Hiking with a heavy backpack over difficult terrain sometimes produces an unfortunate side effect (apart from that burning, breathless sensation in the lungs). To wit: stumbling and falling, which can lead to injury.

Harvard University researchers wondered if stochastic resonance might put some pep in a hikers' step. Technically speaking, SR means adding white noise to a weak signal to boost the ability of detectors to pick it up. In the Harvard study, it meant adding vibrating shoe insoles.

In tests on an inclined treadmill, backpack-carrying hikers wearing the shoes (the vibrations are not perceptible to humans) displayed improved balance and control, likely because their sensory nerves were augmented by additional input.

In another, unrelated study that involved a jump test to assess ability, persons wearing the vibrating inserts finished their jumps one-tenth of a second quicker than participants wearing non-vibrating shoes.

Body of Knowledge

On average, a person can hold their breath for about one minute. The world's record is 24 minutes, 3.45 seconds, held by Aleix Segura Vendrell, a professional Spanish free diver. (Competitors are allowed to hyperventilate with pure oxygen for a period beforehand, supersaturating their bodies.) Sperm whales, by contrast, can hold their breath up to 90 minutes with no particular preparation.

Number Cruncher

A cup of sunflower seeds, including edible hulls (46 grams) contains 269 calories, 213 from fat. It has 23.7 grams of total fat or 36 percent of the recommended total fat intake for a 2,000-calorie daily diet.

It also contains zero cholesterol; 4 milligrams of sodium (less than 1 percent); 9.2 grams of total carbohydrates (3 percent); 4 g of fiber (16 percent) 1.2 grams of sugar and 9.6 g of protein.

Doc Talk

Granuloma: a tumor

Phobia of the Week

Coprastasophobia: fear of constipation

Never say Diet

The Major League Eating record for bacon is 182 pieces in 5 minutes, held by Matt Stonie, far outstripping the competition.

Best Medicine

Insomniac: "I've tried everything. Nothing works."

Well-rested friend: "I'm sorry to hear that. Sleep just comes naturally to me. I could do it with my eyes closed."

Observation

"If the doctor cures, the sun sees it; if he kills, the earth hides it." — Scottish proverb

Medical History

This week in 1856, the first milk quality law in the United States was passed in Massachusetts. At the time, milk quality was highly variable — and unsafe milk produced by ailing cows was a legitimate public health hazard and potentially deadly to infants. Boston became the first city to hire a full-time Inspector of Milk, empowered to investigate dairies, issue fines and launch prosecutions.

Self-Exam

Q: What percentage of internet users in the United States look online for health information.

A: More than 80 percent, according to Rock Health, or roughly six in 10 American adults. Twenty-five percent of internet users have consulted online reviews of particular drugs or medical treatments. And probably everybody has looked up a disease they think they have — or do once they read about it.

Medical Myths

A few years ago, the internet began circulating a warning that drinking cold water immediately after a meal would cause cancer. The reasoning went like this: The cold water would cause consumed oils from the meal to coagulate and resist digestion. Instead, these solidified fats would line the intestine and lead to cancer.

There is no medical evidence to support the notion. Chilled substances in the stomach quickly assume internal body temperature and stomach acids rapidly break down foods into homogenized mush.

Cancer is fundamentally caused by cell growth run amok, the result of genetic mutations. Cold water is not mutagen.

Curtain Calls

In 1987, a Bulgarian dissident named Georgi Markov was assassinated in London, allegedly by an unknown operative using a specially modified umbrella that fired a metal pellet carrying ricin into his calf. Ricin is a highly toxic, naturally occurring protein. A dose as small as 1/228th of a standard aspirin tablet can kill an adult human.

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.

Photo credit: Helen Penjam