December 31, 2015

Ditching the dishwasher might be a prescription for better health for kids. A study found that children in homes where dishes were hand-washed had fewer allergies like asthma and eczema. Hand-washed dishes aren’t quite as clean and scientists think the exposure to more microbes can help children build natural immunity to allergens. Source Link 
 
If you don’t have a taste for big credit card bills, you should avoid shopping while hungry. Tests showed that hunger may push people into buying more than they would when they have a full stomach. Researchers say hunger involves hormones that affect the brain and could interfere with impulse control that can curb overspending. Source Link 
 
The sweet spot for good fitness may not be a sweaty as we thought. A study found that middle-aged women who did vigorous exercise two or three times a week were less likely to suffer from heart disease and stroke than those who exercised more often. Even everyday activities such as gardening and walking were associated with significantly lower risks. Source Link

December 30, 2015

It’s round and holds your food, and it could be key to keeping you from overeating. Health experts say using a plate for everything you eat including snacks can help prevent mindless eating and extra calories. Using smaller plates can also help you eat less because it takes less food to make the plate look full. Source Link
 
That cup of coffee or caffeinated drink at night can literally stop the clock on your body. New research found that nighttime caffeine can reset the body’s internal clock by about 40 minutes, delaying the surge of melatonin that triggers the start of the sleep cycle. It’s not clear if daytime caffeine use has the same effect. Source Link
 
More fruits and veggies on your plate can mean less pounds on the scale. A 24-year study found that people who ate more fruits and vegetables had a lower risk of excessive weight gain. But the study showed that eating starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn and peas was linked with weight gain. Source Link

December 29, 2015

When it comes to long-term survival of breast cancer, a less-invasive surgery might be just as good. A large study found that a lumpectomy with radiation treatment had the same survival rate as a mastectomy with reconstruction. The mastectomy is more costly and has more complications after surgery. Source Link
 
On second thought, it may not be simple bad luck that leads to most cases of cancer. A new look at data from a previous study concluded that nine out of 10 cancers are probably caused by environmental and lifestyle risk factors. The earlier study came under fire for claiming that most cases of cancer were random. Source Link
 
It might look like a sloppy way to get a drink, but your dog is really quite efficient when he dives into the water dish. High-speed photography shows how a dog curls his tongue to draw up water and then bites down to capture it in the mouth. Cats are more delicate when drinking and barely touch the surface of the water. Source Link

December 28, 2015

Sudden cardiac arrest can kill in an instant, but often there are warning signs. A study showed that nearly half of victims experienced chest pains or shortness of breath in the days or weeks before they died. Health experts say such symptoms should always be checked by a doctor or with an emergency room visit, if necessary. Source Link 
 
2016 could be the year of the cord cutter. A survey found more people who say they’d consider canceling cable TV service and up to 20-percent might end their pay TV subscriptions. Many are frustrated with the traditional cable programming bundle and the lack of consumer choice that comes with it. Source Link
 
What if the word of the year wasn’t even a full word? That’s the case for the Merriam-Webster Dictionary editors who have chosen the suffix “ism,” as in socialism, fascism, racism, feminism, terrorism, and so on. They say current events have contributed to the surge in words ending in “ism.” Source Link

December 23, 2015

Belting out a tune might help to beat back some symptoms of dementia. A study found that singing can boost the brain function and mood of people with early stage dementia. A group of singers showed improvements in memory, thinking skills and the ability to find their way around. Source Link
 
If the holiday blues are taking hold for you, experts have some advice on how to manage your melancholy.  Number-one is don’t go solo. If you're depressed, don't try to deal with it on your own; seek treatment and also seek out others. Try to attend family gatherings or holiday parties to reduce the isolation that can make the problem worse. Source Link 
 
Last-minute gift buyers should take note of this list of items that most people don't want to see under the tree. A holiday poll conducted by Consumer Reports found that liquor was tops on the “no thanks” list, followed by flowers or anything that’s been re-gifted. People also aren’t crazy about getting home decor items like candles or picture frames. Source Link

December 22, 2015

Women don’t have to be smokers to run the risk of infertility and early menopause from cigarettes. Researchers found that even second-hand smoke can have an adverse effect. The impact was the greatest for those who began smoking at an early age or were exposed to secondhand smoke as youngsters. Source Link
 
There may be a medical way to determine if you’re a secret Santa or a Grinch. A study using brain scans revealed that certain areas of the brain were activated when people were shown Christmas-related images, but only if that person had Christmas traditions in their life.  The same areas of the brain have been shown to play a role in spirituality. Source Link 

Pet owners seem to be fine with turning down the sheets to make room for Fido or Fluffy. A Mayo Clinic study found that more people say it’s not a problem to share their bed with a pet. Some even think they benefit from having a four-legged slumber companion because they feel more secure, content and relaxed when their pet sleeps nearby. Source Link

December 21, 2015

Researchers say many electronic cigarettes contain flavoring chemicals that may cause lung disease. The investigators found that most flavored e-cigarettes contain a chemical linked to a severe lung disease known as "popcorn lung" because it was first diagnosed in workers who inhaled artificial-butter flavoring in factories making microwave popcorn. Source Link 

So what’s the magic number on the scale for a weight loss that others will notice? A study involving before and after photos found that an 8-pound weight loss can be seen in someone’s face. But it took 16 pounds of weight loss before people said a dieter looked more attractive. Source Link
  
High-flying action, a prison drama and a famous sneeze are among the cinema treasures the Library of Congress will recognize for preservation. This year’s additions to the National Film Registry include “Top Gun,” “The Shawshank Redemption” and the comedy “Ghostbusters,” along with the oldest surviving copyrighted film -- Thomas Edison’s 1894 short, “The Sneeze.” Source Link

December 18, 2015

Calming your kid’s cough shouldn’t be done with codeine, according to FDA experts. The agency’s medical advisers want to ban codeine from prescription and over-the-counter cough medicines for children. Experts claim codeine isn’t proven effective but has been found to trigger life-threatening breathing problems in some children. Source Link
 
Are men hard-wired to be better at finding their way? Researchers who tested men and women on route-mapping tasks found that testosterone may give guys an advantage. A small dose of the male hormone helped women perform better at navigating through a test maze. Source Link
 
Before you launch your drone on that next flight, you’ll need to sign-up as a pilot. New rules require registration with the FAA if your drone weighs more than half a pound and your registration number must be listed on the tiny aircraft. Online sign-up is free for the next 30 days and will cost $5 per operator after that. Source Link

December 17, 2015

A new study shows that women who take antidepressants in the later stages of pregnancy are more likely to have a child with autism. Researchers think the same drugs that help the mother could have an effect on a baby’s brain development. The numbers affected are small and pregnant women should still be treated for depression, but talk therapy may be a better alternative. Source Link
 
There may be a simpler way to avoid the dentist’s drill in the fight against cavities. A study found that the need for fillings fell 30 to 50 percent if patients used preventive care after the first sign of tooth decay. Rather than drilling and filling, dentists can use a high-concentration fluoride varnish to stop minor tooth decay from progressing. Source Link
 
Being a grump apparently isn’t something that will kill you. A 10-year study involving one million women found unhappiness or stress had no direct effect on mortality. Experts say Illness can make you unhappy, but unhappiness itself doesn't make you ill. Source Link

December 16, 2015

Working up a sweat may be a good way to avoid the most lethal form of prostate cancer. A long-term study found that men who engaged in vigorous exercise were much less likely to develop deadly prostate cancer. Other factors that can reduce the risk were eating a serving of fatty fish once a week and reducing intake of processed meats. Source Link
 
Facebook wants to become the new go-to spot for professional social networking. It’s called “Facebook At Work” and will be geared towards workplace collaboration with professional profiles that are separate from personal Facebook accounts. The service is aimed at companies that would subscribe at a monthly cost of a few dollars per user. Source Link
 
From the battlefields of Afghanistan to the streets of America, there’s a new tool that could save lives of shooting victims here. The FDA has approved the use of a sponge-filled gunshot wound dressing device developed for the military that can stop bleeding in 15 seconds. It’s a large syringe filled with tablet-sized medical sponges that  expand on contact with blood. Source Link

December 15, 2015

A convertible car seat should be on the gift list for every one-year-old’s birthday, according to Consumer Reports. The magazine says testing showed that convertible seats may provide some additional protection over an infant seat in protecting a child’s head. Some parents use an infant car seat longer because it conveniently doubles as an infant carrier. Source Link
 
There’s new evidence that the “one-size-fits-all” diet is mostly a myth. Researchers found that people eating the same meal burned it differently and had different blood sugar levels afterward. The next step is to develop tools like a smartphone app that could calculate personal nutrition needs and give you real-time guidance on smart food choices. Source Link

You may want to think twice about stashing that glittery hair tie around your wrist. In one case, a woman contracted a serious skin infection that lead to emergency surgery after wearing a hair tie on her wrist for several weeks. Health experts say hair ties can carry bacteria from the head to the skin where infection can happen. Source Link

December 14, 2015

A simple chin strap may work as well as complex breathing gear to prevent the health risks associated with sleep apnea. A study found that wearing a strap that positions the jaw and tongue to maintain an open airway reduced blood pressure as well as a CPAP breathing machine. Some sleep apnea sufferers don’t use CPAP because the headgear is too cumbersome. Source Link
 
This is the busiest time of the year at the airport and the time when the most luggage is lost, but you can take steps to keep your bags on-track to your destination. Several major airlines allow you to track your luggage through the trip after it’s been checked-in. And experts suggest that you put a printed copy of your travel itinerary in each bag to help if your luggage is lost. Source Link
 
iPhone users seem to love sharing the real world in live video and gaming with the virtual world’s most famous female archaeologist. Apple says Periscope for live-streaming video and Lara Croft Go were the best apps and games for iOS this year. The most-downloaded app was the “Heads Up” game from talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. Source Link

December 11, 2015

Your smile isn’t safe just because you drink sugar-free sodas. Researchers found that people who chose sugar-free sodas and sports drinks still risked damage to their teeth from acids in the beverages. Sugar can cause cavities but mix of acids can also strip the enamel from teeth. Source Link
 
The youngest adults in America are tuning-out traditional TV in record numbers. A new study found that the use of smartphones, tablets, game consoles and streaming boxes jumped 24-percent for 18-to-34-year-olds. In some cases, the smartphone or tablet becomes a second screen that’s used along with the TV. Source Link
 
If a Disney movie romance seems like a perfect pairing to you, you might find your soulmate online. The dating site MouseMingle.com brings together fans of Disney characters and films who are looking for like-minded love. Searching for your own Cinderella or Prince Charming will cost you a membership fee of $12 a month. Source Link

December 10, 2015

Food labeling will soon tell you a lot more than calories, carbs and fats. The new SmartLabel will include ingredients, allergens, animal welfare, environmental policies, and whether the food contains genetically modified organisms. The information would be available through a smartphone app by scanning the product’s bar code. Source Link
 
Are slow-walking seniors more susceptible to Alzheimer’s? A study found that seniors who walk more slowly may have higher amounts of a protein linked to Alzheimer's in their brains. Experts say it could be another indicator to help with earlier diagnosis and treatment for dementia. Source Link
 
Consumer Reports is out with its annual “Naughty and Nice” list of big corporations. Leading the “Nice” list is Southwest Airlines for its outstanding frequent flyer program and Target for a big turnaround after last year’s massive data breach. Volkswagen was atop the “Naughty” list for revelations that its cars were designed to cheat on auto emissions tests. Source Link

December 9, 2015

With the holidays just around the corner, now is the time to get a flu shot if you haven’t already had one. Shopping, traveling and going to gatherings are all excellent ways to be exposed to the flu virus. Health experts warn that this is the time to get vaccinated, before flu is widespread. Source Link
 
Do guys show-off on a date by pigging-out at dinner? A new study suggests that men consume much more food when they dine with women, likely because they're "eating to impress.” It doesn’t work because women tended to think they were rushed and ate too much whenever they dined with men. Source Link
 
Your kids don’t need to wait until Christmas Eve to begin tracking the travels of the Jolly Old Elf. Google’s Santa Tracker website and Android app features a digital Advent calendar with a new activity to try each day. It even lets kids try their hand at some basic coding with 10 festive-themed challenges to complete. Source Link

December 8, 2015

Sitting around binging on TV could be bad for your brain. A 25-year study found that younger men who watched the most TV per day and did the least amount of physical exercise had the worst decline in cognitive functioning even before middle age. It’s a one-two punch because exercise helps build the brain’s pathways but TV watching slows down the brain. Source Link
 
If you’re hoping for a new iPhone under the tree, you might want to wait just a bit. Reports say Apple will unveil its new iPhone 6C in February. It should feature a metal case and a smaller 4-inch screen with a lower price tag between $400 and $500. Source Link
 
Will the kindergarten teachers of the year 2020 be checking off student names that they recognize from Instagram? The website babycenter.com is reporting a rise in baby names taken from the names of Instagram filters, such as Ludwig, Kelvin, Hudson, Amaro and Lux, which are growing in popularity for babies. Source Link

December 7, 2015

Don’t take the holidays to heart so much that you put your health at risk. Experts say the stress of making holiday time a happy time can increase the odds of a heart condition that’s common in older women and could be fatal. Any chest pains or shortness of breath should be checked immediately. Source Link
 
What were the topics typed most often into search boxes in 2015? Yahoo’s annual Top Ten List of most popular searches includes celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Caitlyn Jenner and Katy Perry, along with the iPhone and the Minecraft video game. The top search was for Bobbi Kristina Brown, the daughter of singer Whitney Houston who died this year. Source Link
 
There’s still time to shop for a traditional “12 Days of Christmas” gift splurge, but it’ll cost you big bucks. According to a new report, those “12 drummers drumming” and so on, right down to the partridge in a pear tree would cost about $34,000. The good news is the prices have stayed steady or even dropped for some of the dozen unique gifts. Source Link

December 4, 2015

If you suffer from allergies, you can avoid making holiday time the "sneezin’ season" with a few simple steps. Be sure artificial Christmas trees and ornaments are dusted before you put them up, and avoid a real tree if you have an allergy to mold spores. And remember that cold air outside and dry warm indoor air can trigger asthma attacks. Source Link
 
Could a new piece of equipment worn by football players help prevent some concussions on the field? It’s a lightweight neck collar that applies pressure to slightly reduce blood flow to the head. That leaves a little extra fluid in the brain, which helps cushion it in case of an impact. Source Link
 
Your home holiday cheer could be taking its toll on your web surfing and streaming. A report says Christmas lights can interfere with WiFi signals, so be sure to keep them away from routers or computers. It’s a good idea to keep your router far away from any electronic device, such as a TV, computer, or even a baby monitor. Source Link

December 3, 2015

That occasional cup of coffee might be just fine for moms-to-be and their babies. Researchers found that coffee, when taken in moderation, will not cause problems to a child's intelligence or behavior in the future. The equivalent of a tall Starbucks per day is considered safe for pregnant mothers. Source Link

Almost as fast as you can say ”Gesundheit” you’ll be sharing that sneeze with a roomful of people. A study found that the average human sneeze expels a high-velocity cloud that can contaminate an entire room in minutes. The sneeze offers the perfect vehicle to propel viruses that are suspended in droplets and travel at super speeds. Source Link 
 
You may not be able to plug-in your favorite headphones or earbuds with the next iPhone. An insider report claims the next iPhone model will ditch the traditional headphone jack in favor of earbuds that use the phone’s Lightning port. Old-style headphones and earbuds could be used with an adapter that would be sold separately. Source Link

December 2, 2015

Safety experts say it’s time to ban crib bumpers to prevent more infant deaths. A baby's face can get wedged against the bumper, or between the bumper and mattress, and that can block breathing. Padded bumpers only prevent minor bruises and a mesh guard could stop babies from having a hand struck in crib slats. Source Link
 
Can positive thinking help to beat the winter blues? Researchers found that cognitive behavioral therapy worked just as well as light-box therapy to treat seasonal affective disorder. Participants were encouraged to think more positively and stay as active as they would be in spring or summer. Source Link
 
Breaking up is hard to do, but Facebook is making it easier to handle on the social network. New tools enable you to see less of a former partner’s name and profile picture around Facebook without having to unfriend or block them.You can also edit who can see past posts with a former partner and untag yourself from posts with that person. Source Link

December 1, 2015

The holiday sales feature electronic gadgets, clothing, jewelry, and more, but there’s still one safe bet for most people on your shopping list. A majority of those questioned in a recent survey said they’d rather receive a gift card over every category of items. Most people preferred a physical gift card, but digital gift cards were most popular among the Millennial generation. Source Link
 
You might live longer if you start your day with a cup of Joe. The latest research found that people who drank three to five cups of coffee per day had about a 15 percent lower risk of premature death. The benefit was seen for those who drank de-caf or regular coffee, so caffeine was not a contributing factor. Source Link 

You can’t spell or even say The Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2015 because it’s an emoji. “Face with tears of joy” was selected as the most popular by using statistics from the makers of the keyboard app SwiftKey. The tears-of-joy emoji beat out words such as ad blocker, dark web, and sharing economy. Source Link