WEIRD STUFF

Four cups of coffee is the safe limit for the heart

A recent study has revealed that consuming over 400mg of caffeine per day -- the equivalent of four cups of coffee -- can increase blood pressure and heart rate, placing additional strain on the heart. The research, conducted by experts in India, involved measuring the blood pressure and heart rate of 92 healthy adults following a three-minute step test. The results showed that heavy caffeine drinkers took longer to recover from the exercise.

Dr Nency Kagathara, the lead author of the study at Zydus Medical College, stated, "Regular caffeine consumption could disturb the parasympathetic system, leading to elevated blood pressure and heart rates. This could put otherwise healthy individuals at risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular events. Increasing awareness of these risks is vital to improve heart health."

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Ageing hits hard at 44 and 60

A new study questions the long-held belief that getting older is a gradual process after analysis revealed that two major changes occurred at the ages of 44 and 60, respectively.

The study tracked thousands of molecules in people age between 25 and 75 and could explain why specific health issues -- such as musculoskeletal problems and cardiovascular disease -- happen at certain ages.

The ageing spike in the mid-40s was initially suspected to be related to perimenopausal changes in the female body, but the boffins were shocked to spot the same patterns happening in men.

Professor Michael Snyder, senior author of the study at Stanford University, said: "We're not just changing gradually over time. There are some really dramatic changes.

"It turns out the mid-40s is a time of dramatic change, as is the early 60s -- and that's true no matter what class of molecules you look at."

Sex in space is unlikely to be enjoyable

Experts say that spacemen and spacewomen could make love in orbit should they wish but are likely to face plenty of logistical issues when doing so, such as gyrating their bodies without gravity and bodily fluids floating around the spacecraft.

Physicist and astronomer Jon Mills said that sex in space would be comparable to trying to have intercourse while "skydiving".

He said: "The issues surrounding the act all revolve around the freefall, micro-gravity, environment experienced by astronauts.

"Imagine engaging in sexual activity while skydiving -- every push or thrust will propel you in opposite directions."

Former NASA bioethicist Paul Root Wolpe explained that frisky astronauts would have to be "creative" with their space lovemaking.

He said: "Everything on the walls of the space station is covered in Velcro, so you could take advantage of that by velcroing one partner to the wall.

"We don't realise how much gravity assists us in the act of intercourse. Sex involves pressure. In space, without any counterforce, you end up constantly pushing your partner away from you."

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Arts and craft beats stress

Arts and craft is just as good at improving mental health as having a job. Scientists have found that completing creative activities enhances a person's sense that living is worthwhile, as well as their overall happiness and satisfaction.

Experts analysed a sample of over 7,000 participants in the annual Taking Part survey conducted by the UK government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and those who had taken part in arts and crafts activities over the past year reported higher levels of happiness and satisfaction.

Dr Helen Keyes, lead author of the study at Anglia Ruskin University, said: "Crafting and other artistic activities showed a meaningful effect in predicting people's sense that their life is worthwhile.

"Indeed, the impact of crafting was bigger than the impact of being in employment.

"Not only does crafting give us a sense of achievement, it is also a meaningful route to self-expression. This is not always the case with employment."