April 30, 2013

Americans don’t want their sweet tooth taxed. A new survey found a majority oppose any plan for taxing soda or candy to discourage consumption. The idea of taxing calorie-rich candies and sodas is popular with some public health advocates, but many people doubt the bigger price tags would trim the national waistline. Source Link

The world is moving quickly to smartphones which have outsold feature phones in global sales for the first time ever. Two out of three phones purchased in the United States are smartphones. In the battle for market share, number-one Samsung is selling nearly twice as many smartphones as number-two Apple. Source Link

The roadside breathalyzer test could someday be a tool to track more than just drunk drivers. Scientists have modified a standard breath sampler to detect cocaine, methamphetamines and the active ingredient in marijuana. The device can detect the presence of drugs up to 24 hours after their use. Source Link

April 29, 2013

Many Americans are taking a short-sighted view to the need for long-term care in old age. A survey found that only one in four people over the age of 40 think it’s likely they’ll need help, even though half say they’ve helped care for their aging relatives. Statistics show that nearly 70% of Americans will need long-term care. Source Link 

Should your car have some “built-in” common sense when it comes to smartphone use?  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has asked automakers to equip cars to block text messages, web browsing, and video conferencing in a moving vehicle. Distracted driving has been blamed for one in ten traffic deaths. Source Link

That simple snip could mean more time to enjoy with Man’s Best Friend. A new study found that spayed and neutered dogs live longer than those who are not sterilized. The added longevity averaged about a decade in dog years, or an additional 18 months in human time. Source Link

April 26, 2013

Regardless of good eating habits, size still matters when it comes to how you dish-up that meal. A study found that people who are given large servings of food eat more than those with smaller servings, even after they’ve been taught about the impact of portion sizes. The trend toward bigger servings is linked to the rise in obesity. Source Link 

Listening to soothing sounds at bedtime can do more than help you sleep. A study found that subjects who heard special sounds synchronized to brain rhythms improved their memory ability. Researchers think the sound stimulation prolongs deep sleep, during which the brain processes information and forms memories. Source Link

Is your beer glass throwing you a curve when it comes to figuring out how much you’re drinking? A new study found that people drink beer nearly twice as fast from a glass that has a curved shape versus a straight-sided one. Researchers think the curved shape makes it harder to tell at a glance how much of the glassful is left, and that makes people drink faster. Source Link

April 25, 2013

It's not just the budgets of young adults that are taking a hit from massive student loan debt. Experts say college graduates saddled with school debt are not buying cars and homes. That's a problem because young professionals have traditionally been strong consumers who drive the nation’s economy with big-ticket purchases. Source Link

Alcohol and teenagers can be a deadly mix, and not just behind the wheel. A new report says only one-third of underage drinking deaths are caused by auto crashes. Some 30% of teen alcohol-related deaths are murders, 14% are suicides, and nearly one of out ten deaths are caused by alcohol poisoning. Source Link

When you’re brushing-up that resume for a job search, here are some ways to keep it from landing in the circular file. Among the top pet peeves for hiring managers are resumes that use tiny fonts or colored paper or have a job objective that's too vague. And with the popularity of social media sites, there's no need to add a photo. Source Link

April 24, 2013

This could be a good excuse for teenagers who sleep the morning away – they're staying slim. A study of high schoolers found that each additional hour of sleep meant a lower body-mass index. Researchers say adding a few more hours of sleep per night could help some 500,000 young obese and overweight teens. Source Link

The same folks who make a living by tracking your every move online are about to pull back the curtain and give you a look at what they've been gathering. The data mining company Acxiom is planning a website that will allow consumers to see the information on file about them. Acxiom uses online purchase records, social media posts and survey information to classify households for marketers. Source Link 

Scientists are looking to an Old World remedy to help develop a new weapon against bedbugs. The spiny leaves of kidney bean plants were used for hundreds of years to trap bed bugs, and now researchers are hoping to duplicate the technique in a man-made product to stop the tiny pests without the use of dangerous chemicals. Source Link

April 23, 2013

The boss may be watching to see if you're texting behind the wheel while on the job. A survey found that 70% of companies have policies that limit cell phone and tablet computer use in company vehicles. And 20% say they employ technology to track whether employee drivers are texting or web surfing while on the road. Source Link 

If you're really looking to lose weight, you'll need to run before you walk. A new study found that overweight adults who run for exercise lost 90-percent more weight than walkers did. And running offers the benefit of time savings too, because you can get the same amount of exercise as walking in only half the time. Source Link 

Just as the smell of coffee can make you crave a cup of Joe, a taste of beer could trigger the brain to make you want much more. Researchers say just the flavor of someone's favorite beer was enough to switch-on the brain's reward and pleasure centers. The chemical reaction was greater in those who had parents or siblings with alcoholism. Source Link

April 22, 2013

The new must-have Android smartphone makes its debut on all of America’s major carriers this week. The Samsung Galaxy S4 will be available first for T-Mobile customers on Wednesday, and then roll out to Verizon, Sprint and AT&T. Prices with a two-year contract range from $199 to $249 for the 16-gigabyte model. Source Link 

Here’s another reason to aim for a full-term pregnancy. A new study suggests that a child's development may suffer if they are born even a few weeks early. Many women choose to have labor induced or to have an elective Cesarean delivery before the full term of their pregnancy is up. Source Link

In today’s social media world, the blind date isn’t so blind. A survey found that nearly half of women research a date on Facebook before their first meeting. The most popular way to arrange a first date was through a friend, followed by use of an online dating site. Only 7% said they meet a first date at a bar or club. Source Link

April 19, 2013

So what’s the biggest network on cable? If you’re thinking ESPN, CNN, or the Disney Channel, think again. Customers of Netflix watched more than 4 billion hours of streaming movies and programs in the first three months of the year. That’s 87 minutes per day per subscriber, and on-par with viewership for the most popular cable channels. Source Link

Could a dental procedure for a young child prevent the need to have wisdom teeth removed later? A study found that injecting dental anesthesia into the gums may stunt the growth of wisdom teeth. Researchers say children who had dental anesthesia shots at a young age were less likely to develop wisdom teeth. Source Link 

There’s a call for federal regulators to make sure your Android smartphone gets the latest system updates. The American Civil Liberties Union wants the Federal Trade Commission to order carriers to provide regular updates to prevent security flaws. Many older Android smartphones are not updated with the latest operating software. Source Link

April 18, 2013

Google is ready to help you plan your digital afterlife. Their new Inactive Account Manager lets you designate what happens to your Gmail messages, YouTube videos, Google Drive documents and Picasa photos after you die. Accessing online accounts after someone has passed away has been a problem for some families. Source Link

A new remedy for morning sickness is actually an old treatment that was banned by government regulators three decades ago.  The FDA has approved the use of the morning sickness medication formerly known as Bendectin and now called Diclegis. It’s the only medication specifically approved to treat the stomach upset many women suffer from during pregnancy. Source Link

Many people make a snack of chocolate and a diet soda, but combining one with the other could yield a tasty low-fat treat. Chemists have found a way to replace as much as half the fat normally found in chocolate through infusion of a liquid such as fruit juice, vitamin water, or even diet soda, and still retain that melt-in-your mouth chocolate taste. Source Link

April 17, 2013

A high-fiber diet can be good for your brain too. A new study found that even a small increase in daily fiber intake can lower your risk of stroke. That’s because fiber can cut key risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, and can help lower levels of bad cholesterol. Source Link

Sleep apnea isn’t just a bedtime problem, as sleep disorders can also impair your driving. Researchers say more than one-third of those with sleep apnea admit to nodding off while behind the wheel, and had more crashes and difficulty following a clear set of directions during a driving simulation. Source Link

If you’re on America’s number-one network, it’ll be an even longer wait for your next cellphone upgrade. Verizon says starting in January it will rollback upgrade eligibility from 20 to 24 months to match the length of service contracts. The move will save the carrier on phone subsidy costs. Number-two  AT&T still offers upgrades at 20 months. Source Link

April 16, 2013

Is there a new generation that will never subscribe to pay TV? That’s the question as figures show no growth in cable and satellite subscribers and more young Americans choosing online services for their viewing. Some have even skipped buying a TV and watch all their programming on laptops, tablets or phones. Source Link

It’s an uphill battle to fight unhealthy habits in our teenagers. A new study found that 80% of teens have poor diets and many don’t get enough exercise. Experts say that’s a real problem because early bad habits can jumpstart problems like heart disease and diabetes. Source Link

There’s some good news about the state of America’s airline industry. A new government report says more flights arrived on-time last year, but there were also 20% more customer complaints filed with federal regulators. Southwest Airlines had the fewest and United Airlines had the most. Source Link 

April 15, 2013

Imagine a world where the IRS would complete your federal income tax return for free. A  service has been proposed to automatically complete a return and calculate taxes and refunds based on your W-2 information. But big tax preparers like TurboTax have lobbied Congress to block the easy option for filing taxes. Source Link

One key to keeping kids at a healthy weight may be to have them eat more often. A study found that kids who ate more than three times a day were less likely to be overweight. But experts caution that what you’re eating at each meal or snack is still as important as how often you eat. Source Link

For men, a bald spot could mean more than a little embarrassment. New studies show a link between heart disease and baldness, with the risk increasing with more hair loss. But the connection only seems to apply for men who are balding at the top of their heads, and not those with a receding hairline. Source Link

April 12, 2013

You can stop worrying about losing your Saturday mail service anytime soon. The Postal Service is dropping a plan to cut Saturday delivery to save money. The recent budget measure passed by Congress includes a provision that requires the Postal Service to maintain six-day-a-week delivery. Source Link

High blood pressure during pregnancy could be a warning sign for problems to come for women later in life. Researchers found a link between hypertension in pregnant women and their odds of suffering from hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. Scientists think there could be a biological link between both conditions. Source Link

How much kids will eat depends on how big a plate you give them. A new study found that first graders loaded up more calories on bigger plates in the school lunchroom. But as most moms already know, many had eyes bigger than their stomach and only ate about half of the extra food. Source Link

April 11, 2013

America’s blood pressure is on the rise. A report says three out of ten Americans now have high blood pressure. That’s a 10-percent increase over five years, and only about half of those with high blood pressure have it under control. Too much eating and too little exercise is largely to blame. Hypertension can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Source Link 

A little straight talk with your college-bound child can go a long way toward keeping them from too much partying on-campus. A study found that the most effective time to discuss underage drinking is the summer before freshman year. Talking about moderation once the school year had begun had little or no impact on drinking habits. Source Link

Tablets and e-readers are all the rage, but most people still prefer to read a book in print. A survey showed that three out of four people would rather hold a book than read from a screen. But nearly 70-percent of those surveyed said they prefer to read a newspaper online rather than in print. Source Link

April 10, 2013

“Walk, don’t run” may be the order of the day for optimal health. A new study says brisk walking is as good as running for reducing blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes risk. Experts say it's a matter of how far you walk or run, not how long, and while running can cover more ground, brisk walking offers the same benefits. Source Link

It looks like everyone who wanted a HDTV probably has one now. A report says television sales are at record lows as the replacement of older-style tube TV’s is complete. The good news for TV makers is that sales should begin to grow again as new technologies like ultra high definition and organic L.E.D. start to attract more buyers. Source Link

Wearing a contact lens at night could actually be good for you. Researchers have developed a contact lens that can be worn overnight to help correct near vision. The new product is aimed at the baby boomer generation who don’t want to resort to wearing reading glasses. Source Link

April 9, 2013

Forget about heart disease or cancer treatment -- the big ticket item in America’s health bill is paying for dementia care. It’s nearly a quarter-trillion dollars a year, and most of that is paid by families for long-term care in or out of the home. Officials predict that the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease could triple by the year 2050. Source Link

Marriage is taking a backseat for more Americans. A new report says nearly half of women under 45 years old  have cohabited outside of marriage, including three-quarters of women under 30. Tough financial times have led to fewer marriages, but the longer a couple lives together, the more likely they are to have a child. Source Link

If it works for selling skin products, why not hair care? America’s growing Baby Boomer population is being targeted with new anti-aging shampoos and hair products. Scientists say it’s not snake oil either; products that can make hair thicker will also make it look fuller, but they won’t replace lost follicles. Source Link

April 8, 2013

Looking for a longer life? You might find it in the seafood department at the grocery store. A new study found that people who regularly ate fish like salmon and tuna that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids lived longer. The same benefits did not come from taking fish oil supplements to get more omega-3.

About one-in-ten school-aged children have been diagnosed with ADHD, including one out of five boys in high school. A CDC report says that’s a 53-percent rise in ADHD cases in the last decade. Two-thirds of youngsters with ADHD are taking medications that can help ease symptoms but also risk addiction, anxiety and even psychosis. Source Link

Those who are anxious for the next iPhone won’t have long to wait. Reports say Apple will unveil the iPhone 5S in June and sales will begin a few weeks later. Apple is also expected to offer a new lower-priced iPhone model to help win a bigger share of the prepaid market that’s been dominated by Android smartphones. Source Link

April 5, 2013

Can being a part of the world’s biggest social network boost your self-confidence? A new study found that that Facebook profiles offer people reassurance about their self-worth. The profiles allow them to display their most valued personal traits and relationships, and people will view their profiles to boost their sense of self-esteem.  Source Link

The success of gastric bypass surgery may have more to do with bacteria than a smaller-sized stomach. A new study found that the surgery can alter gut bacteria to help maintain lower body fat and lose weight. Researchers say the findings could someday lead to a non-surgical treatment to battle obesity. Source Link

Bargain hunting can pay off when it comes to buying prescription drugs. A Consumer Reports study looked at out-of-pocket costs for five popular generic drugs at 200 pharmacies nationwide. They found the average patient who is not shopping for the best price was overpaying for their prescriptions by about $100 a month. Source Link

April 4, 2013

A new poll shows that Americans wish they had studied more in college and would tell their children to finish their degrees rather drop out of school for a great job. When asked which college movie they wished their school years had resembled, twice as many named the Oscar winning film "Good Will Hunting," than the fraternity house comedy "Animal House."  Source Link

For much of the United States, there are not a lot of signs of spring yet, unless you have seasonal allergies. People with hay fever may notice more severe symptoms because of higher pollen counts, and allergy seasons may last longer. Experts suspect that climate change is responsible for this. Source Link

Some experts warn that the next generation of touchscreen computers could trigger a wave of new aches and pains for users. That’s because using a touchscreen on a computer like the new Windows 8 system requires more reaching and leaning. The same moves aren’t a problem for tablet users because they can bring the screen closer to them. Source Link

April 3, 2013

As tax season winds down, a new survey says more taxpayers expect to owe Uncle Sam this year. About one-in-five people say they’ll be paying taxes with their 1040 return, including 30-percent of those who make more than $100,000 a year. And 15-percent of people who owe taxes say they’ll put the IRS payment on a credit card. Source Link

If it’s true that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then protein may be the most important part of it. Study participants who were overweight ate a breakfast with 35 grams of protein from eggs or meat and had fewer cravings throughout the day and snacked less on fatty foods in the evening. Source Link

That smartphone in your pocket or purse is probably making you a big fan of Facebook. A new study found that people with smartphones check their Facebook pages an average of 14 times a day. That adds up to an average of about a half-hour of Facebook time on their phone every day. Source Link

April 2, 2013

Here’s something you can count on -- the first grade may be the milestone that marks someone’s math skills for life. New studies suggest that a child’s ability to understand numbers by counting real things and doing simple addition and subtraction before first grade can set the stage for math competency for the rest of their lives. Source Link

Is it a case of, “do as I say and not as I text?” A new AT&T survey found that more adults admit to texting while driving than  do teenagers. About 60% said they didn’t text and drive just three years ago, and nearly all admit that the habit is dangerous. Source Link

Too many moms are in a hurry to switch their infants to solid food. A survey found that four out of ten babies are being given solid food before four to six months of age. Experts say for some mothers the cost of formula may be a factor in the switch to solid food before babies are able to handle it. Source Link

April 1, 2013

If your kids are picky eaters, they may be able to blame it on you. There’s growing evidence that genes play an important role in children's eating behaviors, including the tendency to avoid new foods. But experts say that doesn't mean kids can't change their behaviors and become a little less picky. Source Link

Getting it off your chest by ranting on the web may not help you feel better. New research shows that people who engage in online rants they tend to experience more anger in general. And both reading other people's rants and writing your own are associated with negative mood shifts. Source Link 

So what makes the first of April a “Fools Day?” Some historians say it dates back over 400 years to when the calendar was changed to make the first of the year in January. Those who rebelled against the change kept celebrating New Year’s on April 1st, and were called “April Fools.” Source Link