Rena Wiseman says, “I like the birds and the flowers.”
But the leaves, well, “you can leave them there.”
Wiseman, 88, is talking about InSight, a brain fitness program developed by Posit Science Corp.
The Leisure World Seal Beach resident started playing InSight’s “games” four years ago as part of a USC research program on older adults and computer use.
“Each game is so good,” she says. “I don’t think it changed my mental ability, but it keeps me more active. I’m always thinking. always observing.”
She equates it with exercise – “fun exercise” – like the ballroom dancing she did several nights a week with her late husband, Maurice.
“Exercise is good for you,” she says. “And if you enjoy doing it, it’s even better because you will. Do it, that is.”
Last week, a research team from UC San Francisco agreed with Wiseman. The scientists cited the Posit program as the first to show that practicing simple visual tasks can improve the accuracy of short-term or working visual memory.
At the same time, The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., provider of AARP’s auto insurance programs for 50-plus drivers, said using the training tool can help older adults reduce their likelihood of being in a car accident.
The American Automobile Association, Allstate and State Farm auto insurance programs are endorsing DriveSharp, a portion of the InSight program being sold separately. In Southern California, AAA offers a discount to members who want to buy the program, retailing regularly for on positscience.com. The insurers also are offering selected discount options.
“Brain fitness exercises help you react faster and reduce crash risk by up to 50 percent,” says the Posit site.
Well, first, it’s for the 50-plus user who faces some inevitable brain decline with age, according to scientists.
The program is based on brain challenge, says Steven Aldrich, Posit’s CEO.
InSight, which is priced around 5, includes the DriveSharp program. Aldrich thinks that’s a bargain, saying, “How much would you pay for a prescription that was good for you and your brain and had no side effects?”
But let’s talk about DriveSharp:
The program comes with a CD including two brain fitness assessments and exercises designed to improve driving skills.
Two exercises aim to strengthen brain functions to improve focus and ability to react faster. You can train at your own level, improve, set your own schedule.
Among the programs are Jewel Diver, designed to develop the ability to remember and follow many objects at once. Road Tour aims to improve your useful field of view.
According to The Hartford, playing DriveSharp for 20 minutes a day, three times a week, helps 50-plus drivers “cut their crash risk up to 50 percent, stop 22 feet sooner when driving 55 mph and increase confidence while driving at night and in stressful conditions.”
Hartford is offering checks to policyholders who complete the program. For details, see hartfordbrainfitness.com.
The scientific studies and discounts from auto insurers don’t impress Leisure World’s Wiseman.
“I just know that I’m as smart as I always was,” she says.
Dr. Adam Grazzaley of UC San Francisco puts it this way: “This (study of the Posit program) confirms our understanding that the brains of older adults, like those of young people, are ‘plastic’ – the brain can change in response to focused training.”
10 brain fitness tips
Eat dark chocolate: it causes your brain to release dopamine, which improves overall function and memory.
Eat fish: Especially fatty fish like salmon
Play ball: Throwing a ball up in the air and catching it, or juggling, improves hand-eye coordination.
Rest: Get a good night’s sleep.
Get uncomfortable: make your hobbies harder by tackling something more difficult than you are used to.
Walk on a rocky road: Scientists believe adjusting to an uneven surface improves the vestibular system of the inner ear and helps improve balance.
Go to a museum: Take the guided tour, and when you get home, write an outline and include every detail you remember.
Exercise your brain: Brain fitness exercises like DriveSharp, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, etc.
Learn a musical instrument: This exercises many interrelated brain functions.
Use your other hand: try this when brushing your teeth.
Contact the writer: jghaas@cox.net
<a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/program-258583-brain-says.htmltag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/program-258583-brain-says.htmlWed, 21 Jul 2010 07:02:21 GMT 00:00″>A tuneup for older brains
July 21, 2010
<a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2010/07/21/111748.htmtag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2010/07/21/111748.htmWed, 21 Jul 2010 05:11:55 GMT 00:00″>Drivers Beware: Lindsay Lohan Offers Lessons in Auto Insurance
July 21, 2010
MIAMI (CBS4) ― In just a few weeks, thousands of kids across South Florida will be out shopping with their parents for school supplies for the upcoming year.
Some families, however, are going through difficult times and won’t be able to afford any supplies this year. But thanks to the Community Partnership for Homeless, their kids will get the supplies they need and you can help.
“It’s like sometimes you feel you are in the world by yourself,” said Latasha Phillips.
Phillips, who lost her job, is homeless with her four children.
“You have to get rulers and special stuff for projects,” said Phillips. “It’s kind of hard when you don’t have it.”
Hoping to help people like Phillips, the Community Partnership for Homeless has set up two sites where people can make donations. They’re hoping they can collect enough to help out two hundred kids.
“When you see the faces on the children, when they get their back packs and their uniforms and their school supplies they are so excited,” said Patricia Vila with the Community Partnership for Homeless.
One of the children the donations will help is Phillip’s five year old daughter Katara who will be starting fifth grade next year.
“We need pencils, stuff for projects, homework folders,” said Katara
If you would like to help, you can stop by one of the Community Partnership for Homeless’ two collection sites – one in Downtown Miami and the other in Homestead.
The agency needs the following items:
- Backpacks
- A variety of school supplies including pencils, crayons, rulers, notebooks and folders
- School uniforms including shirts, polo shirts, pants, shorts, white shirts, khaki or navy blue pants, shorts or skirs.
- Socks and shoes
All materials and donations can be dropped off at either location throughout the entire summer:
Chapman Center in Downtown Miami1550 N. Miami AveMiami, FL 33136
South Dade Center in Homestead28205 SW 125 AvenueHomestead, FL 33033
For more information, call the Donation Hot Line at (305) 329-3030 or send an email to:donations@cphi.org.
I Heart Miami: School Supplies Needed for Homeless Kids
July 21, 2010
Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE:
WHO/WHAT:
the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, a million international competition to inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles capable of achieving 100 MPGe, will host its Finals Stage July 19-30 at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn, Mich. Qualified, credentialed press can watch the action live July 22, 23, 26, and 27. Requests for press credentials may be submitted to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Fifteen vehicles representing 12 teams will return for Finals, the third and final on-track competition stage. During this stage, teams will compete in emissions, efficiency, and range events conducted by the competition organizers. in addition, teams must successfully complete various dynamic safety events, including a 0-60 mph acceleration, 60-0 mph braking, and a double lane change avoidance maneuver, conducted and evaluated by automotive engineers from Consumer Reports. the top finalists in each class will be announced July 27 prior to the start of a coast down exercise that will allow competition organizers to gain key performance information about the aerodynamics and rolling resistance of each vehicle to properly prepare them for the Validation Stage to be held at Argonne National Labs in August. Winners will be announced in September in Washington, D.C.
MEDIA DAYS:
Thursday, July 22 and Friday, July 23; 9:00am-6:00pm
Monday, July 26 and Tuesday, July 27; 9:00am-6:00pm
Michigan International Speedway – 12626 U.S. Highway 12, Brooklyn, MI 49230
Media days are open to qualified, credentialed press. Credentialed press will be able to watch competition events, speak with competing teams, competition organizers, officials and partners, and get an up close look at competition vehicles.
PUBLIC DAY:
Friday, July 23; 10:00am to 4:00pm at Michigan International Speedway
the public is invited to view the vehicles and meet competing teams at MIS on July 23.
INTERVIEW REQUESTS:
Please contact Carrie Fox (202-255-9214, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to request interviews with Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE teams, officials and sponsors.
ABOUT THE PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE AUTOMOTIVE X PRIZE
the goal of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices. ten million dollars in prizes will be awarded to the teams that win a stage competition for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 Miles per gallon or energy equivalent (MPGe). the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE will place a major focus on efficiency, safety, affordability, and the environment. it is about developing real, production-capable cars that consumers will want to buy, not science projects or concept cars. This progress is needed because today’s oil consumption is unsustainable and because automotive emissions significantly contribute to global warming and climate change. The ten million dollar purse and partial funding for prize operations was provided by Progressive Insurance. Additional major funding for education, outreach, and technical operations was provided by millionin grants from the U.S. Department of Energy. Additional funding for prize operations was provided by Cisco and private donors. for more information about the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, please visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
ABOUT PROGRESSIVE:
Progressive, founded in 1937, is one of the countrys largest auto insurance groups and a leading insurer of motorcycles, recreation vehicles, boats, and commercial vehicles. the Company offers competitive rates and innovative products and services that meet drivers needs throughout their lifetimes as well as 24/7 online and in-person customer and claims service. one of Progressives Core Values is Excellence. to the Companys more than 24,000 people, it simply means seeking constant improvement. over time, this has meant introducing revolutionary ideas that make car insurance easier to shop for, buy and use. Its this same innovative spirit thats behind the Companys sponsorship of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE. the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE will inspire innovation that will produce more fuel efficient vehicle choices, helping to make a difference in peoples lives. Progressives products and services are available locally through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S., online at http://www.progressive.com, and by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737).
ABOUT THE X PRIZE FOUNDATION
the X PRIZE Foundation is an educational nonprofit prize institute whose mission is to create radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. in 2004, the Foundation captured world headlines when Burt Rutan, backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, built and flew the worlds first private vehicle to space to win the million Ansari X PRIZE. the Foundation has since launched the million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics, the million Google Lunar X PRIZE, and the million Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE. the Foundation is creating and conducting competitions in four prize groups: Exploration (Space and Oceans), Life Sciences, Energy & Environment, and Education & Global Development. the Foundation is widely recognized as the leader in fostering innovation through competition. for more information, please visit www.xprize.org.
ABOUT MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY:
Located in Brooklyn, Mich., about 70 miles west of Detroit, Michigan International Speedway has a storied, 42-year history of some of the best high-speed oval racing in the country. With champions like David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, bill Elliott, Bobby and Davey Allison, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr., the five- and six-wide racing around the high banks and sweeping turns makes this two-mile NASCAR racetrack a fan and driver favorite. the speedway creates lasting memories for every person, every time whether youre camping in the infield or sitting in the grandstands. Visit www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 for tickets or information.
<a href="http://www.auto-mobi.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45500&Itemid=50tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.auto-mobi.info/index.php?option=com_content”> Million Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE to Host Finals Stage at …
