October 30, 2015

Could a baby aspirin help you have a baby? A study found that women who took a daily low-dose aspirin were more likely to conceive. Aspirin reduces inflammation and that could improve the odds for an embryo to grow, but a daily aspirin regimen also carries the risk of possible side effects such as gastric bleeding. Source Link 

Facebook is aiming to be a single stop to provide the information you need to start your day. It’s expanding the Notifications feature to include information such as sports scores for teams you like, TV shows, weather information and friends' life events. You can limit the kinds of notifications you get through your Facebook settings. Source Link 

Kids aren’t the only little ones who are dressing up for Halloween. The National Retail Federation says about one-in-ten pet owners will put Fido or Kitty in a Halloween costume and spend $350 million to do it. The most popular pet costumes this year are a pumpkin, a hot dog, a devil, a bumble bee, and even Stars Wars characters. Source Link

October 29, 2015

America’s pediatricians are pushing back against suggestions that an occasional drink is okay for a pregnant woman. The group says alcohol-related birth defects and developmental disabilities are completely preventable when pregnant women abstain from alcohol. Some have suggested that one drink a day doesn’t present health risks for an unborn child. Source Link
 
Whether you’re a first, last or middle-born child may not have much effect on your personality. An international study found that traits like emotional stability, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were not affected by birth-order position. The findings refute the common beliefs that first-born are perfectionists, middle children are peacemakers and the youngest are most rebellious. Source Link
 
A helping hand for shopaholics may be as close as your smartphone. The Stopping Overshopping Text Messaging Program will send you text messages designed to strengthen your will to avoid that urge to go on a spending spree. The program sends two texts a day and extra ones on Fridays, Sundays and before big shopping days like Black Friday. Source Link

October 28, 2015

Talking to your car can be as distracting as talking on the phone while driving. A Triple-A study found that using a voice-activated car system can affect your attention for nearly 30 seconds after you’re done interacting with it. One researcher says it’s about the same as trying to balance a checkbook while driving. Source Link
 
Can the same treatment that stops those frown lines help you recover after heart surgery? An injection of Botox into the heart can keep its beating more regular and lower the risk of serious post-surgery complications like stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. Doctors say the paralyzing effect of Botox eases the heart muscle’s reaction to the trauma of surgery. Source Link
 
Forget about ghosts and zombies -- here’s what really scares Americans. A survey found that man-made disasters such as biowarfare, terrorism and nuclear attacks are the top fear, followed by concerns about technology gone bad like cyber-terrorism and fear of robots. And more than half of people are afraid of corrupt government. Source Link

October 27, 2015

Would you pay for a YouTube experience without the ads? The new $10 a month YouTube Red subscription service lets you bypass commercials. The subscription also includes the Google Play Music service and will offer new original programming not available to free YouTube viewers. Source Link
 
Here’s another good reason to go easy on the antibiotics for kids. New research found that children who took more antibiotics were more likely to gain more weight. Experts think the excessive use of antibiotics may affect the makeup of gut bacteria that determines how your body uses food. Source Link
 
If you’re taken a sick day at work when you’re not really ill, you’re also not alone. A survey found that 40-percent of workers have called off sick this year just to get a day off.  About a quarter of those people admitted to the boss that they needed a “mental health day.” Bogus sick time peaks in the months  from December through February. Source Link

October 26, 2015

The American Cancer Society has entered the debate over how often women should have mammograms. It’s recommending a first annual mammogram at 45 and then every other year after age 55. Many doctors still insist that annual mammograms from age 40 will detect more breast cancers without any adverse effects for women. Source Link 
 
Three-quarters-of-a-million dollars is a staggering medical bill to pay, but that’s what many families face when an elderly parent needs care for Alzheimer’s. The $730,000 price tag would pay for eight years of full-time Alzheimer’s care. That’s a challenge for more families because more people are living longer and suffering from dementia. Source Link
 
If a drone is on your holiday wish list or you already own one, you may have to register it with Uncle Sam. The plan is to create a mandatory drone registry by year’s end and it’s not clear yet if simple consumer models would be included. It’s part of an effort to crack down on incidents in which drone flights have interfered with commercial aircraft. Source Link

October 23, 2015

If you really want to remember something, skip the keyboard and break out the pad and pen. Testing showed that note takers in lectures who used paper instead of a laptop did better when recalling concepts. Researchers say you’re using your brain to process information when taking notes by hand, instead of simply transcribing words by typing. Source Link
 
Protecting your hearing can come down to knowing how loud is too loud. Experts say it’s too loud if you must shout so that others can hear you within an arm's distance, or if you have a hard time hearing for a few hours after exposure to the noise. Sound is too loud if it makes your ears ring or it hurts. Source Link
 
Don’t be too quick to take your new puppy to the dog park. It's important to have them fully vaccinated against parvovirus before going anywhere your pup might encounter other dogs. The series of shots usually isn’t completed until 16 weeks of age and dogs are susceptible to the deadly disease until fully immunized. Source Link

October 22, 2015

Regular exercise before you start a family may make that pregnancy easier to bear. Up to 40 percent of pregnant women suffer with pelvic girdle pain from joint and ligament changes caused by the growing baby. Women who exercised just once or twice a week before pregnancy had a lower risk of developing pelvic girdle pain. Source Link 
 
High school seniors who are applying for college can avoid some pitfalls that might sink their chances to land that dream school. Experts say you should fully explain extracurricular activities, don’t send low test scores unless required, and show more interest in the school on social media. And always remember to have a parent or teacher proofread for you. Source Link
 
Look for lots of little yellow Minions and pretty princesses at the door begging for candy come Halloween. The top kid’s costumes for 2015 include the pint-sized animated stars and the continuing reign of female royalty. Adults will be donning more Star Wars costumes ahead of the debut of the seventh movie in that franchise. Source Link

October 21, 2015

Your state of mind might be a big factor in the health of your heart. Researchers found that people with heart disease who had a positive outlook were more likely to exercise, stick with their medications and take other steps to ward off further heart trouble. It’s more evidence that healthy habits can be key to better heart health. Source Link 
 
Those new chip credit cards are ringing up frustration for many shoppers. The technology designed to safeguard you by creating a unique security code for each transaction is proving to be slow or not working at all for some major retailers. Some shoppers say they’re going back to using cash rather than their new credit cards. Source Link 
 
If you have a Yahoo email account, you can forget your password. The service is offering an option that lets you ditch the password and confirm your identity through a smartphone app whenever you access your email account. If you lose your phone, you can use an alternate phone number or another email account to gain access. Source Link

October 20, 2015

Getting your blood pressure checked at the doctor’s office may not be enough to protect you against hypertension. A national health task force says blood pressure checks at home or at work are a good idea. These might help detect lower or higher readings that aren’t seen in the doctor’s office and prevent undertreatment or overmedication. Source Link
 
Can your birth month help determine your long-term health? A  study found that babies born in the summer appear to be healthier because they were slightly heavier at birth and went through puberty slightly later. On the other hand, babies born in the fall months experienced much less risk of cardiovascular disease. Source Link
 
What would a dream vacation look like 15 years from now? A survey of travelers found that about one-in-three think outer space might be a destination in the year 2030. Forty percent believe underwater hotels could be popular, and most say paper passports will be replaced by digital travel documents with facial recognition. Source Link

October 19, 2015

The combination might seem like no big deal, but having a fever and a rash together should send you to the doctor’s office or the ER. A national physicians group says having a fever over 100 degrees and a rash could be a sign of a life-threatening illness. That’s not always the case, but an immediate check-up is the best approach. Source Link
 
The social network is turning gray. Social media use among those 65 and older has tripled since 2010 and now 60-percent of senior citizens who are online use Facebook. Experts say older Americans are realizing they can’t stay connected with their grandchildren or even their children without social media. Source Link
 
If you’re planning for a long-term career, you may want to skip these jobs on a new top-10 list of professions that are shrinking fast. The fields that are shedding jobs include everything from insurance adjusters to jewelers and newspaper reporters. The profession that’s expected to lose the most jobs is mail carrier. Source Link

October 16, 2015


Before you take that winter vacation, you may want to make a stop at the doctor’s office. Many Americans traveling overseas are not immunized against highly contagious diseases like measles and hepatitis-A. Health experts recommend that you check with your doctor six weeks before you travel out of the country to see if you need any shots. Source Link
 
A glass of wine with dinner may be just what the doctor ordered for someone with type-2 diabetes. A new study found that having a daily glass of red wine modestly improved some measures of heart health for men and women with type-2 diabetes. But be sure to make it a red, because white wine didn’t have the same effect. Source Link 
 
What would it be like to watch a favorite TV sitcom as if you were sitting on the set? We may find out soon when the streaming video service Hulu launches a new virtual reality app that will use the $99 Samsung Gear VR device and your smartphone. Hulu is creating 3D programming for the new app and will convert other programs to work in virtual reality. Source Link

October 15, 2015

America’s pediatricians are taking a second look at their long-standing advice to keep kids away from screens until age two. The American Academy of Pediatrics says its current guidelines were developed before the debut of the iPad and apps aimed at young children. New recommendations that may emphasize quality over quantity are expected next year. Source Link
 
The old adage about carrots being good for your eyes may be especially true for older eyes. New research suggests the natural pigments that give carrots their orange color may help ward off age-related macular degeneration, which can affect central vision and even cause blindness. You can get the same benefits from eating sweet potatoes, red peppers, spinach or broccoli. Source Link
 
If you like pumpkin pie, you’ll want to enjoy it soon because Mother Nature may be taking it off the menu. Heavy Midwest rains in early summer and California drought have combined to cut this year’s pumpkin crop. Producers expect supplies to last through the holidays, but canned pumpkin may be harder to find after that. Source Link

October 14, 2015

If seeing your kids spending too much time on the Internet gets your blood boiling, the feeling may be mutual. A study found that teens who spent an average of 25 hours a week on the Internet may be at risk for high blood pressure. Heavy Internet use has been linked to other health risks like addiction, anxiety, depression, obesity and social isolation. Source Link
 
When your work has you sitting most of the day, try to “take ten” on your feet to beat the bad health effects of a sedentary job. Researchers found that just ten minutes of walking could restore blood flow to legs affected by prolonged sitting. A walking meeting is just one way to add more steps to your work day. Source Link
 
What’s the biggest beef for travelers when it comes to other hotel guests? A survey by Expedia.com found the number-one complaint was inattentive parents who let their kids run wild. Number-two was noisy guests in the hallway, followed by people who complain too much at the front desk, and loud guests in the room next door. Source Link 

October 13, 2015

It’s not a “dislike” button, but Facebook wants to make it easy to put more emotion in your News Feed comments. The new “Reactions” emojis give you six ways to comment on a post with a single click, ranging from “sad” to “haha” and “wow.” The feature is being tested now and should roll out soon to all Facebook users. Source Link
 
Compulsive texting might lead to poor school performance for teenage girls. A study found that girls who were obsessed with texting to connect socially showed difficulty in completing school work. It’s not just frequency of texting, because boys text as often as girls and did not show the same effect on grades. Source Link
 
Would you pay more for a steak that offers a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids? That’s the challenge for beef producers who want to cash-in on the craze that’s mostly been a benefit from eating fish. Some ranchers are feeding cattle flaxseed and even marine algae to boost omega-3 levels in beef that could sell for an extra dollar or two per pound. Source Link

October 12, 2015

Staying connected with others is important for good mental health and there’s one way that seems to work the best. A study found that meeting friends and family face-to-face may have more power to beat depression. Those whose social support was mainly via phone, letters and email had higher rates of depression. Source Link
 
Looking for a natural energy boost that’s not caffeinated? Hazelnuts, cashews or almonds are rich in magnesium, and whole eggs are packed with protein and B vitamins, which help convert food into energy. Fresh fruit can also provide natural sugar along with beneficial fiber and vitamin C from oranges, kiwi, mangoes, pineapple or strawberries. Source Link

A feature in the new iOS 9 is draining the data plans for some iPhone users. The WiFi Assist feature uses cellular data to support a weak WiFi signal. To avoid an unexpected high bill, you can check your usage under Settings and Cellular and turn off WiFi Assist to prevent it from using your cellular data. Source Link

October 9, 2015

Vitamin D could be an important part of preventing falls for older women. A study found that taking the vitamin supplement significantly increased muscle strength for postmenopausal women. Stronger muscles can help women avoid falls that cause broken bones, less mobility and declining health. Source Link
 
Is it true love? Maybe your credit score will predict it. A Federal Reserve study found that people tend to form committed relationships with people whose credit scores are in the same range. And couples with high credit scores tend to stay together longer. Source Link


If you’re thinking about a holiday getaway, today’s the day to book your flight. The online travel site Orbitz.com says this week brings the best prices on airline tickets for Christmas and New Year’s travels. Prices for holiday airfares begin to rise by mid-October. Source Link

October 8, 2015

Science may be proving the old adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A study found that half of people’s preferences for faces is unique to them, and who we find attractive is most strongly influenced by our life experiences. A good experience with a particular person could make them look more attractive to you. Source Link
 
Getting a flu shot can protect you from more than just the flu. Influenza pneumonia is the leading cause of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths.  It’s estimated that half of these pneumonia cases could be prevented by getting a flu shot. Source Link
 
Facebook is making it possible for you to take a spin with your News Feed. The social network can now include 360-degree videos that will pan as you move your phone. The technology that could also support virtual reality viewing is available on Android devices and coming soon to iPhones and iPads. Source Link

October 7, 2015

The concept of three square meals a day isn’t on most people’s menu plan. A study found that a majority ate for 15 hours a day or more and the lion's share of those calories came well after 6 p.m. Before the study, most people assumed that they were confining their eating to a 10- to 12-hour period. Source Link 
 
Dealing with a sink full of dirty dishes could be a spiritual experience, if you do it the right way. Mindful dishwashing includes smelling the scent of the soap, focusing on the shape and feel of the dishes, and sensing the temperature of the water. Participants in a study found that mindful dishwashing reduced nervousness and improved mental inspiration. Source Link
 
Could your love of that smartphone be killing real romance? Researchers found that relationships suffered when people use or get distracted by cellphones while in their partner's company. There’s even a name for it -- “phubbing” is when you snub someone else by ignoring them while using your phone. Source Link

October 6, 2015

Chalk up another health benefit for the Mediterranean Diet. A new study found that it boosted the body’s production of beneficial fatty acids that can lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The Mediterranean Diet favors fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish, with less red meat and dairy products and some alcohol. Source Link 
 
Could cutting the levels of nicotine in cigarettes help more people quit? Regulators are considering new rules to reduce nicotine and a new study found that ultra-low nicotine cigarettes made it easier to kick the habit. But less nicotine won't make smoking safer because all of the cancer-causing agents still remain in cigarettes. Source Link 
 
If you enjoy the taste of Cola Cola and want to make the real thing at home, it’s now as easy as brewing a cup of coffee. The new Keurig Kold soda machine uses single-serving cups with built-in fizz to make real Coke and Diet Coke at home, but it’s not cheap. The machine costs $370 and each cup is about $1 for an eight-ounce serving. Source Link

October 5, 2015

Using calcium supplements to protect your bones after age 50 may do more harm than good. A new look at a range of studies found that extra calcium can build up in the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease or cause kidney stones. People over 50 got no benefit from taking either calcium supplements or eating calcium in food. Source Link
 
There’s a real danger for toddlers and TV, and it has nothing to do with what’s showing. Toppling TV sets are injuring more children as screens get bigger and curious kids keep climbing on furniture. A wall mount is the safest bet, but otherwise be sure to secure a TV directly to furniture that’s designed to hold a television. Source Link 
 
The push to be always online is taking a toll on today’s teenagers. A study found that the need to be constantly available and respond 24/7 on social media can cause depression, anxiety and reduce sleep quality for teenagers. Parents are advised to set boundaries that require teens to turn off all screens overnight. Source Link

October 2, 2015

If you want your kids to exercise more, you should skip the guilt trip.  A study found that middle school students were less likely to be physically active if they didn't feel in control of their exercise choices or if they felt pressured by adults to get more exercise. Researchers say between fifth and sixth grade is a key time for kids to build their exercise habits. Source Link
 
Who foots the bill when credit card fraud happens now depends on the card in your pocket and the reader at the cash register. New rules leave the retailer with the bill if they haven’t updated to chip card readers. Not all cards have been converted yet, although 70-percent should have smart chips by the end of the year. Source Link
 
Maybe all it takes is a family to get Millennials to re-connect to cable TV. A new survey found that about 80 percent of young people with their own homes who have started families subscribe to cable. The 18-to-34 age group has been known as the “cord-nevers” because many do their viewing online or using streaming video services. Source Link

October 1, 2015

Trying to avoid the health pitfalls of sugar by going naturally sweet won’t help much. A new study found that honey is no better for your body than table sugar and corn syrup. Added sugars can cause an increased risk of dying from heart disease and may impair learning and memory by slowing down your brain. Source Link
 
The nation’s biggest brick-and-mortar retailer is expanding an online grocery shopping program with a nod to restaurant carry-out. Walmart is offering curbside pickup for groceries ordered online. The company says the selection is the same as what’s found in the store and the service is handled by full-time “personal shoppers” who will pick and pack items. Source Link
 
If you’re thinking of posting a long legal statement to your Facebook page to protect your photos and other information from unauthorized use, don’t bother. It’s the Facebook Terms of Service and not your posts that determine your legal rights. The Facebook copyright legalese that’s resurfaced again has been debunked several times in the past. Source Link