Tuesday, December 13, 2011

2011 Video Game Awards Winners


Hosted by Zachary Levi, star of NBC’s “Chuck” and avid gamer, Spike TV’s ninth annual Video Game Awards aired Saturday from Sony Studios in Los Angeles. A host of the most influential members of the gaming industry as well as stars from the worlds of sports, television, music and movies gathered at the biggest night in video games and watched Bethesda Studios release “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” receive the highest honor a game can receive when it took home the coveted Vector Monkey after being named Game of the Year. “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” also won Best RPG, and garnered Studio of the Year honors for Bethesda Game Studios. Winners included:
Game Of The Year: “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”
Studio Of The Year: Bethesda Game Studios
Character Of The Year: The Joker – “Batman:  Arkham City”
Video Game Hall Of Fame Award: “The Legend of Zelda”
Gamer God Award: Blizzard Entertainment
Best Xbox 360 Game: “Batman: Arkham City”
Best PS3 Game: “Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception”
Best Wii Game: “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword”
Best PC Game: ‘Portal 2’
Best Handheld/Mobile Game: “Super Mario 3D Land”
Best Shooter: “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3”
Best Action Adventure Game: “Batman: Arkham City”
Best RPG: “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”
Best Multi-Player: “Portal 2”
Best Individual Sports Game: “Fight Night Champion”
Best Team Sports Game: “NBA 2K12”
Best Driving Game: “Forza Motorsport 4”
Best Fighting Game: “Mortal Kombat”
Best Motion Game: “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword”
Best Independent Game: “Minecraft”
Best Adapted Video Game: “Batman: Arkham City”
Best Song In A Game: “Build that Wall (Zia’s Theme)” by Darren Korb – “Bastion”
Best Original Score: “Bastion”
Best Graphics: “Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception”
Best Performance By A Human Male: Stephen Merchant as Wheatley – “Portal 2”
Best Performance By A Human Female: Ellen McLain as GLaDOS – “Portal 2”
Best Downloadable Game: “Bastion”
Best DLC: “Portal 2 Peer Review”
Most Anticipated Game: “Mass Effect 3”
Gametrailers.Com Trailer Of The Year: “Assassin’s Creed: Revelations – E3 2011 Trailer”
EA Sports NFL Blitz Digital Cover Athlete: Ray Rice

Monday, December 12, 2011

Raw Cookie Dough Linked To E. Coli Outbreak

Licking the spoon for a couple tastes of raw cookie dough is an added bonus to the baking process, but the risk of falling ill from the batter might be greater than once thought. New research published in the journal Clinical Infectious Disease found that the culprit of a 2009 multi-state E. coli outbreak was the ready-to-bake prepackaged cookie dough found in most grocery stores. At the time of the outbreak, 77 people from 30 states became ill from the bad batter. About half of those people got so sick they had to be hospitalized. After an investigation, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control have yet to still fully pinpoint the ingredient in the cookie dough that caused the outbreak, but CDC study author Dr. Karen Neil said researchers believe the problem was in the flour. Raw flour does not go through the same rigorous process to kill pathogens the way in which eggs, molasses and sugar do in commercial products. “You should not consume raw cookie dough or any other raw product that’s intended to be baked or cooked, and food should always be prepared according to the recipe or instructions,” Neil warns. Visit www.foodsafety.gov to learn about the best ways to handle raw and uncooked foods to keep you and your family safe and healthy. 

Walmart Meth

Tulsa police arrested a 45-year-old woman they said mixed chemicals together to make methamphetamine inside a Walmart store. “She didn’t have the money to make the purchases of the chemicals that were needed so she was taking what was needed in the bottle,” Tulsa Police Officer David Shelby said. Police said Elizabeth Alisha Greta Halfmoon had been in the store since noon on Thursday, taking chemicals from bottles and mixing them in order to make meth. She had been in the store for six hours, according to police. Security officials called police once they spotted Halfmoon acting suspiciously. Shelby said it was the first time he had seen anyone actually attempt to mix and make the drug in a store. When firefighters arrived at the scene Halfmoon told them she was in the process of trying to manufacture meth. However, she said she was “not very good at it.” One police officer received minor injuries when the chemicals in the bottle burned his hand. Nobody else was injured. 

Vaccine May Prevent Cruise Ship Virus

Researchers are working on a vaccine that might one day prevent norovirus, which has made many cruise ship passengers in the United States ill. A study of at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston showed promising results. The study included 98 people who received either the vaccine or an inactive placebo. Of the recipients of the vaccine, 70% were less likely to develop the stomach bug that causes cramping, diarrhea and vomiting, and were also affected by the norovirus less frequently. The vaccine is given in two doses three weeks apart via a nasal spray. No safety issues were witnessed in the study. Side effects included stuffy nose and sneezing. 

Ecstasy Causes Changes In The Brain

Ecstasy users may be causing permanent harm to their brains, new research from Vanderbilt University suggests. The dance club drug appears to drain the brain of serotonin, a vital chemical that helps regulate mood, appetite, sleep, learning and memory, say experts. Low levels of the neurotransmitter are associated with depression, sleep disturbance and insomnia. Scientists found that women who used ecstasy had more serotonin receptors – molecules that trigger biological responses to serotonin – in their brains. Individuals with greater lifetime exposure to the drug had higher receptor levels. The researchers believe the increase in receptor numbers is the brain’s attempt to compensate for a loss of serotonin caused by ecstasy. The same effect has already been seen in some animal studies. Researchers pointed out that ecstasy, which has the chemical name MDMA, is now being tested as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety linked to cancer. “It’s essential that we understand the risk associated with using ecstasy,” he said. “If news keeps coming out that MDMA is being tested therapeutically and is safe, more people will tend to self-administer the drug. We need to know the dose at which this drug becomes toxic.

Joe Paterno Breaks A Hip

Joe Paterno fell and fractured his pelvis Saturday. The 84-year-old former Penn State football coach – who’s currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer – was admitted to a local hospital after taking the tumble at his home, but will not need surgery. He is expected to make a full recovery. Paterno lost his job as the Nittany Lions coach last month amid criticism that he hadn’t done more when a sexual assault allegation surfaced regarding his longtime defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky. 

Rare Lunar Eclipse Gives Moon A Reddish Glow

Moon watchers in the western U.S., Hawaii and elsewhere across the globe were treated Saturday to a rare celestial phenomenon: a total lunar eclipse. For 51 minutes starting at 6:06 a.m. [PT], the Earth’s shadow completely blocked the moon. The moon took on a reddish glow, as some indirect sunlight continued to reach it after passing through the Earth’s atmosphere. Since the atmosphere scatters blue light, only red light strikes the moon, giving it a crimson hue. The last total lunar eclipse was on June 15th, although that was not visible from the U.S. The next one is on April 15, 2014, and will be seen in the U.S. 

Hottest Women Of All Time


The top 100 hottest women of all time have now been officially catalogued by Men’s Health, and Jennifer Aniston is the all-time winner. Brad Pitt has had the fortune of having long-term relationships with two of the top 10 picks, with Angelina Jolie coming in at No. 10. On picking Anniston to top the list, the magazine noted, “Funny is sexy, and Jennifer Aniston is funny – she was invited to join ‘Saturday Night Live’ before her big break with ‘Friends.’ Her down-to-earth persona makes her seem attainable, and anyone who’s seen her in ‘Office Space’ has to admit she makes even pieces of flair look good. She rarely plays the airhead, and she seldom overplays a role: she’s funny in a quiet, refreshingly human way. … Other sex symbols drift toward one-dimensionality, becoming flat icons in the process, but throughout her career Aniston has remained sexy, funny, and unmistakably real.” The Top 20 women on the list:
1. Jennifer Aniston11. Sharon Stone
2. Raquel Welch12. Scarlett Johansson
3. Marilyn Monroe13. Catherine Deneuve
4. Britney Spears14. Megan Fox
5. Madonna15. Jenny McCarthy
6. Ursula Andress16. Christie Brinkley
7. Bettie Page17. Anna Nicole Smith
8. Pamela Anderson18. Shakira
9. Jane Fonda19. Heather Locklear
10. Angelina Jolie20. Heidi Klum
See the full list at MensHealth.com.

Drivers Still Texting – But It’s Getting Better


Nearly 2 out of every 10 drivers and half of drivers ages 21 to 24 say they are texting behind the wheel, according to a new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey. Among other survey findings:
  • When asked how they think their driving is different when talking on the phone or sending messages, about half of drivers said talking on a handheld device and one-quarter said texting or sending messages makes no difference in their driving performance.
  • Men and women are equally likely to make or accept phone calls, read incoming email or text messages and send messages while driving.
  • Drivers younger than 25 are two to three times more likely than older drivers to read or send text messages or emails.
  • There were very few situations when drivers would never talk on the phone or never send texts or emails while driving. Bad weather was the No. 1 reason, and a quarter said bumper-to-bumper or fast-moving traffic would influence their decision not to place calls or send messages,
  • 66% of drivers said their most common action when receiving calls while driving is to answer and keep driving.
  • Drivers under 25 are two to four times more likely than older drivers to avoid talking while driving when they see a police officer.
  • A higher share of women than men said they would never send texts while driving, 12% compared to 5%.
  • About 9 in 10 drivers said that when they are passengers they would consider a driver who was sending or reading a text message or email as very unsafe. Even among the youngest drivers, 62% said they would feel that way.
  • 40% of drivers said that, when they are passengers, they are very likely to say something if their driver is talking on a handheld cell phones, and three-quarters said they would say something if their driver was texting or sending. Women and older drivers were more likely to speak up; men and younger drivers are less likely.
  • By large majorities, drivers support bans on handheld cell phone use and texting while driving. A majority also approve of fines of $100 or higher for handheld cell phone use and for texting. Almost a quarter support fines in the $200 to $499 range.

Billboard’s Top Artists Of 2011



Adele has made Billboard history after becoming the first female singer to be named Top Artist, have the Top Album with “21,” and score the Top Single with “Rolling in the Deep” all in one year. The 23-year-old star topped the magazine’s list of Best Artists of the Year, followed by Rihanna, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. Talking about what makes Adele stand out from her competitors, Tye Comer, editor of Billboard.com, said, “Her success is really inspiring because it shows that there is still room in the music industry for an artist to make it with true, raw talent. It’s not necessarily always about the outrageous outfits or flashy videos, but an amazing voice coupled with the right song still has the ability to turn the ears of millions of people and keep them interested.” Other 2011 year-end charts, which include Top Artist, Top Title, Top Male, Top Female and Top Duo/Group are at Billboard’s website.
Billboard’s Top Artists of the Year:
1. Adele6. Bruno Mars
2. Rihanna7. Nicki Minaj
3. Katy Perry8. Taylor Swift
4. Lady Gaga9. Justin Bieber
5. Lil Wayne10. Chris Brown
Top Pop Artists Of 2011
1. Katy Perry6. Pitbull
2. Rihanna7. Adele
3. Bruno Mars8. Ke$ha
4. Britney Spears9. P!nk
5. Lady Gaga10. The Black Eyed Peas
Top 10 Adult Contemporary Artists of the Year:
1. Bruno Mars6. The Script
2. Katy Perry7. Daughtry
3. Adele8. Onerepublic
4. Train9. Taylor Swift
5. P!nk10. Plain White T’s

Expect Fewer Holiday Cards This Year


Many in the United States celebrating Christmas can expect fewer holiday cards this year than last year, a marketing expert says. Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and author of “Putting the Luxe Back in Luxury,” said the market for greeting cards is a tough one in today’s environment with consumers having so many faster, easier and in many cases cheaper ways to send a greeting. However, times have gotten even tougher as a result of the recession, with many consumers looking to cut spending anywhere they can. The U.S. Postal Service slowing the pace of first class mail and making “snail mail” even less convenient, consumers are being encouraged – and perhaps driven – to alternatives to the traditional greeting card. However, while fewer may be sending Christmas cards, people are spending more money on expensive, luxury gift wrapping paper and ribbons and paper decorations to enhance their family’s holiday celebration, Danziger said. More sophisticated shoppers prefer to send hand-written notes on exquisite stationery, which communicates the ambiance of an earlier time, Danziger added.

Artist Finds New Hidden Images In Mona Lisa Painting

An artist in New York has found a series of hidden images in Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the “Mona Lisa.” Artist Ron Piccirillo says that if you turn the painting sideways, you can see an outline of a lion, an ape, and a buffalo around Mona Lisa’s head, and a crocodile and snake coming out of her body. At this point Piccirillo began pouring over Da Vinci’s old journals, looking to find any textual hints corroborating his findings. The artist found text that mirrored his findings in the work, predicting the hidden existence of zoo animals in the work as well as providing a key to their symbolic meaning. The telltale journal passage reads, “Give her a leopard’s skin, because this creature kills the lion out of envy and by deceit,” and that’s when he made the connection to the lion’s head, hovering above her head. Piccirillo says he’s also uncovered hidden meanings in other renaissance paintings by Raphael, as well as in the Sistine Chapel. Art historians are skeptical. 

Friday, December 9, 2011

FDA Says Yaz Label Should Be Rewritten,

In a 21 to 5 vote yesterday, FDA advisers said that the labels on certain oral contraceptives do not adequately reflect the risk-benefit profile of these drugs. The pills in question contain the hormone drospirenone. The brand names for these products include Yaz, Yasmin, Beyaz and Sayfral. Over the last two years, several large, independent studies have suggested the rate of blood clots with drospirenone-containing drugs is slightly higher than with other hormone-based contraceptives. The most recent analysis by FDA estimates that 10 in 10,000 women on the newer drugs will experience a blood clot, compared with 6 in 10,000 women on older contraceptives, which contained another hormone called levonorgestrel, a progestin.

Zumba Injuries On The Rise

Doctors say they’re seeing a growing number of patients for injuries related to Zumba fitness classes. One woman went to a Washington-area emergency room because of severe heel pain. It turned out the woman had a potentially serious injury called compartment syndrome, which is caused by high-impact accidents, like being involved in a car crash. The injury, however, happened during the woman’s Zumba class. One woman said she discovered she had something called snapping hip syndrome through a Zumba class. Elizabeth Delasobera, an emergency room attending physician at Georgetown University Hospital, speculates that unlike beginning joggers, who only run two to three times a week for 15 to 20 minutes, people who are new to the Zumba program start “Zumba-ing five days a week.” Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance fitness class with an estimated 12 million participants worldwide.

Final Tally Issued On Cantaloupe Crisis

Government health officials have issued a final tally for a months-long outbreak of listeria food poisoning in contaminated cantaloupe: 146 sick and 30 dead. Those numbers reflected infections in 28 states tied to tainted whole melons from Jensen Farms of Holly, Colorado, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Faulty processing and shipping practices at the firm’s Granada, Colorado, packing facility led to the dozens of illnesses and deaths – and devastated the melon market in several states. The outbreak is the worst since a California listeria outbreak in 1985 in which contaminated Mexican-style fresh cheese caused 52 deaths, including many stillbirths, according to the CDC.

Pope Illuminates Big Christmas ‘Tree’ Via Tablet

Pope Benedict XVI has illuminated a huge Christmas tree lighting display on an Italian mountainside by tapping on a tablet computer from the comfort of the Vatican. Benedict brought the “tree” to life through a wireless connection. In reality the “tree,” billed as the world’s biggest, is a display made up of nearly 1,000 lights on a mountainside in Umbria. It is 1,476 feet by 2,460 feet and covers an area of 1.4 million-square-feet. The 84-year-old Benedict has embraced new technology: Earlier this year, he tweeted for the first time and put the Vatican’s news information portal online by tapping on an iPad.

Coke’s Secret Formula Moved To Atlanta Museum

For the first time since 1925, Coca-Cola has moved its secret recipe out of a bank vault and put it on display in the company’s World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta. But “on display” doesn’t exactly mean visible, since the exhibit includes its own vault, which is about all visitors will be able to see. According to the company, the new “Vault of the Secret Formula” exhibit will teach visitors about “the rich history, mythology and intrigue around the secret formula.” “This is a special day in Coca-Cola history, and the perfect culmination to our 125th anniversary celebrations this year,” said Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO.

2011 Tops List For Expensive Weather Disasters

America smashed the record for billion-dollar weather disasters this year with a deadly dozen – and counting. With an almost biblical onslaught of twisters, floods, snow, drought, heat and wildfire, the U.S. has seen more weather catastrophes in 2011 that caused at least $1 billion in damage than it did in all of the 1980s, even after the dollar figures from back then are adjusted for inflation. NOAA added two disasters to the list Wednesday, bringing the total to 12. The two are the Texas, New Mexico and Arizona wildfires and the mid-June tornadoes and severe weather. NOAA uses $1 billion as a benchmark for the worst weather disasters. Extreme weather in America this year has killed more than 1,000 people, according to National Weather Service. The dozen billion-dollar disasters alone add up to $52 billion. The old record for $1 billion disasters was nine, in 2008. And the full cost of some of the events is still not known, so the total could go even higher before the year ends. The weather related disasters in the U.S. included:

  • Wildfires in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona from spring to fall. Losses are more than $1 billion, with at least five deaths.
  • Hurricane Irene along the East Coast in August. Losses exceeded $7.3 billion with at least 45 deaths.
  • Flooding in the upper Midwest along the Missouri and Souris rivers this summer. Damage was more than $2 billion, with at least five deaths.
  • Flooding on the Mississippi River in spring, summer. Losses were $3 billion to $4 billion with at least two deaths.
  • Drought and heat wave in the southern Plains and Southwest from spring to fall. Losses were near $10 billion.
  • Tornadoes and severe storms in the Midwest and Southeast from June 18th to 22nd. They caused more than $1.3 billion in damage and killed at least three people.
  • Twisters in the Midwest and Southeast from May 22nd to 27th. These killed 177 people and caused more than $9.1 billion in damage.
  • Tornadoes in the Southeast and Ohio Valley from April 25th to 28th. These killed 321 people and caused more than $10.2 billion in damage.
  • Tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast from April 14th to 16th. These left 38 people dead and caused more than $2.1 billion in damage.
  • Tornadoes in the Southeast and Midwest from April 8th to 11th. These caused more than $2.2 billion in damage.
  • Tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast on April 4th and 5th. These inflicted more than $2.8 billion in damage and killed nine.
  • The Groundhog Day blizzard in the Midwest, Northeast. It killed 36 people and caused damage of more than $1.8 billion.

Vehicle Thieves Rarely Take A Holiday


Once again, New Year’s Day was the leading holiday for reported vehicle thefts in 2010, according to an analysis by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Christmas Day repeats as the holiday with the fewest reported vehicle thefts. While Americans are enjoying the holidays and most have time off from work, holidays are just another day at the shop for vehicle thieves. For the 11 holidays reviewed in 2010, a total of 20,995 vehicles were reported stolen, compared with a total of 22,991 reported for those same days in 2009. The holidays ranked by number of thefts reported to the National Crime Information Center in 2010 were:

1. New Year’s Day 2,347 7. Independence Day 1,914
2. Memorial Day 2,122 8. President’s Day 1,903
3. Halloween 2,064 9. Valentine’s Day 1,745
4. Labor Day 2,020 10. Thanksgiving 1,605
5. New Year’s Eve 1,986 11. Christmas Day 1,361
6. Christmas Eve 1,928

Wait Until The Holidays Are Over To Buy These Items


Holiday deals may have you going after sales left and right, but there are a few items you should resist the urge to splurge on now and grab during post-seasonal deals later. CNNMoney highlights a few such items, warning consumers that even something that seems great now will cost even less when the buying bonanza of the season is through:

Clothing: It’s been warmer than usual this year, which means people have been buying less warm cashmeres, furs, coats, scarves and flannel pajamas. Those products will be deeply discounted after December 25th, say experts, who advise buying loved ones a gift card to be used later.
Holiday decorations: The best deals on holiday decorations will happen just when you’re ready to take down the tree. Stock up for next year on wrapping paper, ornaments and other festive items.
Jewelry: The bling is an attractive buy for the holidays, but if you want to make a big purchase, hold off until after Valentine’s Day if you can. Prices could be cut by half for all things sparkly.
Televisions: Those who missed the incredibly low Black Friday prices on televisions are out of luck. However, there’s still hope of fetching good deals in the New Year. In January, electronics retailers start clearing out inventory to make room for the latest models. Super Bowl sales come later in the month and you can expect even more discounts to follow in March and April, when Japanese manufacturers end their fiscal year.
Linens and bedding:  January has been the best time to buy linens and bedding for over 100 years, thanks to John Wanamaker’s popular marketing strategy “The White Sale,” says consumer savings expert Kendal Perez. Expect to see sheets sets for 50% off and winter sets like flannel discounted even more at stores like Macy’s and Bed Bath & Beyond, she said.
Gym memberships and fitness equipment: One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions will be a little easier to keep, thanks to steep sales on gym memberships and fitness equipment after Christmas. Expect to see great promotions and cheap trial memberships at gyms on local deal sites like Groupon and LivingSocial, experts say. Those who prefer privacy can look out for sales on equipment from brands like Bowflex and Life Fitness.

Color Of The Year


Orange is the new black – at least in fashion circles. Color consultants Pantone Incorporated say “Tangerine Tango” is the color of the year for 2012. They’re predicting we’ll see the reddish-orange hue on everything from fashion runways to living room drapes. Designer Tommy Hilfiger agrees. He says people had been leaning toward the conservative and will now want to freshen their look. With the latest recognition, tangerine tango becomes a slightly more elite spoke in the world’s color wheel, joining 2011’s honeysuckle, as well as such hallowed hues as turquoise (2010), mimosa (2009), blue iris (2008), chili pepper (2007), sand dollar (2006), blue turquoise (2005), tigerlily (2004), aqua sky (2003), true red (2002) fuchsia rose (2001) and cerulean (2000).

Taking The Wrapping Off Wrapping


It’s a confession most people are reluctant to make, but 61% of women and 44% of men admit they reuse gift wrap. A Scotch Tape survey on gift wrapping habits asked participants questions about who does the wrapping in their household, and who does it best. Some of the results:

  • 71% of gift wrappers do the wrapping themselves – usually in the week before giving the present. One in five say they put gifts in bags, and 3% say they have gifts wrapped at the store.
  • 71% of respondents say women are superior wrappers, based on the appearance of the finished product. And 74% say the woman of the household bears the majority of the wrapping responsibility – just 19% of households say the man of the house does the wrapping.
  • When asked what they would be willing to do for their significant other to get out of wrapping responsibilities, 33% of men say they would buy them an extra gift, 18% said watch the latest chick flick, and 9% said they would take out the trash for a week. But half of all women say, “It wouldn’t matter, because they would never agree to it.”

Two Dead In Virginia Tech University Shooting

A gunman killed a police officer in a Virginia Tech parking lot yesterday before he was found dead nearby in a baffling attack that sent shockwaves through the campus nearly five years after it was the scene of the deadliest shooting rampage in modern U.S. history. The incident evoked grim memories of April 2007 when a mentally deranged student killed 32 people and wounded 25 before committing suicide on the school’s rural campus in the Shenandoah Valley. It was the deadliest attack by a single gunman in U.S. history. Yesterday’s shooting took place on the same day Virginia Tech officials were in Washington, fighting a government fine over their alleged mishandling of the 2007 bloodbath. Before it became clear that the gunman in yesterday’s attack was dead, the school locked down the campus and used a high-tech alert system to warn students and faculty members to stay indoors. The officer was killed after pulling a driver over in a traffic stop. The gunman – who was not involved in the traffic stop – walked into the parking lot and shot the officer. Police declined to say whether they suspected a murder-suicide and offered no motive for the crime, citing an ongoing investigation.

Men vs. Women: Who Loses More Sleep During The Holidays?


Plenty of women expect to be sacrificing shuteye this holiday season, according to a survey from mattress professionals Sleepy’s. The survey reveals that 55% of women expect to spend between one and four hours a night performing holiday-related tasks in December, while 56% said they take time “late at night, after midnight,” or “early in the morning before anyone else wakes” to complete a variety of seasonal chores. The to-do list includes tasks like making or wrapping gifts (46%), baking, cooking or cleaning (94%), and of course online shopping (37%). With many women already suffering a serious sleep deficit, the holiday period only adds to the challenges of getting a good night’s sleep. Men will forfeit sleep during the month as well, yet they’ll devote less time to traditional holiday-related tasks. For example, men who anticipate doing something else during the holiday season when they should be sleeping said “browsing the internet” (65%) and online shopping (43%) ranked highest. Surprisingly, 34% will spend some late night hours cleaning and housekeeping. But one in four say they’ll be busy making or wrapping gifts, baking or cooking, or writing cards. Finally, 28% of women will be “making a list and checking it twice,” compared to just 1% of men.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Lawsuit Filed Against NFL Over Concussions

Getting your bell rung for many pro football players is just part of the game. But a lawsuit filed by 12 former football players against the NFL says the league endorsed the use of a painkiller called Toradol that could put people with head injuries at increased risk. Among those filing the suit is former Pro Bowl receiver Joe Horn, who says the league didn’t do enough to protect them from concussions. The suit was filed this week in federal court in New Jersey. The players accuse the league of negligence, fraud, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation and conspiracy. Their suit t implicates the way in which the NFL and its teams distributed Toradol, which the players say exacerbated the plaintiffs’ “risk of injury.” Toradol is used to reduce inflammation and body pain. But the suit alleges that teams used the drug to “mask pain,” which they claim only worsened long-term effects of the players’ various head injuries. An NFL spokesman says any suit that claims the league “intentionally sought to mislead players has no merit.”

Weight Loss Texting

You can lose a lot of weight working out with your thumbs. Researchers at Temple University have found that text messaging helps to reinforce fitness and nutrition goals. A recent study showed that college students who used cellphones to monitor calories and physical activity, and who received personalized feedback about how they were doing dropped significantly more weight than those who didn’t. “Cellphones are a powerful intervention tool for weight loss,” said Melissa Napolitano, a research scientist at the Pennsylvania center. Napolitano noted that about one-third of college students are overweight or obese, an issue that is more prevalent on college campuses than alcohol abuse.

FDA Approves Hangover Pill

The FDA has recently approved a new over the counter drug to cure the much-dreaded hangover. The pill, called Blowfish, contains 1,000 mg of aspirin and 120 mg of caffeine. The fix promises to work in just 15 to 30 minutes. “The magic of the effervescent tablet is that it hits your system much faster than getting a cup of coffee, taking an antacid and taking some aspirin separately,” the company said. The pill is also good for non-alcohol induced symptoms like headaches, stomach upset and body aches, according to the company. Brenna Haysom, a Harvard grad, came up with the remedy when she attended the university. The product is expected in drugstores early next year.

Japan Hit By 'Double Tsunami'

The tsunami that devastated the northeast coast of Japan on March 11th was created by at least two wave fronts that merged to form a far more destructive "double tsunami," scientists say. Waves created when a magnitude-9.0 earthquake struck off the coast came together to create a "merging tsunami" captured by satellites for the first time, according to NASAa and researchers at Ohio State University. Peaks and troughs on the ocean floor helped channel the waves into one huge wave, amplifying its destructive force, they said. The tsunami swept across a long stretch of coastline, swallowing up entire towns and villages, and leaving almost 20,000 people dead or missing. NASA said two of its satellites and a European satellite all happened to be passing over the tsunami on the day of the disaster. They were equipped with instruments capable of measuring changes in sea levels to an accuracy of a few centimeters. Scientists said it was “a one in 10 million chance” they were a able to observe the double wave with satellites.

Mark Zuckerberg’s Private Photos Shared In Facebook Glitch

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg was caught up in the social networking site’s latest privacy glitch after his private photos went on display for all to see. The photos don’t reveal anything overtly scandalous, just images that Zuckerberg chose to remain private, for his own personal reasons. Fourteen images were shared with a photo site and show Zuckerberg holding what appears to be a dead chicken, Zuckerberg at home with friends, and handing out candy at Halloween. “The bug allowed anyone to view a limited number of another user’s most recently uploaded photos irrespective of the privacy settings for these photos,” Facebook said yesterday. “This was the result of one of our recent code pushes and was live for a limited period of time. Upon discovering the bug, we immediately disabled the system, and will only return functionality once we can confirm the bug has been fixed.” The glitch comes one week after the Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement with Facebook that required the social network to be more transparent about its privacy policies.

Dodge Dart Making A Comeback

The Dodge Dart, a 1960s compact car that gearheads turned into street racers, is making a comeback. Chrysler said yesterday that it will use the Dart name for a new compact car based on Italian technology that it will introduce in the U.S. next year. The new Dart is expected to get 40 miles per gallon of gas on the highway. The new car is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a compact sold in Europe, but will be wider and longer to handle Americans’ need for more space. Chrysler said that the four-door sedan will handle and perform well, yet be efficient. It’s the first car sold by Chrysler dealers that is based on Fiat underpinnings. The Dart, due in showrooms during the first half of next year, will replace the Dodge Caliber, a slow-selling compact SUV.

Another Sandusky Accuser Comes Forward

A 19-year-old Pennsylvania man plans to sue former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, alleging that Sandusky gave him whiskey and sexually abused him in an office at the university’s football building in 2004, the man’s lawyer said. The lawyer said the man was 12 years old when he was assaulted. The man, whose identity isn’t being released because he was a minor at the time of the alleged assault, was staying overnight at Sandusky’s Second Mile children’s charity, his attorney said. Sandusky is charged with 40 counts of child sex abuse over a period of 15 years. He admitted to showering with young boys but has denied the abuse allegations. The new allegation comes from someone who is not among the eight young men cited in the charges against Sandusky. Sandusky is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next Tuesday, during which his alleged victims are expected to testify.

Getting It On With A Holiday House Full Of Guests




The holidays are a festive time of gift giving and a house full of holiday guests. That’s fine, but what happens when you and your significant other are feeling a little frisky? Experts at Astroglide have some advice on finding the time and ways for making your own private holiday cheer. Here are some tips for undercover individuals who want to enjoy the festive mood without waking up Aunt Helga and Uncle Albert sleeping in the next room:

  • Take some long showers – TOGETHER! Bathroom time is usually private time, even among families. Use the opportunity to lather up your loved one. It makes for great conversation the next morning at the breakfast table.
  • Set your alarm for some early morning love. With a little luck you can enjoy a blissful “good morning” romance without waking up the parents, grandparents, kids, aunts, uncles, and even the fur friends who like to bark as much as you do.
  • Run some “very important” errands so you can be alone. Tell the family you’re doing some last-minute shopping and since it’s for the family, they just can’t come along for the ride!
  • Prepare a big meal for the whole group, and tell everyone to eat all the turkey they want; you’ll make more. Then, when everyone has passed out in front of the TV during the big game, score your own touchdown in the other room.
  • If you’re the houseguest, then pull a Houdini and simply disappear by telling them you have to change the oil in the car or you need to fix the insulation in the attic! They may look at you a little strange, but it beats the alternative.
  • If all else fails, BRIBERY! Tell everyone in the house it’s time for a good game of bowling – your treat. Then give Uncle Joe a hundred bucks to get everyone out of the house for an hour.

Easiest Places To Shop


Online brands that offer less complex return policies, along with ways to easily identify the highest-quality items, earned high marks among consumers, according to new research from global strategic branding firm Siegel+Gale. Amazon, Zappos and iTunes are among the leaders in providing customers with simple interactions and experiences online, the survey found. Consumers benefit from easy price comparison, free shipping and a streamlined selection process funneled through customized communications. Of the top 10 simplest brands in the U.S., the first three are Internet companies. The 2011 U.S. Brand Simplicity Index top 10 brands include:

Brand Simplicity Index
Score Score
1. Netflix 910 6. UPS 808
2. Google 875 7. Subway 804
3. Amazon 849 8. McDonald’s 788
4. Target 817 9. Whole Foods Market 787
5. Publix 814 10. Pizza Hut 772

Consumer Reports’ Cell Phone Satisfaction Survey


For the second year in a row, AT&T’s wireless service finds itself at the bottom of the ratings in a customer satisfaction survey by Consumer Reports. With good scores from customers on texting and data service satisfaction, Verizon Wireless was once again the highest-rated of the four major cell providers, followed closely by Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T. CR also offers these tips to cut your cell phone bill:

Don’t automatically buy from the company store: Two-thirds of cell phones are bought at carrier stores, but Consumer Reports has found that prices can be lower at warehouse stores and mass merchandisers.
Consider a lower-priced carrier: When Consumer Reports compared 100 plans to similar alternatives in 21 matchups covering the full spectrum of plans, both prepaid and standard, Consumer Cellular came out on top. It had the best deal most often – in more than one out of three cases. Savings usually ranged from $30-40 per month over pricier rivals such as Verizon and AT&T, though you might find a smaller selection of the hottest smartphones with smaller carriers such as Consumer Cellular.
Use Alternative Services: Bypassing the carrier and using third-party services for texting and voice calls can be a real money-saver. New apps such as Heywire and TigerText let you send text messages for free over your data connection. With most carriers, that means you won’t have to pay 10 cents per text or $5 to $30 a month for limited-to-unlimited messaging plans.
Max out on Wi-Fi: Consumers should avoid using their plan’s allotment of data by tapping into the rising number of Wi-Fi networks that are available. Those who own 4G phones should set them to connect only to 3G whenever possible, such as when texting or streaming music.

Hey, Lighten Up On The Female Driver Jokes!


If women are worse drivers than men, it may be because their confidence has been compromised by sexist jokes, researchers suggest. A study by researchers at the University of Georgia and the University of Warwick in Britain found jokes about female drivers could be a self-fulfilling prophecy. “Our research suggests that by making a woman feel better about herself, she’ll become better at tasks such as parking the car or reading a map,” said Dr. Zachary Estes, a co-author of the study. “So a little bit of confidence-boosting may go a long way when it comes to parallel parking in a tight spot.” The study involved 500 college students who were asked to complete a variety of tasks. In some tests the students were given positive or negative feedback on their performance. Researchers found women who were praised tended to do as well on the tasks as their male counterparts.

Office Holiday Perks & Odd Gifts


Workers can expect more holiday cheer in the office this season as companies offer more perks (bonuses, parties, gifts) than last year, according to a new CareerBuilder survey.

  • 40% of employers plan to give their employees holiday bonuses this year, up from 33% in 2010. Among this group, 73% are planning to give the same amount as last year; 14% plan to give a bigger bonus than last year; while 13% plan to provide a smaller bonus.
  • 58% of employers are planning a holiday party for their employees this year, up from 52% in 2010; 36% of workers say they plan to attend their holiday party this year.
  • 30% of employers plan to give holiday gifts to employees, up from 29% in 2010.
  • 22% percent of workers say they plan to buy holiday gifts for co-workers this year, with the same amount planning to buy their boss something. The majority of workers, 79%, say they plan to spend $25 or less for each holiday gift they buy for the office; 38% plan to spend $10 or less; and 12% plan to spend less than $5.
When asked to share the most memorable gifts received from co-workers, workers said:
  • A zombie figurine
  • A keychain that shouts expletives
  • Bacon of the month club
  • A ceramic snake
  • A clock that meows three times on the hour
  • A hand-painted landscape on a toilet seat
  • A glass high-heel shoe filled with dish soap
  • Mustache scissors
  • A whip
  • A 12-pack of cola

Most-Played Holiday Songs


ASCAP has released its list of most-played songs of the holiday season. For the second year in a row, “Sleigh Ride” tops the list. Since October 1, 2011, “Sleigh Ride” has aired 64,317 times, making it the most-played holiday song so far this holiday season. Although it depicts a wondrous winter scene, “Sleigh Ride” was written originally by Leroy Anderson on a hot summer day in 1946 in Woodbury, Connecticut. Initially composed as an instrumental piece, The Boston Pops Orchestra gave the first performance May 4, 1948. After Mitchell Parish added lyrics in 1949, it has been recorded by hundreds of musicians since then. The top 10 most-played holiday songs so far this holiday season include:

1. “Sleigh Ride” – played 64,317. Most popular artist version performed by Leroy Anderson.
2. “Winter Wonderland” – played 54,741. Most popular artist version performed by Eurythmics.
3. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” – played 50,796. Most popular artist version performed by Nat King Cole.
4. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” – played 49,509 times. Most popular artist version performed by Dean Martin.
5. “Jingle Bell Rock” – played 47,100 times. Most popular artist version performed by Bobby Helms.
6.”It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” – played 46,492 times. Most popular artist version performed by Andy Williams.
7.”Do You Hear What I Hear?” – played 41,633 times. Most popular artist version performed by Whitney Houston.
8. “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” – played 39,885 times. Most popular artist version performed by Bing Crosby.
9. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” – played 38,395 times. Most popular artist version performed by The Carpenters.
10. “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” – played 37,266 times. Most popular artist version performed by Gene Autry.

Employee Holiday Wish Lists


Employees have a message to employers this holiday season: Forget the holiday parties and bring on the cash! According to a recent Harris Interactive survey on behalf of Glassdoor, nearly 75% of employees said a cash bonus would be among their top choices for gifts from their employer this year. Holiday parties – even with an open bar – are not as popular as cold, hard cash! What employees REALLY want for Christmas:

72% cash bonus 10% health care subsidy
62% salary raise 8% gym membership
32% paid time off that doesn’t count against vacation 4% holiday party with an open bar
23% grocery gift card 3% commuter subsidy
14% work from home for a year 2% gold watch or other accessory (Tie)
11% company stock or shares 2% other (Tie)

Celebs Americans Want To Hang With At Christmas


If you could hang with one celeb over the holidays, who would it be? According to a survey by discount retailer HomeGoods, you might to spend it with a “Friend.” When asked, “If you could invite one celebrity to spend the holidays with who would it be,” 31% of people said Jennifer Aniston. That put her ahead of royal Kate Middleton (second with 21%) and Jen’s ex, Brad Pitt (third with 16%). Charlie Sheen (12%),Ashton Kutcher (11%) and Kim Kardashian (11%) round out the list. But when it came to party guests, Rachel Ray was the person chosen by 31% people, followed by Jay Leno, who was a distant second at 17%. Celebrity chef Paula Deen was named as the cook most people wanted to prepare their holiday meal. Gordon Ramsey came in second, followed by Martha Stewart.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Woolly Mammoth To Be Cloned

Within 5 years, a woolly mammoth will likely be cloned, according to scientists who have just recovered well-preserved bone marrow in a mammoth thigh bone. Japan’s Kyodo News first reported the find. Russian scientists are now analyzing the marrow, which they extracted from the mammoth’s femur. The mammoth was found in Siberian permafrost soil. The huge mammals went extinct around 10,000 years ago.

Ron Santo Voted Into Hall Of Fame

Ron Santo of the Chicago Cubs has been voted in to the Hall of Fame. The third baseman was elected to the Hall, overwhelmingly chosen by the Veterans Committee nearly a year to the day after he died hoping for this very honor. Santo was a nine-time All-Star, hit 342 home runs and won five Gold Gloves. He was a Cubs broadcaster for 20 years, beloved by the home crowd for the way he cheered for his favorite team on the air, hollering “Yes! Yes!” or “All right!” after a good play and groaning “Oh, no!” or “It’s bad” when things went wrong.

Ticketmaster Customers To Get Small Fee Credits

Concertgoers who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster are being notified that they’ll soon receive credits for fees they were charged over the past decade. Emails are being sent to customers who are entitled to the credits as part of a class-action lawsuit filed in 2003 that alleged the company overcharged them. A pair of men had sued in Los Angeles over fees they were charged for purchasing tickets to Wilco and Bruce Springsteen concerts. A settlement, which received preliminary approval from a judge in October, will give customers a $1.50 credit on up to 17 tickets they purchased between specific dates in 1999 and 2011 that they can use on future purchases. It will also credit purchasers who received tickets via UPS to $5 for up to 17 transactions. The settlement is scheduled to be finalized in May. The credits are for an “Order Processing Fee” that Ticketmaster assessed on purchases. The credits come with several restrictions: Customers can only use two credits at a time and cannot use them for events scheduled at venues owned by concert giant AEG Live. Find out more at www.ticketfeelitigation.com.

All Eight Of Jerry Sandusky’s Alleged Victims To Testify Against Him

All eight of the boys allegedly sexually abused by former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky will testify against him when preliminary hearings in the case begin December 13th, according to people close to the case. The news is a blow to his defense. Sandusky’s lawyer, Joe Amendola, previously said that at least one of the boys had denied that he was abused. Sandusky is accused of molesting eight boys over a 15-year period. A key allegation against the 67-year-old former coach was that he was seen raping a boy about the age of 10 in the shower in 2002. The hearing in Centre County, Pennsylvania, is expected to last several days. The revelation comes after Sandusky discussed the 2002 allegation with the New York Times, saying he never spoke about it to Penn State’s head football coach Joe Paterno. Paterno was fired last month amid the scandal. He added that he and Paterno also never spoke of a 1998 child molestation complaint leveled at Sandusky that was investigated by Penn State police. Sandusky also vehemently denied the accusations. Meanwhile, some are wondering if Sandusky is guilty of witness tampering after it was revealed that he spoke to and even dined with the men now identified as his victims during the grand jury investigation.

Cook To Sue McDonald’s Over Attack

A New York City McDonald’s cashier who was videotaped beating two unruly customers with a metal rod in October has been cleared of all charges after 11 days of grand jury testimony. Rayon McIntosh, who had previously served nearly 10 years in jail for a manslaughter rap, was jailed for seven weeks at Rikers on assault and weapons charges. He was freed Friday after a Manhattan grand jury refused to indict him and prosecutors dropped the charges. The two women who were ruled to have provoked McIntosh still are facing charges, including criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct. A surveillance camera caught the entire incident and shows McIntosh hitting the women with a 3-foot steel pole, fracturing one woman’s skull. McIntosh says he plans to sue the fast-food joint. “I do plan on bringing a civil suit against McDonald’s for putting me in danger,” he said. “If a security guard would have been there, this wouldn’t have happened.”

U.S. Postal Service Makes Big Budget Cuts

Huge cuts by the U.S. Postal Service will ensure a general slowdown in first-class mail delivery. The USPS, which is in danger of bankruptcy, is slashing $3 billion from its budget. That means your paycheck might not arrive as fast, Netflix DVDs will show up later, and magazines might be outdated by the time they arrive in rural areas. Beyond the inconvenience to consumers sending mail, these cuts would shut down 250 out of around 500 mail processing centers as early as March. First-class mail standards dating back to 1971 will be adjusted due to the farther distances mail will travel from post offices to processing centers. Currently, first-class mail should take one to three days to arrive, but will be extended to two to three days. Magazines might take as long as nine days to arrive.

Earth’s Sister Planet Found

Kepler, NASA’s planet hunting mission, has bagged its first “Goldilocks” planet, one that sits in the habitable zone of its star. Nicknamed the Christmas planet, it is the most Earth-like world discovered yet. The planet, more properly known as Kepler 22-b, was revealed yesterday via a press conference at NASA Ames Research Center. It is one of thousands of planets discovered outside our solar system via the Kepler space telescope – and the first one that is in the middle of what astronomers call the “Goldilocks zone” – not too hot, not too cold, just right for life. It is called the Christmas Planet because it took three snapshots for the telescope to determine Kepler 22-b was really there, and the snapshots had to happen 290 days apart, the length of 22-b’s year. The last of the three encounters happened during the 2010 holiday season, just hours before the NASA telescope came down with a technical glitch. “It’s a great gift,” said William Borucki, the telescope’s principal investigator, who came up with the seasonal name. “We were very fortunate to find it.” The Christmas Planet is some 600 light years away. Astronomers have yet to determine whether the planet is rocky, liquid or gaseous. It’s about twice the size of Earth, and the average surface temperature is a balmy 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Many Already Done With Holiday Shopping


With less than three weeks left until Christmas, more than one-third of people surveyed by America’s Research Group said they finished most of their holiday shopping in November. November included Black Friday, when retailers offered deep discounts. After that weekend, about 28% of people surveyed planned to take a break from shopping. America’s Research Group President Britt Beemer said that’s because many shoppers spent more than they planned on Black Friday. Beemer added that retailers would need to offer even deeper discounts to get some customers to spend more this holiday season.  According to the National Retail Federation, Black Friday weekend sales totaled $52 billion, up from $45 billion last year.

Holiday Specials And Movies


Here are the dates and channels that some favorite holiday specials are airing. Check your local listings for times and last-minute schedule changes.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” – ABC Family, December 7, 10, 12, 22, 23 and 25
“Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas” – ABC Family December 13 and 23
“A Dog Named Christmas” – Hallmark, December 17 and 25
“The Bishop’s Wife” – TCM, December 16
“Rudolph’s Shiny New Year” – ABC Family, December 21, 24 and 25
“The Polar Express” – ABC Family, December 6, 18, 20, 21 and 25
“A Michael BublĂ© Christmas” – NBC, December 6
“A Christmas Carol” (1938) – TCM, December 23
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” – ABC Family, December 8, 9, 17, 24 and 25
“The Year Without a Santa Claus” – ABC Family, December 8 and 9
“Frosty the Snowman” – CBS, December 9
“Christmas in Connecticut” – TCM, December 11
“The Little Drummer Boy” – ABC Family, December 17 and 24
“The Santa Clause” – ABC Family, December 9, 10, 21, 22, 24 and 25 (also runs on the Hallmark Channel on select dates)
“A Christmas Story” – TBS, December 24
“It’s A Wonderful Life” – NBC, December 24
“Miracle On 34th Street” – Turner Classic Movies, December 24
“Disney Christmas Parade” – ABC, December 25