Some Helpful Mashables: Understanding How A Few Things Actually Work

Just in time for your next workout or study session!

This Mashable article looks at how beats per minute (bpm) factors into activities that can also include music. Top of the list is exercise. Citing scientific evidence, the number of bpm for workouts like running and cycling are set alongside recommended bpm for the corresponding musical accompaniment.

For those who enjoy a soundtrack to go with your workout, and there are a great many who do use this motivator, find your bliss in music that matches your activity.

For those who are not attuned to the benefits of adding music to your routine, or are concerned about the safety of adding personal music sources to a sport, keep doing what you are doing so well. Like anything in your routine, if it helps, use it; if it doesn’t, don’t.

Is cracking your knuckles safe?

It’s an age old question and for those of us who may have spent a lifetime doing what is purported to create debilitating consequences in older age, it is a legitimate question. This Mashable article takes on the scientific question head on.

In a wonderful study of “pull my finger”, examiners did just that in the presence of MRI technology and found that there was no evidence of damage to the joint being “popped or cavitated.

While not relying on any rigorous scientific review, the study was interesting nonetheless for the video of the MRI, in both real speed and slow motion.

So the jury is still out on the overall safety of the activity of popping ones knuckles but this article does counteract some of the old wives tales of being dangerous.

Coffee drinkers can rejoice!

I think.

In this video, played more for laughs than education, the Mashable #5facts franchise looks at the history, and slightly at the safety, of this favorite beverage of so many people.

The historical trivia of coffee consumption in America is entertaining but if you are looking for solid evidence to support or refute the safety of this product, you will need to look elsewhere. We are warned at the opening that their research was derived from the Internet.

The video does however present the evidence of generations of coffee drinkers, over which time, science could expect to see the expression of any problems related to the drink. So by inference, we can take solace that our favorite start to the day certainly seems to be safe. If it has made it through generations of consumption, we should be good to go!

Cheers!