cells, including 'CSNK 1 epsilon'.

And a compound originally developed to modulate sleep cycles, could inhibit the enzyme this gene produces, say findings published in the May 21 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

“It had been sitting on a shelf for years, like the thousands of other ‘orphan’ drugs that are abandoned when they prove ineffective for their intended use,” Grandori said.

With a simple, five-minute web search, she purchased the compound online and designed an experiment to test its potential.

Grandor implanted laboratory mice with Myc-driven neuroblastomas (a deadly cancer of the nervous system that often strikes children) and treated half of them with the new compound.

The untreated mice quickly died of their tumors, but the treated mice thrived and their neuroblastomas shrank away.

“It is possible that the next great breakthrough in cancer therapy is already out there, sitting on a shelf, hiding in plain view,” said Grandori.

According to research by Michigan State University, exercising with a ‘virtual partner’ can double the length of your fitness session.

In a study published online in the journal Annals Of Behavioural Medicine, the researchers noted that women taking part in cycling exercises exercised twice as long when working with a virtual partner

The authors suggest these results can be used to help people meet physical activity recommendations.

The researchers split 58 volunteers into three groups. The first group exercised on their own alongside a virtual person, the second group exercised alongside a virtual person but also worked as a team and the third group cycled alone.

Scroll down to find out ways to 'think yourself fit'

At the start, the women in groups one and two were assigned a 'virtually present partner' for the ride and told their partner would be riding at the same time they were, on a similar bike in another lab.

The women 'met their partners via a pre-recorded video-chat and were told their partner's performance was moderately better than their own.

Overall, exercising with a virtually present partner improved performance on the cycling task, and the women cycled longer when working alongside a more capable partner than when exercising alone.

"Being able to more than double one's performance is a substantial gain for those trying to increase their physical activity," study author, Brandon Irwin said in a statement.

"These results are encouraging and suggest the gains we observed over six hour-long sessions could be sustained on a longer-term program of exercise."

Men who suffer from mental health problems are more likely to succumb to cancer post-diagnosis, a new study has revealed.

According to researchers from the Wellcome Trust, the University College London (UCL), University of Southampton and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, 23%of men with mental illness die from cancer within a year of a cancer diagnosis, compared to 9% in men with no history of mental problems.

The widespread study of nearly 17,000 men with cancer shed light into mental illness and cancer mortality.

Talking about the study’s findings, Dr David Batty from UCL said in a statement:

“Our findings show that men with mental illness at the time they are diagnosed with cancer are less likely to survive the disease than men who have no history of psychiatric disorders.

But why are men with mental illness more vulnerable to death so soon after being diagnosed with cancer?

“There may be many reasons for this: those with mental illness may be more likely to have other illnesses, they may be less likely to comply with cancer treatment, and they may be more likely to be obese and to smoke,” explains Dr. Batty.

But experts from the study believe a key reason could be down to delays in diagnosing men with mental illness early enough before it develops further.

“And this could be because men with mental illness tend to have more contact with psychiatric staff who may be less skilled at recognising cancer symptoms. It may also be that their cancer symptoms are put down to their mental illness and not picked up as quickly as they could be,” says Dr. Batty.

Martin Ledwick, head information nurse at Cancer Research UK, added: “This new study gives an interesting insight into what other factors can affect cancer survival.

“The researchers show that relatives and doctors looking after men who suffer from mental illness should keep an eye out for possible cancer symptoms. And, for those with cancer, it’s important that doctors and carers think about any extra care that these men may need.”

While the country basks in the sunshine, people don't just overdose on ice cream, but knock back more alcohol too.

According to a recent study by Opinium, when the weather heats up, Brits gain a thirst for alcohol and guzzle around 33m more pints of beer and over 67m more litres of wine over the summer months.

Just over half of Brits of the population admit to drinking alcohol once a week. But when the sun comes out, 27% of people admit to drinking almost every day of the week.

SEE ALSO:

• UK Weather: Temperatures Soar As Sunny Week Continues
• UK To Be 'Hotter Than Barcelona' This Weekend

But Brits reportedly don't drink 'to get drunk'.

Only 6% say they reach for a beer with that intention, with the majority revealing they enjoy a drink in the sunshine to compliment their food (26%), a further 21% admitting it ‘helps relieve stress’ and 36% saying they ‘just like the taste’.

The top five reasons why people claim to drink more in the warmer months are:

1. The evenings are lighter (54%)
2. Wanting to make the most of the weather (46%)
3. There are more events in the summer, such as weddings and festivals (47%)
4. To enjoy drinking in the warmer weather (46%)
5. Getting together with friends or family are more likely to be suggested in the warmer weather (43%)

Have you overdone the alcohol it in the sun? Take a look at how the world cures their hangovers…

Plus, hangover cures you can actually try!

More than 40% of young women in the capital have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces over the last year, according to a poll.

A YouGov survey asked females about their experience of unwanted contact or attention such as wolf-whistling, sexual comments, staring or exposure of a sexual nature in London over the past 12 months.

The research for the End Violence Against Women Coalition found that 41% of women aged 18 to 34 had experienced unwanted sexual attention in public spaces, while 21% of women of all ages had experienced unwanted sexual attention and 4% of all women had experienced unwanted sexual touching.

The survey also asked female Londoners the same questions about their experiences while on public transport in the capital, and found 31% of women aged 18 to 24 experienced unwanted sexual attention, 14% of women of all ages experienced unwanted sexual attention, while 5% of all women experienced unwanted sexual touching.

Coalition co-chairwoman Professor Liz Kelly said: "Our survey shows that sexual harassment in London is extremely common.

"Some survey respondents also said that this behaviour makes them feel uncomfortable and unsafe and makes them change their behaviour and decisions about when and where to travel.

"Despite this high prevalence and impact however, public sexual harassment is a form of abuse which generally goes unchallenged, creating an unsafe and unequal environment for women.

"We need investment in public campaigns on transport and elsewhere saying this behaviour is unacceptable, and training for transport staff and police about how to respond to it."

Women who responded to the survey described having to change carriage or leave a stop early after experiencing harassment on the train or tube, while others said they avoided sitting on the top decks of buses.

The coalition commissioned the YouGov survey in order to highlight the every day impact of women's safety fears, which it said are strongly related to the threat and reality of violence in the lives of thousands of women and girls.

It said that last year 45,000 incidents of domestic violence and 3,000 rapes were reported to police in London.

The sunniest week of 2012 encouraged garden lovers to flock to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year.

Last night, the grounds were packed with flora enthusiasts, cooing over idyllic water-based designs, stunning wildlife plantings and gravity-defying architectural garden concepts.

The name of everyones' lips was Diarmuid Gavin, whose 24-metre tall pyramid of scaffolding, which has a different garden design at each level, had visitor queueing to be taken up in a lift and descend via a giant stainless steel slide!

Celebrities, including Rob Brydon and Ricky Gervais, were also on hand to decorate miniature plant pots that will be auctioned off to help raise funds for the RHS Campaign for School Gardening.

Ricky Gervais said in a statement: “Everyone should do something creative and I can’t think of anything better than appreciating the beauty of nature. That is why I support a campaign that encourages kids to get involved in gardening.”

Click here to vote for your favourite pot, before 12pm on Sunday 27 May 2012.

Yet, the gardens that will be imitated in homes across Britain, will surely be those that inspire mind and body to relax, calm and reconnect with nature.

Here's a selection of Huffpost Lifestyle's favourite places to find your bliss!

So you’ve had a nice evening being wined and dined, and now it’s time to say goodnight – do you leave your date with a peck on the cheek or do you invite him in for a ‘night cap’?

If you’re over 30, chances are he is going to get lucky, as a recent study has discovered that women aged 30 and over are more likely to have sex after a first date.

According to research by DateWithaMate.com, 34% of women aged 30 and over would get intimate with someone after a first date compared to 14% of women aged 20 to 23 and 12% of 24 to 27-year-old's.

Similarly, the study also found that women over 30 (if they didn’t go the whole way on the first date) are more likely to take the plunge on a second date compared to younger daters.

Nearly half (42%) of women aged 30 and over admitted they would definitely sleep with their date after meeting for the second time, compared to 38% of 20 to 23-year-old's and 29% of those aged 24 to 27.

It seems that younger, twentysomething women prefer to wait, as 89% admitted they like to wait until the third date before they slept with their prospective partner.

Take a look at great ways to spice up your dating life...

Luke Pomaro, the founder of datewithamate.com, said: “We wanted to conduct this research in order to get a better understanding of women who use online dating.

"It was interesting to discover that so many of the respondents have used online dating, however it is a growing industry and a great method to meet new people who are interested in starting a new romantic relationship.”

“Sleeping with someone on a first date is a completely personal decision and down to the two people who are on the date. Everybody has different views on ‘dating etiquette’ and ultimately it is an individual choice. The only thing we would advise is that people are safe on dates and always take responsible precautions.”