Fitmodo: A Superbug Fighting Dalek And Scales That Track Your Heart Health

Welcome to Fitmodo, your regular weekly round up of the news you need to know to keep your earthly form in top shape — from fitness advice to breakthroughs in medical research.

This week:

The Samsung Gear Fit2 Is Out In Australia Right Now


Well, that didn’t take long. Samsung’s new, slim, heart-rate-monitoring Gear Fit2 fitness band goes on sale in Australia today, and it’s going up against the Fitbit Blaze, Microsoft’s Band 2 and some other great fitness trackers that also work double duty as smartwatches. It’s not the cheapest one out there, but it looks like a well-rounded package.

The Gear Fit 2 is the successor to the Gear Fit from 2014, and looks broadly similar while refining the curve of that screen and the integration between wristwatch and strap. We already know how durable the Gear S2 is, so here’s hoping the Fit 2 can live up to that standard as well — it’s IP68 certified, so that’s a very good start.
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Do Different Kinds Of Alcohol Get You Different Kinds Of Drunk?


When your friend gets tipsy and starts rambling about how tequila turns her into a savage party monster, and then your other friend vehemently calls bullshit, calmly put your hands up and say this: “Friends. Please. I got this.” And then explain to them what I’m about to explain to you.
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Withings’ Connected Scale Now Tracks The Health Of Your Heart Too


A record of your progress is a fantastic motivator when you’re trying to lose weight, which is probably why Withings’ connected scale has been popular enough to warrant a fourth iteration already. But the latest version, now called the Body Cardio, adds an additional metric for measuring the health of your heart as well.
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A Doctor Who Dalek Is Helping Exterminate Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs


A Dalek standing in the foyer of the BBC’s broadcasting building in London was recently found to contain an interesting compound that could be used to solve an ongoing medical crisis.

Bacteria that cause dangerous infections are become increasingly resistant to drugs, leading us inexorably towards the so-called antibiotic apocalypse. A recent report warned that antibiotic-resistant superbugs could kill upwards of 10 million people a year by 2050 if nothing is done about it.

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Apple’s New Meditation App Is Competing With Deepak Chopra


Hundreds of so-called “mindfulness” apps already clutter the web. Now Apple is integrating such an app into its watch, and pitching it with a quote from new-age garbage peddler Deepak Chopra — just a few days after Chopra introduced his own mindfulness app.

During WWDC Apple introduced Breathe for the Apple Watch. By reminding users to take deep breaths throughout the day and leading them through simple meditation exercises, Apple — via Chopra — claims Breathe can help alleviate anxiety. “Taking a moment each day to do some deep breathing can reduce stress,” claimed a quote from Chopra that was read aloud during the keynote.

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Also catching our eye:

  • The World Health Organisation announced today that hot drinks probably cause cancer. That does not mean that the hot coffee in your hand right now is going to kill you, according to Lifehacker Australia.
  • Business Insider Australia tried a trampoline fitness class — and it was much harder than expected.
  • It’s a minefield out there when it comes to choosing protein powders. Popsugar Australia have a handy “beginner’s guide” to protein powder.

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