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Women interested in attracting a man would be well advised to wear red - and the more red the better.

A series of studies by researchers at the University of Rochester has revealed that men are far more attracted to women in red clothing or surrounded by red accessories than females who sport other colours. What's more, men seem to be especially generous to the lady in red - and are more willing to open up their wallets to wine and dine her.

To measure the amorous effects of red, the researchers gauged men's responses to pictures of women under different colour conditions.

In one experiment, the pictures were framed by a border that was either red, white, grey or green. In other tests, the researchers digitally altered the photo so that the same woman was wearing either a red or a blue shirt.

"The women shown framed by or wearing red were rated significantly more attractive and sexually desirable by men than the exact same women shown with other colours," the researchers concluded in their study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Psychology professor Andrew Elliot, who led the research, noted that throughout history many cultures have linked sex with the colour red, ranging from ancient peoples who used ochre body paints on fertile females to modern-day "red-light" districts.

But Dr. Elliot speculated that men's response to red may also have deep biological roots that go beyond a learned cultural response.

The sexual parts of female baboons and chimpanzees take on a conspicuously red hue when they are reaching ovulation. In similar fashion, many human females will become flush-faced when they are interested in a male, Dr. Elliot said.

"It may well be that males have this deep-seated sense of red indicating sexual availability," he speculated. "I think females can use that to their advantage - and to wear it or not, depending on their desires."

Still, it could take more than a red dress to win over a reluctant male. Red did not change the way men rated the women in terms of likeability, intelligence or kindness - just their physical attractiveness.

Dial 911 and leave the car

People who think they are having a heart attack should phone for an ambulance - and forget about driving themselves to a hospital.

"Getting treatment on time is crucial to preventing lasting damage to heart muscle," said Madhu Natarajan, a cardiologist at Hamilton Health Sciences.

He led a study that reviewed the cases of 487 patients admitted to hospital suffering from signs of a heart attack.

About 40 per cent of those patients either drove themselves or had a family member take them to the emergency department. "This group arrived at the hospital later following their symptoms," he told a meeting of the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Toronto this week. "They also experienced a longer time to receive life-saving medications and treatments."

He noted that during the first hour of a heart attack, patients are at high risk of developing irregular heartbeats, known as arrhythmias, which can prove fatal.

Taking an ambulance is the best way to get rapid care, he said. In many cities, the onboard paramedics are trained to do the initial assessment and can speed the way for treatment once the patient arrives at the hospital. Sunshine supplementsIf you haven't been taking vitamin D supplements on a daily basis, it's time to start doing so, the Canadian Cancer Society suggests.

The vitamin is made in skin exposed to sunlight. But as winter approaches, the sun's rays are no longer strong enough to produce the vitamin. And, of course, we tend to bundle up in warm clothes, so very little skin is exposed to natural light.

"There is a growing body of evidence about the potential link between vitamin D and reducing the risk for colorectal, breast and prostate cancer," Cathy Adair, a spokeswoman for the cancer society, said in a statement.

"During the fall and winter, we recommend adults increase their vitamin D intake with supplementation of 1,000 international units per day."

The Cancer Society also suggests that some people - such as those with dark skin or over the age of 50 - should take supplements year-round.