Cheers to the unexpected

Brain vs. Alcohol: How fast does a pint of beer hit the spot?

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How quickly does the human body react to alcohol? What's the most popular drink in the world? And can animals get drunk? You might think you know everything about your favorite cocktail, but alcohol is actually full of fun facts that may surprise you; join us to discover them!

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Alcohol begins affecting your brain even before you've finished your first glass. Although you might not notice it right away, alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. It then goes to the brain, and within 5 to 6 minutes of drinking, it starts affecting your neurotransmitters, promoting relaxation, slowing brain activity, and contributing to that typical feeling of de-inhibition.

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It seems that bees not only communicate with each other to form colonies with amazing structures and hierarchies, but they also get drunk! Though not like humans, and not for the same reasons.

Bees carry nectar from flowers to the hive to produce honey. If that nectar has fermented, the bees can get drunk as a result. Believe it or not, bees have been seen flying or walking slower than usual, and sometimes they even bump into things!

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Beer is really popular. In fact, it's one of the most popular beverages of choice for summer weekends. But one beer stands out from the rest, not just for its taste but also for its effects.

Brewmeister Snake Venom is a beer from Scotland that is famous for its extremely high alcohol content. For comparison, a regular beer has around 4.5% alcohol content. What about Brewmeister Snake Venom? It has 67.5%! Quite intimidating, isn't it?

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It can happen to anyone after a night of partying: waking up on Sunday with a headache, thirst, and a blank spot in your memory. Well, it turns out you didn't "forget" last night's crazy dances; it's something else.

Actually, it's not that your brain "erased" what you did while you were tipsy; it's that it never recorded it in the first place. Why? Alcohol affects the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for creating new memories.

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If, for some reason, you can't put that smelly shirt in the washing machine yet, this tip will be very helpful. Since vodka contains alcohol, it's ideal for removing strong odors from fabrics, as it kills the bacteria causing the smells.

Spraying a small amount of vodka on the affected areas of your clothes or your sneakers can temporarily solve the problem. But be careful to use just a little!

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As we know, grapes are not only delicious fruits but also the key ingredient in one of the oldest alcoholic beverages: wine. But how many grapes are needed to produce a standard 750-milliliter bottle of red wine?

According to experts, between 600 and 800 individual grapes are used for each bottle of red wine. Of course, the amount of grapes needed will depend on the variety of wine, the region, and the techniques used in production.

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Okay, we've already mentioned that beer is popular, but do we know how popular? According to several sources, it's the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the world! And we understand why: Not only does it have a great, refreshing taste, but it's also produced and sold in most countries at relatively affordable prices. Additionally, the variety available makes it easy for everyone to find their favorite!

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When you're about to pop that champagne bottle at Christmas dinner, make sure to point it upwards and away from the table. You know why: That cork can turn into a projectile!

That happens because of the high pressure inside a champagne bottle, which is generally about 5 to 6 atmospheres (atm), or 75 to 90 pounds per square inch (psi). This is about 3 times the pressure found in your car tires!

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Although we all enjoy a glass of wine equally, research shows that alcohol has slightly different effects on men and women.

If two people of different genders drink the same amount of alcohol, it will generally have a stronger and longer-lasting effect on the woman. That is due to women having a higher percentage of body fat and a slower metabolism compared to men.

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If you're really cold, it's best to skip that drink. Although that glass of wine may give the feeling of warmth, it doesn't raise your body temperature. What actually happens is that alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate, creating a superficial sensation of warmth. However, in reality, this leads to your body losing heat.

In short, alcohol doesn't warm you up; in fact, it lowers your body temperature!

Front-page worthy

Extra, extra! Read about 10 terms from the journalism world!

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Journalism plays a vital role in keeping us informed and connected to the world. Like any profession, it has its own unique set of terms that help journalists communicate and get the job done efficiently. These words might seem like insider jargon, but they’re key to understanding how news is gathered, reported, and presented. From "off-the-record" conversations to the "splash" on the front page, let’s explore 10 common journalism terms that are essential in the world of news reporting.

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"Off-the-record" is a term every journalist knows well. It refers to when someone shares information with the understanding that it won’t be published. This material can’t be directly quoted or attributed to the source, but it might guide a reporter’s research or provide background for future stories.

It’s a way for sources to speak freely without the fear of being publicly exposed. The trust between a source and a reporter is crucial here; break it, and you might not get another scoop.

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A "cutline" is the descriptive text that you’ll find under a photo in a newspaper or magazine. It provides the context that tells you who’s in the picture, what’s happening, and why it’s important.

Without a cutline, a photo might be interesting to look at but leave you scratching your head about the details. Think of it as a photo’s partner in storytelling, giving the image a voice. Next time you glance at a photo, don’t skip the cutline; it’s there to make sure you get the full picture.

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A "stringer" is a freelance journalist who contributes stories to a newspaper or news outlet but isn’t on the full-time staff. They’re paid per story or by the word, making them the gig workers of the journalism world.

Stringers often cover specific areas or beats that the regular staff might not have time for, bringing in fresh perspectives and local stories. It’s a flexible role, perfect for journalists who want to write without the commitment of a full-time job.

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Not to be mistaken for a suggestion or advice, a "tip" is the inside scoop—a piece of information passed to a reporter, often in confidence. Tips can come from almost anyone: a source close to a situation, an anonymous whistleblower, or even a concerned citizen. They’re the breadcrumbs that lead journalists to uncover bigger stories.

A good tip can be the spark that ignites a major investigation or an exclusive piece. But tips need to be handled with care; every journalist should verify the details before running with the story, because not every tip pans out.

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If you’re thinking of the dog, think again! The "bulldog" edition is the first version of a newspaper printed for the day, often hitting the stands early in the morning. It’s like the early bird of the newspaper world.

The bulldog might not have all the late-breaking stories, but it’s the first to deliver the day’s news to the public. Back in the day, grabbing a Bulldog edition meant you were among the first to know what was happening. Even though it’s an old-school term, it’s still a symbol of the urgency in news reporting.

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In journalism, a "morgue" isn’t as creepy as it sounds—it’s simply the newsroom’s archive or library. This is where old articles, photos, and clippings are stored, serving as a valuable resource for journalists looking to dig up past stories or research background information.

The morgue is filled with stories that might have been forgotten but can still offer insights or context. In today’s digital age, the morgue might be more of a digital database, but the name has stuck around.

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"HFR" stands for "Hold for Release," and it’s a directive that means you have to sit tight with that story. As you can imagine, this is not a favorite among journalists!

The material is ready, but it can’t be published until a specific time, usually because the source has set a release date or there’s an embargo in place. It’s common in journalism, especially with press releases or sensitive information. Once the green light is given, the story can go live—but not a second before.

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This term is common in journalism, but it was actually borrowed from the marketing and sales fields. To "pitch" a story means to sell an idea to an editor, hoping it’ll get the green light to be written and published.

A pitch needs to be compelling, well thought out, and relevant to the publication’s audience. It’s a bit like a mini sales pitch, where you convince the editor that your story idea is worth their time and space. If the editor likes it, you’re on your way to writing the next big piece. So, when journalists pitch, they’re putting their best foot forward, hoping to turn an idea into a headline.

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A "splash" is the big, bold story that makes it to the front page—the story that will grab readers' attention. It’s the news piece that the editors believe will make the biggest impact or stir the most interest.

The splash is usually accompanied by eye-catching headlines and prominent photos, ensuring it’s the first thing readers see. When your story is the splash, you know it’s going to be talked about.

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A "dummy" in journalism isn’t an insult, it’s the layout plan for a newspaper or magazine page. This diagram shows where stories, photos, headlines, and ads will be placed before the final version is printed.

It’s a crucial step in the production process, ensuring that everything fits neatly and looks good on the page. The dummy serves as a blueprint for the issue and helps designers and editors visualize the final product.