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It's no surprise that a bride's wedding day doesn't go exactly like the movies.

A realistic wedding day meets somewhere in between a Disney movie and a Don't Tell the Bride episode.

“Here Comes the Bride” down the aisle, lined with watchful guests turned in their seats to see the big white dress trail to the tune.

Tulle is draped in sweeping loops along pews filled with family and friends, as the church whispers promises of a happy ever after.

Today had been the most stressful and the most wonderful day of the bride's life. The wrong flowers line reception tables facing the wrong DJ booth.

Her dream band had cancelled last minute, and they were forced to hook up her niece's iPhone to the church speakers for the ceremony music.

She takes it all in as she puts one heel in front of the other: the incompetence of professionals, the coffee staining her veil, her mum-in-law’s audacity to wear white, the utter frustration of the whole day.

And, like all the movies, the minute she lays eyes on the man waiting for her at the alter, all the details melt away.

But what are her guests thinking as they watch from their wooden seats, shoulder to shoulder, as the ceremony unfolds?

It turns out guests have ranked these thoughts from most to least enjoyable during a recent study conducted by American Express.

The most important priority ranked was the other guests, with 44% of wedding attendees agreeing the guest list was vital to their happiness. They said that they must know those in attendance well enough and enjoy their company.

Secondly, was good weather at 42%, of course, for that could potentially ruin the whole event if they were expected to mingle and dance in an outdoor venue.

Surprisingly, how well they knew the groom or bride was only voted third at 41%. It seems family and friends thought the couple's compatibility was less important than their experience at the ceremony.

The venue and catering followed fourth and fifth at 38% and 37% during the survey.

Unlike the bride, guests stated that the smaller details made less of a contribution to the big day:

1. Favours or goody bags– 5 per cent

2. The speeches – 10 per cent

3. Being able to bring children – 10 per cent

4. Being able to bring a plus one – 13 per cent

5. Meeting new people – 13 per cent.

So, for those of you planning your perfect wedding, it is nice to know that the little things like enough space for a plus one or hand-crafted goody bags are not as important as you thought.

Phew! You can devote your time to the big things and, we would recommend, drafting up a drama-free guest list.

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If you're looking for a reason to give up the cigarettes, this might be the sign you've been looking for.

Lung cancer mortalities in women will increase by 2030 warns a study conducted by the journal, Cancer research.

The prediction estimates that death rates among the female population will rise by almost half within the time frame.

This means that from 2015 to 2030, the disease affecting women in 52 countries will jump by 43 percent, claims the study.

Europe and the Oceania which includes countries such as New Zealand and Australia should pay particular attention to the research, as it indicates women in these nations are most likely to have the highest death rates from the deadly disease. 

Although Asia and America aren't far behind us, according to the data. 

"Different timelines have been observed in the tobacco epidemic across the globe,” said Dr Jose Martinez-Sanchez, the study’s lead author and an epidemiologist from UIC Barcelona.

“This is because it was socially acceptable for women to smoke in the European and Oceanic countries included in our study many years before this habit was commonplace in America and Asia, which reflects why we are seeing higher lung cancer mortality rates in these countries.”

The doctor drew a comparison between breast and lung cancer.

Doctor Martínez-Sánchez warned the majority of developed countries will be the "first to witness" lung cancer mortality rates surpass that of breast cancer. 

"While we have made great strides in reducing breast cancer mortality globally, lung cancer mortality rates among women are on the rise worldwide," said Martínez-Sánchez.

"If we do not implement measures to reduce smoking behaviours in this population, lung cancer mortality will continue to increase throughout the world."

However, the reality might be closer than we think as their study suggests in 26 countries of the 52 they reviewed, lung cancer rates are already higher than that of breast cancer.

In order to carry out their research, the group analysed the World Health Organisation records of breast and female lung cancer mortalities between 2008 to 2014. 

The team did encounter some restrictions to their work as Africa could not be included due to insufficient information being available. 

Additionally, the research could not account for changes in lifestyle from conventional cigarettes to electronic cigarettes, which could impact trends.

Future screening technology and therapeutics may also lower mortality rates, said the doctor. 

Either way, whether you're a social or chain smoker – you may want to give up for good if this study is anything to go by. 

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Scrolling by multiple #cleaneating hashtags is par for the course if you're a regular social media user.

And while the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle is to be commended, a recent study into the social effects of its pursuit makes for interesting reading.

According to the authors of the study, Suzanne M. Nevin and Lenny R. Vartanian, there exist potential negative social consequences of clean dieting.

Investigating the theory, the researchers explained that they asked participants to read about a specific individual before evaluating them.

"In Study 1, participants read a vignette describing a woman following a “clean” diet, a woman with anorexia, or a control target (minimal information about the individual)," the findings read.

"In Study 2, participants read a vignette describing a woman with orthorexia, a woman displaying identical orthorexic behaviors but without the orthorexia label, a woman with anorexia, or a control target. Participants then rated the target individual on a range of measures assessing stereotypes, emotions, and behavioral intentions toward the target."

Based on the participants' assessments, researchers quickly learned that the individual who professes to be a clean-eater was judged more negatively than someone whose dietary habits were not referred to.

The findings were similar in both studies leading researchers to conclude that a stigma surrounding clean-eating does indeed exist in today's society.

"Overall, these findings highlight the potential negative social consequences of clean dieting and orthorexia nervosa, and point to perceptions of control and blame as potential mechanisms underlying the stigma of these conditions," they conclude.

"The present research provided support for the suggestion that there may be adverse social ramifications for clean dieting behaviors, and found that this effect was particularly pronounced when the behaviors were described in a more extreme manner."

Elaborating the motivation behind the studies, the authors explain: "​​​​​​Developing a better understanding of the stigma toward various forms of disordered eating is an important step toward alleviating the social burden endured by individuals with those conditions."

The study has been published in the Journal of Eating Disorders.

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I must admit that I struggle to get through the day without my regular cup of coffee. I need that cup of joy to help wake me up in the morning, especially with a lengthy commute ahead of me.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who turns into an angry little gremlin without my caffeine fix, whether it’s a flat white from my favourite local cafe or a mug of instant coffee at 6 am.

I’m a true coffee addict and pride myself on being just like Lorelai Gilmore. “I need coffee in an IV” has become my new motto since I started working full time.

There are times when I do worry about my daily coffee consumption, but one study has certainly reassured me.

Researchers in Germany have discovered that drinking four cups of coffee a day is actually good for your heart.

The team shared that caffeine helps protect blood vessels.

The study, which was published in PLOS Biology, stated that caffeine boosts the production of the p27 protein that protects and regenerates heart cells.

"Our results indicate a new mode of action for caffeine, one that promotes protection and repair of heart muscle through the action of mitochondrial p27,” said study author, Professor Judith Haendeler.

"These results should lead to better strategies for protecting heart muscle from damage,” he added.

There are numerous other benefits when it comes to drinking a Cup of Joe such as boosting cognitive function and protecting against type 2 diabetes.

Experts recommend drinking two to three cups of coffee each day, or if you’re like me then feel free to channel your inner Lorelai Gilmore and drink all the coffee!

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There are few things in life more satisfying than crawling into bed on Friday night knowing you'll get a well-deserved lie-on in the morning. 

And aside from being our saving grace at the end of a busy week, it now seems that those Saturday AM snooze-a-thons could actually be prolonging our lives. 

According to a study by Swedish and US researchers, people under 65-years-old are at greater risk of death if they get less than five hours sleep on the weekends. 

Published in the Journal of Sleep Research, the study was based on data collected from 30,000 participants over a 13 year period. 

Results showed that people who get less that five hours sleep throughout the week, but enjoyed some extra shut-eye on the weekends, had no heightened mortality risk.

However, that risk is increased if a person is getting consistently sleeping less than five hours, or more than nine hours per night. 

Researchers took various factors into account, such as gender, education, body mass index, severe disease, use of hypnotics (like sleeping pills,) as well as things like smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, coffee intake and employment status.

As if we need another excuse to keep pressing that snooze button! 

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Millions of women across the world could soon see an improvement in their heavy periods thanks to a very promising scientific breakthrough.

A team at the University of Edinburgh have identified the possible cause of excessive menstrual bleeding and are hopeful that their research will provide some very welcome relief for the women who suffer in silence every month.

Researchers found that lower levels of HIF-1, a protein which is affected by low oxygen levels, are to blame for the increased level of blood loss.

For the study, published in Nature Communications and primarily funded by Wellcome, laboratory mice were given a drug designed to boost levels of HIF-W.

Results showed that the increased presence of the specific protein led to improved tissue repair and reduced blood loss.

Dr Jackie Maybin, Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Edinburgh's Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, who led the study, said:

"Our findings reveal for the first time that HIF-1 and reduced levels of oxygen in the womb are required during a period to optimise repair of the womb lining… Excitingly, increasing levels of the HIF-1 protein in mice shows real promise as a novel, non-hormonal medical treatment."

The breakthrough heralds a possible new era in the treatment of heavy menstruation, meaning women will no longer be subjected to the adverse side-effects that come with some forms of hormone-based medication.

Speaking about the findings, a spokesperson for Wellbeing of Woman, a women's health charity which supported the study, said:

"Wellbeing of Women is delighted to have supported this work, which has led to the breakthrough discovery of causes of the condition so treatments might now be developed. These findings give hope to women who have suffered in silence with the condition for too long."

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So, growing up we were told how drinking milk would help us grow big and strong, and how eating carrots would make us able to see in the dark – and while the latter may be a slight exaggeration, for the most part, our mums were right. 

A nutritious diet is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, the benefits of which stretch far beyond the size of our waist or clearness of our skin. 

Certain foods can have positive impacts on brain function and mental health, with new research suggesting that a well-stocked spice rack is good for more than just adding flavour to your favourite dishes. 

A new study has found that turmeric, a colourful ingredient often found in curries, could help improve memory and lift your mood. 

Curcumin, a chemical found in the popular spice, is being hailed by researchers as an anti-inflammatory with antioxidant properties, which, when consumed regularly, could help those suffering with age-related memory loss and mental health conditions.

“Exactly how curcumin exerts its effects is not certain, but it may be due to its ability to reduce brain inflammation, which has been linked to both Alzheimer's disease and major depression,” said Dr. Gary Small, director of geriatric psychiatry at UCLA's Longevity Center and study author.

For the study, conducted by the University of California Los Angeles and published in the journal American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 40 participants aged between 50 and 90-years-old all presented with mild memory complaints. 

The group was then split in two with half assigned 90 milligrams of curcumin twice daily for 18 month, while the other half were given a placebo. 

Results showed that those who consumed curcumin saw significant improvement in both memory and mood, with some performing up to 28 per cent better in memory tests. 

The study concluded: “These results suggest that taking this relatively safe form of curcumin could provide meaningful cognitive benefits over the years.”

Better get cooking, ladies!  

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If you struggle with the idea of maintaining a monogamous relationship, recent research suggests that your family history may have something to do with it.

According to a study in the Journal of Family Issues, researchers have established a correlation between an individual's propensity to cheat with their parent's history on that front.

The research focussed on parental infidelity, parental marital status, parental conflict, and parental marital satisfaction and theorised that these factors were associated with the likelihood of offspring engaging in infidelity.

The study, which harnessed the lived experience of 294 people, established that if a person's parent cheated on their partner, they were twice as likely to do the same, with 44 per cent of participants who cheated revealing that their parents had also been unfaithful.

"When considered together, parent infidelity and parent satisfaction were uniquely related to offspring infidelity," the study reads.

"Additionally, parental marital status moderated the relationship between parent infidelity and offspring infidelity, as individuals who experienced neither event were particularly unlikely to have ever engaged in infidelity."

"Our research indicates that parental infidelity sends memorable messages to children about the greater acceptability of infidelity and these communications are internalised." Dana Weiser of Texas University explains.

She added: "We find that parent infidelity is associated with an individual’s own infidelity."
 

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Let's face it; we have a lot to be grateful for when it comes to our dogs.

From their trust and their loyalty to their warm, soft, cuddly…

Sorry, we got momentarily distracted.

Anyway, in addition to all of these things, apparently we can also thank the adorable little lads for keeping us healthy.

According to a study of 3.4 million people, dog owners have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden have posited the theory that this is due to the fact that dogs have the ability to change their owner's  bacterial microbiome by exposing them to bacteria they had not yet encountered.

Commenting on the study, which spanned 11 years, lead study author, Mwenya Mubanga said: "The results showed that single dog owners had a 33% reduction in risk of death and 11% reduction in risk of heart attack."

However, it's worth noting that researchers have acknowledged the fact that previous medical history could play a role in their examination of the issue.

Senior author of the study, Tove Fall, elaborated on this, saying: "There might also be differences between owners and non-owners already before buying a dog, which could have influenced our results, such as those people choosing to get a dog tending to be more active and of better health."

The study has been published in Scientific Reports.

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Your work life is leaving you less than satisfied, the hangovers are getting worse by the weekend, and those plans you had to travel the world and 'find yourself' have pretty much gone out the window – in other words, you're going through a quarter-life crisis.

For years the concept of a 'life-crisis' was closely associated with 40-something-year-old men and the impulsive purchasing of over-priced sports cars, but these days it's the millennials of the world that can't quite come to terms with all of life's little decisions.

Just ask anyone between the ages of 20 -29. Trust us, no one really knows what they're doing.

According to a new study by LinkedIn, 72 per cent of young professionals will experience a quarter-life crisis just shy of their 27th birthday (26.9-years-old to be exact).

And it seems it all comes down to three major worries.

  1. Lack of job satisfaction (57 per cent)

  2. Inability to get in the property ladder (57 per cent)

  3. The pressure to find a life partner (46 per cent)

Clinical psychologist Dr Alex Fowke, says: “Nowadays, twenty-somethings are under intense pressure to get themselves onto the housing market, navigate the increasingly complex professional landscape, struggle to maintain relationships and are commonly subjected to a distorted notion of life through social media.”

Sound familiar?

The study also showed that the average quarter-life crisis lasts for 11 months.

So basically an entire year of mulling over the ways if which you've messed up your life – oh, the joys!

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Everyone has their own go-to method when it comes to loosing that extra bit of weight – but let's face it, none of them are ever as easy as they sound.

Whether is a strict workout routine or simply cutting back on the office snacks, every technique requires equal doses of motivation, willpower and determination.

But what if we told you that there was a much simpler way to shed those extra few pounds?

Well, a study conducted by the University of Westminster, revealed that action-packed horror films can see viewers burn up to 113 calories per session.

For the study, scientists measured participant's heart rate, oxygen and carbon dioxide output as they watched various scary movies.

By the end of the screening, results showed that the number of calories each viewer burned had increased by approximately 30 per cent.

What's more, the more “jump-scares” a film has, the more likely viewers are to burn a higher number of calories.

According to Indy100, Physiologist, Dr Richard Mackenzie, who carried out the test said:

“As the pulse quickens and blood pumps around the body faster, the body experiences a surge in adrenaline.”

“It is this release of fast-acting adrenaline, produced during short bursts of intense stress (or in this case, brought on by fear), which is known to lower the appetite, increase the basal metabolic rate and ultimately burn a higher level of calories.”

Researchers tested the a selection of horror films to see which burned the most calories.

Here's the top 10:

  1. The Shining – 184 calories

  2. Jaws – 161 calories

  3. The Exorcist – 158 calories 

  4. Alien – 152 calories

  5. Saw – 133 calories

  6. A Nightmare on Elm Street – 118 calories

  7. Paranormal Activity – 111 calories

  8. The Blair Witch Project – 105 calories

  9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – 107 calories

  10. [REC] – 101 calories

So, there you have it. Ditch the gym shoes and get yourself a Netflix subscription.

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If you've been plumping for Instagram Stories over Snapchat in recent months, you're most certainly not alone.

According to a recent study conducted in the United States by marketing firm Mediakix, influencers, who are active on both platforms, are more likely to opt for Instagram Stories when sharing images and videos.

In fact, the research, which focussed on the activity of 12 top influencers, established that they were posting to Instagram 44 per cent more and Snapchat 33 per cent less.

Over the course of two 30-day periods in February and August of this year, the firm tracked the number of posts shared by the influencers, and established that the popularity of Snapchat is waning when it comes to frequent usage.

The study highlighted the key findings, with the report stating: "On average, influencers posted 7.6 Stories per day on Instagram, compared to 3.5 Stories per day on Snapchat."

"There were two times as many Instagram Stories as Snapchat Stories posted throughout the study."

"In comparison to the data from our previous study (6 months ago), there was a 33 per cent decrease in Snapchat Stories usage and a 14 per cent increase in Instagram Stories usage."

"This shift indicates a clear preference for Instagram Stories over Snapchat Stories among top influencers."

Instagram Stories, which has been lauded for its user-friendly interface, launched in August 2016, and currently boasts 250 million users.

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