June 30, 2011

A new report tries to put a price tag on the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it’s a big one -- nearly $4 trillion. That includes at least half a trillion dollars of lifetime health care costs for American veterans injured in the conflict. The report says a quarter-million people have died, and half of those casualties were Iraqis. Source Link

The first named storm of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season is moving through in the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Storm Arlene is expected to make landfall in northeastern Mexico early today. The storm could bring flash floods and mudslides to Mexico and some rain to extreme South Texas. Source Link

You’ve heard of bringing your own shopping bags to the grocery store, but what about a store where you brought all your own packaging for the food you buy? That’s the idea behind a new venture in Austin Texas that will be the nation’s first zero-packaging grocery store. Shoppers will bring their own bags and containers to take home food products in what the owners call “pre-cycling.” Source Link

June 29, 2011

Diet soft drinks don’t live up to their name, according to new studies showing that big diet soda drinkers still put on the weight and the sweetener in diet sodas may be to blame. A 10-year study showed those who drank diet soda still gained weight in their waistlines. Another showed that the aspartame sweetener in diet sodas can raise blood sugar levels and contribute to the risk of diabetes. Source Link

When it comes to how America does its computing, a new survey shows there are now as many households using laptops as desktop computers. The annual study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project also shows about one out of eight households now owns an e-book reader. And the survey indicates that 8% of households own a tablet computer such as the iPad. Source Link

As fans await the release of the final Harry Potter film, there’s news that the tale of the young wizard will be coming to e-books. Author J.K. Rowling is creating a new web destination called “Pottermore” that will be the exclusive seller of electronic versions of the Harry Potter books and will feature new illustrations and interactive moments that visitors can navigate. Source Link

June 28, 2011

Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann has officially entered the race for the Republican nomination for president in 2012. Bachmann is the standard bearer for the conservative Tea party wing of the GOP and made her announcement in Iowa where Republican hopefuls are battling for recognition in one of the first states to vote on candidates in the presidential race. Source Link

A new study says nighttime screen time for pre-schoolers can lead to more sleep problems. An hour of evening TV watching, computer play or video game use was linked to a significant jump in sleep problems, as was viewing violent content at any time during the day. It’s estimated that as many as four out of ten pre-school-age children in America have TV’s in their bedrooms. Source Link

A new survey shows that women will marry for love versus money, but not if there’s no paycheck at all for that husband-to-be. Nine out of ten women surveyed for the web site Forbes Woman said they’d marry for love rather than money. But three out of four also said they would never marry an unemployed man. Source Link

June 27, 2011

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

Here’s a tip for students who want to learn -- instead of studying, just take a test. Researchers say students who took a written essay test just after completing a reading assignment scored higher on later tests than those who had multiple study sessions. They think they process of recalling the material in a test helps the brain retain the information better. Source Link 

That great feeling you get when you hear a favorite song is actually a chemical reaction. New research shows the same brain chemical that makes eating pleasurable is also triggered by music. Scientists say the release of dopamine is what can give you that shiver of pleasure when you hear the first few notes of a song that you enjoy. Source Link 

June 24, 2011

Planning to post to Facebook or tweet something today? You’re not alone. A new study says Friday is one of the most popular days for social media interaction. That’s because people are mentally changing gears from the work week to personal time. For businesses, the trend also means that Friday may not be the best day to use social media to reach customers. Source Link 

Between men and women, when it comes to new cars, an analysis says that guys go for the looks while ladies look for a better bottom line.TrueCar.Com reviewed the 8 million car purchases last year. They found that women are more cost-conscious and purchased fuel-efficient vehicles while male buyers preferred big and brawny, like a large truck, or a high-priced, high-performance vehicle. Source Link

If you think hard work won’t kill you, you might want to think again. Researchers say working long hours should be added to the list of risk factors for heart disease. Their study showed that working more than 11 hours a day increased the risk of heart disease by 67%, compared to the typical 8-hour work day. Many workaholics also don’t make time for exercise or heart-healthy meals. Source Link 

June 23, 2011

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 

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 

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

June 22, 2011

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

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

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 

June 21, 2011


Is the best plan for a manned spaceflight to Mars to make it a one-way trip? Some scientists believe the fastest way to begin interplanetary exploration would be to make colonists of the first Mars crew, with no expectation of their return. Proponents say the approach could save 80% of the cost of a Mars spaceflight and the crew could survive for the rest of their lives on the Red Planet. Source Link

About one-in-four Americans say it just wouldn’t be a vacation without Fido or Kitty along for the trip. A survey by Petside.Com says 23% of people take their pets with them on vacation, and 75% report the trips are less stressful in the company of their four-legged companions. Dog owners were nearly twice as likely to bring their pets on vacation than were cat owners. 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 

June 20, 2011

The nation’s biggest advocacy group for senior citizens says it’s open to cuts in Social Security benefits to keep the system solvent. But AARP officials stress that any cuts should be minimal and take place far in the future to not effect current recipients, and should be offset by increases in tax revenues. Social Security faces long-term funding problems because of a coming wave of retiring baby boomers. Source Link

The same kind of technology that safeguards you against credit card fraud will be employed to protect Uncle Sam against Medicare cheats. The government plans to begin using computer systems that look for patterns in Medicare claims from providers. The program could detect any red flags for possible rip-offs and stop payments before they are made.  Source Link

The growth of streaming Internet video services like Netflix is leading more consumers to think about cutting the cord to their cable TV provider. A new study shows the percentage of people who use Netflix and say they may drop premium cable has doubled in the past year. Netflix has more than 23 million subscribers in the United States and Canada. Source Link

June 17, 2011

As Father’s Day approaches, a new study says more dads are living away from their children. The Pew Research study shows about one out of four fathers don’t live with their children. That’s twice as many as a generation ago. The good news is that dads who live with their kids today are taking a more active role in their day-to-day lives than fathers did before. Source Link

The man who ushered in a new era of “shopping with a beep” has died. Supermarket executive Alan Haberman was considered the father of the bar code and championed it when retailers chose the rectangular graphic of varying lines as a standard to identify products nearly 40 years ago. Now it’s estimated that 5 billion bar codes are scanned each day. Source Link

It’s a different kind of “sticker shock” on the cover of the new issue of Playboy Magazine. It introduces 25-year old Playmate Crystal Harris as the new Mrs. Hugh Hefner, but Harris has backed out of wedding plans with the 85-year old publisher. now Hefner has ordered stickers to be placed on the covers of all newsstand copies proclaiming “The Runaway Bride”. Source Link 

June 16, 2011

Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is home from the hospital less than six months after she was shot in the head in an assassination attempt. Giffords has amazed many with her recovery thus far, but she is still struggling to speak and walk and needs daily intensive therapy. It’s not known if Giffords will ever recover enough to resume her duties in as a member of Congress. Source Link

Don’t expect any live TV coverage of the court battle between actor Charlie Sheen and the producers who fired him from his starring role in the series “Two and a Half Men.” A judge has ruled that Sheen’s legal dispute must be handled through private arbitration rather than a public trial. Sheen has been replaced on the top-rated series by actor Ashton Kutcher. Source Link

The first Google laptops are hitting stores today. Without an operating system like Windows or Macs, the so-called Chromebooks do all of their work online through web applications. Without having to power a hard drive to store programs and data, the Chromebooks can go a full workday on one battery charge. But they need an Internet connection at all times to be functional. Source Link

June 15, 2011

It’s been fashion of the first order for U.S. Army troops for a decade, but now the beret is dropping out of the uniform of the day. The Army says soldiers will no longer be required to don black berets and instead can wear a patrol cap that’s more functional and lots easier to put on quickly. Army Special Forces and Ranger units will still use their colored berets. Source Link 

The government has issued new guidelines that should remove some of the hype surrounding claims about how sunscreen works. For the first time, the FDA will require that sunscreens protect equally against UVB and UVA rays as part of their SPF ratings. And sunscreen can no longer be labeled "sweatproof" or "waterproof,” as that claim is physically impossible. Source Link 

Little tykes who burn the midnight oil may become students who can’t concentrate. A new study says pre-schoolers who get too little sleep are are greater risk for developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder when they reach school age. ADHD typically isn’t diagnosed before the age of five, but symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness can occur earlier. Source Link

June 14, 2011

So how did U.S. airlines get back in the black last year? The answer’s in the bag. A government report says airlines collected $3.4 billion in checked luggage fees in 2010. Collectively they posted about $2.6 billion in profits, meaning it was the bag fees the made the difference between profit and loss. Delta made the most in checked bag fees last year -- nearly $1 billion. Source Link

Is the Facebook fad becoming yesterday’s news in these United States? A new report says the social networking giant has topped out and is even losing members in North America as growth skyrockets in places like India, Brazil and Russia. And the biggest target may be still to come, as Facebook sets its sights on someday making billions of friends in China. Source Link

First it was regular cola. Then no-calorie “diet.” Now the world’s number-two soft drink maker wants to hit a happy medium. Beverage Digest reports the new Pepsi NEXT cola will have about half the calories of the regular Pepsi. It’s not the first time soft drink makers have tried the middle ground on calories, but this time they hope new taste formulations will make it a success. Source Link

June 13, 2011

The nation’s top auto safety regulator is ready to hit the “mute” switch on those new dashboard systems that put the Internet and more at a driver’s fingertips. David Strickland says a car should not be considered another mobile device like a smart phone. Strickland wants automakers to keep safety in mind in systems that bring Facebook posts, tweets and other web content into the driver’s seat. Source Link
 

The mall is a favorite hangout place for teenagers, but kids in Joplin Missouri will soon find it’s also the place when the school bell rings. Officials have announced that vacant space in a local shopping mall will be used as temporary classrooms after Joplin High School was destroyed by a deadly tornado last month. About 1,000 high school juniors and seniors will attend classes at the mall. Source Link 


Airlines are getting the green light to use green-powered fuel, and the move could cut the price at the pump to send your flight into the friendly skies. The Air Transport Association has approved a fuel blend of up to 50% organic waste, algae and wood chips for passenger planes. The aircraft bio-fuel could be less than half the cost of traditional oil-based aviation fuel. Source Link

June 10, 2011

A late spring heat wave has people in much of the eastern half of the country sweltering in temperatures that look move like the dog days of August than the first full week of June. High temperatures climbing to 100 degrees or more could stay there into the weekend for parts of the South as high pressure pumps hot air into the region. Source Link

It’s good news that’s tinged with some unease. A new survey says almost all kids are getting their childhood vaccines, but most parents still worry about the safety of those shots. Only 5% of parents surveyed by the Centers for Disease Control said they planned to skip some of the vaccines for their children. Experts stress there’s no evidence that vaccines can cause autism. Source Link

It’s another reason why America can be proud of its fighting women. A new Veterans Administration study shows that women soldiers on-average are handling combat stress just as well as their male comrades. Women are still barred from direct combat roles, but the random nature of warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan has put many female troops in the line of fire regularly. Source Link

June 9, 2011

Out with the pyramid and in with the plate to guide you to the most healthy way to eat. The government has dropped the food pyramid that was used for years to show the right balance for your diet. Now the guide is a simple plate showing your should eat meals with one-third grains, one-third vegetables, and equal portions of fruits and proteins, along with dairy. Source Link

It’s a win for retailers, but the jury is out on whether a reduction in fees that merchants pay banks for debit card transactions will save you any money in the long run. The final new rules will cap fees that now average 44 cents per transaction to a maximum of 12 cents. Banks have said they may have to make up for the $16 billion loss in revenue by raising other fees. Source Link

The U.S.A. gets the last laugh in a new global poll that says Americans are the world’s funniest. The 15,000 people questioned by the social network web site badoo.com ranked Americans as the best in the world at making people laugh. British humor ranked seventh. And the least funny people? That dour distinction goes to the Germans, followed by the Russians. Source Link

June 8, 2011

Food poisoning felled more Americans last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control, but the culprit is not some new superbug. The CDC says salmonella is to blame, and officials are hard-pressed to get a handle on the pesky bacteria. Part of the jump was from an outbreak traced to tainted eggs, and new safety measures for egg processors could cut that risk. Source Link 


Imagine if you combined a video game controller with an iPad, and you’d have an idea of what the new Nintendo Wii looks like. The company has shown the second-generation unit -- dubbed the Wii U -- that features a handheld controller with a touch screen that can be part of the action. But don’t put it on your holiday gift wish list just yet. The new Wii won’t hit stores until next year. Source Link


America’s last-place broadcast TV network will remain the first choice for Olympic coverage through the year 2020. NBC has outbid Fox and ESPN for the rights to four Olympics beginning in 2014 for a price tag of over $4 billion. NBC has lost money on recent Olympics coverage, but the promotional value of the premier prime-time event still makes it an attractive package for broadcasters. Source Link

June 7, 2011

From morning shows to evening news and now afternoon talk, Katie Couric has a new job with another of the Big 3 TV networks. The former NBC Today Show host and CBS Evening News anchor will headline a daily talk show to air on ABC-owned stations and in national syndication. The new program to be produced by her former Today Show boss will premiere in the fall of 2012. Source Link

Airline officials from around the world are getting a sneak preview of new security technology that could make life a lot easier for air travelers. The walk-through units would sniff for explosives and scan passengers in a fraction of the time it takes to do screening now. Those who trigger the system would get more screening. The new technology won’t be ready for regular use for about five years. Source Link

There’s no sign of economic doldrums in the bidding for lunch with billionaire Warren Buffett. The annual fund-raiser for a San Francisco charity draw bids topping $2 million just a day after the auction began on Sunday. Last year’s winner paid $2.6 million for himself and three guests to enjoy a mid-day meal a Manhattan restaurant with the 80-year old “Oracle of Omaha.” Source Link

June 6, 2011

Octogenarians are on hand at the National World War Two Museum in New Orleans to share their remembrances marking this 67th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied troops invaded Normandy and took the war to Nazi-occupied Europe. It’s estimated that only one out of ten of America’s World War Two veterans are still alive to tell their stories of bravery and heroism. Source Link 

From iPod to iPhone and iPad, Apple is ready to unveil a new way to play your music collection anywhere. The iCloud service will let you listen to music from your iTunes library on any computer or smart phone streamed directly from Apple. The new service comes on the heels of similar offerings from Amazon and Google that can stream your music collection over the Internet. Source Link

It sounds impossible, but doctors say fat could be a weapon against obesity. Not just any fat, but so-called “brown fat” in your body that burns calories. Researchers think it may be possible to grow more brown fat to help increase calorie burn naturally. But they stress that making more good fat would not be a substitute for proper diet and exercise. Source Link


June 3, 2011

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has formally launched his second bid for the White House, saying President Obama has failed America. Romney said that as president he would make America number-one in job creation. Romney is considered the Republican front-runner, although his poll numbers are the same as former Alaska governor Sarah Palin who has yet to say if she’ll enter the presidential race. Source Link

Dad may be the traditional breadwinner, but these days more young people say Mom is the parent who had the most influence over what they know about handling finances. Experts say that’s because kids still spend more time with mothers and often get their first taste of spending and budgeting on those shopping trips to the grocery store with Mom. Source Link

A Pew research survey says about one-in-seven people who are online are getting their Tweet on. New figures show that 13% of Americans who go online use Twitter. That’s more than double the percentage that used the micro-blogging service just six months ago. And the survey shows that African-American and Latino Internet users are each significantly more likely than whites to be Twitter adopters. Source Link

June 2, 2011

The nation’s largest group of pediatricians is strongly recommending that energy drinks not be consumed by children. The American Academy of Pediatrics makes the distinction between energy drinks that contain caffeine and herbal supplements and sports drinks, which are fine are young athletes. But doctors say the best beverage for all youngsters is water. Source Link

Unlike most years, this summer won’t be bargain time for car buyers. Summer is often when good deals appear to help clear out inventory before new models arrive in the fall. But there are shortages of some popular cars due to the Japanese earthquake. And automakers are reducing incentives to help maximize their profits - a move that led to a monthly drop in car sales in May. Source Link

After 19 years in the paint as one of the big men of the NBA, “Shaq” is calling it a career. Shaquille O’Neal has announced his retirement from basketball. The four-time NBA champion was a fierce competitor on the court who also enjoyed being the jester. O’Neal had his best years in Orlando and Los Angeles, where he helped the Lakers win three NBA titles. Source Link

June 1, 2011

Here’s a dream come true for some students -- getting paid $100,000 not to go to college. That’s the plan for 24 young people who will earn that money working with mentors in Silicon Valley to develop new business plans. The program is the brainchild of the founder of the PayPal electronic payment service, who admits he’s no fan of college and thinks more can be accomplished outside the classroom. Source Link

Experts have told the World Health Organization that using cell phones could cause cancer and consumers should consider ways to limit their exposure. The finding is based on the best current research and could prompt the W.H.O. to look at setting new guidelines for mobile phone use. The effect of radiation from cell phones on the human body has been hotly debated. Source Link 

Expect to see the father of Apple at the company’s big developers conference next week, but not his latest phone progeny. Steve Jobs is rumored to be stepping back into the spotlight after taking a health leave of absence. But press reports say the next iPhone model -- dubbed the 4S -- won’t be unveiled at the conference and instead will go public in late July or August. Source Link