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Sober-up pill: drunk to dignified in minutes Abigail James Club Chemistry, Wednesday night, “Bohemian Rhapsody” bellows from the cheese floor, the sounds of “Scaramouche, Scaramouche” muffle as you stumble into the toilets, you navigate the spinning room and squint at the mirror – ugh, you’ve had too much and you know it. More than anything you want to be sober, but without hugging the toilet and without being thrust infinitely large glasses of water – “take tiny sips, that’s it”. If only you could swallow a magical pill and sweet sobriety would be yours again. Maybe someday you will, thanks to a team of Chinese researchers who have designed
a drug which mimics the body’s own alcohol-breakdown processes. In the cells of our good friend, the liver, enzymes are being used to disintegrate the alcohol we consume, but very slowly. Yang Liu and his team have developed “nanocapsules” – tiny enzyme-containing shells which can be ingested to supplement this process. Liu likened the drug to “having millions of liver cell units inside your stomach or in your intestine, helping you digest the alcohol”. Nanocapsules containing the alcohol enzyme (and another to destroy the toxic by-product) were injected into a number of drunk mice, who were found to have much lower blood-
alcohol levels than those who had not been given the enzymes – suggesting the possibility of its oral use in humans. So, no vomiting, no hangover; if this supplement was available as a pill, would you take it? Would it change your drinking behaviour? How would it affect your health? There is certainly potential for abuse here, but this method of encapsulation also has scope for other, more respectable applications – namely for alleviating the symptoms of enzyme-deficiency disorders. These medicines and hallowed alcohol antidotes are not likely to be available for commercial use for many years, so until then: drink your water, eat your bread, and sleep it off.
Can a pill really soak up all the alcohol you have consumed?
Be careful before you rent student housing
Student accommodation has always been a big gossip topic in the 3rd term. Here are some tips to help you stay away from bad agencies and properties campus is certainly a-plenty, so all it takes is a little time, effort and research. When you finally find a place that you and your future housemates like, it’s a great feeling of excitement and relief; the property is reasonably priced, a stone-throw away from campus and has everything you’re looking for in a student house. But watch out! You might be studying an impressive undergraduate degree, but that won’t stop you being subject to exploitation from landlords who have been in the business long enough to know how to trap you. First year students… listen up! The time for finding your second year accommodation has been underway for some time, and for many of you, it will be the first time you’ve ever had to go through this type of process.Once you’ve rounded up who you’re living with and started arranging your first house party, (because we’re students and it’s top priority), your house hunting venture can officially begin.
Firstly, you must think about price. The four bedroom house with a new kitchen, stylish furniture and an enormous garden might make you squeal like a banshee on helium but it’s only any good if you can afford it. Same goes for location – nobody in their right mind would take pleasure in having to wake up hours before their 9am lecture just because their journey into Uni takes so long. Student housing around each
1. Book a viewing to see the property for yourself. This is hugely important. The photos on the internet might look fantastic but you can never guarantee that these pictures are accurate. It is more than likely that you will spot things when looking around the property which you could not see online. 2. Ask the landlord or manager of the property plenty of questions. Is the house fully
furnished? When does the tenancy begin and end? Where is the nearest supermarket? What happens if a housemate leaves University? Will you be expected to pay full or half rent over the summer holidays? It doesn’t matter how stupid you think your questions might be – you won’t know unless you ask. Moreover, if the tenants are present at the time of your viewing, make sure you ask them questions too – they might be more honest than the landlord. 3. Check the deposit. Ask what deposit scheme your landlord is using and check out the website when you get home. Some landlords ask for a large sum of money which will be returned at the end of the tenancy, providing the house has been well kept. Others, however, will require rent in advance. 4. Ask what the rent includes. Be 100% sure that you know what you are paying for. The rent for some properties will include gas, electric, water and sometimes internet, while
others will not. It is extremely important that you check this before signing the tenancy agreement as it can cause problems further down the line. 5. What appliances are included? Does the house have a dishwasher, kettle, microwave, washing machine, shower, television? Is there a fridge and freezer and how big are they? 6. Study your contract. This is one of the most important steps. Read the contract thoroughly, and if there’s anything you are unsure of, ask Student Support or the Students’ Union to go through it with you. Allocate bedrooms before signing to ensure everyone is happy with the living arrangements. Finally, double check the rent with the landlord, and if you are happy with the property, go ahead and sign! And just remember: keeping calm through this seemingly stressful process is key. Ask the Students’ Union or Student Support if you are in need of help, advice or support. Good luck!