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The thwack-thwack-thwack of a flip-flop clad walker is a familiar sound in the summer months, but a recent study has found some pretty painful flaws in the form of the familiar flip-flop.
Researchers at Auburn University in Alabama studied 39 college-aged men and women who wore flip-flops and athletic shoes. They found that flip-flops fail to absorb shock, resulting in aches and pain in other parts of the body as the force of impact was absorbed by joints instead of shoes.
Flip-flop wearers also take shorter strides, contributing to joint stress and fatigue from the increase in steps needed to cover distance (Barbara Kantrowitz and Pat Wingert, "Flip-Flop Flaws," Newsweek, June 10, 2008).
Foot specialists often see an increase in patients toward the end of summer complaining of injuries related to flip-flops. Depending on the country of origin, they can often contain chemicals that result in rashes on the feet.
Not only are flip-flops nonsupportive, but if worn during sports activities, they can result in sprains and twists (Jennifer Gish, "Flip-Flops Put Health of Users on Poor Footing," New York Times News Service, June 21, 2008).
Increase in the risk of developing mental disorders
from using marijuana.
Associated Press, May 9, 2008
The state of California has enacted legislation that will ban the use of handheld mobile phones while driving—a move that follows the lead of the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington, as well as Washington, D.C. Mobile phones have been implicated in 2.8 percent of crashes, a number believed to be four times too low according to statistics from Canada and Australia. About 80 percent of crashes, according to a study for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, involved some form of distraction within three seconds of the crash, and the most frequent distraction was a mobile phone.
Driving is an intense multitasking activity, and adding the further distraction of a cell phone conversation only serves to increase the potential for danger. Researchers at the University of Utah found that "inattentional blindness" occurs when drivers are talking on a phone, hands-free or not. Drivers become so distracted that they fail to see objects on the road ("Driving Under the Influence," Economist.com, June 27, 2008).
The detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in pork is causing scientists concern that these dangerous bacteria may be passed along to those who eat pork or work with pigs.
In 7.1 percent of 113 pigs tested, researchers from the University of Minnesota found antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Doctors at the University of Iowa found the same strains of bacteria in 147 of 299 pigs tested. Ontario Veterinary College researchers likewise found similar bacteria in 10 percent of 212 samples of ground pork and pork chops from four Canadian provinces.
Several cases of human beings infected with these same bacteria in Scotland and the Netherlands give reason to think that cross-contamination leading to the human population might be possible (Thomas Burton, "Bacteria in Pork Showing Resistance to Antibiotics," The Wall Street Journal, June 16, 2008). This could become a definite concern for government health agencies in light of the international trade of meats and other foods.
Thankfully, this possible outbreak should pose no problem to those who follow the biblical guidelines that identify clean and unclean meats. Pork is listed as an unclean meat and is therefore not meant for human food. For more information, please request or download What Does the Bible Teach About Clean and Unclean Meats?
When approaching a career change, experts suggest becoming well informed about any potential job, particularly if it is offered by a close friend or associate and the job description is vague in nature. Trying to do a fair day's work and get good results is very difficult if you can't identify how much authority you have in a new setting or what kind of compensation you are expecting.
Likewise, don't take a new job offer just because it promises a lot of money or a position of prestige (Jack and Suzy Welch, "Before You Go Job-Hopping ...," BusinessWeek, May 1, 2008).
Fitting into a job that you like and that likes you has the potential for greater happiness than a job that looks good on the outside only to be unexpectedly unpleasant once you are on the inside.
On college campuses, where "hooking up" for random sexual encounters has been one of the hallmarks of university life for decades, a new trend has emerged against promiscuous sex. Virginity clubs, such as True Love Revolution at Harvard and Anscombe Society at Princeton, support sexual abstinence before marriage for philosophical reasons. They reject recreational sex because it is harmful to society and to personal health and happiness ("Rise of the Rebel Virgins," Christianity Today, July 1, 2008).
While this is a promising cultural trend, it is still important to remember that the main reason for refraining from sexual activity before marriage is because God says to refrain in His law. Sex is an innate part of the marriage relationship between one man and one woman for life. Anything else is outside proper context.
For more information on this subject, request or download the free booklet Marriage and Family: The Missing Dimension.
Toxic chemicals emitted by vinyl shower curtains have been linked to serious health problems, such as damage to the liver and the central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems. The vinyl material releases high quantities of phthalates and organotins and other chemicals that produce dangerous effects when absorbed by the human body.
Recent tests found that new polyvinyl chloride shower curtains can release as many as 108 volatile organic compounds into the air, resulting in a distinct smell, and often causing headaches, nausea and other health problems. Researchers fear that heat and humidity during shower use can only increase the concentrations of chemicals released (Tami Abdollah, "That 'New Shower Curtain Smell' Gives Off Toxic Chemicals, Study Says," Los Angeles Times, June 13, 2008).
An April 2008 study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project and
the National Commission on Writing finds that 60 percent of teens don't
view instant messaging, text messaging and other social writing as real
writing. Instead, they view it merely as simple communication,
like a short chat.
The study found that 64 percent of teens have accidentally used text shortcuts like "LOL" in school writing. Only 11 percent of teens think that e-communication has harmed their writing abilities, while 27 percent of parents feel it has done damage (Peter Hildebrandt, "Pew Study Examines E-Communication's Impact on Teens' Writing," EContentmag.com, May 16, 2008).
Maintaining knowledge of traditional formal writing is a vital skill for students as they make their way through the shifting trends and protocols of technology.
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Keywords: flip flops cell phones pork jobs sexual abstinence polyvinyl chloride writing
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