METRO Friday, September 18, 2009 D Louise Kavanagh was on hand to help Renault launch its National Scrappage Scheme. Motorists can cash in on a 1,500 redeemable on the purchase of any new Renault car and light commercial vehicles when they scrap their car with any Renault dealer nationwide Picture: Photocall HOLLYWOOD veteran Elizabeth Taylor, pictured, still sleeps with a photo of ex-husband Richard Burton by her bedside, his niece said today. Eight-times married Dame Elizabeth, 77, still misses Burton and her home in Bel Air, California, is adorned with his pictures, according to Sian Owen. The English-born actress, who married the Welshman twice, believed they would marry again and were soul mates. She still says, had he lived, that theyd be back together again, Miss Owen said. Liz keeps Burton photo by her bed GLASTONBURY organiser Michael Eavis, pictured, plans to be in charge of the festival for at least another decade, he revealed yesterday. Eavis, the farmer who runs the festival with his daughter Emily, said he was aiming for an amazing line-up to mark the festivals 40th anniversary. The expectations are high. So we have to deliver on that. Were trying to get the best headliners in the world, he said. Tickets will go on sale from October 4 and will cost 185 (205). Next years festival takes place from June 23 to June 27. Glastos boss has no plans to retire Fancy a scrap? Binge-drinking cuts your resistance to infections BINGE-drinking not only causes a hangover but weakens the bodys abil- ity to fight off infections for at least 24 hours, research has shown. Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short time inhibits the production of signalling molecules that are vital to the immune system. The proteins, known as pro-inflam- matory cytokines, have a host of func- tions that are supposed to kick in when the body is under attack. They include maturing, activating and increasing numbers of immune cells which target invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Tests on mice given drinking water laced with ethanol the type of alco- hol found in drinks showed they were prevented from generating key pro-inflammatory cytokines. But levels of a cytokine, called interleukin- 10 (IL-10), that acts as a brake on the immune system were increased. IL-10 has an anti-inflammatory role intended to prevent the immune sys- tem going into overdrive, but also re- duces resistance to infection. The scientists found some cytokines were still not on duty 24 hours after the mice were dosed with alcohol. Binge-drinking is loosely defined as consuming enough alcohol in a single drinking session to get intoxicated. The new research was reported in the online journal BMC Immunology. By johN von Radowitz SLIM HOPE: Fighting the flab can do more than make you look good in a swimsuit it can keep your kidney healthy, too. Shedding weight prevented kidney disease getting worse in many obese patients, researchers have discovered. Losing pounds through diet and exercise reduced the excess excretion of protein in the urine which was synonymous with kidney damage, lead researcher Sankar Navaneethan, of the Cleveland Clinic reported in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology. Weight loss is known to help with many health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. KEEPING REGULAR: Feeling tired? Then go to bed and save your health. Messing with your body clock increases your chances of developing diabetes and heart disease, say researchers. But they also found that tweaking hormones such as insulin as happens if you have diabetes feeds back and disturbs your bodys natural rhythms, forming a vicious circle. Genetically altered mice made to suffer extreme jetlag became obese and developed diabetes, US researchers found. The study, to be published in the journal Cell, suggests a new approach to treating a number of disorders. If you have a story for MiniCosm please e-mail us at news@metroireland.ie MINICOSMSCIENCE & DISCOVERY IN BRIEF CLIMATE campaigners have dumped horse manure on TV presenter Jeremy Clarksons front lawn in protest against his views on global warming. The Climate Rush activists unloaded the bag- loads of manure at his home in Oxfordshire, England, with a banner which read this is what youre landing us in. They said they had targeted the Top Gear presenter for his blas attitude to climate change, including a recent trip driving to the Arctic which they claim emitted about 1.7 tonnes of carbon. The seven female protesters, dressed as suffragettes, arrived at Clarksons house in a van fuelled by used chip-fat oil, as part of their month- long horse-and-cart roadshow to raise awareness of climate issues. The groups trip which began at Londons Heathrow on September 6 has already involved a protest at London Oxford Airport where two people were arrested. Top Gear host gets a smelly home delivery target: jeremy Clarkson work in australiawork in australia WORK AND PLAY DOWN UNDER BUY 1 YEARS TRAVEL INSURANCE & GET: FREE VIP BACKPACKER CARD FREE 1 YEAR Oz WORKING HOLIDAY VISA FR 399 FREE TAX FILE NUMBER FREE JOBS SERVICE Terms & conditions apply FREE AUSTRALIAN SIM CARD WWW.USIT.IE TEL: 01 602 1903 USIT, 19/21 ASTON QUAY, DUBLIN 2 Work for a day earn 1,000 HOW does 1,000 for one days work sound? If thats appealing to you, then Bluefaces job for a spokesperson may be of interest to you. The telecoms company is looking for an online spokesperson for just one days work, with a pay packet of 1,000. The chosen individual will be the face of Bluefaces web-based tutorials, which will be a key feature on the companys new website, which will launch in late October. The position is open to everyone and there are no restrictions, or qualification requirements. Blueface is seeking a dynamic, creative, enthusiastic and eloquent individual to represent the company in the public eye. To apply for the job, candidates are invited to create a two-minute video clip to demonstrate the qualities needed for the position. The subject can be chosen by the applicant, but the more creative the better. To view the official job specification, log onto www.recruitireland.com or to apply for the job, videos can be submitted to hr@ blueface.ie index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html