University of Maryland School of Medicine Researchers Identify Neurobiological Changes Leading to Increase Release of the Brain Chemical Dopamine and Its Target Neurons Linked to Addiction-Like Behavior With the increased legalization of recreational cannabis, as many as 1 in 5 pregnant women in the U.S. are now using the drug to help with morning sickness, lower back pain or anxiety.

University of Maryland School of Medicine Researchers Identify Neurobiological Changes Leading to Increase Release of the Brain Chemical Dopamine and Its Target Neurons Linked to Addiction-Like Behavior With the increased legalization of recreational cannabis, as many as 1 in 5 pregnant women in the U.S. are now using the drug to help with morning sickness, lower back pain or anxiety.

The organized freelancer will make sure the amount here is right.; Credit: Photo by Great Beyond via Flickr Creative Commons

For freelancers, consultants, actors and other self employed people, life gets complicated this time of year. Digging around for the paperwork to fill out tax forms practically qualifies as exercise.

"They have a nightmare trying to find receipts," said accountant Tristan Zier.

Zier founded Zen99 to help freelancers manage their finances, including filing their taxes.  His most important advice to freelancers: keep track expenses and receipts year round rather than pursuing a paper chase as April 15 nears.  

"When they can’t find receipts, they can’t write off their expenses," he said. "And they’re paying more money to the government instead of keeping it for themselves."

Zier and others have come up with a lists of common mistakes freelancers make at tax time. 

Here are seven don't - or, deadly sins, for freelances at tax time:

1. Not knowing what they owe.  Zier says there are 20 different 1099 forms that get sent out to workers to track freelance gigs.  One of them is the 1099-K, which only has to be sent to you by a company in paper form if you make over $20,000. "People think, 'Great, no paper form, no taxes on that," says Zier. "Big mistake there.  You still have to self-report the income."   
2. Not knowing WHEN they owe.  For freelancers who owe more than $1,000 in taxes for a year, tax time comes more often than just April 15.  They have to pay taxes quarterly. But then it's not coming out of paychecks like it does for permanent employees. 

3.  Not tracking and writing off the right types of business expenses. Zier says many freelancers fail to realize they can write off part of their cell phone bill as a business expense.  Expenses vary by the type of work.  "A rideshare driver's biggest expense will be related to their car, while a web developer's biggest expense might be their home office," Zier says. "Figuring out what expenses are important to your type of work is important is maximizing your tax savings."

4. Writing off personal expenses.  This goes back to that cell phone.  If you use the same phone for personal and business purposes, don't be tempted to write the whole bill off. Estimate the amount you use it for your work. The same goes for your vehicle. Don't go trying to write off miles driven to the beach. 

5. The Double No-No: counting expenses twice.  Speaking of vehicles, Zier says most people use the Standard Mileage Rate ($0.56/mile for 2014), which factors in gas, repairs and maintenance and other costs like insurance and depreciation. But if you use this rate, you can't also expense your gas receipts and repair bills.  

6. Employee AND employer.  At lifeofthefreelancer.com, financial consultant Brendon Reimer reminds freelancers they play both roles. For regular employees, Federal, State, and payroll taxes are withheld from a paycheck, and distributed on the employee’s behalf. It's how Social Security and Medicare are funded. The IRS mandates that the employer must pay half of every employee’s payroll tax, and the employee is responsible for the other half.  Independent contractors have to handle both halves.  "The IRS does give you a small benefit by letting you deduct the half that you pay yourself as a business expense," Reimer writes. Zier said the freelancer's sin here is believing he or she pays more taxes than the regular working stiff.  

7. Not keeping adequate records. The IRS requires you to keep proof of all business receipts, mileage, etc.  If you can't show these, the IRS  could refute the expense and force you to pay back taxes. Zier says the good news is there are other ways to prove expenses if you've lost the receipt. A bank or credit card statement with the date and location might do the trick. "The IRS is surprisingly accommodating if you are doing your best," Zier says. "If you're being a headache, they're going to be a headache as well." 

In separate reports, Zen99 and the consumer finance web site nerdwallet ranked Los Angeles the best city for freelancers.

Each considered housing and health care costs, the percentage of freelancers in an area as factors. Zier said even before the sharing economy began to take off, the entertainment industry and growing tech scene were already strong sources of freelance gigs in L.A.

"Even back in 2012, L.A. had twelve percent of people report themselves as self-employed on the Census," Ziers said.   "You know your Ubers and companies like that  are really bringing a lot of attention to the contractor market, but it was a very robust community before."

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Businesses are cutting back on hours to avoid having to provide health care coverage under the new Affordable Care Act.

Steve Julian: Business analyst Mark Lacter, who's affected here?

Mark Lacter: Thirty hours a week is the magic number for workers to be considered full time under the new law.  If a business has 50 or more full-time employees, health care coverage has to be provided.  Except that a lot business owners say that the additional cost is going to be a financial killer, so instead, some of them have been cutting back hours to below that 30-hour threshold.  More than 200,000 Californians are at risk of losing hours from the health care law - that according to one study.

Julian: What kinds of businesses are doing this?

Lacter: Restaurant chains have received much of the attention, but the city of Long Beach, as an example, is going to reduce hours for a couple of hundred of its workers.  And, last week came word that the L.A.-based clothing chain Forever 21 will cut some of its full-time employees to a maximum 29-and-a-half hours a week, and classify them as part time.  That touched off an outcry on the Internet - people were saying that Forever 21 was being unfair and greedy - though the company says that only a small number of employees are affected, and that its decision has nothing to do with the Affordable Care Act.  There's really no way to know - Forever 21 is a private company, which means it's not obligated to disclose a whole lot.  What we do know is that those people will be losing their health care coverage.

Julian: And, the ultimate impact on businesses and workers?

Lacter: Steve, you're looking at several years before the picture becomes clear.  Here in California, workers not eligible for health care through their employer can get their own individual coverage, and if their income levels are not over a certain amount, they'd be eligible for Medicaid.  And, let's not forget many businesses already provide coverage for their employees.  So, lots of rhetoric - but, not many conclusions to draw from, which does make you wonder why so many business owners are unwilling to at least give this thing a chance.  Just doesn't seem to be much generosity of spirit for their workers, not to mention any recognition that if people can go to a doctor instead of an emergency room we'd probably all be better off.

Julian: Health care is far from the only controversy for Forever 21, true?

Lacter: In some ways, it's one of the biggest Southern California success stories.  Don Chang emigrated here in 1981 from Korea at the age of 18, opened his first store in Highland Park three years later (it was called Fashion 21), and he never looked back.  Today, revenues are approaching $4 billion.  But, the guy must have some pretty hefty legal bills because his company has been accused of all kinds of workplace violations.  The lawsuits alleged that workers preparing items for the Forever 21 stores didn't receive overtime, that they didn't get required work breaks, that they received substandard wages, and that they worked in dirty and unsafe conditions - sweatshop conditions, essentially.

Julian: Are most of their claims settled out of court?  You don't hear much about them.

Lacter: They are, which means there's usually a minimal amount of media coverage.  If a privately held company decides to keep quiet by not releasing financial results or other operational information, there's not likely to be much of a story - unlike what happens with a company like Apple, which is always under scrutiny.  Sometimes, plaintiffs will try to organize class-action suits, but that's extremely tough when you're dealing with low-wage workers who are often very reluctant to get involved because of their legal status.  And, let's not forget that Forever 21 - like any low-cost retailer - is simply catering to the demand for cheap, stylish clothes that are made as quickly as possible.

Julian: I guess you can't make that happen when wages and benefits are appreciably higher than your competition.

Lacter: The next time you walk into a Forever 21 store and wonder how prices can be so reasonable, that's how.

Mark Lacter writes for Los Angeles Magazine and pens the business blog at LA Observed.com.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

In L.A., community leaders are working to prevent an undercount of Asian Angelenos. ; Credit: via NPR

The 2020 Census kicks off in a matter of weeks. Census officials say Asian immigrants are “hard-to-count” because many have limited English and distrust government. 

Leo Moon is learning about the census with friends at a city-led workshop in Koreatown. He didn’t fill out the form in 2010, mostly because he didn’t want the government knowing he’s undocumented. But Moon says he’ll take part next year because the census determines how much funding and representation people get.  

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

I have spent many years as the boss and fully realize how many critical items we are responsible for and how much attention that requires. Unfortunately, as the boss, you forget about your own personal safety. My No. 1 concern is for you, the contractor — for your safety and that of your managers and all your employees.

Recent research lead by a Melbourne research institute has found that people who carry a particular type of gene have natural resistance against typhoid fever. The Nossal Institute of Global Health at the University of Melbourne conducted the study in collaboration with the Genome Institute of Singapore and Oxford University Clinical Research Unites in Vietnam and Nepal. The research, which is the first large-scale one of its kind, investigated the human natural gene responses to typhoid and associated infectious diseases.

As I Lay Dying may be down to just vocalist Tim Lambesis, but the band is moving forward with the release of their new album

The Zone of Avoidance is a region of the sky that's obscured by the disk of the Milky Way. The gas and dust block our view in visible telescopes, but other wavelengths like radio and infrared can pierce it to see what's on the other side. Astronomers used the MeerKAT radio telescope to survey beyond the Zone, observing hundreds of galaxies, of which only 29% were already known. This is helping to map the Great Attractor galaxy cluster on the far side of the Milky Way.

The post Astronomers Defy the Zone of Avoidance to Find Hundreds of New Galaxies appeared first on Universe Today.

1. 7-Year-Old Goes For Surgery, Greater Noida Doctor Operates On Wrong Eye  NDTV
2. Greater Noida hospital accused of Rs 45,000 'fake' eye surgery on 7-year-old; police plaint filed  The Times of India
3. Doctor Operates on Wrong Eye of 7-Year-Old, License Cancellation sought  Medical Dialogues
4. Greater Noida HORROR: Family demands action after doctor operates on wrong eye of 7-year-old  Asianet Newsable

Administration initially said that negotiations had failed and the land would be expropriated within four to eight months.

Emira Property Fund's partnership with Poland-focused DL Invest Group includes redemption clauses that could yield it up to R4.2 billion in five years, more than 70% of Emira's current market value on the JSE.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has been served notice by the police in poll-bound Maharashtra's Solapur over his speeches.

The family created a ruckus at the hospital and filed a complaint with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Gautam Buddha Nagar.

The man shares that by reducing personal choices, he experiences a lighter mental load, enabling effective decision-making at work.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has been served notice by the police in poll-bound Maharashtra's Solapur over his speeches.

A couple has been booked for allegedly beating up an 11-year-old girl they employed as a house helper for Rs 5,000, police said on Wednesday.

The family created a ruckus at the hospital and filed a complaint with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Gautam Buddha Nagar.

The new features will be available on Pixel phones first, and will arrive for more Android devices soon.

The post Google Unveils Upcoming Online Protection Tools for Android Users appeared first on Phandroid.

A recent photo of Williams aboard the ISS sparked rumors about her health, restoring the media's habit of prying into the appearance of women astronauts.

In a rare occurrence of locally acquired typhoid fever in Canada, health officials in Ottawa recently traced an outbreak back to a chronic Salmonella Typhi carrier working as a food handler. The outbreak involved seven confirmed cases from Oct. 2018 to May 2022 and was linked to the asymptomatic carrier... Continue Reading

In this article, we will talk about the common mistakes that companies make for the duration of ESI Return filing and the way to keep away from them to make sure easy and blunders-free submissions.

The interactive robot will provide visitors a guided tour of the museum

IT department says the firms’ did not disclose the ‘permanent establishment’ status of their Indian subsidiaries

While some types of diabetes are manageable with medications and lifestyle adjustments, others can lead to long-term health issues.

Peterson, T D; Wodicka, N; Pehrsson, S J; Acosta-Gongora, P; Tschirhart, V; Jefferson, C J; Steenkamp, H; Martel, E; Percival, J; Corrigan, D. Canada's northern Shield: new perspectives from the Geoscience for Energy and Minerals Program; Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 612, 2024 p. 339-374, https://doi.org/10.4095/332505
<a href="https://geoscan.nrcan.gc.ca/images/geoscan/gid_332505.jpg"><img src="https://geoscan.nrcan.gc.ca/images/geoscan/gid_332505.jpg" title="Canada's northern Shield: new perspectives from the Geoscience for Energy and Minerals Program; Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 612, 2024 p. 339-374, https://doi.org/10.4095/332505" height="150" border="1" /></a>

1. On Rally Stage, A Owaisi Served Notice To Avoid Inflammatory Speech  NDTV
2. Maharashtra Assembly polls: Devendra Fadnavis attacks Owaisi again, accuses AIMM of glorifying ‘invaders’  The Indian Express
3. Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 | 'Vote jihad' BJP's rhetoric during polls: AIMIM leader Jaleel  Deccan Herald
4. Don't glorify Aurangzeb as even dogs won't pee on his identity: Fadnavis to Owaisi | 'They are descendants of 'Razakars'' | Inshorts  Inshorts
5. Devendra Fadnavis hits out at Asaduddin Owaisi: ‘Descendants of Razakars, how can they talk to us?’  The Hindu

Kevin Pillar may have only turned 30 on Jan. 4, but nobody on the Blue Jays' roster has been with the ballclub longer than Pillar, who now is entering his seventh season. Longevity with one team is a source of pride.

Capcom and TiMi Studio Group have announced free-to-play open-world survival game, Monster Hunter Outlanders, for iOS and Android.

"It’s time for mobile players to fully enjoy what makes Monster Hunter one of the most beloved franchises in gaming," said TiMi Studio Group producer Dong Huang. "Monster Hunter Outlanders not only offers players an authentic hunting experience, but it does it in a massive open world featuring the community and social systems players are looking for today."

View the announcement trailer below:

Read details on the game below:

Vast Open World and Crafting

Explore seamlessly connected fields—including forests, swamps, and deserts—and enjoy hunting anytime and anywhere on your smartphone.

Not only can you utilize the environment’s creatures and field mechanics to gain the upper hand, elements useful for exploring the game’s vast open-world like crafting individualized gear and tools are also being prepared.

Traditional Monster Hunter Weapons

While maintaining the core gameplay experience of the Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Outlanders has optimized its battle system to maximize enjoyment. Face off against monsters while wielding the series’ traditional weapons.

Switchable Characters

As you progress through the story, you will encounter various unique characters. Not only can they become your allies, but you will also be able to control them yourself.

Reliable Companions

In addition to the Monster Hunter series’ familiar Felyne companions, Monster Hunter Outlanders will introduce other companions who will join you on quests and assist with item gathering and monster hunting.

Solo or Multiplayer

Partake in the traditional hunting experience where you can play solo, or join a hunting party of up to four.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

Full Article - https://www.vgchartz.com/article/463053/monster-hunter-outlanders-announced-for-ios-and-android/

1. Your Google Pixel Phone's Newest Android 15 Beta Update Arrived  Droid Life
2. Google rolls out Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 update  FoneArena
3. Google is preparing to bring back a beloved customization feature from Android 11  Android Authority
4. Android 15 QPR2: Do Not Disturb gets big upgrade with Modes  9to5Google
5. Android 15 QPR2 brings the Pixel 9's new Linux kernel to all Tensor-powered phones and tablets  Android Police

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries and is now accessible to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). According to Forbes, 91% of SMBs that have implemented AI report improved business success. The benefits of AI extend beyond enhanced customer experiences to include significant cost savings, revenue growth and a competitive edge. However, the journey to effective AI implementation can be challenging for many businesses. Avoiding AI roadblocks For SMBs with limited resources,…

In this new era there is hardly anyone who doesn’t wish to be a rich. Your ambitions are high and so your effort, but it might take years to fill your piggy bank .So the smart and brainy...

World Trade Center is a global network of office complexes that has so far connected 330 cities in 100 countries across the world. It is managed and regulated by renowned World Trade Center Association...