There's something in the air... and it's not just fog.  November has been dubbed the 'Month of Magic' and for very good reason - it's the time of year when wannabe parents get busy. Not only do summer babies tend to be healthier, but many teachers plan to have their babies in late summer to make the most effective use of maternity leave. However, a recent study conducted by the Durham University, suggests that we are sabotaging our own sexy time with our smartphones. Dr. Mark McCormack insists that to make the most of the Month of Magic, we need to turn those phones off, as they are negatively affecting our sex lives (and not just in the obvious ways). Researchers at the university studied heterosexual couples and their smartphones, and found that while smartphones were an aphrodisiac in the early stages, it was a big turn off later on in the relationship. Dr. McCormack says; “Participants felt that smartphones encroached onto sexual activity, with 40 per cent admitting that they had delayed sex because of technology use. "One in three participants said that they had actually answered the phone during sex.” Others in the study admitted that they sometimes hurry sex along in order to be able to check their phones when they've heard them beep. A whopping ten per cent of people interviewed would describe their partner's phone as "the other woman in our marriage". Not cool. So, the message is - when you feel turned on - turn off.

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  If you want to hear more about how technology is impacting on our sex lives, Dr McCormack will be in Dublin for the Science Expression Defining Futures Film Festival on Friday 13^thNovember. He will be part of a panel discussion called ‘The Future of Love’, which will kick off with a screening of Spike Jonze’s movie ‘Her’ (starring Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson) at 7pm on Friday 13th November at Filmbase in Temple Bar.