Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Coordinated effort by health care facilities can prevent many hospital-acquired infections

Researchers developed a model to project number of CRE infections when hospitals work together to enhance infection controls, showing a 74% reduction compared to independent approach. The model highlights the importance of coordination and communication among facilities in preventing antibiotic-resistant infections.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·DateAug 4, 2015

Cost of low-risk childbirth varies widely among hospitals

A study by Yale University researchers found significant variation in the cost of low-risk childbirth across hospitals in the US. The average estimated facility cost per maternity stay ranged from $1,189 to $11,986, with higher costs associated with hospitals that performed more cesarean deliveries or had more maternal complications.

SourceYale University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJul 8, 2015

Classroom acoustics for architects

The Acoustical Society of America has published a free online booklet to aid architects in understanding and meeting the national classroom acoustics standard, ANSI/ASA S12.60. The booklet provides practical guidance on topics such as room acoustics, reverberation time, and sound transmission class, to help architects create classrooms...

Homeland chemical security

Research highlights the need for collaboration between the chemical industry and DHS to ensure US chemical facilities' safety and security. The team suggests that communities should develop preparedness plans in anticipation of possible chemical disasters.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Critical Infrastructures·DateApr 15, 2015

Early education narrows the achievement gap with younger starts and longer stays

Research from the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute shows that high-quality early education significantly boosts language skills in children from low-income families. Children who start earlier and stay longer in these programs also demonstrate strong English language skills, even those whose first language is not English.

SourceFrank Porter Graham Child Development Institute·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·DateMar 31, 2015

Fueling the future

A team of researchers at Argonne National Laboratory has developed an integrated modeling approach to understand the fluid dynamics of fuel injectors in modern engines. The study aims to improve engine design and simulation, reducing trial and error and increasing efficiency.

Health boost for fitness centers

Millions die each year from obesity-related issues, with Australia projected to be third fattest nation by 2020. Fitness facilities can mitigate risks by implementing pre-activity screening, automated defibrillators, regular inspections, and staff training.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management·DateDec 2, 2014

A new generation of storage -- ring

The MAX IV facility in Lund, Sweden is developing a storage-ring synchrotron system that will enable new experiments requiring high source brightness and transverse coherence. The system's design challenges include compact magnets and low-vacuum chambers, which require innovative solutions to overcome technical issues.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalJournal of Synchrotron Radiation·DateOct 31, 2014

Indiana Project screenings show need for more mental health services in youth detention

A recent study by Indiana University School of Medicine found that nearly 21% of youths screened positive for mental health issues requiring follow-up. Female detainees were more likely to screen positive than male detainees, with significant disparities in service utilization based on race/ethnicity. The findings underscore the need f...

SourceIndiana University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateOct 22, 2014

VALUE study reports on accreditation status

The VALUE study reveals that only 13% of vascular testing facilities are IAC accredited, with significant regional variations in utilization. The study also highlights the importance of IAC accreditation in setting practice standards and ensuring quality performance.

SourceSAGE·JournalVascular Medicine·DateSep 11, 2014

Care facility choice after hospital discharge about more than location, location, location

A recent study by Indiana University researchers highlights the importance of selecting a suitable post-discharge rehabilitation facility. The guide provides key factors to consider, including disease severity, patient insurance, and quality of services offered. By making informed decisions, hospitals can reduce rehospitalization rates...

SourceIndiana University·JournalAnnals of Long-Term Care Clinical Care and Aging·DateAug 13, 2014

The microbes make the sake brewery

A study by the University of California, Davis, investigated a single-species inoculation in a sake brewery, finding that environmental surfaces harbor similar microbiota as added microorganisms. The microbial populations change dramatically across fermentation stages, with Aspergillus oryzae dominating the process.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJul 24, 2014

Synthetic biology lab backed by £2 million award

The University of Liverpool has been awarded £2M for a state-of-the-art DNA synthesis facility, GeneMill, to support genome engineering in academia and industry. The lab will provide rapid, cost-effective, and accessible fabrication facilities for DNA parts, enabling researchers to focus on designing and testing re-engineered organisms.

Despatch from the field

A new collaboration enables immediate access to taxonomic research and underlying data, reducing 'shelf life' from 21 years to weeks. The system facilitates data sharing and preservation, addressing 80% of scientific data loss within 10 years.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateMar 27, 2014

NHS data on patient experience is often ignored

Researchers argue that NHS patients' experiences are frequently overlooked and suggest a national institute of patient experience is needed to draw data together and implement improvements. The lack of evidence that collected data has led to better healthcare quality highlights the need for effective leadership changes.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 26, 2014

New school meal standards significantly increase fruit, vegetable consumption

A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that the new federal school meal standards led to increased fruit and vegetable consumption among students. Despite criticism that the standards would lead to more food waste, the study showed no increase in waste, but high levels of waste still persisted.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMar 4, 2014

Pitt public health analysis provides guidance on hospital community benefit programs

A new analysis by University of Pittsburgh researchers offers insights for nonprofit hospitals in implementing community health improvement programs. The study categorizes existing community benefit programs into hospital-based and community-administered programs, highlighting the importance of engaging with local communities to achiev...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved·DateMar 3, 2014

Stand-alone facility for organ retrieval is more efficient, less costly than hospital

A new study by transplant surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine found that moving organ donors from hospitals to a regional stand-alone facility significantly reduces costs and improves efficiency. The average cost of retrieving a liver dropped 37% after the change, while travel time for surgeons was reduced from 8 hours...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateFeb 25, 2014

Could pizza herb prevent winter vomiting disease?

Researchers found that carvacrol can break down the outer coat of norovirus, making it more susceptible to other antimicrobials. This discovery could lead to the development of a new food sanitizer and surface sanitizer for settings where traditional bleach or alcohol-based cleaners are not effective.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Applied Microbiology·DateFeb 11, 2014

Living at home with dementia

A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that most people with dementia living at home have multiple unmet health and welfare needs. Routine assessments and interventions in safety, medical care, and supportive services can help keep patients at home longer.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateDec 19, 2013

The mystery of neutron stars heats up

Theoretical calculations reveal previously unknown layers where nuclear reactions within the crust cause rapid neutrino cooling, altering our understanding of neutron star hot surfaces. Researchers now face new questions about the star's thermal dynamics and discovery potential of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature·DateDec 1, 2013

New pediatric infection prevention guidelines for residential facilities

The new guidelines provide standardized guidance and educate staff and volunteers on the principles of infection prevention to reduce the risk of infection for children and families in pediatric residential settings. The guidelines include practices such as standard precautions, health screening, and mandatory vaccination practices.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateSep 18, 2013