There's a certain irony that one of the major factors in most speech impediments — the tongue — can't really speak for itself, until now.

French researchers have tested a dental device that, when placed in the mouth, records the minute details of tongue movement during speech, giving therapists a much better idea of what might be causing speech problems.

The denturelike device contains pressure sensors that signal every time the tongue touches them. There's just one problem: The device can be used only in the mouths of people who are toothless.

But scientists at the Institut de la Communication Parle in Grenoble, France, are busy developing products that can be attached like braces or retainers to teeth.

BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

Why can't you tickle yourself? Your cerebellum informs the rest of the brain of your intentions. And thus warned, your brain ignores the subsequent tickling sensations.

GET ME THAT. STAT!

About one-third of men are affected by male pattern baldness by age 45. Researchers at McGill University, King's College London and GlaxoSmithKline Inc. have identified two genetic variants in Caucasians that together produce an astounding sevenfold increase in the risk of male pattern baldness. They estimate that one in seven men — or roughly 14 percent of the population — have both risk variants.

NUMBER CRUNCHER

A soft-serve cone of vanilla ice milk (103 grams) contains 164 calories, 55 from fat. That's 9 percent of the recommended total fat intake for a 2,000-calorie daily diet.

It also contains 28 milligrams of cholesterol (9 percent); 92 mg of sodium (4 percent); 24 grams of total carbohydrates (8 percent); zero grams of dietary fiber; 16g of sugar and 4g of protein.

MEDTRONICA

International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers

iamat.org

Since 1960, IAMAT has been advising travelers about health risks, the geographical distribution of diseases, immunization requirements, sanitary conditions of water, milk and food, and environmental and climatic conditions around the world.

The nonprofit group maintains a network of English-speaking physicians around the world who treat traveling IAMAT members in need of medical care. Membership is free, though a donation is requested.

STORIES FOR THE WAITING ROOM

When pop singer Annie Lennox sings “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” she never mention roses, but maybe she should. In a recent German experiment, sleep researchers exposed snoozing subjects to two different odors: roses or rotten eggs.

The researchers waited until the test subjects had entered the rapid eye movement phase of sleep — when most dreams occur — before releasing the odors. After waking, the subjects were asked to rate the pleasantness of their dreams. Those who smelled roses in their sleep described positive feelings. Those who sniffed rotten eggs reported negative feelings.

The second step in the research is to see if smelling roses will help people who suffer from chronic nightmares.

PHOBIA OF THE WEEK

Euphobia — fear of hearing good news

OBSERVATION

We've made great medical progress in the last generation. What used to be merely an itch is now an allergy.

— Anonymous

CURTAIN CALLS

During the gunslinging days of the Wild West, executioner George Maledon was a man in demand, often requested by outlaws sentenced to death. Maledon was a master at hanging people, priding himself upon his “scientific” knowledge of where to place the noose so that the condemned died quickly and quietly.

Maledon hanged 87 men in his career, but retired abruptly when he was prevented from executing the man convicted of killing his daughter. He spent his last years touring county fairs, demonstrating effective hanging techniques on dummies, and died in 1890.

To find out more about Scott Lafee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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