Americans can't define capitalism, socialism or democracy

For two words that inflame such passion, Americans sure don’t seem to know what  “socialism” and “capitalism” mean. Those two words are tied atop Merriam-Webster’s list of 2012 Words of the Year, which are ranked based on how often they’re looked up.
A man’s shadow is seen on a banner in 2010. (©Jason Andrew/Getty Images)

For the record, socialism refers to “governmental ownership and administration of the production and distribution of goods,” while capitalism is “private or corporate ownership of the tools used to make and transport products whose prices are set by competition on the free market.” Other words in the top 10 include “marriage,” “democracy,” “malarkey” and “meme.”

Having kids might add years to your life, suggests study

While parents might feel as though having kids has taken years off their lives, new research suggests parents live longer and that involuntary childlessness might increase the risk of early death.
Mom and baby playing tablet in chinese restaurant (© Tang Ming Tung/Getty Images)
Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark looked at more than 21,000 childless couples seeking IVF treatment, and found that women who tried to have children but failed were two to four times more likely to die young than mothers, including those who adopted and death rates doubled for childless men. Lead researcher Esben Agerbo suggested "behavioral difference" made parents "less likely to die from accidents, circulatory diseases, cancer, and external causes." 

Careful, if you smoke while drinking your hangover might be worse

Next time you wake up with an oh-my-god-what-did-I-do hangover ruing the existence of alcohol, don't go blaming the whole thing just on what you drank. If you smoked the night before, puffing away on a cancer stick can make hangovers even worse.

File photo of a man smoking & drinking (© Asaki Koshikawa/Getty Images)

Scientists at Brown University's Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies followed 113 students and found that those who smoked on the same day they drank were more likely to suffer from hangovers and have more intense ones when they did. Researchers still aren't clear why there's a connection between smoking and hangovers, but there's always one sure-fire way to avoid them.


(COMING SOON)

-Kodak gets bids of more than $500 million for patents.

-Revamped plans for Midtown tower.

-Charges have been made against an East Bloomfield driver.


NBA

Kobe Bryant has become the fifth player in NBA history to score 30,000 points. He's also the youngest...The 34-year-old Bryant needed 13 points to reach the plateau before he scored 29 in the Los Angeles Lakers' 103-87 win at New Orleans. Wilt Chamberlain was 35 when he hit the mark, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone were each 36 and Michael Jordan was 38.

The New York Knicks beat the Charlotte Bobcats 100-98 last night. J.R. Smith hit a fallaway jumper from the left wing as time expired to give the Knicks the win. Carmelo Anthony scored 20 of his 23 points in the first half, but wasn't on the floor for the final 2:10 after injuring his left hand diving into the team's bench for a loose ball.

TONIGHT THE KNICKS ARE AT MIAMI..

The Boston Celtics beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 104-94 last night in Rajon Rondo's return from a two-game suspension. Kevin Garnett scored 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and remained unbeaten against his former team. Rondo had 17 points and 11 assists.
 

NFL

tonight denver (9-3)  is  AT oakland  (3-9) ..kickoff is 8:20

Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix is asking playoff-starved fans for a little more patience while explaining why it's taken him so long to address the team's most pressing need: Quarterback... With numerous holes to fill when he took over three years ago, Nix thought it was better to improve the rest of the team before selecting a quarterback high in the draft. As for whether this is the offseason he takes a run at drafting a quarterback high, Nix would only say, perhaps _ and only if the right player's available.

Nix's comments come at a time when the Bills (5-7) are in jeopardy of extending the NFL's longest active playoff drought to a 13th season. Buffalo hosts St. Louis (6-7-1) on Sunday.

Rex Ryan is sticking with Mark Sanchez as the New York Jets' starting quarterback. Sanchez was pulled late in the third quarter, and Greg McElroy came in and led the Jets to the only touchdown of the game on his first NFL drive in a 7-6 victory.

New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow says his two broken ribs are improving and he threw a lot more at practice yesterday than he has the previous two weeks. However, Tebow says he's not yet 100 percent and he will go for more X-rays to make sure his ribs are healing properly


MLB

The Arizona Diamondbacks and infielder Eric Chavez have agreed to terms on a $3 million, one-year contract. The 34-year-old Chavez hit .281 with 16 homers in 278 at-bats for the New York Yankees, playing first and third base and at designated hitter.


Derek Jeter says his surgically repaired left ankle feels good and he expects to be the New York Yankees' starting shortstop on opening day. Jeter was at Yankee Stadium last night to surprise more than 500 children from New York City at his Turn 2 Foundation's holiday party.
 
the Chicago White Sox have reached agreement on a three-year, $12 million deal with infielder Jeff Keppinger. He hit .325 with nine homers and 40 RBIs for Tampa Bay last season

The Seattle Mariners are hoping Jason Bay has anything left after he hit .165 with eight homers and 20 RBIs for the Mets last season. A person familiar with the deal tells the AP that Bay has reached a one-year contract with the M's.

NHL labor talks resumed Wednesday and stretched into Thursday morning as the two sides try to end a lockout that's into its 82nd day. Very little information leaked out of the meeting room, but it is believed that each side submitted proposals to the other and spent lots of time apart discussing what was offered. The union and management confirmed negotiations would continue later Thursday.

COLLEGE HOOPS

MIKE BLACK scored 21 points and Jacob Iati  20 as Albany continued its dominance over St. Francis (N.Y.) with a 77-73 win Wednesday night...Albany, which is now 5-0 all-time against the Terriers, opened with an 18-0 run that spanned over 10 minutes....THE GREAT DANES ARE 7-2
SIENNA HOST RIDER ON FRIDAY NIGHT


TEMPLE TOPPED VILLANOVA 76-61