November 30, 2015

Most Americans are dreaming of a cash Christmas that may include spending with plastic, but not the credit kind. About 30-percent of those surveyed by the National Retail Federation say they’ll use a debit card for holiday shopping and 40-percent plan to use cash. The poll found that the average shopper will spend about $800 on gifts, decorations and food this year. Source Link
 
That drone you plan to put under the Christmas tree may need the equivalent of a license plate. The Federal Aviation Administration is considering rules to require that operators be registered with a number that must be posted on any drone they fly. The new rules could take effect just days before many Americans receive a drone as a holiday gift. Source Link
 
It sounds a bit nuts, but there could be a superfood for men who want to become a baby daddy. A study found that eating a handful of walnuts each day can improve a man’s fertility. Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids that are necessary to improve reproductive health in men and have been shown to combat prostate cancer. Source Link

November 27, 2015

Getting a good night’s sleep could make the difference in whether you get a cold. New research found that people who slept six hours a night or less were four times as likely to get sick after being exposed to the cold virus compared with those who got more sleep. Scientists say sleep plays an important role in regulating the immune system. Source Link
 
So what’s the most expensive pet to own? Size matters, but it’s not everything. Data from the ASPCA shows that a large dog can cost an owner nearly $900 a year for food and care. Number two on the list? A rabbit at $730 a year, with over half of that being spent on litter. Keeping a cat costs an owner just over $600 a year. Source Link 
 
Could seafood help put a smile on your face? Studies show that people who ate the most fish had a significantly lower risk of depression than those who ate the least. Some researchers think that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish might modify the brain chemicals that calibrate our moods. Source Link

November 25, 2015

The snoring husband is a popular image, but women may suffer more from what can cause excessive snoring. A study found that women with obstructive sleep apnea had a higher risk of  coronary disease, heart failure and cardiovascular disease. Experts say it’s evidence that women need to take their sleep seriously, especially after menopause. Source Link
 
High school seniors considering the true value of their college choice have a new online tool. The Department of Education’s College Scorecard website lists graduation rates, salaries and loan repayment success for students from each college. College Scorecard gets its data from federal government sources rather than self-reported information from schools. Source Link
 
Is there really a plain vanilla solution to a case of the blues? Researchers have discovered that eating vanilla yogurt could help make people happy and improve mood. The results back up earlier studies showing that using a subtle vanilla scent in places like hospital waiting areas helped ease aggression among patients and staff. Source Link

November 24, 2015

Even if you don’t tip the scales, you need to watch out for belly fat. New research says excess weight around the middle boosts the risk of premature death even for people considered normal weight. Normal weight people with excess stomach fat had an even higher risk of dying early than overweight or obese people did. Source Link
 
You might get the most from that morning cup of coffee if it isn't the first thing you grab after waking up. Experts suggest waiting an hour so you get the full benefit of the caffeine boost at mid-morning. A wake-me-up cup isn’t necessary for most people because your natural hormones do that job just fine. Source Link
 
So who says they’re happy with their lives today? A survey found that Americans 30 and older are less happy than generations past, while teens and 20-somethings seem more satisfied with their lives than ever. Researchers think the rise of social media may be fueling more virtual friendships and happiness for young people. Source Link

November 23, 2015

It’s no laughing matter, but a change in a person’s sense of humor could be a warning sign of dementia. Researchers found that people who suffered from a specific kind of early dementia developed a "sick" sense of humor, where they might laugh inappropriately at tragic events. The condition was not connected to Alzheimer’s disease. Source Link 
 
You can step up to better brain health with a strong set of legs. A study found that leg strength was closely linked with healthier brain aging. The connection between strong legs and a stronger brain might be as simple as walking more, because that improves circulation to the brain as well as building leg muscles. Source Link
 
Facebook is making it easier for parents to protect their children’s online privacy. A feature coming soon will remind you when a photo you’re about to post to Facebook includes images of your child. Many parents avoid posting photos of their kids to limit a child’s public profile on social media. Source Link

November 20, 2015

Don’t forget those kitchen utensils when you’re keeping things clean to avoid food-borne illness. A study showed that knives and graters can spread bacteria between produce. The testing revealed that brushes and peelers can also transfer bacteria and should be cleaned between uses. Source Link
 
What can quickly stress-out the average young person? How about a single energy drink. Researchers found that one 16-ounce energy drink can send stress hormones spiking to harmful levels. The healthy young adults also experienced a significant increase in their blood pressure after consuming the energy drink. Source Link 
 
It’s good news for many of the 2016 presidential hopefuls -- the average voter doesn’t care about their older age. A poll found that more than seven in 10 voters see age as an advantage for the presidency. The roster of presidential candidates includes front runners who are near 70 years old and could become some the oldest ever elected to the White House. Source Link

November 19, 2015

Mother Nature and the flu won’t combine to put a damper on that Thanksgiving feast. Experts say despite an outbreak of bird flu, there are plenty of frozen turkeys and prices have softened a bit from last year. Likewise, you’ll find all the pumpkin pies you want even though heavy rains washed out part of the pumpkin crop earlier this year. Source Link
 
On the day when all smokers are encouraged to put away cigarettes for 24 hours, there’s encouraging news that fewer Americans are lighting-up. The latest surveys show less than 17 percent of adults said they smoked, down from 21-percent a decade ago. The Great American Smokeout asks smokers to quit for one day in hopes of kicking the habit for good. Source Link
 
Losing your iPhone to an unexpected dunk in the pool or the toilet could become a thing of the past. Apple has been granted a patent for technology that could be used to make waterproof iPhones. The phone might sense when liquid gets inside and expel it through the speakers or a headphone jack. Source Link

November 18, 2015

You need a plan of attack to win the battle for real bargains on Black Friday. Experts suggest reading those ads carefully to see if discounts require a mail-in rebate or come in the form of a gift card. Also check to see if sale prices will be offered online as well as in the store to save you a stop. Source Link
 
Man’s best friend may also be a healthy helper for kids. A long-term study found that children who grew up with dogs in the home were less likely to develop asthma. Scientists think early exposure to microbes from domesticated animals may support the development of a healthy immune system in children. Source Link
 
Adults are taking a page from a favorite kid’s pastime to beat the stress of grownup life. Coloring books are becoming popular for adults who enjoy the mindfulness that comes from the simple process of adding color to intricate designs, and Crayola has unveiled a new line of coloring book kits geared for adults. Source Link

November 17, 2015

Before you guys skip the fancy dinner date, remember that the way to a woman’s heart may also be through the stomach. Researchers found that women’s brains respond more to romantic cues on a full stomach than an empty one. The study participants were young college-age women of normal weight. Source Link
 
If your meals are often the “grab and go” variety, you may be gobbling more than you should. A study found that dieters who ate while walking, watching TV or having a conversation ate much more than others later in the day. Researchers think they may not be fully aware of what they're eating, or feel like they deserve more food later on because they’ve been active. Source Link
 
That before-dinner drink could be the key to losing weight, as long as it’s plain water. A study showed that obese adults who drank 16 ounces of water before every meal lost more weight. Researchers say the water provides a sense of fullness to help people eat less at every meal. Source Link

November 16, 2015

Cutting fat from your diet may lead to more weight loss than trimming those carbs, but it’s still all about the calories. A study of obese adults found bigger weight loss in fat-restricted diets while the positive effects of lower carbs dropped off over time. But researchers say total calories are still what drives weight loss. Source Link 

A broken heart may feel worse at first when it happens to a woman, but it could take longer to mend for a man. A study involving nearly 6,000 people in 96 countries found that women often return to the dating scene having learned from their mistakes. But men who were dumped can carry the anger and disappointment for the rest of their lives. Source Link
 
Toddler talk could predict a child’s performance when they start school a few years later. Researchers found that children with a larger speaking vocabulary at age 2 are better prepared for kindergarten. That’s important because kids who do better in kindergarten have greater social and educational opportunities as they grow up. Source Link

November 13, 2015

Your smartphone can be distracting even if you don’t answer those calls or texts. Testing found that simply hearing a ring or feeling the phone vibrate is similar to the distraction of actually talking or sending text messages. Notifications alone were enough to significantly disrupt performance on attention-demanding tasks. Source Link

Like the jocks in the weight room, the band nerds might be bulking-up too, but with a different kind of muscle. A study found that music training improves the brain’s ability to use hearing and language skills. That can help teens do better in school because improving those skills makes it easier to learn. Source Link

That daily cup of Joe could make for better memories in your golden years. A study found that coffee drinkers were less likely to suffer the mild impairment that’s the first step toward dementia. But there’s a limit to the good news because only those who drank one or two cups of coffee a day got the benefit. Source Link

November 12, 2015

So how can you overcome an addiction to constantly checking your smartphone? Try doing it slowly and publicly. One suggestion is to announce to friends and family that you’ll only respond to messages, posts and texts every half-hour. Then gradually raise that time until you’re comfortably out of the grip of constant contact. Source Link

There’s a reason why the human scream hits a nerve when we hear it, and it’s not the volume. Testing found that the frequency range of a human scream taps directly into a part of the brain that processes reaction to danger. The same frequency is duplicated in a man-made form in the typical siren. Source Link

Most people say they’ve thrown out food based on expiration dates, but you might not need to trash it. Experts say milk is typically safe for two to three days after the “sell by” date, as are many perishables once they’ve been refrigerated. If something smells rotten, curdles or turns a suspicious color, throw it away. Source Link

November 11, 2015

That sweet tooth for chocolate could be a healthy habit for your heart. A new study found that habitual chocolate eaters had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes. But don’t overdo it -- the sweet spot for a daily dose of chocolate was the equivalent of a standard size Hershey bar. Source Link

If you’re focused on logging 10,000 steps a day for better health, you might be missing the mark. Experts say the 10-K standard isn’t based on any medical evidence, and most people get barely a quarter of that each day, so even 5,000 steps is a good starting goal. And remember that walking alone won’t accomplish weight loss without cutting calories too. Source Link

Turning to the Internet to diagnose your own aches and pains usually isn’t very accurate. A study showed that online symptom checkers found on medical and healthcare websites provided the right diagnosis only about one-third of the time. But even that was better than simply doing a Google search of symptoms. Source Link

November 10, 2015

Working mothers and fathers don’t agree on who carries the bigger load when it comes to parenting. A national survey found that 64 percent of working mothers said they did more work than their spouse when it came to managing their children’s schedules and activities, but only 53 percent of fathers agreed with them. Nearly half of all households now have two parents working full-time. Source Link
 
Don’t blame the drive-thru window and junk food for America’s epidemic of obesity. That’s the conclusion from a study showing that overweight and normal weight people eat sugary and fattening foods. Experts say the problem is how much food we eat and the solution is a simple one -- eat less and exercise more. Source Link
 
A groovy 1960s party game and the favorite weapon for kid’s summer fun have been inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. The Super Soaker and Twister topped the annual list chosen by the National Museum of Play. Nominees that didn’t make the cut for 2015 included the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, American Girl dolls and the board game Battleship. Source Link

November 9, 2015

The sound of your voice can soothe a cranky baby, and singing may be the best way to do it. A study found that singing keeps babies calm longer than talking. Researchers say the sound of singing helps babies and children develop emotional self-control, and if you can’t carry a tune you can play vocal music instead. Source Link
 
If you really want to remember something, it’s best to share the experience. Testing showed that people developed more vivid memories if they described the event to someone or wrote about it afterwards. The process of rehearsing the event in your mind in order to share it builds a stronger memory. Source Link
 
Will the next iPhone be a smaller model? One industry expert is predicting a new iPhone with a 4-inch screen will debut in 2016. The throwback size would appeal to those who want an easier handheld experience and might become a third model to give iPhone users a choice of small,  medium or large screen sizes. Source Link

November 6, 2015

Getting less sleep may be better than waking up several times during the night. Scientists found that people who had their sleep interrupted experienced more mood swings than those who slept for a shorter time but didn’t wake up. Poor sleep has been linked to stress and depression and interrupted sleep could be an important factor. Source Link
 
For American teenagers, interacting with media is equal to a full-time job. A study found that the typical teen spends nine hours a day with screens large and small, often with both running at the same time. Watching television programs and listening to music are the top pastimes, with boys spending more time with video games and girls using more social media. Source Link
 
Something that you might find in any pocket or purse could be deadly to your dog. Veterinarians are warning that the artificial sweetener xylitol used in sugar-free gum can poison a dog. Xylitol can also be found in gummy vitamins, toothpaste, mints, melatonin sleep aids and specialty peanut butter. Source Link

November 5, 2015

More and more young children are being left to their own devices -- as in tablets and smartphones. A survey found that 75-percent of 4-year olds had their own mobile device, often a tablet or an unused phone.  Most parents surveyed said they used the devices as a digital pacifier and some even used it to help put their child to sleep at night. Source Link
 
A facelift can erase the signs of aging but it may not build self-esteem to go with that more-youthful look. A study found no boost in feelings on average among a group of women in their mid 50s who had facelift surgery. Experts say self-esteem is much more complex than someone's appearance and how it can be changed with surgery. Source Link
 
If you can’t name even one sign of a stroke, you’re not alone. About one-in-three people say they don’t know any of the three main signs that a person  may be having a stroke. Remember the acronym FAST -- if you see a drooping face, an arm that’s weak, or difficulty speaking, it’s time to call 9-1-1. Source Link 

November 4, 2015

Don’t get carried away thinking the same thing that can satisfy your sweet tooth is a health food. Chocolate does show benefits for heart health and memory enhancement, but experts say it’s only the flavenols in chocolate that may be helping. And getting the most of flavenols means eating a lot of chocolate with more sugar, saturated fat and calories. Source Link
 
How can your spare change fuel an investment plan? The smartphone app Acorns allows you to round-up debit and credit card purchases to the next dollar and earmark that money to an investment account of your choice. The app is free to use for students and fees for others are as low as $1 a month. Source Link
 
The average smartphone user can spend up to one-third of their day staring at that handheld screen. A study found that users checked their phones about every 10 minutes, or 85 times a day. That totaled five hours daily of glancing at the screen, using apps, listening to music or checking the time. Source Link

November 3, 2015

It’s cold and flu season and time to protect yourself from those nasty bugs. That means getting a regular flu shot if you’re under 65 or a high-dose vaccination for those over 65, and people with a chronic illness should add a pneumonia shot. If you’re allergic to eggs or prefer a sniff to a sharp poke, there’s a nasal flu spray. Source Link
 
Fighting the worst effects of obesity may be as simple as skipping the sugar bowl. A study found that obese children saw major health improvements by cutting most of the sugar from their diets. The test group scored better for blood pressure, cholesterol and insulin levels by reducing sugar without cutting calories or trying to lose weight. Source Link
 
Pop quiz -- what are the most deadly jobs? If you said firefighter, police officer or even soldier, you’d be wrong. Government records show the occupations with the highest percentage of  fatalities include commercial pilots, tree trimmers, and farmers and ranchers, with fishermen suffering the most deaths per thousand. Source Link

November 2, 2015

The food that sits on your kitchen counter may determine the pounds that you’re carrying around your waist. Researchers took photographs in kitchens to see what kinds of foods were out and ready to eat. Those with breakfast cereal or soft drinks weighed an average of 25 pounds more, but people with a bowl of fresh fruit weighed an average of 13 pounds less. Source Link
 
Your daily TV time could be a risk factor in most of the major causes of death. A study found that people who watched 3 hours or more of TV per day were more likely to die from cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Experts say big TV watchers are less active that raises the risk for poor health. Source Link
 
Remembering to floss each day could be as simple as looking in the mirror. The new “Flosstime” dispenser attaches to a bathroom mirror to give you 18 inches of floss at the touch of a button and then triggers a visual timer. If you forget to use it for a few days, Flosstime lights up with an orange frown. Source Link