USA TODAY articles from August 2003

USA TODAY archives from August 2003

Trade patterns predict financial earthquakes. (Stock Market).
August 1, 2003... The stock market has its share of shakeups, but who would guess that large movements in this man-made system adhere to a similar pattern of predictability as earthquake magnitudes? After analyzing four years of data from the world financial...

"A nation at risk" spurs two decades of failure. (Education Reform).
August 1, 2003... Twenty years after the historic "A Nation at Risk" report set off a nearly continuous wave of education reforms, most of those goals were never met. Maris Vinovskis, Bentley Professor of History, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, who advised...

Plan ahead to curb staff shortages. (Workplace Vacations).(Max Messmer of Accountemps suggests ways to prepare for summer months)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... With vacation season in full swing, one employee's time off often results in another worker's overtime. Accountemps, a temporary staffing service for accounting, finance, and bookkeeping professionals, recommends that managers plan for...

Financial executives will focus. (Noteworthy).(biggest challenges for chief financial officers according to Robert Half International Inc. survey)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Financial executives will focus on more than numbers-crunching in the coming year, according to a survey by Robert Half International Inc., a staffing service specializing in the accounting, finance, and information technology fields. Chief...

A rekindling of the economy. (Noteworthy).(survey indicates most not likely to change jobs even if conditions improve)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... A rekindling of the economy may not be enough to sway some American workers to jump back into the employment market, according to a survey by Accountemps, a temporary staffing service for accounting, finance, and bookkeeping professionals....

Despite an uncertain economy. (Noteworthy).(number one career concern is finding time for family)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Despite an uncertain economy, finding time for family outweighs fear of layoffs for today's professionals, shows a survey by OfficeTeam, a staffing service specializing in highly skilled administrative professionals. When asked to rate their...

Americans have at least one piece of furniture. (Noteworthy).(they want to pick out all over again )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Americans have at least one piece of furniture in their homes that they want to pick out all over again because they didn't choose the right piece the first time, according to American Furniture Manufacturers Association consumer research....

Common painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen. (Noteworthy).(may dissolve brain lesions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Common painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen may actually dissolve the brain lesions--or amyloid plaques--that are one of the definitive hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, indicates a study by UCLA scientists.

People with short upper legs. (Noteworthy).(are more likely to have glucose intolerance or diabetes)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... People with short upper legs are more likely to have glucose intolerance or diabetes, according to the American Heart Association. The research supports the hypothesis that factors influencing growth in the womb and during childhood may...

Adults over age 65 who consume. (Noteworthy).(alcohol drinking behavior)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Adults over age 65 who consume between one and six alcoholic beverages each week have a lower risk of dementia than either nondrinkers or heavier drinkers, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Knowing various types of individuals. (Noteworthy).(American Sociological Association report)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Knowing various types of individuals in many social contexts improves the chances of getting a good job, developing a range of cultural interests, maintaining control of one's life, and feeling healthy, according to an American Sociological...

Man's best friend is being overvaccinated. (Noteworthy).(dogs do not need annual booster shots according to scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Man's best friend is being overvaccinated, argue scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Although most dogs receive booster shots annually, researchers found that the effectiveness of canine vaccines can...

It really is better to give than to receive. (Noteworthy).(may reduce risk of dying prematurely)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... It really is better to give than to receive, at least for older adults, a University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, study suggests. The research finds that older people who are helpful to others reduce their risk of dying prematurely by nearly 60%...

The stress teenagers experience. (Noteworthy).(can be trigger for acne breakouts)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The stress teenagers experience as they head back to school can sometimes leave its mark on their faces. "Stress can be a catalyst for acne breakouts because it makes the body produce greater quantities of androgen hormone, which in turn causes...

Researchers found that an unmarried mother. (Noteworthy).(more likely to marry the father is the child is a boy)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Researchers found that an unmarried mother is 42% more likely to marry the father if the child is a boy. The findings build upon previous research showing that fathers of sons spend more money on their families and work harder at their jobs...

Exposure to male perspiration. (Noteworthy).(and its effect on women)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Exposure to male perspiration can brighten women's moods, reducing tension and increasing relaxation, say scientists at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and the Monell Chemical Senses Center. Sweat also has a direct effect on the...

What first attracts a man to a woman? (Noteworthy).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... What first attracts a man to a woman? It may be a cliche, but for 30% of the men in a recent survey, her "personality" is the first thing they look for, followed by attitude (18%), face (12%), and eyes (11%).

Industrial revolution linked to evolution. (Economics).
August 1, 2003... It took an evolutionary leap in the human species to help trigger the change from centuries of economic stagnation to a state of sustained economic growth, according to the first theory that integrates evolutionary biology and economics. "Until...

Freedom: Norman Rockwell's Vermont Years. (Focus on America).
August 1, 2003... After artist Norman Rockwell left the social swirl of New Rochelle, New York, he described moving to pastoral Vermont as having "fallen into Utopia," as the peaceful enclave of Arlington offered him a simpler, quieter life and the comfort and...

CEO departures down in 2002. (Management).(according to outplacement firm, Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc.)
August 1, 2003... Does chief executive officer stability indicate an end to corporate upheaval resulting in part from governance issues? CEO departures in 2002 took a sudden downward turn as companies announced 749 during the year, 19% fewer than the 929...

Renewed questions about internships. (Job Market).
August 1, 2003... With the allegation in a recently published book that Pres. John F. Kennedy retained a college student intern as a traveling companion, once again the focus is on the issue of internships. "It is likely that with all the publicity, parents will...

When client requests go beyond the pale. (Workplace).(The Creative Group surveyed advertising firms for their most unusual client requests)
August 1, 2003... Most advertising agencies aim to please their clients, but some requests go beyond the call of duty. The Creative Group, a specialized staffing service providing marketing, advertising, creative, and web professionals on a project basis,...

Not asking for help is top networking mistake. (Business).(results of Office Team Career Challenge survey developed by OfficeTeam)
August 1, 2003... Need a favor? Mum's not the word. More than one-third of workers surveyed say not asking people for help is the top networking mistake. Failing to keep in touch with professional acquaintances ranked second, with one-quarter of the response....

Ways to avoid job-hunting burnout. (Unemployment).
August 1, 2003... When people think of burnout, they tend to think of overworked employees, but those putting in long hours on the job hunt also may be affected, notes Tracey Turner, executive director of The Creative Group, a specialized staffing firm placing...

Kindergarten transition made easier. (Youth Development).(tips from Kansas State University assistant professor of elementary education Lori Norton-Meier)
August 1, 2003... Learning to walk and how to dress one's self are big steps for a youngster, but entering kindergarten is one of the most pivotal times in a young child's life. Kansas State University assistant professor of elementary education Lori...

Proposed legislation hurts Head Start. (Preschool Programs).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The national movement to change the Federal preschool program would do more harm than good, according to James Elicker, a professor of child development at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., and former Head Start teacher. "Head Start is...

Why women drop out of engineering programs. (Higher Education).(Women's Experiences in College Engineering project)
August 1, 2003... Why do many women drop out of engineering majors? A comprehensive study finds that the reason is not lack of academic ability, but a discouraging academic climate and women not feeling part of a larger engineering community. Females who succeed...

Electronic teaching spurs skepticism. (Education).
August 1, 2003... University educators largely extol the wonders of teaching through technology, but skeptics question whether something is lost when professors and lecturers rely too heavily on electronic media or when interaction with students takes place...

The Human Comedy: Portraits by Red Grooms. (Museums).(Critical Essay)
August 1, 2003... In reconciling the sophistication of high art with the naivete of folk art and the humor of the cartoonist, Red Grooms helped redefine the concept of portraiture at the end of the 20th century. The artist, working within a centuries-old...

Prepaid plans show signs of trouble. (Tuition).
August 1, 2003... It was beginning to look too good for families saving for college, and maybe it was. After the bear market battered accounts invested in the popular tax-favored 529 college savings plans, which operate much like a mutual fund, families began...

Kids' bike accidents rise in summertime. (Pediatric Trauma).(according to Todd Maxson, head of the pediatric trauma program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Pediatric trauma doctors can always tell when school lets out for the summer. The number of kids on bicycles struck by cars rises sharply. "Children are out more and people drive faster in school zones and crossings during summer," notes Todd...

Avoid skin scares by using sunscreen. (Prevention).(advice from Sarah Weitzul, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... When heading outdoors this summer, don't forget to apply the sunscreen. "If used properly, sunblock is very effective at preventing the harmful effects of the sun that may lead to both skin cancer and accelerated aging," warns Sarah Weitzul,...

Children may be at risk as pedestrians. (Safety).(according to survey conducted by National Safe Kids Campaign)
August 1, 2003... While many parents and children may believe their neighborhood is a friendly place to walk, a survey conducted by the National Safe Kids Campaign found that nearly 60% of the adults and youngsters encountered serious hazards on their way to...

Jailed juveniles require health care. (Correctional Facilities).(American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Health care for youths confined to correctional facilities should meet the standards of care for the community at large, according to a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). It focuses on the special risks of this...

New software alleviates traffic. (Transportation).
August 1, 2003... The same in-road detectors that control traffic lights and monitor traffic could soon respond quicker to traffic jams, thanks to software developed by Benjamin Coifman, assistant professor of electrical engineering and civil and environmental...

Tire/pavement tests to pinpoint road noise. (Automotive Technology).
August 1, 2003... Innovative types of pavements will help reduce traffic noise on future highways, suggests research using a new, one-of-a-kind machine custom-made for Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. "This work will eventually lead to a more precise...

Teaching adult children the facts of life. (Finances).(tips from the Financial Planning Association)
August 1, 2003... Your children are grown, but they still may be kids when it comes to managing their money. Perhaps they have returned home to live with you because they can't afford to be on their own, or they're living on their own but are struggling...

Pres. Bush's plan encourages savings. (Investment).
August 1, 2003... We've all heard the talk about how consumer spending will boost the economy. How about consumer savings? That's the route taken by Pres. Bush's proposed retirement plan. Consumer savings ultimately will lead to economic recovery in the U.S.,...

Is your company supporting terrorism? (Corporate Charity).
August 1, 2003... You want to be a good corporate citizen, but it's difficult these days. Once upon a time, you encouraged employees to give to worthy nonprofits, matched their contributions, received a nice tax break, and trusted that you were helping make the...

Columbine coverage shook the nation. (Mass Media).(according to research by Glenn Muschert, a professor in the School of Liberal Arts at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. )
August 1, 2003... With the recent passing of the fourth anniversary of the Columbine school shooting, a new study finds that the media's coverage bred a culture of fear nationwide that defies logic. "After the Columbine media coverage, the nation became...

Skin irritants change daily. (Weather).(skin/weather indices created by Lanacane's Itch Information center and Center for Climatic Research at the University of Delaware, Newark)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Do you know-that the way your skin feels and looks is closely tied to the daily weather? Lanacane's Itch Information Center, White Plains, N.Y., along with the Center for Climatic Research at the University of Delaware, Newark, have been...

Food-origin labeling benefits everyone. (Federal Regulations).(according to John VanSickle, a professor with the University of Florida, Gainesville's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences)
August 1, 2003... At a time of rising concern over food security, public demand is growing for information about where food originates. "There's nothing new about food imports, but there is a lot of interest by a lot of people about where the food they consume...

Compounds in tea stop bad breath. (Halitosis).(polyphenols prevent growth of bacteria)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Compounds found in tea can stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Polyphenols, which are chemical components of tea, prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible...

Women need daily exercise routine. (Fitness).(maintains Michelle Kowalski of the Ball State University Human Performance Lab, Muncie, Ind. )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The television infomercials make it look easy for women to get into shape fairly quickly, but such programs aren't realistic, maintains Michelle Kowalski of the Ball State University Human Performance Lab, Muncie, Ind. Few such exercise...

Senators' approval ratings unpredictable. (Polls).
August 1, 2003... Although elected officials may attempt to influence public approval ratings as they look toward reelection, their own tactical maneuvers do not have as much effect as factors beyond their control, a recent study points out. Demographics such as...

Antibioterrorism efforts may bolster public health system. (Homeland Security).
August 1, 2003... In 2001, anthrax-laced letters killed five people. In 2003, the SARS epidemic revealed that Mother Nature can be a nasty bioterrorist herself. Future biological attacks are unlikely to announce themselves with letters saying, "This is...