Here are four facts that you almost certainly weren't told by your mother. But knowing them could help you to a more enjoyable sex life.

Fact one: climaxing isn't that easy
For most females, learning to climax is quite a difficult and time-consuming business.

A research shows that the average British female doesn't start having reliable orgasms until about two years after she first has sex with a man!

In general, the ability to 'come' has to be learned over a considerable period of time.

Fact two: almost any woman can ‘come’
Practically any woman should be able to have orgasms - and indeed multiple orgasms - if she really wants to.

Back in your mum's day, sex was still quite a taboo subject and talking about orgasms was even more taboo.

However, we now know that:
* virtually any woman can have an orgasm – if her clitoris is stimulated long enough and expertly enough (and of course provided that she's in the right mood!).
* similarly further intense stimulation after the first orgasm will usually produce another.. and another... and another...

Fact three: masturbation is OK
Sex experts now agree that masturbation can be enormously useful in helping a woman:
* to learn how to reach orgasm
* to learn how to reach multiple orgasm.

So don't hesitate to go for it. Masturbation is a lot more reliable and safe than having sex with a stranger!

Fact four: oral sex is OK too
A generation ago, oral sex was widely considered to be something rather ‘dirty'.

So your mum probably didn’t tell you that:
* oral sex is a great help to many women in reaching a climax
* it’s very helpful to men who have erection difficulties
* for a lot of people (admittedly, not everyone), it’s jolly good fun!

Your mum may also have never spelled out to you how desire can fluctuate according to where you are in your menstrual cycle, and also depending upon how well you are currently getting on with your partner.

Also, stress and tiredness have big adverse effects on sex. Your mum may not have known this – let alone have thought to tell you.

Fortunately, many symptoms turn out not to be serious. For example, the majority of headaches stem from stress, eyestrain, lack of sleep, dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, and other mundane causes.

Here are six important flashing signals.

1. Paralysis of the arms or legs, tingling, numbness, confusion, dizziness, double vision, slurred speech, trouble finding words, or weakness, especially on one side of the face or body.
These are signs of stroke -- or a "brain attack" -- in which arteries that supply oxygen to the brain become blocked or rupture, causing brain tissue to die.

2.Chest pain or discomfort; pain in the arm, jaw, or neck; breaking out in a cold sweat; extreme weakness; nausea; vomiting; feeling faint; or being short of breath.

These are signs of heart attack. If you get some of these symptoms, call 911 immediately and go to the emergency room by ambulance. Shulman and Birge also recommend that patients chew one regular, full-strength aspirin (unless they're allergic to aspirin) to help prevent damage to the heart muscle during a heart attack.

3.Tenderness and pain in the back of your lower leg, chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.

These are symptoms of a potentially dangerous blood clot in your leg, especially if they come after you've been sitting for a long time, such as on an airplane or during a long car trip. These signs can also surface if you've been bedridden after surgery.

4.Blood in the urine without accompanying pain.
Kidney stones or a bladder or prostate infection are common causes of blood in the urine. But these problems are usually painful or uncomfortable, which sends people to the doctor promptly.

5.Asthma symptoms that don't improve or get worse.

Asthma attacks are marked by wheezing or difficulty breathing. When an attack doesn't improve or worsens, a patient should get emergency care.

6.Depression and suicidal thoughts.

Few people would put up with crushing chest pain or extreme shortness of breath, but many endure depression, even though at its extreme it can be life-threatening.

Symptoms of depression include sadness, fatigue, apathy, anxiety, changes in sleep habits, and loss of appetite. Depression can be treated with medications and psychotherapy.

Wales - Skomer Island
The secret is out about Skomer — among birds, anyway. Nearly half a million puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars, and razorbills build nests in the lichen-covered cliffs of the 721-acre nature reserve off mainland Wales. The birds far outnumber the dozen or so humans on Skomer, just a 15-minute ferry ride from the town of Martin's Haven. The island is protected by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. A maximum of 250 people may visit per day, but there's only room for 15 overnight guests in a converted barn. If you visit between May and July, when the majority of birds are nesting, you'll hear the eerie serenade of the rare Manx shearwater; there are more than 200,000 of them on Skomer.

Nicaragua - Corn Islands
Forty miles off mainland Nicaragua, the Corn Islands are still populated by the descendants of buccaneers. On Great Corn Island — one-hour La Costeña flights depart daily from Managua — the only attractions are sand and sea, including a reef that surrounds a 400-year-old Spanish galleon. Great Corn is a metropolis compared with the 1.4-square-mile Little Corn Island. The $6 ferry from Great Corn drops you off near the two best places to stay: Hotel Los Delfines and Casa Iguana, which relies on solar power because of spotty electricity.

Greece - Kíthira Island
Mythical characters dwell everywhere on Kíthira, just eight miles off the tip of the Peloponnesian peninsula. Here's the pool where Aphrodite bathed. Over there, you can see the cave where Helen and Paris are believed to have sought refuge. Except for the six weeks starting in mid-July, Kíthira is a sleepy place with compact medieval villages that are home to ancient grain mills, Byzantine chapels, and cheerful wooden beehives that are painted yellow, blue, or white. (Kíthira's thyme-scented honey is so coveted that the annual production sells out within weeks.) An even better base for exploring is one of the villages in the center, such as Mitata, where a beekeeper has opened Aplinori, an inn where guests can learn how to make honey and cheese.

Australia - Rottnest Island
The island has more than 60 white-sand beaches. Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh, who discovered the island in 1696, mistook the marsupial quokkas for rats, and named the place "rat's nest." The island, 12 miles off mainland Australia, has become a popular day trip from Perth. The best way to tour the salt lakes in the interior is to rent a bicycle through Rottnest Bike Hire. The reefs around the island are great for snorkeling; Oceanic Cruises leads excursions to shipwrecks off Kingston Reef. Most visitors come just for the day, but there are lodgings—cabins and bungalows managed by the island authority. Before heading back to catch the ferry, stop for some Victoria Bitter beer and a platter of fish, scallops, and oysters at the Rottnest Tearooms Bar & Café.

French Polynesia - Fakarava Island
In the center of Rotoava village is the Relais Marama, the one pension in town with oceanfront bungalows. For divers and snorkelers, the northern Garuae Pass and the southern Tumakohua Pass have pristine coral reefs that are accessible through outfitter Te Ava Nui. You'll have to travel for a full day to get to and from Tumakohua — the pass is only reachable by boat. The nearby village of Tetamanu has a church built entirely out of coral, as well as several black-pearl farms that give free tours. A pension on the outskirts of Rotoava, Pearl Guest House Havaiki, will even allow you to snorkel to its oyster farm with the owner and keep any pearls you find.

Indonesia - Sumba Island
The natives' reputation convinced European traders to avoid the island in southern Indonesia, leaving it relatively undeveloped for centuries. The warrior culture lives on in the annual Pasola ritual war festival held each February and March, in which horsemen from various tribes joust using spears. For more mellow activities, the island's southern coast has great surfing — 12-foot swells are not uncommon — and a community-minded (although expensive) resort called Nihiwatu. The hotel has day trips to nearby villages, where you can chew betel nut with the locals, buy colorful ikat cloth, and volunteer at a clinic funded by the resort.

Peru - Amantaní Island
Few places have a welcoming committee quite like the one on Amantaní, an island in Lake Titicaca: Aymara Indian women wearing embroidered black tunics line the dock and wave to visitors as they disembark from the ferry arriving from the city of Puno. There are no cars or roads, and quinoa and barley are grown by hand — as they have been for centuries — on hillside terraces. Stone hiking paths lead to the island's two highest peaks, Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Pachatata (Father Earth). During the Fiesta de la Santa Tierra each January, the residents form dual processions from temples built atop Pachamama and Pachatata to the main village, also called Amantaní, where everyone dances late into the night.

See photos of these islands at BudgetTravel.com

As you may know, there was a special US Election edition of the Marvel comic Spider-Man. It has a (admittedly rather corny) story featuring Spider-Man turning up at the Presidential inauguration and fighting an Obama doppelganger.

As part of a series to celebrate the toy's 50th birthday, manufacturer Mattel has brought out a version modelled on the German chancellor. The doll wears the politician's tailored trouser suit and her trademark blonde bob, but the resemblance ends there: its tiny waistline is more Heidi Klum than Angela Merkel and its smiling face is free of the worry lines produced when you are trying to fight economic crisis in Europe's largest economy.

A spokeswoman for Mattel said that like Barbie, Merkel embodied the dreams of many girls who want to get on in the world. "She's simply a good role model for girls around the world," she said.

The new doll was presented this week at the 60th annual international toy fair in the southern German city of Nuremberg. It will soon be available in shops for €20 (£17.50).

Barbie's 50th anniversary designer catwalk show

United States
The Southern tradition of eating black eyes peas on New Year’s Day is something that can continue throughout the year.Each pea has an eye in it and there’s a sense of looking into the future and bringing good luck to people who eat them. The good-luck ritual includes shelling the peas and throwing the husks in the road. Southerners also believe eating collard greens early in the New Year will bring money and prosperity.

China
The Chinese New Year uses the color red to symbolize good luck and happiness. In China, front doors are traditionally painted red to bring in the good omens. Although you might not want a new door color, wearing red can convey self-esteem and confidence. According to a 2008 study, wearing red may also increase a woman’s luck at catching a mate—men. It's reported that women in reddish clothing were sexier than those in blue and greens.

The Chinese also believe that dragons, fish, elephants, and cranes represent good luck and prosperity. Many people have statues or pictures of these animals in strategic parts of their house.

Spain
The Spanish ritual on New Year’s Eve is to eat 12 grapes at midnight; one eaten at each tolling of the midnight bells. The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the coming year. This ritual could be used on birthdays to issue in twelve happy months of your “new” year.

Greece
The Greeks bake a special cake on New Year’s Day to secure luck for the coming year. Vassilopitta, or St Basil’s cake, is baked with a silver or gold coin inside. Whoever finds the coin in her piece of cake will be especially lucky during the coming year. A twist on this traditional theme is to have a dinner party, make a Vassilopitta, and declare the finder of the coin the luckiest person for the next year.

Holland
During the New Year, the Dutch have Christmas tree bonfires on the streets and launch fireworks. The fires are meant to purge the old and welcome the new. The Dutch also believe that circles are a symbol of success. For that reason, they believe that eating donuts on New Year’s Day will bring good fortune. An idea to incorporate this good luck symbol into your life is to wear circular jewelry, hoop earrings, bracelets, and rings.

Germany
Germany has a very odd tradition to predict the course of action of the coming year. It’s called “Silvester” It involves melting lead on the stovetop. After it becomes molten, they pour it out on a cookie sheet and whatever shape it takes determines the course of the following year. For example, a round shape means good luck. A flower shape signifies new friendships. Germans have been relying on it for years. For practical (and safety) purposes, this might be better in theory than in practice. Try splattering some paint on a canvas and determine what shape it makes. Make this your good luck omen, or just use it as a way to express creativity and blow off some steam.

Japan
The Japanese serve soba noodles on New Year’s Eve or Day. They believe that the long noodles signify a long and prosperous life and that eating a long noodle in one bite will secure a long, fruitful life. They also decorate their homes in tribute to lucky gods. One tradition, kadomatsu, consists of a pine branch symbolizing longevity, a bamboo stalk symbolizing prosperity, and a plum blossom showing nobility. Idea: Use this tradition as a reason to do a little redecorating in your place. A fresh makeover of your interior can help you become more organized. Perhaps you just might find that extra stash of cash.

Contrary to popular belief, you can make your own luck. And, thanks to a little help from these unique traditions, the coming year might be fruitful for all of us. Use them as inspiration for making new traditions of your own. And, if all else fails, just eat a fortune cookie and see what happens.

Astrophysicist Duncan Forgan created a computer programme that collated all the data on the 330 or so planets known to man and worked out what proportion would have conditions suitable for life.

The estimate, which took into account factors such as temperature and availability of water and minerals, was then extrapolated across the Milky Way.

Mr. Forgan believes that the life forms would not be amoeba wriggling on the end of a microscope but species at least as advanced as humans.

Mr Forgan, who believes it will take 300 to 400 years for us to make contact with our neighbours, said: "I believe the estimate of 361 intelligent civilisations to be the most accurate.

"These would certainly be the most Earth-like civilisations but the bigger figures are certainly possible. We can't rule them out.

"Most of the other planets we have looked at are older than our own – so I would expect to see more advanced civilisations than ours existing."