If you had to cut back on expenses and were forced to choose between cutting back on your cell phone minutes and cutting back on food, which would you choose? Virgin Mobile is hoping you choose to cut back on food, which, according to a recent survey of their customers, is what most people prefer.

In the survey, 88 percent of the respondents said they'd be dining out less frequently, while 41 percent planned to buy fewer groceries to combat the weak economy. However, just 32 percent planned to cut back where cell phones were concerned. So, in essence, they're willing to give up food before giving up a chance to chat.

I call shenanigans. Here's what I think: People responded this way with good intentions -- maybe, by cutting back on eating out and groceries, they figure they'll eat less junk and consume fewer calories. However, when push comes to shove, and someone's craving ice cream, they're still going to run out to Coldstone and buy that five dollar sundae. But, it raises a good question -- how is the economy affecting your diet?

Source

Remember all that talk about cell phones causing cancer, way back when mobile devices were the size of small bricks? We haven't heard too much on that subject lately, but that doesn't mean the supposed problem has gone away. In fact, a prominent cancer doctor has recently advised his staff to limit cell phone use because of the possible cancer risk. I'm no expert but I think that probably means we should be a bit concerned.

Dr. Ronald B. Herberman points out that while there's no definitive proof of a link between cell phones and cancer, it's better to play it safe than take a 'no news is good news' approach. "Really at the heart of my concern is that we shouldn't wait for a definitive study to come out, but err on the side of being safe rather than sorry later," Dr. Herberman told The Associated Press.

I'm not tossing mine just yet, but this definitely gives me the motivation to keep my calls short and sweet. What do you think?

Source

If you're trying to get ahead of the game by jabbering on your cell phone on the way to work, your efforts may actually be counterproductive.

On average, people drive 2mph slower when they talk on their cell phone, according to researchers from the University of Utah. Considering the proven risk of automobile accident talking on a cell phone creates, this reduction in speed is seemingly a good thing.

With specific regard to accident reduction, sure, it's definitely a good thing. As for getting you to work on time, however, it's doing you a major disservice. Researchers estimate that all that in-car chit-chat causes the typical morning commute to take 10 percent longer than it should. Not good if you were on the phone in the first place to tell your boss that you'll be there soon.

Source

With an almost limitless amount of information at our fingertips, it's sometimes quite difficult to disengage ourselves from the ultra-connectivity that dominates our modern lives. Even before nodding off at night, we do one last status check on the world. Who won the game? Was that email replied to? Who is that voicemail message from? The trouble is, it may be more than just this last-minute flood of information that's disrupting our sleep. It may actually be the modes of connection themselves.

According to an article in Fitness Rx magazine, Swedish and American researchers found that electromagnetic radiation from using cell phones before bedtime can cause insomnia, headaches, and confusion. The study cited by Fitness Rx, which was published in a recent edition of the journal Bioelectromagnetics, suggests that cell phone radiation may interfere with stress-regulating centers in the brain, and may also disrupt the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Many experts suggest shutting down electronic distractions at least a half an hour before heading off to bed to help ensure a good night's sleep.

Source

This morning I had to talk to my son about his latest little escapade -- putting a huge wad of gum down the garbage disposal. I spent a good half hour risking limbs while cleaning up that mess. Yet when I talked to him about it, he barely seemed to listen much less apologize sincerely. I finally had to request an apology -- and the one I got was insincere. (Grr.) As a punishment, he has to do extra chores to "make up the time" that I spent fixing the disposal. He wasn't phased by that at all.

So I know how it feels when you try to discipline your child and you know that you're not getting through. Rachel over at ParentDish has written about extreme measures parents have taken to get through to their kids. Recently, a Spanish couple has taken their own extreme measure -- they had their kids admitted to a mental health institution to be treated for their addiction to their cell phones.

The kids, ages 12 and 13, were having a hard time in school and completing other activities because of their phones. In addition, they were lying to relatives in order to get money to spend on their phones. They had had their phones for 18 months. Before recognizing that it had become a problem, their parents hadn't restricted their cell phone use.

Source

There's something about cell phones that make medical alarm bells ring. Do you remember the reports of cell phones causing cancer? How about the dangers of exploding cell phone batteries? Now there's a new risk factor -- researchers are saying that cell phone usage during pregnancy can cause hyperactivity and emotional or behavioral issues in children.

Over 13,000 mothers in Denmark were surveyed -- some didn't use a cell phone at all, others used one sporadically, and a third group used their cells often during pregnancy. Their results indicate that using a cell phone as little as two to three times a day during pregnancy can cause health issues -- hyperactivity, conduct issues, emotional issues, or difficult with relationships -- for the children. What's more, if the children used cell phones themselves before age 7 they were 80% more likely to have behavioral issues.

Source

A renowned neurosurgeon and cancer expert recently made strong statements against cell phones, warning that regular use could double a person's risk of developing brain cancer. Though studies have refuted the claim that radiation from cell phones can be damaging, Dr. Vini Kurana says that that research did not take into consideration that most cancers take 10 years to develop and were too short-sighted.

Dr. Kurana went as far to say that cell phones could be more dangerous than smoking or asbestos and called on government officials to regulate their use. That's a pretty radical statement -- more dangerous than smoking? I'm doubtful that one man's research will change the habits of millions of cell phone users around the world, but still...I'd like to hear more. What do you think?

Source

The world today is full of all kinds of health and beauty hurdles like stressful schedules, unhealthy eating habits, and...cell phones?

Studies have shown that your cell phone may be the cause of some of your skin and complexion problems, including everything from breakouts to premature aging and wrinkles. In addition to having bacterial build-up that can cause breakouts when the phone is held up close to the skin, Artificial Electromagnetic Waves (or AEWs) emanate from the phone and could be speeding up the aging of your face by causing cellular damage and premature wrinkles.

The whole idea of cell phones and how they do or don't damage our health is constantly up for debate, so I'm not sure if I believe this or not (although it does make sense). What do you think?

Source

It's easy to know many calories are in a particular meal when you prepare it yourself. You can easily look at nutritional labels and do some simple math. However, things sometimes get a bit more tricky when you dine out or eat an on-the-go meal.

This may all change in a few years, though, thanks to ingenuity of some computer engineers at Purdue University. As I write this, they are working to create cell phone-compatible software that will turn your phone into a veritable calorie-counting abacus.

Much like current websites that offer photo analysis of your diet, this software will review photographs you take of your food with your phone's camera. But, unlike said websites, this new device will be able to distinguish between very similar looking foods and even calculate portion sizes.

Source

It's become so common there's actually an acronym for it! Driving while texting, or "DWT," is becoming such as issue across the nation that not only are many state governments looking at passing laws to regulate (or ban altogether) using cell phones and other devices to send text messages while driving but insurance agencies are also getting in on it -- they could actually look at your phone records and refuse to pay a claim if they see that you were texting at the time of an accident.

What do you think, fair or not fair? I say fair. I'm guilty of popping out a few texts while sitting at stoplights, but that doesn't mean I think it's right. Truth is that when we text message while behind the wheel we're not paying as close attention to the road -- and that endangers everybody.

Source

According to research by insurers, chatting on the phone when you're driving makes you four times more likely to have a serious accident. And the Centers for Disease Control reports that accidents are the leading cause of death for people 44 and under.

On the flip side, The New York Times has a story that claims there's no link between talking on your cell phone and crashing your car.

With more motorists dialing and driving than ever, we should really try to find ways to reduce driver distractions. Personally, talking on the phone hasn't really been an issue for me, but that said, I have clearly been distracted trying to find the phone while receiving a call in the car -- in fact, I've probably made the people behind me a little nervous.

Source

I always worry a little bit after I've spent an hour or more chatting with a friend on my cellphone. I, like many others, have heard the rumor that excessive mobile use can eventually cause brain cancer. I love the convenience of my phone but obviously it's not worth it if I'm going to end up with a tumor.

According to this article that debunks 7 common health myths, I may not have to be so concerned. Apparently, the results of a study conducted by the University of Leeds, the University of Nottingham, the University of Manchester and the Institute of Cancer Research in London, showed that cellphone use isn't associated with and increased risk of developing gliomas, a common and deadly form of the disease.

Other myths that you can learn a bit more about in the piece include the truth about the 'freshman 15', whether soy prevents heart disease, if taking the pill causes you to put on pounds and whether you can use melatonin to cure jet lag.

Source

I'm not one to carry a bunch of gadgets with me when I work out -- I feel a little bogged down with just my iPod and cell phone, so forget a pedometer or anything else even though I'm definitely interested in tracking that sort of thing. But now here's the perfect "all-in-one" gadget for somebody like me: a cute phone geared towards the stylish, active, fitness-minded woman! The Samsung SGH-E570.

It's got all kinds of fun features but a couple of the funnest things are the built-in mp3 player and pedometer, and some kind of cool motion-sensitive wallpaper. It comes in a variety of colors and although they've designed the phone with women in mind (pink is the most popular) if you buy one in black it can be perfectly masculine too!


Via Book of Joe

Source

The Japanese always seem to be at the forefront of technology, so it's no surprise that they've devised some ways to incorporate fitness into gadgets we use every day. Take the Japanese Fitness Phone, for example -- it's a phone that can measure your heart rate, act as a pedometer by counting your steps, and dish out fitness and nutrition advice.Guess what else it can do? I can tell you if you have bad breath. Just breath into it and it will tell you whether you're a-ok for that business meeting or whether you need gum or a mint pronto.

The fitness phone is aimed at the middle-aged working men of Japan -- and it's sure to be a hit since men in Japan have been getting larger over the last few years.

What do you think of weight loss and technology -- A good combination or no?

Source

I thought it was a known fact that cell phones were a no-no in hospitals, but everytime I go to one, I see a number of people chatting on their cell phones or texting like mad. What's the deal? Is it ok to use your cell phone in a hospital or not?

The answer is not, though there currently aren't any national guidelines concerning this issue. Wireless devices can negatively interfere with the machinery at hospitals and shouldn't be used. Devices that use Wifi, GPRS or some other method to get onto the Internet at the worst offenders, and while normal cell phones might be ok to use in some hospitals, callers should certainly avoid using them in ICU, operating or emergency units.

Source