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After the big guys launch their holiday shopping season on Black Friday, it’s time for Small Business Saturday. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is when holiday shoppers are encouraged to spend their dollars at local businesses. The promotion began three years ago, and one survey estimated that Americans spent $5.5 billion dollars at local retailers on Small Business Saturday in 2012. Source Link
Burning the midnight oil could leave you with more calories to burn off in the light of day. A study found that night owls are more likely to gain weight than people who get good sleep because they tend to graze the kitchen for junk food in the wee hours of the morning. People who stayed up until 4 a.m. consumed 550 more calories per day. Source Link
Your kitchen and bathroom may be safe from tiny hands, but is your technology toddler-proofed? You can disable power buttons on laptop or desktop computers and use power strip covers to prevent accidental switch-offs. And be sure that smartphone has a good screen lock to keep a curious child from opening apps or dialing a call. Source Link
Need a strategy to beat the battle of the bulge at the holiday buffet table? Start at the healthier end. A new study found that people eating at a buffet had more fruit if they started their grazing near the salads rather than the meat. The first three food items they encountered made up two-thirds of the typical plate. Source Link
Pregnant women may want to think twice about the daily pain relievers they use. A new study found that women who took regularly products with acetaminophen like Tylenol during pregnancy had children with poorer language skills and more behavior problems. Researchers found no developmental problems in children of women who took ibuprofen. Source Link
It could be a nutty way to live longer. A 30-year study found that people who like to snack on nuts were less likely to die. Tree nuts was shown to be more protective than peanuts. Even overweight nut eaters who didn't exercise or otherwise eat healthy enjoyed longer lifespans. Source Link
So what’s to like about Thanksgiving? Plenty when it comes to the big meal, even if the main course isn’t tops on the list. A new survey found that what people like most about Thanksgiving is the side dishes, followed by family and friends. Watching football ranked just above holiday shopping, and traveling was among the least favorite things to do on Thanksgiving. Source Link
Move over hybrids -- soon, “H” will stand for hydrogen. The first mass-marketed hydrogen fuel cell cars will hit showrooms in California next year with a model of the Hyundai Tuscon SUV. Hydrogen powers a car just like gasoline with fast refills and zero emissions, but there are few hydrogen refueling stations nationwide. Source Link
A big part of Black Friday sales excitement is usually in big screens, and this year is no different. Shoppers who can brave the crowds for doorbuster deals might find a 55-inch TV for under $500. And savvy shoppers looking for a new smartphone can grab the latest Samsung Galaxy and Apple iPhone models at deep discounts. Source Link
If social media wish lists are a good measure, you won’t need to venture out for much shopping this holiday season. A new survey found that the top two online gift requests this year are for cash and gift cards, with Starbucks, Target, and iTunes cards atop the list. The most requested gift item is the iPhone 5S. Source Link
The Word of the Year is all about you. The editors of the Oxford Dictionary have named “selfie” the Word of the Year for 2013. The term for taking a picture of yourself at arms-length had its origins over a decade ago, but use of the word “selfie” and the pictures themselves skyrocketed in popularity in the past year. Source Link
Playing a musical instrument can build a child’s brain for the better. Researchers say musical training improves the ability to process information from several senses at once and improves connections between parts of the brain associated with creativity. The findings could help with development of therapies for people with brain injuries. Source Link
You may be hard-pressed to find a hefty fresh turkey for your Thanksgiving meal. The folks at Butterball say their flock seems to have gone on a diet this Fall, meaning a shortage of larger birds for fresh turkey stocks. Frozen turkeys are raised earlier in the year and there should be plenty of plump ones available. Source Link
Today’s kids aren’t keeping up with their parents when it comes to childhood fitness. A new report says the average child today runs slower than their parent’s generation did. Experts say a rise a childhood obesity and today’s kids spending more time indoors is likely to blame for lower levels of fitness. Source Link
It could be the talk of your airline flight, for better or worse. A company that provides on-board WiFi service wants to add an option to allow you to use your smartphone to send text messages or make voice calls while in-flight. It will be up to each airline to decide if voice calls will be allowed, as it could be a major annoyance for fellow passengers. Source Link
America’s biggest cell phone carriers have rejected a plan to include a remote “kill switch” on smartphones that could prevent thieves from selling a stolen device. Samsung says it wanted to put the feature on its phones. The carriers say there are better ways to fight thieves, but critics say carriers are trying to protect their profits from phone insurance plans. Source Link
Mothers may lessen the risk of food allergies in their babies by maintaining breast feeding after introducing solid foods. A new study found that the natural immune factors in breast milk may help prevent food allergies. One key factor is that solid food should not be introduced before 17 weeks of age. Source Link
It’s the Great American Smokeout Day, when smokers are encouraged to quit, if only for one day. Results can come fast -- heart rate and blood pressure drop after less than an hour, and carbon monoxide levels in blood return to normal in just one day of nor smoking. Nearly 44 million people, or one-in-five adults in America, are still smokers. Source Link
Is a text message a good way to remind you to take your medicine? A new study found that patients recovering from a heart attack took more of their medicines on time when they received daily text reminders. The process included a text reply to show that the reminder had been seen. Source Link
People who eat fast food often underestimate how quickly the calories add up in their meals. A study of fast food patrons found that two out of three thought they were eating fewer calories. The biggest disconnect came from those who ate at Subway, where foot-long sandwiches with all the fixings can trump low-calorie claims. Source Link
Now may be a good time to make that new set of wheels a used car. The average used car price has hit a four-year low, as more people are opting to buy new. But not every used car is a best buy -- Honda, Toyota and Lexus continue to demand top prices, but a used Volvo, VW or Chevy could be a bargain. Source Link
The FCC is enlisting your help to map the speed of mobile Internet connections across the country. The agency has released a free smartphone app that lets you test your connection speed. The data from the tests will be published and allow consumers to compare whether actual mobile broadband speeds match the claims of wireless carriers. Source Link
There’s new evidence that weight-loss surgery may lead to a longer life, and not just by what you can measure on a bathroom scale. Researchers say they found that obese people in the worst health saw genetic changes that could slow the aging process after they lost significant weight following bariatric surgery. Source Link
Can you talk yourself into exercising more? A new study found that test subjects who gave themselves verbal encouragement while exercising were able to perform better. But experts say it’s important to know the difference between pushing a bit harder and risking injury because of bad form when exercising. Source Link
There’s a movement to resurrect cursive handwriting in the nation’s schools. The new national Common Core curriculum doesn’t includes handwriting, but seven states want it back in class. The new standards focus on keyboarding skills, but critics say research shows that handwriting can enhance hand-eye coordination and develop fine motor skills. Source Link
Americans worry about online privacy, but many don’t do much to protect themselves. A new survey found that nine out of ten people are concerned about the safety of their online information, but half admit they use the same two or three passwords or write down passwords to remember them. And one-in-four don’t review their privacy settings on social media sites. Source Link
If you played a musical instrument as a child, that training could pay off later to boost your brain power. A new study connected music lessons in childhood to the way the brain responds to speech later in life. Better sound recognition in those with music training improved their ability to to understand conversation as they aged. Source Link
Being bilingual could be good for your brain. A new study suggests that speaking two languages may help delay the damage of dementia. Researchers say learning to speak two languages is a form of brain training that helps it keep functioning normally despite disease or injury, and that can help delay dementia. Source Link
High school seniors preparing their college applications may want to start with some digital housecleaning. A new survey found that nearly one-in-three college admissions counselors say they’ve used Google, Facebook or other social media to check up on applicants. Nearly three-fourths of high school students say they’re not concerned about their online postings. Source Link
The people who run the Internet's biggest online store are moving into television production. Amazon is debuting the first of two new comedy series that will be available for streaming on its Prime Video service. But don’t get ready to binge, because unlike streaming series produced by Netflix, Amazon will release only one episode per week. Source Link
Black Friday shoppers who want to be first in line for the big deals might need to schedule their Thanksgiving dinner for Noon. More major retailers are moving up their opening times for the start of the big holiday shopping weekend. Toys R’ Us will open its doors at 5 p.m., Best Buy at 6 p.m. and now Target plans to open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening. Source Link
A happy marriage may depend on the wife being able to calm down after a heated argument. A new study looked at how couples recovered after a disagreement and found that a woman’s ability to manage emotions was a key to long-term happiness. On the other hand, a man who moves too quickly to problem-solving can be an issue for a wife. Source Link
The old-fashioned family meal could be a way to keep kids from becoming overweight. Researchers found that children in families who eat together without the television on and who stay seated until everyone is finished have lower weight and body-mass index. Socialization skills learned during family dinners may override a child’s need to overeat. Source Link
Having healthy gums is good for your heart. New research has found that as people's gum health improved, the buildup of plaque in their arteries slowed. It's believed that bacteria from gum disease may trigger inflammation that's associated with the plaque buildup that can clog arteries and lead to a heart attack or stroke. Source Link
Is Apple planning to throw iPhone lovers a big curve? New reports say one version of the iPhone 6 expected in late 2014 could come with a large five-and-half inch curved screen. Apple would also offer a model with a smaller screen size that’s bigger than the current iPhone 5S. Source Link
It’s been on pretzels for years, so why not another favorite salty snack food? Lay’s is test marketing a new chocolate-covered potato chip that’s aimed at young women who crave a salty and sweet snack. If could become a nationwide product if enough people can’t eat just one. Source Link
Experts say it could be the comet of the century, and it’s coming into view. Comet ISON is crossing our solar system now, and should it survive a turn around the sun, it may rival some of the brightest comets in nearly 500 years. You can see it now in the constellation Virgo in the early morning sky.. Source Link
People with asthma may want to think twice about adopting a feline friend. New research shows that the number of people with asthma who are allergic to cats has doubled. Experts say pet allergies can appear at any time for people with asthma. Nearly eight out of ten people with asthma have some kind of allergy. Source Link
Believe it or not, some people are spending more than 24 hours a day on electronic devices. A new report counted total time per screen and with multi-tasking some people are over 24 hours just in their leisure time. Screen use has doubled in the past four years, with TV still the number-one draw, and phones, tablets and computers accounting for one-fourth of our use. Source Link
New tests have found that the signs of autism may appear in the first months of life. Researchers say babies as young as two months old who were later diagnosed with autism had less eye contact with others. If the findings can lead to earlier identification, that could lead to earlier treatment for autism. Source Link
Say “goodbye” to trans fats in food. The FDA is proposing a ban on the heart-harmful fats that are still found in some processed foods and restaurant meals. The average intake of trans fats has dropped by three-fourths since rules were put in place in 2006 to require food labels to include the amount of trans fats. Source Link
Is the world ready for a customizable smartphone? Google is betting on the concept with a new project to create a modular phone that lets you build your own configuration with features like a better camera, longer-lasting battery, or special accessories. The Ara Project is asking developers to submit designs for phone modules. Source Link
Sawing wood may be a hazardous habit for pregnant women. A new study says women who snore during pregnancy are more likely to have a C-section or a smaller baby. Experts say the breathing problems that cause snoring can raise blood pressure and put women and their babies at-risk. Source Link
Facing fierce competition from digital delivery, the video store may not survive to see middle age. Blockbuster Video, which operated 9,000 locations less than a decade ago, says it will close the last of its stores early next year. The Blockbuster name will continue to be used on streaming and video-on-demand services. Source Link
A new malware threat is forcing victims to pay ransom to recover access to their digital documents, files and photos. The CryptoLocker program encrypts personal files and asks for a $300 payment to remove itself. Experts say backing up your files to another computer or cloud service is the only sure way to thwart an attack. Source Link
What if you could Google a question and get a live person to answer it? That’s the idea behind a new Google service called Helpouts that offers experts to assist with questions or provide video help in more than a half-dozen categories. The Helpout sessions carry a fee and require a Google Plus account. Source Link
Women who eat a Mediterranean diet enjoy longer and healthier lives. A new long-term study found that they were more likely to live to age 70 without heart disease or diabetes. The Mediterranean diet features fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fish, a glass of wine at dinner, and less red meat. Source Link
The typical college classroom might be more of a computer lab. A new survey found that the average college student is using a smartphone or tablet 11 times a day during class. Texting is the top culprit, followed by checking email and scanning social networks. Only 5-percent thought the habit was distracting to the class. Source Link
If you think you know what’s happening online with your tween or teen, you may want to double-check. A poll of parents and their kids found that the adults vastly underestimated if their children had been bullied online or had been exposed to online pornography. Experts say parents need to keep a dialogue open with kids about online experiences. Source Link
Could a shot help to prevent hot flashes in menopausal women? A new study found that an injection into an area of the neck that connects with the brain’s body thermostat can cut hot flashes by half for women with moderate to severe symptoms. A larger study is planned for the experimental anesthetic treatment. Source Link
Letting your thumbs do the talking may not be the best way to stay in touch with the one you love. A new study found that too much texting can create disconnects in committed relationships. For men, more texting isn’t better and women don’t want text messages to work out differences or make decisions, but both like texts that express affection. Source Link
Soon, your air flight experience won’t include shutting down your smartphone or tablet during takeoffs and landings. The FAA has given airlines permission to allow the use of personal electronic devices throughout a flight. Phone calls will still be prohibited and only in-flight wi-fi can be used to connect to the Internet. Source Link
Health experts are warning parents to be sure that a favorite adult toy doesn’t fall into tiny hands. Super magnet balls that were recalled nearly two years ago are still causing emergency room visits when young children swallow them. The pea-sized magnets can stick together and cause a stomach or bowel rupture. Source Link
If you want to know if your dog is happy or anxious, watch which way the tail wags. Researchers say that a tail wagging to the left is a sign of unhappiness, while a wag to the right indicates pleasure, such as when they see their owner. The findings came from a study that watched dogs reacting to the sight of other dogs. Source Link
If you’re planning to fly for the Christmas holidays, now’s the time to buy that ticket. Research from the Travelocity website found that this week should bring some of the best deals on airfares for Christmas travel, and then prices will begin to rise. And if you can wait until Monday, December 23rd to depart, you’ll also save money. Source Link
The smartphone and tablet computer have become favorites for even the youngest Americans. A new survey found that four out of ten children under age 2 are using mobile devices. Forty percent of families now own a tablet computer, and 7 percent of kids aged 8 and younger have a tablet of their own. Source Link
Can watering your plants or cleaning the kitchen help prevent a heart attack? A new study says gardening and housework could be as good as formal exercise, especially for people over the age of 60. Researchers say the key is to do something that gets you up and moving, because prolonged sitting has been linked to long-term health problems. Source Link
If
you’re hooked on sweets, cakes and other goodies, it may not be just a
bad habit. New research found that refined carbohydrates can trigger
cravings similar to drug use. Brain scans showed that corn syrup
activates the same part of the brain that’s tied to reward and cravings,
raising the appetite and the urge to eat. Source Link
If
it’s true that you don’t get a second chance to make a first
impression, be sure that it includes a handshake. Using brain scans,
scientists found that a firm, confident but friendly handshake offered
as part of an introduction triggered the part of the mind that creates
positive feelings. Source Link
You’ve heard people say that doing math makes their head hurt, and now there may be scientific proof to back it up.A study found that math problems
triggered the pain area of the brain in people with high math anxiety.
It wasn’t the calculating itself that hurt, but the anticipation of
needing to do math that triggered the pain reaction. Source Link
