Truly Odd Planet » Health and Fitness

Stupid flies live longer

Chris — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:01:02 +0000

With most species you’d think that the smarter of the bunch would live longer but that’s not the case with flies apparently.

Evolution scientists at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland published a report that states that over the course of 30 to 40 generations, ordinary house flies tend to live a lot longer if they’re stupid.

One guess as to their longevity is that heightened neural activity likely overtaxed the systems of the smarter flies causing them to die earlier than their dumber less stressed counterparts.

Hmmm I wonder how much money in tax dollars was spent on that project?

Largest tribute to the enema ever?

Chris — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:01:45 +0000

There are dozen of Spas operating in Russia’s Caucasus Mountain region due to the mineral springs in the area.

As with many fancy spas these days it seems that colonic treatments are a specialty.

In June, the Mashuk-Akva Term Spa in Zheleznovodsk unveiled a large monument to the enema.

It’s an 800 pound brass syringe bulb held aloft by three angels. Sounds like quite a strange tribute if you ask me! The monument was apparently inspired by Botticelli.

One banner near the monument says “lets Beat Constipation”.

Can you believe that there’s a lawsuit over the ankle?

Chris — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:32:42 +0000

Apparently Podiatrists in Texas have not only been treating peoples various foot problems but they’ve also been treating ankles.

Unfortunately for them the association of Texas Medical Doctors says that the ankle is not part of the foot.

A lawyer representing Texas podiatrists: “You don’t have an ankle. The foot actually includes the ankle.”

A state appeals court in March sided with the medical doctors, but the podiatrists say it’s not over yet and that they may continue to treat ankles even though they are licensed to work only on feet.

Sherrif wants to ban deputies from smoking

Chris — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 09:24:14 +0000

Did you hear that the Volusia sheriff came up with an idea as to how to keep the deputies fit? Ban them from smoking.

sheriff Ben Johnson proposed barring new hires from lighting up while on the job or even at home! He said it’s important that his deputies be in good shape for their physically demanding job. He’s also proposing that deputies have regular fitness tests too.

The departments union representative, Jeff Candage, says that the level of personal intrusion is disturbing and he wonders how the agency would enforce the policy.

Union representative Jeff Candage says the level of personal intrusion is disturbing and wonders how the agency would enforce the policy.