USA TODAY articles from April 2006

USA TODAY archives from April 2006

Revenue boom should pave way for tax cuts.(National Affairs)
April 1, 2006... The nation's strong economic growth is creating a revenue boom for state and local governments, as tax revenues soared 8.1% in 2004 and 7.6% in 2005. State taxes increased 8.7% in 2004 and 8.1% in 2005. Local taxes jumped 7.3% in 2004 and 7.1%...

California could be next.(Natural Disasters)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... In 2005, the Gulf Coast felt Mother Nature's wrath; now, it may be California's turn. If the world continues to burn greenhouse gases, warn researchers at Lawrence Livermore (Calif.) National Laboratory, the West Coast may have an increased...

Timely tax tips for teenagers.(Employment)
April 1, 2006... The teenage years are filled with fun and responsibility. It's about first dates, the first time behind the wheel, and first jobs. However, all of these "firsts" are accompanied by one thing--money. That is why it is important for teens to...

Where did all that money go?(Consumer Debt)
April 1, 2006... Your W-2 or 1099 has arrived. You tear off the perforated edge, pull out the center page, gape at the amount you made in 2005, and wonder: Where did it all go? It's not a fortune, you think, but it's enough that you should have a nice little...

With the average person spending more than 100 hours commuting to work each year, it should come as no surprise that 30% of Americans eat in their cars at least twice a week, declares Kelton Research Inc., Irvine, Calif.(NOTEWORTHY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... With the average person spending more than 100 hours commuting to work each year, it should come as no surprise that 30% of Americans eat in their cars at least twice a week, declares Kelton Research Inc., Irvine, Calif. Moreover, the average...

The increasing presence of miniature digital music players could have serious consequences in the workplace, warns a cyber-crime specialist at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. Marcus Rogers points out that these players have been used by car-theft and child-pornography rings because of their data storage capabilities.(NOTEWORTHY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... The increasing presence of miniature digital music players could have serious consequences in the workplace, warns a cyber-crime specialist at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. Marcus Rogers points out that these players have been used by...

Young offenders are not necessarily deterred from crime after they turn 18 even when they know they could be slapped with a much longer prison sentence, cautions a study from the University of California, Berkeley.(NOTEWORTHY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Young offenders are not necessarily deterred from crime after they turn 18 even when they know they could be slapped with a much longer prison sentence, cautions a study from the University of California, Berkeley. "Our results suggest that...

About one in three adult drivers ages 21-25 have driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the past year, according to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Washington, D.C.(NOTEWORTHY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... About one in three adult drivers ages 21-25 have driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the past year, according to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Washington, D.C. Moreover, 16.6% of...

Before you slip into those jeans made in Swaziland, consider that working conditions in overseas sweatshops not only have helped destroy the U.S. garment industry, but have turned textile workers toiling abroad into the "new slaves" of globalized industrialism, or so says sociologist Piya Pangsapa, assistant professor in the Department of Women's Studies, University at Buffalo (N.Y.).(NOTEWORTHY)
April 1, 2006... Before you slip into those jeans made in Swaziland, consider that working conditions in overseas sweatshops not only have helped destroy the U.S. garment industry, but have turned textile workers toiling abroad into the "new slaves" of...

Lower-class, unsuccessful "bad guys" smoke more often in movies than wealthy cinema heroes, new research reveals.(NOTEWORTHY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Lower-class, unsuccessful "bad guys" smoke more often in movies than wealthy cinema heroes, new research reveals. "Most investigators have concluded that smoking is portrayed as glamorous and positive, but our study shows that the exact...

Despite a common belief that peer pressure against high academic achievement is prevalent among black students, a study conducted by the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, shows that this usually is not the case.(NOTEWORTHY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Despite a common belief that peer pressure against high academic achievement is prevalent among black students, a study conducted by the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, shows that this usually is not the case. The researchers found...

The value of staying in school never has been greater.(NOTEWORTHY)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... The value of staying in school never has been greater. Consider that a high school dropout today will earn a projected $260,000 less over a lifetime than a young student who graduates or, that collectively, dropouts cost society an estimated...

Get organized via spring cleaning.(Personal Finances)
April 1, 2006... Spring cleaning should go beyond mops and brooms. Arm yourself with folders, labels, and bank statements. Mike Sullivan, director of education for Take Charge America, Phoenix, Ariz., a nonprofit credit counseling company, says organizing your...

IRS gearing up for big increase.(Tax Audits)
April 1, 2006... The Internal Revenue Service plans to conduct about 1,000,000 audits this year, up 37% from 2001. The agency says it will target roughly 200,000 fliers earning over $100,000--nearly double that of four years ago. Even if you are not that...

More ways to pay less.(avoiding taxes)
April 1, 2006... Obviously, you want to pay Uncle Sam as little as possible, but you are not quite sure how to (legally) hang on to more of your money. "There are plenty of ways to take some of the teeth out of your annual tax bite," maintains Taxes 2006 For...

Starting a business in New Orleans.(Entrepreneurship)
April 1, 2006... "On one hand, New Orleans is a tough place to do business," says Wes Moss, former "Apprentice" standout and author of Starting from Scratch: Secrets from 21 Ordinary People Who Made the Entrepreneurial Leap. "Housing is scarce; schools are...

Guilt more effective than hope or fear.(Behavior)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Guilt is more effective than hope or fear in persuading people to undertake self-protective measures such as eating better, wearing sunscreen, or even building proper levee protection, according to a study co-authored by consumer behavior...

It's allergy season for dogs, too.(Pets)
April 1, 2006... Unlike people who display respiratory symptoms due to their allergies, dogs most commonly develop skin rashes. Understanding canine allergies and their management is the first step in protecting your dog this spring, points out Novartis Animal...

Signs of spring may bring pain.
April 1, 2006... Are you noticing the signs of spring everywhere but in your dog's step? Warmer temperatures usually bring out the best in man's best friend, but increased springtime activity also can bring pain to dogs suffering from arthritis, cautions Pfizer...

Don't forget about pets.(Disaster Planning)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Recent weather disturbances, particularly Hurricane Katrina, show that states must consider pets in evacuation and sheltering plans. "When pets are barred from public transit or Red Cross shelters," says Priscilla Feal, president of Friends of...

High mercury levels found in popular fish.(Contamination)
April 1, 2006... Recreational anglers may be getting more than they bargain for in the fish they hook, indicates a report released by Oceana, Washington, D.C., the international ocean conservation group. Oceana's report provides data on 190 fish from 30...

We never talk anymore.(Office Communication)
April 1, 2006... Executives today may be just as likely to make introductions as small talk around the office water cooler. That is because they are spending less and less time conversing with colleagues by phone and in person, shows a survey developed by...

Beer's bad rap for carbs unjustified.(Diet)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... In the recent flurry of publicity over the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets, some diet promoters have depicted beer as an unhealthful source of fattening carbohydrates. Not so, contends a brewing specialist at the University of California,...

Can high salary buy job satisfaction?(Business & Finance)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Many businesses are apt to turn on the charm--and pull open the purse strings--when good employees threaten to leave for another company, according to a survey developed by The Creative Group, a Menlo Park, Calif., specialized staffing service...

Masterworks of American photography.(Museum Today)
April 1, 2006... More than 50 images from the Amon Carter Museum's holdings of over 30,000 photographs are on display in the rotating exhibition, "Masterworks of American Photography." Twice a year, visitors are able to view and enjoy a new selection of the...

Bottoms up before the 5 o'clock whistle.(Workforce; alcohol use)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Workplace alcohol use and impairment directly affects an estimated 15% of the U.S. labor force or 19,200,000 individuals, according to a study conducted at the Research Institute on Addictions, University at Buffalo (N.Y.). The study...

Grads better prepared for real world.(Accounting)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... The academic world is doing its part to groom future professionals for the new business environment, suggests a survey developed by Accountemps, a Menlo Park, Calif., specialized staffing service for temporary accounting, finance, and...

Converting plastic to lubricating oil.(Recycling)
April 1, 2006... Recycled plastic bottles could be used to lubricate car engines one day, relate researchers at Chevron Energy Technology Company, Richmond, Calif., and the University of Kentucky, Lexington, who converted waste plastic into lubricating oil in...

Tattoo, bling craze raises hiring issues.(Job Market)
April 1, 2006... A decade ago, most job search authorities would have said showing off tattoos and body piercings is a surefire way to get your resume placed in the "No Way!" pile. However, times have changed. With some surveys indicating that more than...

Wild hair may be okay, but not piercings.(Job Market)
April 1, 2006... John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of the global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., Chicago, offers some advice on issues that could come up for young job seekers steeped in the latest fashion and youth-oriented...

Lack of clear policy can be messy.(Workplace Dating)
April 1, 2006... The number of singles in the workplace has grown by nearly 20% since 1995, a trend that is changing the long-held rules governing dating among co-workers. As more employees relax their policies, however, some are finding that interoffice...

The times they are a changin'.(The Future)
April 1, 2006... As part of its efforts to inspire, encourage, and lead an international dialogue on the future, the World Future Society, Bethesda, Md., has released a report forecasting major global developments for the coming year and beyond. It examines the...

A world view from behind the camera.(Focus on the World; Magnum photography exhibition)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Sweeping views of world history as well as more intimate images of individuals and societies are featured in the exhibition, "In Our Time: The World as Seen by Magnum Photographers." These 100 black-and-white stills help celebrate more than 50...

Video violence desensitizes brain.(Mass Media)
April 1, 2006... Viewing video violence activates specific areas of the brain that are known to be involved in recognizing, remembering, and rehearsing or activating aggressive behavior, contends a study by John Murray, professor of developmental psychology at...

Trust is possible among bitter enemies.(Worldview; Building Trust: Overcoming Suspicion in International Conflict )(Book review)
April 1, 2006... It is possible to establish trust among the world's oldest and most bitter enemies, contends a political science professor from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., in Building Trust: Overcoming Suspicion in International Conflict. ...

Getting injured pilots back in the saddle.(Aviation)
April 1, 2006... Aviators are expected to be in the best shape--physically and mentally--possible, but what happens when a pilot suffers an injury that affects his or her mental skills? The path back to the cockpit involves many medical examinations and...

Ricin: one drop is all it takes.(Bioterrorism)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Scientists have completed the first human clinical trial of a recombinant vaccine for the deadly toxin ricin--a potential bioterror threat--and the results indicate it is safe and effective in eliciting ricin-neutralizing antibodies, report...

We've gotten older, but are we wiser?(Baby Boomers)(Book review)
April 1, 2006... Older adults can demonstrate to younger generations that they truly have something special worth listening to, maintains Charles Hayes, author of The Rapture of Maturity: A Legacy of Lifelong Learning. "It's an open secret that the best part of...

Splitting up drops wealth by 77%.(Divorce)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... Divorce reduces a person's wealth by 77% compared to that of a single person, while being married increases comparative wealth by 93%. Moreover, people who get divorced see their wealth begin to drop long before the decree becomes final,...

Discovery of coolest earth-like planet.(Astronomy)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... A new planet five times the size of Earth has been discovered by an international team of astrophysicists. To date, it is the smallest ever found outside of our solar system. Using a network of telescopes scattered across the globe, the group...

Spiritual spring cleaning: seven ways to heal.(Psychology)
April 1, 2006... Spring finally has arrived. It is a time of renewal for Mother Nature, but also for mere mortals. When the weather gets warmer, we seem to find a built-in drive to de-junk basements, scrub windows, and dust doorsills. Go to it, urges intuitive...

Women feel rushed no matter what.(Lifestyles)(Brief article)
April 1, 2006... While more free time sounds like a good thing for everyone, research from Ohio State University, Columbus, suggests it is a better deal for men than women. Men who have more free time feel less rushed than men with less leisure time. However,...