• Here is a fairly convincing argument for male circumcision: It may help prevent penis injuries. Circumcised men are less likely to experience minor injuries during sex, says a recent study.
Though the cuts and scrapes sound like no biggie, this may explain why circumcision has been linked to lower rates of HIV transmission. They also found that washing the penis after sex can help men avoid next-day soreness (and grossness). • Despite our reputation as the bigger shoppers (and the obnoxious women are bad with money stereotype), in the Midwest, it’s the men who spend more. The same survey also found that 61% of Midwesterners feel that the economic downturn isn’t over yet and will only get worse before it gets better. • Even though pet hair can help clean up the oil spill, BP has already decided to shelve the idea in favor of synthetic fibers. Vet Patty Khuly, writing for USA Today, argues that, in turning down donations from Matter of Trust (a not-for-profit that recycles human and animal hair), BP is essentially allowing the oil to further spread. Marine toxicologist Riki Ott points out that the synthetic fibers favored by BP creates a secondary pollution problem, one that could be avoided by using home-grown hairs. • Bad news for anyone who shilled out the $100-plus for “toning shoes:” they might not actually work. Nike VP says shoes that “make your butt smaller” just don’t exist. But even though Nike and various podiatrists are skeptical of their merits, the ugly sneakers are still the most profitable sector of the footwear market. • Young men with lower IQs are far more likely to attempt suicide than their more intelligent peers, according to a new study. “There’s a perception that people with higher IQs might be more neurotic, more anxious, and more depressed—Woody Allen style,” says researcher Karestan Koenen. But “people with lower IQs are at increased risk not just of mental health problems, but of all kinds of physical health problems.” • Former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has taken on a consultancy position at Johnson Publishing. Rogers will try and help save the floundering company by “assisting with corporate strategy.” • The Iranian government is taking drastic steps to stop people from seeing a HBO documentary about the life of Neda Agha-Soltan, the young woman who was gunned down during the protests last summer. During the hours when the Voice of America TV network had planned to broadcast For Neda, viewers in Tehran reported jamming and power cuts. • True Value hardware has opened a new store in Chicago that is aimed at appealing to women. What does this mean? An easier to navigate layout, wider aisles, brighter overhead lights, and a prominent paint store. To be honest, this sounds like an efficient and appealing change for customers of any gender. • Several Bollywood stars came out for a charity cricket match – though very few women were in attendance. Exactly what the match was raising money for is never made clear. The stars who did play thought it was a good way to connect with the fans. • Another female ex-employee of KBR has come forward to state that she was raped while working overseas for the military contracting company in Iraq. Her attorney, Todd Kelly, says he heard from at least 20 other women who report similar stories. • Czech Jezzies take note: Today you can attend the opening of the new Hooters in Prague. The chain restaurant is located in a building that dates back to 1381. Is everything classier in Europe? • Several Japanese theaters have canceled screenings of a documentary out of fear for the moviegoers safety. The Cove includes a scene of a dolphin hunt in a Japanese village, which has stirred up a lot of controversy. Several complainers, angry at the “betrayal of Japanese pride,” have threatened to protest the film. •