Another News Of The Weird...

After 33 Years, Man Recovers Lost Wallet

ELK GROVE, Calif. -- A man lost his wallet over 30 years ago at college, and the institution recently returned it to him. Tom Eichenberg of Elk Grove, Calif., lost his wallet while a student at Santa Clara University in 1975, Sacramento station KCRA reported. Eichenberg said his wallet was lost in the days before identify theft, so he carried his Social Security card with him. It has been sitting in a wall at the student center for 33 years. Construction crews found the wallet recently in an air duct while renovating the student union. Eichenberg doesn't even remember losing it. The contents of the wallet are most certainly his -- an old membership to Fedco, a BART pass with 10 cents left on it, and a 1975 draft card. Eichenberg said he'll put away his wallet for another 33 years.

Post-Surgury Orders Can Include Gum

Researchers have found that chewing gum helps the bowels work properly again after intestinal surgery. They studied 102 patients and gave half of them five pieces of gum each day after their operations. The authors said that people in the chewing group regained their bowel functions significantly faster than those who did not.Those who chewed gum were able to pass gas and have a bowel movement half a day sooner than the control group. However, they said the treatment did not have a significant effect on the length of hospital stays. The authors theorized that chewing may have stimulated muscles as well as the salivary glands and liver. Pediatric urologist Bradley Kropp said he will be giving his patients undergoing reconstructive surgery a piece of gum following their operation. "In today's high-tech, molecular-driven, scientific world, it is nice to come across an article that can be implemented immediately into our practices without increased healthcare cost," he said.
The full study is available online.

Big Burger? Try 'Absolutely Ridiculous'

SOUTHGATE, Mich. -- Steve Mallie doesn't just make a big burger. His is the "Absolutely Ridiculous Burger." The owner of Mallie's Sports Bar and Grill in suburban Detroit is laying claim to the world record for the "largest hamburger commercially available." His 134-pounder is made with beef, bacon and cheese, and comes on a bun that weighs 50 pounds all by itself. The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press reported the giant burger sells for $350 and takes three guys to flip while cooking. Authenticating Mallie's record claim could take a few weeks.