couple of things.....
- you can use the 'New Posts' link in the blue bar ~ 1/3 way down to give you a listing of all topics w/ new posts in them including new threads. This way you don't have to open each subforum to see "what's new"
- then if you want to read the post/topic, just middle click on it to open the topic in a new tab (or window if you so like). This works on IE8, Mozilla/Firefox and SRWare Iron, and of course Chrome and I imagine Safari browsers. If you click on the little box w/ a down arrow/carrot next to the topic title, it'll take you to the first new post in the thread since you last read it
Lot's of options to keep you happy