June 30, 2017

The Greatest Generation might be in better health now than their children are. A study of men over age 100 found they had less chronic illness than younger seniors. Researchers say living through the Great Depression and military service in World War Two gave many a strong sense of discipline to help them make healthy decisions throughout life. Source Link
 
Don’t look for those new and improved nutrition facts on food labels anytime soon. The FDA has put the brakes on a plan to print calorie counts in larger type and make serving sizes easier to understand. Food industry groups asked for an extension until 2021 to comply with the new rules. Source Link
 
I’m you’re in the mood for a flashback to video gaming of the 1990s, Nintendo has just the thing for you. The Super NES Classic system will include the game console and two wired controllers and comes pre-loaded with 21 games including classics like “Super Mario Kart” and “Donkey Kong Country.” The $79 Super NES Classic goes on sale September 30th. Source Link

June 29, 2017

Things like yoga, Tai Chi and meditation may improve your health because you can feel it in your genes. Research found that these activities can reverse molecular reactions in DNA. This can help the brain steer our DNA processes along a path to defend against poor health and depression. Source Link
 
When it comes to paint colors in your home, the hue on the wall could mean more green in your pocket. A survey of recent sales listings found that houses with a powder blue or periwinkle bathroom sold for over $5,000 more than similar homes whose bathrooms had white walls. To avoid being stuck with an old favorite, only go for the latest color trend if you’re planning to sell now. Source Link
 
The perfect car horn might be one that’s kind of fowl. Testing has shown that the sound of a duck quack gets people’s attention quickly without being too startling. The quest for a better horn sound is important for developers of self-driving cars that will need to have the most effective way to warn pedestrians and drivers. Source Link

June 28, 2017

Working on strengthening your marriage may be as good for your health as a workout at the gym. A long-term study found that married people are in better mental and physical health than unmarried, divorced or widowed people. Experts say the health of both partners can get a positive boost by treating each other with greater care. Source Link

Why do you need to get your kids outside to play more often? Because a new study found that the average teenager today has the activity level of a 60-year old. Half of boys and three out of four girls did not get the recommended 60 minutes of moderate physical activity per day. Researchers say having more opportunities for activity earlier in the day could help. Source Link

Soon your Gmail won’t be trolled for ways to sell you things. Google says it will no longer serve up email ads based on the content of your messages in Gmail. The ad scanning isn’t used in the paid version of Gmail and company officials wanted the paid and free versions to have the same privacy standards. Source Link 

June 27, 2017

There could be real long-term benefits to offering therapy to pre-schoolers. Experts say anxiety disorders that can surface as early as age three may be the gateway to adult depression, substance abuse and even suicidal behavior. More than 40 million Americans have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Source Link

Finding bedbugs in your hotel room may the ultimate nightmare for travelers but most people wouldn’t know one if they saw it. A study found that only 16 percent of people could correctly identify a bedbug from pictures of insects. Adult bedbugs are about the size and shape of apple seeds and you’ll often find tiny spots of blood were bedbugs have been feasting. Source Link

So where’s the best place to stand at a party or business event if you want to meet new people? Studies have shown that typical busy spots like the entrance, near bathrooms or at the food table don’t generate good contacts. Try the area at either end of the bar or right near the host to meet more new people. Source Link

June 26, 2017

About half of Americans aren’t happy with their jobs, but what’s the problem?  A new survey says the top beef with the boss was fewer benefits and less pay, including smaller bonuses. Millennials were the most satisfied with their paychecks but 8 out of 10 Gen Xers were unhappy with their compensation. Source Link

We always hear that it’s important to get enough sleep, and here’s an easy way to see if your slumber is sufficient. On the weekend, don’t set an alarm and sleep until you wake up on your own. If that’s longer than your typical shuteye, adjust your weekday routine to get that much sleep every night. Source Link

It’s like those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books, but updated for the digital age. A new Netflix children’s animated program lets kids change the story line while watching. The episode of “The Adventures of Puss N’ Boots” features a half-dozen opportunities for a viewer to pick from a selection of plot points using their  phone or tablet screen or the remote control on a TV. Source Link

June 23, 2017

Time to bust some popular myths about your own cyber privacy. First, don’t think your emails are always secure unless you use a service like Gmail or Yahoo that encrypts by default. Private browsing can’t shield your activity from the boss or from your internet provider. And turning off GPS doesn’t make you untrackable because there’s still a record of cell towers and WiFi hot spots that you’ve used. Source Link
 
When you calculate its price per gallon your printer ink is like liquid gold, so here are some tips to get the most from it. Try switching font type and size -- Times New Roman is better and Arial is worse. Use Print Preview to avoid wasting ink and paper when printing a web page. And forget the warnings and replace a cartridge only when it’s completely empty and can no longer print. Source Link
 
What’s your risk for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or lung or liver disease? You’ll soon be able to find out using a home genetic test that’s been approved by the FDA. Experts say the test kit from 23 and Me isn’t a diagnosis but could uncover genetic markers that may prompt you to talk with your doctor. Source Link

June 22, 2017

The sooner your baby moves to his own room, the longer he’ll sleep, according to  a new study of newborns and mothers. Babies that began sleeping in their own room before 4 months got 40 minutes more sleep each night. Those who made the move at 6 months had an extra 26 minutes of sleep and the benefits continued until the babies were over two years old. Source Link

Uncle Sam won’t be policing the skies for recreational drones. A court ruling has struck down the FAA program that required most owners of drones to register their tiny aircraft. The court said that only Congress could make the registration mandatory because current federal law bans the government from regulating model aircraft. Source Link

If summer weddings are hitting you hard in the wallet there are ways to spend less and still honor the bride and groom. Try to get to the bridal registry early to find a more-affordable item or re-gift a gift card that the new couple can use. A good rule of thumb is to offer a gift that’s worth at least as much as it cost the of your meal at the reception. Source Link

June 21, 2017

Summertime means outdoor cookouts, but be sure to bring one indoor cooking tool to your barbeque. Food safety experts say a meat thermometer is a must to ensure that hamburgers are fully cooked to 160 degrees, poultry to 165 degrees and that whole cuts of other meats and seafood are fully cooked to 145 degrees.  Source Link

Flu season is hitting hard among the canine crowd. A new strain of dog flu is highly contagious to other dogs but can’t spread to humans. See your vet because there’s a dog flu vaccine available and be on the lookout for symptoms like a cough and fever that could be signs of dog flu. Source Link

The bathroom scale may not be the best way to see if your diet plan is working. Health experts say things like water weight can throw off that measurement.  What’s a better way to track your progress?  Use a tape measure on your chest, waist, hips and thighs once a week, and see if your clothes are beginning to feel loose. Source Link

June 20, 2017

There won’t be a summer vacation for about 40 percent of  Americans who say they aren’t taking a break from work this year. An annual poll found that half of those skipping a summer getaway say it’s because of cost or a lack of paid vacation. Half of those with paid time off say they don’t use all of their vacation each year. Source Link

An early start on some of the staples of an adult diet can grow a stronger body for kids. Researchers found that children as young as six months old can eat eggs without an increased risk of allergies. And kids who drank cow’s milk between the ages of 2 and 6 grew taller than those who drank any other milks. Source Link

So how do you find your phone when you’ve lost your phone and don’t have another phone to call it? Apple owners have the “Find My iPhone” app that can be used with a browser to locate your iOS device on a map and lock it down. Android Mobile Manager is built into its smartphones and lets you locate your phone, set off the ringer and change the the PIN remotely from your Google account. Source Link

June 19, 2017

The answer to the question, “How old is old?” depends on your own age. A survey found that Millennials think you’re old at age 59, but Gen Xers say you reach old age at 63. Not surprisingly, Baby Boomers continue to move the goalposts of life and see 73 as the age when you’re considered old. Source Link

What’s generally good for your health is also good protection against breast cancer. Studies show that 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol could all reduce breast cancer odds. The same lifestyle choices can also protect against type-2 diabetes and heart disease. Source Link

News of ransomware attacks on computers may have you looking for an app to protect your smartphone from viruses, but don’t let what you install put you at greater risk. Security experts have found virus checker apps for iOS and Android that could be classified as malware. One tip-off to a phony app is a description that’s written poorly in English. Source Link

June 16, 2017

Science is showing how fathers may deal differently with sons and daughters. A study using brain scans and random recordings found that dads were more attentive to toddler girls and more accepting of their feelings than with sons. Fathers often used the language of achievement with sons but spoke to daughters in terms tied to future academic success. Source Link

That fitness tracker on your wrist might be good at counting your steps but not the calories you burn. Researchers tested a wide range of models and found that most missed the real number of calories and some were off by up to 90 percent. Experts say you shouldn’t depend on a fitness tracker calorie count to determine how much you can eat. Source Link

If you want the Sunday ads without the ink and paper, there’s an app for that. Flipp lets you browse weekly ads from some 800 stores, including supermarkets, dollar stores, pharmacies, and big retailers like Target and Walmart. You can even add loyalty-program numbers to get  some discounts without any physical coupons. Source Link

June 15, 2017

Having type-2 diabetes may not mean that you need a blood sugar test every day. A study found that daily testing made no difference in how well blood sugar was controlled for diabetics who were not using insulin. Experts say you should talk to your doctor to see if daily blood tests are necessary. Source Link

What’s in a name? When it comes to vegetables, the more exciting the name the more likely that people will eat it. Testing showed that people ate more vegetables that were given names with indulgent descriptions like “spicy” or “sizzlin.” Names with words like “healthy” “light” and “no added” were turn-offs for test subjects. Source Link

If you want to clear your head, try grabbing the hand soap. Researchers found that hand-washing helped people hit a mental reset button and made them more open to different thinking. The psychological phenomenon could be used to help people drop bad ideas and poor behavior in favor of new, healthier habits. Source Link

June 14, 2017

Those fidget spinners that you see in the hands of many kids may not do much to help them concentrate. Experts say there’s no evidence that a spinning toy held between the fingers can promote better performance in the classroom and may even be distracting. Fidgeting such as wiggling a leg has been shown to help some children stay on-task. Source Link

A tape measure might be a better indicator than body mass index when it comes to calculating your risk of cancer. A study found that bigger waist and hip sizes were associated with higher odds for 13 kinds of cancer. After smoking, being overweight or obese is the number-one preventable cause of cancer. Source Link

Don’t plan on phoning a friend at 30,000 feet anytime soon. The new chairman of the FCC wants to drop a proposal that would allow passengers to make in-flight cell phone calls. The current ban is strongly supported by airlines who fear problems between passengers that could come with loud conversations throughout a flight. Source Link

June 13, 2017

Getting kids to brush their teeth doesn’t have to be a chore. Instead of setting a two-minute timer, try playing a fun song or reading a silly story to them as they brush. Don’t ever let kids skip brushing and encourage them by brushing your teeth together and offering rewards for good habits. Source Link
 
Time to bust some popular myths about your own cyber privacy. First, don’t think your emails are always secure unless you use a service like Gmail or Yahoo that encrypts by default. Private browsing can’t shield your activity from the boss or from your internet provider. And turning off GPS doesn’t make you untrackable because there’s still a record of cell towers and WiFi hot spots that you’ve used. Source Link
 
When selling your home, you can really clean up with the number-one improvement that buyers want to see. In a survey that compared cost versus value, new appliances, a new patio and new exterior lighting were good, but the most popular improvement for buyers of all ages was a new laundry room. Source Link

June 12, 2017

Half of Americans admit to using retail therapy to cope with stress. If that’s you and you want to slow down on the compulsive shopping, experts suggest the “30-day rule.” Wait one month before making that impulse buy. If you still want it 30 days later, it’s probably a worthwhile purchase. Source Link
 
You’ve heard of refinancing your mortgage, but how about your loan for that set of wheels? Auto loan refinancing may be an easy way to save money because many people don’t shop around for the best rates when buying a car. Refinancing an auto loan is much simpler than a mortgage and may take just one day to complete. Source Link
 
So what will or won’t improve your credit score? Experts say carrying a credit card balance won’t help but having more available credit will. Closing an unused credit account may hurt if it’s one that’s been part of your credit history for years. And paying your phone bill on-time won’t help your credit score because those accounts aren’t reported to credit agencies. Source Link

June 9, 2017

You might know to avoid those “leaves of three” while on a nature hike, but what about that Margarita or a beer with lime by the pool? Dermatologists say the combination of the sun’s UV rays and citrus fruit can cause a skin rash for some people. The remedy is to wash the skin after having that drink and then apply sunscreen. Source Link
 
What form of exercise can help you beat depression without breaking a sweat? Researchers say practicing yoga was shown to ease the symptoms of depression for those who are on medication and those who aren’t. The deep breathing and precise movements of yoga activate the release of “feel good” brain chemicals and block others than can worsen depression. Source Link
 
If you want to add more vegetables to your diet, experts say do it the right way. Dark and leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are among the best, along with cauliflower and broccoli. Fresh or frozen vegetables have more nutrition than canned varieties. And swap the corn, peas and potatoes for more beans  for fewer calories and more fiber. Source Link

June 8, 2017

The baby blues aren’t just for mommies. Many new dads may not realize pregnancy-linked depression can hit them too. A study found that men who felt stressed or who were in relatively poor physical health were more prone to depression in the late stages of pregnancy and after their child is born. Source Link
 
You might be surprised at all the things that can dull your bright smile. Teeth stains can be caused by drinking dark beverages like coffee, red wine or tea or using tobacco. But using an antihistamine, high-blood pressure medication, some chemotherapy drugs or anti-psychotic medications can also cause stained teeth. Source Link
 
If you give an allowance to your kids there’s one thing that’s most important. Experts say you need to be consistent about rules you set for spending that money and the amounts you give. And avoid tying an allowance to chores unless you want to negotiate each time you want your child to clean their room or empty the dishwasher. Source Link

June 7, 2017

Getting kids to eat their veggies starts long before they’re eating anything. Nutrition experts say moms can help develop that taste by eating vegetables during pregnancy. Model good habits for infants and toddlers by eating the same vegetables they do during a meal. And kindergartners can help in the kitchen to see how vegetables are an important part of a meal. Source Link
 
It’s a twist on the old suggestion to beat sleeplessness by counting sheep. Experts say if you suffer from insomnia caused by stress, try counting every in and out breath and count up as far as you can. Another technique to get back to sleep is to stare at a point on the wall until your eyelids get so heavy you have to close them. Source Link
 
A twist on the traditional fast may help keep your heart young. Researchers found that a periodic fasting diet can lead to weight loss that reduces cardiovascular risk factors. The “fast-mimicking” diet restricts you to about 1,000 calories a day for five-day period once a month. Source Link

June 6, 2017

It’s like a swear jar for your personal finances and it could be an easy way to save more. Testing showed that people were able to sock away more money by paying for their own bad habits. The testers set aside a dollar in savings for every dollar spent on indulgences like alcohol and fast food. Source Link
 
What’s an eating plan that’s good for your heart? Spread out your meals and get more of your calories earlier in the day. The American Heart Association says there isn’t proof that eating breakfast is an absolute must but you should hydrate yourself first thing in the morning. Coffee counts but the better choice is a glass of water. Source Link

If cereal, eggs or oatmeal don’t sound good for breakfast, you can mix it up with that first meal of the day. Nutrition experts suggest leftover veggie pizza or peanut butter and sliced bananas on whole wheat toast. Or roll up a tortilla with sliced turkey, lettuce and low-fat cheese for a homemade grab-and-go breakfast. Source Link

June 5, 2017

You want to use unique and strong passwords for online accounts, but how can you remember all of them? Security experts say your web browser can help by storing those passwords and inserting them automatically when you visit a site. Browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome let you access those passwords on your laptop, tablet or smartphone. Source Link

If those vente vanilla lattes are starting to show up on your hips there’s a simple first step to kicking the flavored coffee habit. Nutrition experts suggest you order your coffee drink unsweetened and add your own sugar to see just how much you’re using. Lots of sugar in morning drinks can increase food cravings and lead to poor eating all day long. Source Link
 
If you’re ready to make the switch to whole grains be sure you’re getting all you want. Many foods that are labeled “made with whole grains” or “multigrain” could be using a tiny percentage of whole grains while the rest is refined flour. Only foods labeled “100% whole grains” use just that. Source Link

June 2, 2017

Want to enjoy a few adult beverages with less chance of a hangover? Go clear and don’t go cheap. Dark-colored alcoholic beverages like red wine, brandy and whiskey are higher in compounds called congeners that are harder for the body to process. And low-cost liquors have more congeners because they are distilled less than the pricier labels.  Source Link
 
If you need to catch up on exercise and get more sleep, the weekend can be your friend. A study found that people who got all their exercise in one or two sessions had a lower risk of cancer, heart disease and early death than those who were sedentary. Other research has shown that adding a few hours of extra shuteye for a few days can make up for occasional lost sleep. 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

June 1, 2017

So how do you raise kids who are smart about money? Experts say you can build their awareness by pointing out prices on a menu or comparing prices at the supermarket and educating them about the costs of living like paying for a house, car, and utilities. And use that magic word “no” to teach budgeting and demonstrate the difference between wants and needs. Source Link
 
Burning that midnight oil doesn’t burn more calories. In fact, studies show that people who got too little sleep ate the equivalent of another meal a day with more fat and less protein. Researchers think a lack of sleep might affect hormones related to hunger. Source Link
 
Don’t let the question, “what’s in your wallet?” include these items. Experts say a Social Security card should never go with you and don’t carry old receipts with shopping and financial information that can help hackers. Don’t carry every credit card with you and avoid using a phone case that doubles as a wallet, in case your phone is lost or stolen. Source Link