Exercise, Babies, and Odd Facts: A Mix of Health Insights

Women who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity for 150 minutes a week see a 22% reduction in coronary heart disease risk, while men see only a 17% reduction with the same amount of exercise. However, women are less likely to meet these exercise guidelines.

Interesting Facts About the Human Body

The space between the wrist and hand bones is called the "anatomical snuff box."
The inion is a small bony bump at the base of the skull that helps attach muscles supporting the head.

COVID-19 and Pregnancy

Research published in Obstetrics & Gynecology found that children born to mothers who had COVID-19 during pregnancy were more likely to have developmental issues like speech delays, autism, and motor disorders by age 3. The study looked at over 18,100 births in a large Boston-area health system.

Medical Research Funding Cuts

Around 74,000 people participating in 383 clinical studies lost federal funding. These studies focused on treatments for serious conditions like cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders.

Measles Outbreak in Canada

A large and ongoing outbreak threatens Canada's status as a place where the disease has been effectively eliminated.

Unique Phobias and Records

Heortophobia is the fear of holidays, making the holiday season stressful for those who experience it.
Sonya Thomas holds the record for eating fruitcake, consuming 4 pounds and 14.25 ounces in just 10 minutes.

Health and Nutrition

Taurine is a compound important for brain development, digestion, and eye health. It's found naturally in meat and seafood and is often added to energy drinks.
Walking is a great way to get around, as American comedian Steven Wright once said, "Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time."

Medical Milestones and Humor

In 1981, the first American "test tube" baby was born. Elizabeth Jordan Carr weighed 5 pounds and 12 ounces and was conceived through in vitro fertilization.
Medical humor can be found in everyday conversations, such as a patient joking about their medical provider's office always having two physicians on call, calling it "a pair of docs."

Knowing Your Body

Right side: liver, gallbladder, right kidney, right lung, right adrenal gland, and appendix.
Left side: heart, stomach, pancreas, and spleen.

Unique Burial Request

Edward Abbey, an American writer and environmentalist, wanted to be placed in an old sleeping bag and buried at an undisclosed location where his corpse would serve as fertilizer. A stone marker at the site reads: "Edward Paul Abbey. 1927-1989. No comment."