February 28, 2011

When they handed out the gold statuettes at the 83rd annual Academy Awards last night in Hollywood, no surprise as the odds-on favorite “The King’s Speech” took the honor for Best Picture of 2010. Colin Firth won the Best Actor Oscar for his lead performance in “The King’s Speech” and Natalie Portman was named Best Actress for her portrayal of a troubled ballerina in the movie “Black Swan.” Source Link


The pioneering spirit of individualism that sent people westward in America’s early days seems to have stuck when it comes to naming their children. A new study of baby name data shows children born in the youngest of the 50 states have more unusual names than newborns in the original 13. Hawaii has the most unique names and New Hampshire the most traditional. Source Link
 

Valet parking may be in order as the Shuttle Discovery is making its final visit to the International Space Station, as part of its farewell flight before Discovery is retired from service. This marks the first time that spacecraft from Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States are all docked at the space station. The shuttle program’s final two missions are scheduled for April and June. Source Link

February 25, 2011

For the first time since 2004, there’s black ink on the bottom line for the annual report from General Motors. The automaker that nearly collapsed two years ago before being saved by a government bailout says it turned a profit of $4.7 billion in 2010 and almost reclaimed the title of the world’s biggest selling car company, a distinction that’s still held by Toyota. Source Link 


It’s still a few days until the gold statuettes will be handed out in Hollywood, but Las Vegas odds makers say several Oscar races are all but over. The betting line has “The King’s Speech” and its star Colin Firth as prohibitive favorites to win the the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor, and Natalie Portman the favorite for Best Actress for her role in “Black Swan.” Source Link 


The Big Apple has turned off the smoking lamp both indoors and out. Beginning on May, smoking in New York City's parks, beaches, boardwalks, pedestrian plazas and other public spaces will be banned. The move has plenty of critics but follows a pattern of heath initiatives. Eight years ago, New York City enacted one of the nation’s first comprehensive indoor smoking bans. Source Link

February 24, 2011

A new poll says most Americans oppose taking away collective bargaining powers from public employee unions. The USA Today/Gallup Poll found that 61% of respondents would oppose a measure in their home state like the one being debated in Wisconsin, where the governor wants to limit bargaining rights and force public employees to pay more toward their health care and pensions. Source Link
 

For those wondering what the next generation of iPad will offer, the wait is about to end. Apple has scheduled an event for next week where it’s expected to unveil the 2nd generation of the world’s biggest-selling tablet computer. Speculation has the new iPad sporting a new high resolution display, rear and front-facing cameras and  universal 3G connectivity. Source Link
 

When it comes to ticket sales at the movies, maybe 3D should stand for “dollars, dollars, dollars.” Hollywood’s major studios say moviegoers spent over $10 billion on tickets last year, and 20% of that went for admission to 3D movies. The multi-dimensional film phenomenon helped Hollywood avoid a downturn in overall ticket sales. Source Link

February 23, 2011

Consumer confidence is at its highest level since before the financial meltdown of 2008. The Conference Board says their monthly survey of consumer attitudes continues to rise, thanks to better prospects for the economy and jobs. Consumer confidence is a measure of how willing Americans are to spend more, and consumer spending is a major engine for economic growth.
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Want to get a leg-up against Alzheimer’s? Learn a second language. A new study says bilingual people who suffer from Alzheimer’s function better than those with the same level of impairment who only speak one language. Researchers think the kind of brain activity associated with knowing two languages keeps the mind more nimble and able to overcome some of the effects of dementia. Source Link

A new kind of electronic eyeglasses promises to make it much easier for bifocal wearers to focus on the world. The EmPower electronic spectacles use embedded liquid crystals to change the focus power of lenses at the touch of a finger to accommodate reading distances. The glasses, including a charging cradle, retail for about $1,000. Source Link

February 22, 2011

Can a shocking crime become a teachable moment in the quest for more civility in politics? In the city where Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot and wounded last month, the University of Arizona at Tuscon has opened the National Institute for Civil Discourse. The non-partisan center hopes to advance the national conversation currently taking place about civility in political debate. Source Link
 

More of America’s manned spaceflight program could be a private venture under a NASA budget proposed by the Obama administration. Increased spending on commercial spaceflight services could help fill the gap after the shuttle fleet is retired this year. Plans now call for America to pay $50 million a seat to fly astronauts to the International Space Station on Russian spacecraft. Source Link
 

Blame it on a lifetime of loud rock music, but more of America’s younger baby boomers are having trouble hearing the tunes -- and everything else. A new study says one out of nine people aged 45 to 54 suffer from some hearing loss. Researchers say those with hearing loss may not realize it, and many doctors do not screen for hearing problems during routine exams at that age. Source Link 

February 21, 2011

Republican lawmakers in the Wisconsin State Senate say they’ll reconvene tomorrow without 14 Democratic colleagues who fled the state last week to stop action on a budget-cutting measure that would strip public employees of the right to collective bargaining. The budget bill cannot proceed without at least one Democrat present for the vote. The measure prompted thousands of protesters to march on the Capitol. Source Link

The day after celebrating his 20th birthday, Trevor Bayne took the checkered flag Sunday as the winner of NASCAR’s biggest race. Bayne won the 2011 Daytona 500 in only his second start in the Sprint Cup series. Driving for the Wood Brothers team, Bayne becomes the youngest winner in the 53-year history of the Great American Race. Source Link

The head of the government agency in charge of weather prediction has a dire forecast for a different kind of storm. He’s told an annual meeting of scientists that solar storms like one that occurred last week have the potential to take down telecommunications around the world, saying it’s not a question of “if” but “when” such a storm hits, and warning that satellites and power grids need more shielding to resist heavy radiation bursts. Source Link

February 18, 2011

A new report says energy drinks may pose health hazards, especially for children with conditions such as ADHD, diabetes or heart problems. Researchers say there are no regulations for ingredients and excessive caffeine can cause changes in blood flow and reduce insulin sensitivity. It’s estimated that up to 50% of young people use energy drinks. Source Link

A decade after his father was killed in a crash at the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will start from the back of the pack for this year’s race following an accident during a practice session. Earnhardt had won the pole position, but his car was demolished in the smash-up. NASCAR rules allow him to use another car, but he must start in last position when the flag drops on Sunday. Source Link

Imagine a game of Monopoly without play money or dice, and you have the makings of the latest version of the classic board game, designed to appeal to the short-attention-span video game generation.  “Monopoly Live” features a computerized tower that keeps track of the action for all players and can even speed up the game with special events when the play slows down. Source Link 

February 17, 2011

The nation’s second-biggest  bookstore chain has filed for bankruptcy protection and will close a third of its locations. Borders owes tens of millions of dollars to book publishers. The chain pioneered a superstore concept that put many local bookstores out of business, but unlike rivals Amazon.Com and Barnes and Noble, Borders was slow to embrace the web and e-book sales. Source Link
 

In  the battle of man versus machine on America’s top TV quiz show, the machine has triumphed. In a two-game tournament, an IBM super computer named Watson defeated the two best players in the history of “Jeopardy.” Watson has the power of over 1,000 desktop computers and used its massive memory to analyze clues to determine the most probable correct answer. Source Link
 

America has gone to the dogs with an upset win in the “best in show” competition at the nation’s most prestigious dog show. A Scottish deerhound named “Hickory” was the first of its breed selected for the honor at the Westminster Dog Show in New York.  The five-year old was tops in an international array of finalists including a Pekingese, a Portuguese water dog, and a Chinese shar-pei. Source Link

February 16, 2011

Sharing in the profit of the new General Motors will mean some very big checks for its hourly workers. The company says this year’s profit-sharing checks will average about $4,000. That’s more than twice the amount of the biggest profit payout 11 years ago. Profit sharing could become a bigger part of total pay in this year’s contract negotiations between GM and the United Auto Workers. Source Link
 

Can eating more fiber lead to a longer life? A new long-term study says a high-fiber diet means a longer life for men, with a lower risk of cancer deaths, less heart disease and less risk of death from infections and respiratory illnesses. The findings could support the theory that fiber protects you by binding to toxins and moving them out of the body quickly before they can do harm. Source Link
 

The cellphone that causes so much concern in the hands of a teenager behind the wheel could become a tool for parents to help prevent reckless driving. The iGuardian Teen application for Android phones can monitor for speeding and erratic maneuvers, sending alerts to a parent’s phone and recoding video of the driving session. It also blocks incoming calls and text messages. Source Link

February 15, 2011

President Obama’s $3.7 trillion budget plan for 2012 puts education and health research among the areas with increased spending, while defense appropriations will see their first reductions in years. The budget will be dissected by the congressional Republicans who are ready to put their own stamp on the spending plan will more cuts in an effort to reduce a $1.6 trillion deficit. Source Link
 

Everything from blue jeans to business suits could have a higher price tag this year because of a a worldwide run-up in the price of cotton. The price of synthetic fabrics is also rising, leaving most clothing makers with no alternative but to raise prices that have been flat or declining for several years in an effort to keep sales healthy amid a worldwide recession. Source Link


Is a downsized iPhone the next big thing in a smaller package? Published reports say Apple will unveil a second version of the iPhone this summer that’s smaller and cheaper, to allow carriers to offer it as a free phone with a contract. The addition of an economy iPhone model could help Apple gain more market share against the growing number of Android-powered phones. Source Link

February 14, 2011

Hot flashes are no fun for menopausal women, but they may be a good sign when it comes to their risk of cancer. A new study says women who suffer intense hot flashes may be 50% less likely to develop breast cancer. Researchers think the lower hormone levels that can cause hot flashes are also linked to a lower risk of the most common form of breast cancer. Source Link


After an eight month-long flight, an international crew has has reached Mars and will take their first steps on the Red Planet, without ever leaving Earth. The crew is on a 500-day mission living in a spacecraft simulator to test the effects of interplanetary flight. The mock-up includes a simulated Mars surface that was constructed in an exhibit hall at a scientific facility in Russia. Source Link
 

Valentine’s Day often means a candy gift, and that’s big business for many in these United States. The Census Bureau says this includes over 1,300 firms that make chocolate, employing more than 38,000 people and shipping some $12 billion dollars worth of product each year. And where does it all go? The Census Bureau says the average American eats about 24 pounds of candy per year. Source Link

February 11, 2011

The brutal winter of 2011 continues -- the artic wind that came sweeping out of the plains into Oklahoma has sent temperatures into a record fall. After some 20 inches of snow, thermometers bottomed out at 31 degrees below zero -- an all-time record for the state. The good news is that the forecast calls for a quick warm-up, with temperatures expected to reach the 70’s by next week. Source Link

Just when you thought it was safe to enjoy a no-calorie soft drink comes a new study that says diet soda may be bad for your head or your heart. Researchers found that people who drank one diet soda per day were 61% more likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack. Scientists can’t explain the connection and say they found no increased risk for those who drink sugar-sweetened sodas. Source Link

Many people will confess to being addicted to their smart phones, but how about confessing with the help of their phone? Now there’s an app for that. The Confession iPhone application is designed to help Catholics through confession and encourage others back to the faith. Developers say the church-sanctioned application is not a substitute for face-to-face confession. Source Link 

February 10, 2011

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has spoken her first words since she was seriously wounded in a shooting last month. Giffords is undergoing rehabilitation in a Houston hospital. It’s the latest step in what many are calling a miraculous recovery for Giffords, who was shot in the head in a barrage by a gunman who killed six bystanders on January 8th. Source Link

First lady Michelle Obama says her husband is no longer America’s “Smoker-In-Chief.” She says President Obama kicked the habit for good nearly a year ago. The president, who began smoking when he was a teenager, pledged to quit during the 2008 campaign. But like many, he struggled to stop smoking and didn’t quit until after he moved into the Oval Office. Source Link

Two Super Bowl advertisers bought themselves a bit of trouble along with those $3 million commercials. The vacation rental website Home Away.Com has apologized for their comic spot that showed a fake baby being thrown into a wall. And the discount coupon distributor Groupon is changing its commercial that appeared to mock the plight of oppressed people in Tibet. Source Link 

February 9, 2011

The U.S. Transportation Department says its investigation shows that electronic problems were not to blame for incidents of sudden high-speed acceleration that led to a recall of millions of Toyota vehicles last year. Toyota is now equipping its new vehicles with an override system to stop the car if the brake and accelerator pedal are pressed simultaneously. Source Link
 

Those annual bonuses that go to the nation’s biggest bankers will be doled-out over three years rather than all at once under new rules approved by federal regulators. The goal is to prevent anyone from cashing-in quickly on risky financial deals that might fail to perform later. There was much anger over big bonuses paid during the housing market run-up that led to the financial meltdown in 2008. Source Link 


The most expensive production in the history of Broadway has been universally panned by New York’s top theater critics. The new $65 million musical “Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark” got thumbs down in major newspaper reviews. But the high-flying show that’s been plagued with technical problems and injuries to cast members is still selling lots of tickets for preview performances. Source Link

February 8, 2011

Americans do love their Labs -- for the 20th straight year, the Labrador Retriever is the top dog among registrations by the American Kennel Club.  The German Shepard was number two, followed by Yorkshire Terrier, Beagle and Golden Retriever. The Bulldog moved up to sixth place and is enjoying a new popularity with its highest ranking in 100 years. Source Link

Babies who move to solid foods too soon run the risk of packing on the pounds that can lead to obesity. A new study says formula-fed babies who begin eating solid foods before the age of four months are more likely to be obese at age three. Experts say some mothers who feed with formula are misreading natural cues for hunger and fullness and are overfeeding their babies. Source Link

Some day in the not too distant future, you may be able to buy meat that’s grown in a lab rather than on a farm. Scientists are using bioengineering to create what they call “cultured” meat using embryonic cells from turkeys to grow thin strips of meat. Improvements would add fat and flavor for thicker cuts that are more like steak. The product could bring more affordable meat to the world’s poorer nations. Source Link

February 7, 2011

Experts say over 300,000 cancer deaths per year could be prevented in this country, and it won’t take new treatments or wonder drugs -- just a healthier lifestyle. The World Cancer Research Fund says deaths from breast, stomach and colon cancer in  America could be cut by one-third to one-half by better eating, lower alcohol intake and 30 minutes of exercise per day. Source Link
 

If the pace of early orders is any measure, expect the new Verizon iPhone to fly off the shelves when it goes on sale in retail stores later this week. Verizon says its pre-order stock of iPhones sold out in just two hours last week. Verizon is the first competitor to offer the iPhone since its exclusive debut on the AT&T network in 2007. Source Link


In the NFL championship battle between “Titletown” and “The Steel Curtain,” there’s another Super Bowl trophy going back to the land of the Cheeseheads. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers to win Super Bowl 45 in Dallas on Sunday. It’s the fourth Super Bowl win for the Packers and their first since 1997. Source Link

February 4, 2011

There’s a high-tech alternative being tested that could defuse the anger over those revealing full-body scans at airport security stations. The Transportation Security Administration says three major airports are using a new form of software that would only show a generic body outline. Some travelers have objected to the scans that show detailed body contours under clothing. Source Link

Need another good reason to have your children vaccinated? A new study says it could help protect them against some forms of childhood cancer. Researchers say they found that children vaccinated for polio and hepatitis B had 20% less risk of developing a form of leukemia by preventing infections that can adversely affect the developing immune system. Source Link

This year’s Super Bowl  advertisers will pay up to $3 million for a 30-second commercial in Sunday’s telecast. In addition to beermakers and plenty of movie ads, the auto industry is well represented in the Super Bowl commercial line-up, with the return of Chevrolet along with Chrysler, Volkswagen, Audi, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes Benz and BMW making the pricey pitches. Source Link

February 3, 2011

In the wake of a massive winter storm that affected about half of the nation, many can only hope that groundhog Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an early spring comes true. Now they’re shivering in temperatures that are 20 degrees or more below normal. In Dallas, Super Bowl fans arriving from Green Bay and Pittsburgh will feel right at home with tomorrow’s forecast for snow showers and a high only in the mid-30’s. Source Link

First, it was newspapers on the web. Now, there’s a national newspaper created just for the world’s most popular tablet computer. The first edition of “The Daily” has rolled off the virtual presses to iPad users. The e-newspaper that’s the creation of publisher Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation includes video, real-time data and social feeds along with stories and photos. Source Link

Health officials are backing away from recommendations that children under the age of three be screened for vision problems. Since 2004, parents have been advised to have young toddlers checked for problems such as lazy eye. But a federal expert panel now says difficulties with testing such young children could lead to false positives and treatments that may not be needed. Source Link 

February 2, 2011

For tens of millions of Americans, it’s a Groundhog Day they hope they’ll never repeat, with a massive winter storm dropping over a foot of snow on a nearly 2,000-mile swath from the Southern Plains through the Great Lakes and into northern New England. Other areas are coping with thick ice that’s downed power lines, while some Gulf Coast states experienced heavy thunderstorms. Source Link

Red-light cameras may be controversial, but they are also are saving lives, according to a new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It says the rate of fatal red-light crashes fell 35% in 14 of the biggest U.S. cities using the cameras. The decrease came even at intersections that are not equipped with the cameras that photograph drivers who run red lights. Source Link

Lacing-up those walking shoes could be the first step to a better memory. A new study shows that walking for 40 minutes three times a week can improve memory in adults 55 and older and help prevent mental decline. Researchers say moderate exercise helps the memory processing section of the brain to expand and offset shrinkage that occurs as we age. Source Link 

February 1, 2011

The National Weather Service is advising Green Bay Packers fans to delay the start of their road trips to the Super Bowl in Dallas at least until Wednesday afternoon. Cheeseheads along with millions of others are in the path of a massive winter storm that could drop up to two feet of snow in the Great Lakes and bring an heavy ice to an area from Missouri through Indiana. Source Link

The government’s new dietary guidelines read like a recipe for more common sense eating. Among the suggestions are avoiding oversized portions, choosing foods with lower sodium, making half your plate fruits and vegetables and drinking water instead of sugary beverages. About half of all American children and two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese. Source Link

The smart phone world has been Googled as new figures show the Android system is now the world’s leading operating platform, running one out of three smart phones. That’s about twice the number of iPhones in use, but Apple is expected to see a surge in market share when the iPhone becomes available on the Verizon network this month. Source Link