“Orgasmatron” inventor in need of volunteers

A North Carolina scientist is having difficulty finding volunteers to have his female orgasm-triggering device implanted in their bodies. He invented the apparatus two years ago, but clinical trials were only given the go-ahead this year by the FDA. The device consists of a battery pack with attached wires that get inserted into a woman’s spine to trigger an orgasm. Only one woman so far has volunteered for the study. She wore the device for nine days, had sex with her husband seven times, and climaxed every time. Prior to this she had not had an orgasm in four years. A full device would be implanted in the buttocks, cost $13,000, and also come with a hand-held remote control.
-ZOE CORMIER
Source: New Scientist

Deforestation causing rise in malaria

A study from John Hopkins University in Baltimore has found that for every one per cent rise in deforestation there is an eight per cent rise in malaria. Researchers looked at deforestation rates in northern Peru and the rise in the populations of Anopheles darlingi, the local species of mosquito that spreads the malaria virus. The mosquito rose in numbers after local forests had been felled, most likely because it thrives in sunny open ponds. Scientists warn that changing human contact with animals will continue to result in disease epidemics like SARS and the West Nile Virus.
-ZC
Source: Nature

Researchers developing contraceptive spray

Scientists in Australia are developing a new spray-on contraceptive for women. The spray contains the synthetic female hormone Nestorone. The hormone cannot be taken orally like a birth control pill because the molecule breaks down too easily in the stomach. It can however be easily sprayed on and absorbed through the skin. The hormone can then slowly trickle into the bloodstream, resulting in a constant rate of hormone delivery to the blood. Oral contraceptives, on the other hand, result in a quick peak after swallowing the pill, which means women must be very careful to take the pill at the same time every day. With a spray, less of the hormone would have to be given, meaning fewer side effects. It also would not have to be taken at the exact same time every day.
-ZC
Source: New Scientist