The Myth: Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation correctly requires continuous mouth-to-mouth breathing. The American Heart Association (AHA) 2010 recommendations advise against breathing on someone while administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)—not because it’s bad for you, but because it reduces the odds of survival for the individual having a cardiac arrest. The old standard of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)—15 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths—may be familiar to you if you received your training many years ago. You are probably already familiar with the 30-press-two-breathe method if you used the 2005 recommendations. You ought to toss things out the window in both instances. The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) concluded in 2010 after reviewing a large body of research that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) patients […]

Magnets, which got their name from the Greek island of Magnesia, are now indispensable in our contemporary society. The human body includes iron, as any observer of a specific wicked mutant with superhuman strength may attest. The iron carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body through the bloodstream, among its many other functions. Given that we come into constant contact with magnets and that magnets attract iron, we must ask: Is it possible that a very powerful magnet or a particular mutant possessing a magnetic personality may eliminate the iron in your blood? No matter what the answer is, could someone possibly create a magnet powerful enough to instantly kill you? Also, how might this take […]

Numerous websites suggest egg whites as a burn remedy, but let’s cut to the chase: it’s not true. Egg whites can worsen burn situations. As a detail-oriented paramedic, I owe you a comprehensive explanation. So, let’s dissect why egg whites aren’t suitable for treating burns. Egg whites are primarily water (90%) and proteins (10%), like albumin and globulins. We know water helps soothe minor burns, and egg whites, often cooler than the burn site, seem beneficial. However, let’s dive deeper into burns and evaluate if proteins in egg whites offer any advantage over plain water. Understanding Burns and Their Types Burns vary, including chemical, electrical, friction, radiation, and thermal (hot and cold). Regardless of the cause, burns can severely damage […]

Benjamin Franklin once noted that asparagus gives urine a “disagreeable odor.” This phenomenon, often a topic of both curiosity and humor, is attributed to asparagusic acid in asparagus. When this acid is digested, it breaks down into compounds like methanethiol and dimethyl sulfide, contributing to that unique smell. However, Robert H. White from the University of California suggests an alternative source: s-methyl thioesters, specifically s-methyl thioacrylate and s-methyl thiopropionate. Both theories agree on one thing: it’s the chemical breakdown of asparagus that leads to the odor change. Not everyone experiences or notices the infamous asparagus urine smell. Studies suggest that while most people’s urine contains these compounds after eating asparagus, not everyone can detect the smell. This variance is possibly […]

The human body, irrespective of gender, possesses the anatomical structures necessary for lactation. While it’s relatively uncommon for males to lactate, certain species, like the Dayak fruit bat, exhibit this behavior. Among men, lactation is hindered primarily due to lower levels of a particular hormone, despite having the essential physical components, notably nipples. Lactation’s primary driver is the hormone prolactin, predominantly secreted by the pituitary gland. Women typically have higher prolactin levels compared to men, particularly during pregnancy and post-delivery. However, the question arises: How do men manage lactation without substantial increases in prolactin levels seen in childbirth? The liver plays a significant role in regulating hormone concentration, including prolactin. Instances in history, such as malnourished POWs during WWII, showed […]