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Casual reading for the intellectually curious.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
On the Web, Children Face Intensive Tracking
By STEVE STECKLOW
Wall Street Journal
A Wall Street Journal investigation into online privacy has found that popular children's websites install more tracking technologies on personal computers than do the top websites aimed at adults.
A Wall Street Journal investigation into online privacy has found that popular children's websites install more tracking technologies on personal computers than do the top websites aimed at adults.
What They Know - Kids
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Wall Street Journal
Unfreezing Arctic Assets
A bloc of countries above the 45th parallel is poised to dominate the next century. Welcome to the New North.
By LAURENCE C. SMITH
Wall Street Journal
Imagine the Arctic in 2050 as a frigid version of Nevada—an empty landscape dotted with gleaming boom towns. Gas pipelines fan across the tundra, fueling fast-growing cities to the south like Calgary and Moscow, the coveted destinations for millions of global immigrants. It's a busy web for global commerce, as the world's ships advance each summer as the seasonal sea ice retreats, or even briefly disappears.
By LAURENCE C. SMITH
Wall Street Journal
Imagine the Arctic in 2050 as a frigid version of Nevada—an empty landscape dotted with gleaming boom towns. Gas pipelines fan across the tundra, fueling fast-growing cities to the south like Calgary and Moscow, the coveted destinations for millions of global immigrants. It's a busy web for global commerce, as the world's ships advance each summer as the seasonal sea ice retreats, or even briefly disappears.
The Jeans Care Secret: Rarely Wash Them
By CHERYL LU-LIEN TAN
Wall Street Journal
Carl Chiara, director of brand concepts and special projects for Levi Strauss & Co., is among the growing number of jeans enthusiasts who believe in washing them as little as possible.
Carl Chiara, director of brand concepts and special projects for Levi Strauss & Co., is among the growing number of jeans enthusiasts who believe in washing them as little as possible.
A caveat on that drop in credit card debt
By Michelle Singletary
I keep wondering if consumers will learn their lesson from this recession - to rely less on credit cards and more on the cash they have.
Washington Post
I keep wondering if consumers will learn their lesson from this recession - to rely less on credit cards and more on the cash they have.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Would You Like Flies With That? Bug Eaters Try to Get Some Buzz
Foodies Sample Insect Fare, But It's a Slow Crawl; Waxworm Potato FrittersBy SUMATHI REDDY
Wall Street Journal
Marc Dennis digs bugs.
He's making "chocolate chirp cookies"—with crickets inside—for a coming art festival. He puts crickets in his tacos when he watches football. And his freezer is full of bags of various insects, including dry-roasted crickets from Thailand, wax- and silkworms, and domestic crickets he raised at home, fattened up on oatmeal and orange rinds.
Wall Street Journal
Marc Dennis digs bugs.
He's making "chocolate chirp cookies"—with crickets inside—for a coming art festival. He puts crickets in his tacos when he watches football. And his freezer is full of bags of various insects, including dry-roasted crickets from Thailand, wax- and silkworms, and domestic crickets he raised at home, fattened up on oatmeal and orange rinds.
A mother's education has a huge effect on a child's health
By David Brown
That's because a mother's education level has a huge, if indirect, effect on the health of her children. That relationship, observed in many small studies in rich countries, turns out to be true everywhere on the globe, according to a new study.
Washington Post
It turns out that pencils and books for mothers may be as important as vaccines and drugs for babies in reducing child mortality in the developing world.
It turns out that pencils and books for mothers may be as important as vaccines and drugs for babies in reducing child mortality in the developing world.
That's because a mother's education level has a huge, if indirect, effect on the health of her children. That relationship, observed in many small studies in rich countries, turns out to be true everywhere on the globe, according to a new study.
Democrats and Republicans Can Be Differentiated from Their Faces
Nicholas O. Rule, Nalini Ambady
Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
Background
Individuals' faces communicate a great deal of information about them. Although some of this information tends to be perceptually obvious (such as race and sex), much of it is perceptually ambiguous, without clear or obvious visual cues.
Department of Psychology, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, United States of America
Background
Individuals' faces communicate a great deal of information about them. Although some of this information tends to be perceptually obvious (such as race and sex), much of it is perceptually ambiguous, without clear or obvious visual cues.
New saddle-like airline seats would pack cabins more
An Italian company is about to take the wraps off a space-saving seat for commercial aircraft that promises a flying experience similar to riding a horse.
By Christopher Hinton
(MarketWatch)
By Christopher Hinton
(MarketWatch)
Seattle Times
NEW YORK — An Italian company is about to take the wraps off a space-saving seat for commercial aircraft that promises
NEW YORK — An Italian company is about to take the wraps off a space-saving seat for commercial aircraft that promises
Phys Ed: Can Exercise Make Kids Smarter?
By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS
New York Times
In an experiment published last month, researchers recruited schoolchildren, ages 9 and 10, who lived near the Champaign-Urbana campus of the University of Illinois and asked them to run on a treadmill. The researchers were hoping to learn more about how fitness affects the immature human brain. Animal studies had already established that, when given access to running wheels, baby rodents bulked up their brains, enlarging certain areas and subsequently outperforming sedentary pups on rodent intelligence tests. But studies of the effect of exercise on the actual shape and function of children’s brains had not yet been tried.
In an experiment published last month, researchers recruited schoolchildren, ages 9 and 10, who lived near the Champaign-Urbana campus of the University of Illinois and asked them to run on a treadmill. The researchers were hoping to learn more about how fitness affects the immature human brain. Animal studies had already established that, when given access to running wheels, baby rodents bulked up their brains, enlarging certain areas and subsequently outperforming sedentary pups on rodent intelligence tests. But studies of the effect of exercise on the actual shape and function of children’s brains had not yet been tried.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Obstacle to Deficit Cutting: A Nation on Entitlements
By SARA MURRAY
Wall Street Journal
Efforts to tame America's ballooning budget deficit could soon confront a daunting reality: Nearly half of all Americans live in a household in which someone receives government benefits, more than at any time in history. [Interactive Graphic]
Efforts to tame America's ballooning budget deficit could soon confront a daunting reality: Nearly half of all Americans live in a household in which someone receives government benefits, more than at any time in history. [Interactive Graphic]
A Rare Atlantic Hurricane Triple Header
By ANDREW C. REVKIN
New York Times
Brian McNoldy, a meteorologist tracking Atlantic Ocean hurricanes at Colorado State University, just distributed this note from Phil Klotzbach, a colleague, about the unusual storminess in the Atlantic and Caribbean at the moment:
Brian McNoldy, a meteorologist tracking Atlantic Ocean hurricanes at Colorado State University, just distributed this note from Phil Klotzbach, a colleague, about the unusual storminess in the Atlantic and Caribbean at the moment:
With Karl becoming a hurricane, we have three hurricanes at the same time. This is a pretty rare occurrence. The only other years that this has occurred are 1893, 1926, 1950, 1961, 1967, 1980, 1995, and 1998. 1998 even had four hurricanes at the same time!
A Professor’s Review of Online Cheat Sheets
A Professor’s Review of Online Cheat Sheets
By ROY FURCHGOTT
At this time of year, students are buying textbooks and looking for ways to avoid reading them.
By ROY FURCHGOTT
At this time of year, students are buying textbooks and looking for ways to avoid reading them.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Computer Vision Syndrome
By American Optometric Association
Computer Vision Syndrome describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer use. Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing a computer screen for extended periods. The level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of computer use.
Computer Vision Syndrome describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer use. Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing a computer screen for extended periods. The level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of computer use.
Macular Degeneration Simulator
by eyecareAmerica
The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Miniature nuclear reactors might be a safe, efficient source of power
By Brian Palmer
Washington Post
Take a mental stroll through the streets of Anytown, U.S.A. City hall is on your left, the movie theater on your right. Smell the delights from the bakery. And in the distance, there's the gentle steam plume billowing from the cooling tower of the miniature nuclear reactor that powers the quaint little burg.
Take a mental stroll through the streets of Anytown, U.S.A. City hall is on your left, the movie theater on your right. Smell the delights from the bakery. And in the distance, there's the gentle steam plume billowing from the cooling tower of the miniature nuclear reactor that powers the quaint little burg.
The Claim: Paper Towels Thwart More Germs Than Air Dryers Do
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR
THE FACTS The key to clean hands is simple: Wash thoroughly with soap and water. But once the faucet is off, do you reach for the paper towel or the air dryer?
New York Times
THE FACTS The key to clean hands is simple: Wash thoroughly with soap and water. But once the faucet is off, do you reach for the paper towel or the air dryer?
Child Passenger Safety: A Parent's Primer
By National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
When you’re an expectant mother, it’s important to always wear your seat belt to protect you and your unborn child. Wear the lap belt across your hips and below your belly with the shoulder belt across your chest (between your breasts). Once your baby is born, follow these important safety steps.
When you’re an expectant mother, it’s important to always wear your seat belt to protect you and your unborn child. Wear the lap belt across your hips and below your belly with the shoulder belt across your chest (between your breasts). Once your baby is born, follow these important safety steps.
Child Passenger Safety: Ease-of-Use Ratings
By National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Parents - Not Sure Which Car Seat to Use?
Are you looking for a new car seat for your infant, toddler or 4-8 year old child but overwhelmed by the choices and worried about how to properly install your car seat? Click HERE to see how car seat features differ among various models.
Parents - Not Sure Which Car Seat to Use?
Are you looking for a new car seat for your infant, toddler or 4-8 year old child but overwhelmed by the choices and worried about how to properly install your car seat? Click HERE to see how car seat features differ among various models.
Child Safety Seat Inspection Locator
By National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Use this locator to find a child safety seat inspection station nearest you. Certified technicians will inspect your child safety seat and show you how to correctly install and use it. [Child Passenger Safety Week is September 19-25.)
Use this locator to find a child safety seat inspection station nearest you. Certified technicians will inspect your child safety seat and show you how to correctly install and use it. [Child Passenger Safety Week is September 19-25.)
Searching for free stuff online can be costly
by Elinor Mills
CNET News
It's common knowledge that you can catch computer viruses on porn Web sites. But did you know it's also risky to surf the Web searching for free movies or music?
CNET News
It's common knowledge that you can catch computer viruses on porn Web sites. But did you know it's also risky to surf the Web searching for free movies or music?
Monday, September 13, 2010
A Dictionary of the Near Future
By DOUGLAS COUPLAND
The thing about the future is that it never feels the way we thought it would. New sensations require new terms; below are a few such terms to encapsulate our present moment.
New York Times
The thing about the future is that it never feels the way we thought it would. New sensations require new terms; below are a few such terms to encapsulate our present moment.
The Size of Government and the Choice This Fall
In polls, Americans overwhelmingly prefer small government and low taxes to the alternative. Yet they've been given big government, one program at a time.
By ARTHUR C. BROOKS AND PAUL RYAN
By ARTHUR C. BROOKS AND PAUL RYAN
Wall Street Journal
As we move into this election season, Americans are being asked to choose between candidates and political parties. But the true decision we will be making—now and in the years to come—is this: Do we still want our traditional American free enterprise system, or do we prefer a European-style social democracy? This is a choice between free markets and managed capitalism; between limited government and an ever-expanding state; between rewarding entrepreneurs and equalizing economic rewards.
As we move into this election season, Americans are being asked to choose between candidates and political parties. But the true decision we will be making—now and in the years to come—is this: Do we still want our traditional American free enterprise system, or do we prefer a European-style social democracy? This is a choice between free markets and managed capitalism; between limited government and an ever-expanding state; between rewarding entrepreneurs and equalizing economic rewards.
Employers Prefer Hiring From State Schools - WSJ.com
By JENNIFER MERRITT
Wall Street Journal
U.S. companies largely favor graduates of big state universities over Ivy League and other elite liberal-arts schools when hiring to fill entry-level jobs, a Wall Street Journal study found.
U.S. companies largely favor graduates of big state universities over Ivy League and other elite liberal-arts schools when hiring to fill entry-level jobs, a Wall Street Journal study found.
The Top 25 Recruiter Picks
Below are the Top 25 schools whose graduates were the top-rated by recruiters.
Under each school you'll see any individual majors where companies also ranked the school, along with other general information about the school's location, application deadlines and student body. Click on each school name to go to the university's website.
Under each school you'll see any individual majors where companies also ranked the school, along with other general information about the school's location, application deadlines and student body. Click on each school name to go to the university's website.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Engineering Terror
By DAVID BERREBY
New York Times
They say they believe in freedom and share our values. They say a few bad apples shouldn’t bring down judgment on their entire kind. Don’t be fooled. Though they walk among us with impunity, they are, in the words of Henry Farrell, a political scientist at George Washington University, “a group that is notoriously associated with terrorist violence and fundamentalist political beliefs.”
They are engineers.
New York Times
They say they believe in freedom and share our values. They say a few bad apples shouldn’t bring down judgment on their entire kind. Don’t be fooled. Though they walk among us with impunity, they are, in the words of Henry Farrell, a political scientist at George Washington University, “a group that is notoriously associated with terrorist violence and fundamentalist political beliefs.”
They are engineers.
Scientists can scan brains for maturity, potentially gauging child development
By Rob Stein
Washington Post
Scientists have developed a scan that can measure the maturity of the brain, an advance that someday might be useful for testing whether children are maturing normally and for gauging whether teenagers are grown-up enough to be treated as adults.
Scientists have developed a scan that can measure the maturity of the brain, an advance that someday might be useful for testing whether children are maturing normally and for gauging whether teenagers are grown-up enough to be treated as adults.
Artificial "skin" materials can sense pressure
By Julie Steenhuysen
Reuters
(Reuters) - New artificial "skin" fashioned out of flexible semiconductor materials can sense touch, making it possible to create robots with a grip delicate enough to hold an egg, yet strong enough to grasp the frying pan, U.S. researchers said on Sunday.
(Reuters) - New artificial "skin" fashioned out of flexible semiconductor materials can sense touch, making it possible to create robots with a grip delicate enough to hold an egg, yet strong enough to grasp the frying pan, U.S. researchers said on Sunday.
Finding Banks That Don’t Charge A.T.M. Fees
By JENNIFER SARANOW SCHULTZ
New York Times
I’ve written before on Bucks, in “A New Push to Lower A.T.M. Fees,” about a planned Federal Reserve review of the rise in A.T.M. fees that banks impose on customers. In the post, I outlined some methods to save on A.T.M. fees, including looking for banks that don’t charge their own customers for using other banks’ A.T.M.’s. and banks that reimburse the fees the other banks may charge.
I’ve written before on Bucks, in “A New Push to Lower A.T.M. Fees,” about a planned Federal Reserve review of the rise in A.T.M. fees that banks impose on customers. In the post, I outlined some methods to save on A.T.M. fees, including looking for banks that don’t charge their own customers for using other banks’ A.T.M.’s. and banks that reimburse the fees the other banks may charge.
Resale Fees That Only Developers Could Love
By JANET MORRISSEY
REBECCA AND TRENT DUPAIX of Eagle Mountain, Utah, spent a year searching for their dream home. The couple, who have five children, considered 15 to 20 houses before finding “the one.”
New York Times
REBECCA AND TRENT DUPAIX of Eagle Mountain, Utah, spent a year searching for their dream home. The couple, who have five children, considered 15 to 20 houses before finding “the one.”
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