27 Money Lessons Every High School Graduate Should Know !

29 Money Lessons Every High School Graduate Should Know !



A financial literacy test given by the National Financial Educator's Council found that test-takers from 15-18 years old scored an average of only 59.6%.
No matter what they're learning in school, most young Americans are lost when it comes to managing their money.
That's why we put together a basic guide to financial facts and concepts that will come in handy no matter where you're headed next.
This list is by no means exhaustive, because there's no end to the things you can learn about money. It doesn't include points about considerations like mortgages and 401(k)s and long term care insurance, because those are things that can wait, at least for a little while.
Today, you should know:
ABOUT BANKING
1. Understand where your money goes. If you don't know how much you've spent and on what, you won't know how much you have left to afford the things you want. Duh, right? Free apps like LearnVest and Mint will keep track for you with barely any work on your end.
2. A budget is just a plan for your money. Once you know where your money goes, a budget maps out how much money you owe every month, and how much money you have left. It's not restrictive, like a diet — it's just a way to make sure you aren't spending money you don't actually have.
3. A checking account is different from a savings account, so don't treat it as one. A checking account earns no interest and keeps cash at hand, to pay bills or make cash withdrawals. You shouldn't keep more money there than you need for your bills, plus a buffer. A savings account earns a smidgen of interest and is meant to hold money for the longer term.
4. Never pay ATM or checking fees. There are plenty of banks out there with conveniently located in-network ATMs and checking accounts without fees. Paying for either at this juncture simply means you didn't do the two-minute Google search to find a better option.
ABOUT CREDIT
5. Don't confuse debit and credit cards. Debit cards can only spend the money in your checking account. Credit cards enable you to spend more money than you have: The company essentially loans it to you, for a price (interest).
6. Don't charge money to your credit card that you can't afford to pay. Leaving some of the money your credit card company "loaned" to you unpaid and applying it to next month's bill is called "carrying a balance." Make no mistake that this is a form of debt. Don't do it, because …
7. You should avoid credit card debt at all costs. Credit card debt has some of the highest interest rates out there, meaning it's some of the most expensive debt you can take on.
8. It's never too early to begin building your credit. This all makes using credit cards seem like a minefield, but it's a necessary evil(ish), because you need to build your credit — the record of credit use that proves you're trustworthy when it comes time to make big purchases like a house.
ABOUT WORKING
9. People don't give you money you don't ask for. It's estimated that people who don't negotiate their salaries at the start of their careers lose out on half a million dollars of earnings over a lifetime. The same principle applies when you're trying to get your friends to pay you back for gas — if you don't ask, you won't get it.
10. You'll always take home less money than you expect. Just because you're making $10 an hour doesn't mean you'll take home $400 at the end of a 40-hour workweek. Taxes will take a chunk before you ever see it.
11. Most jobs won't make you rich on their own. For now, it's great to have an employer who gives you a paycheck. But if you want to be rich, you need to start thinking bigger.
ABOUT RETIREMENT & INVESTING
12. It's never too early to open a retirement account. You can open a retirement account the minute you start receiving "earned income" (i.e. a paycheck), and you should.
13. Your retirement account is invested in the market. Keeping a savings account called "retirement" is not the same thing. You need an actual retirement account.
14. A Roth IRA is a great option for young people.  There are a few different types of retirement accounts. For young people in particular, a  Roth IRA  may be a good choice, due to its tax structure.
15. Investing isn't all about picking the hot stocks. The minute you start reading financial news, you'll see a million recommendations for and against individual stocks. Don't bother. Especially this early on, you'll probably want to take the safer route and put any invested money in relatively conservative investments like index funds. The same goes for choosing your retirement investments.
16. If you start saving for retirement the moment you get a job, you could become a millionaire with practically no effort. This doesn't have to be a post-college office job — anything with a paycheck qualifies, like a summer job as a camp counselor. The earlier you start saving, the easier it will be to have $1 million saved by the time you retire. That's because ...
17. Interest can be a good thing or a bad thing. When interest is accruing on, for instance, your investments, you're earning money. When it's accruing on, for instance, your student loans, it's increasing the amount you have to pay.
18. You should be impressed by compound interest. It's a big deal.
ABOUT STUDENT LOANS & DEBTS
19. Public and private student loans are entirely different animals. Public (federal) student loans tend to be a lot more malleable than private loans, issued by private lenders. Whatever loans you plan to take out, read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.
20. Start paying your student loans before you have to. You won't be required to start paying your student loans until after graduation, after what's called a "grace period." Interest, however, accrues during that period you aren't paying, so make an effort to start paying the minute your loan servicer will allow it, to reduce the balance. Unsure when that is? Give them a call.
21. Don't pay just the minimum. If you have the money to pay more than the minimum on any debts you carry, do it. Paying just the minimum amount owed will drag on the lives of your debts and mean you pay more in interest overall.
22. Missing bill payments is a slippery slope. Missing a payment isn't like turning in a late assignment. It has serious consequences for your credit and for your wallet, so do what you have to to remember to pay your bills on time.
ABOUT SPENDING
23. Buying lunch and coffee every day seriously adds up. There's a reason every personal finance book you pick up tells you how many hundreds of dollars you could save per year if you bring coffee instead of buying it. The little stuff adds up.
24. All money is real money. Student loans and credit cards don't feel like "real money" because you aren't handing over any cash. But when you're being billed for $10,000 a few years down the line, that money is just as real as the $10 you just spent on lunch.
25. Don't be a stingy tipper. They're the worst. If you can't afford to tip appropriately, don't request the service in the first place.
26. A fancy car means nothing. Despite what you see on Instagram and Snapchat, a Maserati doesn't mean a person is set for life. A fancy car means nothing about a person except that they choose to spend money on a fancy car — and many of the country's millionaires don't even bother.
27. Lottery tickets are a waste of time. Not only do you have a better chance of becoming the president of the United States, but many lottery winners end up completely broke. Put that money towards your retirement account instead.
source:yahoo

Is cortana better than siri?:microsoft new voice assistant figures out some things on comparision.

Microsoft  compares its latest cortana voice assistant on windows 8.1 from siri  with some commands to perform where the former does better than latter.Here is the video watch out>

some interesting, but true facts, that you may or may not have known.

Here are some interesting, but true facts, that you may or may not have known.

1. The Statue of Liberty's index finger is eight feet long.

2. Rain has never been recorded in some parts of the Atacama Desert in Chile.

3. A 75 year old person will have slept about 23 years.

4. Boeing 747's wing span is longer than the Wright brother's first flight. The Wright brother's invented the          airplane.

5. There are as many chickens on earth as there are humans.

6. One type of hummingbird weighs less than a penny.

7. The word "set" has the most number of definitions in the English language; 192 Slugs have four noses.

8. Sharks can live up to 100 years.

9. Mosquitos are more attracted to the color blue than any other color.

10. Kangaroos can't walk backwards.

11. About 75 acres of pizza are eaten in in the U.S. everyday.

12. The largest recorded snowflake was 15 Inch wide and 8 Inch thick. It fell in Montana in 1887.

13. The tip of a bullwhip moves so fast that the sound it makes is actually a tiny sonic boom.

14. Former president Bill Clinton only sent 2 emails in his entire 8 year presidency.

15. Koalas and humans are the only animals that have finger prints.

16. There are 200,000,000 insects for every one human.

17. It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery had in it to 
begin with.

18. The world's largest Montessori school is in India, with 26,312 students in 2002.

19. Octopus have three hearts.

20. If you ate too many carrots, you would turn orange.

21. The average person spends two weeks waiting for a traffic light to change.

22. 1 in 2,000,000,000 people will live to be 116 or old.

23. The body has 2-3 million sweat glands.

24. Sperm whales have the biggest brains; 20 lbs.

25. Tiger shark embroyos fight each other in their mother's womb. The survivor 
is born.

26. Most cats are left pawed.

27. 250 people have fallen off the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

28. A Blue whale's tongue weighs more than an elephant.

29. You use 14 muscles to smile and 43 to frown. Keep Smiling!

30. Bamboo can grow up to 3 ft in 24 hours.

31. An eyeball weighs about 1 ounce.

Facebook exceeds expectations again with Q2 2014 results

Facebook exceeds expectations again with Q2 2014 results

facebook, mark zuckerberg, revenue, income, q2 2014, arpu


Facebook once again represented  its second quarter results exceeding the expectation of analyst.This happened for 8th time in a row which resulted in positive reactions in market place.The company shows growth in revenue, income and user numbers. Compared to Q2 of last year, its revenue jumped 61% to $2.91 billion and its net income grew 139% to $791 million.
Facebook is also seeing user growth across the board with 1.32 billion active users and 829 million daily active users, up 14% and 19% year-over-year respectively. When talking specifically about mobile, Facebook's Q2 2014 numbers are even more impressive. The company hit 1.07 billion monthly active mobile users, up nearly 6% from last quarter, and its daily mobile users jumped 7.4% from 609 million to 654 million.
Facebook has also now set records around the world for its global rise in average revenue per user (ARPU), according to reports. The company seems to be pulling in more cash on a user by user basis, even as it continues to grow.
As some have suggested, the growth numbers are fairly impressive for a company that already has so many users, but the expansion also rises costs. Facebook spent $1.52 billion in the second quarter of 2014, up about 22% from the year prior.
However, despite the heavy expenses, Facebook clearly had a strong quarter. "Our community has continued to grow, and we see a lot of opportunity ahead as we connect the rest of the world," Mark Zuckerberg said during a statement accompanying the Q2 results. 

Karizma Cafe Racer: In Pictures -exclusively @techinfosearch.blogspot.com

Karizma Cafe Racer: In Pictures:

End of the world predicted by scientists !

End of the world predicted by scientists who warn Earth's animals are heading for mass extinction

After 3.5 billion years of trial and error, the world as we know it has reached a tipping point


GettyWipe out: Scientists are warning that another global mass extinction may be imminent
The Earth could be heading for extinction ... and it is all man's fault.

Respected scientists from around the world are warning we may have reached a 'tipping point' after 3.5 billion years of evolutionary trial and error.

And the problem lies with the loss of major species such as elephants which has a knock-on effect on the world we live in.



Press People/Wildlife SOSPay-raju-elephant-kartick-with-showerGoing soon: Elephants could become extinct in the future
In a new review of scientific literature and analysis of data published in Science, an international team of scientists warn the loss of such animals could trigger the planet's sixth mass biological extinction event.

Previous extinctions - including the complete disappearance of dinosaurs - are believed to have been caused by natural planetary transformations or catastrophic asteroid strikes.

But the current one, says lead author Rodolfo Dirzo, a professor of biology at Stanford, is associated with human activity.

The statistics are frightening.

Since 1500, more than 320 terrestrial vertebrates- animals with backbones - have become extinct.




Populations of the remaining species show a 25 percent average decline in abundance.

PA / BBCA Tyrannosaurus RexDino more: Man faces extinction like their prehistoric Earth neighbours
The situation is similarly dire for invertebrate animal life such as insects and worms.

Across vertebrates, 16 to 33 percent of all species are estimated to be globally threatened or endangered.

Large animals -- described as megafauna and including elephants, rhinoceroses, polar bears and countless other species worldwide -- face the highest rate of decline, a trend that matches previous extinction events.

Larger animals tend to have lower population growth rates and produce fewer offspring and their size and meat mass make them easier and more attractive hunting targets for humans.

The scientists say we are at risk because of what they call the 'trickle-down' effect.

Experiments conducted in Kenya have isolated patches of land from megafauna such as zebras, giraffes and elephants, and observed how the ecosystem reacts to the removal of those species.

A brown ratOverrun: Rodents would overwhelm grass and shrub land
They noted the areas quickly become overwhelmed with rodents. Grass and shrubs increase and the rate of soil compaction decreases.

Seeds and shelter become more easily available, and the risk of predation drops.

Consequently, the number of rodents doubles -- and so does the abundance of the disease-carrying ectoparasites that they harbor.

"Where human density is high, you get high rates of defaunation, high incidence of rodents, and thus high levels of pathogens, which increases the risks of disease transmission," said Dirzo,

"Who would have thought that just defaunation would have all these dramatic consequences? But it can be a vicious circle."



Worm hole: Invertebrate animals are decreasing
The scientists also detailed a troubling trend in invertebrates.

Human population has doubled in the past 35 years; in the same period, the number of invertebrate animals - such as beetles, butterflies, spiders and worms - has decreased by 45 percent.

As with larger animals, the loss is driven primarily by loss of habitat and global climate disruption, and could have trickle-up effects in our everyday lives.

For instance, insects pollinate roughly 75 percent of the world's food crops, an estimated 10 percent of the economic value of the world's food supply.

Insects also play a critical role in nutrient cycling and decomposing organic materials, which helps ensure ecosystem productivity.


PAGliese 581Not good: Earth's days are numbered
In the United States alone, the value of pest control by native predators is estimated at $4.5 billion annually.

Dirzo added: "We tend to think about extinction as loss of a species from the face of Earth, and that's very important, but there's a loss of critical ecosystem functioning in which animals play a central role that we need to pay attention to as well.

"Ironically, we have long considered that defaunation is a cryptic phenomenon, but I think we will end up with a situation that is non-cryptic because of the increasingly obvious consequences to the planet and to human wellbeing."

Why do we bite our nails?

Why do we bite our nails?

It can ruin the appearance of your hands, could be unhygienic and can hurt if you take it too far. So why do people do it? Biter Tom Stafford investigates

What do ex-British prime minster Gordon Brown, Jackie Onassis, Britney Spears and I all have in common? We all are (or were) nail biters.

It's not a habit I'm proud of. It's pretty disgusting for other people to watch, ruins the appearance of my hands, is probably unhygienic and sometimes hurts if I take it too far. I've tried to quit many times, but have never managed to keep it up.

Lately I've been wondering what makes someone an inveterate nail-biter like me. Are we weaker willed? More neurotic? Hungrier? Perhaps, somewhere in the annals of psychological research there could be an answer to my question, and maybe even hints about how to cure myself of this unsavoury habit.

My first dip into the literature shows up the medical name for excessive nail biting: 'onychophagia'. Psychiatrists classify it as an impulse control problem, alongside things like obsessive compulsive disorder. But this is for extreme cases, where psychiatric help is beneficial, as with other excessive grooming habits like skin picking or hair pulling. I'm not at that stage, falling instead among the majority of nail biters who carry on the habit without serious side effects. Up to 45% of teenagers bite their nails, for example; teenagers may be a handful but you wouldn't argue that nearly half of them need medical intervention. I want to understand the 'subclinical' side of the phenomenon – nail biting that isn't a major problem, but still enough of an issue for me to want to be rid of it.

It’s mother’s fault

Psychotherapists have had some theories about nail biting, of course. Sigmund Freud blamed it on arrested psycho-sexual development, at the oral stage (of course). Typical to Freudian theories, oral fixation is linked to myriad causes, such as under-feeding or over-feeding, breast-feeding too long, or problematic relationship with your mother. It also has a grab-bag of resulting symptoms: nail biting, of course, but also a sarcastic personality, smoking, alcoholism and love of oral sex. Other therapists have suggested nail-biting may be due to inward hostility – it is a form of self-mutilation after all – or nervous anxiety.



Some have argued that nail biters are more likely to be alcoholic, but actual evidence is thin (Thinkstock)
Like most psychodynamic theories these explanations could be true, but there's no particular reason to believe they should be true. Most importantly for me, they don't have any strong suggestions on how to cure myself of the habit. I've kind of missed the boat as far as extent of breast-feeding goes, and I bite my nails even when I'm at my most relaxed, so there doesn't seem to be an easy fix there either. Needless to say, there's no evidence that treatments based on these theories have any special success.

Unfortunately, after these speculations, the trail goes cold. A search of a scientific literature reveals only a handful of studies on treatment of nail-biting. One reports that any treatment which made people more aware of the habit seemed to help, but beyond that there is little evidence to report on the habit. Indeed, several of the few articles on nail-biting open by commenting on the surprising lack of literature on the topic.

Creature of habit

Given this lack of prior scientific treatment, I feel free to speculate for myself. So, here is my theory on why people bite their nails, and how to treat it.

Let's call it the ‘anti-theory’ theory. I propose that there is no special cause of nail biting – not breastfeeding, chronic anxiety or a lack of motherly love. The advantage of this move is that we don't need to find a particular connection between me, Gordon, Jackie and Britney. Rather, I suggest, nail biting is just the result of a number of factors which – due to random variation – combine in some people to create a bad habit.

First off, there is the fact that putting your fingers in your mouth is an easy thing to do. It is one of the basic functions for feeding and grooming, and so it is controlled by some pretty fundamental brain circuitry, meaning it can quickly develop into an automatic reaction. Added to this, there is a ‘tidying up’ element to nail biting – keeping them short – which means in the short term at least it can be pleasurable, even if the bigger picture is that you end up tearing your fingers to shreds. This reward element, combined with the ease with which the behaviour can be carried out, means that it is easy for a habit to develop; apart from touching yourself in the genitals it is hard to think of a more immediate way to give yourself a small moment of pleasure, and biting your nails has the advantage of being OK at school. Once established, the habit can become routine – there are many situations in everyone's daily life where you have both your hands and your mouth available to use.




Does nail biting have a simple explanation? (SPL)
Understanding nail-biting as a habit has a bleak message for a cure, unfortunately, since we know how hard bad habits can be to break. Most people, at least once per day, will lose concentration on not biting their nails.

Nail-biting, in my view, isn't some revealing personality characteristic, nor a maladaptive echo of some useful evolutionary behaviour. It is the product of the shape of our bodies, how hand-to-mouth behaviour is built into (and rewarded in) our brains and the psychology of habit.

And, yes, I did bite my nails while writing this column. Sometimes even a good theory doesn't help.

Ways to Burn More Calories.

7 ways to burn more calories walking

Walking may be the perfect exercise. It requires no special equipment other than a good pair of walking shoes and it can be done by nearly anyone, at any fitness level.

"Walking is the least expensive exercise modality to start and maintain," says Irv Rubenstein, exercise physiologist and founder of Scientific Training and Exercise Prescription Specialists (S.T.E.P.S.) in Nashville, TN. “Walking also helps control blood sugar, improves cardiovascular health, reduces bone loss and improves mental health." According to a study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, walking just 30 minutes a day, five days a week can even help you live longer.

But to really benefit from a walking routine, you need to stick with it and constantly “find ways to challenge yourself,” says Tom Holland, exercise physiologist and author of "Swim, Bike, Run—Eat." Here’s how you do that!

Listen to your heart
A heart rate monitor helps you track your effort by measuring your exertion. “Most people don’t workout nearly as hard as they think they do,” says Holland. Wear the heart rate monitor for a few workouts to find your average heart rate. When you work out, you should be striving for five to 10 beats above your baseline, suggests Holland.

Work in intervals
Interval training involves alternate bouts of more intense exercise with lower-intensity periods. These short, higher-effort bursts burn more calories than working at one intensity for the same amount of time because of an “after burn” effect called EPOC (excess post exercise oxygen consumption). You actually wind up burning more calories after the workout and for a time afterward!

Here’s a sample routine: Alternate between 30 to 60 seconds of higher intensity (speed walking) with 60 seconds of slow to moderate exertion (walking at a normal pace). Use your heart monitor to help you gauge! Don’t do intervals every workout, says Holland. Aim for three longer, endurance days and 2 shorter interval days.

Pick up the pace
Walking faster instantly boosts calorie burn. For weight loss, you’ll need to do more than stroll. For example, a 150-lb woman walking slowly at 2.0 mph burns approximately 72 calories per half hour. If she picks the pace up to 3.5 mph (a moderately brisk pace), she burns 136 calories for the same time. If she walks a very brisk 4.0 mph, she burns nearly 180 calories. And if she picks it up to a light jog at a 5.0 mph pace, she burns a whopping 286 calories.

Hike a hill
If you have difficulty increasing your walking pace, find a hill or two—or an incline if you’re on a treadmill. Adding difficulty in any way will help up the calorie burn. “If you walk on an incline treadmill avoid hanging on to it or you’ll take away the benefit,” says Holland, referring to a common bad habit. Holding on to the treadmill railing reduces calorie burn by allowing the machine to support your body weight, says Holland. For more of a challenge try hill intervals: power your way up the hill and walk down; repeat several times.

Find a walking buddy
A walking partner can add friendly competition, as long as you avoid turning your walk into a lazy social hour. Keep up the pace by turning your intervals into a game: Alternate picking a goal (like a mailbox, telephone pole or other landmark) and race to it. Winner gets to pick the next go-to object. Try different trails and walking paths to add variety and increase the walking challenge.

Walk like a skier
Using Nordic walking poles gets your upper body into the action, which increases calorie burn, says Holland. Several studies show using walking poles also reduced impact on the knees and increased walking speed because it provides less perceived exertion (meaning, it feels easier without actually being easier).

Proper way to use walking poles: Firmly position the pole at a 45-degree angle behind you, then push back strongly against the ground to propel yourself forward.

Add resistance
Light hand weights add some resistance and calorie burn to your walk, but ankle weights are not recommended. “They change your natural gait,” says Holland.

Your best option is a weighted vest, which evenly distributes the added load (note: check with your doctor first if you have hip, knee or ankle problems). The increased weight instantly increases your calorie burn. 

Want to lose weight? 3 fitness myths you should never, ever believe !

Want to lose weight? 3 fitness myths you should never, ever believe

Fitness myths are tempting to believe, because if they were true it would be easy for everyone to get in shape! But falling for them can sacrifice serious results and keep you from finding an effective program that really works.

Here are 3 myths I hear all the time:

Ab exercises will help you lose weight in your midsection.
FALSE!
The only way to really trim belly fat is through diet. You can work your abs until you’re blue in the face and you won’t see results until you get rid of the belly fat—and that comes from a smart diet and cardio plan. This requires cutting out fast-food and junk food, going easy on the alcohol (sorry!) and eating lots of fresh (preferably organic) veggies along with lean protein (e.g. chicken, fish and low-fat cheeses). For cardio, make sure you're working hard enough (walk briskly, don't stroll) and aim for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

You can spot reduce. Everybody holds their weight in different places.
FALSE!
And no matter how hard you try, you cannot direct weight loss to a specific body part. I may hold my weight in my lower body, but it doesn’t mean that if I lose pounds, it’ll come off that region. Again, a healthy combo of diet and exercise will help with overall weight loss and a quicker path to achieving your goals.

There’s always a shortcut. 

FALSE!
It didn’t take you 2 weeks to gain the weight, it won’t take you 2 weeks to lose it. So toss out the idea that you want to drop 4 dress sizes in a month. Do it the right way and it’ll last. You need to embark on a steady lifestyle change… reduce the caloric intake, increase the caloric output and watch the weight fall off. The foolproof recipe: cardio, strength training, cutting out the crap in your diet and patience.

5 health mistakes you make every day !

5 health mistakes you make every day

Brushing Teeth.jpg
AP
7 A.M. You Brush Just After Breakfast

Brushing after eating acidic foods-especially fruit and juice-can weaken enamel, says Mark Wolff, of NYU College of Dentistry. That may lead to discoloration or greater odds of cracks and chips.

Rinse And Wait: Didn't brush before eating? Swish with water and wait 40 minutes for the calcium in your saliva to remineralize weakened areas. Then brush.

Diagnose every pop, crack, and whistle before they become something worse with these 6 Weird Body Noises Explained.

8:30 A.M. You Commute with the Windows Open

Air pollution on highways can be up to 10 times what it is in the burbs, says Scott Fruin, an environmental health researcher at USC. Diesel fumes may contribute to headaches, cancer, and heart disease.

Recirculate: Shut the windows and hit "recirc" on your AC. Doing this can cut your particulate pollution exposure fourfold, one of Fruin's studies found.

1 P.M. You Microwave Your Lunch in Plastic

BPA-free? It's better, but not perfect. Phthalates can still leach into your food, potentially damaging sperm and altering hormones, says Germaine Buck Louis, a director at the National Institutes of Health.

Bet On Glass: Transfer food to glass before nuking it, or warm it on the stove at home and pack it in a stainless-steel thermos to keep it hot.

Frozen entrees can help you avoid overeating because the calorie-control work is done for you. These Best Frozen Meals for Guys are rich in protein and fiber—and actually taste good.

7:30 P.M. You Drive Home After Happy Hour

People with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of just .01 percent-well below the .08 legal limit-are 46 percent more likely to cause a crash than drivers who are totally sober, a UC San Diego study reveals.

Chew Before Brews: Cut your BAC by 30 percent by eating beforehand, says Aaron White, of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

10.30 P.M. You Check Your Work E-Mail Before Bed

Managers who use their smartphone for work after 9 p.m. wake up groggy, a University of Florida study found. And a large Singaporean study shows that too little sleep can raise your odds of dying of stroke.

Power Down: Keep the charging station out of the bedroom, and turn off e-mail notifications after 9 p.m. If it's an emergency, someone will call.

Set your body on snooze control with this guide to Sleep Right, Tonight.

Guess which browser has the most security flaws

Guess which browser has the most security flaws

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK
Surprise! The latest version of Internet Explorer is still the number one target for hackers, according to a report by cybersecurity firm Bromium. The report also reveals other trends in cybersecurity.
For the first half of 2014, the report found that Google Chrome has actually had no publicly known security flaws, making it safe from malware attacks.

Here are their top five observations that you might find useful.

Microsoft Internet Explorer set a record high for reported vulnerabilities in the first half of 2014.
Internet Explorer also leads in publicly reported exploits.
Web browser release cycles are becoming more frequent - as are initial security patches.
Adobe Flash is the primary browser plugin being targeted by zero day attacks this year.
New "Action Script Spray" techniques targeting Flash have been uncovered in the wild exploiting zero day vulnerabilities.

The report was impressed by the quick update schedule that Internet Explorer used to patch its holes. It's still one of the most commonly-attacked browsers by far. Keeping your Flash player up to date is also very important, primarily because of the fact that it's on almost everyone's computer. Always update your Flash player if at all possible to avoid security flaws like this.

You won't believe who uncovered the truth about the Flight 17 attack

You won't believe who uncovered the truth about the Flight 17 attack





I'm sure you've all heard by now about the tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, which was shot down over Ukraine about a week ago. So far there's been looting, thievery, and general distrust from every side about who is to blame for this horrible tragedy.



U.S. satellites were able to pinpoint the missile that shot down Flight 17, but have not been forthcoming with any other evidence as of late. Recently, crucial information has been filtering into the media about Flight 17 and who is to blame, but it's not coming from any government.

Instead, armchair journalists lead by a man named Eliot Higgins - aka Brown Moses - are uncovering information about the attack and posting it for everyone to see.

Higgins and a few of his Twitter followers were able to find the approximate location of the Buk missile that was used to shoot down the passenger plane. By using widely available tools like Google Earth, Twitter, and YouTube, these armchair sleuths determined that the missile was being transported through the town of Snizhne based on a YouTube video.

1. Brown Moses @Brown_Moses

   Looks like the Buk spotted near Snizhne was roughly 15km-20km away from the crash site when filmed pic.twitter.com/INu1eatuKA

Brown Moses @Brown_Moses

Follow

Refined #MH17 crash location 12km from the Snizhne Buk based on this tweet from @henkvaness https://twitter.com/henkvaness/status/489849143863808000 … pic.twitter.com/iiy8vsKPpV

The tweet reads: Looks like the Buk spotted near Snizhne was roughly 15km-20km away from the crash site when filmed ... Refined #MH17 crash location 12km from the Snizhne Buk based on this tweet from @henkvaness

Snizhne is a pro-Russian held town on the border of Ukraine. Higgins' followers pinpointed the exact location of the photographed missile truck in Torez, another town in the Eastern Ukraine.

You can see the image of the missile in Torez in another of Higgins' tweets.


Higgins' tweet reads: Good work by @AricToler who has geolocated this photo to Torez, not Snizhne as widely claimed.I'm sure you've all heard by now about the tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, which was shot down over Ukraine about a week ago. So far there's been looting, thievery, and general distrust from every side about who is to blame for this horrible tragedy.



U.S. satellites were able to pinpoint the missile that shot down Flight 17, but have not been forthcoming with any other evidence as of late. Recently, crucial information has been filtering into the media about Flight 17 and who is to blame, but it's not coming from any government.

Instead, armchair journalists lead by a man named Eliot Higgins - aka Brown Moses - are uncovering information about the attack and posting it for everyone to see.

Higgins and a few of his Twitter followers were able to find the approximate location of the Buk missile that was used to shoot down the passenger plane. By using widely available tools like Google Earth, Twitter, and YouTube, these armchair sleuths determined that the missile was being transported through the town of Snizhne based on a YouTube video.


The tweet reads: Looks like the Buk spotted near Snizhne was roughly 15km-20km away from the crash site when filmed ... Refined #MH17 crash location 12km from the Snizhne Buk based on this tweet from @henkvaness

Snizhne is a pro-Russian held town on the border of Ukraine. Higgins' followers pinpointed the exact location of the photographed missile truck in Torez, another town in the Eastern Ukraine.

You can see the image of the missile in Torez in another of Higgins' tweets.

Brown Moses @Brown_Moses

Follow

Good work by @AricToler who has geolocated this photo to Torez, not Snizhne as widely claimed.

12:05 AM - 19 Jul 2014

Higgins' tweet reads: Good work by @AricToler who has geolocated this photo to Torez, not Snizhne as widely claimed.

hackers have your user names, passwords and email address ..check yourself online

Check if hackers have your user names, passwords and email address





It hasn't been a good year for company security. I've told you about the major data breaches at Target, Yahoo!, Adobe, Michael's, Neiman Marcus, eBay, Goodwill and plenty of others. That's just the tip of the iceberg.



If you add in smaller data breaches, there were more than 2,000 breaches in the last year, and hackers got their hands on more than 800 million user records! Hackers released a lot of this information online, just for fun.

Fortunately, some helpful programmers put together ways to see if hackers have released your information.

search for your personal data and information in hacker databases.

The story isn't as one-sided as it might seem, though, because it isn't just legitimate retailers and online sites that get hacked. Hackers can use bad passwords and have poor security, too.

Plenty of hackers attack other hacker sites, steal information and then release it online. !

Helpful tips and hidden tricks for iOS 7

34 helpful tips and hidden tricks for iOS 7

You’ve been reading about Apple’s new platform for a while now. Our iOS 7 review covered some highlights and low points. Assuming you’ve already figured out how to upgrade to iOS 7 and it’s running on your device right now, you might be interested in unlocking some of the less obvious features and getting to grips with some iOS 7 tips. Apple’s good at ensuring most things are intuitive, but there’s no harm in getting a little help.
Updated on 01-17-2014 by Simon Hill: Added details to Spotlight Search, and new sections on how to use voicemail, how to make a wish list, how to use your compass, and how to use home sharing.
How to open Control Center





apple iphone 5c ios 7 control centerIf you want to toggle Airplane Mode or switch off Wi-Fi, then just swipe up from the bottom of the screen and behold the Control Center. If you have trouble getting the Control Center to pop up every time, then start your swipe from off the bottom of the screen. You’ll also find music controls in there and some utilities, like a flashlight and a calculator. You can even access this from the lock screen (if you’d prefer not to then head to Settings > Control Center and slide Access on Lock Screen to off). If you find that you’re accidentally opening the Control Center while gaming or using an app then go to General > Control Center and turn off Access Within Apps.
How to use Spotlight Search more effectively

Just swipe down in the middle of any home page and you’ll find Spotlight Search is ready to go. Use it to find whatever you need on your iPhone. It’s a good way to quick launch an app, find an email, or a contact. You can swipe up or tap twice to get rid of the search. Go into Settings > General > Spotlight Search and select exactly what you’d like to be included in searches. This will stop your results from getting clogged up with useless info and it will make the search faster. Apple removed the ability to search the Web in the first iOS 7 release, but an update brought it back. Scroll to the bottom of your search results and you’ll find two options to choose from, Search Web and Search Wikipedia.
How to unclutter your notifications

The Notifications Center will get really busy, really quickly, even with the three tabs for All, Today, and Missed. Go to Settings > Notification Center. To fix this, you can choose exactly what gets displayed and how it gets displayed. You can also access the Notification Center from the lock screen. To go to the relevant app for a notification you swipe to the right, but you can also hide it by swiping up.
How to swipe to Go back

You can just swipe from the left side of the screen in a supported app to jump back to what you were doing. No button press required.
Understanding Automatic updates

You no longer have to update apps manually in iOS 7; they’ll update automatically. If you don’t want them to auto update, go into the App Store and within Settings you’ll find an option to toggle Updates off. You can also tell them not to use Cellular Data with the toggle below, so they’ll only update via Wi-Fi.
When did I send that message?
If you want to know when an iMessage or SMS was sent then just swipe the specific speech bubble in question to the left and you’ll see the timestamp.
You can have giant folders


ios 7 design good folders
There’s no longer a limit on the number of apps you can put into a folder. You can use them to hide stock apps you don’t use, including the Newsstand.
How to close apps and multitask

Double tap the Home button to get a look at what you have on the go. See an app you want to close? Just swipe it up and the app will close.
How to save your data

You can go to Settings > Cellular and then scroll down to see which apps are going to potentially use your data. See something that you want to restrict to Wi-Fi? Just slide that toggle to the off position.
How to make the most of your battery

With iOS 7, those pesky apps can drink all your juice when you’re not looking. Head to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and you can stop them. You’ll see a list of apps that might be trying to do things in the background. Simply toggle off any that you don’t want to use.
How to make the screen background stop moving

Is the new parallax effect making you sick? Some people suffer from motion sickness and struggle to focus, but you can head into Settings > General > Accessibility and turn Reduce Motion on to ease up on the animations. You can also bold the text, make it bigger, or invert the colors in the Accessibility menu.
How to open a level for measuring how “level” surfaces are

Let’s get this straight.. Open the compass app and swipe to the left, and you’ve got a level that will help you get everything straight.
How to make the most of the new Siri

ios 7 siri bad
Head into Settings > General > Siri and you’ll find various settings that allow you to do things like change the gender of your assistant, or toggle on the ability to launch Siri by raising the iPhone to your face. If Siri says something the wrong way you can tell it “that’s not how you pronounce that” and you’ll get options to choose from.
How to block problem callers




No more crazy calls from the ex, or that persistent “friend” from school. Just go to Settings > Phone > Blocked and add them to your blacklist. You can also just block messages or FaceTime via Settings > Messages > Blocked and Settings > FaceTime > Blocked. You can also go into individual contacts and choose Block Contact at the bottom.
How to track (or stop tracking) your location

Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services > Frequent Locations and you’ll find a list and a map showing your movements. You can clear this history or you can head to System Services and toggle Frequent Locations off. You can also prevent specific apps from tracking your location via Settings > Privacy > Location Services. If you scroll down there’s a list and you can toggle off whatever you like.
There are new ringtones

You will find a load of new ringtones and vibration options in Settings > Sounds > Sounds and Vibration Patterns. If you want to create your own vibration pattern then select an alert type in Settings > Sounds and tap Vibration > Create New Vibration.
Type searches right into Safari

You can now type searches in the address bar in Safari and it will return results in real time (like Chrome), both from Google and from your own Bookmarks and History. If you head into Bookmarks and tap the “@” symbol you’ll find a handy list of links from your Twitter timeline. You can also head into Settings in Safari to change various things, such as your default search engine. You could also turn on Do Not Track for a little extra privacy while browsing.
How to close Safari tabs

Struggling to tap that tiny x? Don’t bother; when you’re scrolling through tabs in Safari you can just swipe them away to the left to close them. The limit has been increased too; you can now have up to 24 tabs open at once.
You can use Volume as a shutter button

You can use the Volume up button to take photos, and you can hold it down to take a burst of multiple shots. In the camera app, swipe left or right (up or down if you’re holding it in landscape) to change the mode.
Photo gallery ‘moments’
iPhone 5S screenshot photos collections
Your photos and videos are organized into moments now. They’re grouped together by time and place. You can tap on the header of a moment to see a map and find the number of shots taken. There’s also an option to share at the right side. The thumbnails are tiny, but you can tap and hold to expand them and then just slide your finger around to see your other shots.
How to sort mail

In the Mail app, if you tap Edit when in your mailbox you can select from a range of filters including VIP, Flagged, Unread, and so on. To create a VIP list just tap on the person’s name you want to add and when the contact pops up choose Add to VIP. You can add photos or videos to emails by tapping and holding on the body of the email until options pop up and choosing Insert Photo or Video. You can also press and hold the New Message button to see a list of your recent drafts. Shake your device to get an Undo option.
How to find and use iTunes Radio

You’ll find iTunes Radio in the Music app. You can tap the plus symbol to add a new station and search by artist, genre, or song. To teach it what you like tap the star icon when a track is playing and you can tell it to Play More Like This, Never Play This Song, or Add to iTunes Wish List. You can share the stations you create by tapping the info button.
How to use Touch ID

If you didn’t set up Touch ID with the help of iOS Setup Assistant, or you decide you want to switch it off then head into Settings > General > Passcode & Fingerprint > Fingerprints. Choose Add a Fingerprint and you can scan up to five fingers which can be used to unlock your iPhone 5S instead of your passcode. To unlock your iPhone you can press the Home button and keep your finger lightly in place, or you can press the Sleep/Wake button and then keep your finger lightly on the Home button without actually pressing it. You can also use Touch ID for iTunes Store, App Store, and iBooks Store purchases. Apparently the reader is 360-degree, so it shouldn’t matter which angle your finger comes from.
Find apps that are popular near you

The App Store in iOS 7 has a new category. Tap Near Me from the menu at the bottom and you’ll get a list of the apps that people who live locally are using. This can be a great way of filtering out irrelevant apps, and it can turn up some interesting options. It’s also handy if you’re on vacation somewhere and you want some good local apps to help you explore.
Catering for the kids

Anyone concerned about the kids inadvertently running up bills for in-app purchases can go to Settings > General > Restrictions and scroll down to disable In-App Purchases. Even better, Apple has added a dedicated Kids category to the App Store for kids who are 11 and under. The content has to adhere to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, and that means no sneaky in-app pop-ups that take your kids to a website, and no tricks to encourage them to buy more content. It also prevents the developers from collecting personal information, such as your child’s email address. There’s an age gate in place now, so kids can’t give away private information, or buy additional apps or content, without parental consent.
How to set default directions for walking

When you navigate using the Maps app it assumes that you’re driving to your destination. If you don’t drive then you can change this default to cater for walkers. Go to Settings > Maps and under Preferred Directions you’ll see the option to choose Walking as your default.
How to find, wipe, or lock your lost device

When you have iCloud turned on, via Settings > iCloud, you also have access to some handy features for finding a lost device if you turn on the Find My iPhone feature. If your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch goes missing then go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID and password. You can see where the device is on a map, learn where it’s been, and remotely lock it. If you put it into Lost Mode, a passcode is required to unlock it (you should always use a passcode or Touch ID anyway). You can also display a message with contact details to try and retrieve it. If you fear it has been stolen then the Activation Lock feature should prevent anyone else from turning off Find My iPhone, or erasing your device, unless they have your Apple ID and password. You can also opt to remotely wipe all of your personal data. Another feature worth setting up can be found in Settings > General > Passcode Lock; tap Erase Data to ensure that your device is wiped after 10 failed passcode attempts.
How to create perfect wallpapers

You can choose your wallpaper in Settings > Wallpapers & Brightness, but if you want them to look perfect with that parallax effect then you need to make them the right size. Crop your images to match these dimensions and your wallpapers should look just right. Resizing will stretch them and it won’t look right, so don’t do it.
iPhone 5/5C/5S – 1536 x 1040 pixels
iPhone 4S – 1360 x 1040 pixels
iPad 3 and iPad 4 – 2448 x 2448 pixels
iPad 2 and iPad mini – 1424 x 1424 pixels
How to use AirDrop

apple iphone 5s screen front ios 7 airdrop
AirDrop is an easy way to share files with other Apple devices by using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (both need to be enabled for it to work). You’ll find it in the Control Center when you swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Tap on the AirDrop section at the bottom left and you can make your device discoverable for Contacts Only or Everyone; you can also just turn it off completely in here. When you choose someone to share with, or they choose you, there’s a notification and preview giving the option to deny or accept the file.
How to use FaceTime without showing your face





You can make audio-only FaceTime calls now. It’s as simple as tapping the phone icon, instead of the video icon, in the FaceTime app. It’s great for saving yourself some minutes when you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
How to get Siri to read your voicemail

Did you know that you can ask Siri to play your voicemail? Just hold down the Home button and when Siri pops up, say “Play voicemail” and your new messages will be played in order. You can also double tap on a voicemail notification and you’ll be whisked into the phone app and onto the voicemail tab to hear your messages.
If you can’t be bothered to listen to the four messages from your Mom that all basically say “Call me back,” you can just delete them. Go to the Phone app and tap on the Voicemail button, then tap Edit at the top right and tap the red minus symbol next to the voicemails that you want to delete and tap the Delete button. You can also just swipe them off to the left to delete them. You’ll find them via Deleted Messages at the bottom and you can destroy them permanently by going in there and tapping Clear All at the top right.
How to make a wish list in the App Store

Sometimes you’ll be browsing the App Store or iTunes and you’ll see an app or a song that you don’t want to buy or install. Rather than risk forgetting about it, you can stick it on your wish list. Just tap the share icon at the top of the app’s page and choose Add to Wish List. You can check your wish list later by tapping the list icon at the top right. This also works for your iTunes wish list. Even if you’ve been building a wish list on your Mac, you’ll find it’s accessible in the iTunes Store app on your iPhone.
How to use your compass



iOS 7 Compass app Level
iOS 7 Compass app Level
If you’re headed in a specific direction, you can calibrate the compass to keep you on course. Open up the Compass app and tap the face to set the direction you want. Now if you start to deviate you’ll see your bearing indicated by the red arc, which gives you a clear idea of how off course you are. You can also choose between true north and magnetic north in Settings > Compass.
How to use Home Sharing

If you have an iTunes collection on your computer and you want to be able to access it on your iPhone or iPad then you should enable Home Sharing. In iTunes go to File > Home Sharing > Turn on Home Sharing and enter your Apple ID and password and click Create Home Share.  Now go Settings > Music or Settings > Video on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and enable Home Sharing. You’ll have to enter the same Apple ID and password. To actually access it, tap the Shared tab on your iOS device in the Video or Music app and select the library you want.

That’s it for our iOS 7 tips, but check back because we’ll update this list from time to time. If you’ve got some issues with the new platform then check out our iOS 7 problems and solutions. Feel free to suggest good tips or tricks in the comments below.

PROJECT GOOGLE X

Google X is working on a project to map perfect human health






Google X, the search giant's research and development arm, has set off on a new endeavor called the Baseline Study project. The goal of the project is to one day be able to detect health risks such as heart disease earlier in a patient's life such that preventative measures can be taken before it's too late.
The project is being led by Dr. Andrew Conrad, a molecular biologist credited with creating a cheap way to scan donated blood for HIV. He joined Google in March of last year and has put together a team of roughly 70 to 80 experts in the fields of biochemistry, imaging, molecular biology, optics and physiology.
The Baseline Study got under way earlier this summer through an unnamed clinical testing firm where doctors began collecting bodily fluids like urine, blood, saliva and tears from 175 anonymous volunteers. From there, Google will use its massive computing power to try and find patterns called biomarkers.
The hope is that these biomarkers will help researchers be able to detect health issues before a person even shows signs of them.
For example, a specific biomarker could reveal whether or not someone is able to break down fatty foods efficiently. Those that lack the biomarker could be at risk for early heart attacks in the future. By noticing this trait early and modifying their behavior now, they may be able to avoid the risk altogether.

leaked Windows 9 images

Start menu showed off in leaked Windows 9 images
By Tim Schiesser microsoft,


windows, start menu, threshold, windows 9


Windows 9, codenamed internally at Microsoft as 'Threshold', is still a while away from hitting even the release candidate stage, but that hasn't stopped some fresh images of the operating system leaking out.
Screenshots from MyCE show build 9795 of what's currently still labeled as Windows 8.1. The most interesting thing in the screenshot is an early version of the Start menu, which is expected to return in Windows 9. The new Start menu shows both Modern apps and desktop apps in a hybrid pane, building on the last iteration of the Start menu we saw in Windows 7.
Visually it's quite similar to the sneak peak we saw at Build in early April, and no doubt Microsoft will tweak and improve its design in the lead up to the release of Windows 9.




Also shown in the leaked screenshots is one of the 'Metro'-style apps running in a window on the desktop; another feature expected to be included in Windows 9. Alongside the return of the Start menu, this feature is designed to make the operating system more friendly for keyboard and mouse users.
According to the latest rumors, Microsoft will launch Threshold in early 2015 as both a standard x86 version, and a version that combines Windows RT and Windows Phone. Major improvements to the Xbox One's operating system are also set to launch at the same time.

Microsoft confirms Windows will merge into one operating system

Microsoft confirms Windows will merge into one operating system





Speaking in an earnings call today, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has confirmed that in the next version of Windows, the company will amalgamate the current three versions of Windows into the one operating system.
Nadella said that the one operating system will cover all screen sizes, ranging from desktops and laptops, to tablets and smartphones. While he didn't specify what this version of Windows is called, previous rumors have indicated it goes by the codename 'Threshold', effectively making it Windows 9.
It was also revealed that Microsoft has internally restructured the company since the departure of Steve Ballmer, with Nadella saying the company now has "one team with a common architecture".
While the next version of Windows will be a singular operating system, it'll still be sold in different versions, some with a subset of the features to suit the particular device. For example, it's expected that the Windows Phone and Windows RT versions of Threshold will not include the desktop, but will run universal Windows apps also available for desktop systems.
The latest rumors claim Windows 9 will launch in early 2015. One of the features that will make a comeback for desktop users is the Start menu, recently pictured in leaked screenshots. Nadella said there will be more announcements surrounding future versions of Windows in the coming months, but didn't go into detail.

Red fish, blue light: How glowing sea creatures change color

                                




Deep-diving fish have a problem: The only light that penetrates their watery environment is blue and green hardly enough of a palette for flashy color patterns.

Now, a new study reveals these fishes' solution: In deep water, fish simply fluoresce more a technique that allows them to convert blue-green light into red light.

"Under light conditions that do not provide the full spectrum the full rainbow of colors that we have at the surface it's really nice to have fluorescence, because you can still have those missing colors," said study researcher Nico Michiels, a professor at the University of Tebingen in Germany. [Gallery of Glowing Sea Creatures]

Fluorescing fish
Most color pigments work by absorbing some portions of the light spectrum and bouncing the rest back. A yellow flower, for example, absorbs blues, greens and reds, and sends yellow shooting back toward the eye of the observer.

Fluorescence is slightly different. The molecules responsible absorb one wavelength of light and then emit another, longer wavelength. This occurs through a process of excitation, in which the molecule absorbs light energy and then emits a lower-energy wavelength than the one it absorbed, in order to return to its resting state.

Many marine animals fluoresce, frequently in colors not visible to the human eye without filters. Researchers studying fluorescent corals have suggested that these colors might help protect against sun damage. Another theory holds that fluorescence provides marine organisms more freedom of color, thus enhancing communication and camouflage.

Deeper and redder
If fluorescence is mostly a tool used for UV protection, you'd expect to see more of it in shallow waters, where UV light can penetrate, Michiels told Live Science. On the other hand, if fluorescence is mostly a decorative, visual touch, it would be more likely to appear in deeper waters, where fish don't need UV protection but do have less of the visible light spectrum to work with.

Michiels and his colleagues dove to depths of 16 feet and 66 feet at sites in the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and East Indian Ocean. They collected specimens of eight species of fish known to fluoresce, including five types of gobies and a species of the long, slender seahorse relative known as the pipefish.

Back on land, the fish were housed in aquariums and tested for fluorescence the same day using a spectrometer, which measures the spectrum of light generated by an object. The measurements revealed that fish caught at depths of 66 feet fluoresced red more readily than fish of their same species caught at 16 feet below the water's surface.

"In some species, the difference is quite impressive," Michiels said. "Some of these species are six times more fluorescent in deeper water than in shallow water."

Red wavelengths of light are rapidly absorbed by water and aren't present in deep waters, Michiels said. Thus, traditional pigments would be useless for creating red coloration. Red pigments simply look gray without that portion of the spectrum to bounce off them, much like the clothes in your closet all look indistinguishably gray when you try to pick out a sweater without turning on the lights.

The fish "can use the ambient light, which can be blue or green it doesn't matter and transform it into red or yellow," Michiels said. The fish can be red in a blue environment, if they fluoresce, he added.

The researchers are now working to measure the fishes' fluorescence in their natural environment. They've also noticed that fish often have spots of fluorescence around their eyes. These spots could be used as a miniature personal light source, kind of like the headlights on a car, Michiels said. The next step, he added, is to find out if the fish really use their fluorescent spots in that way.

The researchers report their findings Tuesday in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

NASA spacecraft just one year away from Pluto

Less than a year from now, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft will make the first-ever visit to Pluto, potentially revolutionizing scientists' understanding of the dwarf planet.

Because Pluto is so far away — it orbits the sun at an average distance of 3.65 billion miles — many questions about the dwarf planet's composition and activity remain unanswered. Researchers hope New Horizons will lay some of those questions to rest when it flies by Pluto on July 15, 2015.

"Many predictions have been made by the science community, including possible rings, geyser eruptions, and even lakes,"  Adriana Ocampo, program executive for NASA's New Frontiers program, said in a statement. "Whatever we find, I believe Pluto and its satellites will surpass all our expectations and surprise us beyond our imagination." [New Horizons' Flight to Pluto in Pictures]

Orbiting the sun once every 248 years, Pluto lies outside the reach of most visible instruments. The best images from NASA's famous Hubble Space Telescope simply show Pluto's spherical shape and reddish color. Changes in the dwarf planet's color patterns over the years hint that something is happening there, but no one knows exactly what.

By late April 2015, New Horizons will be close enough to Pluto and its moons to capture pictures rivaling those of Hubble. On July 14, 2015, the craft will make a close flyby of the icy world, ultimately zooming within about 6,200 miles of its surface. If it cruised past Earth at that range, New Horizons would be able to recognize individual buildings and their shapes.

"Because Pluto has never been visited up-close by a spacecraft from Earth, everything we see will be a first," Ocampo said. "I know this will be an astonishing experience full of history-making moments."

New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern, of the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado, likened the upcoming visit to the way Mariner 4revolutionized understanding of Marsin July 1965. At the time, many people thought the Red Planet was a life-friendly world possibly harboring liquid water and even plants. The New Horizons flyby could change perceptions of Pluto just as dramatically, Stern said.

The flight in won't be without its challenges. Since New Horizons launched in 2006, two new moons have been discovered orbiting Pluto, upping the total known satellite countto five: Charon, Nix, Kerberos, Styxand Hydra. As many as 10 other moonscould still await detection in the system, one study suggested.

According to simulations, meteorites striking Pluto's moons could send tiny rocks flying into space, where many of them would enter orbit around the dwarf planet. The debris field likely changes with time as it orbits, growing larger as new material is added. As the New Horizons probe gets closer and closer to Pluto, the mission team will need to keep watch on the system in case evasive maneuvers are required.

"The New Horizons team continues to do a magnificent job in keeping the spacecraft healthy and ready for this incredible rendezvous," said Ocampo. "The spacecraft is in good hands."

The 10 Most Romantic Movie Quotes of All Time

Even if you haven't seen these movies, you've heard these lines. They're the words that define how we think about losing love ("We'll always have Paris"), being defiant in the face of haters ("Nobody puts Baby in a corner"), or just what love actually is ("Love means never having to say you're sorry").

From "Casablanca" to "Dirty Dancing," here are the top 10 quotes about love from the most romantic movies of all time. (Let us know about your favorites in the comments below.)

"We'll always have Paris."

When Humphrey Bogart uttered this line to Ingrid Bergman in "Casablanca," he meant it quite literally. Now, as one of the American Film Institute's top 100 movie quotes, the line has taken on a metaphorical meaning. People use it to refer to the memories of a good time, now long past. The line has been used in songs, books, stories and even as the title of an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine."

Without a doubt, "Casablanca" is one of the most romantic movies of all time. The costumes, the drama, the romance. Swoon. "Casablanca" is also one of the most quoted and misquoted movies of all time. For example, did you know that no one in the film actually says "Play it again, Sam"? The line is "Play it, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By.'"



"Here's looking at you, kid."

According to Aljean Harmetz, author of "Round Up the Usual Suspects: The Making of 'Casablanca' — Bogart, Bergman, and World War II," this now iconic line didn't even appear in the script for the movie "Casablanca." The line was apparently added after Bogart said it to Bergman during a poker game. It is now one of the most quoted movie lines of all time and can make any lady swoon — when paired with the right hat and debonair attitude, of course.

"Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

Thanks to "Dirty Dancing," most teenage girls now believe true love is having a man lift you in the air while you dance to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." Sadly, that dream hasn't happened for many (if any) of us Jennifer Grey-wannabes. But that doesn't stop us from shouting, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner!" every time we want to do our own kind of dancin'. Am I right?



"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."

According to the American Film Institute's list of 100 movie quotes, "Gone With the Wind" is the second most quoted movie of all time, tied with "The Wizard of Oz." Despite Scarlett and Rhett being a rascally pair, who can't help but feeling heartbroken when Rhett walks out on Scarlett at the end of the movie? But, after all, tomorrow is another day.

"You had me at 'Hello.'"

Combining sports and romance, "Jerry Maguire" is the perfect couples movie. And who can forget the heart-wrenching, tear-jerking moment, when after a lengthy romantic plea by Jerry Maguire (played by Tom Cruise), Dorothy Boyd (played by Renee Zellweger) says, "You had me at 'Hello'"? The other quoted lines from that movie are "You complete me." And "Show me the money," but I hope the money quote doesn't occur often in your relationship.



"Love means never having to say you're sorry."

Even if you haven't seen "Love Story," you probably know this line. The movie tells the tale of Oliver Barrett IV, a Harvard student who falls in love with Jennifer Cavallari, a working-class girl. The two star-crossed lovers end up marrying despite the wishes of Barrett's father, who disowns him. As the couple struggles to establish their new life, Barrett discovers Jennifer is ill and will soon die. After Jenny dies, Barrett's father apologizes to his son, who says, "Love means never having to say you're sorry."

"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?"

In "The Graduate," Dustin Hoffman plays the directionless graduate Benjamin Braddock, who is seduced by Mrs. Robinson, played by Anne Bancroft. Braddock then falls in love with Robinson's daughter, Elaine. Robinson tries to force her daughter to marry Carl Smith (played by Brian Avery). However, Braddock ends up interrupting Elaine's wedding and the two run away together.



"Oh, Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars."

Now, "Voyager" is the story of Charlotte Vale (Betty Davis), a spinster who comes into her own after a visit to a sanatorium. On a cruise, Vale falls in love with Jeremiah Duvaux Durrance (Paul Henreid), a married man. The two part, but meet again. Both unrequited lovers never unite romantically, but instead stay platonic. At the end of the movie, when Duvaux asks Vale if she's happy, she utters this iconic line.

"Listen to me, mister. You're my knight in shining armor."

While the Academy Award-winning movie "On Golden Pond" is ostensibly about the relationship between a father and a daughter, the relationship between Ethel and Norman Thayer (played by Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda) is truly a lovely portrait of what it means to grow old with the person you love.