THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES Exercise and cold weather: Tips to stay safe outdoors Don't let cold weather spell the end of your exercise. With these ideas, you can stay fit, motivated and warm. Memory loss: 7 tips to improve your memory Concerned about memory loss? Take heart. These simple steps may help sharpen your memory. EXPERT ANSWERS Grapefruit juice: Beware of dangerous medication interactions Grapefruit and other citrus fruits can interfere with some prescription medications. Acute bronchitis: Is it contagious? Most cases of acute bronchitis are caused by viruses and are contagious. HEALTHY RECIPES Grilled cod with crispy citrus salad Savory buckwheat pilaf with toasted spices Grilled snapper curry Seared endive HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK Are you straining your eyes? The right light can make a world of difference to your eyes. When doing close-up work, make sure you have light that's directed on what you're doing. Use a brighter light source if you need one, especially if you have reduced vision. If you're reading, use a shaded light positioned in front of you. The shade will keep light from shining directly into your eyes Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.
PHOENIX — In a new Mayo Clinic study, researchers examined the physical act of reading to see if practicing eye movements in school could lead to better early reading fluency. http://youtu.be/FyW7_-37Z5A Saccades or rapid eye movements are required for the physical act of reading. Previous studies have shown that the ability to perform complex tasks such as saccadic eye movements are not fully developed at the age when children begin to learn to read. Eye movements in younger children are imprecise, resulting in the need for the eyes to go back to re-read text, leading to slower performance. When translated into the task of reading, it slows the reading rate and leads to poor reading fluency and may affect reading comprehension and academic performance.
