The Independent warns that losing your hair could be the first visible sign of heart disease – but only if it is

from the top of your head.

A review of studies involving almost 40,000 men has found that those with male pattern baldness – losing

hair from the crown of their head – had up to a 70% increased risk of heart disease. The younger they were

when they lost their hair and the greater the extent of their baldness, the higher their risk.

Men with receding hairlines can relax, however, as evidence shows they are not affected – or only slightly.

Finding a visual cue for heart disease such as hair loss is important because it can serve as an early-

warning signal both to individuals to change their lifestyles and to doctors to conduct further tests to

prevent the disease developing before it triggers a heart attack.

Three of the studies monitored men for at least 11 years and found those who had lost most of their hair

were a third more likely to develop heart disease. Men who went bald before middle age (55-60) had a 44%

higher risk. The remaining three studies showed an increased risk of 70% overall, rising to 84% among

those who went bald before age 55-60. Men who lost most of their hair had more than twice the increased

risk compared with those who lost only some of it

Father's brain more valuable than their wallet

Fathers who want successful sons

should focus on passing on their advice and worldly wisdom rather than their money,

a study suggests.

To separate which factors had the biggest impact,

the researchers from Brigham Young University compared detailed sets

of data on Swedish fathers with sons born between 1950 and 1965

By Nick Collins, Science Correspondent
5:57PM BST 22 Jun 2012

Telegraph

Although boys with wealthier fathers usually grow up to earn higher-than-average incomes themselves, researchers said their parents' money may not be the deciding factor.

Intelligence, advice, work ethic and other "human capital endowments" which sons inherit from their fathers are more important than money in determining how successful they will be, the experts wrote in the Journal of Political Economy.

To establish what causes the link between a father's income and their son's, the researchers compared the effects of fathers' money with other helpful qualities.

Such a comparison is difficult to make because fathers who are hard-working and intelligent are also more likely to have higher incomes in the first place.

To separate which factors had the biggest impact, the researchers from Brigham Young University compared detailed sets of data on Swedish fathers with sons born between 1950 and 1965.

The information included their income as well as their education and job description, which were indicative of the "human capital" which the fathers might be able to pass to their sons.

An overall comparison between fathers' income and their sons' showed that, as expected, wealthier fathers were more likely to have well-paid sons.

To distinguish how much of the trend was down to money alone, researchers then compared men who earned different amounts despite having similar levels of education and professional skill, for example due to different labour market conditions.

They found that differences in income like these, which were not related to the fathers' education or skill level, had less of an impact on their sons' wages.

In contrast "human capital" qualities passed from father to son accounted for about two thirds of the link between their earnings, researchers reported.

Want to help with research?

The following health research projects are looking for male volunteers.

Please note the deadlines, some of which may well have passed.

Men without children

Robin Hadley writes: Male participants sought for interviews.

 Men, aged between 50 and 70 years, are invited to take in a Keele University PhD research study looking at involuntarily childless men's experience of not being a father.

If you are interested please contact Robin Hadley or visit the website: www.wantedtobeadad.com.

Rape and sexual assault of men

Mandy Stidard writes: www.malesurvey.info is an online survey open to all male residents in the United Kingdom, over the age of 16 years old.

I am a postgraduate student at the University of Portsmouth and hope to increase our understanding of the rape and sexual assault of men as well as public perceptions regarding this crime.

The survey can be accessed via the website www.malesurvey.info, which also displays relevant information and useful links.

The rape and sexual assault of males is an under reported and under researched crime.

This survey gives all men, whether survivors of assault or not, an opportunity to share their experiences and beliefs.

Please support us by visiting www.malesurvey.info.

Fathers' experiences of Traumatic Birth

Rachel Willcox writes: 'I am researching ‘Father’s experiences of Traumatic Birth’ as part of my training as a Counselling Psychologist at the University of the West of England.

If you are a Dad, and would like to take part in an email interview and share your experiences, or find out any more information about the project, please do email me at rachel2.willcox@live.uwe.ac.uk">rachel2.willcox@live.uwe.ac.uk and I can send you further details.'

Research on periods of crisis in adult life

The University of Greenwich is currently recruiting for a confidential research study on experiences of crisis in adult life. Anyone over the age of 20 can participate, as long as they live in the UK (and have done since at least age 15) and speak English fluently.

All volunteers are entered into a prize draw for 20 x £50 vouchers.

To get more information and to complete the research study online, click here.

Living with Penis Cancer

Men who have or have had penis cancer or an interest in it are required for a  Leeds Metropolitan University study looking at the patients experiences of treatment for penile cancer. More here: Research into life after penis cancer
Black and Minority Ethnic Cancer Patient Advisory Panel

The NHS's National Cancer Action Team wants members for its National Black and Minority Ethnic Cancer Patient Advisory Panel to help support and improve cancer services and give cancer patients and carers from a BME background a voice.

Members of the panel can participate for as long as they wish, and during the term of their participation will be contacted around 3 or 4 times each year. More information here.

MHF advisory panel

Malehealth readers, regular or occasional, are invited to join the Men's Health Forum male advisory panel.

The idea of the panel is give men a louder voice in their own health and find out what we would like to see both from the NHS and the MHF - this includes content on malehealth.

More information and sign up here.

http://www.malehealth.co.uk/help-research/21228-help-research

'Cuddle drug' may be the new Viagra

Nasal spray of hormone used to induce labour can dramatically improve sexual performance in men

Roger Dobson Sunday 08 April 2012

Independent
 
It is the chemical that has been described by women as a "cuddle drug".

Now scientists have discovered that its effect on men is more rampant and long-lasting than just the desire for a quick hug.

Oxytocin, a hormone traditionally used to induce labour, is as sexually arousing to men as Viagra, according to new research.

Studies conducted in the US found that a married man who sniffed a nasal spray containing oxytocin twice daily became more affectionate to friends and colleagues and recorded a marked improvement in his sexual performance.

According to the actual breakdown of results, the man's libido went from "weak to strong", while arousal went from "difficult to easy".

Ego certainly wasn't hurt either: sexual performance, according to feedback from his wife, was classed as "very satisfying".

Scientists at the University of California believe the findings provide strong support for the idea that oxytocin improves sexual performance and, unlike Viagra, remains a chemical glue within the brain to cement relationships between people.

Just how it works is not clear, but some studies have suggested that oxytocin levels rise naturally during arousal.

The hormone is also thought to interact with the dopamine system, which is involved in the rewarding aspects of sexual activity.

Dr Mike Wyllie said: "Given the number of erectile-dysfunction patients who don't respond to drugs like Viagra, there is a great medical need for a new class of drug; this case study suggests there is a basis for optimism that this is achievable.

Assuming positive clinical trials, a drug based on this approach could achieve blockbuster potential."

Oxytocin is produced mainly in the hypothalamus region in the brain, and has been most widely studied in women.

It's released during labour to dilate the cervix and boost contractions, and also triggers the release of milk in the breasts.

More recently it has been shown to have wider effects on behaviour, including boosting trust, co-operation and bonding, and it has been investigated for a number of conditions including anxiety and autism.

The new study, "Dramatic Improvement in Sexual Function Induced by Intranasal Oxytocin", was reported in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Oxytocin's power was first recognised in 1979 when virgin female rats whose brains were injected with the hormone began to display maternal behaviour.

Since then, several hundred research studies have been carried out, shedding light on the hormone's role in the early stages of sexual passion and in the process of mother-child bonding after birth.