Scientists as usual are busy researching random things, looking for antidotes for the world’s problems, with the latest discovery being found in the chilli pepper.

The chilli is helping in the creation of a new sort of painkiller, as a substance similar to capsaicin, (which is what gives them their heat), is found in the human body at sites of pain.

Dr Kenneth Hargreaves from, senior researcher at the Dental School at the University of Texas said; “This is a major breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms of pain and how to more effectively treat it. We have discovered a family of endogenous capsaicin-like molecules that are naturally released during injury, and now we understand how to block these mechanisms with a new class of non-addictive therapies.”

You can even use chillies as part of your next marketing campaign. Giftselection can supply chilli based promotional items, that can spice up your corporate identity.  Promotional packs of chilli seeds may sound like a wacky idea, but used as an affordable mailer, they can make for a unique corporate gift that can really stay in people’s minds.

There are many kinds of branded seeds and promotional plant pots available, but the chillies are my favourite. If you would like more information about promotional chilli plants, contact the friendly team over at Gift Selection.

An entrepreneurial chef and hotel owner is planning to produce Scotland’s first commercially-available wine.  Pete Gottgens, originally from South Africa, has planted vines in the grounds of the Ardeonaig hotel in Perthshire.

Mr Gottgens said: “I don’t for one minute think we are going to rival any of the great wine-producing areas of the world.” He explained that he wanted to sell the wine in his restaurant and also allow guests to see the production process. There are 48 vines in total from four different varieties, in the grounds of the hotel located on the banks of Loch Tay.

To celebrate his new venture and promote his business, Mr Gottgens might appreciate some wine themed promotional products. Branded bottle openers are available in all shapes and sizes, and make for a neat promotional product that people are likely to keep for a long time. If bought in quantity, you can pick up a promotional bottle opener to put on a set of keys for as little as 50p.

Alternatively high quality wine accessory sets, make for eye catching corporate gifts, that are bound to make the recipient feel appreciated. Having engraved wine gifts such as bottle stoppers, wine collars and cork screws will make a smart addition to any dining table.

There is a branded wine set for every wallet, but if you’re looking for something specific, contact the friendly promotional experts over at Gift Selection.

When the Tories win the next election, millions of middle-aged workers will be forced to wait an extra year before collecting their state pension. It is certainly a bold move, which risks alienating voters currently in their 50s. Surely it is simply a matter of necessity? Something must be done to aid the countries failing finances, and that a planned rise in the pension age from 65 to 66 must be brought forward by up to a decade.

Great Britain currently runs on an eye watering deficit, while these plans will apparantly help to reduce this by £13 billion a year. Under current Government plans, the pension age is set to rise from 65 to 66 in 2026. The women’s pension age will start rising next year from 60 until they are gradually aligned with men’s.

With this in mind it might be a good time to start handing out branded piggy banks from Gift Selection. A branded piggy bank is just the sort of promotional product that this country seems to need. Admittedly probably not as handy as branded ISA, a branded piggy bank is not without its uses.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a; branded ceramic piggy bank, branded metal piggy bank or a branded plastic piggy bank – there is a promotional money saver to suit you. A promotional money saver is a novelty item, but still has a practical element to it. With their quirky appeal and great branded potential, they might just save your bacon.

Consumers place price as the top factor influencing their purchases but are increasingly prepared to consider a brand’s record on carbon reduction. It’s not exactly surprising that people but price first, but that fact people are interested in the environment is encouraging.

A survey by the Carbon Trust of more than 1,000 consumers found that almost two-thirds (63%) were more likely to buy a product if they knew action was being taken to reduce its carbon footprint. Furthermore, some 58% of consumers said they valued companies that were taking action on carbon reduction but only 12% think they are doing enough to cut carbon emissions and tackle climate change.

‘Environmental concerns’ were highlighted as being more influential than ethical and the country of origin issues when it came to buying electronic goods and cars, but not for clothing and shoes and food and drink.

At present few big brands carry the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Footprint Reduction labels on their packaging and marketing material. PepsiCo, through its Tropicana, Walkers and Quakers brands, and Tesco are two of the first to have displayed the Carbon Reduction Label since its launch in 2007. But this week Tate & Lyle announced it intends to carry the logo on pack to inform consumers that the carbon footprint of its cane sugar is 380g per 1 kg bag.

If environmental issues are important to you and your customers, then eco friendly promotional products, will be important marketing tools. Ecoproducts2order has a full range of eco friendly corporate gifts to choose from.

They sell promotional products made from materials which would otherwise be destined for landfill sites. They use recycled paper, card, wood from sustainable forests, recycled plastics from car parts, recycled tyres, jute and organic cotton. Not to mention stocking promotional gadgets running on water power and solar power!

Brands linked with health and hygiene in the US are updating their marketing plans in regards to panic over swine flue, much more effectively then organisations here in Britain. Home-grown brands like Carex and Dettol for example, have no information about swine flue on their site, while equivalent US brands have plenty.

To be fair the US does border with Mexico, where the potential pandemic started, so it’s not too surprising that American brands have been quick to act. The British government has today launched a mass awareness campaign, with advice about washing hands, and to cover one’s mouth and nose when sneezing.

In Mexico 159 people have thought to have died from the disease and 2,400 infections, while there have been five reported cases in the UK. The number of suspected cases is around the 70 mark but this figure fluctuates as new cases emerge and others are ruled out.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by influenza type A, which infects pigs. There are many types, the one in the news is known as A/H1N1. This latest form has mutated and can be spread from person to person through infectious respiratory droplets (i.e. droplets from coughing, sneezing or talking). This is obviously bad enough, but it can’t be contracted from eating pork. The symptoms of swine flu in people appear to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, muscle pains, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and a sore throat. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea. But for most people this illness appears to be mild thankfully. While infection with this virus appears to be treatable with certain types of anti-viral drugs (Tamiflu) and (Relenza).

As far as the promotional products industry is concerned, I can’t see Gift Selection’s promotional piggy banks flying of the shelves anytime soon. The future of our loveable porky friends doesn’t look to rosy. However promotional hand sanitizers and other promotional hygiene items should be as popular as ever. I actually have one in my bag, one on my desk and one at home - then again I may just be a bit weird. To find out more about what promotional health items are available, then please call their friendly team over at 0845 481 8090.

Prince Charles’ ‘Duchy Herbals’ brand is under scrutiny by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over claims made about his Detox Tincture product.

This wonder health product is said to “assist in cleaning the kidneys and reducing fluid retention”, and “stimulating digestive secretions.” However Edzart Ernst, (who is the UK’s first professor complementary medicine), said the detox potion was based “outright quackery”. Further more he’s stated that there was no scientific evidence what so ever that the product works.

If you have lost faith in the Prince’s alternative health remedies, then there are plenty of alternatives available on the promotional products market. An unusual corporate gift would be a printed zen set or zen garden, which would help relieve the stress out of your hard working staff. Similarly one could choose to invest in some inexpensive promotional incense sets. If you’re looking to spoil your staff, and want a corporate gift for the home, then a printed green tea bath set is worth considering.

Introducing the ‘Toilet Smell Killer’, admittedly not the most glamorous of sounding promotional products, but certainly one that has a great concept behind it.

Made in Germany from a special high grade stainless steel, the ‘Toilet Smell Killer’ works by neutralises odours as soon they come into contact with air and water. The manufacturer impressively claims that this will never; need replacing, no chemicals are used, and refills are not required.

If your thinking eco friendly promotional products for the home, is the way forward for your business, then eco2products to order has some great solutions. Some options along these lines are; recycled coasters, mousemats and clocks for example.