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Those numbers that determine high blood pressure may be changing for older adults. New guidelines recommend that a reading of 150 over 90 be the limit for people over the age of 60 before medication is required. Experts say treating high blood pressure using the stricter guidelines doesn’t provide real health benefits for older people. Source Link
Probiotics can only do so much good, especially when it comes to a pregnant woman or her unborn child. Researchers in Canada found that taking probiotics during pregnancy or giving probiotics to infants during the first year of life does not reduce the prevalence of asthma. But there’s evidence that probiotics could help prevent the itchy skin condition known as eczema. Source Link
When it comes to binge watching, Netflix viewers know how to get their TV in big bites. A survey found that half of viewers watched an entire season of the most popular TV shows in one week, and a quarter of viewers polished-off 13 episodes in just two days. And 80-percent of Netflix customers say binge-watching makes TV more enjoyable. Source Link
How often do you think twice and then hit the delete key after launching into a post or comment on Facebook? The social network says a blind survey found that seven out of ten users self-censor after starting to type, and one-third of posts never make it to someone’s wall. Young Facebook users were the most careful posters, but the most carefree commenters. Source Link
Living with Man’s Best Friend may be nothing to sneeze at for youngsters. Researchers say infants who live in homes with a dog are less likely to develop asthma and allergies. They believe that exposure to pet dander changes the microbes that live in an infant's gut to reduce immune system response to common allergens. Source Link
Here’s a good reason to turn off the bad news on TV -- too much viewing could lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. A study found that some people who watched coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing for six hours a day reported high acute stress similar to PTSD victims. Experts say those people may be predisposed to having a stress disorder. Source Link
What
do most people consider to be a full life? A new survey found that the
median ideal lifespan would be 90 years, or about 11 years longer than
the typical life expectancy. But enough is enough -- about six out of
ten people say they would not be interested in treatments that would
slow aging and extend life perhaps to 120 years old. Source Link
Urging
your overweight partner to diet may have the opposite effect on their
eating habits. A study found that both women and men tended to react
negatively to such well-meaning encouragement, leading to binge eating
or extreme dieting. Experts say a better approach is to look for ways
you both can eat healthy and get more exercise. Source Link
There’s
new evidence that brushing up on your dental hygiene could help you
beat cancer. Scientists say an infection from a common type of mouth
bacteria can contribute to colorectal cancer. The bacteria levels were
higher in people with gum disease, which often occurs because of poor
brushing and flossing habits. 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
Here’s
some meal advice than men need to take to heart -- don’t skip
breakfast. A long-term study found that men who didn’t eat a morning
meal were more likely to develop heart disease. Researchers think the
breakfast-skippers may be eating bigger and less-healthy meals later in
the day. Source Link
Raw milk doesn’t do a body good, especially if it’s a pregnant woman or a baby. America’s pediatricians say both are at-risk to develop serious illnesses by drinking unpasteurized milk. Sales of raw milk are legal in 30 U.S. states, but raw milk cannot be shipped across state lines. Source Link
As TV makers hope to stoke sales with new Ultra-HD models, experts say it’s likely that no one will be able to notice the difference. The average human eye can’t process the extreme detail on screens that boast four times the resolution of standard HDTV. And most people sit too close to a big screen to notice any difference from all those extra pixels. Source Link
Exercise might help women beat breast cancer. A new study found that women with breast cancer who exercised were more likely to avoid joint and muscle pain that can be a side effect of cancer medicines. That meant women stayed on their medication longer and had better outcomes. Source Link
The FDA is investigating whether antibacterial soaps may do more you harm than good. The agency wants soap makers to prove that their products do not pose health risks to consumers. Recent studies suggest the top germ-fighting ingredient can interfere with hormone levels in lab animals and spur the growth of drug-resistant bacteria. Source Link
Your Facebook news feed may be looking more like the local TV news. The social network is rolling out video ads that will play automatically as you scroll. Facebook is expected to charge up to $2 million a day to advertisers who want to tout new movies or other products in a national campaign. Source Link
Two of the biggest names in tech are battling over bragging rights to be this year’s best guide for Old St. Nick. Google and Microsoft both say they’ll be tracking Santa’s round-the world trip on Christmas Eve. Microsoft is teaming up with the North American Air Defense Command, while Google says it will have its own Santa Tracker utilizing Google Maps. Source Link
A new smartphone app that helps women track their fertility is claiming a big success. The makers of Glow say users have reported 1,000 pregnancies since it was unveiled in October. The application makes it easy to analyze menstrual periods and other factors to pinpoint the best time to become pregnant. Source Link
Two out of three of America’s senior citizens need some kind of help dealing with the tasks of daily living. A new study says that includes everything from using a cane or a scooter to needing nursing care. About 20-percent of people 65 and older need help from someone else, and about half of baby boomer seniors use some kind of assistance. Source Link
So what were the top re-tweetable topics of 2013? Twitter says it’s Golden tweets for the year revolved around tragic deaths, with the passings of actors Cory Monteith and Paul Walker as the most re-tweeted. Other hot topics were the power outage at the Super Bowl, the selection of Pope Francis, and the birth of England’s Prince George. Source Link
Experts say parents may be at-odds with their new college students who are home for winter break after a first semester of school. College students who have grown used to freedom and independence often chafe at strict schedules and curfews. Parents need to make expectations clear, but also be flexible and willing to compromise. Source Link
A dreaded pest may not be such a fair-weather fiend. A new study says bedbugs are less susceptible to cold temperatures than previously thought. Experts says you can still put infested items in a bag in a freezer, put it takes up to four days of the big chill to ensure all the critters are dead. Source Link
If you’re going for a really traditional holiday gift, it’ll cost you more this year. The collection of gifts from “The 12 Days of Christmas” would set you back nearly $28,000. The price is up for those 12 drummers drumming, who will cost $2,855, while the partridge for the pear tree is a bargain at just $15. Source Link
The government may be hanging-up on calls to allow cell phone use during airline flights. The Transportation Department is considering a rule that would prohibit voice calls because they are unfair to other passengers. Recent surveys show that nearly two out of three people don’t want to hear other people’s phone calls during an airline flight. Source Link
Listen up -- a long-term study has found that carrying lots of extra weight may be hard on your hearing. People with a higher body-mass index or larger waist size faced a higher risk for hearing problems compared to those of normal weight. The ear is dependent on an adequate blood supply and obesity can compromise blood flow by narrowing blood vessels. Source Link
If you want to pick the perfect gift for each person on your holiday list, you should buy them one at a time. A study showed that when shopping for gifts for more than one person, people tend to look for unique items rather than what is really wanted. Subjects worried about buying the same gift card for two people, even though neither would know what the other received. Source Link
Someday, we may be able to say “goodbye” to eye drops and “hello” to a new kind of medicated contact lens. Researchers have developed a contact lens that delivers a drug to treat the effects of glaucoma. The slow-release method is a fool-proof alternative to eye drops that are often used incorrectly. Source Link
Regular exercise can help people with dementia think more clearly and care for themselves better. A new study found that exercise could delay memory problems and improve the ability to perform the activities of daily living, as well as reduce the risk of falls, which is a major problem for people with dementia. Source Link
So what was the favorite topic on Facebook this year? Social networkers wanted to talk football, with the NFL and quarterback Peyton Manning as the number-one topic and personality. The top check-in spot was Disneyland, followed by Times Square, and the number-one Facebooked movie was the horror film “The Conjuring.” Source Link
Being polite at the holiday buffet could mean you’ll put on more pounds. Researchers found that people picked out higher-calorie snacks when eating with an overweight person to avoid offending them. Participants said it would be offensive to give an overweight person unhealthy food and then take healthy food for themselves. Source Link
Experts say you shouldn’t wait until the New Year to resolve to improve your finances. December is the perfect time to review retirement and brokerage accounts and consider charitable contributions that could reduce your 2013 tax bill. And try to put any holiday bonus to good use to maximize contributions to your retirement savings. Source Link
When the “like” button just doesn’t fit, what if Facebook had a way for you to show support with just a click? The social network is considering the addition of a “sympathize” button that would work for posts that aren’t good news. The idea surfaced during a company brainstorm session, but isn’t scheduled to be implemented yet. Source Link
So what’s the price tag for healthier eating? It’s less than the cost of a cup of coffee. A new report says a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish costs a person about $1.50 more per day. Budget-friendly healthy foods include more beans, bananas, yogurt, almonds, eggs, peanut butter, canned tuna and whole-grain pasta. Source Link
Facebook is making it easier to disconnect with someone without the awkwardness of un-friending them. A new “unfollow” feature allows you to block all their posts in your News Feed with one click without publicly pulling the plug. The feature is rolling out to the web version of Facebook, with mobile apps to follow. Source Link
If you’re making airline travel plans for the holidays, experts say you can save some money by skipping the trip insurance. The National Consumers League says most trip-cancellation policies have exclusions that prevent payouts for common issues like a pre-existing health condition, pregnancy, job termination, or even a cancelled meeting. Source Link
What’s in a baby name this year? Everything from young pop stars to new princes and reality TV families. The annual survey from BabyCenter.com found that Miley and George are climbing the list of popular names. And monikers from the “Duck Dynasty” clan such as Korie, Phil, Silas and Willie are growing in popularity. Source Link
Grandma’s cooking may taste great, but today’s woman shouldn’t be eating the same way the older generation did. Researchers found that the average woman now needs about 1,500 fewer calories per week compared to 50 years ago. That’s because women today often have less physical activity like housework and spend more time with passive entertainment. Source Link
Remember when a rattle or some colorful rings were the favorite accessory in a bouncy seat for infants? Now there’s the “Apptivity Seat” equipped with a holder for an iPad that sits at arm’s length from your baby. The hi-tech pacifier flies in the face of advice from health experts who say screen time is bad for for infants. Source Link
Tis the season to be grumpy behind the wheel. A survey by State Farm Insurance found that one-third of drivers say they are more aggressive during the holiday season. Younger drivers are more likely to be provoked, and two out of three drivers say they’ve experienced at least a half-dozen aggressive driving episodes during the winter holidays. Source Link
Does Monday Night Football offer an advantage to some teams? A study of 40 years of NFL night games found that West Coast teams were more likely to beat East Coast opponents when kickoff happened after 8 p.m. Eastern time. Experts say athletic performance often peaks in late afternoon time for your body’s clock. Source Link
The Federal Trade Commission is shining a light on free smartphone apps that secretly track you and sell that information to marketers. The makers of the popular “Brightest Flashlight Free” Android app have agreed to tell users up-front that it also sends your GPS location to a network that feeds mobile ads to you. Source Link
If you’re planning to use plastic to cover your holiday gift-giving, experts say don’t wait to shop. Their advice is to do some buying each week, to avoid a last-minute rush that can have you picking presents without regard to price. About one-in-three Americans say they’ll use credit cards to purchase holiday gifts this year. Source Link
Frequent mammograms can prevent the deadly spread of breast cancer. A new study found that women with breast cancer who had mammograms every 12 to 18 months had less chance of the cancer spreading to the lymph nodes. Many experts recommend annual mammograms beginning at age 40. Source Link
From desktop to laptop to handheld, the computer of choice is fast becoming the tablet. A new report says it's expected that half of all computers sold next year will be tablets. That's good news for the market leader Apple, but its share of tablet sales is expected to shrink amid more competition from Android models. Source Link
Do energy drinks give too much of a boost to your heart? A new study has shown that the combination of caffeine and taurine found in many energy drinks can lead to increased heart contraction rates an hour after consuming the drink. The number of emergency room visits related to energy drinks nearly doubled in four years, and most involved young people. Source Link
It looks like another I-Christmas for those looking for a tech gadget under the tree. A survey says the new iPad Air and iPhone 5S are the most wanted items. Tablets are expected to be the number-one tech gift this year, and the iPad Air was tops in tech sales at Wal-Mart and Target on Black Friday. Source Link
A TV diva is taking a back seat to a musical superstar as the top search topic on Bing. Singer Beyonce bested Kim Kardashian as the most searched person in America in 2013. The most searched news story of the year was the birth of the Britain’s royal baby Prince George, and out-of-work quarterback Tim Tebow was the top sports personality in Bing searches. Source Link
Black Friday may have fizzled at some brick and mortar stores, but Cyber Monday had holiday shoppers filling their virtual carts. It’s estimated that online shopping was up 17-percent on Monday and one-third of that was completed using smartphones and tablets, marking a tipping point for online versus in-person holiday shopping. Source Link
Keeping a journal can be a useful tool when trying to lose weight, but what if you're not into note-taking? A new study found that text messaging can be an easy alternative. Subjects who received daily texts and responded with details on eating and exercise stayed on-track and lost more weight. Source Link
How do you reach out to family and friends for the holidays – in-person, on the phone, or by email? A new survey found that more men prefer calling rather than digital correspondence, with the typical person spending 11 hours on the phone during the holidays. Only 5-percent of people planned to use a handwritten card or letter. Source Link
Size does matter when it comes to serving up a solution to childhood obesity. Researchers say young test subjects ate less and still felt full when food was served in a smaller bowls. Using bigger bowls caused kids to ask for more food, leading to more eating and more food waste. Source Link
Women may be the savviest shoppers this holiday season, as a new survey found more women were likely to hold the line on spending this year. Gift cards,clothing and toys top the list of gifts that women are giving. On the receiving end, more women want electronics, music and books. Source Link
Don’t expect those young digital natives to give up their old-fashioned books. A survey found that about two out of three young people prefer paper books over the electronic versions. One reason may be that e-books come with an unavoidable price tag, unlike digital music and movies that are often pirated. Source Link
If it’s better to give than receive this time of the year, then today is the day to kick-off your holiday season. Giving Tuesday is an annual event that aims to get companies to commit to a project to benefit a charitable group. Individuals can take part by being generous in any way, from volunteering at a charity to donating to a favorite cause. Source Link
The rush to move holiday shopping into Thanksgiving Day came at the expense of Black Friday sales. Industry figures show that there were fewer shoppers and fewer dollars spent on the day after Thanksgiving this year, as many major retailers opened their doors on Thursday. Overall sales for the two days were slightly higher than for Black Friday in 2012. Source Link
Taking steps to avoid dementia, cancer, heart disease and diabetes starts with taking more steps. A new study says older adults who exercise can increase the odds of healthy aging up to sevenfold. Even adults who don't start exercising until they're older can benefit in the fight against major disease. Source Link
Move over Black Friday, because here comes Cyber Monday. A new survey says more people plan to advantage of online sales on this Monday after the holiday than those who shopped in stores on the day after Thanksgiving. Online sales could see double-digit growth, fueled by more shoppers using smartphones and tablets to make purchases. Source Link
It’s not just how much you sleep that can affect your weight; a new study found that having a regular bedtime is also important. Researchers say consistency in sleeping times can influence body fat. Those who went to bed and woke around the same time each day and slept about eight hours had the lowest body fat. Source Link
If you’re shopping for a new smartphone, here’s what irks people about the latest top models. A user survey found that iPhone 5 owners don’t like the battery life and don’t trust the phone’s new fingerprint ID reader. Samsung Galaxy owners complain about overheating and short battery life, and for Moto X users, it’s the lack of an SD memory card slot for extra storage. Source Link
