Stay-sober pill a step closer

A stay-sober pill may be a step closer after scientists discovered a new way alcohol affects the brain.
Australian scientists found that a type of immune response in the brain is linked to how we respond to alcohol, and it's this response that's behind the 'behavioural changes' associated with drinking too much, such as stumbling and slurred speech.
The research paves the way for a 'stay-sober' pill that will put an end to alcohol-induced embarrassing incidents by limiting the effects of alcohol.
In the study, scientists from the University of Adelaide treated mice with a version of the drug naloxone, before injecting them with alcohol, while others were given alcohol alone.
The drug blocks the actions of toll-like receptors on glial cells, a cell type involved in the brain's immune response.
Compared with the 'tipsy' mice, those given the naloxone had better motor skills in walking and balancing tests, and recovered more quickly from the alcohol's effects.
The researchers also repeated the experiment, but this time using mice that were genetically altered to lack functioning toll-like receptors, with similar results.
"The results showed that blocking this part of the immune system, either with the drug or genetically, reduced the effects of alcohol," said Dr Mark Hutchinson, one of the study authors.
He said he believed a similar treatment could work in humans.
"Medications targeting this specific receptor - toll-like receptor 4 - may prove beneficial in treating alcohol dependence and acute overdoses," he said.

Gorilla and tiny duckling become unexpected friends at New York zoo

This huge gorilla and tiny duckling became unlikely friends after the bird escaped into the ape's zoo enclosure.

This huge gorilla and tiny duckling became unlikely friends  

Visitors to the zoo were stunned when the baby duck suddenly appeared inches from the primate.

Fearing the 90kg western lowland gorilla might react badly to the feathered visitor, onlookers held their breath to see what would happen.

But rather than give the duckling a hard time, the 4 and a half foot gorilla became fascinated with the bird and inspected its new friend with a nearby stick.

The 15 year old female ape, called Fran, happily let it waddle about before the duckling was removed by zookeepers.

Although gorillas are frequently portrayed as aggressive, dangerous killers, they are shy, peaceful vegetarians.

Photographer Tom Warren, 51, captured the intimate scenes at Bronx Zoo, in New York.
He said: "I went to the zoo and quickly became aware of a commotion in the gorilla exhibit, as many of the school children were yelling 'ducky, ducky!'
"We all watched with amazement as the little duckling wandered around the exhibit, while the gorillas either backed away from it or inspected it with curiosity.
"Then I spotted the duckling on the log next to a seemingly, amused gorilla.
"The duckling did not seem the least bit intimidated and for good reason, as Africa's gentle giants eat mostly fruits and plants.
"How fortunate I was to witness a wonderful moment between two unlikely friends.
"I held my breath and was able to fire off a few frames, knowing that the moment that I was witnessing was a very special one.
Tom, from New York, added: "I was relieved when I got home and that the scene was in focus despite the fact that the photograph was taken through a thick piece of plexiglass."

World's hottest chilli contest leaves two in hospital

A 'world's hottest chilli' competition at a curry restaurant left two people in hospital.

Competitors taking part in the chilli eating competition at Kismot Restaurant on St Leonards Place,  

Emergency services were called to Kismot Restaurant's curry-eating challenge, on St Leonards Place, Edinburgh, after competitors started writhing on the floor in agony, vomiting and fainting during the contest.

One participant, Curie Kim was so ill after sampling the "Kismot Killer" that she had to be taken by ambulance to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary twice in a matter of hours.

Today, the Scottish Ambulance Service said it wanted the restaurant to review the way the event was managed.

Paramedics attended the event on Saturday - the busiest day of the week for the ambulance service - costing the service several hundred pounds.

Participants were required to sign a legal disclaimer prior to taking part in the competition, and two members of the British Red Cross were on hand, but they could not cope with the nature of the injuries sustained.

Curry house owner Abdul Ali admitted that he would have to "tone down" the contest, but said the challenge had raised hundreds of pounds for charity CHAS.
He added that half of the 20 people who took part in the challenge had dropped out after witnessing the first 10 diners vomiting, collapsing, sweating and panting.
Previously the restaurant's Kismot Killer dish has caused diners to suffer nose bleeds and one elderly man had to go to hospital.
Curie, 21, a Korean exchange student at Edinburgh University, came second in the competition, but she admitted the accolade "came with a price".
She said: "I've always enjoyed spicy foods and thought this was for a good cause. But it came with a price, I had to be taken to the ERI twice.
"I first went to hospital at around 4pm and the second time was at 9pm. It got really bad. I have never endured such pain in my life."
Mr Ali said he felt the competition had gone well, but that he had overestimated how much heat the competitors could take.
Beverly Jones, from Newington, was crowned curry queen after she managed to finish nine spoonfuls of the chilli-filled dish.
Mike Lavin, from Polwarth, came fifth, but he, too, had to be taken to the ERI.
Local councillor Gordon Mackenzie branded the event a "shambles" and said: "The owners owe a debt to the ambulance service, and I hope they'll find some way of making it up to them."
A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "We would urge the organisers to review the way in which this event is managed in future in order to avoid another situation where emergency ambulances are required to treat their customers."

They've cracked it: Delia was right after all about how to boil an egg

It is a question which has divided the culinary world and prompted more than the occasional grumble at the breakfast table: how long is too long to boil an egg?

Bethany,Iram and Nicky from Sherbourne Girls school in Dorset, carry out the experiment 

Now a group of schoolgirls believe they have finally found the answer after a series of experiments, backed by no less a scientific authority than the Royal Society of Chemistry.

They concluded that the optimum cooking time for a soft boiled egg suitable for dunking toast soldiers in is a full six minutes.

It proves that Delia Smith, the television chef, was right all along.

She prompted some controversy in the nation’s kitchens by advocating leaving eggs in gently boiling water for six minutes without fear of the “cardinal sin” of over boiling.

Jean-Christophe Novelli, the Michelin-starred chef, is on record as advocating a mere three minutes boiling time.

Meanwhile Mrs Beeton, the Victorian authority on all matters domestic, lays down strict instructions for no more than three and a quarter minutes.
But a group of sixth form pupils at Sherborne Girls school in Dorset, backed Delia after carrying out a series of experiments in their school laboratories overseen by Prof Hal Sosabowski, a lecturer at Brighton University under the auspices of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
The knack , they found, was to get the water just to boiling point before gently dropping the eggs in and leaving then for six minutes.
The method requires large sized eggs which have been stored at room temperature before boiling.
Prof Sosabowski said: “I was particularly impressed by the pupils’ diligence in generating results but not believing what they saw upon first inspection; checking and rechecking their results; scrutinising their own experimental design to eliminate variables and error.”
Having successfully navigated the controversy over egg boiling times, the girls then moved on to a potentially even more vexed issue: what makes the best toast soldiers.
They concluded – against the prescriptions of nutritionists – that white bread is better than brown for the purpose.
They also found that margarine makes stronger soldiers than traditional butter, that the optimum toasting time for soldiers is two and half minutes and that they should be sliced no wider than 1.5cm (0.59in).
Rosanna Younger, 17, said she had been surprised by the results.
“I love butter on my toast but I might just have to swap over to margarine in future to ensure strong soldiers,” she remarked.

Lawyers guilty of having dirtiest desks

Lawyers and accountants are among the most unhygeinic office workers in country, a survey has found.

Just over half of office workers were not aware that bacteria could be lurking on their keyboards

Dirty office desks are harbouring germs which can quickly spread among staff as firms are braced for an outbreak of sickness absence through colds and flu, a new report said.

A study of desks by office supplies firm Viking in hundreds of offices across the country found poor levels of hygiene.

Germs were found in almost two-thirds of computer keyboards, while some even had mould growing underneath.

Phones and desks also had germs, Viking found after analysing swabs sent in by hundreds of office workers.

Lawyers, accountants and computer workers were said to be the most unhygienic office workers in the country, while social workers were more likely to have mouldy food on their desks.

Just over half of office workers were not aware that bacteria could be lurking on their keyboards, phones and screens.
Viking said a ''staggering'' two-thirds of office workers admitted to eating lunch at their desks and not cleaning their workstation afterwards.
Dr Lisa Ackerley, a chartered environmental health practitioner, said: ''This research has shown that there are some very unhygienic desks right now in the UK, which is very worrying as those who work in open-plan offices tend to start coming down with illnesses this time of year.
''Keeping equipment such as keyboards, phones and desks as germ- free as possible is even more important during the cold and flu season.''

BA offers passengers courses in surviving plane crashes

British Airways is offering its frequent flyers the chance to trade in their air miles for a place on a course instructing passengers how to survive plane crashes.

British Airways is offering its frequent flyers the chance to trade in their air miles for a place on a course instructing passengers how to survive plane crashes.

Members of the airline’s Executive Club will be able to benefit from a four-hour session on air safety, when the scheme begins next year.

For around £125 – roughly the same cost as a return trip from London Gatwick to Rome – those who sign up to the courses can learn techniques to increase their chances of surviving a crash.

Andy Clubb, the BA manager running the course, told the Independent: “It makes passengers safer when travelling by giving additional skills and information, it dispels all those internet theories about the ‘brace position, and it just gives people so much more confidence in flying.”

Research into emergency evacuations by the Civil Aviation Authority in 2006 found that a significant number of passengers struggle with the most basic of tasks such as releasing the seat belt.

BA developed a passenger-training programme at the request of BP, which sends staff into remote regions of the world where safety standards are less rigorous.

The course covers basics such as practising releasing the seat belt and checking the location of the life jacket and concludes with a simulated emergency evacuationown the escape slides.

Kennel Club suspends testing dogs for banned substances amid widespread 'cheating'

The Kennel Club has suspended random testing of dogs for banned substances – such as hairspray – following a revolt by owners who say some of the practices are endemic and do not represent cheating.

Owners will go to great lengths to achieve canine beauty 

With sports governing bodies clamping down on cheats using performance-enhancing substances, this was the canine equivalent.

In a battle against the use of hairspray and other grooming products to enhance the appearance of dogs at its shows, the Kennel Club introduced random laboratory testing for banned substances at its flagship Crufts event this year.

However, the crackdown is now in disarray following a revolt by dog owners who do not consider the tactics to be cheating.

Every dog to be checked at the event tested positive for banned substances, but, under pressure from owners, the Club has agreed not only to take no action against the offending dogs or their handlers, but also to suspend the entire testing regime.

The opposition has been led by a group of owners – nicknamed the "Elnett revolutionaries", after the popular hairspray brand – who are trying to force a changes in the rules to legalise some of the banned practices.

Owners of several breeds are suspected of using hairspray to keep their animals' fur in place and some openly admit to doing so.
Owners of some white-coloured dogs also apply chalk to cover blemishes on their pets, while silicone gels are also suspected of being used to add lustre of the animals' coats.
The testing regime introduced at Crufts was similar to that used in athletics, with competitors selected for testing at random and escorted from the competition area – in this instance the parade ring – to provide a sample.
Rather than provide a urine sample, hairs were taken from the dogs by veterinary surgeons and were then sent to a forensics laboratory to be tested for traces of banned substances.
Of the four dogs tested at the event, in March, two miniature poodles - Glayvar Got Wot It Takes and a Swedish dog, Sandust Market Master - tested positive for the presence of lacquer (hairspray) and two West Highland white terriers - Karamynd Play The Game and Alfie The Prince of White Gallardo, from Holland - tested positive for chalk, or a similar substance.
But around 2,500 owners signed a petition against the testing regime and at a Kennel Club meeting on the issue attended by 300 members, a clear majority backed calls for it to be halted.
The suspension will be discussed at another club meeting later this month at which owners and breed clubs are to push for relaxation of the rules on some banned substances.
As well as calling for greater leniency in what is permitted, they believe the testing regime is flawed because animals could become "contaminated" by other dogs, and "humiliating" for those who are escorted from the parade ring to undergo checks.
Sandy Vincent, secretary of the Standard Poodle Club of Great Britain, said: "The bottom line is that we've always used hairspray.
"We know it is against the rules but everyone has done it and done it very carefully. There are lots of different breeds that do it.
"Whether you like it or not, dog shows are beauty competitions of sorts. (The ban on hairspray) is like Miss World going in without her make up on."
Fredaricka West, honorary secretary of the West Highland White Terrier Club of England, said: "We don't want people to think excessive use of chalk is acceptable but a little bit from a chalk block should be permitted at the show for last minute cleaning treatment – to tidy your dog up."
Jennie Griffiths, from Leebotwood, near Shrewsbury, and Anita Kuik, from Dalfsen, Holland, whose terriers failed tests, said chalk was used, not for cosmetic purposes, but as a recognised and approved part of the grooming process - as in many other wire-haired breeds - and that it was impossible to remove all traces before shows.
“It is not to alter the natural colour, substance of the coat or any of those things,” Mrs Griffiths added. “Inevitably they were going to find grains of chalk, any scientific test would.”
Christina Johansson, from Sweden, whose poodle Sandust Market Master tested positive for hairspray, insisted she had not used the substance, and believed the animal's coat could have been contaminated by spray used by other competitors in the backstage area, or by material passed from other dogs via the judge's hands.
"If someone uses lacquer, it ends up on all the dogs. I saw a lot of people using spray, from all breeds. I do not use spray," she added.
The owner of the fourth dog declined to comment but is understood to also deny any suggestion of cheating.
One possible compromise would be to allow hairspray to be used only on the heads of the animals and for small amounts of chalk to be permitted.
However, Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said its general committee would have to approve any permanent change in the rules.
She acknowledged that the use of lacquer and chalk powder were common among certain breeds. She added: "We believe it is cheating. The dog is not showing its natural coat.
"A lot of owners feel this way as well and we have to take in all views. We agreed to suspend testing but the regulations are still in place."