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A
new survey shows that many American families are ill-prepared to deal
with a natural disaster. Nearly half said they don’t have a first-aid
kit or any emergency supplies in their home, and about 50% don’t have at
least three days of non-perishable food and water on hand. Almost as
many said they don’t know all the phone numbers of their immediate
family members. Source Link Researchers
say one way to get more exercise is to keep track of how much you’re
doing. A study found that older adults who wore a pedometer to count
their steps walked nearly twice as much while using the device. The
extra walking didn’t necessarily lead to weight loss, but it did help
participants lower their blood pressure. Source Link Even
with the latest technology, some things don't change. A new survey
found that most people who get their news from tablets like the iPad use
it in the early evening, about the same time that daily news programs
air on TV. And tablet news consumers were more likely to subscribe to
print newspapers and magazines than those who get their news via a smart
phone. Source Link
There’s
not much hope for a late-summer cool-down in the nation’s mid-section. A
new long-term forecast calls for continued extreme heat and
drought-like conditions in the Midwest and North Central states in
August. Cooler conditions will bracket the steamy middle of America with
below-normal temperatures expected on the west and east coasts. Source Link If
you're a fan of 3D movies, you may want to back it up a bit. A new
study found that sitting very close to the movie screen makes you more
likely to experience blurred vision and nausea from the 3D effect.
Younger viewers were also more prone to a bad reaction from a 3D movie
because their eyes are more sensitive to visual stimulation. Source Link
The
battle between parents and kids who want their own cell phone seems to
be all but over, as a new survey shows that 60% of 8-to-12 year-olds now
have a phone. And why are more tweeners carrying cell phones? About 80%
of parents say it's for safety's sake and to keep track of children's
after-school activities. Source Link
All
eyes are on London for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer
Olympics. The theme “Isles of Wonder” will showcase the British hosts
and include a scene that transforms the Olympic stadium into an English
countryside. Some 15,000 performers will take part in the ceremony that
will be viewed by a worldwide audience of four billion people. Source Link
Want
to have a healthier infant? Add a four-legged member to the family. A
study found that babies in homes with dogs had fewer colds and ear
infections. Homes with cats were healthier too, but not as much.
Researchers think that the exposure to a wide variety of microbes with
pets helps the body build a stronger immune system. Source Link
The
smart phone continues its march to dominance in the pockets and purses
of Americans. The latest figures show that two out of three new phones
being sold are smart phones, which now account for 54% of all cell
phones in use. Just over half of smart phone users in the U.S. carry an
Android phone and about one-in-three are using an iPhone. Source Link
Here's
something to keep in mind each time you use Twitter – every one of
those 140-character missives will live forever for future generations.
The Library of Congress is keeping up with its pledge to archive every
public message on Twitter. But the agency has yet to create a process to
give researchers access to the 400 million tweets that are recorded
each day. Source Link Call
it the trifecta of successful weight loss for women. New research shows
that keeping a food journal, not skipping meals, and avoiding going out
to lunch are the three best tools to help you lose weight. Researchers
say overall calorie reduction is more important than whether a diet
focuses on low-fat or low-carbohydrate choices. Source Link
So
how much do teenagers depend on technology to stay connected to the
world? A new study found that one out of six teens say they'd stop
communicating altogether if their favorite social network shut down.
Nine out of ten use Facebook and slightly more have mobile phones, and
only 6% say they'd consider using a house phone or writing a letter as
an alternative to being plugged-in. Source Link
E-books
are going mainstream as the Nook, the Kindle, and the iPad are now the
number-one way that people read adult fiction. Sales of e-books more
than doubled last year as print sales dropped. But despite the rise of
online sellers like Amazon, brick-and-mortar stores are still the places
where most books are sold. Source Link
Do
you suffer from nomophobia – the fear of losing your cell phone? A new
survey found that about half of Americans do, and many would go to great
lengths to avoid being disconnected. Two out of three say they'd dig
through trash to find their cell phone, and one in four say they'd
physically fight a thief to get their phone back. Source LinkSo
what's the sweet spot for the right amount of sleep to keep your memory
sharp? A new study found that seven hours of shut-eye per night yielded
the best results on standard memory tests for women. Five hours or less
of sleep and nine hours or more of resulted in lower scores for
middle-aged and older people. Source Link
You
may be seeing less junk in your email in-box now that an international
team of security experts took down one of the world's biggest spam
operations. The coordinated effort targeted a network using hundreds of
thousands of infected computers that generated about 18 billion emails a
day. Some experts think that the rogue network was responsible for as
much s half of the spam on the Internet. Source Link They
say good things come in small packages, and that seems to be true for
those who want to eat less. A new study showed that you can feel full
faster and eat less later when food is served in small pieces.
Researchers believe that seeing more pieces of food on the plate makes
you think you're eating more and you'll feel more satisfied. Source Link
Is
your favorite summer footwear making for a season of pain? Flip-flops
are a popular choice for summer footwear all day long, but health
experts say you'll risk arch pain and muscle strains from your toes to
your hips. That's because flip-flops provide little shock support for
your feet and force your toes to do all the work to keep your shoes in
place. Source Link
Ever
wonder why those tweets and Facebook updates that you send from the big
game or live at the concert don’t make their way to the Web very fast?
It’s because everybody has the same idea. A new study found that when
thousands gather at an event, cell phone network speeds drop
dramatically. One solution may be to install more mini cell phone towers
at popular venues. Source Link The
conventional wisdom is that young children are pretty selfish, but a
new study shows something different as toddlers were happier giving than
receiving. Researchers tested the children by allowing them to give
away some treats. The toddlers showed more happiness when they gave up
their own treat versus an extra one. Source Link After
some growth last year, music album sales are sliding again. Figures for
the first half of 2012 show that album sales were down 3% and this
year’s biggest-selling album is still the early 2011 release from singer
Adele. Digital song sales increased 6% with 698 million tracks
downloaded since January. The top-selling single was Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know.” Source Link
Want
to know if you’re at-risk for sudden cardiac death? Look down and try
to see your toes. Researchers say they now have proof that carrying
extra weight around your waist is an independent risk factor for sudden
cardiac death. Having a pot belly raised the risk of sudden death
regardless of other conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Source Link Can
technology be put to work to pick up after you? Scientists have
developed a robot that can keep a room neat. The high-tech helper is
programmed to know where things belong in a room and then surveys the
space to see what’s out of place. In testing, the robot was 98%
effective in placing things back where they belong. 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
For
the first time, there’s evidence that poor sleep can raise your risk of
disease. Researchers found that subjects who slept less than six hours
a day with alternating work shifts had a slower metabolism and a
decrease in insulin. Scientists say the chronic sleep deprivation could
lead to diabetes and obesity. Source LinkThe
online world isn’t for everyone. A new report says one out of five
American adults doesn’t use the Internet. Of those, about half say they
don’t need an online connection to keep up with the world. The un-wired
are mostly older, less educated, and the poor, but the report says
there’s much less of a gap between the percentage of whites and
minorities who are online. Source Link It
may not be not rocket science getting a better deal on a new car, but
there’s evidence that research can save you big bucks on that next set
of wheels. A study found that car buyers could save an average of $800
by bargaining at two dealerships after knowing what the dealer paid for
the car. Those who just knew the cost and visited two dealerships paid
$200 less. Source Link
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 LinkIf
you want your baby to grow up to be a scientist or engineer, then break
out the puzzles. A new study found that children who played with
puzzles when they were toddlers developed better spatial skills by the
time they were ready for kindergarten. The ability to rotate and
translate shapes is an important predictor of children who choose
science, technology, engineering and math careers. Source Link What
if recycling all those pages of paper was just as easy as it was to
grab it off the printer? That’s the idea behind a new “unprinter” that
would use a special green laser to eliminate ink from printed pages,
leaving you with a clean sheet of paper. But don’t ditch the recycling
bin just yet - it could be years before the device is on the market. 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 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 LinkWhat’s
a smart smell to use as an indoor fragrance? A new study says the scent
of rosemary can boost your mental performance. Participants worked
faster and scored higher on math tests when exposed to the scent of
rosemary. But scientists admit they don’t know exactly why the chemical
components of the familiar fragrance can boost your brain power. Source Link
Spending
10 minutes with your online persona could be a better predictor of job
performance than any standardized employment test. That’s what
researchers found when they used Facebook profiles to rate job
applicants. Six months later, the Facebook predictions were closer to
their actual job performance reviews than the ratings from standard
pre-employment testing. Source Link You
may think that peer pressure is the major factor in teen behavior, but
it’s not the number-one influence when it comes to underage drinking. A
new survey of teenagers shows that parents continue to be the leading
influence on their kid's decisions to not drink alcohol. Parents rank
significantly higher than friends, teachers, and even law enforcement. Source Link Living
a high-stress life can make even the average illness much worse. A new
study found that people who are chronically stressed are likely to have
more severe reactions to illnesses including the common cold. That’s
because long-term stress increases your resistance to the hormone that
regulates your body’s response to infection. Source Link
So
far it’s been a record-breaking year of warm weather in the United
States, as officials say the first six months of 2012 were the hottest
ever. The last 12 months were also the warmest stretch since
record-keeping began nearly 120 years ago. Scorching temperatures from a
widespread heat wave led to more than 170 all-time high temperature
records in June. Source Link Finding
a pill to cure obesity is the Holy Grail of modern health care, but
what about a shot that could stop you from putting on the pounds?
Scientists say they’ve developed a vaccine that targets a natural
hormone in order to increase metabolism and result in weight loss. The
vaccine now needs to move out of the lab and into human trials. Source Link If
you suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia, this is your last day of worry
for 2012. With it’s third and final Friday the 13th, this year has
maxed-out on the unlucky days. All years have at least one Friday the
13th, and most have two, but none can have more than three, and it won’t
happen again until 2026. Source Link
More
Americans who enjoy the Great Outdoors are hunting for a great shot,
but not the kind from a rifle or bow. A new report says nature
photography is a growing outdoor activity for those who explore public
lands. The U.S. Forest Service says the same study showed that hunting
and fishing has flattened or even declined in popularity. Source Link In
the battle against obesity, it may be that the double cheeseburger is
better for you than junk food from the vending machine. Researchers say
animal fat caused less inflammation and metabolic changes than processed
meats, cookies and chips when fed to lab rats. The junk food diet was
associated with more factors that can lead to Type-2 diabetes. Source Link Microsoft
is on a countdown to introduce its new Windows 8 operating system. The
company says new computers running the system will go on sale in
October, and users of current Windows systems can upgrade for $39.
Windows 8 is key to Microsoft’s strategy to create a system that runs on
desktops, laptops, tablets and smart phones. Source Link
We
have household cleaners with ingredients that kill bacteria, so why not
do the same with what we use to clean our teeth? That’s the idea
following the discovery of a molecule that kills the germ that causes
cavities. Scientists think the substance could be added to toothpaste,
mouthwash and even candy to help prevent tooth decay, and human trials
would be the next step. Source Link For
teens, summer means more than just a break from school. Health experts
say first-time drug and alcohol use for teenagers nearly doubles during
summer, with more idle time and less adult supervision. That’s why it’s
important for parents to keep talking with their kids about the real
risks of substance abuse now and all year long. Source Link There’s
no vacation from all of our digital gadgets when we take that
summertime break from work. A new study found that smart phones and
social media are taking the place of postcards and pay phone calls when
people are on vacation. In fact, wireless use was higher on vacation
then when people were at work. Source Link
If
you’re wondering what global warming looks like, just glance back
at the wild weather of the past two weeks. Scientists who study the
climate say extreme heat, drought, severe storms and heavy downpours are
all the kinds of weather events to expect. But none are ready to say
that the recent extreme weather is definitely the result of global
warming. Source Link
When
it comes to whether your kids will be active or couch potatoes when they're older,
experts say it’s up to you, and it doesn’t take much to make the
difference. One study found that just an extra half-hour of TV per day
for toddlers can set the stage for less long-term physical activity. And
researchers say that overall, most young children are sitting for too long
each day. Source Link
Samsung,
Apple and Microsoft are doing battle on both the tablet and smart phone
platforms, and now another big name in tech may be joining the fight.
Bloomberg News reports that Amazon is working with a Chinese
manufacturer on its own smart phone model to carry the Amazon name. The
phone would run on the Android system. Source Link
Older
women who add exercise can cut their risk of breast cancer. A new study
found that moderate physical activity after menopause reduced the risk
of the most common form of breast cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight
is also important because that reduces body fat, meaning less exposure
to hormones that can be related to breast cancer. Source Link The
market for small-sized tablet computers may be getting a big
competitor. Reports out of China say that Apple is planning to make a
so-called iPad Mini that would match the size of the Amazon Kindle Fire
and the new Google Nexus 7. The smaller model could be priced at $299,
making it an affordable alternative to the full-size iPad. Source Link They
say a yawn can be contagious, and not just for your two-legged
companions. A new study found that dogs will yawn when hearing the sound
of a human yawn. The dogs were more likely to yawn along with their
owner, offering proof that for dogs as well as humans, yawning can be an
emotional sign of empathy. Source Link
Plenty
of Americans are putting in lots of overtime on the job, according to a
new survey that says the average worker spends nearly an extra day at
work each week. Eight out of ten workers say they put in overtime, and
almost half feel they have no choice. And about one-third say they
continue to work at home and find it hard to switch-off and relax.
Source Link Not
getting enough shut-eye could mean more than just fatigue. A new study
says that a lack of sleep is the number-one risk factor for stroke in
people who are not overweight. Researchers say getting less than a
minimum of six hours of sleep per night increased the risk of stroke in
middle-aged and older people of normal weight. Source LinkHow
can a five-gallon bucket help you weather a severe storm like the ones
that knocked out electricity for millions of Americans in the past week?
Experts say you can pack the bucket with food and water, a flashlight, a
battery powered or hand-cranked radio, a first aid kit, money,
medications and a USB drive containing important document files. And
keep it where you can grab it quickly in the event of a natural
disaster. Source Link
There’s
a new way for cellphones to warn you of impending disasters. The
National Weather Service has begun issuing Wireless Emergency Alerts
that appear automatically like a text message on all cell phones in an
area that’s under a warning. The service is designed for alerts like
tornado and hurricane warnings and requires a compatible smart phone.
Source Link Maybe
the old adage about “sleeping on it” should be “sleeping with it” as
new research shows you can learn by listening while you’re asleep. Study
participants were able to learn a musical selection better by listening
to it as they slept. Scientists think the same technique could be used
to learn a foreign language. Source Link A
new study is backing up the old saying that money can’t really buy
happiness. Test subjects reported that happiness in life has more to do
with respect and influence than status or wealth. Researchers say while
people may get used to a higher income, they never tire of being admired
by others. Source Link
Trying
to kick the habit and quit smoking? There’s a vaccine for that. It’s
only in the laboratory for now, but researchers have created a vaccine
that uses an antibody to stop nicotine from reaching the brain, meaning
smokers feel no effects from a cigarette. Scientists say one shot would
provide lifetime coverage. Human testing could begin in a few years.
Source Link Nothing
says “summer” like ice cream, but America’s favorite flavor isn’t some
fancy blend of ingredients. Plain old vanilla still ranks as the
number-one flavor according to a survey of ice cream distributors.
Chocolate chip mint and cookies-and-cream ice cream tied for second
place, and frozen yogurt and no-sugar-added varieties are growing in
popularity. Source Link The
granddaddy of all video game companies is marking its 40th anniversary
this week looking back to the future. Atari was founded in 1972 when it
unveiled “Pong,” the first video game hit. Now Atari’s classic best
sellers like “Centipede” and “Breakout” are finding a new generation of
fans with versions designed to play on mobile devices. Source Link
The
FDA has approved the first new prescription diet pill in 13 years. The
drug Belviq will be limited to use by obese adults or those who are
overweight and have at least one weight-related medical condition, such
as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. Belviq
works by targeting a key area of the brain that regulates appetite. Source Link
Keeping
young drivers safe on the road is a year-round job, but especially this
month. Figures show that July is the deadliest month of the year for
teen drivers, and July Fourth is the deadliest day. Experts say teens are
particularly susceptible to fatal distracted driving incidents and
texting is their biggest distraction behind the wheel. Source Link
College
football is changing the game plan to determine the national champion.
Beginning in 2014, a four-team, two-step playoff system will pit the
number-one ranked team against the number-four team, and number-two
versus number-three. The winners will go on to the national title game.
The top four teams will be selected by committee, much like the NCAA
basketball tournament. Source Link
