Keep your Bunsen burning

Academics addicted to a 24-hours-a-day working habit should adopt Sir Richard Doll as their role model. The 91-year-old epidemiologist - who was horrified when asked if he would ever retire (Goodness no! Why would I do that?) - caused a stir when he presented the results of his 50-year study of lung cancer and mortality at a Medical Research Council event last week. As he walked up to the podium, he disarmed chief executive Colin Blakemore by announcing casually, "Colin, with your permission - and I have to say without it - I'm going to change the title of my talk."

According to Sir Richard, giving up smoking can add ten years to your life.

But if you want to stay zippy, be sure to stay in the lab.