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Here’s
a good reason to give your outdoor grill a good scrubbing before the
next cookout. A study found that, on average, there are more germs on a
grill than on a toilet seat, from leftover food, decaying plant matter,
or even bird droppings. About two out of three people say they only wash
their outdoor grill twice a year. Source Link
Yoga
exercises can help with more than just physical fitness. Researchers
say a new study showed that the ancient practice is also associated
with lower blood pressure. Yoga, meditation, and deep breathing
exercises have all been linked to better heart health. Source Link
Looking
to save on the cost of gas for your summer trip? Start by checking the
trunk and the roof. A heavy car is less fuel efficient, so empty the
trunk and take out any heavy items that you don’t need. And avoid using a
roof rack that can increase wind resistance and reduce your gas
mileage. Source Link
New
government rules on labeling for sunscreen products should help you
make a better choice for sun protection. Labels now must provide
information about whether a sunscreen will protect against skin cancer
in addition to sunburn, and whether a sunscreen is water-resistant. SPF
ratings are also limited to a maximum of 50. Source Link
Just
because there’s no sugar in diet soda doesn’t mean it can’t destroy
your teeth. That’s because the citric acid and phosphoric acid in diet
soda can cause erosion and significant oral damage over time. Experts
recommend limiting your soda habit, and using a straw when drinking it
to reduce contact with your teeth. Source Link
Imagine
being able to recharge your cell phone in just the time it takes to
listen to this story. That may be the future with technology being
pioneered by one of America’s top high school students. A national
science fair finalist has developed a super-fast system that could
be used recharge a cell phone battery in less than 30 seconds. Source Link
Putting
calorie counts on fast food menu boards helps people eat less. That’s
the finding of a new 18-month study that sampled dining habits of teens
and adults in Seattle Washington. It’s good news because another study
showed that most people underestimate the number of calories in their
fast food meal. Source Link
Maybe
running needs to be the fourth “R” in every school curriculum. The
National Institute of Medicine is recommending that students get at
least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. The report also calls on
schools to make physical education class a core subject. Source Link
Powering
down those electronic gadgets at the start and end of every flight is
costing a lot of productivity in the air. A new study estimates that
airline passengers lose 105 million hours of time when they could be
working or just relaxing with an e-reader, laptop or tablet. The FAA is
considering whether to end the ban on using electronic devices during takeoffs and landings.
Source Link
If
your lifestyle couldn’t survive for a month if you lost your income,
you’re not alone. A new survey found that just over half of people
questioned are in the same situation, living paycheck-to-paycheck.
About one-third said they have no money left over at the end of the
month, and half said they save less than $100 a month. Source Link
Does
your brain make the call on which ear you use when holding your
cellphone? A new study found that most people held their cellphone up to
the ear that was on the same side as their dominant hand. The opposite
side is what’s dominant in your brain, and the cellphone test could be a
quick way to identify this before a procedure like brain surgery. Source Link
It
may be that today’s “Animal House” isn’t necessarily a fraternity. New
research shows that college women drink more excessively than college
men, when differences in male and female metabolism are considered. For
young women, excessive drinking can set the stage for breast cancer and
liver disease later in life. Source Link
Don’t
begrudge your teenager that late wake-up this weekend, because it could
save his life. A new study found that catching-up on sleep can reduce
the risk of drowsy driving that raises the risk of an auto accident.
Many teens get too little sleep because of early school starting times
combined with late-night activities. Source Link
If
your smartphone can be a music player, a GPS unit, or even a
flashlight, why not make it a tool to treat heart attacks faster?
Researchers are testing an app that would allow paramedics to transmit
test results to hospitals quickly using a smartphone. Some crews are now
forced to take a picture of a printout and send it as a huge email
attachment. Source Link
In
the cell phone speed wars, the new magic number may be 5. Samsung has
successfully tested a 5G system that would leave the current 4G speeds
in the dust and download a full-length movie in less than one second.
But it could be seven years before 5G technology reaches the public.
Source Link
Attention
Deficit Disorder may be a marker for future obesity in boys. A new
study found that young men with ADHD were twice as likely to be obese.
One theory is that the drugs used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder
may affect appetite and growth, but others think there could be a
biological connection between ADHD and obesity. Source Link
If
it works to sell kitchen appliances and exercise videos, why not use TV
infomericals as a recruiting tool for the Army? The service is
producing a 10-part series that will air in major cities around the
country. The half-hour episodes take a reality show approach and go
behind the scenes with Army trainees. Source Link
Putting
an Apple on your wrist may be one step closer to reality. There are reports that the company is testing one-and-a-half inch screens for a
rumored iWatch. The device would work with an iPhone to make it easier
to see alerts and messages without digging your smartphone out from your
pocket or purse. Source Link
If
you’re trying to stick to a lower-calorie diet, you might be better off
dining at a fast food joint instead of the sit-down restaurant. A new
study found that the average fast food meal has 50-percent less calories
than the typical full-service fare. On average, the sit-down meal
totalled two-thirds of the daily recommended calories. Source Link
New
graduates looking for a job should start by Googling themselves to see
what’s there. Six out of ten college graduates admit they’re not
concerned about their online profile affecting their job prospects. But
experts say a Google search is one of the first things that employers
will do after an interview or receiving a resume. Source Link
According
to a new report, the air is pretty blue over the Buckeye State. People
in Ohio rank as the worst at swearing while talking, followed by
Maryland and New Jersey. The most courteous were in Washington state.
The report is based on transcripts from calls placed to customer service
lines across the country. Source Link
What
you “like” on Facebook could predict what you see when you step on the
bathroom scale. Researchers found that areas with lower rates of obesity
had more Facebook users who liked health and fitness and outdoor
activities. On the other hand, there were higher rates of obesity in
areas where TV watching was a popular Facebook topic. Source Link
A
new report says about one in eight Americans over the age of 60 admit
to having increasing problems with memory and thinking. One-third say
the confusion or memory loss caused problems at work or with social
activities and household chores. And only one in three say they’ve
discussed the problem with their doctor. Source Link
As
smartphone thefts become a bigger crime problem in more U.S. cities,
there are steps you can take to safeguard your device. Experts say you
should use a security app that locks the phone, allows remote data
removal, or even takes a picture of the thief. And be aware of your
surroundings to avoid a “snatch and run” theft of your phone. Source Link
Is
your cell phone preventing you from making new friends? A study found
that people reported less of a connection with someone they spoke with
who had their phone sitting out on the table. Experts think just the
presence of the phone introduces a barrier that takes away from
face-to-face communication between people. Source Link
Keeping
your brain sharp as you age may have more to do with physical workouts
than working on puzzles. A study found that people who stayed physically
active into old age tended to have larger brains than those who did
not. Shrinking brain size is often associated with age-related memory
problems. Source Link
It
works to help stop smoking and lose weight, and now hypnotherapy is
being used to turn down the heat on menopause. A new study found that
women who underwent hypnosis reported 75% fewer hot flashes. Researchers
think hypnotherapy may influence part of the nervous system to
unconsciously slow the heart rate and reduce body heat. 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
We know that kids can inherit your sense of humor, but a new study says it
might happen much sooner than you think. Researchers found that
six-month old babies watched for their parent's reaction and laughter at
a funny scene. By the age of one, babies were laughing at the same
scene, even if the parent wasn't. Source Link
The
cure for your aches and pains could be as close as the salt shaker. New
research has shown that soaking in a salt water solution can trigger
the body’s own anti-inflammatory system. Scientists say the findings
could open the door tor new salt water treatments for arthritis and
other inflammatory ailments. Source Link
Taking
steps to lower your health insurance costs could be as simple as
putting one foot in front of the other. A test program offering a
20-percent savings if plan members walked 5,000 steps a day was a
success. The Internet-tracked walking program provided a financial
incentive to exercise each day, and some families saved nearly $2,000 a
year on out-of-pocket costs. Source Link
What
kind of TV commercial sends a teenager's brain into high gear? It's not
for the latest car or tech gadget. A study found that food commercials
caused the highest brain activity. The ads increased desire among teens
regardless of their body weight. Researchers say increased exposure to
foods ads could set the stage for future weight gain. Source Link
It
may be no surprise that Los Angeles has the worst traffic jams of any
American city, but you might not guess the number-two city. Drivers in
Honolulu Hawaii face the second longest commutes, followed by San
Francisco, Austin, Texas and New York City. The rankings are based on
GPS data from over 100 million vehicles. Source Link
Why
are 2 million elderly Americans paying too much for their
prescriptions? Officials say many low-income seniors are not taking
advantage of a subsidy for Medicare Part D, which eliminates most or all
out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs. One challenge may be that
eligible seniors suffer from cognitive problems that prevent them from
understanding the subsidy program. Source Link
People with a heart for animals are more likely to have a stronger one. A study found that pet owners, particularly dog owners, showed a decreased risk of heart disease. Dog owners walked more frequently, and researchers found a link between pet ownership and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as reduced incidences of obesity. Source Link
Smartphones
and tablets may help employees get their work done, but they haven't
done much to foster good manners in the office. A new survey of found
that six out of ten information managers think such gadgets are a
distraction in the workplace. The biggest offenses include surfing the
web during conversations with co-workers and multitasking while in
meetings. Source Link
Want to see which kids will grow up to be successful? Head to a second-grade classroom. Researchers say a 50-year study has shown that math and reading skills at age 7 can predict success in adulthood. Higher math and reading skills in second grade led to higher incomes and better jobs. Basic childhood skills were better predictor than social class or overall education. Source Link
If
you have a heart pacemaker, you may want to think twice about lounging
near the pool with your iPad. New studies have shown that implanted
heart devices can be affected by magnetic signals from an iPad if it's
placed on your chest. And electrical fields from filters in pools can
also interfere with the circuitry in pacemakers and other heart devices.
Source Link
Teens already get a bad rap for being poor drivers, and this won't help their reputation. A new survey found that four out of ten young drivers admit to texting behind the wheel. Guys were the more likely offenders, and the habit gets worse the older the driver is. Experts say texting while driving can be more dangerous than drinking and driving. Source Link
Are children’s allergies caused by keeping kids too clean? A new study found that introducing common bacteria to infants reduced their risk of developing asthma or eczema. Researchers say parents who licked their child’s pacifier clean transferred common mouth bacteria that trains the immune system not to overreact. Source Link
Federal
regulators are supporting a rule change to make lap-band surgery more
available to prevent obesity from leading to serious health problems
like diabetes. But not everyone is convinced the change would be achieve
that goal, including insurers who must agree to cover the weight-loss
surgery for a larger group of people. Source Link
Is
your cellphone bill being “crammed” with unexplained charges for
services you didn’t order, like text-message horoscopes? The Federal
Trade Commission is considering an option to allow you to block such
third-party services on mobile lines. One survey found that 60% of
subscribers had discovered unauthorized charges on their cellphone
bills. Source Link
So
what’s the price tag on America’s love for Mom? Economists say we’ll
spend $20 billion this year on Mother’s Day gifts. With 85 million moms
in America, that averages to about $168 each. And it not just flowers
and fine dining -- 14% of mothers will be getting an electronics gift
for their special day. Source Link
Having
kids in the car can be a distraction, but it’s not the number-one thing
that can make you take your mind off the road with young ones in-tow.
A survey of parents found that nearly everyone had been distracted by a
phone or other electronic device while driving with their children. More than half said their cellphone was a distraction the majority of
trips they took. Source Link
They’re
great in a fruit cup or just as a snack, and also provide a genetic
boost to help prevent heart attacks. Researchers say the antioxidants in
grapes increase the activity of several genes to reduce heart failure
associated with chronic high blood pressure. Hypertension can double or
triple your risk of a heart attack. Source Link
Researchers
say young people who think they can multitask and learn at the same
time are fooling themselves. When students text, watch TV or browse the
web while doing schoolwork, they understand and remember less, and have
greater difficulty applying their learning. Almost a third of students
say they multitask while doing homework. Source Link
Chest pains will get people to pick up the phone and dial 9-1-1, but victims of stroke don’t seem to be as ready to call for help. More than one-third of people having a stroke don't call 9-1-1, even though that's the fastest route to potentially lifesaving treatment.. Experts say more work needs to be done to help people learn the signs of stroke and to call 9-1-1 immediately. Source Link
You’d
think it was children who had the nation’s biggest sweet tooth, but
you’d be wrong. The CDC says young adults, and especially young men, are
consuming more added sugars in their food and drinks. The good news is
that the number of calories people get from added sugar declines among
both men and women as they get older. Source Link
Millions
of people really are done with Facebook. Researchers found that a third
of Facebook users quit the social network for a time, and one in ten of
them never return as virtual friends and fans. Some felt they were
using Facebook too much and others had privacy concerns, or left because
of conflicts with work or to avoid awkward situations. Source Link
If
you’re choosing between diet or exercise to lose weight, the experts
say pick both. A study found that changing exercise and diet at the same
time yields better results. On the other hand, focusing on changing
your diet first may actually interfere with establishing a consistent
exercise routine. Source Link
One
of the lesser players in the tablet wars is borrowing a weapon from the
opposition in hopes of winning a bigger market share. Barnes and Noble
says users of its Nook HD tablets can now choose from all Android apps.
The Nook has been a distant third in sales compared to the Amazon
Kindle Fire and Google Nexus tablets. Source Link
Business
and computer science graduates in the Class of 2013 have the best shot
at landing a job right out of college. A new employer survey by
CareerBuilder shows that engineering and health science majors also
stand a good chance of finding work soon. More than half of employers
are planning to hire new graduates this year. Source Link
It’s
more than a tool to keep your heart healthy. A new study found that the
Mediterranean diet may also help prevent dementia. Older adults who ate
more fish, chicken, olive oil and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty
acids and stayed away from meats and dairy kept their memory and
thinking skills sharp. Source Link
A
popular alternative to cigarettes is not a safer way to smoke. Experts
say using a water pipe or hookah to smoke tobacco still increases your
risk of cancer. A new study found carbon monoxide levels were two and a
half times higher after water pipe use than with cigarette smoking.
Source Link
Could
a sugary soda a day give diabetes a way to hit you? A study found that
drinking just one 12-ounce sugar-sweetened soft drink a day can increase
the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 22 percent. There was
no increased diabetes risk from drinking naturally sweet pure fruit
juices. Source Link
First
it was selling books, and then everything else, including gadgets like
e-readers and tablets. And now Amazon wants a place beside your TV.
There are reports that the biggest online retailer will unveil its own
set-top box. The device would stream Amazon’s Prime Video service along
with pay-per-view movies and TV shows. Source Link
Need
a strategy for your diet to survive a visit to the all-you-can-eat
buffet? Like real estate, experts say it’s all about location and doing
your research first. People who ate less at a buffet spent more time
looking over all the food selections, and also sat further away from the
serving line. Source Link
Prom
season means big dreams of the perfect night for young men and women --
and big bills for their parents. A new survey found that the average
family will spend nearly $1,200 on prom outfits, tickets, food and
transportation. On average, teenagers will pick up about 40-percent of
those prom night costs. Source Link
Pregnant
women may not need to worry about having an occasional glass of wine. A
new study found that 7-year olds whose mothers were light drinkers had
no development deficits compared to those children whose mothers
abstained from alcohol during pregnancy. But most doctors still advise
an alcohol-free pregnancy. Source Link
A
national survey found that nearly half all working adults in the United
States would face the prospect of crippling medical bills because they
had no health insurance or inadequate coverage for a serious illness.
Two out of five adults said they had trouble paying a medical bill last
year, and 40-percent said medical debt had lowered their credit rating.
Source Link
It’s
not just 16-year olds who can benefit from Drivers Ed. New research
shows that seniors who received simulator training and video critiques
of their performance improved their driving habits significantly. Even
two years after their training, older drivers still engaged in safe
driving most of the time. Source Link
Many
parents aren’t getting the message that cough and cold medicines are
not made for young children. Forty percent of parents still give these
medicines to kids under the age of four, despite labels that caution
against it. Over-the-counter remedies can cause allergic reactions,
confusion, drowsiness, convulsions, and nausea in young children. Source Link
Ben
Franklin is ready for another makeover. The Federal Reserve has
unveiled the latest changes to the 100-dollar bill coming this fall,
including a 3-D security ribbon and images that change from bells to
numbers and back as you move it. The C-note gets the most changes
because it is the most-counterfeited bill. Source Link
Health
experts may continue to debate the need for annual mammograms, but
women have decided to play it safe. A new study found that women in all
age groups continue to get yearly screenings. Guidelines issued in 2009
said women younger than 50 don't need routine annual mammograms, and
those 50 to 74 could get screened every two years. Source Link
Convenience
beats security for many people when it comes to picking an online
password. A survey found that 55 percent of people said they used the
same password to access all or most of their Internet accounts. And one
in four people used passwords that were too easy to guess, such as
birthdays and their kids' names. Source Link
Could
you donate one of your kidneys to a stranger? Nearly half of all people
questioned in a recent survey said they would. And eight out of ten
people said they’d donate a kidney or part of a liver to a close friend
or family member. Sixty percent say want their organs donated after they
die. Source Link
