by Anna Fenton

Liverpool-based business woman Tracy Whittaker has launched lip gloss- drug testing kit. The testing kit is a simple pink taper, which tests for the common street drugs GHB and Ketamine, two widely available substances known to be used in bars and clubs. Read More

by Erin Brown, Science Correspondent

Youth just got a lot shorter, as far as mental life is concerned.

That mental abilities tend to suffer as we get older, particularly after the age of 60, is a well-established fact.  But according to a recent report in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, cognitive function appears to begin its decline at around 27, an age much earlier than traditionally accepted.
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by Erin Brown, Science Correspondent

A team of scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology recently announced at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science that 63% of the Neanderthal genome has been successfully sequenced.

Neanderthals, humans’ closest relative in the evolutionary tree of life, lived until around 30,000 years ago but disappeared abruptly from the fossil record.  It is believed the evolutionary lines of humans and Neanderthals split approximately 800,000 years ago. Read More

by Naz Rasmussen@the Model UN

This feature is a follow-up of the “Model UN heads for Scotland” article dating February 17th, 2009.
This write-up is the account of Naz’s experience of the ScotMUN Conference 2009.
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by TJ, Newsteam Wizard and Tourist Tipster…

Another week, another selection of my favourite tourist locations in and around Scotland’s majestic capital city.  This week I have chose St. Serf’s Players, Steptoes and the City Cafe.

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by Emma Langman, FreshReporter

This Sunday’s programme will feature a special focus on the forthcoming EUSA presidential elections.

With campaigning gaining momentum, the candidates have publicised their main policies, outlining the changes and improvements they aim to make, if successfully in elected EUSA President.
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by TJ, News Team Wizard

“Each week I’ll bring you my guide to the best tourist attractions in and around Edinburgh”.

This week: The Tram mock-up, Camera Obscura and Blair Drummond Safari Park

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by Lina Barbenes, Science Correspondent

A study published on Sunday the 15th of February in the journal Nature Neuroscience reports that a new method, using existing blood pressure pills, could be useful for weakening or erasing bad memories in people with post-traumatic stress disorder.

In the new study on humans, by Merel Kindt and colleagues at University of Amsterdam, 60 subjects were taught to associate pictures of spiders with a mild shock, creating a fearful memory. Later, they were given either a beta-blocker called propranolol or a placebo. The group given propranolol had a greatly decreased fear response to the spider pictures 24 hours later, according to the journal. And the fear response did not return, suggesting that their fear memory was completely erased.

Would you like a 'spotless mind'?

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by Anna Fenton, Deputy Head of News

Fair Trade Fortnight runs in the Unions from Monday 23rd February to Friday 5th March, hoping to raise the profile of Fairtrade products, as well as discussing the issues facing Fairtrade in the future. The conditions and wages of many producers in the developing world are often unfair and as a result, millions live in poverty. The point of Fairtrade is that it is meant to guarantee a fair price for workers, helping improve conditions and alleviate exploitation.
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by TJ, News Team Wizard

Each week I’ll be bringing you my top tips on days out and tourist attractions in and around the Edinburgh area.  My three top tips this tuesday are 1) Secret Bunker, 2) Teddy Bear and Doll Museum, 3) Edinburgh Zoo Read More

by Naz Rasmussen, FreshReporter.

This weekend, the 20th to 22nd of February, Scotland will be a first-time host of the world-renowned academic simulation of the United Nations: the MUN.  The various events will be taking place at Edinburgh University, mainly in the Teviot and Old College buildings.

As a rich student playground that swirls around current world affairs, it seems fitting that Scotland wishes to add this event to its repertoire. The ScotMUN will present a chance to heighten the profile of Scottish student debating. ScotMUN 2009 will deliberate topics such as Scotland’s proposed independence from England; establishing a new global agreement on Climate Change (before the Kyoto protocol expires); and the challenges facing international disarmament and security. The Committees that our fellow students will sign up and role-play for, this weekend, are the Security Council; Scottish Parliament; European Union Council; Disarmament and International Security and the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

MUN is a popular practice among high-schools and universities alike, especially within the international community. In a day of age where many of our university colleagues seem increasingly aware and active within the political community, the MUN takes these ambitions and presents them in an eloquent simulation of the ultimate governing body of multilateral issues: the United Nations. Paired with the intense diplomatic skills and knowledge of current affairs the participating students take on, this simulated conclave is a perfect summoning of those political and debating skills that need strengthened and honed. Read More

by Jodi Mullen, Technology Correspondent

Technology has been blamed for many of the world’s ills, not least our ever-increasing carbon emissions and global warming. But is it possible for modern technology, and the internet in particular, to actually reduce our environmental impact on the planet? Expecting to save the whale and reverse global warming overnight is perhaps unrealistic but its surprising the difference that just a few minor lifestyle tweaks can make to our personal green credentials. Below are three of the best websites offering green solutions to some of the most pressing problems of urban living.

Waste not, want not

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by Vikki Graves, Feature Reporter
This weekend there is no need to feel guilty if you succumb to the lure of the chip shop on the way home from a night out. In fact, the consumption of deep fried potatoes is to be actively encouraged.
That’s right, it’s National Chip Week! The campaign is represented by the legendary Keith Chegwin, who is in Glasgow today to award the coveted Cheggers’ Perfect Portion award to a great Scottish chippy nominated by you. Read More

by Annabel Cooper, Presenter and Online Reporter

One month in and 2009 has already been a year for political firsts. As Barack Obama had barely settled himself into his new seat in the Oval Office, news broke that Icelandic politics was to have a pioneering leader of its own. The crippling financial crisis and ill health cut short Geir Haarde’s premiership and up-stepped former social affairs minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, to become the world’s first openly gay head of state. She will preside over a coalition of her social democratic party with the Left-Greens until the elections in May at least. So what it is about Iceland and their new lesbian leader that has made this unprecedented appointment possible? And if they can do it, can we Brits do it too?

Sigurdardottir

This small north Atlantic nation has always had a reputation for quietly progressive politics and was the first to elect a female head of state in 1980 when Vigdís Finnbogadóttir became its 4th president. She went on to serve three terms as leader (ring any bells?). But despite widespread coverage of this pioneering woman’s election in the 80s and a keen interest from the international press in Sigurdardottir’s promotion this week, Icelandic voters are bemused by the furore.  For them, “Saint Johanna” as she’s affectionately known, is the natural choice.

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by News Team members Emma Langman and Kat Maclean. Their audio package based on the following article will feature in the live show on Sunday 15th of February, between 12 and 1pm.

On February 10th 2007, Barack Obama announced that he would be running for presidency in the 2008 American election. From the very beginning, this election promised to be out of the ordinary; not only was Obama the first African American to stand for candidacy but Hillary Clinton, his democratic rival, was aiming to become the first female nominee for presidency. As soon as the campaigning began, America, not to mention the rest of the world, was gripped in election frenzy. Read More