November 30, 2016

There’s good news for those who want to see children eating healthier. A study found that the average child today is eating more whole grains, whole fruits, dairy and protein from seafood and plants. On the other hand, kids still haven’t developed a better taste for vegetables and added sodium is a problem in children’s diets. Source Link
 
Pregnant women aren’t the only ones losing sleep over the baby they’re carrying. A survey showed that more male partners than pregnant women reported sleep problems. Insomnia was the most common problem for moms-to-be but the dads-in-waiting said they often suffered from short sleep. Source Link
 
If you’re posting a “for sale” sign on a used car or in a Craigslist ad, try a price tag that’s not a simple round number. A study found found that a precise bid made buyers think the seller must have thought quite a bit about a fair price. But researchers caution that this technique only works with amateur buyers. Source Link

November 29, 2016

The feds want to keep you off your smartphone when you’re on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is asking smartphone makers to lock out most apps when the phone is being used by someone driving a car. There’s currently no way to do that automatically, although systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will limit the apps you can use while driving. Source Link
 
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day but don’t sabotage it with poor food choices. Experts say be sure to get enough protein and be careful to keep your breakfast at about 400 calories. Don’t fill up on carbs, avoid frozen breakfast meals that can be high in sodium and try fresh fruit instead of fruit juice that’s high in sugar. Source Link
 
Using a plastic bag to clean up after your dog takes on a whole new meaning with a Kickstarter project that’s ready to debut. The Piqapoo uses a bag that clips to a dog’s tail and is strategically placed to catch what falls when Fido does his duty. The $29 Piqapoo goes on sale to fundraising supporters early next year. Source Link

November 28, 2016

When could eating more fat lead to less weight? Maybe when it’s in your milk. A study found that children who drank one cup of whole milk per day had a lower body mass index than kids who drank low-fat milk. Researchers say the fat in whole milk makes it easier for the body to absorb vitamin D and that might satisfy an appetite better than low-fat milk. Source Link
 
The iPhone and iPad might be the gold standard in personal technology, but Apple products may crash more often than Android devices. An industry study found that 62 percent of iOS devices suffered from software failures compared to 47 percent running on Android. The worst apps for crashes were Instagram, Snapchat and Pokemon Go. Source Link
 
If you’re thinking about putting a drone under the Christmas tree you might want to check with your insurance agent first. Experts say people who buy consumer-level drones can’t be so sure of what’s covered if the flying device goes rogue. Home insurance  policies might exclude damages caused by an amateur drone pilot. Source Link

November 25, 2016

How can you build more exercise into your work day? Experts say start simple by moving your wastebasket and other essentials away from your desk. Walk to a colleague's desk instead of emailing or phoning and take the stairs to a restroom on another floor. You can also use resistance bands to do foot curls and arm stretches at your desk. Source Link
 
Using the right alarm clock can lead to better sleep and a quicker wake-up. Look for a model with a big snooze button and one that’s easy to read, but avoid those with a blue light display that can disrupt sleep. And choose an alarm clock that wakes you with a sound that you enjoy, whether that's the morning news, your favorite music or nature sounds. Source Link
 
Breakfast on the run doesn’t have to be a doughnut or a drive-thru stop. Nutritionists say a fast healthy breakfast can be instant oatmeal that’s ready in a minute or a mug with scrambled eggs and milk that takes 30 seconds to cook in the microwave. Or you can make a quick peanut butter sandwich and pack a banana. Source Link

November 23, 2016

If there are tablets, TVs and laptops on your holiday shopping list, beware of the bargain basement models. Experts say you may not be able to run the latest apps on that under-$50 Android tablet and TVs with the lowest prices might not have enough connections for all your players and set top boxes. And remember that real laptop bargains come at back-to-school time and not during the holiday season. Source Link 

It’s time for the annual struggle to avoid those extra pounds during the holidays and here are some tips. If you’re dining out, don’t even look at the listing of high-calorie dishes. At home, store holiday cookies and other sweet treats out of sight to lessen the temptation. And stock up on sugarless gum that can calm cravings for treats with sugar and more calories. Source Link
 
The hottest toy of the 2016 holiday season is already in short supply. Hatchimals are an egg-shaped toy that hatches into furry creatures and kids and parents can’t get enough of them. The makers of the $50 toy say they’ll have more in stock at major retailers soon but some buyers are turning to Amazon where private sellers are listing Hatchimals for $250 each. Source Link

November 22, 2016

Can a C-section make it more likely your child will be obese? Researchers found that children born via Cesarean section were 40 percent more likely to be overweight or obese by age 7. Babies pick up beneficial microbes from their mother as they pass through the birth canal, and it’s believed that these microbes might help protect a child against obesity.  Source Link
 
Health problems associated with e-cigarettes are nothing to smile about. That’s because studies show that the chemicals in vapor from an e-cigarette could be harmful to your gums and teeth. E-cigarettes also contain nicotine, which is known to contribute to gum disease. Source Link
 
If you’re worried about cyber security on your smartphone or home computer, here are some tips from the experts.  Use free services like Signal or WhatsApp for encryption that will  keep all your text messages private. A  free password manager can create powerful passwords that you don’t have to remember. And cover your webcam when you’re not using it to prevent a hacker from getting a secret look at you. Source Link

November 21, 2016

Wondering if those Black Friday sales are a real deal? You can check the price history of items sold on Amazon by using the website camelcamelcamel.com. And the ShopSavvy smartphone app lets you scan barcodes on store items to compare prices from dozens of other retailers and online sellers. Source Link
 
Friendly competition may work better than simple encouragement to get you back into the gym. A study using Facebook groups showed better results when members challenged each other to raise their performance. Supportive groups can backfire because they draw attention to members who are less active and create a downward spiral of participation. Source Link
 
Researchers think they may have a nose for finding who’s at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Testing showed that older people with a reduced sense of smell could be at increased risk of Alzheimer's. Brain circuits that process smells can be affected by Alzheimer's and studies have shown that people with the disease are less able to identify odors. Source Link

November 18, 2016

There’s a dark side to holiday shopping with your iPhone -- fake store apps. Experts are seeing more counterfeits appearing in the iTunes Store for big-name retailers like Dillard’s and Nordstrom and some that masquerade as apps for online outlets like Zappos. One way to avoid the fakes is to check the store’s website for a link to their official smartphone app. Source Link
 
That one can of sugar-sweetened soda you enjoy every day could be enough to tip you towards diabetes. A study found that single daily soda drinkers had a 50 percent higher chance of developing prediabetes. Researchers say the spike in blood sugar that comes with drinking sugary soda every day can have long-term effects. Source Link
 
So what causes an earworm -- that song you can’t get out of your head? Researchers found that earworms often have phrases with rising and falling pitch patterns like “Smoke On The Water,” “Bad Romance” and even “Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star.” You might get  rid of an earworm by listening to the song all the way through or thinking of a generic tune like “The Star Spangled Banner.” Source Link

November 17, 2016

When you want to begin your workday right, avoid the urge to multitask. Experts say testing has shown that trying to tackle several things at once right off the bat can set you back for the rest of the day. And don’t start with small talk that can derail your focus on the important tasks at the beginning of your work day. Source Link
 
If the question about how people pay is “paper or plastic” you might be surprised at the answer. A Federal Reserve report says cash is the still the single most popular way to pay and is used in one out of three transactions. Debit cards ranked second and credit cards third and only 7 percent of transactions use electronic payments like smartphone apps. Source Link
 
Accepting online friendships could be a key to a longer life. A study found that people who received and accepted the most friend requests on Facebook lived longer but those who sought more Facebook friends didn’t see the same benefit. Researchers also found that those who engaged in more real-life social activity tended to live longer. Source Link

November 16, 2016

How will Americans do their holiday shopping this year? A new report says half of us will be shopping online and we’ll spend half of our gift budget on point-and-click purchases. The good news for retailers is that more people are now researching products online and then making the purchases at their local store. Source Link
 
Your internet provider or wireless carrier may need to say “please” before sharing information about what you’re doing online. New rules from the FCC would require your permission to use that data. Tech providers want to use that information to show you ads tailored to your online habits. Source Link
 
Hard partying in your youth could come back to haunt your health even if you cleaned up your act years ago. That’s what researchers found when they looked at records of men who came of age a half-century ago. Those who were alcohol dependent in young adulthood had more major health problems later in life. Source Link

November 15, 2016

Road rage is a problem for three out of four American drivers. A study by AAA found that half of those surveyed admit to purposely tailgating and nearly as many yell at over drivers or honk the horn in anger. An estimated 8 million drivers have purposely bumped or rammed another vehicle, or left their car to confront another driver. Source Link
 
Experts say you should brace yourself for an ever busier holiday season at the nation’s airports. After a summer of significant slowdowns at security checkpoints, managers expect the holidays to be worse with record numbers of travelers and problems with wrapped gifts that don’t make it through check-in. The best advice is to plan on two hours or more to get to your gate. Source Link
 
Call it the “Amazon Prime” effect. All those deliveries call for more truck drivers and big rig pilots are atop an annual survey of jobs with the fastest wage growth. Warehouse workers who pick and pack those items are also seeing wages rise faster, and medical assistants and registered nurses are cashing bigger paychecks. Slumping prices at the pump have dampened pay for energy workers. Source Link

November 14, 2016

You’ve heard of stress eating, but can your stress make your spouse put on weight? Researchers found that a partner's stress, and not your own, predicted an increased waist size that’s associated with illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. Wives were more likely to add weight when husbands were stressed. Source Link
 
What’s the downside to having your home appliances connected to the internet? Researchers say they found a flaw in a popular WiFi LED blub that would allow a hacker driving by your home to take over its connection and spread a virus to other WiFi devices. A recent online attack that hobbled some major websites was traced to WiFi-connected devices that have no security protections. Source Link
 
Doctors are being advised to look for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in women who’ve had a pregnancy loss. A study found that nearly half of women who had miscarried reported PTSD symptoms. New mothers are screened for postpartum depression but there’s no similar check for women after a miscarriage or tubal pregnancy. Source Link

November 11, 2016

Is it time to see a lawyer about a trust fund for your beloved dog or cat?  Experts say only a legal document can ensure the care you might expect when you will your pet to someone after you die. That’s because informal vows and promises made by friends and family to care for a pet can often fail. Source Link
 
What foods are good for healthy snacking? Experts say popcorn, pistachio nuts and hard-boiled eggs can beat those hunger pangs without all the fat and calories. And you don’t have to eat to beat mid-morning hunger because drinking coffee has been shown to lower the levels of appetite-fueling hormones. Source Link
 
If you like to browse your smartphone or tablet while in bed at night, be sure to get lots of sunlight during the day. Researchers found that people who had plenty of exposure to daylight were less likely to have their sleep disturbed by those glowing screens. The light from smartphone and tablet screens can confuse your internal time clock and make it harder to fall asleep. Source Link

November 10, 2016

What’s your best bet to save money by choosing generic brands? Experts say breakfast cereals, spices, and baby diapers can give you the same quality as name-brand items for less. But bigger bottoms probably won’t like generic toilet paper because the savings aren’t that great and the quality is often poor. Source Link
 
Why turn down the volume at home? Because it could help your child’s development. A study found that background noise like TVs and radios playing and several people talking can hamper a toddler's ability to learn new words. Researchers say hearing new words spoken clearly without a lot of background noise may help very young children associate words with objects and grow their vocabulary. Source Link
 
How can 60 minutes our your feet make up for all day in a chair? When it’s an hour of something as simple as a brisk walk. Researchers found that one hour of moderate physical activity can offset the effects of sitting at a desk all day. Health experts think prolonged sitting is a risk factor for early death much like smoking or obesity. Source Link

November 9, 2016

What’s the best way to manage your weight -- skipping meals to get fewer calories or eating more smaller meals? A study found that neither is as important as setting a regular schedule of meals. Experts say irregular eating can throw off our internal time clock that controls the sleep-wake cycle and also affects digestion and how the body absorbs fat. Source Link
 
If you want to gauge your heart health, step off the scale and pick up a tape measure. Researchers found that a growing waist size was a stronger predictor of serious heart disease than body weight or body mass index. Abdominal fat produces more inflammatory substances that have been linked with heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Source Link
 
Teaching kids the value of money can be fun. Experts suggest filling a two-liter bottle with dimes to show children how small amounts can add up over time. Pay them interest when they save their allowance, or have a “no money” day when you enjoy free activities and go the entire day without spending any money. Source Link

November 8, 2016

When arguing with your spouse, blowing your top can be bad for your heart, but holding it in is a pain in the neck. A long-term study of couples found that those who got loud and angry tended to suffer from cardiac problems. Those who stonewalled during arguments were more prone to muscular problems like neck and back pain. Source Link
 
A hefty dose of forgiveness might be the best prescription for a healthier life. A study found that people who were highly forgiving of themselves and others avoided the kind of stress that can lead to physical and mental illness. Researchers say people who are more forgiving may adopt better coping skills to deal with stress. Source Link
 
Could daytime drowsiness be linked to your snacking habits? Experts say some foods can contribute to those heavy eyelids. Lean proteins such as turkey, chicken and low-fat cheese can boost hormones that cause sleepiness, and refined carbs found in white bread and snack foods can send blood sugar spiking and then crashing, which can leave you feeling sleepy. Source Link

November 7, 2016

Keeping your mouth healthy starts with cleaning the tools of the trade. Experts say you can get rid of bacteria and germs on your toothbrush by rinsing it in an antibacterial mouthwash before and after you brush. Commercial brush sanitizers are also available, but make sure the one you’re using has been approved by the FDA. Source Link
 
It’s in your hands or near your face dozens of times each day, so how do you keep your smartphone screen clean? A microfiber cloth does a great job, but never use a rough towel or a paper towel that could scratch.  You can use a dab of water or alcohol on your cloth but never spray any liquid cleaner on your smartphone. Source Link
 
If you want real security online, forget trying to create the perfect password and double up with two-factor authentication. That’s a feature of many websites using a second step of text message or email confirmation when you sign-in on a new device. It also can warn you when someone else is trying to access your online account. Source Link

November 4, 2016

When it comes to sounds that disturb you at work, man-made devices are no match for man himself. Three out of four workers deal with noise pollution on the job and say the worst is loud conversations in open offices. Experts suggest getting rid of cubicle walls  because chatty workers will be more aware that they’re in the open. Source Link
 
Looking for the best time to buy a TV? This is your month. A report says November is one of the best months to buy a television because of online specials and Black Friday sales. Amazon had the lowest prices but you can get the same deals in major chain stores that will match many online prices. Source Link

If your kids have too much Halloween candy you can donate some of that sweet stash to a good cause. The “Treats for Troops” program from the group Soldiers’ Angels accepts donated candy. The organization uses candy instead of packing peanuts in the care packages it sends to American troops overseas. Source Link

November 3, 2016

You can probably cross cranberries off the list of remedies for a bladder infection. A new study found no difference in infection rates for those who took cranberry concentrate pills. Using cranberry juice to battle UTIs also isn’t effective because it has such low amounts of cranberry in it. Source Link
 
Employers who want to recruit and retain Millennials may need to head to the gift card display at the grocery store. A study found that younger workers want special discounts more than workplace perks. Millennials said gift cards for places like Starbucks and Amazon were key to job satisfaction. Source Link
 
A tradition of gathering to watch election results is getting a 21st Century makeover in surround sound and plush seating. The AMC theater chain will show election coverage from CNN at theaters in 25 cities on November 8th. Admission is free but seats are reserved and each city will have a separate theater for Republican and Democratic supporters. Source Link

November 2, 2016

The nation’s biggest social network wants to help you understand the choices on your general election ballot. Facebook has teamed with a nonpartisan research group to create an online voter’s guide to introduce the candidates and issues based on where you live. Your can find your guide at facebook.com/elections/yourplan. Source Link
 
What if kids could conquer a peanut allergy with the same medical technology that adults use to stop smoking? Testing of an experimental skin patch for peanut allergies found that nearly half of users could eat 10 times more peanut protein after one year. The daily patch was most effective for children aged 4 to 11. Source Link
 
You know about custom photo holiday cards featuring your family, but you can also put your faces on the stamp you use to mail it. Companies like PhotoStamps, PictureItPostage and Zazzle let you make personalized postage stamps using your own photos. You’ll pay about twice the regular price for postage to put your own picture on a custom stamp. Source Link

November 1, 2016

Figuring out the screen time that’s right for youngsters is getting an online assist. The heathychildren.org website from the American Academy of Pediatrics has a tool to formulate a family media plan. You enter information about children’s ages, the number of screens at home, the type of content, times of the day and any curfews for using phones, tablets, laptops or TVs. Source Link
 
Thinking about raiding the kid’s Halloween candy haul for a sweet treat? Why not go natural instead? Nutrition experts suggest canned fruit with no sugar added, raisins, frozen grapes or a banana. A baked apple can satisfy a sweet tooth, and so can unsweetened low-fat fruit yogurt. Source Link
 
If you’d rather not cook or even run out to pick up a meal, welcome to the club. A survey found that half of Americans order-in food regularly. The biggest group fueling the growth of food delivery is Millennial men. Nearly 70-percent of them order-in and that’s becoming a new delivery business for companies like Uber, Amazon and Google. Source Link