Posted 3:16 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2015
UW-La Crosse professor takes another look at myths, urban legends and old wives’ tales.
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UW-La Crosse Professor Brian Udermann has written his second book about common myths, urban legends and old wives’ tales.[/caption]
Since UW-La Crosse Professor Brian Udermann started writing about myths, urban legends and old wives’ tales, he has fielded many interesting questions from students and others. Questions such as: “Do cows give more milk when polka music is playing?” and “Is drinking water from a garden hose really dangerous?”
His 2011 book “25 Ways to Cure the Hiccups: Uncovering the Truth Behind 101 Common Myths and Misconceptions” became popular. So, Udermann, an exercise and sport science professor, decided to write a second: “TV Rots Your Brain … Or Does It? The Truth About 101 Myths, Urban Legends and Old Wives Tales.”
“The stories I hear about the first book on myths I published are pretty funny,” says Udermann, who directs the university’s online education efforts. “I’ve heard it has sparked lots of family discussion during reunions and holidays, and even a few arguments.”
Udermann got the idea to start writing about urban legends and old wives’ tales from his students. They always paid particular attention in class when he talked about health and nutrition myths. Following a lecture a student suggested he write a book. So, he did.
Chapters are typically a page or two in length and written in a light-hearted, conversational tone. Readers can test their urban legend knowledge base in the table of contents, which also serves as a true and false quiz. Udermann suggests readers complete the test before reading the book.
The health and motivational humorist says his latest book is a light and quick read. But, his conclusions are based on science and the results of published research studies.
As for the urban legend that cows give more milk listening to polka music — they do, as long as the volume is not too loud. A 2001 study revealed that milk production increased about 3 percent when cows heard soothing music.
Is drinking from a garden hose dangerous? It is. Garden hoses left in the sun expel water with increased levels of lead and other substances used to make plastic — things that shouldn’t be consumed. Instead, Udermann urges buying a hose made without harmful chemicals and labeled as “drinking water safe.”
Top 10 myths:
UW-La Crosse Professor Brian Udermann has written his second book about common myths, urban legends and old wives’ tales.[/caption]
Since UW-La Crosse Professor Brian Udermann started writing about myths, urban legends and old wives’ tales, he has fielded many interesting questions from students and others. Questions such as: “Do cows give more milk when polka music is playing?” and “Is drinking water from a garden hose really dangerous?”
His 2011 book “25 Ways to Cure the Hiccups: Uncovering the Truth Behind 101 Common Myths and Misconceptions” became popular. So, Udermann, an exercise and sport science professor, decided to write a second: “TV Rots Your Brain … Or Does It? The Truth About 101 Myths, Urban Legends and Old Wives Tales.”
“The stories I hear about the first book on myths I published are pretty funny,” says Udermann, who directs the university’s online education efforts. “I’ve heard it has sparked lots of family discussion during reunions and holidays, and even a few arguments.”
Udermann got the idea to start writing about urban legends and old wives’ tales from his students. They always paid particular attention in class when he talked about health and nutrition myths. Following a lecture a student suggested he write a book. So, he did.
Chapters are typically a page or two in length and written in a light-hearted, conversational tone. Readers can test their urban legend knowledge base in the table of contents, which also serves as a true and false quiz. Udermann suggests readers complete the test before reading the book.
The health and motivational humorist says his latest book is a light and quick read. But, his conclusions are based on science and the results of published research studies.
As for the urban legend that cows give more milk listening to polka music — they do, as long as the volume is not too loud. A 2001 study revealed that milk production increased about 3 percent when cows heard soothing music.
Is drinking from a garden hose dangerous? It is. Garden hoses left in the sun expel water with increased levels of lead and other substances used to make plastic — things that shouldn’t be consumed. Instead, Udermann urges buying a hose made without harmful chemicals and labeled as “drinking water safe.”
Top 10 myths:
- Gelatin is made by boiling bones, skins and hides of cows and pigs … TRUE! Gelatin simply is processed protein. Commercial gelatin is made by boiling the bones, skins and hides of cows and pigs.
- Drinking water before a meal helps you lose weight … TRUE! There’s not much research on this, but one study did find that having adults aged 55 to 75 drink 16 ounces of water before eating breakfast, lunch and dinner resulted in them consuming fewer calories.
- Eating healthy is more expensive … FALSE! When you look at food in terms of cost per unit of weight or the cost per average portion, health foods cost less than unhealthy foods.
- You should avoid cat litter boxes when you are pregnant … TRUE! Toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite, can result in mild flu-like symptoms — but it can also cause miscarriage or still birth, or brain damage or severe visual impairments for the baby. The parasite that causes this can be found in cat feces, as well as raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk or contaminated soil or water.
- The beam of a laser pointer can damage vision … TRUE! Normal laser pointers range in power from 1-5 milliwatts which is safe, unless you stare directly at the beam for 10 seconds or longer. Be careful. Many pointers are not manufactured to federal specifications.
- Taping a copper penny to a bee sting will relieve the pain … FALSE! There is no research or medical evidence that proves this. The myth became popular in 2006 when an email about it went viral.
- Watches in advertisements are almost always set on 10:10 … TRUE! An article in the New York Times by Andrew Sam Newman confirmed that of the 100 top-selling men’s dress watches on Amazon.com, all but three were set to 10:10. One reason: Many manufacturers imprint their logos directly below the 12, so a watch set at 10:10 frames and draws attention to the logo.
- Expensive vitamins are better than store brands … FALSE! Medical experts say it’s best to get nutrients directly from food and beverages. A 2010 Consumer Reports Magazine test found that store brands did just as well as national brands, at a lower price.
- The average office has hundreds of times more bacteria than a toilet seat … TRUE! A 2005 study at the University of Arizona found that office items such as phones, copy machines and keyboards harbor more bacteria than toilet seats.
- It is dangerous to wake a sleepwalker … FALSE! Sleep Expert Mark Pressman writes in a “Sleep Medicine Clinics” article that waking sleepwalkers will cause no harm. But, he adds, sleepwalkers may react defensively when someone attempts to wake them.