Could the obesity epidemic be coming to an end soon? Perhaps. The so-called 'cure' for obesity is only a few years away, according to leading scientist in the UK. This 'cure' would be a drug, most likely administered in needle form, which could control the hormone responsible for hunger (called ghrelin) and put an end to overeating. And it's hoped this drug could totally wipe out the need for invasive gastric bypass surgery.

I think the term 'cure,' is a bit optimistic. After all, this surgery is supposed to do what gastric bypass surgery does -- eliminate hunger and reduce how much you can eat. And yet gastric bypass surgery often doesn't lead to long-term weight loss. And compulsive overeating often isn't based on hunger -- it's based on emotional factors like stress. And hunger control doesn't automatically lead to healthy habits.

If you ask me, teaching and preaching healthy habits is a much better option for treatment of obesity than a quick fix. What do you think?

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I was watching the Olympics the other day and saw a piece where a reporter went and received acupuncture treatments. It was interesting to hear about this particular practitioner who was influential in acupuncture's acceptance into Western culture. After the piece, the reporter mentioned that Nastia Liukin, gold medalist in the women's all-around gymnastics competition, has weekly acupuncture treatments.

She's not alone. Acupuncture is widely used as a method to aid and speed healing from sports-related injuries. Though the thought of multiple metal needles being inserted into your body is daunting, to say the least, proponents of the traditional form of medicine sing its praises. In addition to aiding in healing, acupuncture is said to help athletes by boosting energy, improving circulation, and ensuring the body gets the most out of nutrients. In addition, acupuncture is said to help improve the quality of sleep and boost immunity.

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Got tangles in your favorite necklace? Use a little butter and a needle and see if you can get them out. Probably not, according to this MSNBC video. After this oddball food remedy was tested, the tangles did come out, but it took 20 minutes -- probably not that much easier than using a needle alone.

Food is apparently not for consumption alone. It also works for some of life's little annoyances -- like removing crayon marks from walls and furniture. Just rub on a glob of mayonnaise, let sit for 10 minutes, and wipe off. Hey, it works. This also works: Use a piece of bread and dab it on small pieces of broken glass -- it will pick them up with ease.

How about egg yolk for super shiny hair? Nope. Stick with your usual conditioner. Does milk work for ink stains on shirts? No. How about salt for grease stains? No again.

Two out of six. Not so great in my book. I say save your food for fuel and forget the shot-in-the-dark frustration fixes.

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Are you scheduled to have a shot some time soon? And if so, are you already dreading the mere thought of it? If so, you may want to start counting down the days until it's time. The hours, minutes, and seconds, too. Doing so may save you from feeling as much pain once the needle finally makes contact with your skin.

Japanese researchers found that patients who counted out loud while receiving an injection claimed to not experience any real pain. By contrast, those who didn't say anything while given the injection complained of discomfort and soreness well after the fact.

These findings support a separate British study, in which it was discovered that pain receptors become heightened if a person watches his or her self being stuck with a needle.

Apparently, by distracting your brain enough with counting, you are able to focus less on the pain from the needle.

If you're wanting to look younger and are considering some of the more invasive and drastic procedures like injections or cosmetic surgery, have you thought about acupuncture instead? Although acupuncture has existed for thousands of years, it's only really been in use here in the U.S. for face lifts for about 20 years or so. And the technique may not be what you expect -- an acupuncture face lift isn't what I pictured at first, which was needles sticking all over a person's face. It's much more complicated and often the needles are put other places on the body based on where the acupuncturist determines the problems (the wrinkles) are originating from.

Have you tried it? Would you try it? Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, and Cher apparently have. What do you think?

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Tattoos are more popular than ever it seems, especially since technology has made them less permanent than they used to be. Whether it's from a struggle to differentiate themselves from the crowd, a new crazy way of artistic expression, or simply because they ran out of space, some people have started getting tattoos on their eyeballs. And we're not talking about permanent makeup or anything else on the outside of the eye -- we're talking ink injected right into the cornea.

Corneal tattooing is dangerous for a number of reasons, because in addition to the usual tattoo risks the cornea version can include infection, perforation, hemorrhage, scarring, and blindness. It started as a means of repairing eye damage and covering scarring, but it's becoming a more and more popular cosmetic procedure.

So would you let a tattoo artist stick a needle in your eye? Talk about regret!

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Here's a story for the archives of bizarre and somewhat disturbing news: A beautician has been jailed for killing a client of hers by injecting her with cooking oil -- in her buttocks. Apparently the beautician has been using the corn oil as an anti-aging treatment, and has given it to several of her clients over the years.

46-year-old Maria Olivia Castillo died of multiple organ failure caused by fat blockages throughout her body as a result of the treatments. Martha Mata Vasquez pleaded guilty to manslaughter and has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

This isn't the first time the quest for beauty has had fatal consequences, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Please, if you feel the need to take measures to turn back the clock, do it with a medical professional or at least a trained beauty expert who uses legitimate anti-aging treatments.

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