Wax Helps Prevent Swimmer's Ear
from UPI
Ear wax helps avoid otitis externa—swimmer's ear—a U.S. doctor says. Dr. Ian Storper of the New York -Presbyterian Hospital/ Columbia University Medical Center explains swimmer's ear is actually an inflammation of the external ear canal and the wax producing—cerumen—glands that it lines. The root of the problem is an absence of ear wax which protects the thin skin of the ear from summer's high humidity and heat as well as the exposure of the ear canal to bacteria-laden waters. More

Cereal and Milk is the New Sports Supplement
from Science Daily
A bowl of whole-grain cereal is as good as a sports drink for recovery after exercise. New research has shown that the readily available and relatively inexpensive breakfast food is as effective as popular, carbohydrate-based "sports drinks." More

Genetic Fitness May Explain Why Intelligent People Are Often Healthier
from Medical News Today
U.K. and U.S. researchers found that more intelligent people are often healthier, and suggest that this could be due to what they describe as a genetic "fitness factor" whereby both body fitness (health) and brain fitness (intelligence) are influenced by genetic differences among people. More

Menu Labeling Bill Introduced by U.S. Lawmakers
from Los Angeles Times
Two federal lawmakers have introduced legislation to require fast-food and other chain restaurants to post calories on menu boards and food display tags. The chains also would have to put information about calories, fats, carbohydrates and salt on printed menus. More

California Swimmer Reclaims National Record
from MaxPreps
Kasey Carlson had to do it all over again, but this time she was even better. The standout junior swimmer from Las Lomas (Walnut Creek, Calif.) had established a national record the previous week by winning the 100-yard breaststroke in a sizzling 58.89 seconds during the Diablo Foothill Athletic League Championships – only to later learn it would not count because the touchpads that register times weren’t working. More

Sleep May Be Factor in Weight Control
from Science Daily
Could sleep be a critical component to maintaining a healthy body weight? According to new research, body mass index (BMI) is linked to length and quality of sleep in a surprisingly consistent fashion. More

Swim Some Laps to Cool Off Your Workout — and Clear Your Mind
from San Antonio Espress-News
For those who look to the water for their workouts, tearing through the pool at warp speed can be good for the heart, but a leisurely lap also can be beneficial to the mind and the body, swim enthusiasts say. More

In Achilles Tendon Rupture Surgery May Not Be Necessary
from Medical News Today
The two ends of a ruptured Achilles tendon are often stitched together before the leg is put in plaster, in order to reduce the risk of the tendon rupturing again. However, a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, now suggests that surgery may be unnecessary. Patients who do not undergo surgery have just as good a chance of recovery. More