In a recent study people who gave money away or purchased gifts for others reported more happiness.

Previous research has shown that money does increase happiness. Wealthier people are somewhat happier than poor. Elizabeth Dunn of the University of British Columbia took it one step further and looked at what people did with that money.  read more »

Maybe nice guys don't finish last; at least, according to a study done by the Harvard University. The research showed that after many iterations of a game, players that chose to punish ended up the losers.

The experiment involved a game of Prisoner's Dilemma with an added twist. This Rock, Papers, Scissors style game is based on the premise that two people are caught by the police and in the classic form of the game, each of the two players has a choice to either cooperate, or defect.  read more »

Invasive plants are one of the major dangers facing the American environment. Foreign plants introduced into our environment often destroy the local vegetation and can cause serious problems to an area's ecological habitat. In Yellowstone, the Canada thistle is changing the ecosystem of that area with surprising results. The rapid spread of the Canadian thistle has brought about an increase in the population of the grizzly bear and gophers, which thrive on the plant. Animals that can take advantage of a new food supply would prosper,however the danger is to species that can't adapt.  read more »

As a parent, I know how challenging it is to raise a child with little or no training or knowledge on what it takes to be a successful parent. The insecurities and doubts felt by parents who love their children and want to do their best for them can sometimes be overwhelming. I wrote this letter to my son, Leor, for his 30th birthday. It poured out of me like nothing I have ever written before. Over the course of the past three years, with Leor's permission, I have shared this letter with many of my clients with the intention of alleviating some of these insecurities.  read more »

With demands for energy continually rising and the price for oil and gas ever increasing solar power could be the answer. We are not talking about the kind that use panels on homes to produce power. This type would use mirrors to cover acres of desert to produce steam, by directing sunlight on a fluid, and powering turbines, which would produce electricity. There is still a long way to go, but plans are being made to construct ten new plants. Two prototype thermal plants were opened with the capacity to have the ability to power large hotels in Las Vegas.  read more »

A new initiative to end all wars is beginning on May 17th with a series of concerts in Beijing; Istanbul, Turkey; London; Johannesburg; and Miami, as well as the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia, India and possibly other locations. This initiative developed by World Peace One is planning a 10-year global campaign of concerts, education and government advocacy.  read more »

We know the impact pollution has had on land and our atmosphere. Scientists are now looking at the impact of pollutions on our oceans. Scientist are discovering that agricultural runoffs and sewage, which are just a few of the ways we pollute our oceans, are having disastrous effects on our seas. About 40% of oceans areas are strongly effected. Waters that were once pristine are no longer so. Invasive species endanger indigenous species, causing great concern for their survival.  read more »

Biofuels have been considered to alleviate greenhouse emissions. The push has therefore been applauded by environmentalists. However, new studies show that the benefits of biofuels may not be what we hoped for. The new study by the journal Science claim that the use of biofuels increase global environmental cost. The destruction of natural ecosystems, and rain forests, so land can be converted to cropland, release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when they are burned and plowed. Croplands also absorb far less carbon than rain forests.  read more »

For many consumers that support "Going Green", there are eateries which cater to their idealology. For example, Gusto Grilled Organics in Greenwhich Village, has been cerified organic under the Northeast Organic Farming Association of N.Y.. However, at 13 New York and Chicago restaurants, they have found other ways of going green. Although the menus may not translate into "Green" these establishments have found other ways to be considered Green". At Del Posto, biodisel trucks fueled by its used cooking oil bring ingredients from upstate and return with the restaurant's compost.  read more »

The oceans cover 70% of the earth's surface and researchers have found that no portion have been free from the power of human influence.  read more »

Go green has become a "Battle Cry" in many communities around the country. Unfortunately, currently, it is easier said then done. The challenges facing us include legal restrictions by states, constrained on budgets and people' unwillingness to change. For instance, a proposal in Providence to have police use four cylinder cars was rejected when police complain that they need more powerful engines to pursue criminals. In Cleveland, plans to retrofit a hot water plant had to be canceled because of lack of money.  read more »

The investigations of Joel Berger, a specialist in hoofed mammals, have helped to find ways to preserve them in the wild. One of the interesting behaviors he recently discovered raised the following question, Why did the moose go down the road?

Well if the moose lives in Yellowstone National Park, and is pregnant, the reason could be that they are trying to avoid their main predator, the grizzly bear. It has been observed that grizzly bears kill 50 to 90 percent of the newborn moose population. Since Grizzlies are afraid of humans, they avoid going near roads. In order to protect their young, the about to birth moose go where the grizzlies wont go, toward the roads.

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Most of us remember the never ending lines at the gas stations in the 70's. The outcry by the public for alternative sources of energy Then just as quickly, all is forgotten, as lines disappeared and prices for gas dropped. We hear the same clamour today, yet according to The Cambridge Energy Research Associates, unlike the 70's, this time it will not go away. The difference today is that global warming is seen as a threat to political security, as well as the environment. Especially with the growing economies of China and India, cheap and reusable sources of energy are vital.

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Ever think of using kites to help haul a 10,000 ton freighters? How about using sun-baked roads to heat houses and offices or maybe using the body heat of daily commuters to warm an office building?

That is the kind of drive to innovate and succeed that spurs an economy to revitalize, and spurs a nation onwards towards excellence. I am just sorry that it was so long in coming and sorrier that there is still so little of it here in America.  read more »

Tuna Sushi lovers are putting their health at risk, according to a New York Times sample study. The Times bought Tuna Sushi from several restaurants and stores around New York City and had it analyzed by a laboratory. The results yielded levels of mercury so hight that the Food and Drug Administration could take legal action to remove the fish from the market. High Mercury levels are particularly dangerous for children and pregnant women, but recent studies suggest they may also increase the risk for cardiovascular and neurological problems in healthy adults.  read more »

If you are under 50 and experiencing great pressure from your work, you are two thirds more likely to suffer from heart disease than individuals who don't experience high pressure, according to a new study by researchers at University College London. The study found that stressed workers seem to have a weaker nervous system controlling their heart. This system regulates the tone and rhythm of the heart.

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It is estimated that 86 billion plastic bags are used by Americans each year. According to environmental organizations these bags end up entangled in the stomachs of whales and sea turtles or buried in landfills where they last for 1,000 years. New York City council has just enacted the most broad measure to minimize the environmental impact of these bags.  read more »

How would people react if given the means to closely monitor and adjust their electricity? The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory of the Energy Department suggested that if consumers were given digital tools to set temperatures and price preferences, the peak loads on utility grids could save up to 15% a year. The results of the experiment even surprised the Energy Department. How did the consumers react when given the choice between comfort and cost? How much could this save over a long period of time?  read more »

What is more important national security or protecting marine life? That seems to be the conflict between the Navy and environmentalists over the naval use of sonar off the California coast. Whales and dolphins exhibit disoriented and frantic behaviors during the navy's sonar training exercises. Judge Florence-Marie Cooper ordered the Navy to implement strict new safeguard to protect marine mammals by limiting their exercises to 12 nautical miles from shore. The navy is considering an appeal.  read more »

As year end bonuses and raises make their rounds it may be worth taking a look at this study which showed bonuses had a much stronger effect than raises. A 1 percent raise boosts performance about 2 percent while the same amount as a bonus could improve performance by up to 19 percent.  read more »