WEIRD STUFF: Music fan gives birth at concert

Music fan gives birth at concert

Heavily pregnant tattooist Joice M. Figueiro was attending the heavy metallers' concert in Brazil last Saturday when she started having contractions during their performance.

The music fan, who was 39 weeks pregnant, didn't make it to the hospital, and her son, who she named Luan Figueiro, arrived into the world at 11:15 p.m. to the thunderous sounds of Enter Sandman.

Sharing a picture of the newborn on Instagram, the new mother wrote in a translated caption: "When would I imagine that I would be at the Metallica show at 39 weeks pregnant and this boy decides to be born right there, three songs before the show ends, at Couto Pereira to the sound of Enter Sandman ?"

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Children grow faster during the school year

Experts have discovered that kids shoot up an extra half a millimetre per month, on average, between September and April, when lessons are in full swing.

Scientists have theorised that children eat better during term time and fear that summer holidays are detrimental to the health of schoolkids, as they also put on weight while growth is halted.

The study, which has been published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology, followed over 3,500 youngsters over the course of five years.

Researcher Dr Jennette Moreno said: "This study indicates seasonality in children's height gain, gaining height faster during a school year, compared to the summer."

Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, thinks the current six-week summer holiday in the UK should be changed.

He said: "The current set-up is far from the best for our children's health, with many putting on weight over the summer."

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Chilli peppers could be the key to a cure for cancer

Scientists have found that capsaicin -- the compound responsible for the snack's spicy flavour -- prevents tumours from spreading by inducing 'suicide' in cancerous cells.

Experts have discovered that it "suppresses the growth of several cancers," but medical applications are difficult as the heat causes side effects such as stomach pain and vomiting.

Professor Piyali Dasgupta, from Marshall University in West Virginia, said: "Capsaicin is naturally found in chilli peppers and is the agent that provides the hot taste. It suppresses the growth of several human cancers.

"The administration of capsaicin is associated with adverse side effects, like gastrointestinal cramps, stomach pain, nausea and diarrhoea, and vomiting."

Scientists found that giving the compound through pills doesn't work as it fails to absorb properly in the body, and suggest it is better released over a longer time period.

Professor Dasgupta added: "These capsaicin-based, sustained-release drug-delivery systems have the potential to function as novel chemotherapies."

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Dog owners are among the happiest

Research has found that people who have dogs have more "meaningful" interactions, one-to-one encounters that boost their overall mood, than those who do not own a pet.

The findings also revealed that dog owners benefit from walking their canine companions, as 31 per cent feel less lonely as a result.

James Loder, from More Than Insurance -- which commissioned the study with the charity Dogs for Good -- said: "The physical and mental benefits of dog ownership speak for themselves.

"Dog owners have more opportunities for social interaction, and our research shows we also make far more meaningful connections, thanks to our four-legged friends.

"We want to shine a spotlight on our relationship with dogs so that more people can benefit from this, particularly those with disabilities, whose lives can be impacted even more substantially by establishing a strong relationship with dogs and fully harnessing the benefits they can bring."