Confused? Well, the evidence the study produced is less than confusing:
184 heterosexual students, half of whom were single, participated in a study on sexual attraction and told the volunteers that a computer program would match them with an ideal partner. All the women in the study were shown the same photograph of a made-up „Mr. Right“ and all men were shown the same „Miss Perfect“. Now comes the interesting part – half of the men and half of the women were told that the person in the picture was single, the others heard their pictured partner was already in a relationship. That piece of information made a huge difference to the attractivity rating of the single women. Only 59 per cent were interested in the single man, but 90 per cent thought he was a catch when they heard he had a girlfriend.

Of course one would hope that most single women refrain from actually pursuing a man who is already taken, but the fact that „another woman’s man“ would be so attractive speaks volumes about how we decide on the dateability of eligible males. If they have a girlfriend, they’re alright, but if not there must be something wrong with them. Needless to say, all single women would – without exception – balk at the thought of being labelled „undateable“ because they’re single, so maybe they should rethink their attitude towards „all the best men“ – maybe some of them aren’t taken…

Especially during the current financial crisis, many people are re-evaluating the value of material things and trying to focus on values that are more rewarding than money. The value assigned to love and other immaterial goods is based on research about what makes people happy. In a new value system, things like love would be appreciated for what they are: priceless ways of enriching your life, without being rich.

According to the book, the value of love is  £163,424, while a stable relationship is worth £154,849. Ideally, online matchmaking can help you find both! Then, if you really want to boost your happiness value, you could have children, at a value of £129,448. Surely online matchmaking isn’t too expensive when the return on your investment – the value of love – is so high…

Do you agree? Is the French accent sexy? Does a French accent make you go weak at the knees? Or do you say „Pah! Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of elderberries!“

One brave writer set out to discover the science of love – more specifically, the science of his love for his wife – and to find out if it’s as strong and real as he thought it was. He was put in an MRI scanner while thinking about and looking at photos of his wife and – tough competition – Angelina Jolie. The activity in certain areas of his brain supposedly tells him how strong his feelings of love, sexual attraction and romantic attachment really are.

Would you dare (literally) show your emotions like that ? And, more importantly, would you want to show them to the woman you love?

An article in Psychology Today Magazine has evaluated several studies and come to the conclusion that the right partner can be good for your health. Obviously, lifestyle is a major factor – eating habits, legal and illegal drugs have an effect on your partner, especially if you live together. If one partner eats badly, smokes or drinks too much, chances are the bad habits will rub off on whoever they’re in a relationship with. On the other hand, an active, sporty, healthy partner can positively influence your health.

So far, so logical, but there are some unexpected effects: illnesses such as cancer, arthritis, asthma, and others, often affect both partners in a relationship. The partners of stressed women are more likely to have heart problems. Another health risk is insufficient conflict resolution. A partner who has to suppress emotions or hide anger constantly, is more likely to fall ill.

Overall, living in a stable relationship is good for your health. Even if both partners have unhealthy habits, it’s easier to team up and change your diet or quit smoking together.

The article obviously concludes that doctors should pay more attention to the influence of a relationship on a person’s health. For us, it’s more proof of how important it is to find the RIGHT partner – after all, the right partner can be good for your health!

How on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?

- Albert Einstein

According to the study, women go through 5 stages of losing and putting on weight:
1. At the beginning of a new relationship, women often lose weight to impress a guy. Also, they’re usually so happy and in love, they barely have time to think about food
2. As women get more relaxed and feel comfortable in a new relationship, they put on a bit of weight.
3. Wedding preparations mean weight loss again, to fit into that perfect dress.
4. Obviously kids bring a bit of weight gain.
5. When the kids are out of the house and women have more time to themselves, they lose weight again.

On the one hand, these 5 phases of women’s weight make perfect sense and the study obviously has the survey data to prove it. On the other hand, this 5-step relationship progress is based on a standardized relationship model that hardly exist any more these days.

Nevertheless, it’s good for women to ask themselves how their weight fluctuations depend on personal wellbeing. Ideally, they should have a constant weight they feel comfortable with, irrespective of relationships or other factors.

Not only are the cards beautifully designed, each sentimental statement of love comes with a funny bit of fine print. For example, “I love you*”….”*Statement only valid if you say you love me back.”

There’s also a selection of Birthday, Anniversary and Wedding cards. (”Here’s to the bride and groom.*”…”*Thanks for all the free booze!”)

If you need more cool wedding ideas, the Brooklyn Bride is a treasure trove of fun and interesting ideas for a really cool wedding (even if you’re not cool enough to BE a Brooklyn Bride…)

Of course, the study only managed to prove that women find it attractive when a man smells nice. Whether men smell nice when they douse themselves in Axe, you’ll have to decide for yourself. The results of the Axe effect study are after the jump.

1. Women are more likely than men to think that men can make themselves more attractive by smelling nice.
2. Men wearing a nice fragrance are perceived by women as significantly more natural, self assured and likeable. They are also perceived as more groomed.
3. If men wear a fragrance a woman doesn’t like, the effect is more negative than men would anticipate.

We would say, men are most attractive when they wear the fragrance that is right for them – and sometimes the most attractive scent is the smell of a clean, well-groomed man – without any perfume!

>>Looking for attractive men? Find them at be2!

Couples were separated and each shown their partner’s picture, while their brain activity was measured. About one tenth of the couples still showed the brain activity of young love after 20 years in a relationship. The scientists named these couples “swans”, because they show the same behaviour as swans, who mate for life (maybe you remember this swan love story?). Amazingly, these couples don’t just say they love each other they are in love – after more than 20 years!

As heart-warming as that sounds, not every couple is so lucky. 9 in 10 couples in love feel a drop in dopamine levels about 15 months into the relationship. 10 years later, it’s not true love that’s left, but rather something like mutual trust and affection.