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Tuesday, October 31, 2006
We have chylamydia
Kierra, 14, asks for help: "Hi. Me and my now ex had sex and we both just recently found out we have chylamydia now. His friends say I'm the slut and whore but I'm not the bad person when he took my virginity from me and I gave him 6 months. So now were working on getting back together but I really need help!!! (Ask A Real Girl)
Scary Eyes Just Got Scarier
This Halloween season, contact lenses that add design to your eyes are being marketed and distributed to consumers without a prescription, despite an FDA warning that the decorative lenses could do irreversible damage to your eyes. The FDA has warned consumers about the serious risks of using the decorative contact lenses without going through an eye care professional who has properly fit the lenses and given instructions on how to wear them. These decorative contact lenses, sometimes called Plano or noncorrective lenses, don't correct vision. Rather, their sole purpose is aesthetic. (Full article here)
Ring Me When it's Time to Conceive
A new mobile phone available through Japan's NTT DoCoMo can ring to let would-be mothers know when they reach the most fertile part of their monthly reproductive cycles. By tapping in data on menstruation dates, the user can program the phone to alert her three days before ovulation and again on the day. The company warns that the calculations are based on average cycles. (Full article here)
Monday, October 30, 2006
KFC to use no-trans-fat oil in chicken
KFC said it would stop using partially hydrogenated vegetable oil - the primary source of artificial trans fats - at all 5,500 of its U.S. restaurants. The announcement came on the same day that New York City's Board of Health was holding its first public hearing on a plan to make New York the first U.S. city to ban restaurants from serving food containing artificial trans fats.And what do you think of New York's plan to ban all restaurants in the city from using aritifical trans fast? Join us for a discussion at NYC: no-trans-fat oil
Caffeine-stoked energy drinks worry Docs
Nutritionists warn that the drinks, laden with caffeine and sugar, can hook kids on an unhealthy jolt-and-crash cycle. The caffeine comes from multiple sources, making it hard to tell how much the drinks contain. Some have B vitamins, which when taken in megadoses can cause rapid heartbeat, and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.But the biggest worry is how some teens use the drinks. Some report downing several cans in a row to get a buzz, and a new study found a surprising number of poison-center calls from young people getting sick from too much caffeine. (Full article here)
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Exercising Prevents Common Colds
A long-term moderate exercise program can reduce the risk of colds among older women... In the first randomized clinical trial to investigate the impact of moderate physical activity on the common cold, researchers... found that post-menopausal women who worked out regularly had about half the risk of colds as those who did not exercise. "There has always been this anecdotal evidence, and some small studies, suggesting that with moderate exercise you can improve your immunity," said Cornelia Ulrich, lead author of the study published in the American Journal of Medicine. "Our study … is the first time that a rigorous trial showed that the number of colds can be affected by exercise," she said in an interview. (Full article here)
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Come share your thoughts about these topics
Way to go, Mayor Newson -- 39 year old mayor is dating a 19 year old model.Technically, is this cheating? -- Men in the news because they had sex with... well, you have to check it out.
New Jersey: Right again! -- NJ Supreme Court decision dealing with gay rights.
Ban smoking in cars
New Zealand medical researchers said Friday that laws are needed to ban smoking in vehicles where children are passengers, finding evidence that second-hand smoke causes respiratory illnesses in children. In research findings published Friday, a Wellington School of Medicine study found being in a car with a smoker was equivalent to sitting in a smoky bar, even with the smoker's car window fully wound down. With all the car windows closed, smoke pollution was at least twice as bad as sitting in the smokiest bar, the researchers said. (Full article here)
Friday, October 27, 2006
Advice on a boy situation
Jessica, 16, asks: I need advice on a boy situation. I got pregnant by him and I keep asking him if we can go ahead and get married. He's like staring in to space. I mean, I don't know what's going inside his head. Can you give me advice. I don't no if he is going to marry me or not. (Ask A Real Girl)
College degree worth extra $23,000/year
How much is a bachelor's degree worth? About $23,000 a year... That is the average gap in earnings between adults with bachelor's degrees and those with high school diplomas, according to data from the Census Bureau. College graduates made an average of $51,554 in 2004, the most recent figures available, compared with $28,645 for adults with a high school diploma. High school dropouts earned an average of $19,169 and those with advanced college degrees made an average of $78,093. (Full article here)
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Germ warfare at the gym
The best way to protect yourself... is to make sure you wash your hands before you touch your face. Some gyms now provide alcohol-gel dispensers that you can use to kill germs on contact after you touch equipment. If your gym doesn't have them, you could — at the risk of looking like a clean freak — bring a small bottle of your own. Also be sure to wipe down the equipment before and after you use it. Many gyms make available antiseptic spray bottles and paper towels so you can steer clear of other people's slimy sweat. If your gym doesn't offer them, speak to the management about it. (Full article here)
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Hidden fats in your kitchen
Many families try to stock up on more healthful foods and beverages to manage their weight and get the key nutrients they need. But many items found behind closed doors — in refrigerators, cabinets, and pantry closets — may unknowingly be loaded with calories, fat, and/or sugar which can undermine even their best efforts to eat more healthfully. Here are six of the most common culprits that may lurk in your kitchen, with tips to help you choose more healthful selections.
Purification, or just a purge?
Liquid fasts, colonics, pills, vegetables. Detox regimens that promise to remove harmful chemicals are wildly popular -- but the science behind them is scant... Celebrities such as Beyoncé and Angelina Jolie are said to have done detox regimens... Most people who do detox regimens speak of them with the zeal of religious converts. They can't wait to detox again. But medical professionals urge caution. They say detox diets can be extreme and potentially dangerous... there's no evidence that these diets do any good. "The idea that foods are poisonous, or that we need detoxification, or a cleansing regimen to improve our health is without scientific merit... We have wonderful organs, great enzymes, a great system for eliminating toxins naturally." (Full article here)
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Vegetables may keep brains young
New research on vegetables and aging gives mothers another reason to say "I told you so." It found that eating vegetables appears to help keep the brain young and may slow the mental decline sometimes associated with growing old. On measures of mental sharpness, older people who ate more than two servings of vegetables daily appeared about five years younger at the end of the six-year study than those who ate few or no vegetables. (Full article... um... oh yeah... here)
Monday, October 23, 2006
Across the ocean for a first date
Mary asks: "I met the guy online and he lives across the ocean. We are planning to meet in his country and I am... little nervous to meet and spend a week with someone I've never known. Would it be weird for us to stay in separate rooms?" (Ask A Real Girl)
Eating Your Way to a Trimmer Waistline
How can you get a flatter stomach with nutrition? Three main ingredients go into getting a flat stomach: digestion... bacteria... eating foods that come as close as possible to their natural form... Increase your fresh foods, fruits and vegetables to increase your soluble and insoluble fiber... exercise is another factor that can't be neglected and should be addressed as well. (Read this article for more details on what this all means and why, including a list of foods to eat)
College kids packing on pounds
The "Freshman 15" is more like 5 to 7, but it is followed by the "Sophomore 2 or 3," say researchers who led two of the largest and longest studies ever done of weight gain among college students... "Over the year, we found that males gained 5.6 pounds and females gained 3.6 pounds, with the large majority of that weight gained in the first semester," said Elizabeth Lloyd-Richardson, the Brown researcher who led both studies. (Full article here)
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Chefs Not Counting Calories
A survey of 300 restaurant chefs around the country reveals that taste, looks and customer expectations are what matter when they determine portion size. Only one in six said the calorie content was very important and half said it didn't matter at all... Chefs agreed that big servings encourage people to eat too much, but said it's up to the diner to decide how much to consume -- and how much to take in a doggie bag. Portion sizes have bloated during the last few decades, a trend that worries doctors because two-thirds of Americans eat at least one meal a week at restaurants, which increasingly offer a dizzying array of diverse and fattening cuisine. (Full article here)
In the mood for conversation?
Come visit us at the ARGville Forum. Come introduce yourself and rant about work, friends, partners, motherhood, babies, cats, etc...; ask for help with relationships, dating, sex, friendships...; debate controversial topics like politics, religion, and current events. These are just a few of the topics under discussion: - Indecent Exposure Is for Men Only
- The debate is over: Iraq is a monumental disaster
- My panties are purple...
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Video Games Aim to Hook Children on Better Health
Video games that aim to improve children's health are still in their infancy, but already a few are showing demonstrable results... The game takes aim not at the disease but at the obstinacy of adolescence: Studies show that teenagers are more likely than young children or adults to stray from their treatment regimens. In playing the game, young people learn, for instance, that failing to eradicate every cancer cell can lead to a recurrence -- bad for their score and their health... Rashida Wilkins, 16, who took part in the study, began playing the game last year while undergoing treatment for a brain tumor... Now in remission, she still plays every day. "It showed me how the chemo goes through my body and kills the cancer cells . . . and it was fun to play," she said. "I even let my little brother play it with me. He liked it. He said he learned about what I was going through." (Full article here)
Breads and risk of kidney cancer
A diet high in refined cereals, and bread in particular, is associated with an elevated risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the main type of kidney cancer, according to a study in Italy. Diet and nutrition are thought to play a role in the development of RCC, but the effect of specific food groups on the risk of this malignancy is controversial, explain Dr. Francesca Bravi and colleagues in the International Journal of Cancer... Comparing the highest with the lowest intakes, consumption of bread increased the risk of RCC by 94 percent, pasta and rice by 29 percent, and milk and yogurt by 27 percent. (Full article here)
Friday, October 20, 2006
How much must you share in a relationship?
In order to be in a good relationship how much like your partner must you become? What if they have interests that you accept but don't share with the same passion? Irina brings us her situation, with anime as her boyfriend's passion, which she doesn't share. Are his concerns for the long term prospect of their relationship because of it legitimate or is he being immature? (Singles Center)
Good buddies = good health
In recent decades, close friendships among Americans have dwindled — especially among certain groups of men. And, experts say, there are consequences to that. Social isolation — a lack of close friends, tight-knit family or ties to groups — takes a toll on men's physical and mental health. "Friendship is a buffer," says Dr. Bruce Rabin, medical director of the Healthy Lifestyle Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Social ties seem to protect against various ills, including depression, high blood pressure, clogged arteries, infections and even death. (Full article here)
Cover Letters from Hell
Looking for a job? If yes, then you'll have to write a cover letter. Some people totally blow this task: "If recent college graduates apply for a job at Killian Advertising in Chicago, they'd better mind their grammar, spelling and punctuation — not to mention their sentence structure, syntax and diction — lest they end up in the company's "Cover Letters From Hell" that it posts on its Web site." (Full article here)Visit that page for some very funny stuff but more importantly, learn what not to do!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
25 Rules to Better Manage Your Money
This website contains 25 rules for getting rich by. Well, that's their catchy title, but generally they seem 25 wise rules to better manage your money. If you've been wondering if remodeling a bathroom or refinancing your mortgage makes sense, give this site a try. There are many other useful tips.
For Math Students, Self-Esteem Might Not Equal High Scores
[C]ountries such as the United States that embrace self-esteem, joy and real-world relevance in learning mathematics are lagging behind others that don't promote all that self-regard... 6 percent of Korean eighth-graders surveyed expressed confidence in their math skills, compared with 39 percent of U.S. eighth-graders. But a respected international math assessment showed Koreans scoring far ahead of their peers in the United States... In Japan, the report found, 14 percent of math teachers surveyed said they aim to connect lessons to students' lives, compared with 66 percent of U.S. math teachers. Yet the U.S. scores in eighth-grade math trail those of the Japanese, raising similar questions about the importance of practical relevance. (Full article here)
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Don’t be a scam victim!
Think about the myriad retailers, insurers, service providers, financial institutions and other entities that make a beeline for your wallet in the course of any given week. Granted, it’s necessary to conduct transactions with these businesses, but you shouldn’t give them any more of your hard-earned money than you absolutely must...- The salesperson in the electronics store tries to pressure you into paying extra for a so-called “extended warranty.” Should you do it? No.
- Thousands of homeowners keep paying extra money each month for private mortgage insurance, or PMI – sometimes for years longer than required. Should you follow their example? No.
- Many Americans could save 25 percent to 80 percent on prescription drugs if they would stop paying extra for brand names and instead purchase safe, generic versions of the medications they need. Should you explore that option? Yes.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Seafood benefits outweigh risks
Eating seafood twice a week is good for your heart and generally outweighs the risk of exposure to mercury and other dangerous contaminants, the Institute of Medicine said Tuesday... "The confusion may have scared people out of eating something that is beneficial for them and maybe for their offspring"... The findings from the Institute, which advises the government on health policy, are in line with widely accepted government advice that eating fish and shellfish may reduce people's risk of developing heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. (Full article here)
He says he doesn't like me
Ashley asks: "If you really like this boy and y'all was talking to each other and you knew he liked you but soon he gets around his friends he says he doesn't. What should I do?" (Ask A Real Girl)
Red wine can help prevent stroke damage
Red wine might work to protect the brain from damage after a stroke and drinking a couple of glasses a day might provide that protection ahead of time, U.S. researchers reported on Sunday... the beneficial effects associated with drinking a moderate amount of red wine could be explained by the fact the wine turns on the heme oxygenase anti-oxidant system... The amount of wine that must be consumed in order to reap the benefits of the compound will vary depending on a person's weight and the concentration of resveratrol in the wine. But... it will likely work out to about two glasses a day. (Full article here)
Monday, October 16, 2006
Married couples are a minority
Married couples, whose numbers have been declining for decades as a proportion of American households, have finally slipped into a minority, according to an analysis of new census figures by The New York Times. The American Community Survey, released this month by the Census Bureau, found that 49.7 percent, or 55.2 million, of the nation’s 111.1 million households in 2005 were made up of married couples -- with and without children -- just shy of a majority and down from more than 52 percent five years earlier. (Full article here)
Telephone charges rip-offs -- don't be fooled
Some companies get people to call an 800 number to test out a "free" service like a dating line or a psychic connection. When you call, the company captures your phone number and then bills you for monthly services or subscriptions. Or maybe you receive a sweepstakes promotion in the mail that tells you to call an 800 number to claim your prize. When you call, you're asked to give your phone number to verify your entry in the contest. Once again, they've got your number. (Full article here, including tips to deal with these cons.)
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Debt problems
Now that we have become a nation of debtors, fixing our financial mistakes has become much harder. Collectively, we carry $11.8 trillion in household debt, including mortgages, car loans and other borrowing. About 75 percent of U.S. families have some sort of debt, but what makes financial planners nervous is the size of debt and how quickly it is growing. Credit card debt alone leaped to $1.8 trillion in 2005 from $69 billion in 1980, according to industry data.As our borrowing creates more opportunities for error, large financial institutions are prepared to pounce on our smallest mistakes. Late-payment fees on credit cards now average $39, up from $13 a decade ago, according to a government survey released last week. And that's just for one missed monthly payment. A small string of errors can easily spiral out of control, as fees pile up and interest rates jump. For debtors in deeper trouble, a new law that took effect a year ago made filing for personal bankruptcy much harder and more expensive. (Click here for full article and tips to help you deal with personal debt)
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Itching for a confrontation?
Are Christian and Muslim religious leaders playing with fire when they use words that are insulting to the other group and, as the Pope's recent controversial speech indicates, are Christians the ones being more aggressive? (Religion Today)
The Shopaholic Disorder?
There may be more than 10 million people [who are compulsive shoppers] in the United States... They shop compulsively, buy things they do not need and often cannot afford, and place their work, their families and their mental health in jeopardy... The problem is widespread and serious enough that the American Psychiatric Association, which is updating its influential "bible" of mental disorders, is weighing whether to list compulsive buying as a disorder... Like other addicts, binge buyers usually want to stop but find they cannot. (Full article here)
Friday, October 13, 2006
Heavy-duty workouts may impair fertility in men
Men who exercise to exhaustion experience changes in their hormone levels and sperm counts, a new study shows. While these changes aren't permanent... the findings suggest that exercise could impair fertility in men with poor sperm counts and low hormone levels. Women who exercise intensely frequently show obvious changes in hormonal patterns... For example, they may stop menstruating. (Full story here)
Be Careful with Computer Access at Work
If you're at work right now, there's a good chance your employer knows you're reading this. The majority of employers now monitor all Internet and e-mail activity that's conducted on company-provided computer systems... if you're like most people, you do some personal stuff on company time... E-mails and Web surfing are technology's mirrors to your soul. Just think of the personal information you share with your friends via e-mail, and then imagine sending that e-mail to your boss. (Full article here)
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Jack Straw and Muslim women
In our ARGville Forum we're discussing English PM Jack Straw's request that Muslim women remove their face veil when talking to him. Do you agree with him? To get more details and join the discussion, go here: Should Muslim women remove their veil in the West?
Daily weighing key to keeping pounds off
Losing excess weight is often easier than keeping it off. A new study shows that stepping on a scale every day, and adjusting eating and exercise habits accordingly, can go a long way in helping dieters maintain a weight loss... “But stepping on a scale isn’t enough. You have to use that information to change your behavior, whether than means eating less or walking more. Paying attention to weight — and taking quick action if it creeps up — seems to be the secret to success.” (Full story here)
Study: Decaf coffee has some caffeine
Does that cup of decaffeinated coffee give you a jolt? It may, because almost all decaf coffee contains some caffeine, a new University of Florida study shows. The results could have implications for people told to avoid caffeine because of certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, kidney disease or anxiety disorders, according to the study reported in this month's Journal of Analytical Toxicology. "If someone drinks five to 10 cups of decaffeinated coffee a day, the dose of caffeine could easily reach the level in a cup or two of caffeinated coffee." (Full story here)
Scarlett and Buck
What do Scarlett Johansson and Buck O'Neil have in common? Not much really, but we found a way to connect them via a red dress. Visit Pop Culture to see how.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Cycle Changes Women's Looks, Attitudes
Full story here: It's an age-old question: What makes a woman dress to impress? A new report says the answer might be in the ovaries...women put more time and effort into their appearance when they're ovulating. Clothes and makeup aren't the only things that change at that time of the month: Women's strength, appetite and attitudes toward men and each other change as well.
Let's talk about the runaway bride
In our ARGville Forum we're talking about this topic in the news: Runaway bride sues her former fiance. If you have an opinion about this sordid development, come join us and let us know what you think.
America: Dumping Ground?
Full story here: Wood, toys, electronics, pesticides and cosmetics are among U.S. products that contain substances that are banned or restricted elsewhere, particularly in Europe and Japan, because they may raise the risk of cancer, alter hormones or cause reproductive or neurological damage... the United States is becoming a "dumping ground" for consumer goods that are unwanted and illegal in much of the world... Some toys, nail polishes and other beauty products are made with plastic softeners and solvents called phthalates that the EU has banned as reproductive toxins. Several of U.S. agriculture's most popular herbicides and insecticides, including atrazine, endosulfan and aldicarb, are illegal or restricted to emergency uses in other countries.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Discussion Topic: Female Sexual Arousal
Join one of our many discussions going on in the ARGville forum like this one: Women become sexually aroused almost as quickly as men. Do you agree with that statement? Studies seems to indicate it's so, but some among us don't buy it.
Walnuts 'combat unhealthy fats'
Full story here: Eating walnuts at the end of a meal may help cut the damage that fatty food can do to the arteries, research suggests. It is thought that the nuts are rich in compounds that reduce hardening of the arteries, and keep them flexible.
Doctors urge more playtime for children
Play time: Here's some soothing medicine for stressed-out parents and overscheduled kids: The American Academy of Pediatrics says what children really need for healthy development is more good, old-fashioned playtime. Many parents load their children's schedules with get-smart videos, enrichment activities and lots of classes in a drive to help them excel. The efforts often begin as early as infancy. Spontaneous, free play — whether it's chasing butterflies, playing with "true toys" like blocks and dolls, or just romping on the floor with mom and dad — often is sacrificed in the shuffle, a new academy report says.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Signs that he likes her?
Erin has a friend who smiles a lot at her and sticks his tongue out at her playfully. Does that mean he likes her? (Ask A Real Guy)
France to ban smoking
Full story here: France is to ban smoking in all public places from next February... Cafes, nightclubs and restaurants are to be given until January 2008 to adapt... "We started on the basis of a simple observation - two figures: 60,000 deaths a year in our country linked directly to tobacco consumption and 5,000 deaths linked to passive smoking..." [the prime minister] said... Public places include stations, museums, government offices and shops, but not streets or private places such as houses or hotel rooms.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Face to Face
Time to delete your MySpace and Facebook accounts? Well, not quite but some