February 29, 2012

It’s the flip side of enjoying a mild winter -- the sneezin’ season is likely to arrive sooner. Experts say we should expect the spring allergy season to get a head start, with some locales already showing high pollen counts. For some people, that coughing and sneezing that seems like a late winter cold may already be the first signs of spring allergies. Source Link

The rage against America’s big banking machine fueled by customer anger over increased fees has taken its toll. A new survey shows one in ten big bank customers moved their accounts to smaller banks or credit unions last year. The survey showed many customers were already upset over poor customer service before they made the switch. Source Link

Imagine if using your GPS navigation system were as easy as looking straight ahead to see the directions projected in front of you. That’s the idea behind the high-tech glasses being developed by Google. The special shades expected to be on the market this year will link with cloud-based systems to show your location, directions and nearby places of interest. Source Link 

February 28, 2012

It’s a two-state, two-man face-off that could change the Republican presidential primary battle as GOP voters go to the polls today in Michigan and Arizona. Mitt Romney is looking for wins that could solidify his front-runner status ahead of next week’s Super Tuesday balloting. Rick Santorum hopes to shatter the status quo with a victory in Romney’s home state of Michigan. Source Link

Taking the hard line without a soft side can backfire for parents who want to keep their kids on the straight and narrow. A new study shows that super-strict parents who don’t give their children a chance to speak their mind are more likely to raise kids who are disrespectful and delinquent. The key is giving children a voice, but not a vote in setting guidelines for behavior. Source Link

Is that smart phone your companion when you hit the stores? You’re not alone. A new survey shows that about four out of ten smart phone users are plugged into the web doing price comparisons or using apps while browsing the aisles of their favorite stores. And seven out of ten say they’d like to use their smart phone to pay for purchases rather than swiping a credit card. Source Link 

February 27, 2012

The growth of in-car systems that let you to use your cell phone and access the Internet behind the wheel has government regulators asking carmakers to put the brakes on these features for safety’s sake. The new voluntary guidelines would prevent the use of such systems by the driver but not passengers. Distracted driving accounts for one out of ten traffic deaths. Source Link

Do your vacations seem more like a chore than a getaway? You’re not alone. A new survey found that four out of ten Americans spent most of their vacation budget on obligation trips such as reunions, weddings and holiday gatherings. Experts suggest adding a day to the trip for a visit to a nearby city or attraction to get more enjoyment out of your travel investment.  Source Link

Smoking and drinking often go hand-in-hand, and now kicking both habits could be easier too. Researchers say a leading stop-smoking drug may also curb the appetite for alcohol in some people. The drug Chantix blocks nicotine receptors in the brain that can also be responsible for the pleasurable effects of alcohol. Source Link 

February 24, 2012

It’ll be Hollywood’s biggest event of the year at the annual Academy Awards on Sunday, but a new survey shows there are fewer moviegoers heading to the multiplex to see those hit films. About six out of ten Americans say they rarely go out to see a movie, and over half of those who go to movie theaters say they’re doing it less often because of high prices for tickets and snacks. Source Link

The prescription for better vision for kids could be as simple as “get outside and play.” Researchers say children can reduce the risk of nearsightedness the more that they play outdoors. Outdoor play trains the eye to focus on long distances, as opposed to working in close-up settings with computer monitors and handheld devices like smart phones or tablets. Source Link

You may want to think twice about giving your baby that one-of-a-kind name because it could ruin their life. A new study found that most participants on an online dating site would rather stay single than get together with an odd-named person. And those with unique names reported less self-esteem, were less educated and were more introverted. Source Link 

February 23, 2012

Whether you're running for office or just working in one, it pays to be a good politician.  A new survey says more than half of workers feel that involvement in office politics is at least somewhat necessary to get ahead. But when it comes to the real thing, experts suggest you proceed with caution or politely bow out of talk about the politics of an election year to avoid heated debates and ill will. Source Link

If you’re feeling cranky, the cure may be as simple as reaching for a glass of water. New research shows that even mild dehydration can alter a person’s mood, energy level, and ability to think clearly. Experts say if you’re feeling thirst at all, you’re already dehydrated enough for it to affect you. Source Link

There’s a new ranking of winners and losers in the competition to win more satisfied customers on the web. The American Customer Satisfaction Index's annual E-Commerce Report ranks Amazon as the favorite site for shoppers and Travelocity as the top travel destination on the web. The big loser? Netflix, which dropped from top of the list to the very bottom after raising its prices last year. Source Link 

February 22, 2012

Winter weather isn’t the only thing that's been largely a no-show this season. Health officials say the nation’s annual flu outbreak is just starting now, nearly two months behind schedule. That’s the latest flu season in nearly a quarter-century. Officials aren’t sure why the flu virus has had such a late start. Source Link
 

It’s a status symbol for anyone who gets behind the wheel, but is there a dark side to that familiar “new car smell?” A new report claims that the showroom-fresh fragrance is actually caused by toxic chemicals used in making parts of a car’s interior, including brominated flame retardants, chromium, and lead that are associated with birth defects and cancer. Source Link
 

Here’s good news for anyone who’s tired of getting automated, pre-recorded telephone pitches. The FCC is proposing that telemarketers who make “robocalls” would need your permission before dialing you up. And if they do call, you could opt-out for good by pressing a few keys on your phone. Source Link 

February 21, 2012

The federal government's new consumer finance watchdog wants to keep a closer eye on the nation's biggest debt collectors and credit reporting companies. New proposed regulations would give the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau the oversight powers. Debt collectors generate the most non-fraud consumer complaints that are reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Source Link

A proposed nationwide wireless Internet service will not receive government approval because the service could interfere with GPS signals. Regulators say there’s no way to ensure that the LightSquared network would not jam GPS units. The company says it’s the fault of GPS makers whose poorly-designed equipment isn’t tuned properly to prevent the overlap. Source Link

Would Americans eat less if restaurants offered to “downsize” their portions when ordering? A new study found that up to one-third of diners accepted a server’s offer of a smaller portion size for a discounted price. Putting less on the plate to begin with could be a better approach to cutting calories because most people finish everything they are served regardless of the portion size. Source Link

February 20, 2012

How much time will you spend watching TV today? A new report says if you’re the average American, it’ll be just over four hours of television. But how you watch it is changing, as more people are viewing television shows not on the big flat-screen TV but on the web with their computer, or with mobile devices like smart phones and tablets. Source Link

The battle to eliminate a leading cause of heart disease from our diets seems to be paying off. A CDC report says the average level of trans fats found in adults has dropped by over 50% since 2000. Researchers say public health initiatives to raise awareness about the dangers that trans fats pose to heart health have been effective. Source Link

If you believe that time is money, you may be shortchanging yourself when it comes time to relax off the clock. A new study says people who put a price on their time are more likely to feel impatient when they’re not using it to earn money. And that can hurt their ability to derive happiness during leisure activities. Source Link 

February 17, 2012

The family of Whitney Houston is holding a private funeral for her tomorrow in Newark, New Jersey. There will be no public memorial for the singing superstar who was found dead in Los Angeles on the eve of last weekend’s Grammy Awards. That ceremony became an impromptu memorial for Houston, who had struggled with substance abuse since leaving the pop music spotlight. Source Link

If you want to cut the sodium in your diet, skipping that sandwich could be a good way to start. A new report says bread and rolls are the number-one source of added sodium in foods. The number-two source is luncheon meats such as deli ham and turkey. The average American gets about 50% more sodium per day than is recommended. Source Link

Owning a smaller, cheaper car doesn’t necessarily mean a smaller auto insurance bill. Big luxury cars are more costly to insure, but a new report says small cars don’t get the cheapest policies because small cars often sustain more damage in accidents. Minivans and SUV’s that can handle a crash better have the most affordable auto insurance rates. Source Link

February 16, 2012

The American dream is for our children to have a better life, but the current generation of young adults says they’re falling behind. In a new survey, most adults between 18 and 34 said it’s harder to pay for college, find a job, save for the future, and afford a home than it was for their parents. But optimism still remains high among young adults despite the economic challenges. Source Link

If you’re looking for a way to trim some pounds without a major change in diet, a new study says swapping out sugar in your soft drinks can do it. Researchers say people who switched from sugar-sweetened drinks to water or sugar-free beverages lost an average of five pounds. While water is the best choice, sugar-free drinks may help those who have a serious sweet tooth for beverages. Source Link

There’s good news for those who are anxious to trade their old iPad for the new model expected to be unveiled by Apple next month. A report says used iPad’s retain their value better than other tablets, including the Kindle. A year-old iPad that sold new for $500 is worth about half of that on the resale market, while Kindles only fetch about 30-cents on the dollar. Source Link

February 15, 2012

Here’s another reason to watch your weight as you get older. A new study shows that overeating may double the risk of memory loss for people 70 and older. Researchers say the rates of mild cognitive impairment -- which occurs before the onset of Alzheimer’s -- rose along with caloric intake for seniors who ate between 2,000 and 6,000 calories a day. Source Link 
 
It sounds like a dream gig -- getting paid to surf the web -- and now Google is ready to do just that, but don’t quit your day job. The king of search engines will pay $20 a month to those who will allow Google to keep track all of their household online activity. Another plan offers $5 gift cards to those who agree to have all of their web browsing tracked by Google. Source Link 
 
What’s in a name? Well, a new study says the shorter, simpler moniker could be the ticket to more success in life. Researchers used a mock ballot of candidates with longer and shorter first names and found that the simple first names got elected more often. Scientists credit the “name pronunciation effect,” saying people with easily pronounced names are viewed more positively by others. Source Link

February 14, 2012

It’s likely that few teenagers are getting the officially recommended nine hours of sleep, and now there’s evidence that doing with less shut-eye can mean a more-improved performance at school. A national study found that 16-year-olds with the best test scores got about 7 hours of sleep each night. Researchers say the two-hour gap is the difference between what’s needed and how long a youngster can sleep if you let them. Source Link

Cupid's arrow is falling short at the cash register this Valentine’s Day. A new survey shows that Americans are spending less this year on cards, flowers, candy and dining out to celebrate the Day of Love. The survey says women are spending less on Valentine’s gifts, even as men plan to shell out more for what’s become largely a one-way holiday. Source Link

Looks like man’s best friend is picking up some of his worst habits too. In a new survey, veterinarians report that more than half of America’s dogs and cats are overweight or obese. And just like with humans, there’s plenty of denial of the problem -- the vets say that one out of five overweight dogs has an owner who thinks their pooch isn’t portly at all. Source Link 

February 13, 2012

On the eve of the most romantic day of the year, men want to know what’s the secret to holding a woman’s heart when she’s already your wife. Turns out, it’s often words and not deeds. A new survey shows that husbands sharing loving feelings and saying nice things are the top turn-ons for wives, and rank higher than gifts or physical displays of affection. Source Link

You might think you’re facing a big tax bill this year, but is it a billion-dollar payout? That’s the size of the check that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg could be writing to federal and state tax collectors to cover his share of the profit from the company’s public stock offering later this year. It could be the biggest single personal tax bill in American history. Source Link

If you want to eat less at a meal, be careful of who’s sitting at the table with you. People who share a meal together tend to eat as much or as little as their dining companion does. New research also shows that when women dine together, they can mimic each other's eating behavior, even taking bites at the same time. Source Link 

February 10, 2012

Misery may love company, but don’t look for that camaraderie online because most people on Facebook don’t like a complainer. A new study looked at what Facebook friends thought of others who posted negative items. Most said that people whose status updates were filled with complaints were less likeable. Source Link

When it’s time to do the laundry, many people are letting the effort -- and their money -- go down the drain. Consumer Reports says that’s because most people use too much laundry detergent, which wastes money and can prolong washing cycles and wear out clothes faster. Hard-to-read measuring caps get the blame, but using a marking pen on the cap and following label directions can help. Source Link

Here’s a nice round figure -- 100 million. That’s about how many smart phones are now in use in the United States. Android models continue to grow their share and now account for nearly half of all smart phones, while one-out-of-three smart phone users carries an iPhone. The big losers are Blackberry and Microsoft who continue to see users abandon ship for Androids and iPhones. Source Link 

February 9, 2012

The online route to finding new love has gone mainstream. A report says online dating services are now second only to direct introductions by friends as a way to meet that special someone. One out of three people have dated someone based on an online connection, but experts caution that the scientific claims of success for online dating services have yet to be proven. Source Link

Downsizing your dinner plate won’t necessarily do the same for your waistline. A new study found no benefit in using a smaller plate to eat less when people were trying to lose weight. Researchers say the better strategy would be to improve a person’s ability to sense real hunger and fullness to prevent overeating. Source Link

Filing your income taxes electronically can mean a faster refund, but a majority of Americans still don’t trust their most-personal financial data to the information superhighway. A new survey says just over 50% of people have privacy and security concerns about using their home computer to file income taxes, and that percentage has risen since last year. Source Link

February 8, 2012

Never mind the dangers of texting while driving or drinking and driving, because there’s still another health threat putting innocent passengers at risk. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that one out of five older kids are breathing others cigarette smoke in cars. Experts say as smoking bans take hold most everywhere else, the car has become a favorite place to light-up.  Source Link

People joke about being addicted to Facebook, but a new study says it may be no laughing matter. For some, adding status updates and checking those of others could be more addictive than drugs or alcohol. Experts think it’s because Facebook is easily available and the personal cost of succumbing to it seems small compared to other addictions. Source Link

Experts are advising members of the “sandwich generation” who care for children and older parents to look both ways in the search of tax deductions. Everything from medical bills you pay to the cost of hearing aids, walkers and dentures, and even the cost of transporting an elder to the doctor can be deductible, even if the older parent isn’t a dependent. Source Link

February 7, 2012

The road to the Republican presidential nomination is rolling through Colorado and Minnesota, where GOP voters will caucus for their favorite candidates today. Former governor Mitt Romney comes off his Nevada caucus victory with momentum that should widen his lead, but former House speaker Newt Gingrich says he has no plans to quit the race. Source Link

One of America’s biggest names in phone and cable TV  is teaming up with the nation’s largest  DVD rental provider to take on Netflix. Verizon says it will partner with Redbox in a new service that will offer DVD rentals from Redbox kiosks and streaming online video programming. The joint venture is expected to launch in the second half of the year. Source Link 

A consumer-created Super Bowl commercial featuring a dog bribing his owner with snack chips to overlook a dirty deed involving a cat has won the top prize in a poll of favorite ads from the big game. The “Man’s Best Friend” commercial for Dorito’s took the top spot in the USA Today Ad Meter poll, winning a $1 million bonus for the Virginia man who created it. Source Link 

February 6, 2012

All those would-be grandparents can rejoice, because it looks like the Baby Bust is over. A new report predicts a growth in America’s birth rate in 2012 with 4 million births this year. In the wake of the Great Recession and economic hard times that it brought to many young people, the number of births in the United States fell more than 7% from 2007 to 2010. Source Link

A new snapshot of America’s single men and women upends the traditional stereotypes of the playboy male and the ladies who just want to settle down. The survey found that men were more likely to commit to a relationship, even with a woman who isn’t a soul mate. Women were pickier, and their top turn-offs were men who are lazy, sloppy or too needy. Source Link

You’ve heard of tennis elbow? Well, say “hello” to iPad shoulder. That’s when pain develops in the shoulder and neck from using a tablet computer. Researchers found that users experienced discomfort when hunched over a tablet computer that was resting in their laps. Experts suggest setting the tablet at a higher angle to avoid looking down at it. Source Link 

February 3, 2012

The social network that boasts nearly a billion members worldwide wants to raise billions of dollars in a public stock offering. Facebook says it plans to sell shares in the company worth at least $5 billion. Taking the company public could make 27-year old Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg one of the top-five wealthiest people in America. Source Link

Want to beat that mid-day energy dip without a shot of caffeine? Then reach for the chewing gum. A new study shows that chewing mint-flavored gum can dramatically reduce daytime sleepiness. Researchers believe it’s because of the arousing effects of the mint flavor and increased brain activity while chewing gum. Source Link

He’s not be the Manning who Indianapolis football fans longed to see in their first hometown Super Bowl game, but Peyton’s younger brother Eli will lead the New York Giants against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 46 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Patriots are slight favorites to avenge their 2008 Super Bowl defeat by the Giants. Source Link

February 2, 2012

There’s been no shakeout among Republicans seeking for party’s nomination to challenge President Obama in November. Rick Santorum, Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich are staying in the race after front-runner Mitt Romney scored a major victory in the Florida primary. The GOP candidates are out West courting voters ahead of Saturday’s Nevada caucuses. Source Link

That groundhog doesn’t have much of a winter to prognosticate about. January snowfall across the United States was 94% below normal and temperatures averaged higher than normal. The warm, dry winter is bad news for for ski resorts and snow plow drivers but has also sent natural gas prices to a 10-year low and cut heating bills for millions of Americans. Source Link

Super Bowl Sunday is America’s second-favorite day to eat, -- just behind Thanksgiving -- and much of the chowing-down will include chicken wings. It’s estimated that football watchers will consume 100 million pounds of them, or one and a quarter billion chicken wings, along with an equal number of bottles of beer. And about 48 million people will opt for takeout food on the day of the big game. Source Link 

February 1, 2012

There’s evidence that virtual face time is no substitute for the real thing and could even hinder a child’s social development. A study involving 10 to 12-year olds found that those who spent the most time online, watching videos or using digital devices were less likely to develop normal social tendencies than those who had more real face-to-face interaction. Source Link

People who need insulin shots for Type-2 diabetes could look forward to fewer pokes. The FDA has approved a new drug taken as a once-a-week injection instead of the twice-daily shot of insulin. Users of the weekly insulin injection had greater improvements in their blood sugar as compared with those who took twice-daily insulin shots. Source Link

Travelers expect to stay connected and get some free eats, according to a new survey of the top travel amenities that guests want to see at their hotel. The poll conducted by  TripAdvisor.Com says wi-fi service is the most important extra, followed by a free breakfast. Among the least important amenities were room service and turndown service. Source Link