Day: June 28, 2014

Google and Microsoft will include a so-called kill switch in the next version of their smartphone operating systems.

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The cities offer shorter workdays, a low cost of living and sunshine.

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An article published on Neurology Now, an official publication of the American Academy of Neurology, argues that excessive gaming changes not only the outward behavior of teenagers, but also the fundamental wiring of adolescent brains. The article makes it clear that such changes can be very beneficial and advantageous, but it suggests that excessive gaming can be detrimental to brain development.

Most of the arguments presented in the article revolve around the consequences of dopamine on the teenage brain. Studies show that gaming activates pleasure centers in the brain, releasing the chemical and stimulating positive emotions. But the problem is, gaming is designed to target these centers, and the brain responds by producing less dopamine each time. As the article’s author, Amy Paturel, explains, "With all that extra dopamine lurking around, the brain gets the message to produce less of this critical neurotransmitter. The end result: players can end up with a diminished supply of dopamine."

Gaming also stimulates only certain regions of the brain, Paturel states: "As far back as the early 1990s, scientists warned that because video games only stimulate brain regions that control vision and movement, other parts of the mind responsible for behavior, emotion, and learning could become underdeveloped."

As a case study, Paturel presents the story of Anthony Rosner, who was addicted to World of Warcraft and often played for 18 hours a day. Rosner’s life outside of the game started to fall apart, and he struggled with weight gain and a loss of friends. Paturel uses this man to support the idea that gaming in excess is harmful to mental, social, and physical health. "At age 17, Anthony Rosner of London, England, was a hero in the World of Warcraft online gaming community. He built empires, led raids, and submerged himself in a fantasy world that seemingly fulfilled his every need. Meanwhile, his real life was virtually nonexistent. He neglected his schoolwork, relationships, health, even his hygiene."

As far back as the early 1990s, scientists warned that because video games only stimulate brain regions that control vision and movement, other parts of the mind responsible for behavior, emotion, and learning could become underdeveloped.

Finally, Paturel takes on the controversial and murky topic of violence in video games. Although she acknowledges that evidence is scarce for violent video games actually causing violent behavior, she cites several studies that show a link between aggressive games and real-life aggressive thoughts and behavior. "For a kid who already has an aggressive personality," she writes, "that could be a problem, say experts, since video games reward those aggressive tendencies. In fact, two separate studies found that playing a violent video game for just 10–20 minutes increased aggressive thoughts compared to those who played nonviolent games."

Paturel, however, goes on to support some of the advantages that gaming has on the brain. Adolescents who play video games are actually growing up better prepared to enter the workforce and respond to changing work environments. "Such games also require players to think of an overall strategy, perform several tasks simultaneously, and make decisions that have both an immediate and long-term impact. ‘That’s very much like the multi-tasking inherent in most jobs today,’ says [neurologist] Dr. Willis. ‘These young people may be better equipped to switch between tasks easily, adapt to new information, and modify their strategy as new input comes in.’"

The neuroscience behind video games has been insubstantial and controversial for decades. In March, another study found that violent video games could increase aggression in a person’s life. Soon after, the study was criticized by some professors for being simplistic, sensationalist, and not well supported.

Alex Newhouse is an editorial intern at GameSpot, and you can follow him on Twitter @alexbnewhouse
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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Filed under: Recalls, Safety

Humans are natural-born procrastinators. We put off things we know we need to do, whether that be starting a diet or workout program, calling our parents, making plans with friends and, yes, getting our cars serviced.

Considering this easy ability to put off to tomorrow what we can do today, this particular metric shouldn’t surprise anyone – of all the cars that are recalled, only about 75 percent of owners actually report to dealers for repairs. That might not be a huge deal when we’re talking about a recall of a few hundred cars, but with General Motors recalling 16 million vehicles in the first half of 2014, 25 percent is a big deal.

Overall, it’s estimated that there are up to 36 million cars on US roads with open recalls, according to Carfax’s Christopher Bosso. "That’s all the recalls that don’t get fixed year after year, that compound year after year," Basso told The Detroit News.

In reality, though, it’s not always down to the procrastination of busy owners. All too often, recalls aren’t completed because cars are sold or owners move and don’t receive a recall notification.

Then there’s the problem of the notifications themselves. As they only arrive via traditional mail, consumers find them easy to ignore. Other methods that have begun to develop include notification of recalls via social media, postcards and direct phone calls. One analyst suggests going even further to entice customers into reporting in for warranty work.

"If they really want to do something with customer satisfaction and recall penetration, they should do something special for people," Consumer Reports’ Jake Fisher told The News. Fisher recommends offers of free service or oil changes, or perhaps a small gas card in addition to more modern means of notifying customers of recalled vehicles.

What steps do you think automakers should be taking to notify owners of pending repairs? Let us know in Comments.

25% of recalled cars never get fixed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jun 2014 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Aston Martin, GM

The defective ignition switch that led General Motors to recall an additional 3.4 million large sedans earlier this month was manufactured in China, according to a report filed with safety regulators obtained by Reuters.

The switches can be knocked out of the run position, much like those affecting the Chevrolet Cobalt and other GM small cars, turning off the engine and safety systems like the airbags. Unlike GM’s previous ignition switch recall, though, this latest issue will see dealers simply modify the key rather than replace the ignition switch outright, despite the fact that the switches were "slightly" below torque specifications.

If what GM is claiming about this switch’s origin is true, it’d mark the second high-profile recall of a part manufactured in China, following Aston Martin’s (relatively) huge recall due to faulty accelerator arms in over 75 percent of the cars it had built since 2007.

For what it’s worth, from our perspective, the link between the Aston plastics and this GM switch seems just a bit too tenuous for us to put a lot of stock in GM’s problems stemming from the location of its parts supplier, especially when the related investigation into its corporate culture has resulted in so many other culpable actors.

GM says second recalled ignition switch was made in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jun 2014 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

The latest details of a troubling safety trend arrived Monday, when seven automakers issued eight recalls for cars that may contain airbags that could kill drivers instead of saving their lives.

BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota all announced recalls of cars that contain airbags manufactured by global supplier Takata. The number of cars affected is still being determined, but it’s expected the final tally will surpass 2.1 million vehicles.

The number of cars affected is still being determined, but it’s expected the final tally will surpass 2.1 million vehicles.

Instead of properly deploying during car accidents, these flawed airbags can explode and shower occupants with lethal amounts of metal debris and shrapnel. At least two people have been killed and 22 have been injured because of the malfunctions.

And Monday’s recalls are not isolated issues. Takata’s exploding airbags have been the subject of a long-running series of recalls that stretch back to 2001. Yet more than a decade later, the automakers whose cars contain the flawed airbags and the federal agency charged with keeping motorists safe on American roads are still grappling with the scope and severity of the problem.

"It’s both amazing and troubling that this thing has been going on for so long, and they can’t seem to get a handle on it," said Sean Kane, founder and president of Safety Research & Strategies, Inc., a firm that specializes in vehicle and product safety issues. "The recalls have shifting explanations of what’s happening. If you look at the outcome, it’s the same in all of them. It’s a pretty severe hazard that should have been remedied right out of the box."

Instead, the problem has proliferated. The first recall related to the exploding airbags came from Isuzu in 2001 and was followed by a Honda recall in 2008. More recalls occurred in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. Earlier this month, Toyota issued the first recall in 2014 related to this nefarious problem. All told, there have been at least 20 recalls tied to the exploding Takata airbags over the past 13 years – and more may be coming.

Continue reading The long history behind Monday’s massive airbag recalls

The long history behind Monday’s massive airbag recalls originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jun 2014 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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