The fallout from the Great Recession has reached our vocabulary and yielded the Word of The Year for 2010. Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster says the word “austerity” was most-referenced in online searches referring to current events. Editors said the word, which means “enforced or extreme economy” clearly resonated with many people. Source Link
When given the choice between seeing Internet advertising or paying for access to web sites, most people say bring on the ads. The results of the annual survey by the Center for the Digital Future showed no one was willing to pay for a site like Twitter. But 70% called web ads “annoying” and few people say they’ve ever clicked through on web advertisements. Source Link
If you’re battling with your tween or an even a younger child about when they’re ready for their own cell phone, you have plenty of company. A new poll of American adults shows that 14 is the average age when most think a child is old enough to have their own cell phone. Pollsters say that’s the consensus, regardless of whether or not someone has children. Source Link
December 30, 2010
As if weather delays and full-body scans weren’t enough to worry about, now there’s a new item on the “do-not-bring” list for air travelers. The Transportation Security Administration says insulated beverage containers like a Thermos or coffee mug are getting extra scrutiny. There’s a concern that explosives could be hidden inside the insulation of the container. Source Link
If you’re coming down with a cold, don’t count on the herbal remedy echinacea to get you back on your feet faster. That’s according to a new study of adults and children. It showed that subjects who used the popular supplement got at best a half-day of less symptoms than those who had no treatment at all. Source Link
Did you hear there’s a new survey about the most annoying word? Whatever. No, actually that’s the winner. The poll by the Marist Institute says “whatever” was ranked the most annoying word or phrase in the English language for the second year in a row. The runner-up was “like,” which was the leading choice as the most annoying word for young people. Source Link
December 29, 2010
While some of us might dream of being paid to write on our Facebook wall, those who work to keep the world’s biggest social network running really do enjoy their jobs. Facebook has been named the best large U.S. employer in a survey of over 150,000 workers by the employer information site glassdoor.com. Southwest Airlines was number-two on the list. Source Link
Those special glasses needed to watch 3D TV may become a museum piece soon. Toshiba is showcasing a new model that builds the three-dimensional technology into the screen, so no glasses are needed. You’ll pay a hefty price to ditch the 3D glasses. A 20-inch glassless 3D TV available in Japan will sell for about $3,000. Source Link
Move over Barack Obama -- the commander-in-chief barely made the cut of the most popular personalities for 2010 on Microsoft’s Bing search engine. Pop culture and Hollywood trumped the Oval Office, as reality TV star Kim Kardashian was the number-one search, followed by Sandra Bullock, Tiger Woods, Lady Gaga, and President Obama rounding out the top five. Source Link
Those special glasses needed to watch 3D TV may become a museum piece soon. Toshiba is showcasing a new model that builds the three-dimensional technology into the screen, so no glasses are needed. You’ll pay a hefty price to ditch the 3D glasses. A 20-inch glassless 3D TV available in Japan will sell for about $3,000. Source Link
Move over Barack Obama -- the commander-in-chief barely made the cut of the most popular personalities for 2010 on Microsoft’s Bing search engine. Pop culture and Hollywood trumped the Oval Office, as reality TV star Kim Kardashian was the number-one search, followed by Sandra Bullock, Tiger Woods, Lady Gaga, and President Obama rounding out the top five. Source Link
December 28, 2010
Church groups, other non-profit organizations and colleges are being warned to keep up with safety checks on their 15-passenger vans. Specifically, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points to the need for proper tire inflation and cautions against overloading vans. Accidents involving 15-passenger vans have taken nearly a dozen lives in recent months. Source Link
Eating lunch in front of your computer screen can cost you extra calories according to a new study. Researchers found that people who worked on the computer while eating tended to indulge in more desserts. They think the reason you eat more is because the brain work you’re doing on the screen interferes with your memory of what you’ve eaten and leads you to eat more. Source Link
The college football bowl season kicks into high gear with games every day this week leading up to Saturday’s traditional New Year’s faceoffs in six major bowl games. Then the focus shifts to BCS match-ups the following week, culminating with the national championship game January 10th featuring undefeated Oregon and Auburn. Source Link
Eating lunch in front of your computer screen can cost you extra calories according to a new study. Researchers found that people who worked on the computer while eating tended to indulge in more desserts. They think the reason you eat more is because the brain work you’re doing on the screen interferes with your memory of what you’ve eaten and leads you to eat more. Source Link
The college football bowl season kicks into high gear with games every day this week leading up to Saturday’s traditional New Year’s faceoffs in six major bowl games. Then the focus shifts to BCS match-ups the following week, culminating with the national championship game January 10th featuring undefeated Oregon and Auburn. Source Link
December 23, 2010
Work is nearing completion on the world’s first commercial spaceport that will take private passengers into the great beyond. The facility being built in New Mexico has it’s first tenant. Virgin Galactic will offer sub-orbital spaceflights to the public with reservations being taken now for the $200,000 flights that are expected to begin sometime in 2012. Source Link
The new Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid is using recycled materials from an unlikely source. GM says some parts of the car will be made from plastic booms that were used to contain oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill. The automaker will collect enough polluted plastic off the Gulf coast to supply parts for the first year of the Volt’s production. Source Link
If you think you’re helping the environment by using an artificial Christmas tree every year rather than a real one, you may want to think again. A study says with carbon emissions that come from the manufacturing process, you’d have to use that artificial tree for 20 years to equal the minimal environmental impact of cutting down a real tree each year. Source Link
The new Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid is using recycled materials from an unlikely source. GM says some parts of the car will be made from plastic booms that were used to contain oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill. The automaker will collect enough polluted plastic off the Gulf coast to supply parts for the first year of the Volt’s production. Source Link
If you think you’re helping the environment by using an artificial Christmas tree every year rather than a real one, you may want to think again. A study says with carbon emissions that come from the manufacturing process, you’d have to use that artificial tree for 20 years to equal the minimal environmental impact of cutting down a real tree each year. Source Link
December 22, 2010
Managers of a luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi are having second thoughts about their 43-foot tall Christmas tree that’s covered with $11 million worth of decorations. The hotel operators have been stung by worldwide reaction to the excess. The tree is decked out in jewelry, including diamond necklace-and-earring sets, strings of pearls, and emerald and ruby bracelets. Source Link
You’ve heard of someone suffering from a broken heart, but now there’s scientific evidence that it’s real. Researchers found women with so-called “broken heart syndrome” in which the heart muscle is temporarily weakened. The women have blood vessels that don't respond normally to the stress that can occur with strong emotions such as sadness over a lost love. Source Link
Can your mobile phone keep an eye on your diet? A Japanese smartphone application lets you take pictures of your food before you eat to determine how many calories you’ll be consuming. The program has a library of over 100,000 food items and uses the photo to evaluate the color and shape of the item to figure out how it will end up looking on your waistline. Source Link
You’ve heard of someone suffering from a broken heart, but now there’s scientific evidence that it’s real. Researchers found women with so-called “broken heart syndrome” in which the heart muscle is temporarily weakened. The women have blood vessels that don't respond normally to the stress that can occur with strong emotions such as sadness over a lost love. Source Link
Can your mobile phone keep an eye on your diet? A Japanese smartphone application lets you take pictures of your food before you eat to determine how many calories you’ll be consuming. The program has a library of over 100,000 food items and uses the photo to evaluate the color and shape of the item to figure out how it will end up looking on your waistline. Source Link
December 21, 2010
The 2010 Census results aren’t good news for the re-election hopes of President Obama. The population continues to shift from Democratic-leaning states in the north and east to Republican strongholds in the Sun Belt, meaning more seats in Congress will likely be under GOP control after reapportionment is completed for the 2012 election. Source Link
A Surgeon General’s report says cigarette smoke begins to cause damage to your lungs and DNA the moment that you inhale. DNA damage is what can lead to cancer. The report says tobacco companies are designing products to be more addictive even though they claim to be safer. About one-third of people who try cigarettes become daily smokers. Source Link
December 20, 2010
Distracted driving is linked to 5,000 traffic deaths and 500,000 injuries a year, and now the U.S. Transportation Department wants commercial truck and bus drivers to hang up those hand-held cell phones when they’re behind the wheel. Many big transport companies already prohibit cell phone use by their drivers. The proposed rule could take effect in a few months. Source Link
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will soon be no more. The U.S. House and Senate have passed a repeal of the 1993 law that prohibits openly gay men and women from serving in the military. The Pentagon still needs to create policy and training procedures before the change can take effect sometime next year. Source Link
Weather forecasters say if you have snow on the ground now, there’s a good chance you won’t have to dream of a white Christmas this year. Much of the upper third of the nation is snow-covered, and forecasts do not call for any major warm-ups that would prevent a white Christmas from the Rockies through the Great Lakes and into the northeast. Source Link
December 17, 2010
A study claims that government proposal for cars to average 60 miles per gallon by the year 2025 would carry a big price tag. The Center for Automotive Research, which gets funding from the auto industry, says the plan could add over $6,000 to the cost of a new car and cost thousands of autoworker jobs because drivers will keep used cars longer rather than buy expensive new ones. Source Link
The U.S. Commerce Department is proposing creation of a “privacy bill of rights” that would set rules for how companies can collect and use consumer data from the Internet and give individuals the opportunity to “opt out.” The proposal that would require approval by Congress could include codes of conduct for social network operators, web advertisers and services that track web browsing activity. Source Link
A consumer group is suing McDonald’s on behalf of a California mother, saying the restaurant’s Happy Meals use toys to encourage youngsters to eat high-calorie, high-fat food. The Center for Science in the Public Interest says McDonald’s markets directly to young children. The chain has added milk and fruit to the Happy Meals line-up, but most youngsters still choose soda and french fries. Source Link
December 16, 2010
The Justice Department is suing BP and four other companies in connection with the oil spill that fouled the waters of the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year. With cleanup costs in the tens of billions of dollars, The government wants the court to waive the $75 million cap on such lawsuits and seek unlimited damages from the worst oil spill in US history. Source Link
Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, the man who made the social network a worldwide phenomenon, has been named Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2010. Zuckerberg created Facebook while he was a student at Harvard University. At 26 years old, he is Time Magazine’s youngest annual honoree since Charles Lindbergh in 1927. Source Link
3D televisions have not been the hot sellers for this holiday season as expected by the nation's biggest electronics retailer. Best Buy says average store sales will be down this year, and the company is regrouping to push smaller TV's and budget computers to consumers who are still watching their money and don’t seem ready to make big-ticket purchases. Source Link
Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, the man who made the social network a worldwide phenomenon, has been named Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2010. Zuckerberg created Facebook while he was a student at Harvard University. At 26 years old, he is Time Magazine’s youngest annual honoree since Charles Lindbergh in 1927. Source Link
3D televisions have not been the hot sellers for this holiday season as expected by the nation's biggest electronics retailer. Best Buy says average store sales will be down this year, and the company is regrouping to push smaller TV's and budget computers to consumers who are still watching their money and don’t seem ready to make big-ticket purchases. Source Link
December 15, 2010
More high school seniors are lighting-up marijuana than tobacco, according to a new national study. The increase in marijuana use reaches down to the 8th-grade level. Experts say mixed messages about drug legalization, particularly marijuana, may be to blame. On the other hand, the survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse says binge drinking continued its downward trend. Source Link
This holiday season is shaping up to be among the busiest ever for one of America’s biggest shippers. FedEx says it should ship nearly a quarter-billion packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas, with this week being the busiest for deliveries. About half of the increase comes from shipments that start with FedEx and get final delivery by the U.S. Postal Service. Source Link
One day’s work at the ballpark now pays an average of about $18,000 for a Major League Baseball player. The players union says the league’s average salary has topped $3 million a year. Team averages vary widely, from the top-earning New York Yankees to players for the Cleveland Indians who had the lowest average pay at just $1.2 million a year. Source Link
This holiday season is shaping up to be among the busiest ever for one of America’s biggest shippers. FedEx says it should ship nearly a quarter-billion packages between Thanksgiving and Christmas, with this week being the busiest for deliveries. About half of the increase comes from shipments that start with FedEx and get final delivery by the U.S. Postal Service. Source Link
One day’s work at the ballpark now pays an average of about $18,000 for a Major League Baseball player. The players union says the league’s average salary has topped $3 million a year. Team averages vary widely, from the top-earning New York Yankees to players for the Cleveland Indians who had the lowest average pay at just $1.2 million a year. Source Link
December 14, 2010
A federal judge in Virginia has ruled that the new federal health care law is unconstitutional, saying the government does not have the right to require Americans to purchase health insurance. The ruling will not be enforced pending appeals that will almost certainly end up in the U.S. Supreme Court. The insurance requirement does not take effect until 2014. Source Link
Cutting the sugar out of your kid’s breakfast may not be that hard to swallow for youngsters. A new study by Yale University showed that children liked low-sugar cereals when served with fresh fruit. Even those who added a bit of sugar to their cereal still ate less than they would have with pre-sweetened cereals. Source Link
A crime scene TV interview set to music, one man’s over-the-top reaction to seeing a double rainbow and a wisecracking orange were among the most-viewed videos on YouTube in 2010. The “bed intruder” video, Yosemite double rainbow and “Really Annoying Orange” were some of the most popular. Teen singing sensation Justin Beiber had four of the Top 10 YouTube music videos. Source Link
December 13, 2010
Parts of the upper Midwest are digging out from a blizzard that dumped over a foot of snow on Minneapolis and caused the inflatable roof of the Metrodome stadium to collapse. Sunday’s NFL contest between the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants had to be moved to indoor Ford Field in Detroit and delayed until Monday night, with free tickets to the game. Source Link
Early detection is key to surviving cancer, but a new report says nearly half of all colorectal and cervical cancer cases and a third of all breast cancer cases are not discovered until later stages when treatment is less effective. The new federal health care law requires insurers to cover cancer testing and experts hope this will lead to more early testing and early detection. Source Link
What are America’s smartest cities? A report by Portfolio Magazine ranks the brainest cities based on average earning power and level of education. The list is topped by college towns like Boulder, Colorado, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Durham North Carolina. Near the bottom of the list was Yakima, Washington, Brownsville Texas and Bakersfield California. Source Link
Early detection is key to surviving cancer, but a new report says nearly half of all colorectal and cervical cancer cases and a third of all breast cancer cases are not discovered until later stages when treatment is less effective. The new federal health care law requires insurers to cover cancer testing and experts hope this will lead to more early testing and early detection. Source Link
What are America’s smartest cities? A report by Portfolio Magazine ranks the brainest cities based on average earning power and level of education. The list is topped by college towns like Boulder, Colorado, Ann Arbor, Michigan and Durham North Carolina. Near the bottom of the list was Yakima, Washington, Brownsville Texas and Bakersfield California. Source Link
December 10, 2010
Key Democratic and Republican lawmakers are ready to push through passage of a White House-backed compromise measure to extend income tax cuts for all and continue unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless. The $900 billion proposal would also extend existing tax breaks for alternative fuels, energy efficient home upgrades and the purchase of hybrid automobiles. Source Link
After years of living longer, a new report says average life expectancy for Americans is inching downward, but experts say it too soon to tell if it’s a trend. The average American lives 77.8 years. Heart disease and cancer remain the top two causes of death, but chronic respiratory diseases like emphysema have now surpassed stroke as the number-three killer of Americans. Source Link
If you’re looking for an iPad as a holiday gift, you may want to hold off a few months to get the latest model. Reports say that Apple’s suppliers are being told to be ready to start shipping the next generation iPad by the end of February. The new iPad is expected to add a camera for video chat. a clearer display screen and compatibility with a variety of cell phone providers. Source Link
December 9, 2010
The official start of winter is still a few weeks away, but people in parts of Pennsylvania and upstate New York may have already had enough of snow. Nearly five feet of snow has fallen in areas near Syracuse New York since Sunday, fueled by a slow-moving weather system pumping cold winds over the still-warm waters of the Great Lakes. Snow remains in the forecast for the area through Friday. Source Link
From the mess hall to the exercise field, the Army is unveiling a new approach to preparing today’s young people to be tomorrow’s soldiers. In addition to adding more physical training to build core strength and endurance, basic trainees will see more healthy choices at meal time, like fresh fruit, yogurt and protein-rich foods. Source Link
America’s four-legged family members aren’t doing much better than their human counterparts when it comes to battling obesity. About half of dogs and cats are overweight and experts say it’s often because owners are unaware of the high calories in treats like a single dog biscuit that can be the same as eating candy bar. Source Link
From the mess hall to the exercise field, the Army is unveiling a new approach to preparing today’s young people to be tomorrow’s soldiers. In addition to adding more physical training to build core strength and endurance, basic trainees will see more healthy choices at meal time, like fresh fruit, yogurt and protein-rich foods. Source Link
America’s four-legged family members aren’t doing much better than their human counterparts when it comes to battling obesity. About half of dogs and cats are overweight and experts say it’s often because owners are unaware of the high calories in treats like a single dog biscuit that can be the same as eating candy bar. Source Link
December 8, 2010
Congress is hitting the mute button on loud TV commercials. Lawmakers have passed a measure that will require commercials to meet new uniform standards for TV sound levels. Complaints about loud commercials went up after last year’s switch from analog to digital broadcasts that offer better-quality sound. Source Link
Chalk up another benefit from taking an aspirin a day -- scientists say it could reduce your risk of cancer. A 20-year study showed a low-dose aspirin taken daily can cut the risk of prostate cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. A daily low-dose aspirin regimen is already recommended for some people with heart problems to lower the risk of heart attack. Source Link
Google is unveiling plans to sell a notebook PC that will run on its new Chrome operating system using web-based applications rather than software loaded on the computer itself. Each notebook will also come with two years of free wireless service from Verizon. The Google notebook PC’s are expected to hit the market in mid-2011. Source Link
December 7, 2010
Calling it a compromise for both sides, President Obama has a deal with congressional Republicans to extend those Bush-era income tax cuts for all Americans, and at the same time renew jobless benefits and grant a one-year reduction in Social Security taxes. The agreement also includes tax breaks for businesses that Obama says would help the nation’s economic recovery. Source Link
Millions more obese Americans could be eligible to undergo surgery to help lose weight with new rules being considered by the FDA. The change would ease restrictions for so-called “lap band” surgery that reduces the size of the stomach. Now the surgery is limited to the most extreme cases. More than a third of American adults are obese. Source Link
The day that would live in infamy hasn’t yet outlasted some of its oldest survivors. December 7th marks the 69th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that drew America into World War Two in 1941. Over 100 sailors who lived through the attack are gathering in Hawaii for the official dedication of a new visitor center and museum at Pearl Harbor. Source Link
Millions more obese Americans could be eligible to undergo surgery to help lose weight with new rules being considered by the FDA. The change would ease restrictions for so-called “lap band” surgery that reduces the size of the stomach. Now the surgery is limited to the most extreme cases. More than a third of American adults are obese. Source Link
The day that would live in infamy hasn’t yet outlasted some of its oldest survivors. December 7th marks the 69th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that drew America into World War Two in 1941. Over 100 sailors who lived through the attack are gathering in Hawaii for the official dedication of a new visitor center and museum at Pearl Harbor. Source Link
December 6, 2010
Rear-view cameras could become standard features on all new cars within three years under rules being proposed by the U.S. Transportation Department. Regulators want carmakers to add a safety feature on models beginning in 2014 that would prevent drivers from accidentally backing over children. Source Link
What Christmas song have you heard the most this holiday season? The organization that represents America’s music composers says its survey shows the song “Sleigh Ride” has had the most radio airplay so far this year. The top five songs include “Winter Wonderland”, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Jungle Bell Rock” and “White Christmas.” Source Link
What Christmas song have you heard the most this holiday season? The organization that represents America’s music composers says its survey shows the song “Sleigh Ride” has had the most radio airplay so far this year. The top five songs include “Winter Wonderland”, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Jungle Bell Rock” and “White Christmas.” Source Link
College football’s national championship will be a battle of the undefeated from the Gulf Coast and the Pacific Northwest. Auburn will take on Oregon in the BCS title game on January 10th. Auburn won the SEC championship game and Oregon kept its record flawless with a win over rival Oregon State in the final weekend of the regular season. Source Link
December 3, 2010
The White House is pushing Congress for another extension of unemployment benefits as the latest jobless figures offer a mix of hope and continuing challenges for the millions of out-of-work people who will soon lose their benefit checks. New unemployment claims jumped unexpectedly last week, but the four-week average is at its lowest in two years. Source Link
After several years of tight budgets, the holiday office party is on the rebound, according to a new survey that shows nearly seven out of ten companies are planning year-end celebrations for employees. But the good times are being dialed down a bit. Less than half of office party hosts will serve alcohol and more will hold the celebration on company premises rather than off-site. Source Link
Could prostate cancer screening be as simple as asking a man to raise his hand? British researchers say a man whose index finger is longer than his ring finger has one-third less chance of prostate cancer. The finger length is determined by the amount of testosterone exposure in the womb, which scientists also believe has an effect on the risk for prostate cancer later in life. Source Link
After several years of tight budgets, the holiday office party is on the rebound, according to a new survey that shows nearly seven out of ten companies are planning year-end celebrations for employees. But the good times are being dialed down a bit. Less than half of office party hosts will serve alcohol and more will hold the celebration on company premises rather than off-site. Source Link
Could prostate cancer screening be as simple as asking a man to raise his hand? British researchers say a man whose index finger is longer than his ring finger has one-third less chance of prostate cancer. The finger length is determined by the amount of testosterone exposure in the womb, which scientists also believe has an effect on the risk for prostate cancer later in life. Source Link
December 2, 2010
The Federal Trade Commission wants to create a new “do not track” option for web users who don’t want their browsing habits to be shared with advertisers and web site operators. The proposal that could require legislation from Congress might lead to new privacy features built into web browsers to allow you to opt-out of tracking that now can take place with each page visit.
Source Link
Last week’s Black Friday was more green, as in the color of cold hard cash. A new report says many shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving were using cash rather than credit cards. That trend would be bad news for retailers hoping for a sales boost this holiday season, because shoppers using credit cards usually spend about twice as much as cash buyers. Source Link
Nearly a half-century later, the assassination of John F. Kennedy still draws the curious to historic artifacts from that fateful event. A Los Angeles auction house is selling the coffin of accused JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. The simple pine box held Oswald’s body until it was exhumed in 1981 after conspiracy theorists said it was someone else in his grave. Source Link
Source Link
Last week’s Black Friday was more green, as in the color of cold hard cash. A new report says many shoppers on the day after Thanksgiving were using cash rather than credit cards. That trend would be bad news for retailers hoping for a sales boost this holiday season, because shoppers using credit cards usually spend about twice as much as cash buyers. Source Link
Nearly a half-century later, the assassination of John F. Kennedy still draws the curious to historic artifacts from that fateful event. A Los Angeles auction house is selling the coffin of accused JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. The simple pine box held Oswald’s body until it was exhumed in 1981 after conspiracy theorists said it was someone else in his grave. Source Link
December 1, 2010
As General Motors prepares to begin selling its new Chevy Volt electric hybrid car this month, the automaker says it will hire 1,000 engineers and researchers in Michigan over the next two years to lead in the development of more electric and hybrid vehicles. The company says it wants to be at the forefront of new technologies that can reduce oil consumption. Source Link
While Congress debates whether to extend the Bush-era income tax cuts to everyone, a group of millionaires is asking the government to raise their taxes. The group calling itself “Patriotic Millionaires for Fiscal Strength” says the rich don’t need more tax cuts that will increase the federal deficit and add to the debt burden carried by other taxpayers. Source Link
When it comes to one of the key nutrients in milk, lots more Vitamin D is not necessarily better, according to the National Academy of Science. Its Institute of Medicine is out with a report recommending daily Vitamin D equal to four cups of milk per day, but that’s much less than some who suggest that Vitamin D in big doses can ward-off certain types of cancer. Source Link
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)