Lifestyle

How often should you be reapplying bug spray? The U.S. government is rolling out new product labeling for bug spray in order tohelp Americans reduce their likelihood of developing the illnesses that insects like mosquitoes and ticks spread from person to person. The updated graphic will indicate just how long consumers should expect bug spray to protect them from biting outdoor insects. It was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, and will start showing up in stores next year, giving bug spray companies time to adjust accordingly. Although bug-spray manufacturers are not required to change their labels, if they do want to showcase the new graphic, they will need to submit data to the government showing that the product will actually work for as long as the graphic claims ...

If you drive to and from work every day and have to commute through a densely-packed highway, you're probably all too familiar with that feeling of envy as drivers in the HOV lane whiz by you (or, if you carpool with others, you may be one of those lucky passengers who gets to smile at all of those unfortunate souls as you casually drive by). But there may be a new way to get a coveted pass for the HOV lane, and no, we aren't talking about a life-sized doll that looks uncannily human. In many urban areas, fuel-efficient and hybrid-electric vehicles are being allowed into these lanes. High occupancy lanes are pretty standard these days on busy highways, and the purpose of HOV lanes is to reduce traffic congestion and fuel emissions by only allowing cars with two or more passengers, motor...

Many people enjoy spending time out on the water. Either they can go swimming, or they can buy a boat or yacht. However, you cannot have a water vehicle simply suspended in the middle of the water; you need to have a dock to attach it to. Many people are under the impression that you just need to rent the space from someone else or the city. It is not something that you can purchase for yourself as a separate unit, but something that you have to use that is already there. However, this is not necessarily the case. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXenl-ANHXA&ab_channel=SeaPortMarine In actuality, there are many custom docks that are available for people who want to purchase them. For example, you might be interested in a portable lake dock or a rubber floating dock that you can use on t...

Modern technology has made bicycles, especially the kind found in races like the Tour de France, much lighter than they used to be. But these new lightweight frames constructed from carbon fiber composites are causing major problems for professional and amateur riders alike. Carbon fiber became popular a few years ago after Greg LeMond, a three-time Tour de France winner, used this material for his bicycle's frame. The lightweight material contributes to the, strength, speed and aerodynamics of the bikes for their riders. Yet the bikes' tough but featherweight construction comes with a serious hazard for riders: the carbon fiber tubing in the bicycles' frames (and, more recently, wheels) does not bend the way steel and aluminum tubes bend. Instead, the frames and wheels can shatter, ...

The divorce trial of Harold Hamm, the billionaire CEO of one of the most profitable oil drillers in the United States, begins Monday, August 4, 2014 in Oklahoma City. The trial is expected to focus on whether or not Hamm worked to earn the $19 billion he gained over the course of his 26-year marriage, or whether it was the result of pure luck. This question will help determine the settlement the court awards to Hamm's ex-wife, Sue Ann, which has the potential to be one of the largest divorce judgments ever. Hamm is the founder of Continental Resources, a profitable oil drilling company which operates out of the Bakken Shale formation in the Northwestern part of the United States. While Oklahoma County judge Howard Haralson has already ruled that Hamm's assets from before his 1988 marria...

A recent double-blind study has shown that the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres in collagen are effective for treating atrophic facial acne scars. Acne scarring has long been a problem that plagues many current or former acne sufferers, and yet there is no foolproof treatment. Atrophic acne scars in particular are depressed or pitted scars caused by the loss of tissue. These scars are particularly difficult to cover superficially. Polymethylmethacrylate microspheres in collagen have been previously shown to be a beneficial treatment for nasolabial folds, so a study was conducted to examine other possible benefits. Collagen effects the strength, elasticity, and healing of the skin, so it's possible this same treatment could have a multitude of other benefits as well. In the ...

What if the couch in your living room could instantly turn into a bed when you have guests staying the night? Apparently, as CNN reports, the furniture of the future might be able to do just that. A new type of "robot furniture" is being developed and tested at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and this furniture may actually be able to change itself according to your changing needs.The furniture, called a "Roombot," consists multiple modules which each have a battery, three motors for pivoting, and a wireless connection so that the owner can send virtual instructions which dictate which piece of furniture is needed. Multiple modules would be connected to create one piece of furniture, and at 22 cm each, the designers of the Roombot say that about 10 modules would be needed to cre...

Many service members, veterans, and military families are often targeted by con artists and become victims of a variety of scams. These fraudulent ventures can take on a number of different forms. Often, con artists who target military consumers will falsely imply they are associated with the government or the military in order to build credibility and gain trust. Recently, the FTC has taken action against a debt collector that allegedly made threats when attempting to collect debts from service members, veterans, and their families. This was brought to light after a military consumer filed a complaint regarding a debt collector who posed as a "military liaison" and threatened to disclose a debt to the military consumer's commanding officer. Additionally, they falsely informed the milit...

These days, humans aren't the only ones getting a workout. What happens when your four-legged friend hasn't been getting the cardiovascular exercise? Maybe it's time for a jog at the dog gym. In Alexandria, VA, one of the nation's first dog gyms has opened up. For $50 a month, canines of all sizes get unlimited access to the facility, which is air-conditioned, 6,000 square feet, and has a wide range of available training equipment including treadmills, hurdles, balance beams, and tunnels. The gym, called Frolick, has already welcomed several new members eager to test the waters. It's no secret that Americans love their pets, and Frolick's gym is aware of that. Americans spent $56 billion on their cats, dogs, and other animals last year, and the amount owners are willing to spend on t...

The FBI has released a new safety warning, and the potential threat is none other than refrigerant. As polluting coolants are phased out of the market, illegal air conditioning coolants have been popping up on the market, and according to new reports, these coolants may actually be incredibly dangerous.The FBI is now warning people that coolants that haven't been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency may be more dangerous than just being a potential threat to the environment -- some of these illegal coolants contain propane, which is extremely flammable and can explode when placed near heat sources. ABC News reports that coolant-related explosions have been rare -- but "rare" still implies that explosions have, in fact, been caused by dangerous refrigerant products.The surge in u...