May 28, 2010

That offshore oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is now the biggest in U.S. history, surpassing the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska 21 years ago. President Obama says he's taking responsibility ending the environmental catastrophe for has ordered a halt to offshore exploratory drilling and a six-month moratorium on new projects in U.S. waters. The head of the federal agency charged with overseeing oil drilling has resigned amid allegations that regulators were too cozy with the industry. Source Link

It's a routine part of nearly every visit to the doctor's office, but a new report says that's probably the wrong place to be checking your blood pressure. Researchers say long-term studies show that blood pressure readings taken at home are a better predictor of heart attacks and strokes. That's because home readings can be done more often and do not create the so-called "white coat effect" when nervousness about a doctor visit can make blood pressure rise. Source Link

If the plug-in electric car is to be more than just an "around-town" vehicle, drivers will need places to power-up on long trips, and a new study predicts there will be one million electric vehicle charging stations in the United States within five years. Major players such as GE, Panasonic, Samsung, and Siemens are gearing up to provide equipment for stations that would dole out kilowatt-hours of electricity rather than gallons of gasoline. Source Link

May 27, 2010

The founder of Facebook has gone public about new features to protect the privacy of its 400 million users. Mark Zuckerberg says the world's biggest social network site is reducing the number of steps need to change privacy settings and adding a one-click option to block sharing of information with all outside applications. Zuckerberg admitted that Facebook has seen a backlash from users who are upset over changes that made more of their information public. Source Link

An international crew is preparing to launch on a 17-month trip to Mars, but the team won't leave the ground. The six men will spend 500 days inside a simulated spacecraft at a Russian science institute, going through all the tasks of a real mission to the red planet. The exercise will allow scientists to measure the physical and psychological effects of long-term space travel. Source Link

Lee DeWyze is the next "American Idol." The 24-year old from Mount Prospect Illinois was crowned the champion of the Fox TV singing competition Wednesday night. DeWyze received more viewer votes than 24-year old Crystal Bowersox. The finale was also a farewell for Simon Cowell. The judge who fans love to hate is leaving television's top-rated program to host a new competition talent show on Fox. Source Link 

May 26, 2010

The price tag for containing that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has reached three-quarters of a billion dollars for BP. The company is taking another shot at capping the deepwater blowout by injecting heavy fluids and cement into the seabed well to block the flow of oil that began when the offshore rig exploded five weeks ago. Heavy oil is washing into fragile marshlands and wildlife refuges in Louisiana and threatening fishing and tourism. Source Link

Defense Secretary Robert Gates will back new legislation that would allow gays to serve openly in the military. The measure is expected to be part of this year's defense spending bill and is supported by the White House, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and House and Senate Democrats. Republican leaders are pledging to oppose the move to replace the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" rule that has been in effect since 1993. Source Link

A group of scientists is asking the Food and Drug Administration to have a heart and let used pacemakers be recycled for needy patients in Third World countries. In the United States, working pacemakers are removed and thrown away after a person dies. Companies that make pacemakers claim they may not be safe for re-use, but advocates say the recycled devices could save thousands of lives each year. Source Link

May 25, 2010

The tech world is gearing up as the countdown is on to a speech that will reveal the next big thing for Apple. CEO Steve Jobs will kickoff a conference next month and says fans won't be disappointed. Apple has been on the defensive since a prototype iPhone accidentally went public in March and its chief smartphone rival Google unveiled a major upgrade to its Android operating system. Source Link 


Most people find it annoying to listen to someone else engaged in a cell phone conversation, and now there's a scientific explanation for it. Researchers at Cornell University say their study shows that it's more difficult to tune out half a conversation because our brains are trying to fill in the blanks for what we can't hear. The study also shows that the same distraction could be a problem for drivers if they have to listen to a passenger talking on a cell phone. Source Link 


For years we've known about the heart-healthy qualities of chocolate, but the sweet treat may also help you look younger. A Swiss company is touting a new variety of dark chocolate that's specially processed to contain more flavenols that fight free radicals and can improve blood flow and make skin more healthy. Free radicals also damage healthy cells and accelerate the aging process. Source Link

May 24, 2010

Technology that was financed by a Hollywood superstar will be tested in the battle against that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, with plans to use a machine that separates oil from water in the clean-up effort. The oil extraction device was invented by a company backed by actor Kevin Costner, who became interested in the issue more than two decades ago, following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. Source Link 

Facebook is facing more bad news amid growing concerns over user privacy. The world's biggest social media network says it's plugged a hole that sent some user information to online advertisers. A new survey claims that 60% of Facebook users are considering quitting the service because of worries about privacy. Anger has been growing since Facebook changed its privacy settings to automatically make more user information public. Source Link

Battling cancer often means fighting fatigue, and there may be a new weapon in the arsenal. A study says yoga can help cancer survivors sleep better and have more energy. Researchers say twice-weekly yoga sessions can help those recovering from cancer to cut back on sleep medication. Experts think yoga helps the body reduce the output of stress hormones to contribute to better health. Source Link

May 21, 2010

Mother Nature's wrath may be the ultimate wild card in the high-stakes battle to prevent a real catastrophe from that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Experts are concerned about forecasts for this year's hurricane season that call for more storms that could hamper clean-up efforts or spread crude oil over large areas of sea and beach. On the other hand, some think a hurricane might disperse the oil over a wider area for less impact on land. Source Link

It looks like the baby blues may not just be a mommy problem. New research shows that more than 10% of fathers experience prenatal and postpartum depression, with the highest rates found in the period from 3 to 6 months after birth. Unlike maternal depression that can be the result of hormonal changes, depression in fathers may be caused by the mental conflict over balancing new parental obligations with other aspects of life. Source Link

After waging a four-year battle to clear his name, American cyclist Floyd Landis has admitted that he used performance enhancing drugs when he won the Tour De France in 2006. Landis was stripped of the title after he tested positive for synthetic testosterone following the victory. Landis told ESPN that seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is among dozens of others who are using prefemrance enhancing drugs. Armstrong has denied the charge. Source Link

May 20, 2010

While there are some bright spots in the economy, American homeowners are still feeling the pinch of the Great Recession. New figures from the Mortgage Bankers Association show that one out of ten homeowners missed at least one mortgage payment in the first three months of this year and about one-in-20 homes is currently in foreclosure. Experts say the foreclosure crisis is now reaching more traditional borrowers. Source Link

A Louisiana lawyer has asked the federal courts to consolidate more than 100 lawsuits pending against BP and other companies in connection with the oil spill that began last month after  an offshore rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. Everyone from fishermen to Gulf business owners and even vacationers who claim the spill forced them to cancel reservations have lined up to sue the four companies involved with the design and operation of the rig. Source Link

The brainchild of Bill Gates has been Googled in the race to run more of the world's smartphones. A new research report says Google's Android system is now operating more devices than Microsoft phone software. Experts think the popularity of the Android operating system will help Google catch up with or even surpass the number of Apple iPhones worldwide in the next year. Source Link

May 19, 2010

There's new evidence that high-quality day care for children can pay dividends in academic performance that continue into high school. A National Institutes of Health study measured slightly higher achievement for young people who were in day care with plenty of interaction, warmth and support. Researchers think the quality care may improve children's ability to be ready for school. Source Link

Scientists are questioning the value of those genetic tests sold on the Internet and elsewhere that claim to be able to trace your ancestry. A report commissioned by the American Society of Human Genetics says results of the commercial ancestry tests can be too general to serve any purpose for building a family tree. And the tests may not be accurate in determining racial or ethnic backgrounds for many people. Source Link

When it comes to treating depression in adults, it may be "OK" to just phone it in. A new study shows that telephone sessions with a therapist to treat depression were nearly as successful as face-to-face visits. Researchers say the telephone therapy may be a more affordable and convenient option for those who need help for depression but avoid treatment for fear of being stigmatized in the waiting room. Source Link

May 18, 2010

What a difference a year makes. General Motors has posted nearly a billion dollars in profit for the first quarter of 2010. That's compared to a $6 billion loss in the same period last year. Since then, GM has completed a government-mandated bankruptcy that helped it shed much of its debt and wind up with Uncle Sam as a major shareholder. Analysts say a combination of cost cutting and improved sales helped move the automaker into the black. Source Link

A new analysis of crime statistics shows that friends and family are a much bigger risk than random criminals when it comes to the murder rate. The Centers for Disease Control says men who are murdered are most likely to be killed by a friend or acquaintance, while women are often victims at the hands of a current or former husband or partner. Male murder victims outnumber female victims by a three-to-one margin. Source Link

When it comes to preventing kidney stones, the new prescription may be "take two diet sodas and call me in the morning." A new study shows that drinking diet varieties of light-colored sodas such as 7 Up, Sprite and ginger ale can inhibit the growth of the most common form of kidney stones. Researchers think that's because the drinks contain a higher level of citrates that can help prevent formation of kidney stones. Source Link 

May 17, 2010

The full impact of that oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may not have surfaced yet. Scientists aboard a research vessel in the Gulf told the New York Times that giant plumes of oil up to 10 miles long and 300 feet thick are being found in deep water near where an offshore rig began leaking last month. The scientists say the oil threatens to deplete oxygen levels and begin killing off sea life in a matter of months. Source Link 

The space shuttle Atlantis is on its final mission, delivering spare parts to restock the International Space Station as NASA winds down the shuttle program. Only two more flights are scheduled before the shuttle fleet is retired at the end of the year. After that, spacecraft from Russia, Europe and Japan will take over the job of ferrying American astronauts to and from the space station. Source Link 

Good news for drivers this summer -- experts think the price of gasoline has already peaked and may begin to fall as the busy travel season arrives. Ample supplies and uncertainty over the European debt crisis are combining to keep crude prices lower. Wholesale gasoline prices have been falling since the beginning of the month, and the savings should begin showing up at the pump soon. Source Link

May 14, 2010

The FDA is challenging the sale of the first over-the-counter genetic testing kits. The Walgreens drug store chain was to have begun selling the kits that the developers say can show DNA clues for a range of chronic diseases and conditions, from Alzheimers to breast cancer. Critics claim the information isn't accurate enough and can give people a false sense of security or trigger unnecessary procedures for false positives. Source Link

One-in-four American households have cut the cord and no longer have landline telephone service. That's 52 million people who live in homes with only cell phones. Nearly half of all adults aged 25 to 29 just have cell phones, and of those who still have a traditional home phone, 15% percent say they rarely use it. The statistics come from an office of the National Centers for Disease Control that conducts telephone health surveys. Source Link 

You might think that the concrete canyons of Los Angeles or the crazy expressways of Chicago would be among the nation's meanest streets for drivers. But a new survey by insurance.com puts Baltimore at the top of the list of cities with the worst drivers. Also among the cities in the Top 10 Worst survey were smaller locales like Erie Pennsylvania, Des Moines Iowa, Portland Maine, Birmingham Alabama and Lincoln, Nebraska. Source Link

May 13, 2010

The ongoing environmental catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico hasn't soured most Americans on the need to drill offshore for oil. A Zogby Interactive poll shows 57% of those surveyed still think offshore drilling is a safe, reliable and cost-efficient method of producing oil. But 53% agree that expansion of offshore drilling will lead to more environmental problems like the oil spill in the Gulf that threatens shorelines in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida. Source Link

Sellers are picking up some of the tab now that Uncle Sam has stopped subsidizing first-time home buyers. A survey by the real estate search site trulia.com shows that sellers cut $25 billion from the prices of homes nationwide last month, just ahead of the April 30th end of of the federal tax credit for first-time buyers. Experts say it may be the end of the summer before it's clear how the housing market will fare without the tax credit support. Source Link

If you're a mom-to-be and that pack-a-day habit has you losing sleep, you may not be alone. A new study says pregnant women who smoke are more likely to have children with sleeping problems. And not just when they're babies, because the problems can continue until adolescence. Researchers think that exposure to nicotine leads to the sleep issues for children, and the more the mother smokes, the worse it is. Source Link

May 12, 2010

Cutting the rate of childhood obesity in the United States starts with encouraging mothers to watch their weight while pregnant. That's just one recommendation from a task force headed by First Lady Michelle Obama. The group says breast feeding after birth also helps. Studies show that children who are breast-fed are 22 percent less likely to become obese. About one in five American children become overweight or obese by age six. Source Link

An unexpected lane change in the information superhighway high above the Earth could pull the plug on a number of cable TV channels later this month. Officials with Intelsat in London say one of their communications satellites is drifting off course after being damaged by a solar storm. Efforts to realign the satellite or turn it off have failed, and its transmissions may interfere with a nearby satellite that beams cable TV channels to the U.S. Source Link

The 60-hour work week might be good for the boss, but it's bad for your heart. A long-term study of British civil servants shows that those who worked 10 or 11 hours a day had an increased risk of heart attack, even when accounting for bad habits like smoking or being overweight. Experts think overtime-induced work stress might contribute to a substantial proportion of cardiovascular disease. Source Link

May 11, 2010

President Obama's Supreme Court lawyer is his pick to become the next Justice on the high court. Solicitor General Elena Kagan is a former dean of the Harvard Law School and at age 50 would be the youngest member of the Supreme Court. If the Senate confirms Kagan, she would become the third female Justice on the current bench, replacing 90-year old John Paul Stevens, who is retiring. Source Link

Slow and steady may be a popular winning strategy, but in the race to lose weight, a fast start improves the odds that you'll reach your finish line. A new study says women who lost about a pound and a half per week were more likely to reach their weight loss goal. Researchers think that seeing physical changes and better health come more quickly encourages dieters to stay the course. Source Link

Big-screen blockbusters could be moving from the multiplex to your home TV sooner under a new rule approved by the Federal Communications Commission. It allows cable and satellite providers to use technology to  prevent home recording of video-on-demand movies. Hollywood studios plan to use the new feature to offer some movies on-demand while they're still showing in theaters and before they arrive on DVD. Source Link

May 10, 2010

Will sticker shock about the price of waging war prevent America from taking on the next battle? Defense Secretary Robert Gates says it's possible that runaway military spending could make leaders think twice about waging another war like the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq that have cost nearly $100 billion a year. Gates wants more competitive contracts and other changes to help trim the $500 billion Defense Department budget. Source Link
Two Dutch companies have proposed building a massive dike off the Louisiana coast to protect the shoreline and wildlife from oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico from an offshore rig exploded three weeks ago.  The plan presented to the Army Corps of Engineers calls for an artificial sand dune to be built offshore to keep the leaking oil from reaching land. Efforts to cap the underwater well have not been successful. Source Link

Is it life imitating art or the opposite? The Social Security Administration reports that among  last year's top baby names were Isabella and Jacob, two characters from author Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" series of books and movies. Moving up the list was the name Cullen, which is also from "Twilight."  Officials point out that the name Jacob has been the most popular for 11 years, and that could have influenced Meyer's choice. Source Link

May 7, 2010

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner says the key lesson to be learned from the financial meltdown of 2008 is that that risky practices that are part of the world of banking should not be outside the reach of government regulation. Geitner testified before Congress as lawmakers consider a measure that would regulate the kind of trading that created the bubble that burst two years ago and nearly sank the nation's financial system. Source Link

In the battle to prevent Alzheimer's Disease, experts have recommended everything from fish oil to exercise to doing crossword puzzles, but there's little evidence that any such efforts can actually keep someone from developing dementia. So says an independent panel assembled by the National Institutes of Health. Some five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's Disease and that number is expected to triple by the year 2050. Source Link

When it comes to going green in the workplace, most offices aren't very environmentally friendly. A survey commissioned for IBM shows that only a third of office employees say their workplace does a good job of saving energy by doing things like turning off unnecessary lights or adjusting thermostats. The greenest of cities in the survey was Los Angeles, which also has the most Energy Star-rated buildings in America. Source Link

May 6, 2010

Crews are lowering a giant concrete and steel box over the spot in the Gulf of Mexico where an offshore oil rig collapsed about two weeks ago. The plan calls for using the cap to collect the leaking oil so it can be pumped to tankers on the surface. The well blowout has dumped about a quarter-million gallons of crude oil into Gulf waters each day. The oil is beginning to reach the Louisiana shoreline and may be heading toward Florida. Source Link

As the summer vacation season approaches, there are signs that more of us will be for taking off this year. A survey by AOL Travel shows that 67 percent of Americans will spend $1,000 or more on a vacation. But we're still watching our dollars. Three out of four people say a free breakfast would be a reason to choose a hotel and two-thirds say charges for baggage or in-flight food would influence their choice of an airline. Source Link

If you're one of those people who say, "I'll sleep when I'm dead," s new study says cutting back on the shut-eye might get you there quicker. Researchers say people who sleep less than six hours a day have an increased risk of premature death. That's because lack of sleep can be a factor in diseases like diabetes, obesity and hypertension. They say lack of sleep should be a risk factor, just like smoking or a bad diet. Source Link

May 5, 2010

In today's economic times, a pay freeze isn't news -- unless you're a member of Congress. The House and Senate have voted to skip their cost-of-living increase set to take effect next January. But don't expect any personal budget belt-tightening on Capitol Hill. Nearly half of the members of Congress are millionaires, and 50 of them have personal wealth that tops $10 million. Source Link 

While there are many things that can cause a stroke, a new study says stress isn't likely to be one of them. Researchers questioned stroke survivors and, contrary to popular belief, found no link between strokes and stressful events such as the death of a family member or friend, a job loss or being the victim of a crime. Smoking and high blood pressure are still among the main culprits in causing a stroke. Source Link

Those checked bag fees really add up -- the Transportation Department says U.S. airlines raked in nearly $8 billion last year in so-called ancillary fees, mostly from baggage charges. Discount carrier Spirit Air had the highest percentage of revenue from fees. It charges extra for seat assignments, drinks , snacks, checked bags and will add a carry-on bag charge beginning in August. Source Link

May 4, 2010

Here's a good reason to take a break in the great outdoors today. A new study says just five minutes a day of outdoor activity in a park or some other greenspace can boost your mental health. The British study says this includes everything from walking to fishing, boating or riding a bike. The greener the better, and a spot with water nearby appears to boost the benefits even more. Source Link

One month, one million -- that's how many Apple iPads were sold since the new tablet media player debuted in the beginning of April. It took nearly three months to sell the first million iPhones in 2007. The strong sales have strained the supply chain and delayed plans to begin foreign sales of the supersized cousin to the iPod Touch. Analysts think Apple could sell five million iPads this year.  Source Link

Too much TV time for toddlers can make for more trouble when they're tweens. A new study says that two-year olds who watched more television became ten-year olds who were less engaged in school, exercised less and were more likely to be bullied. Researchers say that for toddlers, the passive habit of TV watching can set a pattern that has negative long-term effects. Source Link

May 3, 2010

Commercial and recreational fishing is shut down on the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle and President Obama has promised that the government will do "everything humanly possible" to stem a massive spill of crude oil from an offshore rig. Clean-up crews are dispersing chemicals underwater to try to keep the oil from reaching the surface. Another plan calls for placing a dome above the deepwater well to collect the oil. Source Link

Some two million people in the Boston area continue to boil their drinking water after an unexpected break in a 10-foot pipe that pumps a quarter-billion gallons of water to homes and businesses each day. Repairs were going faster than expected, but authorities don't know why the relatively new pipe ruptured. The leaking water was diverted to an open-air reservoir for use in the system but is not safe for drinking or cooking. Source Link

Parents are being warned not to give their youngsters any doses of infant or children's Liquid Tylenol, Benadryl, Motrin or Zyrtec. The FDA ordered a recall of the brand name products after maker Johnson and Johnson discovered manufacturing deficiencies that could affect the quality, purity or potency of the medicines. Generic versions of the over-the-counter remedies are not part of the recall and are safe to use. Source Link