August 31, 2012

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is officially the Republican candidate for president. Romney accepted the nomination at the GOP convention in Tampa Florida, capping a six-year effort to become the party’s candidate for the Oval Office. Next week, President Obama will accept the Democratic Party nomination for re-election. Source Link

Even with a gasoline price jump caused by Hurricane Isaac, more Americans are expected to hit the road this Labor Day weekend. According to a AAA survey, the 33 million travelers is a nearly 3% increase over last year. It marks the third holiday increase in travel this year, and the best numbers since the recession of 2008. Source Link


It’s bad news for baby boomers who became pot smokers as teenagers. A study found that 40 years later, those adults scored lower on IQ tests than when they were teens. Experts say the brain is especially vulnerable from the teen years through the early 20s, and frequent marijuana use during adolescence could prove detrimental. Source Link

August 30, 2012

Seven years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city and killed nearly 2,000 people, New Orleans is testing its improved defenses with the arrival of Hurricane Isaac. Isaac could drop more than a foot of rain on Southern Louisiana before the storm heads north and east to soak places from St. Louis to Chicago and Indianapolis by Sunday. Source Link

Some day, the term “driving 55” could be a comment about your gas mileage and not your speed. New government rules would require the average fleet fuel mileage to rise to nearly 55 miles per gallon by 2025. The increase could equal a dollar-per-gallon savings on the price of gas, but would also be likely raise the cost of a new car to pay for new technology for improved mileage. Source Link

Kids with allergies need to take some special precautions in school to help prevent attacks. Experts advise allergic children to avoid chalk dust, be aware of any breathing problems after physical activity, and don’t cuddle with classroom pets. And kids with allergies should pack a lunch to steer clear of any bad reactions from cafeteria foods. Source Link

August 29, 2012

Don’t have an hour to devote to exercise each day? No problem, because 30 minutes might do even better. A study found that overweight men who exercised hard enough to raise a sweat for 30 minutes a day lost more weight than those who exercised for an hour. Researchers think the 30-minute limit might leave enough energy to be more physically active the rest of the day. Source Link

A new study shows that smoking bans have the most benefits for those who don’t light-up. Researchers looked at the rate of heart attacks among smokers and non-smokers after a public smoking ban was imposed. Non-smokers had 25% fewer heart attacks, but the rate stayed almost the same for smokers. Source Link

There won’t be two big announcements next month about new products from Apple. Sources say Apple will wait until October to unveil its new iPad Mini, a smaller version of the world’s best-selling tablet. The announcement of the new iPhone is expected on September 12th, with the new smart phone going on sale about a week later. Source Link

August 28, 2012

It’s deja vu all over again as Isaac takes aim at the Big Easy. Hurricane warnings have been issued along the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to coastal Mississippi, including New Orleans, where Hurricane Katrina struck seven years ago this week. Wind and rain from Isaac caused a delay in the start of the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Source Link

If you use an Android smart phone, your next model could look a bit different thanks to a verdict in a billion-dollar lawsuit. A jury found that Samsung has infringed on patents held by Apple for the iPhone. An appeal is expected, but experts say the verdict could force phone makers who use Android to come up with new designs that don’t mimic the iPhone. Source Link

Back-to-school time means back to after-school snacking for kids and nutrition experts have some suggestions for healthy choices. Parents can pack their own portion-controlled snacks with whole-grain crackers, unsalted nuts and dried fruit in sandwich bags. Or create tasty grab bags by mixing raisins with cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, grapes and celery sticks. Source Link

August 27, 2012

Parents worry about kids and smoking, drug and alcohol abuse and teen pregnancy, but none are the top health concern in their minds. According to a new survey, children not getting enough exercise is the number-one worry of parents, followed closely by obesity. It’s the first time that lack of exercise has topped the annual survey. Source Link

So who’s in the fast lane of the information superhighway? A new FCC report says six out of ten American households now subscribe to a wired broadband Internet service. But only about half of those homes have the faster level of service that allows for use of streaming video sites like Netflix. In some areas, wireless broadband offers better service than wired Internet service. Source Link

Want to know if that political attack ad is telling the truth? Now there’s an app for that. The new “Super PAC” smart phone application listens to the audio from the commercial and uses the same technology designed to identify songs by sound. It identifies the group that produced the commercial and then points you to non-partisan web sites that review political ads. Source Link

August 24, 2012

Political pomp may take a back seat to Mother Nature as the Sunshine State braces for a hit from the first hurricane to make landfall in the United States this year. Issac is churning through the Caribbean on its way toward Florida. The storm track could threaten to disrupt next week’s Republican National Convention in Tampa. Source Link

A new report claims that Americans are throwing away up to 40% of their food each year. The waste occurs in farm fields and supermarkets where less-than-perfect fruit and vegetables are tossed, and at restaurants where large portions often go uneaten. At home, people toss out food based on “sell by” dates even though the items may still be safe to eat. Source Link

Men who want to increase the odds of success in starting a family should add more walnuts to their diet. A new study found that male fertility improved by eating walnuts, which are a source of Omega-3’s that can improve sperm counts. About 40% percent of cases of infertility are linked to problems with the man. Source Link

August 23, 2012

Can the same technology that streams the Internet to your laptop at home help keep you safe when you’re driving? That’s the question at the heart of a year-long experiment in Ann Arbor Michigan where some 3,000 cars will be equipped with WiFi devices that can communicate with other cars and traffic signals to send warnings to drivers and improve safety. Source Link

A fast-acting treatment for depression that could help prevent suicide is getting a push from the U.S. Army. The military is funding research to develop an anti-suicide nasal spray that uses a natural hormone with antidepressant effects that works quickly. The effort comes as the Army is facing its highest suicide levels in history. Source Link

The dreaded “Freshman 15” may be a weight-gain myth for college students, but that doesn’t mean the class of 2016 should be careless when it comes to eating habits. Health experts say incoming college students should stock the dorm room fridge with healthy snacks, drink plenty of water and eat regular meals. The typical college freshman gains an average of about four pounds. Source Link

August 22, 2012

It may still be summer, but it’s time for health officials to focus on flu season with the approval of this year’s vaccine. Experts say it’s important to get vaccinated this year because two of the three virus strains used in this vaccine differ from those that were targeted last year. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older receive an annual influenza vaccine. Source Link

The green jacket made famous by the Masters golf tournament will now come in women’s sizes, as the Augusta National golf club is admitting its first female members. Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and a South Carolina bank executive will become the first women to join the membership ranks after a decade-long battle to end the men-only rule at the home of the Masters. Source Link

Your online viewing habits are your own business, according to a new federal court ruling that applies a 1988 law to the latest technology for streaming video. The court found that the online video service Hulu violated the law created to prevent sharing of video tape rental records with others. Online services can use your viewing history to serve up ads. Source Link

August 21, 2012

If you’re a Baby Boomer, health experts say there’s one test that you need to take. The CDC is advising anyone born between 1945 and 1965 to be tested for Hepatitis C. The infection can go undetected without symptoms, and Boomers have a higher incidence of it. Hepatitis C slowly causes serious liver diseases including liver cancer and is the leading cause of liver transplants. Source Link

The dictionary is catching up with the street and giving official status to a number of catchphrases that we use. The new edition of the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary has added words like aha moment, man cave, brain cramp, mashup, e-reader and bucket list. And it updated the definition of “underwater” to include when a mortgage is higher than the property’s value. Source Link

If you’re among the millions who indulge in binge viewing marathons of their favorite TV episodes on Netflix, it’ll be even easier soon. The company is unveiling a new “post-play” feature that automatically begins the next episode as the credits roll on the one you’re watching. The feature also works for movies by cueing-up the next in a series of sequels or offering similar films. Source Link

August 20, 2012

The sweltering summer of 2012 in America’s mid-section is giving way to a cool breeze blowing in from the Great White North. Forecasters say the so-called “Greenland block” weather pattern is pushing milder air into many areas that were scorched during mid-summer. But the cool-down doesn’t mean an end to drought conditions. Source Link

That blue glow of the laptop screen in a dark bedroom at night could be making you feel a bit blue yourself. A new study suggests that dim, unnatural light like that from a computer or tablet screen can trigger mood changes that mimic depression. The solution is to keep the room lights on or turn the computer off before you switch off the lights. Source Link

People who are at-risk for diabetes may want to add more grapes to their diet. Researchers found that men with pre-diabetes had reduced blood pressure, improved blood flow and reduced inflammation from eating grapes. The natural polyphenols found in grapes are thought to be responsible for the beneficial health effects. Source Link

August 17, 2012

You can get more enjoyment in your golden years by spending less time now glancing in the rear view mirror of life. That’s the finding in a new study that looked at how people deal with regret. Researchers say positive acts such as letting go, forgiveness and being thankful might reverse the brain dysfunctions underlying regret and help prevent late-life depression. Source Link

Here’s a simple prescription to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease -- get any kind of exercise,  anytime. A study found that daily physical activity may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, even in people older than 80. Tasks like washing dishes, cooking, even moving yourself a wheelchair count as physical activity and can help lower risk for mental decline. Source Link

It’s a heavy-duty forecast for the weight of the nation, as a new CDC report predicts that by the year 2030, four out of ten Americans will be obese. That’s a 25-percent increase over the current obesity rate, and all that weight comes with an even bigger number, as researchers say treating the illnesses associated with obesity with cost the nation half a trillion dollars. Source Link  


 

August 16, 2012

First it was traditional phone companies losing landline customers to cell phones. Now they’re falling behind in the battle with cable companies to connect you to the Internet. The decline isn’t necessarily good news for consumers, because less competition could mean higher prices if cable companies gain a monopoly on providing broadband service. Source Link

Health experts now have a clearer view of America’s obesity epidemic, and it’s not a pretty picture. A new report shows 12 states in which at least 30% of adults are obese, with Mississippi having the highest rate. The study is the first to include households that only use cell phones. Source Link

Parents sending kids off to college for the first time need to remember the essentials for computer security too. Student laptops should always have anti-virus software along with a strong password to prevent unauthorized use. And remind young people that public WiFi  isn’t the place to be doing any online transactions using credit or debit card information. Source Link

August 15, 2012

Laws that keep junk food out of school vending machines may be paying off with fewer students who are overweight. A new study found that middle school students gained less weight in schools where snacks and sugary drinks are not sold by law. About one in five American youngsters are obese. Source Link

Getting 100 miles to the gallon may be the impossible dream of every car owner, but hitting that same mark on one battery charge in an electric car is now within sight. GM says it has new technology that will allow electric vehicles to go much farther on a single charge. The breakthrough could allow for an 100-mile range in new electric cars within a few years.  Source Link

Smart phone users aren’t always happy with the amazing technology they carry in their pockets and purses. A new report says users of those iPhones and Androids have more problems with data connections than people who use basic feature phones. And three out of four cell phone users say they experience dropped calls. Source Link

August 14, 2012

It’s every English teacher’s nightmare - a new study suggests that abbreviated spelling in text messaging is hurting kid’s grammar skills. Researchers found that the more texting that was done by middle school students, the worse they scored on grammar tests. They say tweens are simply imitating older siblings and even parents who value speed over accuracy in instant communications. Source Link

Here’s a formula for better health -- give up 20 pounds to gain 10 years. A new study suggests that losing 20 pounds can give up up to 10 years of protection from developing diabetes. Researchers say the benefit continues even if you begin to gain back the weight over the 10-year period. Source Link 

Are you taking the kids to the county fair or a state fair soon? Be sure to keep their hands clean if they’re visiting the animal exhibits. The CDC is reporting an increase of  swine flu cases among children. The outbreak has been linked to animals in farm displays at fairs. Experts think kids are more susceptible because they’re less likely to have been exposed to the flu virus. Source Link

August 13, 2012

Remember when forecasters said they could not have predicted that devastating storm in June that killed over a dozen people and knocked out power to millions? It turns out they could have with a new IBM program called “Deep Thunder” that’s used by some businesses.  It analyzes available data from public and private weather, geological and space agencies and offers three-day forecast that is precise down to less than a mile. Source Link 
 
Not many Americans are following guidelines for child safety seating in cars. A study found that that few children remain rear-facing after age 1, less than 2% percent use a booster seat after age 7, many over age 6 sit in the front seat. The study used observers who looked for child safety seating use in cars at gas stations, fast-food restaurants, recreation centers and child care facilities. Source Link

They say that honesty is the best policy, and it may also be a great health plan. A new study found that people who told fewer lies had better health. Researchers said participants who purposely reduced the number of lies they told each week had less stress and better self-esteem. Experts say the average person lies about a dozen times a week. Source Link

August 10, 2012

If you thought you’d never lived through heat like we had last month, you were right. July 2012 has gone down in the record books as the hottest month ever in the United States, breaking the old mark set in 1936 during the Dust Bowl era. The scorching temperatures in July helped to push nearly two out of three U.S. states into drought. Source Link

Scientists have found that a drug used to treat HIV patients can also help ease the effects of early Alzheimer’s disease, but the dose needed would cost over $700 a day. The next step is to create a more-affordable version, but there’s an easier alternative. Experts say you can get the same memory improvement benefits from four hours of aerobic exercise per week. Source Link

Are you tired of seeing endless baby pictures on your Facebook news feed? There’s an app for that. Unbaby.me is an add-on for the Chrome web browser that replaces baby pictures on Facebook with photos of cats. The Unbaby tool was created by a pair of twenty-somethings who say they’ve grown weary of seeing nonstop photos of their friend’s infants. Source Link

August 9, 2012

Baby boomers could give a few lessons to their kids about the right way to relax. A new survey found that 60% of Boomers say they can completely unplug from work during a vacation. But only 30% of 18-to-31 year olds say they can turn-off the work switch during a break. And less than half of the younger people are using all of their vacation time. Source Link

We know that yoga has been proven to reduce stress, and now scientists know why. A new study found that meditation might alter the activity of proteins that prevent inflammation in the body. An earlier study showed that using yoga chanting for 12 minutes a day reduced stress levels for people who were family caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients. Source Link

The battle for dominance of the smart phone world would seem to be over, at least according to the latest figures that show Google’s Android system is now running on two out of three smart phones. Apple’s iPhone is used by about one out of six people with a smart phone, but that number could jump with next month’s expected introduction of the latest iPhone. Source Link

August 8, 2012

If you’re having trouble getting your pre-schooler to go to sleep at night, you may want to check what they’re watching on TV just before bedtime. A new study found that 3-to-5-year-olds can lose sleep over kid’s shows with too much action or cartoon violence. The best advice is to switch off the TV and read to them or let children play with toys to ease into bedtime. Source Link

In the mind of the average American, there’s no obesity epidemic because many are in denial about their weight. A study found that participants who actually gained weight over a year’s time thought they had lost some pounds. Researchers say the difference may amount to only a pound or two per year, but that can add up fast as people move through middle age. Source Link

Does this sound familiar -- a new survey found that 80% of people shopping for back-to-school items will spend up to $500 on clothes and supplies. One out of five people said that back-to-school shopping is a fun way to connect with their kids, but about 30% said the experience was annoying or stressful. Source Link 

August 7, 2012

New research says turning that frown upside down can reduce your physical stress levels. A study found that the act of smiling led to reduced heart rates and lower levels of stress reported by test subjects. Even a forced smile worked, but a genuine smile did the most to reduce stress. Source Link

Curiosity is getting the best of the Red Planet. NASA’s Curiosity rover is settling-in for the start of a two-year mission to explore the Martian surface to find out whether primitive life arose early in the planet's history.  The rover made a safe landing by being lowered slowly to the surface by cables from a hovering rocket-powered backpack. Source Link 
 
There are pet names, and then there are names for pets that defy explanation. The nation’s top pet insurance company is out with its annual list of wacky names that owners give to their pets. Atop the dog list is Chew Barka, along with Spark Pug and Vienna Sausage. The crazy cat names include Vincent Von Furball and Kitty Gaga. Source Link 

August 6, 2012

Could a restricted rating for movies with smoking help to snuff-out a young bad habit? A new study says movies with scenes in which actors light-up encourage teens to begin smoking. Researchers say a mandatory “R” rating for movies with smoking would keep younger adolescents away and could cut the teen smoking rate by up to 18%. Source Link

There’s a new way for doctors to keep track of whether you’re taking your medicine. The FDA has approved a “digital pill”  that sends signals from inside you after it’s swallowed. The pill contains a sensor the size of a grain of sand that’s powered by stomach fluid and can track when you took the pill, along with heart rate, body position and activity. Source Link

How much has social media changed the way we interact with others? A new survey shows four out of ten people who use social media daily say they would rather connect with someone online than in-person. About half prefer sending a text message versus a live phone call, and say they use email and the phone less now. Source Link

August 3, 2012

If Olympic excitement has you thinking about starting a new exercise routine, you may not need to set aside a half-hour block each day to do it. A new study found that three 10-minute exercise sessions per day were as effective as the recommended 30-minute daily session. The three-way approach worked well for those who were dealing with early symptoms of high blood pressure. Source Link

Back-to-school immunizations aren’t just for the elementary crowd. Health experts say college students ready to head to campus should have their shots too. This includes the vaccine for bacterial meningitis and vaccines for HPV and hepatitis A. If the college-bound don’t have time to get to their doctor, campus health clinics can often administer immunizations. Source Link

A new survey shows that streaming video is now the most popular way to experience movies and entertainment. The Consumer Reports survey found that 52% used streaming video, compared to 47% who saw a movie in a theater and 43% who rented a DVD or Blu-Ray disc. Netflix was the most popular streaming video service. Source Link 

August 2, 2012

The countdown is on to the new iPhone. Reports say that Apple will unveil the sixth generation iPhone on September 12th and it will go on sale September 21st. Pent-up demand for the world’s favorite smart phone affected Apple’s sales, which went down in the 2nd quarter of the year as buyers were waiting for the new iPhone. Source Link

If you work overnights or rotate work shifts, a new study shows you’re more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. Researchers think the disruption of the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle could be to blame. Experts say shift workers should take extra care to eat right, exercise and avoid smoking. Source Link

Sweltering temperatures have been bad news for America’s farmers this summer, but the national heat wave is making for a bumper crop of bugs. Ants, fleas, ticks, and spiders are among the pests that are making a strong showing this year, as hot weather jump-starts their reproductive system after the relatively mild winter didn’t kill off enough of them. Source Link 

August 1, 2012

An electric fan might seem like the next best thing to air conditioning for cooling off during the dog days of August, but a new study says that  mechanical breeze could do more harm than good in extreme heat. Researchers found that when temperatures rise to 95 degrees or more, pushing that hot air onto your skin with a fan can actually raise the body temperature. Source Link

A daily glass of wine can be good for your heart, but it can also benefit your bones if you’re a woman. A new study found that women in their 50s and 60s who consumed one or two drinks a day had higher bone mineral density compared with heavy drinkers and people who don't consume alcohol at all. The bone benefit was not seen in men who were moderate drinkers. Source Link

The web site whose business it is to get you a great date now has a tool to help you escape from a bad one. A new smart phone app from eHarmony called “Bad Date Rescue” will fake a phone call to help you exit an awkward rendezvous ahead of schedule, complete with pre-recorded callers and prompts that will help make it sound like a real call. Source Link