HEALTH BRIEFS

Here, hear - researchers may be on to something

BREAKTHROUGH OF THE WEEK

STEM cells that can sense sound in the ear have been grown artificially.

The research by University of Sheffield scientists involves regenerating hair cells that turn sound vibrations into nerve signals.

MOST BIZARRE

A FASHION designer from Tokyo in Japan showed off a 1.12m hairdo this week. Kazuhiro Watanabe, 40, has been growing the hair for 15 years. To make it stand upright it takes stylists two hours, one can of gel and three tins of hairspray.

ONE THING FOR YOUR HEALTH

SMILE. Studies show our emotions can affect our skin. ''Your moods and outlook have the greatest impact on how you look, and how others perceive you," says Doris Day, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical School.

NUTRITION BITE

FOR years, women have been glugging eight glasses of water a day in pursuit of a glowing complexion.

But British Nutrition Foundation. Researcher Heather Yuregir now says: ''Drinking water for the sake of drinking it really has no effect on improving the appearance of skin but diet and sun exposure do affect complexion."