Note to self...next trip Spain...lol

Spanish scientists have detected the presence of cocaine in the air of Madrid and Barcelona by using a new technique for the first time, a research institute said Wednesday.

The scientists looked for 17 components in five different types of illegal drugs -- cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, cannabinoids and lysergic acid.

The results revealed cocaine is the predominant drug in the air of the two cities, the CSIC institute said.

It was found in concentrations of 29 to 850 picogrammes per cubic metre of air. A picogramme is one trillionth of a gramme.

The study is the result of the first use of a new method for the detection of drugs in the air, adapted specifically for the researchers, who are to publish their results in the review "Analytical Chemistry".

"Heroin was also found in detectable levels in the samples taken in Madrid, but not in those from Barcelona," the CSIC said.

This it explained by the fact that the area of Madrid where the sample was taken is close to a district where drug dealers are suspected of operating.

The scientists also reported a higher concentration of the components during the weekend, "suggesting higher consumption this time."

But it said there was no reason for the public to be concerned.

"Even if we lived 1,000 years we would not consume the equivalent of a dose of cocaine through the air," said one of the scientists, Miren Lopez de Alda.

via Yahoo!news

A study of more than 2,000 female twins showed that those with greater emotional intelligence had larger numbers of orgasms.

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to monitor and manage feelings and emotions in oneself and others.

The findings suggest that low EI is a risk factor for female orgasmic disorder, one of the most common sexual problems suffered by women.

Up to 30 per cent of women find it difficult or impossible to reach a climax during sexual intercourse.

Professor Tim Spector, director of the Twin Research Department at King's College London and co-author of the study, said: "These findings show that emotional intelligence is an advantage in many aspects of your life including the bedroom. This study will help enormously in the development of behavioural and cognitive therapies to improve women's sexual lives."

A total of 2,035 female volunteers from the TwinsUK registry were recruited for the study, ranging in age from 18 to 83.

The registry consists of adult twins who have agreed to take part in studies to investigate the causes of common disorders. Using twins makes it possible to disentangle genetic and environmental risk factors.

All participants completed questionnaires giving details of their sexual behaviour and performance and also answered questions designed to test their emotional intelligence.

A significant association was found between EI and frequency of orgasm both during masturbation and sexual intercourse.

Women in the bottom 25 per cent of the emotional intelligence range had twice the normal risk of infrequent orgasm.

The results of the study appear today in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Lead author, psychologist Andrea Burri, also from King's College, said: "Emotional intelligence seems to have a direct impact on women's sexual functioning by influencing her ability to communicate her sexual expectations and desires to her partner."

She added that there was a possible connection with a woman's ability to fantasise during sexual intercourse.

"Emotional intelligence seems to have a direct impact on women's sexual functioning by influencing her ability to communicate her sexual expectations and desires to her partner," said Ms Burri.

via Telegraph.co.uk

Laurie Garrett: What can we learn from the 1918 flu pandemic?

via TED.com

Niftyness

Swarovski Philips Heart Beat Flash Drive

From the website:

Heart Beat USB Memory Key

USB memory key disguised as a heart pendant on a silver silk cord.

Polished stainless steel heart combined with Silver Shade crystals set in Ceralun™.

The two halves are held together with a pin.

For 1 GB of data (about 250 songs or 1,000 photos) with password protection and high-speed USB 2.0 interface.

1-11/16" x 1-3/4" x 3/4".
....................

Prediction: These will sell out in a heartbeat.

Fair warning.

$180.

I don't know about anyone else but I so want one!!

Swarovski Contact Lenses

Swarovski has been synonymous with adding that

extra ‘sparkle’ to everyday life. Swarovski
crystals have the power to transform the ordinary into
something extraordinary through their sheer brilliance.
`Sparkle’ is one such attempt to enhance the expression
of one of our most expressive features: our eyes.

Bonnie Bassler: Discovering bacteria's amazing communication system

Jeremy Mayer

As frustrating as Jeremy Mayer's website is to navigate and the annoyances of automatic browser resize found there, none of it diminishes the cool, beautiful aesthetic of his work. Mayer makes people and animals purely out of old typewriters, and wonderfully, in his bio directly and openly states that he does not associate his work with steampunk in any way. Nice. Another thing I find particularly interesting about Mayer's work is that none of his sculptures are welded, soldered or glued: they're all put together via cold assembly. Which is incredible to consider in regard to foresight, design, planning and fabrication when you poke through his galleries. He exhibits regularly at the very exciting looking Device Gallery .