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Catholic Schools, Health Myths, Happy Women 01-24-2008
The Weather Kid Thursday brought his own audience. We learned about health myths even some doctors believe and things the woman in your life will love. We also discussed Catholic Schools Week with Fran Voll, the principal at Marion Catholic Jr. Sr. High School.
Catholic Schools Week Fran Voll from Marion Catholic High School stopped by this morning to talk about Catholic Schools Week. It's all next week with visitors coming in to speak from around the state.
You can get more information on Marion Catholic and their events at www.marioncatholic.org.
Health Myths Even Doctors Believe (Netscape) Here are seven medical myths identified by the British Medical Journal that will no doubt stun you. We'll bet you think at least one of these is true.
- You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day -- This advice, often found in the popular press, probably originated from advice given in 1945 stating that a suitable allowance of water per day for adults is 2.5 liters (which is 10.14 cups). The statement also added that most of this quantity is found in food! Remember, drinking too much water can actually be harmful, resulting in water intoxication, hyponatraemia and even death.
- We use only 10 percent of our brains -- Erroneously credited to Albert Einstein, this myth is cited by everyone from physicians to comedians. But they're wrong! MRI and PET scans show that there are no dormant, inactive areas of the brain. Detailed probing of the brain has never revealed the non-functioning 90 percent.
- Fingernails and hair grow after death -- Johnny Carson even perpetuated this myth when he joked, "For three days after death hair and fingernails continue to grow, but phone calls taper off." Forensic anthropologist William Maples told the British Medical Journal, "It is a powerful, disturbing image, but it is pure moonshine. No such thing occurs." However, there is a biological basis for the myth. After death, the skin around the hair or nails can retract, giving the impression that the nails or hair have grown when in fact the contrasting soft tissues just shrink.
- Shaved hair grows back faster, coarser and darker -- Clinical trials conducted as long as 80 years ago show that shaving has no effect on hair growth. More recent research proves that shaving doesn't affect the thickness or rate of hair growth. Because shaved hair lacks the fine taper seen on the ends of unshaven hair, it can appear to be more coarse. In addition, new hair hasn't been lightened by the sun, so it seems to be darker than existing hair.
- Reading in dim light ruins your eyesight -- Moms have long maintained that children who try to postpone bedtime by reading under the covers with a flashlight will need glasses. That's not true. Poor lighting can make it seem as if your eyes can't focus and it makes them feel dryer, but in fact such light won't permanently harm your eyesight or damage the function or structure of the eyes. Any discomfort or strain is only temporary.
- Eating turkey makes you drowsy -- Scientific studies do show that tryptophan, which is an amino acid present in turkey, is involved in sleep and mood control and can cause drowsiness. However, turkey doesn't contain enough tryptophan to knock you out. Bet you didn't know this: Turkey, chicken and ground beef contain nearly equivalent amounts of tryptophan, while pork and cheese have more than turkey! If you're sleepy after eating turkey, chances are you ate a lot more than just the meat. Any large meal can make you sleepy -- with or without turkey.
- Mobile phones are dangerous in hospitals -- Hospitals may be plastered with warning signs against using cell phones, but not a single death can be attributed to such use. However, less serious incidents causing false alarms on monitors, malfunctions in infusion pumps and incorrect readings on cardiac monitors, have occasionally been reported, reports the British Medical Journal.
Things Women Find Irresistible Listen up, guys! A recent survey says women love it when you:
- Own a pair of really nice shoes and actually wear them.
- Brush the hair out of their eyes.
- Are able to hold a baby or push a stroller without squirming.
- Plan an evening out from soup to nuts, from finding a movie to making the dinner reservations.
- Kiss creatively.
- Handle our emotions with grace and compassion.
- Have impassioned, informed opinions about women writers and women's issues.
- Can distinguish between being courteous and being wimpy.
- Know how to inscribe a card with a heartfelt, personal message.
- Demonstrate respect for others by standing up when your mother comes to the table, giving up a seat on the bus for a pregnant woman, asking your dad for his opinion and really listening, etc.
- Show genuine, platonic interest in your female friends' lives.
- Are playful around dogs, cats and kids.
- Make the bed in the morning and fold the laundry -- competently.
- Offer juice, soup and TLC when we're sick.
- Do the come-from-behind cuddle-hug, just to say hello.
- Remember insignificant details, like our favorite color or flower, and make use of that knowledge.
- Are unfailingly polite to all members of the service industries.
- Offer us caresses and compliments for no particular reason.
Weather Kid Today's Weather Kid was Colton. He had a large group of family and friends tuning in to hear him give the weather, which he did perfectly.
You can download Weather Kids and listen to them any time on your computer, just click here.
Coming Up Tomorrow is Double Shot Fridays. Email us your requests. Karen will be in the studio at 8:00 a.m. and as always, the Nearly Impossible Trivia Question is at 6:40 a.m. |