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It’s
a victory for fans of Obamacare. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the
President’s 2010 health care overhaul law that requires individuals who
do not have health insurance to pay a penalty. In the 5-4 decision,
Chief Justice John Roberts said the penalty qualifies as a tax and the
law does not mandate health insurance coverage. Source Link
First
it was Microsoft challenging Apple in the full-size tablet wars, and
now Google is taking aim at Amazon on the smaller scale. The first name
in search will offer its own 7-inch tablet computer running the Android
system. The Google Nexus 7 will be priced at $199 and is expected to
compete with the similar-sized Amazon Kindle Fire. Source Link
New
moms who breast-feed can feel better about returning to a moderate
exercise routine knowing it won’t impact their baby’s growth. A new
study found no evidence that mothers who exercise and breast-feed have
babies who grow more slowly. Experts advise that breast-feeding moms
wait until the baby is at least 6 weeks old to resume exercising. Source Link
If
you’re running a bit late on the way to work, the odds are your boss
won’t mind, because you’re on the job already. A new survey found that
over 70% of employers are more flexible about keeping precise hours,
since they trust their staff is working long before they actually get to
the office, using technology to stay connected via home computers and
smart phones. Source Link In
the battle to control how kids use the Internet, it looks like parents
are losing. A new survey found that only about one-in-five parents
believe that their children were taking steps to hide their Internet
activity, but 70% of teens say they do just that. About a quarter of
parents say they don’t have the time or energy to keep track of their
kid’s web browsing. Source Link It’s
a dream come true for anyone with an early-morning sweet tooth -- a new
study found that adding a dessert to breakfast helps with weight loss.
The combination of a high-protein breakfast with a high-carb snack like a
doughnut or piece of cake kept hunger in-check. But some nutritionists
worry about telling people to eat junk foods as part of a diet plan.
Source Link
There’s
new evidence that keeping it too quiet can keep you from being
creative. Researchers found that moderate background noise comparable
to the sound of a busy coffee shop triggers the brain to think
abstractly. But adding the noise track on the job works best only in
limited doses and for people who are already in the habit of thinking
out of the box. Source Link
That
“senior” moment when the brain seems to freeze as you struggle to
recall a word or thought is more common than you think. A new study
found that six out of ten healthy older adults had a daily absentminded
event. Researchers say that occasionally forgetting a name or word does
not mean that an elderly person is in the early stages of Alzheimer's
disease. Source Link
Don’t
look now, but Facebook has changed your email address on the social
network. The company replaced all email addresses with a facebook.com
email that was assigned to each user. But you can reset it back to your
preferred email address by editing your contact info from the “About
You” settings. Source Link
Publishers
are limiting the number of e-books that they sell to libraries, and
that’s keeping many Kindle owners and Nook lovers from borrowing instead
of buying. A new study found that only 16% of e-book users had
downloaded a title from a library. About half say they’d like to read an
e-book from a library, but face limited selections and low availability
of titles. Source Link If
you think that using a no-fat dressing on your salad is the
most-healthy choice, you may want to think again. A new study found that
many of the important nutrients and vitamins in salad vegetables aren’t
fully absorbed by the body without a touch of fat. Researchers say
olive-oil based dressings offered some of the best results with the
fewest grams of fat. Source Link Weather
forecasters are predicting lots of rain for the Sunshine State as
Tropical Storm Debby remains parked off Florida’s northern Gulf coast.
The Panhandle area is bearing the brunt of the storm that isn’t
threatening to grow into a hurricane, but is moving slowly. Because of
that, some areas could see up to 15 inches of rain from Debby. Source Link
If
you’re coming off a weekend when you slept-in, you may be setting
yourself up for a shock when you step on the scale. A new study found
that the varying sleep patterns known as social jet lag can increase
your risk of obesity. That’s because getting too little sleep and then
trying to catch-up disrupts the body’s natural rhythms that also manage
your metabolism. Source Link Americans
are now spending more on electronic books than the hardcover kind. New
figures show that e-book sales in the first quarter of 2012 topped
hardcover book sales for the first time. Sales of downloadable audio
books are growing the fastest. The trends are linked to the brisk sales
for e-book reader devices during last holiday season. Source Link Knowing
your fractions and long division may seem like kid stuff, but a new
study says it’s vital to having the skills to compete in today’s work
world. Researchers found that many adults have trouble with fractions
and long division. Both are key to math proficiency at a time when
everyone from factory workers to Wall Street brokers use math every day
on the job. Source Link
New
moms and dads often need a network of help to handle the unexpected
challenges of parenthood, and many are turning to the world’s biggest
social network for support. A new study found that mothers of newborns
spend more time on Facebook, and not just posting pictures. Researchers
say Facebook may be a way for stressed-out moms to seek support and for
both parents to be reassured. Source Link Investing
time in exercise during middle age can pay off plenty with lower health
care costs in your golden years. A new study found that fit middle-aged
men and women had significantly lower medical expenses later in life,
compared to people who failed to stay in shape and later had annual
medical claims that were up to 40% higher. Source LinkLooking
for the ultimate graduation gift for your teenager? If that means a new
car, AAA has a list of the favorite models for teens that also score
well for safety. Imports top the list with the Volkswagen Golf, Honda
Civic, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Sportage. Also among the top safety picks
for teen drivers are the Ford Focus and Ford Fusion. Source Link
Call
it “good news, bad news” in the latest annual survey of America’s
health conducted by the Centers for Disease Control. The good news is
that we’re drinking and smoking less, more people are being vaccinated,
and more have access to health care. The bad news is that obesity
continues to rise, opening the door to more cases of diabetes and
cardiovascular disease in years to come. Source Link With
summer officially here, Americans are ready to hit the road for a
vacation, and most plan to do that from behind the wheel. A new survey
found that 80% of vacationers will be driving to their getaway spot this
summer, mostly to save money in the midst of a still-struggling
economy. About one-in-three say they’ll spend less on their vacation
this year. Source Link
They
say dogs are man’s best friend, and it’s not just when things are going
well. A new study found that dogs were more likely to approach a crying
person than someone who was humming or talking. And it’s not just
owners who get the love; researchers said that during their test, the
dogs also approached strangers who were crying. Source Link
Microsoft
is taking a page from the Apple playbook and building its own tablet
computer to do battle with the iPad. The Microsoft Surface will run on
the new Windows 8 platform and features a 10.6 inch screen, a built-in
kickstand for easier viewing and a removable cover that’s also a
keyboard. No word yet on pricing or when the Surface will go on sale.
Source Link
Easy
riders may not appreciate them, but laws that require motorcycle helmet
use improve safety and save money too. The CDC says mandatory helmet
laws prevent 37% of crash deaths and save over $3 billion in health care
costs nationwide. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia require
helmet use and 28 states have partial helmet laws. Source Link You
may want to think twice before you switch on the television from across
the room during your next hotel stay. A new report says the most
contaminated spot in a hotel room is the TV remote control, followed by
the bedside lamp switch. The findings may help hotel managers devise
more-effective ways of cleaning up after each and every guest. Source Link
There’s
more evidence that Mom was right about breakfast being the most
important meal of the day. A new long-term study found that people who
ate a daily breakfast were less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes or
become obese, as compared to those who rarely ate breakfast. The type of
breakfast didn’t matter either, as long as people didn’t skip the meal.
Source Link Is
your email in-box the high-tech equivalent of the old-fashioned gossip
grapevine? A new study claims that 15% of work email could be classified
as office scuttlebutt. Researchers looked at hundreds of thousands of
emails from the former Enron Corporation and found office gossip in
messages from all levels of the corporate ladder. Source Link Scientists
are again warning that rapid melting of the Artic ice is setting the
stage for more wild winter weather, both good and bad. They say the past
winter with its lack of cold and snow in the continental U.S. was just
the opposite in Europe and Alaska, with record snowfall and low
temperatures, and is just as likely as another mild winter. Source Link
It’s
good news, bad news when it comes to keeping teen drivers safe behind
the wheel. A CDC report says there’s been an increased use of seat belts
and a drop in drinking and driving, but one in three teenagers are
risking tragedy because they text while driving. Car crashes are the
number-one cause of death for teens. Source Link There’s
more evidence that you’re never too old to quit smoking. Results from
studies in the U.S. and six other countries showed that even smokers
over the age of 60 had prolonged life expectancy after they kicked the
habit. The findings debunk the common perception that there’s no real
benefit to quitting smoking after a lifetime of lighting-up. Source Link Flying
the friendly skies is becoming less fun these days, as overall marks
have dropped in an annual survey of airline passenger satisfaction.
Low-cost carriers had improved scores with Jet Blue topping the list.
Among major carriers, Delta scored the best in third place, followed by
Continental and American, and U.S. Airways was in last place. Source Link
Recognizing
the growing concern over brain injuries, the nation’s biggest football
organization for kids has new rules that will limit contact between
players during practices. Pop Warner Football will ban full-speed,
head-on tackling and prohibit all contact during most of practice time.
Research has shown that young players can be especially vulnerable to
concussions from football hits. Source Link Some
of the titans of commerce are doing battle for the best of nearly 2,000
new top-level Internet domain names that could be assigned soon.
Sought-after suffixes like dot-love, dot-music, dot-movie and dot-wow
are in the sights of companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google and
Microsoft. The new domain at the top of the wish list with the most
requests is dot-app. Source Link Is
Dad finally getting some respect when it comes to gifts on Father’s
Day? A National Retail Federation survey shows that spending for
Father’s Day 2012 will be the biggest ever, averaging $117 per Pop for
everything from patio sets and grills to ties and gardening tools,
That’s up 10% but it still pales in comparison to the average $152 that
is spent on gifts for Mother’s Day. Source Link
If
you’re a Verizon Wireless customer, get ready for some changes. The
nation’s biggest provider says it will phase-out nearly all of its
existing plans and introduce new offerings to encourage you to share
your monthly data capacity on tablets and PC’s and among other
subscribers on your family plan. The “Share Everything” plans also
include unlimited phone calls and texts. Source Link The
recipe for a life-long healthy heart may be smaller portions at every
meal. A new study found that people who ate 30% less calories had the
better heart function that’s key to avoiding heart attack and
cardiovascular disease. Researchers say those on a calorie-restricted
diet had hearts that function as if they were years younger than their
age. Source Link Everybody
loves bacon, and not just for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Burger King’s newest dessert is a bacon sundae features bacon bits and a
slice of bacon atop vanilla ice cream with caramel topping. The
limited-time offering is part of a menu revamp for the fast-food chain
that hopes to boost sales ahead of an expected public stock offering
this summer. Source Link
Want
to live a happier life? Try setting the alarm clock earlier. In a new
study, morning people said they are happier with life than night owls.
Experts say it’s not just an attitude, because people who are early
risers often get better sleep, and that can benefit the body’s immune
system. Source Link
Being
an active member of the social media community often makes for better
citizens in the real world too. A new survey found that people who use
social media regularly were more likely to be volunteers and took a
more-active role in community issues. And nearly two-out-of-three people
say that their online experience makes them a better-informed consumer.
Source Link There’s
more proof that simple habits can help prevent some serious diseases.
For example, eating fish is shown to reduce the risk of colorectal
cancer, and having your teeth cleaned regularly can cut your odds for a
heart attack or stroke. The basic approach also works with breaking bad
habits, as hypnotherapy and acupuncture are shown to be effective to
help stop smoking. Source Link
As
summer travel season begins, AAA says it expects to rescue nearly 8
million stranded motorists over the next three months. Experts say you
can help avoid being one of them by doing some basic checks yourself,
like inspecting all of your tires, including the spare. Also, check your
car battery for dirty or loose connections, and replace a battery
that’s more than three years old. Source Link
The
Internet certainly isn’t just for young people anymore. A new survey
shows that, for the first time, over 50% of people over the age of 65
are now online. Researchers found that 70% of web-savvy seniors go
online every day, and one-third use social networking sites, with
one-out-of-five of them checking status updates and posting every day.
Source Link
All
those iPhone lovers who are anxious for news of the next version of the
world’s most popular smart phone will have to wait a bit longer. At the
start of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday, Apple
CEO Tim Cook did not announce when the next iPhone will go on sale. Some
had hoped for a summer launch, but a fall debut for the new iPhone is
likely now. Source Link
Whether
you measure temperatures by the season or the calendar year, it’s been
the warmest weather ever on record in the United States. Average
temperatures for March, April and May set a new all-time high for Spring
and the biggest above-average mark for any season. The latest record is
part of a 12-month warm weather streak that began in summer last year. Source Link Want
to know your risk of diabetes? Just break out the tape measure. A new
study found that the size of your waist could be a better predictor of
diabetes risk than the Body Mass Index that uses height and weight. For
those who are overweight, a large waist would be 35 inches or more for
women and 40 inches or more for men. Source Link Results
of a new survey may show that Facebook has an uphill climb to make good
on its initial $100 billion public valuation. The Reuters/Ipsos survey
found that 80% of Facebook users have never bought a product or service
because of an ad or a comment on the social networking site. And one out
of three say they’re using Facebook less now that they did six months
ago. Source Link
The
remnants of last year’s Japanese tsunami are arriving on America’s
Pacific Coast in a big way. Officials in Oregon are examining a 70-foot
long section of Japanese dock that washed up on a beach there this week.
It’s more than just a curiosity, because scientists are concerned about
what kind of foreign organisms found on the debris could be hitching a
ride to the U.S. Source Link
The
magic ingredient that can help people begin a healthy lifestyle isn’t
naturally grown or minimally processed. Researchers say paying $175 to
participants in a three-week study prompted more of them to eat better
and exercise more. And the healthier habits stuck with them long after
the study, even without the cash incentive. Source Link If
you’re finding fewer co-workers in the office on Friday this time of
year, you’re not alone. A new survey says three out of four companies
offer flexible schedules during the summer and 60% allow employees to
leave early on Fridays. Flexible scheduling and that early start to the
weekend were the most coveted summer benefits cited by employees in the
survey. Source Link
A
leader in children’s media is planning to ban junk food ads aimed at
kids. Disney says beginning in 2015, its television shows, radio
stations and web sites will not accept ads for food products that don’t
meet standards for lower sugar, fat, sodium and calories. The program
includes a new Disney seal of approval for products that meet the
guidelines. Source Link
Americans
may be taking everyday pain relief to a dangerous level without even
knowing it. A new study found said up to one-quarter of people who used
acetaminophen products like Tylenol were at risk of overdose and liver
damage by taking too much each day. The recommended dose is 4 grams a
day, or no more than 8 Extra Strength Tylenol tablets. Source Link
Looking
for an iPhone but not a two-year contract with your cell phone carrier?
Two of the nation’s pay-as-you-go services are preparing to offer the
world's most popular model. Virgin Mobile and Cricket will sell the
iPhone 4S for $500 and the iPhone 4 for $400 for their monthly pre-paid
services that comes without a long-term contract. Source Link
These
are boom times for one field of work that’s designed to help others
erase their past. Laser tattoo removals are up by 32% as many people are
getting rid of the old ink to help them land a new job. Tattoo removal
specialists say there’s been a
significant increase in the number of patients who want to get rid of a
tattoo for career advancement or new employment. Source Link
That
old saying about living long by laughing often may be more than just an
adage. Researchers who studied people near 100 years old found that the
majority of them laughed easily and were relaxed, friendly,
conscientious and upbeat about life. And the study authors say it's
never too late to adopt that kind of "can-do" spirit. Source Link
If
you think the information superhighway is a busy place now, just wait a
few years. A new report predicts a four-fold increase in web traffic
worldwide by the year 2016, spurred by more of us using multiple devices
like web-enabled smart phones and tablets. That presents a challenge
for providers to supply enough bandwidth to keep up with demand. Source Link
If
you think the rest room is “germ central” in most offices, think again.
A new study found that the office break room or kitchen was the
bacteria hot spot. High levels of germs were found on three out of four
sink faucet handles, nearly half of all microwave oven door handles, and
one-fourth of all refrigerator doors. Source Link
When
it comes to winning the battle of the bulge, it may not be what you
eat, but also when you eat it. Researchers say mice who ate for just
eight hours a day gained less weight than those who could eat the same
amount of food any time. Experts think the liver and intestines may have
times of the day when they work at peak efficiency to limit how many of
those calories end up around your waist. Source Link
Wondering
which of the Big Three carriers will give you the best service with
your iPhone? A new report using iPhone user data from six major U.S.
cities found that AT&T had the fastest speeds, but the most
inconsistent service. The iPhones on Verizon had web pages load the
fastest, and Sprint offered the slowest but most consistent service for
iPhones. Source Link
You
can spot one of our neighbor planets in the sky tomorrow and do it in
the light of day. The planet Venus is making a rare trip across the Sun
and will appear as a black dot against the solar surface. You don’t need
a telescope to see it, but you should use a strong pair of dark
sunglasses if you plan to look at the Sun during the event. Source Link
There’s
new scientific proof to back up some old advice on how to make it
easier to get a shot. Researchers say test subjects reported less pain
when they didn’t watch a simulated prick of the needle. Looking away was
even better for those who who had a previous painful experience with a
needle, and a warning before the shot helped too. Source Link Aspirin
has been called the wonder drug, and there could be one more reason to
be amazed by it. Scientists think that aspirin may help prevent skin
cancer, as studies show lower rates of some skin cancers among aspirin
users. One theory is that aspirin combats inflammation caused by
sunburns that can lead to the development of skin cancer. Source Link
June
1st marks the official start of the 2012 hurricane season, but Mother
Nature already has a head start. Experts are predicting six hurricanes
including two major storms, and that would be fewer than last year. But
there’s already been two named storms this year including Beryl, whose
rains washed-out Memorial Day weekend for many along the Florida-Georgia
coast. Source Link Looking
for a way to keep from being the main course for mosquitoes during your
next cookout? Think about what you eat and drink. Scientists say the
skin of people who eat lots of the same types of food are more tasty to
mosquitoes than those who have a more-varied diet. And ease up on the
brew, as mosquitoes love the smell of beer as it drifts off a beer
drinker's body. Source Link If
you’re tired of hearing those clique questions asked of contestants in
beauty pageants, you could pose one yourself. The organizers of Sunday’s
Miss USA contest are letting viewers offer their own final question via
Twitter. One tweet will be chosen as the question to be asked of the
final five contestants. Source Link
