As we approach old age, on average, we should arrive in better shape mentally than any previous generation.
As we approach 100-years-old our bodies might still be (sort of) working, but many wonder whether their minds will be sharp enough to appreciate life.
Dementia rates are dropping among people older than 65.
There is hope for people who are worried about dementia.The Lancet has published recent discoveries that reveal dementia rates among people older than 65 are dropping. Alzheimer researchers are excited about the possibility that every successive generation will not face the same risk of dementia as commonly believed from previous studies.
Continue reading… “Dementia rates are dropping sharply: Study”
For decades scientists have been able to use the power of sound to levitate small items — including insects and fish. But now researchers in Switzerland have figured out how to move objects around in midair, according to a new study.
Continue reading… “Scientists can levitate and move objects with sound waves”
New findings show that planets orbiting red dwarf stars are more likely to be habitable than previously believed.
Only about a dozen potentially habitable exoplanets have been detected so far but, scientists say the universe should be teeming with alien worlds that could support life. The Milky Way alone may host 60 billion such planets around faint red dwarf stars, a new estimate suggests. (Video)
Continue reading… “60 billion alien planets in our galaxy could support life: Study”
“Younger Americans’ reading habits and library use are still anchored by the printed page.”
Younger Americans no longer visit public libraries and have all but abandoned paper books in favor of digital media has been the stereotype for a while. But in reality, young Americans are actually more likely than older Americans to have read a printed book in the past year and are more likely than their elders to use a library.
Continue reading… “Younger Americans are reading books and visiting libraries after all: Study”
Men love their single life and experience few of the traditional pressures that once encouraged them to marry.
They want kids, houses and sex. And they want women, too — but not in the form of wives. Not until they’re older. So says the latest study to probe the minds of America’s young men, aged 25 to 33. The study found 10 reasons men won’t commit — from the ease of finding sex partners to the desire to avoid financial risks of divorce.
Continue reading… “Top 10 Reasons Why Men Won’t Commit”
Wind power
The final update of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) of 2012 global wind power installation numbers has recently been published. Now Clean Technica has updated the “Top Wind Power Countries” lists. They are all about looking at relative rankings (or creating them when they don’t yet exist). That simply tells us much more about who the true clean energy leaders are than looking at total installation numbers.
Continue reading… “Top wind power countries in the world”
Unattractive workers are treated much more harshly than attractive employees.
According to a new research study, people who are considered unattractive are more likely to be depreciated and intimidated in the workplace.
Continue reading… “Unattractive employees more likely to be treated poorly at work: Study”
Handwashing is the most effective thing one can do to reduce the spread of infectious disease.
When consulting the CDC’s official guide to handwashing you might be surprised to learn that they don’t distinguish between using warm or cold water.They say what is important is that you use soap, that you scrub well (including the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails) for at least 20 seconds, and that you dry your hands afterwards. The CDC also officially recommends humming the “Happy Birthday” song twice through for an accurate measure of time.
Continue reading… “95% of people don’t wash their hands correctly: Study”
For people who graduate with a bachelor’s degree, higher education is overwhelmingly a smart investment. But what about students who drop out? As it turns out, less than 60 percent of Americans actually complete a B.A. within six years of starting. Do they reap a benefit?
Continue reading… “Going to college is worth it even if you drop out”
The study finds correlation between higher illness absences and lower ventilation rates in California elementary schools.
A new study by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has confirmed that opening windows to let in fresh air might be good for you. Analyzing extensive data on ventilation rates collected from more than 150 classrooms in California over two years, the researchers found that bringing classroom ventilation rates up to the state-mandated standard may reduce student absences due to illness by approximately 3.4 percent.
Continue reading… “Study finds more fresh air in classrooms means fewer absences”
Job quality is worsening around the globe, even where the unemployment rate is falling.
The “World of Work” annual report has been released by the UN’s International Labor Organization, and boy the results are depressing.
Continue reading… “Wealthy countries are creating more jobs by creating worse jobs”