Interesting Facts

According to a study, commissioned by the alcohol-free bar movement in London, hangovers hit you harder when you are 29 years old. (The reason is that 29-year-olds think they can hit the bottle as they did when they were younger but end up with hangovers that last an average of 10 hours and 24 minutes instead of the usual 9 hours 45 minutes. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.)

According to an article published in the scientific journal, Cell Regeneration, scientists have grown teeth out of human urine. (Stem cells have the potential to be grown into any type of tissue and other researchers have managed to grow teeth from gum cells, etc. but this team from China have found that human urine could be used as a source of stem cells. It gives a whole new meaning to the term "potty mouth".)

Scientists from Heptares Therapeutics in Hertfordshire, are claiming to have identified the brain's 'misery molecule', which they have linked to stress and anxiety. (The protein - named CRF1, not the misery molecule, could also be linked to depression, and there are hopes that this discovery will lead to new drugs able to block this and control stress, anxiety and depression. I only have one problem with that. What if we have every reason to be stressed, anxious and depressed?)

McDonald's used to sell pizza in the 1990s. (The McPizza, I kid you not, could be cooked in under 5 minutes. Suffice to say it was a big McFlop.) Don't believe me?

According to forecasters, the newly arrived royal baby is expected to boost the UK economy by around 240m. (The "boost" will be from people buying baby related memorobilia, and other sundry items. Even the royal family (who are more like a corporation every day, are getting in on the act. Allegedly they are selling baby sleepsuits modelled on a guardsman's at palace shops run by the Royal Collection Trust, Prince Charles, the grandfather-to-be, is selling handmade baby shoes through a shop on his country estate Highgrove, while the mother-to-be's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, have added a range of baby goods to their party goods business. Now there's a thought!  Maybe if we get her to push a few more out, we will be able to pay off the national debt. )

According to a survey carried out by WeddingDays.com, almost 25% of women getting married in the UK plan on keeping their maiden name after marriage. (This will probably mean a rise in the popularity of the salutation Ms, so I hope you know how to pronounce it.)

26th July 2013 - Today is International Lumberjack Day.