Health dangers of keeping your toothbrush in a shared bathroom

According to a new study, there is a 60 per cent chance your toothbrush is covered in poo if it is left in the bathroom.

And if you share a bathroom, around 80 per cent of that faeces will belong to another person.

 

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The research looked at the spread of 'faecal coliforms' in shared bathrooms at the Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.

Faecal coliforms are rod-shaped bacteria found in human faeces and can spread onto a toothbrush through the air when the toilet is flushed.

'The main concern is not with the presence of your own faecal matter on your toothbrush,' said Lauren Aber, a student involved in the study at Quinnipiac University.

'It is when a toothbrush is contaminated with faecal matter from someone else, which contains bacteria, viruses or parasites that are not part of your normal flora.

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During the study, at least 60 per cent of the toothbrushes were contaminated with faeces regardless of the storage. 'Using a toothbrush cover doesn't protect a toothbrush from bacterial growth, but actually creates an environment where bacteria are better suited to grow by keeping the bristles moist and not allowing the head of the toothbrush to dry out between uses,' said Aber.

There were no differences seen with the effectiveness of the decontamination methods between cold water, hot water or rinsing with mouthwash.

And all of the toothbrushes regularly rinsed with mouthwash had growth indicating faecal contamination.

There is an 80 per cent chance that the faecal coliforms seen on the toothbrushes came from another person using the same bathroom.

 

Previous studies have found your toothbrush can also harbour dangerous bacteria such as staphylococcus aurous, which is associated with MRSA infection.

It may also contain the herpes virus and candida, the fungus responsible for yeast infections and diaper rash.

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'Call me Caitlyn': Bruce Jenner unveiled as a woman on Vanity Fair Cover

Reality TV star Bruce Jenner has been unveiled as a woman on the cover of Vanity Fair. It also reveals Jenner's new name for the first time - Caitlyn.

She also set up a verified Twitter account under Caitlyn Jenner, where she shared her cover and wrote: 'I'm so happy after such a long struggle to be living my true self.

'Welcome to the world Caitlyn. Can't wait for you to get to know her/me.' 

See photos below:

Oxford University gets first female vice-chancellor since year 1230

Professor Louise Richardson, mother-of-three and current principal at St Andrews University is set to become the first female vice-chancellor of Oxford University.

She resumes duties next year subject to the approval of the institution's legislative body, known as Congregation.

Her appointment will make her Oxford's first female holder of the post since the first leader was appointed nearly eight centuries ago in 1230.

Waiting at least 3 minutes before cutting a baby's umbilical cord 'could speed up their development later in life'

A new study shows that waiting at least 3 minutes before cutting a baby's umbilical cord could speed up their development later in life.



In the study, a psychologist assessed the children using tests of IQ, motor skills and behaviour.

The researchers found that overall, there was no difference in brain development and behaviour scores for babies whose cord were clamped early or late.

There was no difference in overall IQ scores between the two groups of children either.

But more children in the delayed cord clamping group had a mature pencil grip on the fine motor skills test.


They also had better skills on some social domains, compared to those whose cords were clamped early.

Divided by sex, the researchers only found noticeable differences in boys, not in girls.

Iron deficiency is much more common among male infants than among females, Dr Andersson said.

'Girls have higher iron stores when they are born,' he said.

Delaying cord clamping by three minutes allows an extra 3.5 ounces of blood to transfuse to the baby, which is equivalent to a half a gallon of blood for an adult, he added.

'There's a lot of iron in that volume,' he said.

'Even three minutes can have quite a lot of effect on the iron in the blood in the body for a long time after birth.'

The World Health Organisation recommends waiting at least one minute after birth, or until visible pulsing stops, to clamp the umbilical cord.

Bruce Jenner officially a woman after undergoing 8-hour surgery

Bruce Jenner has allegedly undergone full gender reassignment surgery which took place over three weeks ago and can be officially considered a woman.



According to an insider who told Radar Online, “The procedure involved reshaping Bruce’s male genitalia into that of a woman.”

"He was very happy with the results, but didn’t realize how grueling the recovery would be”.