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A hair DNA test is normally performed when it is not possible to obtain the sample of the person to be tested using the standard oral swabs provided when you order your DNA test kit. DNA testing through oral swabs is by far the standard method of sample collection as it is very easy to peform; however DNA tests, such as paternity testing, can also be performed using other samples such as hair.

DNA testing through hair is one of the most frequently used forms of non-standard sample used. This is because obtaining hair samples can be simpler than obtaining other types of samples. For example, if a child lives abroad and it is difficult or time consuming to get a kit sent to him, then it is possible to send in the hairs directly for testing. Another example could be in the case of a deceased person, where it is possible to collect hair strands directly from the body before it is buried or cremated.

The ideal sample when using hair for DNA testing is normally a minimum of 5 strands of hair. Of course the more hair you send the more DNA can be extracted for testing purposes or, alternatively, the greater the number of tries that can be made to extract DNA if previous attempts are unsuccessful.

It is also critical that the hair has the root attached. If the root is not attached and/or the hair has been cut, then it will not be possible to use the sample for DNA tests such as paternity and relationship testing. The only testing that will be possible is for Mitochondrial DNA testing which is passed on from the mother to her siblings.

The age of the hair is also important. Freshly plucked hair has a much higher rate of success (in terms of DNA extraction) than older hair. This is not to say that you cannot extract DNA from older samples, however if the hair is older than a few months it is recommended that testing is done through extensive forensic methods as opposed to regular forensic extraction.

Therefore, when performing a hair DNA testing it is important to do the following:

1. Collect as many hairs as possible;
2. Confirm the hairs have the root attached before sending;
3. Do NOT touch the hair at the part where the root is attached or else you will contaminate the sample;
4. Place the hair in a paper or plastic envelope and mark accordingly (ie that the envelope contains hair);
5. Advise the lab of the approximate age of the hair (e.g. freshly plucked vs stored for over year)

It is also important to note, that once the DNA is obtained from the hair, the accuracy of the DNA test such as the paternity test, does not change. Therefore, using hair or a swab will not affect the accuracy of the result. The only factor that changes is the probability of extracting DNA from the sample.

If you intend to send in a hair for DNA testing we recommend that you advise the laboratory in advance, as well as obtaining a quote for the work, as normally there is an additional charge over and above the standard cost of the test for processing such a sample.

With highly suggestive names like Full Throttle, Monster, Red Bull, Rock Star or Amp, it’s not surprising that energy drink market has hit a high, especially with teens and the college set. These bottled beverages are available at grocery stores, convenience stores, and even bars. But is the energy hype real? And more importantly, are these drinks safe? This article explores the energy drink phenomenon.

In 2005, energy drinks earned more than three billion dollars in retail sales in the United States alone. This figure is steadily climbing, and with the addition of many new drinks on the market each year, it is not likely to plateau soon. Yet, energy drinks are not quite so new to the world. Researchers point back to 1905 when Scotland produced a type of energy drink called Irn-Bru. Later in the century, Japanese businessmen were known to consume “genki drinks”, which were thought to keep them alert during long hours or on the drive home.

In 1997, an Austrian company introduced Red Bull to U.S. consumers. Red Bull is adapted from a Thai drink called Krating Daeng, which is the drink of choice for rickshaw drivers there. Red Bull’s infamous ingredient is not from a bull’s semen or urine as reputed by urban legend, but rather, an amino acid, taurine, that was first discovered in bulls.

Energy drinks on the market today generally contain caffeine, B vitamins, and herbal ingredients; most contain sugar, but there are some sugar-free energy drinks available now. Look on any energy drink label and you are also likely to find other ingredients such as ginseng, guarana, taurine, maltodextrine, creatine, and ginkgo biloba as well as others. The average energy beverage contains roughly the same amount of caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee. But there are many new drinks on the market that are pushing the caffeine envelope to new heights. Red Bull contains as much caffeine as two cans of Coke or Pepsi. A new product made by Redux Beverages (called Cocaine) has three times the caffeine as a can of Red Bull.

Most people who consume energy drinks believe their energized effects are not hype. Caffeine, a well-known stimulant, does boost alertness and energy in the short term. However, regular and excessive caffeine use can result in headaches, jitteriness, upset stomach, and problems sleeping. People with a sensitivity to caffeine may experience anxiety or palpitations as well. Critics of energy drinks additionally point out the concerns about the combinations of the other ingredients, which have not been studied and worry about their effects on the body, particularly after exercise.

Researchers also warn that people should not confuse energy drinks with sports drinks like Gatorade. Gatorade and the like are made to help people stay hydrated during exercise or sports-related activities and to replace electrolytes and carbohydrates that are lost through sweat. Energy drinks actually promote dehydration due to high levels of caffeine.

In France, Red Bull has been banned for its role in a sports-related death. A young athlete died after drinking four cans of the beverage before playing a basketball game. Red Bull is also banned in Denmark. A British study concluded that the drink should not be consumed by pregnant women, and the U.S. is likely to place some restrictions on energy drink makers in the future.

Another potential problem for these energy drinks is their partnership with alcohol in bars and clubs. Drinks like Red Bull and vodka are favorites with young crowds who claim to like the stimulating effects of the cocktail. The problem, however, is that the energy drink masks the effects of alcohol. People may not feel tired or be aware of how much they are actually drinking, yet the energy drinks do not mask the blood’s alcohol level. In fact, caffeine actually stalls the body’s ability to metabolize the alcohol. Critics believe alcohol and energy drinks are an unsafe combination.

Nevertheless, if consumers heed advice and forego energy drinks during exercise and while consuming alcohol, they are not likely to experience negative side effects unless they over-indulge in the drinks. For instance, drinking several cans of the drinks over a couple days can lead to caffeine-withdrawal symptoms upon stopping their consumption for a day. Also, at a few bucks per can, energy drinks are not cheap to buy.

Everyone who goes on a diet thinks that salads are automatically a safe diet food. They are a great way to pack more veggies into your diet, but they can also start to show up on the scale if you aren’t careful.

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Raising the Salad Bar: Keeping My Greens Diet-Friendly and Delicious

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