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Do smart phones make you smarter? Now there's a good question. My sense is, no.  I wrote recently that they may help us do many things but in the end, they may just dumb us down. Now a study says modern techie devices can be helpful and make life easier, but there are serious drawbacks, says a Texas A&M University professor who studies technology, according to newswise.com. Jonathan Coopersmith, professor of history at Texas A&M, says modern technological devices used to demand learning specific skills and acquiring the necessary resources to do them. "For example, if you wanted to make a film, you got a movie camera and the supporting technologies (film, lights, editing equipment), and then learned how to use them and hire a crew to handle all of the equipment. Next, you would shoot the movie, then develop and edit the film, and the final step would be to make copies and distribute them," the web site reports. “But many of those steps are elimin...

You see it everywhere, people talking on their phones or pecking at the keyboards (maybe you do it, too). But a new study has looked into what causes this behavior - known as 'phubbing' - and how it's come to be regarded as normal, according to newswise.com. Research from psychologists at the University of Kent suggests people's internet addiction is leading them increasingly to 'phub' - and experience being 'phubbed' - in social situations. This, in turn, leads them to view this phubbing behaviour as normal. The research, by Varoth Chotpitayasunondh and Professor Karen Douglas from the University's School of Psychology, identified a number of factors that were linked to smartphone addiction. These were Internet addiction, a fear of missing out and a lack of self-control. Who knew?  I tend to think people who do this when I'm around have better things to do, but isn't it interesting that it might be that they're afraid o...

For a long time I stopped holding doors for people because I got so mad when they didn't say " thank you. "  In fact, this morning I held the door for an elderly man in a white pharmacist's jacket and he didn't say a word. Forgive me, but I said, "You're welcome!" as I slammed the door behind me and rampaged into Dunkin' Donuts. But a new study says that saying thank you is more than just good etiquette.  It's actually essential to the social good. According to newswise.com,  new research offers the first evidence that expressions of gratitude go beyond mere etiquette and provide real social benefit. Researchers in Australia found the first known evidence that "gratitude leads to perceptions of interpersonal warmth, creating fertile ground for relationships to bloom." Now, I've been onto "gratitude" since Oprah suggested keeping a journal to write down five things you're grateful, for every day.  I only k...

My husband and son hate it.  I know that Mrs. B. is doing well with her chemotherapy.  Mary at CVS' brother is doing much better now that he's been out of intensive care for a while.  And Antoinetta's grandson is entering second grade in the fall. I talk to everyone when I'm out around town.  Pharmacists.  Supermarket checkers.  Owners of small businesses.  I started doing it because I was bored, waiting in line.  But then I started to enjoy it.  I've seen Antionetta's grandchildren grow from one to four (Mia is my favorite).  And I've come to feel really good when Mrs. B. asks how I'm doing in that caring, kind way.  And now The New York Times is telling me what I knew all along.  Striking up conversations with strangers is good for everyone. I've made friends on airplanes -- from the young professional with a full bladder who forgot to undo his seat belt before getting up (fortunately, nothing more serious than a big ca...

For years I've thought of myself as (and been proud of) being right-brained -- you know, creative and such? Also, thought, well, no wonder, when my left-brained husband had trouble understanding me. But a new study has proven that there is just no such thing. "Newly released research findings from University of Utah neuroscientists assert that there is no evidence within brain imaging that indicates some people are right-brained or left-brained," according to newswise.com. Many years ago when I was not long out of college, I took some kind of brain "test" and the instructor was astounded by my results.  Shows what a brain can do.  I can no longer remember just what I was heralded for.  But I'm sure it had something to do with the right side of my brain, and I'm going to believe it, anyway. The study by University of Utah researchers analyzed functional lateralization (identifying certain mental processes that are mainly specialized to one of the br...