Guy Bentley E-Cigarettes slashed smokers’ tobacco use both before and after elective surgery, according to a study from the Mayo clinic. Regular cigarette smoking can often cause post-operative complications in smokers, and health professionals have long argued that “quitting or cutting down” smoking close to the time of operation can lessen these risks. In hopes…
Juliegrace Brufke In a 75-20 vote Thursday, the Senate agreed to place a permanent ban on state and local Internet taxes. A provision in a larger bipartisan customs bill – the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act – that would force states to phase out the tax by 2020. Congress had passed a number of…
Exciting development or a glimpse of a frightening tomorrow? A man has built a drone equipped with a gun that can find its target and fire itself. While the concept would allow soldiers and police to respond to violent and dangerous situations without putting themselves in harm’s way, it doesn’t take much effort to think…
Guy Bentley An Ohio Health Issues Poll (OHIP) shows a stunning amount of Ohio residents misunderstand the alleged dangers of e-cigarettes, which could “reverse decades of progress” explaining the unique harm of smoking, according to a leading public health expert. The January OHIP found that just 34 percent of respondents believe tobacco cigarettes are more…
Chris White An innovation group Tuesday awarded its annual Luddite Award to a group of techno-luminaries espousing anti-artificial intelligence (AI) rhetoric. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) foisted the Luddite Award honor on various groups of technologists and scientists critical of AI, but aimed the bulk of its scorn at physicist Stephen Hawking and…
Geoffrey Ingersoll New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer has launched a withering assault on the e-cigarette industry, claiming the sector is targeting children and teenagers with advertising. That assault calls on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to step in and investigate the practices of e-cigarette advertising. “The same companies that peddled ‘Joe Camel’ and similar, kid-friendly images…
A new robotic “companion pet” developed by Hasbro aims to combat loneliness among the elderly. According to research, the company’s new initiative, “Joy For All,” which focuses on more than just playing with toys, may be helpful to those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s too. As reported by BBC: “The robocat is designed to mimic a real animal….
Chris White The Obama administration Thursday offered to waive regulations against the autonomous auto market because of the supposed importance self-driving cars will play in the future of American transportation. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) says it will craft a series of regulations for states to follow in the event they allow self-driven cars full…
Justin Amash, the libertarian Republican Congressman from Michigan, has sent a letter to House leaders calling for restrictions of warrantless government surveillance. This letter, co-authored by Jared Polis (D-Colo), was co-signed by thirty-four representatives, including Thomas Massie of Kentucky. The letter was addressed to four key people: House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi,…
By Lina Bryce Snow removal and lawn cutting businesses have finally shifted their way into the Uber model style of on-demand services! Much like the taxi service Uber, users can request a snow plow to clear their driveway through the use of a Smartphone app. Plowz and Mowz is a startup that launched in 2004, allowing individuals…