Q&A ON THE NEWS

Q: Friends and I are confused. Are there two Mark Wahlbergs? Is one a movie actor and the other on “Antiques Road Show”?

AUDREY OKEEFE, Hiram

A: There are two. Actor-singer Mark Wahlberg, formerly known as Marky Mark, was in the boy band New Kids on the Block with his older brother Donnie. Wahlberg turned his life around after spending time in prison for assault and attempted murder. He is now a successful producer and movie star.

Mark L. Walberg is the host of the popular PBS program, “Antiques Road Show.” He is known to audiences as host and talent on game and reality shows including home-improvement competitions “The Mansion” and “House Rules,” and quiz shows “Test the Nation” and “Russian Roulette.”

Q: I’ve noticed some professional sports players, including Josh Beckett and Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox, wearing an odd-looking necklace. What is it? Is it therapeutic?

SUSAN BRUNE West Baldwin, Maine

A: The titanium nylon-coated necklaces that are popular with athletes are made by the Japanese company Phiten. The necklaces supposedly help with circulation, stress and pain by producing an electrical charge that increases energy and speeds recovery.

There’s no medical evidence titanium improves athletic performance, but more than 200 baseball players wear the necklaces. Phiten debuted a line of official Major League Baseball titanium necklaces this year.

Researchers Joni Zeccola and Sharon Gaus wrote this column.

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