Minerva was about to dye her grey hair, but, after reading that hair colourants can cause hair loss (Medical Hypotheses 2006;66: 1048-9), she's reconsidering. An observer of scalp hair loss in women says he's noticed it more among women who use dyes that contain hydrogen peroxide, amines, and phenols. When mixed, these cause oxidation and coupling, producing free radicals, which are cytotoxic to hair cells in animal models.

“Feeling worthless in the eyes of the other lies at the root of rage and violent revenge” (Medicine, Conflict and Survival 2006;22: 13-25). The writer is discussing terrorism, explaining how terror breeds terrorists and why the current “War on Terror” can lead only to more terrorism. But the comments might equally apply to warring couples heading for the divorce courts.

Researchers have recently reaffirmed that exposure to sun, chronic smoking, and low body mass index are all associated with accelerated facial ageing. A Danish twin study also found that high social status, low depression score, and marriage are correlated with younger looks, although not surprisingly the strength of these associations varies between the sexes (Age and Ageing 2006;35: 110-5).

“Throwing money at the problem only allows us to do more of what we have always done. Any suggestion of real reform has been a deceit: working patterns, …