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Give flawed payments database time to improve

The new federal Open Payments Program database is incomplete, with issues including limited data, vetting, de-identification, and context. Despite these flaws, experts like Dr. Eli Y. Adashi urge patience, as improvements are underway and the site's potential for transparency and oversight is still significant.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA·DateDec 5, 2014

Adenotonsillectomy and childhood asthma

A study found that adenotonsillectomy significantly decreased acute asthma exacerbations and episodes of status asthmaticus in children with asthma. The procedure may help alleviate underlying asthma severity by addressing related obstructive sleep apnea.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 4, 2014

Cattle code cracked in detail

Scientists have created a global database that increases detailed knowledge of the cattle genome by several orders of magnitude. The database contains genomes of over 1,200 animals from various breeds, providing a comprehensive resource for studying cattle genetics and livestock history.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 3, 2014

Gout linked to heightened diabetes risk

A large UK study has found a significant link between gout and diabetes in the general population, particularly among women. Women with gout were 71% more likely to develop diabetes than those without, highlighting the importance of prompt treatment of shared risk factors.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateOct 2, 2014

Computerized emotion detector

A new software emotion detector uses a three-phase approach to analyze facial features and associate them with emotional states, achieving a 94% success rate. The technology has the potential to enhance human-computer interactions and improve security checks at airports.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics·DateSep 16, 2014

Study: 1 out of 5 adult orthopaedic trauma patients sought additional providers for narcotic prescriptions

A study of 151 adult orthopaedic trauma patients found that one in five obtained narcotic prescriptions from multiple providers, leading to increased drug use and longer prescription durations. Patients who 'doctor shopped' used narcotics four times longer than those with single provider care.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateAug 11, 2014

What's in a name?

A new study explains how Avibase, an online global database of birds, successfully addresses issues related to standardized scientific names and their meanings. The database pairs scientific names with citation definitions using taxonomic concepts.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateJun 25, 2014

Marine scientists use JeDI to create world's first global jellyfish database

Researchers used JeDI to map jellyfish biomass in the upper 200m of the world's oceans, revealing that jellyfish are present throughout the globe, with greatest concentrations in mid-latitudes. The study highlights the importance of understanding jellyfish distribution and potential impacts on ecosystems and biogeochemical processes.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateMay 15, 2014

Anti-counterfeit 'fingerprints' made from silver nanowires

A team of researchers from South Korea has developed a novel technique to authenticate goods by creating unique patterns made from tiny, randomly scattered silver nanowires. The 'fingerprints' are almost impossible to replicate due to their natural randomness and difficulty in manipulating the tiny materials.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNanotechnology·DateMar 20, 2014

Should your surname carry a health warning?

Researchers found a significant link between the surname Brady and an increased risk of bradycardia, with patients named Brady more likely to require pacemakers compared to the general population. The study suggests that people may have a preference for careers connected to their name, influencing their health outcomes.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 12, 2013

Pitt unlocks trove of public health data to help fight deadly contagious diseases

The University of Pittsburgh's Project Tycho has digitized all weekly surveillance reports for reportable diseases in the US since 1888, revealing patterns and insights into vaccine effectiveness. The database contains data on eight vaccine-preventable diseases, showing a resurgence of some diseases despite vaccination efforts.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 27, 2013