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Net notesPornographyFish pornAs Swiss scientists reveal sticklebacks ejaculate more sperm after seeing images of flirting fish, read our web guide to piscine prurience1. Today's subject concerns fish spawn, sorry, porn. Though the two matters are connected. 2. Scientists at Fribourg university in Switzerland have discovered that sticklebacks ejaculate more sperm if first stimulated by a "soft porn" film showing flirting fish. 3. It is thought that the images simulate conditions in the wild where the males rev up their performances if they feel threatened by competitors.

Infectious diseases This article is more than 6 years oldHumans can spot small signs of sickness at a glance, research suggestsThis article is more than 6 years oldHumans may use a host of facial cues – visible just hours after an infection starts – to avoid contracting illnesses from others, study indicates Coughing, sneezing and clutching the stomach might be obvious signs of sickness, but humans can also spot if someone is healthy simply from a glance at their face, new research suggests.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez This article is more than 3 years oldOcasio-Cortez hits back at critics who pounced on $58 'Tax the Rich' sweatshirtThis article is more than 3 years oldCongresswoman says price was appropriate because garment was made by unionised workers in America – unlike ‘Trump’s merch’ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had a swift response for conservatives criticizing her for selling a “Tax the Rich” sweatshirt for $58. The price was right, the leftwing New York Democrat said, because the campaign merchandise was made by unionised workers in the US rather than in China, unlike political wear sold by, for example, Donald Trump.

Sexy Fish is the new Chiltern Firehouse (which was the new Nobu, which was the new Ivy, which was the new San Lorenzo, and so on in restaurant’s absurd infinity mirror of hipness). Question is, what are you meant to wear? Published: 27 Nov 2015 ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEoKyaqpSerq96wqikaJqlqLavsdKsZquhk52us7CMnJiroZ6c

Brain flappingScience This article is more than 9 years oldSanta Claus deniers: why do they get so much airtime?This article is more than 9 years oldDean BurnettA comedian runs into trouble when she states on television, repeatedly, that Santa is not real. Why are deniers given so many high-profile platforms to spout their views when the scientific evidence for Santa is so overwhelming? Santa-denial has surfaced again, this time on Australian television show The Project, in the guise of its guest Kitty Flanagan.

The naked and the deadOfficially at least, the exhibition now on at the Musée Rath in Geneva is an exercise in historical iconography. Cleopatra in the Mirror of Western Art brings together more than 100 images of the legendary Queen of Egypt. The earliest come from 15th-century illuminated manuscripts; the most recent from Hollywood movies starring Claudette Colbert and Elizabeth Taylor. Most of these Cleopatras are dark-haired, in the interest of verisimilitude, though there are one or two redheads and blondes from painters from northern countries, faithfully reproducing their sitters.

SEMANTIC ENIGMASWhat is the origin of "the fuzz" (meaning police)? Penny Rudd, Geneva Switzerland I'm afraid it's a rather rude reference to female generative organs. mike woods, putney uk If Mike's answer is correct, it brings a fascinating new meaning to the term 'caught by the fuzz'. Several fascinating new meanings, in fact. Rob Redman, Brighton UK nothing do with short & curlies then?? Henry, amsterdam holland

Sangharakshita in 1966. Photograph: John Twine/ANL/REX/ShutterstockSangharakshita in 1966. Photograph: John Twine/ANL/REX/ShutterstockThe ObserverBuddhismBritish-born guru Sangharakshita was mired in allegations of abuse for years. Now it seems the scandal in his wealthy order went far wider than previously acknowledged Coddington Court, near the Herefordshire market town of Ledbury, is a late-18th-century red brick mansion surrounded by farmland. These days it goes by the name ofAdhisthana, reflecting its reincarnation as the headquarters of one of the most influential Buddhist orders in the world, the Triratna Community, whose founder, Sangharakshita, lived there until his death last year at the age of 93.

Marilyn MonroeHoward Hawks’ eye-catching comedy sees the actor at the height of her talents in a tale with more depth and intellect than even its director knew Last year’s Marilyn Monroe biopic Blonde broke up its parade of visceral suffering heaped upon the woman born Norma Jeane Mortenson with an acknowledgement of one injustice not of the physically invasive persuasion. Some like it overheated: how Marilyn Monroe is betrayed by BlondeRead moreWe learn that while working on Howard Hawks’ superlative Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (which turns 70 years old this weekend), she received a paltry rate of $500 a week, while her comparatively better-known co-45star Jane Russell raked in a sum-total fee in the amount of $200,000.