AaramShop PRO: How shoppers use smartphones in-store

Anyone who owns a smartphone will know that they come in extremely handy for checking prices and reviews when out shopping.

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But marketing strategies can't be based on hunches, so I thought it would be useful to pull together some surveys and studies that validate this assumption.

The use of mobile in-store is a topic we've discussed in detail in a blog post looking at whether retailers should offer free Wi-Fi and our report on How The Internet Can Save The High Street.

And to add to the debate, here are eight useful studies that reveal how and why consumers use smartphones in-store...

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Give customers the information they need

A report from Vibes published in September?found that 80% of smartphone owners always or often have their phone with them while shopping.

Of those consumers, a third (33%) have used their device to lookup a product on a competitor?s site while 20% have researched the store?s own website.

The second most popular activity was looking up a product review (31%), followed by scanning a QR code for more information (27%).

Of those who do research other options, 25% left the store and made a purchase from a competitor, representing 6% of smartphone owners overall.

This may seem like a small number, but as smartphones become increasingly prevalent this number is likely to increase unless stores give consumers the information they need to make an informed purchase decision.

Vibes? data comes from an online survey of 1,006 US mobile phone owners.?

Showrooming is on the increase

A consumer survey by JiWire shows that the use of mobile in-store is becoming increasingly common.

Its Q3 Mobile Audience Insights Report found that 85% of smartphone owners use their devices while in-store.

This is a 33% increase from Q4 2011, when less than two-thirds used their device in-store.

Comparison shopping (49%) and searching for reviews (41%) remain the most popular activities, while 19% purchased on their mobile while in-store.

JiWire?s report is also based on mobile usage data, which shows that consumers tend to be most active on their device when in the mall.

This data is based on ad requests on the JiWire network, but it does give a good indication of consumer mobile usage.

Shoppers are 63% and 144% more likely to engage on their mobile devices while at big box retailers (i.e. department stores such as Walmart and Target) than at electronic retailers and clothing retailers, respectively.

42% of smartphone owners check price online while in-store

A survey of 2,000 European consumers conducted by Tradedoubler found that 42% of smartphone owners use their device to compare prices in-store, while 13% claim to have switched stores after finding a better offer elsewhere.

Location-based offers or vouchers, however, help to secure the interest of a fifth of potential buyers.

Tradedoubler?s survey also highlights the importance of mobile optimised sites.

A quarter (26%) of respondents said they would buy more frequently if websites were optimised, and 50% of UK respondents said they become frustrated with the mobile shopping experience.

Mobile usage is more common among younger age groups

As you might expect, consumers aged 18-34 are far more likely than older age groups to use their smartphone when out shopping.

Data included in our new Multichannel Retail Survey shows that just over half (51%) of UK consumers check prices and reviews on their device while in-store compared to just 16% of those aged 55+.

Overall 43% of UK respondents and 50% of those in the US said they had checked prices and reviews in-store. This has increased sharply from 19% and 20% respectively in 2011.

The report also asked whether respondents had used their smartphone to find more information on a retailer?s nearest store or opening times.

Although those using their mobile to find more information on retailers? stores are still in the minority, the proportion doing so has increased since the 2011 survey; in the UK from 25% to 32%, and in the US from 27% to 41%.

Behaviour differs depending on the type of store

A survey of US smartphone owners who use their mobile devices while shopping in-store found that behaviour differs depending on the type of retail outlet.

For example, using or requesting a coupon is most popular at grocery stores (41%), department stores (41%), and clothing stores (39%).

In comparison, at electronics stores the vast majority of smartphone shoppers read reviews (73%), compare prices with other retail outlets (71%) and scan QR codes to get more product details (57%).

Nielsen suggests that the more considered the purchase, the more likely it is that consumers will turn to their smartphones to find product information.

Smartphone activity by store type

Source: http://www.aaramshoppro.com/2012/12/how-shoppers-use-smartphones-in-store.html

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Scientists Discover Children s Cells Living in Mothers Brains

The connection between mother and child is ever deeper than thought

By Robert Martone

A living connection Image: ock / ????????? ??????

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  Showcasing more than fifty of the most provocative, original, and significant online essays from 2011, The Best Science Writing Online 2012 will change the way...

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The link between a mother and child is profound, and new research suggests a physical connection even deeper than anyone thought. The profound psychological and physical bonds shared by the mother and her child begin during gestation when the mother is everything for the developing fetus, supplying warmth and sustenance, while her heartbeat provides a soothing constant rhythm.

The physical connection between mother and fetus is provided by the placenta, an organ, built of cells from both the mother and fetus, which serves as a conduit for the exchange of nutrients, gasses, and wastes. Cells may migrate through the placenta between the mother and the fetus, taking up residence in many organs of the body including the lung, thyroid muscle, liver, heart, kidney and skin. These may have a broad range of impacts, from tissue repair and cancer prevention to sparking immune disorders.

It is remarkable that it is so common for cells from one individual to integrate into the tissues of another distinct person. We are accustomed to thinking of ourselves as singular autonomous individuals, and these foreign cells seem to belie that notion, and suggest that most people carry remnants of other individuals. As remarkable as this may be, stunning results from a new study show that cells from other individuals are also found in the brain. In this study, male cells were found in the brains of women and had been living there, in some cases, for several decades. What impact they may have had is now only a guess, but this study revealed that these cells were less common in the brains of women who had Alzheimer?s disease, suggesting they may be related to the health of the brain.

We all consider our bodies to be our own unique being, so the notion that we may harbor cells from other people in our bodies seems strange. Even stranger is the thought that, although we certainly consider our actions and decisions as originating in the activity of our own individual brains, cells from other individuals are living and functioning in that complex structure. However, the mixing of cells from genetically distinct individuals is not at all uncommon. This condition is called chimerism after the fire-breathing Chimera from Greek mythology, a creature that was part serpent part lion and part goat. Naturally occurring chimeras are far less ominous though, and include such creatures as the slime mold and corals.

?Microchimerism is the persistent presence of a few genetically distinct cells in an organism. This was first noticed in humans many years ago when cells containing the male ?Y? chromosome were found circulating in the blood of women after pregnancy. Since these cells are genetically male, they could not have been the women?s own, but most likely came from their babies during gestation.

In this new study, scientists observed that microchimeric cells are not only found circulating in the blood, they are also embedded in the brain. They examined the brains of deceased women for the presence of cells containing the male ?Y? chromosome. They found such cells in more than 60 percent of the brains and in multiple brain regions. Since Alzheimer?s disease is more common in women who have had multiple pregnancies, they suspected that the number of fetal cells would be greater in women with AD compared to those who had no evidence for neurological disease. The results were precisely the opposite: there were fewer fetal-derived cells in women with Alzheimer?s. The reasons are unclear.

Microchimerism most commonly results from the exchange of cells across the placenta during pregnancy, however there is also evidence that cells may be transferred from mother to infant through nursing. In addition to exchange between mother and fetus, there may be exchange of cells between twins in utero, and there is also the possibility that cells from an older sibling residing in the mother may find their way back across the placenta to a younger sibling during the latter?s gestation. Women may have microchimeric cells both from their mother as well as from their own pregnancies, and there is even evidence for competition between cells from grandmother and infant within the mother.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=3d6880499f3802032e4200d14292ebc2

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Jaytee Hellcat, the main player in Lawrence Jones Memorial - Bettor

Jaytee Hellcat, the main player in Lawrence Jones Memorial Festival 480 Dogs Heat 2 at Monmore

Jaytee Hellcat, the Northern Puppy Derby finalist, is back in groove following an excellent victory at Wimbledon. After suffering a terrible loss at Newcastle in October, the black dog was short of confidence. He bounced back in good style, and seized the first rank by five and a half lengths last time.

After breaking very well, he railed quite nicely, establishing dominance at the first bend. The son of Ace Hi Rumble made no mistake whatsoever after getting his head in front.

After securing such an amazing success, the dashing hound is full of spirit, looking good to dominate proceedings in the Lawrence Jones Memorial Festival 480 Dogs Heat 2 at Monmore, this Monday.

Among his rivals are: Longwood Bound, Guinness Dusty, Any Dak, Graigues Orchard, and Benkaat Blue. The event is scheduled to begin at 16:08 GMT. A cash prize of 150 pounds is reserved for the ultimate champion.

Graigues Orchard has run some of his best races round this venue. The white and black dog is coming off an outstanding performance at Belle Vue, where he notched up the second place.

Benkaat Blue did not relent when beating good field at Wimbledon last time. The blue dog is in good rhythm these days, and could make things tricky for the rest.

Longwood Bound has more to offer after getting off the mark. After facing several unlucky losses, the black dog finally got it right last time, when beating Future Gen by 3? lengths.

Guinness Dusty is no stranger to reaching big-race finals. The blue dog was quick last time. He ran brilliantly, but remained slightly unlucky, missing the gold medal by a head?s distance. An extra push is required to make an impression.

Any Dak, one of the leading lights at Henlow, has reached Monmore with plenty of determination under his belt. Winning two of the previous three races shows how good momentum he is in.

Yet, one should take only a calculated risk on him, because tackling entirely different conditions is going to prove a stiff task. We wish the best of luck to him and all others.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.com?s editorial policy.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Jaytee-Hellcat,-the-main-player-in-Lawrence-Jones-Memorial-Festival-480-Dogs-Heat-2-at-Monmore-a205524

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Reader Question: I'm Maxing Out My IRA, Now What?

Thank you everyone for continuing to send me great questions to answer each week! ?This question comes from Suzanne, who is in an awesome financial situation! ?I hope to be in her shoes very soon, and it?s something that I think everyone should aspire to be in!

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The Question

Robert, I was hoping that you could help me figure out what to do next. ?I?ve been taking full advantage of my employer 401k at work, and I?ve also maxed out my Roth IRA this year. ?I?m expecting to get a bonus next month in December, and want to continue to invest it, but I?m not quite sure where the best place to put my money is now? ?What should I do with my investments now?

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The Answer

First off, awesome job Suzanne on maxing out your IRA while still taking advantage of your 401k at work. ?That is a great achievement. ?When it comes to what to do next, you have three basic options, which you can do individually or combine as well.

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Option 1 ? Max Your 401k Past the Match

The first option that you may want to consider is putting more into your 401k, regardless of whether your employer matches your contribution. ?In your email, you weren?t clear if you were just contributing to get the employer match, or if you were contributing and were going to hit the current year limit of $17,000.

If you?re just contributing to get the max, AND you are happy with the investment choices that your company offers and fees they charge, consider contributing more to your 401k to get closer to the max. ?A 401k is a great way to save, even if you don?t get a match, because your contributions are tax deferred and your account will grow tax deferred until your withdraw the funds in retirement.

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Option 2 ? Open a Non-Deductible IRA

The next option is to open a Non-Deductible Individual Retirement Account (IRA). ?The non-deductible IRA, just like a Roth IRA, allows you to contribute up to $5,000 per year. ?The account is similar to a Traditional IRA in that your growth and gains aren?t taxed until retirement. ?The difference between a Non-Deductible IRA and Traditional IRA is the tax deduction you take on your taxes ? you just can?t do it with a non-deductible IRA.

The benefit of using a non-deductible IRA is that you still get the tax benefits of your investments growing a tax-deferred vehicle. ?Depending on the investments you select, this could be very helpful.

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Option 3 ? Open a Standard Brokerage Account

Finally, you have the option of investing in a standard brokerage or investment account. ?These accounts are fully taxable, and there is no limit to the amount you can invest, or the types of investments you can hold in these accounts. ? The biggest concern is that you will pay taxes on all gains and income derived from these investments each year. ?This means it is very important that you select tax-efficient?investments for standard brokerage accounts.

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Which option do you think Suzanne should take?

Source: http://thecollegeinvestor.com/4897/reader-question-maxing-ira/

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Diabetes study: 'Mindful eating' equals traditional education in lowering weight and blood sugar

ScienceDaily (Nov. 8, 2012) ? Eating mindfully, or consuming food in response to physical cues of hunger and fullness, is just as effective as adhering to nutrition-based guidelines in reducing weight and blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes, a new study suggests.

In a comparison study of the effectiveness of the two types of behavioral interventions, participants lost about the same amount of weight -- an average of between 3 1/2 and 6 pounds -- and lowered their long-term blood sugar levels significantly after three months.

One treatment group followed an established diabetes self-management education program, with a strong emphasis on nutrition information. The other group was trained in mindful meditation and a mindful approach to food selection and eating. Both interventions, involving weekly group meetings, also recommended physical activity.

"The more traditional education program includes general information about diabetes, but with more emphasis on nutrition and food choice: What are different types of carbohydrates and fats and how many am I supposed to have? What should I look for when I read a food label? What are healthy options when dining out? That was the traditional diabetes education program," said Carla Miller, associate professor of human nutrition at Ohio State University and lead author of the study.

"We compared it to an intervention where mindful meditation was applied specifically to eating and food choices. This intervention group did not receive specific nutrition goals. We said we want you to really tune into your body before you eat. Take a few minutes to assess how hungry you are and make conscious choices about how much you're eating. Stop eating when you're full.

"We studied two very different approaches, and we found they both worked. This means people with diabetes have choices when it comes to eating a healthy diet," Miller said.

The research is published in the November issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Participants were adults between age 35 and 65 years and had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes for at least one year. To be eligible, they had to have a body mass index, a measure of weight relative to height, of 27 or more, indicating they were overweight, and a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reading of at least 7 percent. HbA1c measures blood glucose levels in the previous two to three months; normal HbA1c is 5.6 percent or lower.

Study participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group. Twenty-seven completed the mindful eating program, and 25 completed the traditional diabetes self-management program called "Smart Choices." Each intervention involved eight weekly and two biweekly 2 ?-hour sessions with trained facilitators.

Trainers of the mindfulness program encouraged participants to cultivate "inner wisdom," or mindful awareness related to eating, and "outer wisdom," which referred to personal knowledge of optimal nutrition choices for people with diabetes. Each session included guided meditation oriented toward participants' experiences and emotions associated with food. Participants received CDs for help with home meditation practice.

"We have so many environmental cues to eat in America that we've tuned out our normal physiological signals to eat. Being mindful means stopping long enough to become aware of these physiological cues," Miller said. "We also tried to generate awareness, staying in the moment, and living and eating in response to hunger instead of habits and unconscious eating."

The mindful intervention also included basic information about what is known as medical nutrition therapy: the relationships among calories consumed, carbohydrate and fat intake, weight regulation and high blood sugar.

In contrast, the Smart Choices program focused specifically on the condition of diabetes itself, including factors that can lead to the diagnosis, common complications (which include heart disease, kidney and nerve damage, eye problems and stroke), the importance of blood sugar control, and appropriate food choices when blood sugar levels spike. Every session included a medical nutrition therapy discussion such as calorie-intake goals, percentages of carbohydrates and fats in an ideal diet, and portion control. Many sessions included a 15- to 20-minute walk to further emphasize the recommendation for regular physical activity. Problem-solving regarding choosing healthy foods in high-risk situations, such as the holidays, were a focus of the program.

The interventions took place over three months. Researchers assessed participants' health measures and dietary habits immediately after the programs concluded and then again three months later at the study's end.

Weight loss and improvements in HbA1c levels were similar for both groups at the six-month follow-up point. Smart Choice participants as a group lost more weight, an average of 6 pounds, than did the mindful eating group, which lost an average of 3.5 pounds -- but the difference was not significant when analyzed statistically, Miller said.

HbA1c levels dropped in both groups as well, by between about 0.7 and 0.8 percent. "That was a clinically meaningful reduction in Hba1c, equivalent to what you would get on some diabetes medications," Miller said. "If the reduction were sustained over time, it would mean a dramatic reduction in complications associated with diabetes."

Both groups also similarly reduced calorie intake and lowered their consumption of foods with a high glycemic index, which are digested quickly and can drive up blood sugar.

Miller said that because nutrition education is particularly important to people with a new diabetes diagnosis, she sees the mindful meditation and eating option as a potential supplement to basic diabetes education that patients need.

She also said that participants adapted well to the concept of mindfulness even though it is generally considered an alternative health practice.

"One of the things we were evaluating was how well this was accepted by people who had no experience with it. It was very well accepted by participants in that group," she said. "And this tells us that people with diabetes have choices.

"The fact that both interventions were equally effective suggests that we should let people choose. If mindful meditation is appealing and people think that approach is effective, then it very well could be the best choice for them."

This work was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Co-authors include Jean Kristeller of Indiana State University; and Amy Headings of the Department of Human Nutrition, Haikady Nagaraja of the Division of Biostatistics and Fred Miser of the Department of Family Medicine, all at Ohio State.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Ohio State University. The original article was written by Emily Caldwell.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Carla K. Miller, Jean L. Kristeller, Amy Headings, Haikady Nagaraja, W. Fred Miser. Comparative Effectiveness of a Mindful Eating Intervention to a Diabetes Self-Management Intervention among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2012; 112 (11): 1835 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2012.07.036

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_health/~3/6iXdC19IUXg/121108181136.htm

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The right pace of neural development protects against autism and intellectual disability

The right pace of neural development protects against autism and intellectual disability

Friday, November 9, 2012

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders are marked by mutations that impair signaling between neurons. These mutations cause key brain circuits involved in learning and memory to develop too quickly, leading to long-lasting behavioral and cognitive deficits, according to a study published by Cell Press in the November 9th issue of the journal Cell. The findings could pave the way to new treatment strategies for severe forms of neurodevelopmental disorders.

"We have provided perhaps the first evidence that acceleration of certain neural milestones is just as disruptive as delay in the same milestones," says senior study author Gavin Rumbaugh of Scripps Florida. "These studies have far-reaching implications for how we will treat these severe forms of neurodevelopmental disorders."

Autism spectrum disorders are often accompanied by intellectual disability, and these disorders are linked to harmful mutations that affect proteins responsible for regulating the communication between neurons. A deficiency in one of these proteins, known as SynGAP, can lead to severe forms of these disorders, but it has not been clear how mutations affecting this protein alter the development of brain circuits and behavior.

To answer this question, Rumbaugh and his team inactivated one copy of the SYNGAP1 gene in mice to cause a deficiency in the protein. By two weeks of age, these mice showed a dramatic and premature increase in the communication between neurons in the hippocampus?a critical brain region for learning and memory. As a result, the mice were hyperactive, showed learning deficits, and were prone to seizures, similar to human patients.

These behavioral and cognitive abnormalities persisted even after the researchers restored normal levels of SynGAP in adult mice, suggesting that this protein exerts its effects on cognitive maturation only during a narrow developmental window. Thus, mutations that affect SYNGAP1 can cause neural networks to become miswired early in development and to resist repair during adulthood.

"Our results imply that very early intervention is essential in certain neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly for cognitive symptoms," Rumbaugh says. "We believe that certain pharmacological or genetic treatments initiated in this sensitive developmental window will greatly benefit our model mice, and hence could be translated into patients."

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Cell Press: http://www.cellpress.com

Thanks to Cell Press for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 19 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/125179/The_right_pace_of_neural_development_protects_against_autism_and_intellectual_disability

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Internet Marketing Tips For A Successful Online Presence | Free ...

Internet marketing is essential for any business owner in this day and age. There are so many ways to market your business and so many ways to reach new customers. Often, these methods are both cheap and effective. You can use the advice outlined in this article to get started with Internet marketing and grow your business.

Receiving and sustaining your customer?s trust is imperative. When designing your marketing communications and promotions, include only the information which can be supported by facts. Client testimonials, user reviews, and expert endorsements must be documented to remain effective.

Avoid believing that Internet marketing is going to replace your day job right from the get go. If you are skilled with Internet marketing, you can consider turning it into a career.

More subscribers means higher profits. You can use a split test to find out what works best. A split test offers one version of a web page to a group, and a different version to a second group. You?ll discover which methods are working best when you look at the subscription numbers for each site version.

Make sure you have a way to figure out your detailed statistics. This information should encompass traffic, conversions, sales, refunds and anything else that is measurable. Keep detailed records and statistics to guide your choices when choosing ways to launch Internet marketing campaigns.

Include content that is rich and original on your site. You will attract search engines better by packing your site with loads of rich content. You not only have better results with the search sites, but your audience will be more satisfied with what they find when they visit your site.

Look into testing the emails that you send out to see what your customers think and how they respond. One way to do this is with split testing, also called bucket testing or A/B testing. Make an email campaign, and change one singular thing in it to make a variant. For instance, you may draft two separate subject lines, calls to action, or intro paragraphs. Send out each version to an equally-sized random subset of your customers, and measure the success. If one version has a clear advantage over the other, use that one going forward.

Feature comments from your customers about your products on your site. Many people enjoy reading what others have to say about a product. It also makes them trust your company a bit more.

Make sure you follow up with your customers. Have them leave a review or answer a survey a few days after purchasing.

Press releases are a good strategy to get the word out on the product you offer. If you can write clear, crisp and informative press releases, there are many sources available online that will publish you and release your material to certain niche markets. You can boost your presence in this way.

Create a video in which you demonstrate the item that you are selling. By doing this, customers can watch you literally trying the product out. You can show your audience the benefits of using the product, and highlight features that are difficult or impossible to describe in text. After you make the video, post it to several sites including Youtube, blogs, and Facebook.

No longer is Internet marketing a luxury; it?s now become a necessity. Those with an online business have to use it if they want to make money. By including these tips in business plan, you will maintain high visibility on the Internet and increase the profitability of your business.

Productive Network Marketing Success is surely a requirement to be successful in your web and real world business. Acquire fantastic networking recommendations on this site ? Ugettingbetter.com

Source: http://www.businesslistingnow.com/blog/internet-marketing-tips-for-a-successful-online-presence/

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