Active kids less likely to be depressed later

 

Duluth News Tribune

January 16, 2017

 

Children who get more exercise may have fewer symptoms of depression than their peers who are less active, a recent study suggests. Researchers used activity trackers to see how much physical activity children got, then interviewed kids and their parents to assess whether kids had symptoms of depression. When kids got more moderate to vigorous physical activity at ages 6 and 8, they were less likely to have symptoms of major depressive disorder two years later, the study found. "Our results indicate that increasing physical activity in children may prevent depression," said study leader Dr. Tonje Zahl, of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim. 

While plenty of research has documented the potential for exercise to boost mood and help with depression for adults, less is known about the ways activity may influence mental health in young children. Often, depression and other mental health disorders don't emerge until adolescence or early adulthood. The study included a sample of children from Trondheim. Researchers surveyed parents to assess children's mental health at age 6, then did follow-up interviews with parents and kids at age 8 and 10 to determine whether they had symptoms of depression.

To read more, click:  HERE  

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FALLING LAKE LEVELS PROMPT CORPS TO URGE CAUTION

US Army Corps News Release

February 1, 2017

Officials of the Army Corps of Engineers urge boaters, dock owners and visitors at its White River Basin lakes to take extra safety measures because of low lake levels.  Cold weather has fueled demand for hydroelectricity from five Corps dams in the basin.  Below normal rainfall has reduced inflow into the lakes which has led to low lake levels. Beaver, Table Rock, Greers Ferry, Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes are five to 10 feet below the tops of their conservation pools.  Levels are expected to continue to decline until there is sufficient rainfall to begin replenishing the lakes. 

This rock ledge in front of Virgin Bluff is under water at normal lake levels. You can now walk from the island to Cape Fair.

There is plenty of water for boating and other activities.  However, officials urge extra precautions.  Dock owners should monitor their docks closely and move them as needed to prevent them from being grounded. For boaters, some launch ramps may be impaired.  Stay in main river channels, and give the shoreline a wide berth.  Some areas may harbor obstacles just below the surface such as land points, rock formations, tree stumps or other hazards and shallow spots that are usually deep under water.

To read more, Click:  HERE 

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Dozens of bald eagles have shown up at trout-stocked creek in Dogwood Canyon

 

Springfield News-Leader

February 3, 2017

 

It didn't take long for Table Rock Lake's bald eagles to discover an all-you-can-eat buffet just a few miles away at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. On the menu: Hundreds of fat rainbow trout in the park's winding Dogwood Creek stocked by the park's owner, Johnny Morris of Bass Pro Shops fame. The regal birds, some full grown with white heads and tails, others still in their brown juvenile feathers, have learned to hang out in the pine and sycamore trees overlooking Dogwood Creek, waiting for the right moment to dive down and grab a trout with their powerful claws. 

"One time during a private tour we got a photo of one sitting on the ground, his neck feathers all covered in blood, as it was ripping the skin off a trout and devouring it right in front of me, which was amazing," said Dogwood Park manager Chad Phillips. "We'll have as many as 25 to 30 bald eagles out here at any given time. They come here in late fall and you've got a good window all the way to March to see these beautiful, beautiful bald eagles." In sunny, 24-degree weather Friday, a group of visitors spotted 13 bald eagles in the morning. The adults, with their bright white heads and tails, are easiest to spot. At one point a juvenile bird, camouflaged from view by its mottled brown feathers, launched itself from a nearby tree, surprising the visitors who had failed to spot it.

To read more, Click: HERE