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Could that second cup of coffee help you beat the odds of getting type-2 diabetes? A study found that people who boosted their daily java intake by more than one cup over four years reduced their diabetes risk. It’s believed that the combination of antioxidants and other nutrients in coffee are responsible for a lower risk of developing diabetes. Source Link
Getting your parents or grandparents online may help them combat loneliness and depression. Surveys found that fewer retirees who used the Internet for communication suffered from depression as compared to non-Internet users. Experts say the Internet helps older adults stay in contact and feel like they’re part of a larger community. Source Link
Here’s a tip for the guys -- if you’re trying to sound sexy by lowering your voice, don’t bother. A study found that women who speak in a lower pitch and a hoarse voice can sound more attractive, but that isn’t true for men. Researchers say trying your best Barry White impression may actually do more harm than good in the eyes and ears of your mate. Source Link
When spring cleaning is on your to-do list, be sure to make it safe for everyone. Experts say you should keep your cleaning products in the original bottles or containers and away from small children. Don’t sniff a container to see what’s inside, and never mix products together, because doing so could create a dangerous gas. Source Link
The government is planning to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. But the FDA proposal would not restrict flavored products, online sales or advertising, which public health advocates say are attracting children to e-cigarettes. The measure could take several years to become fully effective. Source Link
There’s a new gadget to help you keep an eye on Fido’s fitness. The Whistle tracker for dogs is worn on the collar and records how much exercise or sleep your four-legged friend is getting. The tracker syncs with a smartphone app that can encourage you to get your pet up and moving more. Source Link
If you’re in the market for a used car, it’ll soon be a great time to buy. Analysts say millions of cars that were leased after the Great Recession are coming onto dealer lots and that will raise inventories and lower prices. And because most autos today have longer life spans, the used car market should favor buyers for years to come. Source Link
Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu are prompting more people to cut out the cable bill. New figures show subscribers to Internet video are three times as likely to cancel their cable TV service. And more young adults are never becoming cable subscribers, opting instead to get their video fix exclusively online. Source Link
Your smartphone could become a high-tech tool in the medicine cabinet. The $25 Kinsa Smart Thermometer plugs into your Android or iPhone to take a temperature in just 10 seconds. A data sharing feature lets parents create groups to track illnesses among children’s classmates or others. Source Link
You can dial-up a clearer mind when you set the thermostat at home. A study found that you think best when the room is at an air temperature that makes you feel the most comfortable. Researchers believe that working in a comfortable temperature slows the use of energy required to do mental tasks. Source Link
Young adults with private student loans may want to keep a close eye on the physical and financial health of their co-signers. Officials say lenders will often require the entire loan to be paid immediately if a co-signer dies or declares bankruptcy. The so-called auto-defaults can occur even if the borrower has been keeping up with payments. Source Link
Baby Boomers are all-in when it comes to the smartphone. A majority of Americans over age 55 now own smartphones, according to a new survey. It’s the last age group to ditch the feature phone in favor of the smartphone, which is now the choice of 85 percent of people who are shopping to replace their cellphone. Source Link
Teens who don’t get enough sleep are at-risk for more than just poor grades. A study found that teenagers who skimp on sleep are more likely to report feeling hopeless, and to smoke, drink alcohol and use marijuana. The typical teen in the study slept only six hours a night. Source Link
If you like your Netflix fix, the price for the streaming video service is going up. The company says it will soon raise the price by one or two dollars a month for new subscribers. Current Netflix subscribers who pay $7.99 a month won’t see the price increase until sometime next year. Source Link
Religious music can bring real peace of mind to older Christians. In a new study, researchers said listening to religious music, especially gospel music, decreased anxiety about death and increased a sense of control. The findings were the same regardless of race, gender or socioeconomic status. Source Link
Could Man’s Best Friend also be the best addition to a family with an autistic child? A study found that children with autism may find the unconditional love of the family dog a real help. The advantages of having a dog include companionship, stress relief and giving children with autism opportunities to learn responsibility and help to interact with others. Source Link
Alternative medicine means different things to different people in America, often depending on where they live. A new government report says people on the West Coast are faithful followers of yoga and meditation, while Midwesterners turn to chiropractors for their aches and pains. And one in five people uses herbal supplements for medicinal purposes. Source Link
Some say it’s the biggest legal battle over the future of television viewing since the dawn of the VCR. The U.S. Supreme Court has heard arguments over whether the Aereo online service should continue. Aereo uses tiny antennas to bring over-air TV channels to subscribers. TV stations say it’s an illegal use of their signal and could spell the end of free broadcasting. Source Link
When it comes to wearable tech, some day it may be, “so long Google Glass” and “hello Google Contact Lens.” The company has patented a design for a contact lens that includes a microcamera. Unlike the Google Glass web device that runs by way of voice commands, the Google contact lens system would take its commands through a series of eye blinks. Source Link
Just like there’s no free lunch, you may not save with those free samples from the doctor’s office. A study found that patients who took free samples of brand-name drugs went on to pay more than twice as much for their prescriptions, compared to people who didn’t get free samples and used generic drugs instead. Source Link
A little crunch in your food may make a difference in how that meal looks on your waist. A study found that foods with a crunchy texture were thought to be higher in calories and people ate less. When eating soft foods, people were less concerned about the calorie count and ate more. Source Link
If Apple has its way, the next version of the iPhone will cost you more. Reports say the company wants to raise the price by $100, meaning at least a $299 out-of-pocket cost for iPhones purchased with a 2-year service contract. Apple is making the price hike request as part of negotiations with U.S. carriers who will offer the new phone when it debuts this fall. Source Link
Keeping your sweetie in sweets might just be the recipe for a happy marriage. A study found that lower blood glucose levels predicted more aggression toward spouses. Researchers say when glucose levels are low, people have more difficulty controlling their attention, regulating their emotions, and overriding their aggressive impulses. Source Link
If you have an Easter lily in the house, be sure to keep your cat away from it. The FDA warns that lillies are a poison threat to your feline friends. By just eating a couple of leaves from the plant or licking a few pollen grains off their fur, cats can suffer acute kidney failure within a very short period of time. Source Link
America’s biggest carriers and manufacturers have agreed to equip new cellphones with anti-theft technology. Phones that go on sale after July 2015 could be remotely rendered inoperable to prevent the device from being reactivated without the owner’s permission. The feature could help deter phone theft, which is one of the top crimes in many cities. Source Link
Helping your daughter to eat more fruits and vegetables could have an important health benefit in adulthood. Girls who ate red, orange or dark green fruits and vegetables were less likely to get benign breast disease. A natural ingredient found in these fruits and vegetables are believed to have antioxidant properties that may guard against disease. Source Link
If you’re starting a family and hoping for a boy or for a girl, there’s a new app that claims to help you get the gender you want. Stork Diet prescribes a nine-week diet that suggests foods rich in the appropriate nutrients to conceive a boy or a girl. It’s based on research showing that women who ate more calories, sodium, and calcium were more likely to have boys. Source Link
If you suffer from allergies, that’s a good reason to start your spring cleaning now. Experts say thoroughly cleaning your home can help eliminate allergens and keep new ones from easily entering. That’s important because indoor allergens can cause the sneezin’ season to last all year long. Source Link
New research is confirming suspicions that a high-fat diet may increase the risk of breast cancer. A large study found that women who ate the most saturated fat were about 30 percent more likely to develop breast cancer. Researchers think the high-fat intake raises the levels of the body's own estrogen, which can stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells. Source Link
Tired of seeing Facebook posts or photos that directly ask you to “like” or “share” them? Well, relief is on the way. Facebook has changed its settings to detect such items and make them less likely to appear in your news feed. So-called “like-bait” posts generate lots of complaints from Facebook users. Source Link
A flaw in the software that keeps many websites secure may mean some extra work for you. The Heartbleed bug can make websites vulnerable to hackers who could see private information like account numbers and passwords. Experts say it’s probably a good idea to change website passwords to avoid any risk to your information. Source Link
There’s a good reason why nap time has been a scheduled part of the preschool day. Researchers say testing shows that naps play a crucial role in helping young children remember things they've just learned. Naps helped to improve language and memory skills in children as young as infants. Source Link
Irregular menstrual periods could be more than just an inconvenience. Women with irregular cycles may have more than double the risk of ovarian cancer. Researchers say it could be a warning sign for women that prompts better screening for ovarian cancer, which has no other risk factors in nine out of ten cases. Source Link
Some might think that babysitting the grandkids would drive them crazy, but in fact, the opposite may be true. A study found that taking care of grandkids one day a week helps keep grandmothers mentally sharp. But caring for grandchildren five days a week or more had some negative effects on tests of mental sharpness. Source Link
You can add some pregnant women to the list of people who can benefit from a daily aspirin regimen. A government health panel says women at risk for preeclampsia should take a low-dose aspirin every day after their first trimester. Preeclampsia is one of the more common causes of serious health problems for both the expectant mother and their baby. Source Link
If you like to use Facebook Messaging on your smartphone, you’ll soon need a separate app for that. The social network says it will remove messaging from the regular Facebook mobile application. The Facebook Messenger app has been available for some time, but many users still send and receive messages through Facebook. Source Link
Keeping your hands on the wheel doesn’t make it safer to be talking on the phone while driving. The National Safety Council says a review of over two dozen studies found that using a hands-free device while driving is no safer than using a handheld phone because both are a distraction. Hands-free calling while driving is legal in all 50 states. Source Link
It could be more evidence of unexpected side effects from drinking diet soda. A study found that postmenopausal women who had at least two diet drinks per day were more likely to suffer heart attacks and to die from cardiovascular disease. Researchers say it’s not clear yet if diet soda causes the problem, or if the lifestyle of diet soda drinkers is to blame. Source Link
The couple that tweets together may stay together. A study found that couples who were heavy individual users of Twitter experienced more conflict in their romantic relationships that could lead to infidelity and breakups. One solution was to use a joint account, or simply cut back on social media activity. Source Link
There’s a warning for households that use e-cigarettes. Health officials have seen hundreds of accidental poisonings each month from liquid nicotine that’s used to refill the electronic devices. The nicotine is dangerous to drink and may also cause an overdose if spilled on the skin. Source Link
Does the early bird get the slimmer waist, too? A study found that people who were exposed to sunlight early in the day tended to weigh less. Experts say morning sunlight might affect hormones that influence appetite and help set the proper body rhythms for better sleep and a healthy metabolism to keep weight in-check. Source Link
It turns out that dogs may have a nose for their owners. Researchers found that dogs could identify the scent of a person who lives in the home when that person wasn’t present. The reaction to the personal scent triggered the reward area in the dog’s brain, just like a familiar perfume or cologne can trigger a reaction in humans. Source Link
Intensive early childhood education makes for better adults. That’s the takeaway from a 40-year study that placed infants from low-income families in a special day-long program with nutritious meals and a focus on language building and brain stimulation. The children grew up to be less likely to smoke or do drugs, and less likely become teen parents or engage in criminal activity. Source Link
Apple iPhone fans should mark their calendars for early Fall and get ready to choose between a bigger and the biggest new model of their favorite smartphone. Reports say manufacturing is underway on two new iPhone models with screens measuring 4.7 and 5.5 inches. The dual debut is expected sometime in September. Source Link
Just in time for spring allergy season, there’s a new easier way to take your medicine to keep those symptoms in-check. The FDA has approved an under-the-tongue pill to treat hay fever caused by certain grass pollens. The prescription once-a-day tablet is designed to be used throughout the allergy season. Source Link
Money may buy happiness, but not if you’re just spending it on things. A study found that people who spent money on life experiences were happier than those who bought material goods. Researchers say many people have a hard time placing an economic value on memories compared to the price tag on a product. Source Link
Millions of older Americans may be able to ditch their blood pressure medicine under new guidelines that re-set the limits for healthy readings. For people aged 60 and older, a blood pressure reading of 150 over 90 is now considered normal. A study estimated that nearly 6 million people may be able to stop taking blood pressure medicine. Source Link
Microsoft is letting you rekindle your love affair with the Start button. An update to the Windows 8 operating system will sense whether you’re using a touchscreen system. If not, Windows will open to the old Desktop view including the Start button, instead of the tile view that was panned by many who liked the traditional screen. Source Link
Health experts have a message for parents who lecture their kids about the dangers of underage drinking -- keep talking, because they are listening. A survey of high school students found that teens whose parents tell them that underage drinking is completely unacceptable are more than 80 percent less likely to drink. Source Link
In your next new car, the rear view from the driver’s seat may include more than a few mirrors. New government rules will require a rearview camera as a standard feature on all new cars and light trucks by 2018. Safety experts say about 200 people are killed every year in backup accidents, and most of the victims are under 5 years old or over 70. Source Link
The Internet is a great place to shop, but it’s not where you should be buying products to treat the signs of skin cancer. Experts say people who try to self-medicate with so-called natural or organic products or alternative treatments that are sold online often end up with scarring and worse outcomes than with standard skin cancer treatments. Source Link
It’s an exercise that helps people lose weight, reduce stress and improve heart health, but can there be too much of a good thing when it comes to running? Studies have shown that a moderate running regimen totalling two to three hours per week yields the best results, while high-mileage runners can have shorter lifespans. Source Link
There’s a big hat flying into the crowded ring of products that stream content to your TV via the web. The Amazon Fire splayer has a $99 price tag and includes all the top services, just like Apple TV, Roku and Google Chromecast. But the Amazon player offers an optional wireless controller that could bring Android games off your phone and onto your TV. Source Link
A favorite from the health food aisle probably won’t help much with fussy newborns. A study found that giving a commonly used probiotic to babies who have colic doesn't seem to help ease their discomfort at all. Probiotics are popular ingredients in yogurt and other products that can ease digestion problems for adults. Source Link
Don’t expect to hydrate your way to a slimmer you. Despite common beliefs, experts say there's very little evidence that drinking more water promotes weight loss. And while some people think that ice-cold water helps to burn more calories, the temperature of the water doesn’t really matter when it comes to weight loss. Source Link
A job that requires more brain work now could help keep you sharp long after retirement. A long-term study found that challenging jobs could enhance and protect mental functioning in later life. This included jobs with data analysis, developing objectives and strategies, making decisions, solving problems, evaluating information and thinking creatively. Source Link
Can a smartphone help you stay sober? A new app for recovering alcoholics includes a panic button and sounds an alert when they get too close to to a bar. Testers reported fewer drinking days and more overall abstinence than those who got the usual follow-up support. Source Link
Too much stressing out might keep you from starting a family. A study found that women with high levels of a stress-related enzyme were twice as likely to meet the clinical definition of infertility. Researchers say women who want to become pregnant should consider using stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness. Source Link
Worried about the safety of texting and walking at the same time? Soon, there could be an app for that. Apple wants to patent a new feature that would use the iPhone camera to superimpose text messages over a live view of what’s ahead of you. The feature could also allow you to read e-books or view web pages while keeping an eye ahead. Source Link
It’s not just what you eat that can make you obese. New research from the Centers for Disease Control found that the act of sitting for prolonged periods can cause fat cells to expand. About one-in-three adults and nearly 20-percent of children in America are obese. Source Link
There’s evidence that marriage is good for your heart. A study of over 3 million men and women found that those who were married were less likely to suffer from a heart problem. Experts say it may be that if someone is married, they have a spouse who encourages them to take better care of themselves. Source Link
If you’re still among the millions of people using Windows XP on your computer, Microsoft wants to pay you to switch. The company is offering a $100 credit when you upgrade to a Windows 7 or Windows 8 computer. Microsoft will end support of Windows XP next week and users could be vulnerable to security attacks without regular updates. Source Link
Americans have a message for lawmakers -- keep your hands off my supersized soda. A new survey found that three out of four people don’t want a soda tax or restrictions on portion sizes for sugar-sweetened soft drinks. There was more support for efforts to encourage better eating at school lunchrooms. Source Link
April and allergies go hand in hand, but what if you could filter out those tiny troublemakers that make this the sneezin’ season? Testing is underway for a new device about the size of a contact lens that’s worn in both nostrils and works like a furnace filter to remove pollen and other allergens. The inventor says the device can reduce sneezing by up to 45-percent. Source Link
Mammograms for women aged 70 and older may cause more harm than good, according to a new study. Researchers found that mammograms don't cut the number of advanced breast cancer cases. But the screenings can lead to overtreatment of many older women and put them at risk from the harmful side effects of breast cancer treatment. Source Link
The TV is taking a back seat to smaller screens when it comes to the viewing habits of America’s young adults. A survey found that teens and twentysomethings do most of their watching on smartphones, tablets, or laptops. It’s the first time these devices have eclipsed TV for viewing in any segment of the population. Source Link
