Pro-Eater Downs 181 Chicken Wings: Healthy?
Sonya Thomas (AP)
The diminutive woman 43-year-old, who stands at 5 feet and weights only 105 pounds - devoured 4.86 pounds of chicken, besting favored pro-eater Joey Chestnut. Chestnut, who stands 6'2" and weighs in at 230 pounds, came in second after eating 169 chicken wings, or 4.55 pounds of chicken.
Continue »World's Worst Hurricane Advice
With Hurricane Earl on the way, don't be this guy. (istockphoto)
(CBS) With Hurricane Earl downgraded to a category 1 storm, but still barreling down on the East Coast, people are clambering for updates.
On Friday morning, the storm delivered only a glancing blow to North Carolina's Outer Banks and began to make it's way north, staying farther off-shore than originally feared.
Continue »First Medical Marijuana Ad Airs in California
Will medical marijuana ads on television give the right or wrong idea? (istockphto)
(CBS) Is opposition to medical marijuana going up in smoke?
No one seemed out of joint earlier this week when a California TV station broadcast what is believed to be the first-ever paid spot for medical weed. Or were they just keeping a lid on their feelings?
Continue »Russians Urged to Smoke, Drink
Will Russian smoke more for country's health? (istockphoto)
(CBS) Times are tough all over, but one Russian government official thinks he has the perfect medicine to cure his country's economic ills - more smoking and drinking.
"If you smoke a pack of cigarettes, that means you are giving more to help solve social problems such as boosting demographics, developing other social services and upholding birth rates," Russian finance minister Alexei Kudrin said, according to the Interfax news agency.
Continue »Weed: The Gateway Drug?
Marijuana's "gateway" effect is overblown, researchers say. (istockphoto)
(CBS) If you grew up in the era of Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No," you are likely familiar with the idea that marijuana is a "gateway drug," and that smoking it leads young people to use "hard" drugs like cocaine and heroin.
Now, a new study says that message is half-baked.
Continue »How Much Happiness Can Money Buy? Survey Says...
Can money buy happiness? (AP photo)
(CBS) Money really can buy happiness, but only about $75,000 worth, if you believe the results of a new study.
It found that the happiest Americans are those with an annual household income of $75,000 or more. Eighty-two percent of people at that income level reported being somewhat or very happy.
Continue »Michael Douglas: Can Actor Beat Stage 4 Cancer?
(CBS/AP) Michael Douglas is facing a tough battle, as the actor-turned-cancer-patient undergoes radiation and chemotherapy to treat a tumor at the base of his tongue.
But the 65-year-old Oscar-winning actor is not about to give up.
Continue »Army Eases Training for Out-of-Shape Recruits
Are new Army recruits too fat to fight? (istcockphoto)
(CBS) "Army Strong" may be the recruiting slogan, but these days the U.S. Army seems less focused on new recruits' strength than on their excess weight.
In fact, the Army has just rejiggered its basic physical training program, making allowances for recruits who are fat and out of shape when they show up for basic training.
Continue »Christina Applegate's Pregnancy Diet: Healthy?
Christina Applegate rocks her baby bump. Does her unborn child like red velvet cupcakes? (ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images/istockphoto)
(CBS) Pregnant Christina Applegate, 38, told late-night TV host George Lopez that she scarfed down red velvet cupcakes and fried cheese soon before going on air last week.
Applegate, most famous for her role as the pretty-but-ditzy working-class daughter in the long-running sitcom "Married With Children," appeared healthy and vibrant, but doctors warn that pregnant women shouldn't follow her lead.
Continue »Can MTV Make Getting Tested for STDs Cool?
(CBS) Can MTV make getting tested for STDs as cool as cool as Kanye West?
It's an open question, but the network is teaming up with social media company Foursquare to entice young people to earn digital badges for going to a health clinic to get tested.
Continue »Medicare to Help Older Smokers Kick the Habit
It's never too late to quit smoking, experts say. (iStockPhoto)
(CBS/AP) The government has another bailout on the books... this time it's a plan to help older smokers kick the habit.
Medicare is finally catching up with most private insurers by providing counseling for anyone on the program who is trying to quit smoking.
Experts say it's never too late, even for lifelong smokers.
Continue »New Study: Pot Helps Ease the Pain
(istockphoto)
(CBS) Light up, medical marijuana enthusiasts. Canadian researchers say that those who suffer from chronic pain may find relief by smoking pot three times a day. They may also sleep better.
Cheers: Heavy Drinkers Outlive Non-Drinkers
Will she live longer because of this beer? (istockphoto)
(CBS) Drink up... that is if you want to live a few years longer.
That's the highly unusual conclusion of a new study which suggests that non-drinkers die sooner than heavy drinkers. Moderate drinkers fair the best.
Continue »Seven Surefire Ways to Fight Bed Bugs
Will you let bedbugs hitchhike on you? (istockphoto)
(CBS) Bedbugs are back and badder than ever.
Although the nasty bloodsucking pests were largely eradicated through the use of DDT in the 1940's - they are beginning to rear their ugly heads again and are infesting people's workplaces, hotels and homes.
From sightings in fancy five-star hotels to movie theatres to clothing stores - seemingly no place is safe.
Continue »FDA: Restaurants Must Post Calorie Information
New FDA guidelines call for nutritional information to be posted for foods sold via vending machines and at chain restaurants (AP)
(CBS) Can you handle the truth - about the calorie content of the restaurant meals you eat?
You're about to find out, thanks to new FDA guidelines that call for restaurants to post nutritional information about menu items in a "clear and conspicuous manner."
