/oss/taxonomy/term/2385/all en /oss/article/medical-general-science/athletes-vaccines-and-cardiac-deaths <hr /> <p><em>This article was originally posted in the</em> <a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-athletes-vaccines-and-cardiac-deaths"><em>Montreal Gazette.</em></a></p> <hr /> <p>It beggars belief, but I still sometimes hear people claim that waves of young athletes have died suddenly after being vaccinated. It is a pervasive hoax and still repeated by people to express doubts about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines. Fortunately, we don’t have to speculate about whether young athletes are dying or not. We can simply check.</p> Fri, 24 Nov 2023 14:41:35 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 9740 at /oss /oss/article/medical-technology/mips-helmet-technology-mimics-meninges <p>I'm a year-round helmet wearer, from white-water kayaking and cycling to skiing and snowboarding. When looking for recommendations to replace my bike helmet, I found <b>M</b>ulti-directional<b> I</b>mpact<b> P</b>rotection<b> S</b>ystem, or “Mips,” advertised left and right. What is a Mips helmet? Why is this gear touted as the safest option and how does the technology work?</p> Fri, 21 Jul 2023 20:37:27 +0000 Cat Wang, B.Sc. 9573 at /oss /oss/article/technology-you-asked/why-do-curlers-sweep <p>Just about any subject becomes more interesting with a deeper dive. That is certainly the case for curling, a sport that is a mystery to many and unfortunately often the butt of jokes. However, it is a sport that has a rich history, one that features strategy, athleticism, good sportsmanship, and plenty of science!</p> Fri, 11 Feb 2022 22:17:40 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9022 at /oss /oss/article/health/studies-about-safety-exercise-are-reassuring <p> </p> <hr /> <p><em>​</em><em>This article was first published in</em><span> </span><a href="https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-labos-studies-about-safety-of-exercise-are-reassuring">The Montreal Gazette<span>.</span></a></p> <hr /> <p><span>Is it safe to exercise?</span></p> <p>There can be very little doubt that exercise is good for you. In the constant back and forth of which foods are good for you and which foods are bad for you (if you’ve been keeping track, eggs are bad for you again), exercise is the one thing that seems to survive unscathed.</p> Wed, 20 Mar 2019 20:03:47 +0000 Christopher Labos MD, MSc 7658 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know-technology/can-nikes-new-shoes-really-make-you-run-faster <p><span>A</span><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/07/18/upshot/nike-vaporfly-shoe-strava.html?mtrref=duckduckgo.com&register=facebook"> New York Times’ study</a><span> of 500,000 race times, set wearing</span><a href="https://news.nike.com/footwear/nike-zoom-vaporfly-4"> Vaporflys</a><span> and other shoes, confirmed Nike’s claims. They found that Vaporflys allowed a runner to run 1% faster than the next-fastest shoe, and 3-4% faster than a similarly skilled runner running in different shoes.</span></p> Thu, 26 Jul 2018 17:26:58 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 7189 at /oss /oss/article/technology-health-and-nutrition-quackery/neuroshield-can-woodpeckers-help-protect-your-brain <p>How does a woodpecker avoid massive concussions?</p> <p>The answer to this question has apparently been adapted by a team of doctors into a neck brace that could mitigate mild brain damage during contact sports like hockey or football. It’s called NeuroShield and it’s on sale right now. The question on everyone’s lips: does it work?</p> Mon, 11 Dec 2017 16:17:10 +0000 Jonathan Jarry, MSc 6845 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know-general-science/paintballs <p>Paintball is game in which players shoot opposing players with paint from airguns. These paintballs require special non-toxic, water-soluble and biodegradable paint. It is biodegradable because this water-soluble paint can be easily washed away by rain. In addition, the solubility of this paint allows the paint to be easily washed from clothing, generally leaving behind no stains.  This special paint is made from mineral oils, ethylene glycol, iodine, and food colouring. Once the paint is made it is encapsulated by gelatin.</p> Wed, 31 May 2017 14:44:10 +0000 OSS 2517 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know-history/eyeblack <p>Many athletes regularly smear a black greasy substance known as “eye black” underneath their eyes to reduce glare from the sun or stadium lights. Amazingly, this trend was started by the most famous baseball player of them all, Babe Ruth! Back then the smudge was made by burning a wine cork. The product of that reaction was soot, a form of carbon. Today’s EyeBlack is still based on carbon, but it is combined with beeswax and paraffin for easy spreading. Some fans even apply the product for a feeling of being part of the action.</p> Sat, 20 May 2017 22:51:02 +0000 OSS 2461 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-environment-health-news-toxicity/turf-may-be-artificial-issues-are-real <p>There exists a simmering controversy about the safety of playing sports on artificial turf. For those who have engaged in any type of activity on this surface, you would know that they heat up in the sun a whole lot more than natural grass. So much more so that players experience a greater risk of heat exhaustion. They also complain of carpet burns and blisters on the feet. But the bigger concern is potential toxicity.</p> Mon, 13 Jul 2015 11:08:18 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2275 at /oss /oss/article/health-you-asked/extra-protein-extra-performance <p style="text-align:justify">No one can deny the importance of proteins in our diet. They are vital for countless body functions, especially tissue growth and repair. Proteins also provide energy to the body and help ensure a strong immune system. <span>In striving to excel at their respective sports, many athletes subscribe to the notion that protein supplements enhance their physical performance. The existence of a multi-billion dollar supplement industry, however, does not prove that such products are necessary. Only a rigorous scientific investigation can do that.</span></p> Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:11:47 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1749 at /oss