WEIRD STUFF

Pollen levels rise linked to fatal crashes

Scientists have discovered that when pollen levels are increasing, there is a six per cent increase in fatal road incidents.

With every one per cent of airborne allergens circulating, the amount of car crashes went up by two per cent.

Researchers from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, said: "This is the first study [on] the extent to which allergies due to seasonal pollen affect traffic fatalities.

"We find novel evidence that traffic fatalities increase on days in which the local pollen count is particularly high.

"These effects are driven by cognitive impairments that arise as a result of seasonal allergies.

"We hypothesise that exposure to pollen impairs cognitive ability and reaction time."

-------------

Why astronauts can't eat Brussels sprouts

Astronauts are banned from eating Brussels sprouts due to flammable farts.

The Christmas dinner staple is known for triggering bottom burps and fears they could cause a blast in the tiny capsule in space has left them being removed from their plate.

Maddie Moate, technology expert and TV presenter, told the Daily Star newspaper: "Sprouts have a tendency to make us quite gassy.

"You wouldn't want a crew of astronauts feeling uncomfortable, because farts are flammable.

"So, the astronauts are forbidden from eating sprouts."

Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino told Gizmodo: "As far as farting, sometimes your diet isn't the way it should be.

"You're a little stuffed up, you might not be able to go to the bathroom, and it leads to more gas.

"But farts can kind of hang out.

"The nice thing to do is to go to the restroom, where there's more ventilation to take the odour away.

"Probably similar to the way it happens on Earth, if you have to do it, either you do it in private or get people mad at you.

"That's the kind of thing that can lead to crew disharmony."

----------

Study uncovers bedroom-banking habits

Many Brits do mobile banking after a sizzling romp. According to the Daily Star newspaper, a poll -- in which 2,000 UK adults took part -- found that seven per cent unwind after sex by looking at their account to see what their cash balance is.

Researchers at Lloyds Bank found that those age 16-26 are the most likely age range to do it -- with 12 per cent confessing to doing so.

Only nine per cent of 27- to 42-year-olds and five per cent of those age 43-58 will have a little browse after getting hot in the bedroom -- but only one per cent of those over 59 go straight to their mobile banking app.