APP- etites: Downsizing the Fat Continent
The US Census Bureau conducted its first National Health Survey in the early 1960s. The results of the survey indicated that 23 percent of American adults were overweight. The number increased steadily over the course of two more national surveys over the years. By the late 1970s, the proportion of overweight American adults had swollen to […]
20 Inventions that Changed Everything
Inventions do not happen in random order. Science and technology advance along a logical line, with one invention leading to another. When plotted along a curve, what becomes clear is the breathtaking pace of technological progress. The innovations have come in rapid succession, each one setting in motion a chain reaction that triggers others. In this […]
Don’t Wash Raw Chicken, USDA Warns
You might think it’s good hygiene to give that bird a rinse before you cook it. A US government report says otherwise. The report, a joint effort between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and researchers from the University of North Carolina, supports findings of previous research on the subject. Why Washing Raw Chicken Could Make […]
Can Sudoku, Sex, and Sugar Really Build Better Brains?
The internet is rife with talk about increasing the brain’s intellectual capacities. That’s hardly surprising. After all, who doesn’t need a boost from time to time? Brain-boosting theories are popular because they capture the hopeful fancy that we could be doing infinitely more with our minds… if only we knew how. Many scientists remain skeptical that […]
Scientists are Creating Human-Monkey Hybrids in China
Scientists may have just taken a leap into the vast unknown by injecting human cells into monkey embryos. Is this a life-saving breakthrough, or are we headed for catastrophe? The Spanish daily, El Pais, claims a team of researchers have created embryos that are part human, part monkey. The Spanish-born biologist, Juan Carlos Izpisúa […]
New Google Feature Promises to Stop Telemarketers for Good
No, it’s not just your imagination. Those blasted unsolicited calls — at best infuriating, at worst criminal — are getting worse. Because smartphones have practically become extensions of our bodies, spam calls and telemarketers can follow us wherever we go. They disrupt meetings, the odd coffee break, and even quality time with the family. Finally, […]
Helping Your Child to Succeed When They Fail
Regardless of age, failure’s a bitter pill to swallow. We all want to be winners. But it’s an absolute reality that failure is a normal – and necessary, part of life. Kids that are driven to succeed at all costs are usually devastated when they fail at something. That devastation can lead to a loss […]
Emoji Domain Names: Thing of the Future or Passing Fancy?
Human beings have communicated with each other using simple pictures for thousands of years. The oldest known cave paintings are over 40,000 years old. This ancient — and uniquely human — form of communication has, of course, found its way into today’s internet culture. Cult Status People use little digital icons to convey emotion or […]
Artificial Intelligence – Armageddon or Renaissance?
It’s indisputable that the rapid advance of technology has made our lives easier. It’s streamlining jobs, speeding the delivery of information and automating repetitive tasks. Is Artificial Intelligence a Threat to Mankind? Thanks to smartphones and computers, we are the first creatures to ever outsource their own memories to machines. And thanks to smart home […]
Are There Any Proven Ways to Avoid Catching a Cold?
Yes, but… avoid is a bit strong. Minimize? Definitely. Colds can strike any time of the year – especially if you have kids in school! In fact, the younger those kids are, the more likely they are to bring a cold home. It’s not because they have less immunity – it’s because young kids tend […]