March 31, 2011

It’s good news for home buyers, but not so much for homeowners and sellers. A new report says many American cities still haven’t seen the bottom for falling home prices, which are down to levels from eight years ago. In the latest monthly report, prices dropped in all but one of 20 major cities as the national home price index fell for the sixth straight month. Source Link
 

Today’s American Dream isn’t instant riches or fame, but a better future for the next generation. A new survey shows a majority of Americans say their number-one dream is for their children to have a better life. The number-two wish is to have a successful career. Only 8% dream of becoming rich overnight. And only 3% want to become famous. Source Link

The boys of summer take the field today as Major League Baseball opens its 2011 season with last year’s rivalries expected to be this year’s contenders on the way to the Fall Classic. Big bats in Boston and a powerful pitching rotation in Philadelphia are making them the favorites to face-off in the World Series, as the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers defend their league championships. Source Link 

March 30, 2011

Members of the Ohio House are poised to approve a bill that would limit collective bargaining for public employees in the Buckeye State. The measure needs to be reconciled with a similar State Senate bill before Ohio Governor John Kasich can sign it into law. The battle is expected to continue after that, as opponents seek a referendum on the November ballot to overturn the law. Source Link

A new study says the radiation risk for new airport security scanners is low. How low? Scientists estimate that out of 100 million passengers a year, only six new cancer cases would occur. For frequent fliers, there might be four extra cancer cases. Concerns about radiation from the new scanners led many to ask for pat-downs at security gates rather than go through the machines. Source Link

For young Americans, the term “network programming” is no longer something that you find on TV. A survey says the nation’s “millennials” who range in age from 13 to 29 now spend more time on Wi-Fi through a computer or smart phone than watching television. The group dubbed “Generation Y” considers wireless access a necessity, like electricity, water or heating. Source Link 

March 29, 2011

While taking multivitamin may seem like a safe bet for a longer life, there’s still not much scientific evidence to back up that wishful thinking. A new study of 180,000 people shows that those who took multivitamins had the same rates of cancer and coronary disease as those who did not. Some estimates say Americans spend nearly $5 billion a year on multivitamins. Source Link

Girl Scouts are learning a new sales pitch for cookies - “Will that be cash or credit?” Some troops are using scanners that work with smart phones to allow buyers to pay for cookie purchases with credit or debit cards. The option can really pay off, as buyers often purchase more Girl Scout cookies when paying with plastic rather than using cash. Source Link

Looking for that lost remote control? Odds are, you’ll find it when you take a exploratory dive into the cushions of your couch. In a survey commissioned by remote control maker Logitech, people said their missing remote was found sandwiched in the sofa 49% of the time. Remotes went on the move too, and are found in the bathroom, the refrigerator, and even in the car. Source Link 

March 28, 2011

So what are America’s top cities to spend your retirement years? It’s not all warm weather locales. In fact, places like Miami and Honolulu didn’t make the cut. Forbes Magazine says it’s Top 16 list includes Fargo, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh. The survey covered cost of living, taxes, crime rates and availability of health care. Source Link
 

Here’s a case where playing video games might be good for a child’s eyesight. Optometrists say the new Nintendo 3DS 3-D handheld game system may help to diagnose eye problems. If a child cannot see the 3-D effects on the screen, it could be a sign of “lazy eye” disorder. The Nintendo 3DS offers 3-D  effects without the need for special glasses. Source Link
 

The Final Four of NCAA Men’s basketball tournament is set, and none of the teams that started as the top four seeds is among the semi-finalists. Virginia Commonwealth will take on Butler while Connecticut will battle Kentucky in the Final Four face-offs on Saturday in Houston, with the national champion to be crowned on April 4th. Source Link 

March 25, 2011

Man's best friend may provide more than just faithful companionship, as a new study shows people who walk their dogs are more likely to physically fit. Researchers say that’s because waking is one of the easiest ways to exercise, but the dog walking habit also encourages people to be more active overall in their lives, and pet ownership is known to help reduce stress levels. Source Link

There’s new relief for women who suffer from hot flashes and night sweats but don’t want the risks associated with hormone therapy. A study says that mindfullness classes, including meditation and stretching exercises, can help alleviate the stress and anxiety with menopausal symptoms. Participants said they slept better and were less bothered by their hot flashes. Source Link

In the battle to win market share in the new era of tablet computers, the folks at Blackberry are playing copycat on the bottom line. When it debuts next month, the new Blackberry PlayBook tablet will be priced at $499 - the same as the Apple iPad. Analysts say price may be less important to corporate buyers are the prime market for the Blackberry PlayBook. Source Link

March 24, 2011

Movie fans the world over are mourning the death of actress Elizabeth Taylor. The stunning beauty and two-time Oscar winner was as well-known for her off-screen drama that included seven husbands and eight marriages. She was also a champion in the fight against AIDS. Taylor had been hospitalized for over a month for congestive heart failure. She was 79.  Source Link 


The latest census figures show the challenge being faced by one of America’s great cities now struggling to hold its own in a new economic era. The population of Detroit, Michigan has dropped to what it was a century ago, with just over 700,000 residents. That’s a 25% decline in the past decade. Michigan’s governor says his state won’t succeed unless cities like Detroit survive. Source Link
 

The calendar may say “Spring,” but Old Man Winter hasn’t given up in the weather department for the northern tier of the United States. A spring storm has dropped up to a foot of snow in some spots on a path from South Dakota into Michigan, Pennsylvania and upstate New York.  Snow-weary cities like Hartford and Boston are also in line for more white stuff from the storm. Source Link

March 23, 2011

Less than two weeks after a tsunami killed thousands in Japan, residents along America’s Pacific coastline are practicing for the possibility of a similar catastrophe. The tsunami drill was planned long before the Japan earthquake. Some communities have canceled their participation, saying it could panic residents still shaken by coverage of the Japanese disaster. Source Link 



Baseball’s all-time home run champion is facing down prosecutors instead of pitchers as the perjury trial of Barry Bonds gets underway in San Francisco. Bonds is accused of lying to a grand jury for testifying that he never knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs. He was indicted in 2007, just weeks after he played his last game. Source Link
 

More Americans aren’t happy with the answer to the question, “Can you hear me now?” J.D. Power and Associates says its latest consumer survey shows that cell phone service is getting worse, in part because more calls are being made indoors where reception is more difficult. Cities with the best call quality include Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, while the worst is Washington D.C. Source Link 

March 22, 2011

Coming soon, America’s biggest cell phone carrier could be called “AT&T and T,” as number-two AT&T says it will buy number-four T-Mobile in a $39 billion deal. The merger would push AT&T past Verizon as the nation’s biggest carrier with 129 million customers. But first regulators will look at whether the deal will cut competition and lead to higher prices. Source Link


The nation’s pediatricians have a new message for young families -- keep your child in a rear-facing car seat until age 2. The American Academy of Pediatrics says children under age 2 in a rear-facing seat are 75% less likely to suffer severe injuries or die in a car crash. Current guidelines call for parents to move children to a front-facing seat after their first birthday. Source Link 


Americans are making some headway in the battle against heart disease, cancer, lung disease and stroke. The Centers for Disease Control says it’s latest figures show that death rates for the nation’s biggest killers are dropping. According to the CDC, babies born in 2009 will have an average life expectancy of 78.2 years for men and 80.6 years for women. Source Link

March 21, 2011

Could making smoking taste even worse stop more people from picking up the habit? That’s the question being posed as the Food and Drug Administration considers a ban on menthol cigarettes. An advisory panel has told the FDA that menthol flavoring makes it easier for young smokers to get started and that menthol might even make cigarettes more addictive. Source Link
 

Mother Nature’s mayhem means that backorder for your new iPad 2 will be even longer. The earthquake in Japan forced production shutdowns for some key suppliers of parts for the hot-selling tablet computer. Analysts say supply problems in Japan may make it more difficult to get memory chips and the special ultra-thin battery that powers the iPad 2.  Source Link
 

You might be able to measure the economic recovery by the cupful, in terms of how many Americans are shelling out for a cup of gourmet coffee. A National Coffee Association survey says that’s on the upswing this year, after coffee drinking dropped in 2010 in response to the effects of the Great Recession. The survey says about six out of ten Americans are coffee drinkers. Source Link 

March 18, 2011

About one out of three young drivers admit that they’re texting behind the wheel, and two-thirds say they use a cell phone while driving. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood calls it a “deadly epidemic.” The Transportation Department is teaming up with Consumer Reports to publish a new guide that helps parents talk to their kids about the dangers of distracted driving. Source Link
 

If you see a co-worker dozing this afternoon, don’t wake him -- he may be learning on the job.  New research says an hour-long mid-day nap can dramatically boost and restore your brain power. The findings suggest that a sleep schedule with a built-in nap not only refreshes the mind, but can make you smarter and improve your brain performance later in the day. Source Link
 

In the quest to build a better potato chip, why not start with the main ingredient? That’s the idea behind two new varieties of potatoes developed at Cornell University. The specialty spuds have more starch so they soak up less oil and aren’t as greasy when fried, and are less susceptible to bruising, which can give potato chips that unsightly green tinge. Source Link

March 17, 2011

Keeping marketers out of your web browser just got a little easier. The newest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer includes a “do not track” tool that lets you to stop web sites from following your movements along the information superhighway. The Federal Trade Commission has called on all web browser developers to add the feature to their products. Source Link
 

Getting more bang for the bucks spent on space exploration is the idea behind a 10-year plan that calls for missions to places like Mars and one of Jupiter’s moons, but without humans on-board. The spaceflights with robots are considered the only way to continue interplanetary space exploration and live within the limits of a shrinking budget for NASA. Source Link
 

March Madness kicks into high gear today with the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament that will give us the nation’s college hoops champion from a field of 68 hopefuls. Ohio State, Kansas, Pittsburgh and Duke are the top seeds in the tournament. For the first time, all of the first-round games will be broadcast live nationwide with four TV networks sharing the coverage duties. Source Link

March 16, 2011

Two-thirds of Americans questioned in a new poll say the Afghan war isn’t worth fighting anymore. Three out of four of those who took part in the ABC News-Washington Post poll also said President Obama should withdraw a substantial number of combat troops this summer. American forces have been fighting in Afghanistan for nearly 10 years. Source Link

Seeing the damage caused to nuclear power plants by a massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the question is, “could it happen here?”  Officials in California say their nuclear power plants are protected from tsunami waves by natural and man-made barriers. And nuclear plants in the Golden State are built to withstand serious earthquakes. and the magnitude that hit Japan is unlikely in California. Source Link

Screen time is cutting into sleep time for more Americans, according to a survey that shows 9 out of 10 people use a TV, computer or cell phone just before going to bed. Experts say the exposure to bright artificial light from a screen can interfere with the body’s production of the brain chemical that brings on sleep. Source Link

March 15, 2001

Here’s a sobering thought -- many of the nation’s millionaires say it takes more money than they have to be rich these days.  A survey of 1,000 American millionaires shows that $7 million is the point at which they think the term “rich” would apply. About four out of 10 millionaires say they don’t consider themselves “wealthy” by today’s standards. Source Link

The smart phone and the tablet computer are changing the way Americans get their news. That’s the conclusion from a new annual survey showing that more people on average now get their news from the Internet than from a newspaper. Local TV news is still number-one, but the trends show that the Internet will become the top news delivery format soon. Source Link

The BMI body mass index that measures weight and height is the standard for determining if you’re overweight or obese. But is there a better way? A new standard called the BAI combines height and hip measurements and eliminates body shape variables. Experts think it could provide a more-accurate gauge of body fat and a better indication of America’s obesity rate. Source Link 

March 14, 2011

Industry experts say the insured losses from the Japan earthquake could reach $35 billion and become the second costliest natural disaster ever, behind Hurricane Katrina. That estimate does not include damage that may occur from Japanese nuclear power plants crippled by the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that killed thousands when it struck last week. Source Link

NFL players aren’t the only ones at risk of losing their paychecks after a contract impasse with owners led to a player lockout. Teams are discussing payroll cuts for other staff, including managers and coaches. A player’s anti-trust lawsuit against the league could prompt a court-ordered freeze in revenue for all teams. Source Link

Should older drivers have to prove their skills on the road? A new poll says two-thirds of Americans think that drivers should face a mandatory road test at age 65. Even half of those over age 60 think mandatory driver retesting is a good idea. Just two states - Illinois and New Hampshire - now mandate road retesting for drivers at age 75. Source Link

March 11, 2011

In a move being watched by states across the country, lawmakers in Wisconsin have approved legislation to strip collective bargaining rights from most public workers. The Republican majority sidestepped a roadblock set up by Senate Democrats who left the state rather than appear for a vote on the bill. Thousands of union supporters were on hand to protest the the “Yes” vote. Source Link 


The win, place and show spots are unchanged in race to be the world’s richest person. Forbes Magazine says Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and financier Warren Buffett are ranked 1, 2 and 3 among the world’s billionaires. That exclusive club now includes three more founders of Facebook, including the world’s youngest billionaire who’s just 26 years old. Source Link
 

Move over Apple -- the fastest selling tech gadget in history isn’t the iPhone or the iPad. The Guinness Book of World Records has certified the Microsoft Kinect motion sensor for the XBox 360 gaming system as the fastest selling consumer electronics device. Microsoft sold 8 million Kinect units in the first 60 days after its debut back in November. Source Link

March 10, 2011

The world’s most-traveled spacecraft is heading for retirement. The space shuttle Discovery ended its final flight with a safe landing at the Kennedy Space Center after 39 missions spanning 27 years. NASA’s two remaining space shuttles are scheduled for their final missions in April and June. After that, American astronauts will ride on Russian spacecraft to reach the International Space Station. Source Link


Talks continue with another countdown to a contract deadline for the National Football League and its player’s union. A one-week extension of the current agreement ends Friday. Players continue to take a hard line on economic issues, while owners refuse to completely open their books, and fans watch to see if an impasse leads to a player lockout that could threaten the 2011 season. Source Link
 

America’s “heartland” is drifting out of the Midwest as the nation’s population shifts westward. The latest Census figures show the West is now home to the nation’s fastest-growing states. The geographic center of the country’s population is beginning to move out of Missouri as places like Arizona, Utah and Texas grow to tip the balance westward. Source Link 

March 9, 2011

TV’s highest-paid star is looking for a new gig after being fired from America’s highest-rated comedy program. The dismissal of actor Charlie Sheen from “Two and a Half Men” came after production was shut down amid concerns for Sheen’s health and he responded with a series of wild interviews attacking the producers. Sheen is threatening to sue for the balance of his estimated $43 million a year salary. Source Link

A study suggests it’s more likely you can inherit Alzheimer’s disease from your mother than from your father. People with a mother who had Alzheimer’s had twice as much brain shrinkage as those who had a father or no parent with Alzheimer’s disease. Someone whose parent suffers from Alzheimer’s has up to ten times the risk of contracting it themselves. Source Link

There’s a new online interactive feature that offers a detailed timeline to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The project of the National September 11th Memorial and Museum includes video clips, audio and photos that cover a 15-hour period on the day when hijackers flew airliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing more than 3,000 people.  Source Link 

March 8, 2011

Unrest in Libya has helped to fuel one of the fastest run-ups in the price of gasoline ever recorded in the United States. Surveys show the price of a gallon of regular rose more than 30 cents in the past two weeks, to a nationwide average of over $3.50 a gallon. In Europe, gasoline prices have soared to over $9 a gallon in some countries that are heavily dependent on Libyan oil. Source Link

While Wisconsin generates headlines regarding a statehouse face-off over a bill to curb public employee collective bargaining rights, lawmakers in Ohio are moving ahead with a similar measure that could get final passage this week. Senate Bill 5 has passed the upper chamber and is now being debated by the Ohio House, amid continued protests from union members. Source Link

Could a “pacemaker” for the stomach be a new tool in the fight against obesity? A U.S. company is marketing such a product in Europe now. The implanted device senses when food is consumed and sends an electrical impulse to the stomach to create a feeling of fullness. It’s being promoted as a safer alternative to gastric bypass surgery for the morbidly obese. Source Link

March 7, 2011

The combination of warm weather and the latest date for Ash Wednesday in 150 years is helping to swell the crowds visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras. College spring breakers are taking part in the annual celebration this week. Organizers hope the influx of the younger crowd will push Mardi Gras attendance to its highest since Hurricane Katrina stuck in 2005. Source Link

Medical researchers say the smoke has cleared, and that explains a big drop in the number of ear infections in children. The 30% decline in the number of children’s ear infections over the past 15 years is being linked in part to a decrease in smoking by parents. Other factors include more vaccinations against a bacteria that causes ear infections and more breast feeding that boosts natural immunities. Source Link

It’s still “the other white meat,” but rather than comparing it with chicken, America’s pork producers now want to “inspire” you to eat more. The organization that promotes pork is dropping the famous slogan, “The Other White Meat” in favor of “Be Inspired.” They want pork lovers to think about new ways to serve the more than 31 billion pounds of pork produced in the U.S. each year. Source Link 

March 4, 2011

Contract talks between the National Football League and its players are going into overtime, with fans hoping the clock doesn’t run out. Both sides have agreed to extend the current labor agreement another 24 hours while negotiations continue, amid the threat of a owner’s lockout  and a union move to decertify itself and then sue the league for anti-trust violations. Source Link 


A new study says that diabetes can shorten the lifespan of a 50-year old by up to six years. Those with diabetes had double the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke, a higher risk of dying from cancer, and were more likely to die from infections, and lung and kidney disease. It’s estimated that some 26 million Americans have diabetes, and 7 million of them are undiagnosed. Source Link 


In a flashback that brings a bit of the 1960s to the new millennium, Volkswagen has unveiled a new version of the iconic VW bus. The concept model that seats six features the familiar box-like shape and a two-tone paint job, but is updated as an electric vehicle with an iPad as the dashboard command center for the entertainment system and climate control. Source Link

March 3, 2011

Apple CEO Steve Jobs stepped back into the spotlight from his medical leave to unveil the new edition of the iPad tablet. As expected, the 2nd generation iPad will feature front and rear-facing cameras, a faster processor and a thinner size. An accessory cable will allow the iPad 2 to play on an HDTV. Prices stay the same for the new tablet computer that goes on sale March 11th. Source Link 


Soldiers don’t do sit-ups and push-ups on the battlefield, and now they won’t do them in physical fitness tests either. The new U.S. Army combat readiness test features real-world challenges. It requires soldiers to run a quarter-mile and jump obstacles while carrying a rifle, drag a 180-pound sled and walk a balance beam carrying two 30-pound ammo cases. Source Link

For the first time in over 40 years, there’s a new version of the Bible that’s endorsed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The 2011 edition of The New American Bible includes new notes and some re-wording to accommodate modern language, but also reverts to older, more lyrical prose for the 23rd Psalm. The new edition of the New American Bible goes on sale next week. Source Link 

March 2, 2011

Congress is buying itself another two weeks to hammer out the details of how tight it needs to pull the federal budget belt. Lawmakers have passed a 14-day stopgap funding measure to avert a possible government shutdown at the end of the week. But Republicans and Democrats are still far apart on the scope and specifics of budget cuts in a final funding plan. Source Link



You’ve heard of growing corn to make ethanol, but what if you could cut out the middleman and just grow the fuel? That’s what a Massachusetts biotechnology company says it can do. It’s created a plant organism that secretes diesel fuel, using only sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to grow it. The process is about to undergo a large-scale test to prove whether it’s feasible for mass production. Source Link


Maybe it is rocket science when it comes to beating the super computer that won out over the best champions of the quiz show “Jeopardy.”  New Jersey congressman Rush Holt defeated the IBM Watson computer in a “Jeopardy” exhibition game in Washington. Holt is a former nuclear physicist who was a five-time champion against human opponents on “Jeopardy” before his election to Congress. Source Link

March 1, 2011

When it comes to the dream of early retirement, it may be too late for many of America’s baby boomers. A new study shows that Americans aged 55 and older are staying the the job longer because of inadequate Social Security benefits and lagging retirement plans. The trend could spell trouble for young graduates and others looking for that first job and finding fewer openings. Source Link


The Walt Disney Company is the new owner of a social networking web site for young children that could become the Facebook of the elementary school set. Togetherville promises a safer, more secure environment where parents can moderate who their children are connecting with. Parents approve each of their child’s friends, and can also connect with other parents. Source Link
 

A federal mediator is joining talks between the National Football League and the NFL Players Association as the clock ticks down to the end of the current labor agreement at midnight on Thursday. If there’s no agreement, the league could lock out its players and stop paying them. But the Players Association may decertify to prevent a lockout and take its chances in a court battle. Source Link