We all know that Instagram can be so addictive, using photos to get a glimpse into the lives of complete strangers, and nine out of 10 times making you extremely jealous that you’re not eating that massive burger and chips. sitting on a beach or sipping on those gorgeous looking cocktails - and that’s just…

The more natural light office employees are exposed to, the better they sleep, the more active they are, and the happier they feel, according to a new study from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. Researchers spoke to 49 office workers, 22 of whom worked in rooms with windows. They also monitored how much…

It makes sense that if people are happier, they’re more likely to be kind to other people, but feeling good could well make us nicer to the environment, too. That’s according to psychologist Miriam Tatzel from Empire State College, who gave a presentation on the links between mental wellbeing, consumerism and environmentalism at the American…

Not only can monkeys and elephants take selfies, but tortoises can use touchscreens – which officially makes the animal kingdom more tech-savvy than many of my relatives. Researchers from the University of Lincoln ran an experiment with red-footed tortoises to find out how their brains organise and retain information. They placed a tablet on the…

Not to worry you, but it may never be possible to have a private conversation again. Turns out, anyone with a mobile phone camera and a crisp packet or a glass of water (or pretty much anything else) could potentially work out what you’re saying – even through glass. As Mashable reports, a research team…

Crosley have made some lovely looking record players in the past, but this one could be its most stylish yet. Spotted by Retro2Go the UO X Crosley Sterling is a Dansette style player that spins vinyl at 33, 45 and 78rpm. It has removable legs, is housed in a faux leather-clad casing, and sports a…

Next time you have a huge work deadline, you should probably open up Twitter or Facebook. No, really. According to a new study from the University of Cincinnati, taking breaks to click around the internet can improve productivity. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with professionals from a range of industries, 62% of whom were women. They…

Who you gonna call? Well, Sandra Bullock would be good. Kristen Wiig could certainly kick ghost butt. And Melissa McCarthy is a no-brainer. Paul Feig, director of smash lady-centric comedies Bridesmaids and The Heat (plus, fact fans, once a minor character on Sabrina the Teenage Witch) is apparently in talks to revitalise the 30-year old…

5. Set up some stylish sound Music is a must, and it’s easy to find a stereo with a bit of class these days. The Ruark R4i combines beautiful design with surprisingly rich sound for an all-in-one unit, boasting an iPod dock, DAB radio, CD player, USB port and an audio inputs for attaching your…

A good hotel room gives off an air of dignified calm - a great one is a really luxurious treat. Whether you’re visiting for work or pleasure, there’s something alluring about a quiet, ordered space and anonymous bedsheets, with the added bonus of knowing you’re not going to have to do the tidying up. So,…