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It’s the holiday that scares up billions in consumer spending. Experts say the 158 million Americans who will celebrate Halloween this year are spending $6.9 billion on decorations, costumes, food and candy, and that’s down from last year. It’s not just a people party, because 22 million pets will don costumes that will cost their owners about $330 million. Source Link
The flu can kill even a healthy child in only a few days. That’s the sobering finding from a new study of children who died from the flu. Parents should seek immediate medical help for any sudden illness that seems worse than a common cold, and be sure to have all children over six months old immunized against the flu. Source Link
Make sure your mobile manners are at their best when you’re in a business meeting. A new survey of business professionals found that the use of a smartphone in a meeting can be bad news for career advancement. Even during an informal business lunch, one in five thought it was rude to have a mobile device out. Source Link
New high-tech football helmets and custom mouthguards don’t reduce the number of concussions suffered by high school players. A new study found just as many concussions occur with the newer helmets. Experts say an older-style helmet that’s in good condition and properly fitted is just as safe as the more-expensive models. Source Link
America’s pediatricians want the nation’s parents to take charge of their children’s Internet use. The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending that all kids and teens be limited to two hours a day of screen time. The doctors say that with cyberbullying, school problems and lost sleep, online overexposure can mean real health trouble for kids. Source Link
The surgical option seems to beat diet and exercise as the most effective way to lose weight. A new study found that those who had weight-loss surgery shed more pounds and got rid of type-2 diabetes more often than people who lost weight with diet or exercise. Experts caution that the findings are from only two years of data. Source Link
America’s digital natives are a bit restless when it comes to the biggest social network. A new survey found that Facebook is no longer the favorite among teens who say it’s too big and the setting for too much drama. The Instagram photo-sharing service is a growing favorite, as are newcomers like Vine and Snapchat. Source Link
In order to grow their language skills, toddlers need to be part of the conversation. A new study found that talking directly to young children helps them process language better and build their vocabulary. Simply overhearing words doesn’t improve speech processing skills as well as when talking directly with the child. Source Link
Here’s a way to find a haunted house that’s not a Halloween stunt -- a new website that promises to tell you if anyone has ever died at an address. DiedInHouse.Com uses nationwide public records of death certificates. The real estate ghost hunting isn’t free; the service charges $11.99 for a single address search. Source Link
Most employers say giving employees more flexibility in their work schedules is good for business. In a new survey, two-thirds of employers said flex time is keeping their workers more focused, motivated and happy. And most say that telecommuting doesn’t hurt an employee’s chances of moving up in the organization. Source Link
Can long naps put you on the road to diabetes? A new study found that people who napped for more than an hour a day had an increased risk of diabetes. It’s been known that a lack of sleep or too much can throw off the body’s natural clock that regulates internal processes including the release of insulin. Source Link
If “evil eyes” will be part of your look for Halloween, health experts say you should avoid the discount route. Novelty contact lenses should be prescribed and fitted by an optometrist to reduce the risk of eye injury. By law, cosmetic contact lenses cannot be sold without a prescription. Source Link
Government health officials say this year’s flu season is off to a slow start, with only isolated cases. That means there’s plenty of time to get a flu shot and have protection. Being vaccinated can prevent more than just the flu; a new study found that people with heart disease who get a flu shot significantly reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke. Source Link
The FDA is asking for the public’s help in an investigation involving jerky treats. The agency says hundreds of dogs have died after eating the meat and vegetable treats, but the causes of death remain a mystery. Dog owners should be cautious about providing jerky treats and be on the lookout for digestive problems that could develop quickly after eating them. Source Link
How do you use a smartphone to create a smart car? Automatic is a new accessory for the iPhone that plugs into a car’s under-dash computer port to relay real-time information about driving, fuel use, and more. The $100 device can even use the car’s sensors to detect a crash and alert authorities to send help. Source Link
It isn’t just virtual socializing that’s popular online. A new report says 38-percent of single people have used an online dating site or a mobile dating app. Nearly two out of three Internet users say online dating is a good way to meet people, and 11-percent say they’ve been in a long-term relationship with a partner they met online. Source Link
The growing practice of buying breast milk online has some serious safety issues for babies, according to a new report. Researchers found that three-fourths of samples purchased online contained bacteria that can cause illness. Milk banks are a safer alternative, because the breast milk is pasteurized, limiting the risk of bacterial illness. Source Link
Despite guidelines that recommend against it, many older men are being tested for prostate cancer. A new survey found that 40-percent of men over 75 are still getting a PSA blood test. Prostate cancer found in elderly men rarely causes death because it advances so slowly, but treatments can have serious side effects that reduce quality of life. Source Link
A new survey shows that one out of three adults in America is now toting a tablet computer. And when you add ownership of e-reader devices, the number is closer to half. It’s likely to grow too; Apple has just unveiled its new full-size and iPad Mini models, and Microsoft and Nokia also have new tablet offerings. Source Link
More people are getting the gluten out of their diets. A new survey found that most people who go gluten-free are not allergic to wheat or grain products but are doing it for better health, and one-quarter want to lose weight. There’s no scientific research showing that removing gluten from your diet promotes weight loss. Source Link
What’s the biggest pay-TV service? It’s no longer HBO. Netflix says it has surpassed the top premium cable channel in number of subscribers with over 31 million. The streaming video service says it plans to double its investment in original programming next year to follow the HBO model and attract more subscribers. Source Link
It could be a simple way to sniff out Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have found that people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s have more difficulty determining smells using their left nostril versus the right one. The effect is unique to Alzheimer’s and the discovery could lead to an easy test that might help confirm a diagnosis. Source Link
Fewer people are waiting for Black Friday to get started on their holiday shopping. A new report says nearly half of shoppers are already buying their holiday gifts. Only 25-percent plan to spend more than half of their shopping money during the weekend after Thanksgiving, and younger shoppers are less likely to head for the sales on Black Friday. Source Link
Paying someone is now as easy as sending an email. That’s the pitch for a new service being offered by Square, a company that processes credit card payments for businesses. With the free Square Cash service, you can send an email or using a smartphone app to pay anyone using a credit or debit card. Source Link
College students aren’t getting the message that texting while driving is dangerous. A new survey found that four out of five admit to sending or reading text messages while behind the wheel. The habit is more common among young men who claim they’re better drivers, even though studies have shown that texting while driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Source Link
A good night’s sleep might be Mother Nature’s way of giving your brain a cleaning. Researchers have found that brain cells in mice shrink during sleep, allowing more room to flush-out toxins including the substance that builds up with Alzheimer’s disease.The next step is to look for the process in human brains. Source Link
Is reaching for your smartphone the first thing you do when you wake up, even before you head to the bathroom? You’re not alone. A new survey found that 84-percent of smartphone users check an app the first thing in the morning. Browsing email is the most popular, followed by weather apps, and then social media. Source Link
If you’re a weekend catch-up sleeper, you may not make it all the way back with that extra shuteye on Saturday or Sunday. A new study found that people who were sleep-deprived during the week could physically recover by adding more weekend sleep, but they still scored lower on tests of their ability to pay attention. Source Link
The dollar store isn’t just for folks who have to pinch their pennies. A new survey found that two-thirds of people from households with incomes of over $150,000 a year shop at dollar stores. The survey noted that price and convenient locations were a top draw for dollar store shoppers across all incomes. Source Link
Would you prefer to go it alone on a project at work or team-up to get the job done? Eight out of ten people say teamwork often means trouble. Many think that’s because co-workers are just in it for themselves or that team projects require too much extra communication, while others say they don’t have enough teamwork training. Source Link
The old rhyme about sticks and stones and how names will never hurt you may have a scientific basis of truth. Researchers have discovered that the brain’s natural painkiller responds to social rejection as well as physical injury. And people who were the most resilient had the highest levels of natural painkiller activation. Source Link
Regular bedtimes for young children are important for long-term health. A new study found that irregular bedtimes disrupt natural body rhythms and can affect the brain’s growth and behavioral development. The good news is that setting a schedule for bedtimes can reverse the effects and show lasting improvements in behavior. Source Link
Now that many Americans are carrying a video camera all the time in the form of a smart phone, more of us are pointing, shooting and posting too. A new survey found that three out of ten people publish their videos online, mostly of family and friends, and funny stuff. Comedy is the favorite video category, followed by how-to pieces and then music videos. Source Link
Can overexposure to chemicals in plastics make it harder for men and women to start a family? A new study found that women had more miscarriages and men were less able to reproduce with high levels of BPA and phthalates in their blood. Researchers said the chemical levels can spike when plastics are heated in a microwave or when a water bottle is left sitting in the sun. Source Link
A piece of equipment worn by every football player could become a high-tech alarm to warn about the danger of concussions. An Irish inventor has created a mouth guard equipped with wireless sensors that measure the force of every impact. The data is sent to the sidelines instantly to allow officials to pull a player who may be at-risk for a concussion. Source Link
If you’re tired of commercials invading your enjoyment at the movie theater, make a stop at the concession stand first. A new study found that people eating popcorn had less recollection of ads that ran before movies. Researchers say chewing disrupts the normal habit of unconsciously mouthing a name or word, which is how the brain creates memories. Source Link
Good dental hygiene may be a hedge against Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers say the bacteria that causes gum disease has been found in the brains of Alzheimer’s victims. The oral bacteria which could damage brain tissue can enter the bloodstream during chewing. About two out of three older Americans have moderate or severe gum disease. Source Link
It’s more likely your social media post about a favorite product could become an online ad featuring you. Google Plus says it will begin using posts complete with your name and profile picture in product endorsement ads. Facebook already launched a similar effort for social ads and now has removed an privacy setting that let you automatically opt-out. Source Link
Yoga may not turn down the heat for menopausal women, but it could help them rest easier. A new study found no difference in the number of hot flashes for women who practiced yoga versus those who did not. But the study did find that find yoga was somewhat helpful for insomnia in menopausal women. Source Link
The Internet isn’t the place to be if you tend to obsess over your health. A new study found that the easy access to health information online can raise the anxiety level for otherwise healthy people who worry that an ache or ailment might be something worse. About eight out of ten Americans use the Internet to get health information. Source Link
What if the warmest temperatures of today were the coldest days of the future? That’s the prediction in a new climate study looking at what weather patterns might be like in 35 years. Researchers say the dramatic change could happen sooner in tropical climates, but could also be delayed for 25 years with a worldwide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Source Link
The move from paper to screen has more people doing more reading these days. A new poll found that 40-percent of adults own an e-reader or tablet. That’s double the number of two years ago, and nearly half say they’re reading more books now on their e-reader device and in old fashioned print. Source Link
Doctors aren’t getting the message that antibiotics won’t help common ailments like a sore throat or bronchitis. A new study found that physicians still prescribe an antibiotic in three out of four cases. Experts say it’s often easier to write a prescription, but antibiotics don’t work and can have side effects or increase the risk of drug-resistant germs. Source Link
If the computer in your home is getting old, you’re not alone. New figures show that personal computer sales have continued to drop in a trend that began more than a year ago as tablet sales took off. Experts say consumers won’t abandon PCs, but are waiting longer to replace them and spending money on other tech gadgets. Source Link
Fans of food photos on social media might want to lose your taste for that habit. A new study found that people who looked at lots of Instagram photos of food had less enjoyment while eating. Researchers think the overexposure to food images turns down the natural feeling of satisfaction that comes when you eat. Source Link
Your tweens and teens may need a booster shot to prevent chicken pox. The vaccine debuted as a single dose given to infants, but new research shows that a second shot offers better protection for children as they get older. New rules call for a first chicken pox shot at age one and a booster between the ages of four and six. Source Link
Just ahead of the holiday shopping season, it’s time for the new iPads to arrive. Reports say Apple will unveil its latest tablet models on October 22nd. The biggest improvement could be the smaller iPad Mini getting the sharp Retina Display of its big brother iPad, which may add the same fingerprint reader found on the iPhone 5S. Source Link
Maintaining eye contact may not be the best approach when you’re not seeing eye to eye with someone. A new study found that looking into someone’s eyes could seem intimidating when the person you’re talking to is skeptical. Speakers were more convincing when they focused on the mouth rather than the eyes. Source Link
A new favorite for regulating adult digestion may not help babies with colic. A study found conflicting results when foods with probiotics were used to help soothe infants who suffer from excessive crying and fussing. It’s not clear what causes colic, but one possibility is that it could be problems with digestion. Source Link
Is having lunch at your desk better for you than heading for the break room with co-workers? A new study found the key is letting people choose if they lunch alone or with others. Socializing led to higher levels of fatigue when conversations focused on work and employees had to be careful about what they said to other workers. Source Link
First, it was tapes and DVDs that you could borrow from your library, and now you can enjoy a free movie through the cloud. Libraries nationwide are offering videos that patrons can stream to a smartphone or tablet. The selection is limited, but the instant access is better than a long wait to borrow a popular DVD. Source Link
It’s an easy step to help prevent one of the biggest cancer risks for women. A new study found that older women who walk every day can reduce their risk of breast cancer. And those women who have an hour of vigorous exercise per day such as light jogging, riding a bike or swimming laps, will get even more protection. Source Link
Your grandparents may not feel at home with a video game controller, but it could be a useful tool in keeping the older mind sharp. A new study found that using a brain training game for one month can rejuvenate cognitive control for people in their 60s, 70s and 80s. Using the specially designed game improved multitasking skills along with memory. Source Link
Cable is still king, but streaming services are gaining ground in the fight for subscribers.. A new survey found that seven out of ten households are cable TV customers, while Netflix is used by 41-percent of those surveyed. Twenty-six percent subscribe to satellite TV, and about one in five households use iTunes or Amazon Prime Video. Source Link
Reading the classics may help you read other people better. A new study found that literature lovers had an improved ability to gauge the emotions of real people. But it’ll take more than a typical best-seller for the benefit, because it wasn’t seen in those who read non-fiction or popular fiction such as mystery, romance or science fiction. Source Link
Can good dental hygiene reduce your risk of arthritis? Researchers have found the same bacteria that causes gum disease may also trigger an earlier onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Both are chronic inflammatory diseases, and the gum disease bacteria can make rheumatoid arthritis progress faster and do more damage to bones. Source Link
If you need to fix a typo in your Facebook post, but don’t want to delete it, help is on the way. The social network is rolling out a new feature that will let you edit the wording of a post after it’s published. Just like changes in comments, the post will indicate that it’s been edited. Source Link
What’s better for heart patients -- taking a pill or taking a walk? A new study found that exercise was as effective as drugs to prevent repeat heart attacks and Type 2 diabetes for many heart patients. But don’t throw away the pills, because researchers say the best approach is a combination of exercise and medication. Source Link
What is it about the new iPhone that makes you sick? There have been reports of owners experiencing motion sickness while using the iOS 7 operating system. Experts say it could be caused by the ultra-sharp screen background and icons that constantly move. Users can change the phone’s settings to reduce the effect. Source Link
Don’t ditch the washer and dryer just yet, but scientists with the U.S. Army say they are close to perfecting a form of self-cleaning clothes. The uniforms use a special coating built into the fabric that makes liquid substances slide off. Military field testing is underway and there could be a commercial version for civilian use. Source Link
Federal aviation authorities are poised to dial down restrictions on the use of electronic devices during airline flights. The recommendations would allow passengers to read, listen to music or play video games with a device at any time. But texting, emails, and web browsing would be limited to use with in-flight WiFi, and cell phone calls would still be banned. Source Link
It’s a common question when you go to the doctor for a bad cold - is it a virus or a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics? The answer could come much quicker with a new test that looks at your body’s genetic response to the illness. The test could speed the diagnosis and reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics that don't work on viral infections. Source Link
You may dream of that big lottery win, but would it make your life happy? A new survey found that only one in five people think that money can buy happiness, and just 10% said getting rich leads to a happy life. Three out of four people said marriage and a good family life are the key to happiness, and one-third believe in prioritizing family time over higher earnings. Source Link
The FDA has approved a drug treatment to be used before breast cancer surgery. The drug Perjeta is already used to treat breast cancer in advanced stages. The hope is that using the drug treatment first could result in less invasive surgeries and improved survival rates for women with aggressive forms of breast cancer. Source Link
About one out of six Americans are not part of our online world. A new study found that 15% of American adults do not use the internet or email. About one-third of those say the internet is not easy to use, 20% say it’s too expensive, and one in three say they’re just not interested in what’s happening in cyberspace. Source Link
Is it easy for you to taste the difference between regular and sugar-free soda? Blame it on the bubbles. Researchers have found that carbonation works to trick the brain into thinking something tastes sweeter. They think the right combination of bubbles and artificial sweetener could make calorie-free sodas taste like the sugary version. Source Link
Millions of Americans can now sign-up for health insurance under Obamacare with the opening of online exchanges that will offer up to five levels of coverage. The uninsured who are not eligible for an employer plan can go to healthcare.org to see the prices for plans that are available in their state. Coverage begins on January 1st and is required by law for all individuals. Source Link
Can a peanut butter sandwich reduce a risk factor for breast cancer? A new study found that girls aged 10 to 16 who ate peanut butter three times a week had fewer cases of benign breast disease. Researchers think the added protein from eating peanut butter might protect against the disease that raises the risk of breast cancer. Source Link
Want to see fewer ads in your Facebook news feed? Start hitting the hide button. Facebook says it’s changing its formula for placement to put more weight on feedback from users who report or hide an ad. Facebook has been trying to make ads more prominent without triggering a backlash among users. Source Link
