WEIRD STUFF

Women find bald men more appealing

A study was carried out where 2,000 females were asked which features they find most attractive in men and baldness was revealed to be the second most common trait on the list, following a muscular physique.

Jessica Leoni, spokeswoman for Illicit Encounters - which commissioned the study - said: "Attractiveness was in the eye of the beholder."

"Bald men are among the sexiest looking chaps out there."

The survey results were as follows in terms of the male appearance traits that appeal to women: muscular physique (42 per cent),a bald head (40 per cent), blue eyes (38 per cent), a beard (36 per cent)), dark hair (31 per cent), and curly hair (30 per cent).

Other popular attributes included high cheekbones (26 per cent), blonde hair (22 per cent), green eyes (21 per cent), and a hairy chest (18 per cent).

Meanwhile, 10 per cent of respondents said they like men with tattoos, and seven per cent liked piercings.

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Whisky drives population boom

Whisky has been credited for increasing the population of remote islands in Scotland.

A wave of new jobs creating the liquor is thought to be the primary reason behind a population boom in the Highlands, with thriving tourism and remote working also contributing factors.

The peaceful lifestyle on the islands has convinced many temporary workers to stay permanently and the population has increased by 13 per cent compared to 20 years ago.

New distilleries on Islay and outposts on the remote islands of Raasay and Benbecula have created hundreds of jobs providing year-round employment rather than just seasonal work.

The Isle of Skye is at the heart of the population boom - with a 40 per cent rise since 2011 - as the area's Mossburn Distillers have converted a derelict farmhouse into their distillery and visitor centre.

Iona Fraser, who works there and has bought a home on the isle, told the Daily Star newspaper: "The job has also given me pride in actually having a career, rather than just kind of milling about with any job that came your way."

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Shingles jab slashes stroke risk

The shingles vaccine reduces the risk of a heart attack or stroke for up to eight years.

Those given a jab to protect themselves against the painful rash illness had a 23 per cent lower risk of potentially fatal cardiovascular events.

The protective effect was particularly noticeable in men, people under the age of 60 and those with poor health habits such as smoking.

It was at its most prominent in the first two years after the injection but the impact lasted up to eight years afterwards.

Professor Dong Keon Yon, study leader at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in South Korea, said: "There are several reasons why the shingles vaccine may help reduce heart disease.

"A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation that can lead to heart disease.

"By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks.

"However, as this study is based on an Asian cohort, the results may not apply to all populations.

"This is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies following a healthy general population over a period of up to 12 years."