Runners have a variety of theories about winter training, such as the idea that you burn more calories in cold weather or it’s easy to get dehydrated. Triathlete magazine interviewed John Castellani, a physiologist at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Natick, Mass., so help separate the truths from the lies.

LINK: “Does Winter Running Burn More Calories?”

Neti pots have become a popular remedy for colds and sinus congestion, but health officials are warning people to use them properly in the wake of recent deaths.  For some, the thought of rinsing one’s nose is enough of a deterrent from using a neti pot. But the problem is not the idea of washing your nose – it’s what kind of water you use. In two widely reported cases  last year people used tap water, instead of distilled or sterilized water and wound dying of of water-borne brain-eating amoeba. Read the full story

Scientists are debating the newsworthiness of a recent discovery that has the potential not to help, but to hurt. Researchers last July in the Netherlands created an airborne version of a dangerous flu virus- in essence “tweaking it genetically to make it more contagious,” according to the New York Times. Now, U.S. government advisers are urging that scientists keep the research private – so it can’t be used by terrorists or other bad guys.

LINK: Dec. 27, 2011, New York Times, “Science debate persists on deadly flu made airborne.”

To help, Davidson Parks & Rec starts a Walking Club

By LESLIE WILLIS

Many articles in health magazines feature celebrities and models who participate in yoga, jogging, or kickboxing. They make it appear as if people are doing nothing but exercising all day long.

Many newspaper articles have appeared, reporting on research about chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer along with one of the major underlying chronic conditions, physical inactivity. But the reality of today’s society and our health is often very different. Read the full story

Mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus and other illnesses.

It’s tick and mosquito season, and with that comes the threat of disease. A report on National Public Radio this week warned that budget problems have forced some states to trim funding for mosquito research and disease prevention.

Here in Mecklenburg County, health experts say there a many things we can do at home to prevent illnesses spread by mosquitoes or ticks. Read the full story

(Photo illustration David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

How safe is that mobile phone? Consumers have been asking that question for years, worrying that electromagnetic radiation emitted by phones might cause cancer. Now, with more than 4.6 billion mobile phone subscribers globally, a new international panel of experts says they might be “possibly carcinogenic.”

The panel, organized by the World Health Organization, compiled results from dozens of previous studies, and concluded that mobile phones could lead to cancer. “Possibly carcinogenic” is not the most serious warning, but indicates a risk.

Mobile phones in recent years have improved, and radiation emissions have been reduced. And the WHO said that “to date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.” Read the full story

The Cornelius-Lake Norman Lions Club will provide a free vision screening Saturday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Cornelius Town Hall Parking Lot, next to the Cornelius Veterans Memorial Monument at Rotary Plaza site. Vision screening can help with the early detection of vision problems. Read the full story

Meg Smeaton, owner of Meg’s Rolf and Bodyworks, recently joined us an advertiser. We wondered about her specialty, known as structural integration. Here’s her explanation.

Meg Smeaton

Structural Integration is a body work therapy created by Ida P. Rolf, Phd in the 1950s. Unlike massage, Structural Integration focuses not on the muscles but on their protective layer called fascia (connective tissue). The fascia surrounds the muscles, bones and organs in the body. The fascia gives muscles their shape and bones their structure. Structural Integration aligns and balances the body by lengthening and repositioning the fascia. Misalignment can occur often as a result of gravity, injury, poor postural habits or emotional issues. The fascia then contours to the structure…enter Structural Integration. Read the full story

Frank and Rosa Garcia opened GNC at Davidson Commons in April.

After retiring from the U.S. Army a couple of years back, Frank Garcia began been looking around for a business opportunity. This year, an intriguing possibility presented itself: opening a GNC store to sell vitamins and herbal, sports and nutritional supplements. Read the full story

Woodlawn School and Davidson College Presbyterian Church are hosting a screening of “Race to Nowhere,” produced by a mother of teens out of concern for her kids. The screening is Monday, May 16, 7 p.m., in DCPC Congregation House, 218 Concord Road.

The film examines the high-pressure culture that has invaded many schools and many children’s lives. It’s intended to shine a light on the price young people pay for competing. Read the full story