Armor Harmed Soldiers

Research finds that the extra work required to move around in medieval armor may have outweighed its benefit. A 1400s soldier wore 60 lbs-110 lbs of steel. The weight distribution in the armor required more energy to moves one's arms or legs than carrying the same weight in a backpack. Armor wearers also took short breaths - not regular deep breaths.

TV = Death

Research finds that cardiovascular disease rates rise with average daily TV viewing times - even if you're physically fit.

Researchers studied the viewing habits and health of ~9,000 adults. For every hour watching tv each day, risk of death from cardiovascular disease increased 18%. People watching 4 hours or more each day were 80% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease vs. those who watched for 2 hours or less each day.

The same applies for sitting in front of a computer or sitting idly - sitting for long stretches negatively affects levels of blood sugar and fats.

Driving Affects Listening

Studies have shown that talking on a cell phone can impair our ability to drive. A new study shows that driving makes it hard to hear.

96 participants were paired in a simulator - 1 driving, 1 talking as a passenger or on the phone. Drivers and talkers were told a number of stories. Sure enough, drivers had 20% less ability to recall the details as compared with the passengers. And their conversational skills were the worst when navigate intersections or handling traffic.

Smaller Fingers = More Sensitive Finger Tips

Research finds that people with smaller fingers have more sensitive fingertips, probably because of a higher concentration of touch receptors in that area.

100 volunteers' index fingertips were measured. Researchers pressed parallel grooves against the subjects’ fingertips. If they could feel those grooves, then they pressed a narrower set, and so on (kind of like an eye test where you read progressively smaller letters until they’re indistinguishable).

Those with the smallest fingertips felt the narrowest grooves. Scientists think its because of a higher density of receptors - like a larger pixel count that creates a clearer image. Researchers then measured sweat pores density because touch receptor cells cluster around sweat pores. They found that smaller fingers did have a higher concentration of sweat pores.

Fitter = Smarter

Research suggests that adolescent physically fit men tend to be more intelligent than their non-athletic counterparts.

Animal studies have long shown a link between physical activity and better memory. In humans, aerobic exercise can boost cognitive function in old people. Scientists found that of 1+ million men enlisted for military service @ 18, cardiovascular fitness, not muscle strength, was associated with overall intelligence (in the Swedish army). Physical fitness at 18 also foreshadowed greater academic achievement later in life for the public in general. Even among the twin pairs, the fitter brother tended to be the smarter.

Good Sprinters Have Long Toes, Better Achilles

A study finds that successful sprinters have longer toes and Achilles tendons which produce less leverage than non-athletes of similar height. But why?

Longer toe length allows sprinters to maintain maximum contact with the ground while pushing off the starting block. Achilles tendons having less leverage allows leg muscles to produce greater force.

Injured? Best be Drunk!

Being drunk makes you more accident prone, but trauma patients are more likely to survive if they were drunk at the time of their injury. Studies found that 7% who came in sober died of their injuries vs. 1% of drunk victims. Drunk victims were discharged sooner as well. Scientists cannot explain why this occurs, but they - and the sane - recommend not getting drunk in the first place to avoid the ensuring injury.

Fizz has Taste

Scientists have discovered that carbonation actually has a flavor and gene manipulation can render an animal "blind" to the taste of carbonation. Scientists think our CO2 sensor evolved to help us avoid food that’s spoiled but we still enjoy fizz that tickles our tongue.

High Heels Are Harmful

The Journal of Experimental Biology published a study that indicates high heels are harmful. Leg sonograms of women who frequently wear 2-inch or higher heels found that these women had thicker & stiffer Achilles tendons and calf muscle fibers that were ~13% shorter than women who don't. The calf muscle size was the same, however.

What should high-heelers do? Just stretch after you take your high heels off.

World Cup Science

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scientists have discovered how a kicker’s body can reveal where he’s aiming.

In a penalty shot, the ball can touch net in about half a second - faster than a keeper can go from the goal’s center to either post ... meaning the goalkeeper must move before the kicker’s foot meets the ball AND correctly guess the direction.

The angle of the kicker’s hips and the way he plants his supporting foot are the most telling factors.