My Kingdom for a Hangover Cure

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Kerry Cue

Scientists have a passionate interest in the chemistry of alcohol. This I discovered at a meet-the-lecturers function when I arrived at Melbourne Uni over 30 years ago. My Organic Chemistry lecturer, Dr Merewether with grey beard and monocle was drinking beer from a 500 ml beaker.

While the research students, who all looked like Buddy Holly in lab coats, mixed Screwdrivers using pure Ethanol procured from the adjoining lab. They insisted drinking pure ethanol avoided hangovers. This seemed increasingly unlikely as one lab coat clad lad after another proclaimed ‘Thiz evanol is good shtuff.’

The only other drinks on offer were beer and, of all things, sherry. I don’t drink beer. And you cannot get drunk on sherry. Or, at least, I can’t. After two glasses sherry begins to taste like sweetened battery acid. And you can’t force another drop down your throat.

Full Article: Hangovers

Tough Aussies

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Kerry Cue

We Aussies are tough, but not in a wrestling-crocodiles-and-opening-beer-bottles-with-our-teeth kind of way. We are tough because every summer we leave our suburban bunkers and venture into the Great Outdoors.

We might not venture far – no further than, say, the cement block barbie in the backyard. But still we risk our lives as Australia boasts some of the most venomous and/or irritating biting beasties in the world. And many live in our own backyards. As if we Aussies didn’t have enough worries already with our venomous snakes, spiders, fish, octopi and jellyfish, now we can add lizards to the list. Yes! Lizards. This year scientists at the Australian Venom Research Unit discovered many Aussie lizards have snake-like venom. It may not be enough to kill you. But a lizard bite could upset the rhythm of tossing the salad, for sure. So you need some up-dated First Aid advice.

Full Article: Tough Aussies

Men’s Health

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Kerry Cue

Men’s Health has been a big issue in 2005. According to the statistics most Aussie men are too fat, unfit and strangers to fruit. Governments around Australia are concerned. This year there have been men’s health conferences in every state, a major survey (Vic), a task force (SA) and an advisory network initiative (WA) all aimed at increasing life expectancy for blokes. But men won’t listen. Apparently. Why? I found the answer in a women’s magazine. As women read these magazines and live longer we must engage men in the type of thinking whereby poor exfoliation is a more serious issue than, say, invading Iraq. And if you did invade Iraq you would need a backpack of extreme skin products just to stabilise your complexion for the duration.

Full Article: Men’s Health

Loony Science

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Kerry Cue

Good evening parents and welcome to this Information Night about our exciting new subject Everyone-Has-A-Say Science. In this Year 7 program we don’t just respect individual beliefs; we embrace them. And here are the fascinating topics your children will study this year:

Matter: Matter is made up of small particles called atoms. Atoms can combine to form big molecules like DNA and big crystals, which have mystical powers. Crystals bestow good fortune and can, obviously, help with homework.

Light: Light is a form of energy. Each colour of light has a different wavelength. A crystal with magical powers can split white light into different colours to form a rainbow. A rainbow is a sign of good luck or that it’s been raining. People’s heads can also split light into different colours. This is an aura. An aura is a person’s energy field. Red is for anger; while the flashing red aura means ‘Warning: I’m about to explode’.

Full Article: New Loony Science

The Wonderbra is Dead!

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Kerry Cue

The Wonderbra is dead. The va-va-voom in your face cleavage enhancer is no more. If you see a bra at the side of the road or hanging on a fence, it is probably a Wonderbra that has gone feral and ended up as roadkill. The Wonderbra. Died. Australia. 2003. Age 34 years.