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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 1997)
-5 I -i me cravings compron Icium count .a ' By Terra Chapek Staff Reporter - -;— —— ; Many college students swear they would be falling asleep in class if it weren’t for the energy boosts from coffee or soda, but they may be trad ing in their bones for that extra jolt. More than half of college-age men and eight out of 10 college-age women aren’t getting enough calci um in their diets, some dietitians say. And, they say, this lack of calcium in the college years could lead to health problems later. The college years are so crucial because bones are still growing, said Karen Miller, a University Health Center dietitian. Bones stop growing longer at about age 19, but they can still be growing in thickness until age 30, she said. When college students are in the 19-25 age group, their bones store calcium better than at any other age, Miller said. When students don’t drink milk or find another calcium substitute, they are putting them selves at risk for bone diseases, she said. Calcium deficiencies can cause osteoporosis, high blood pressure and weak teeth,, she said. In later life nerve transmission will slow down, ; and the muscles will not contract the appropriate amount of calcium, she said. Susan Drew, a dietitian for the Nebraska Dairy Council, said lack of calcium in people ages 19-25 also causes brittle bones. Men and women over age 19 need to be getting more than 1,000 mil ligrams of calcium in their diets, Drew said. Three 8-ounce glasses of milk will meet these requirements, she said. Yogurt and other dairy products - ...... „ ... V. : ■ are also loaded with calcium, Drew said. One cup of plain yogurt has 415 milligrams, and IVi ounces of Ched dar cheese has 306 milligrams, she sank •" Students who don’t like dairy products can get their calcium from other foods, she said. Cooked broc coli boasts 47 milligrams of calcium, one-third cup of almonds has 120 milligrams, and sardines with bones offers 371 milligrams pfcalofum^she said. Kale and other deep green, leafy vegetables supply a sizable amount of calcium, she said. . Calcium-fortified orange:juice, Turns and calcium supplements can also serve as ah alternative to dairy products, Miller said. A U.S. Department of Agriculture study indicates that many college in dents drink more soda and coffee because of the quick energy boosts and because they like the taste. “College-age kids now have a big challenge because they are part of the Pepsi generation that was raised on sugary sodas and juice,” Drew said. But, the energy obtained from the sugar or caffeine only lasts a short time, she said. Milk supplies nine essential nutrients, like potassium, vitamin D and protein, .that give die body long-lasting enetgjfjjre# said. Many collegC-age^people are weight conscious, andmiik seems like extra calories, Drew Said. But milk isn’t as “fatty as is used tobe,” Drew said. One cup of skim mjlk has 6nly 90 calories and it still has all the calcium and nutrients, she said. If students aren’t drinking milk, they still need to be concerned about calcium, Drew said. “People who enjoy eating dairy should eat or drink three servings a day,” she said. “But if they are not eat ing dairy they should see a dietitian and set up a diet plan.” 1 Al/t^. ii t * 'Ojh~ $ 1 Draws Halloween Party Sat. Oct. 25th 5-0 mu 8pm at O’Mally’s (245 N. 13th) in the Green Room ** Be somebody (else). . Appetizers Prizes & drink specials for those in costume, during game while they last! Music by Gigglebox • $5(member discount) LPD says police radars can’t be fooled By Josh Funk Assignment Reporter are sophisticated enough to catch even . die most savvy speeder by render ing store-bought radar and laser detectors ineffective. % The radar and laser guns police ■ use have a simple physics principle to nab speeders. . .'>s. “If your detector goes off, that meaas you are already being clockedt” Lincoln Police Sgt Dave Hamly said. Both radar guns and detectors operate on the Doppler principle, said Cliff Bettis, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor of physics. The guns send out an electro magnetic wave similar to a radio wave, Bettis said. The wave bounces off some thing and returns to the unit where the signal is analyzed, he said. Depending on the sophistica tion of the receiver, it can determine distance, speed or both, Bettis said. “Radar guns can be made exquisitely accurate, but police don’t need that kind of accuracy,” he said. Radar detectors that con sumers buy are sophisticated, over priced radio receivers tuned to a specific frequency, Hamly said. When it receives a signal, the alarm goes off, but it is already too late, Hamly said. “There are much better uses for your money than radar or laser detectors,” Hamly said. The constantly evolving tech nology and accuracy of radar guns make them nearly impossible to beat, Hamly said. Radar guns now have instant-on capability. That means officers - don’t have 4o turn their, radar on until after they close in on speeders, Hamly said. The Lincoln Police Department also has four laser speed detectors, which are much more accurate than radar guns, Hamly said. ai i ,uuu ieei, a laser oeam is only 36 inches wide, while the radar beams spread to 250 feet wide at that distance, Hamly said. The only way to beat a radar citation is if die officer makes a mis take, Hamly said, but the chances are minimal. “Traffic-enforcement officers spend eight hours a day with a radar gun, so they are very good at what they do,” Hamly said. There are four guidelines offi cers must follow for the citation to be admissible in court, Hamly said. ■ The device must be working correctly. ■ The radar must be operated with a minimum of interference. ■ The person operating the radar must be qualified to do so. ■ The operator must conduct checks of accuracy before and after the citation. With only six officers, the traf fic-enforcement department writes 1,500-1,700 citations a month. _ ■ i I ^coupon Goo^^ I A I
