Articles tagged with Data Availability
A new study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research found that increasing alcohol taxes can significantly reduce death rates from diseases caused by chronic heavy drinking. The study analyzed data from 1969 to 2004 and estimated that adjusting for inflation, would save around 1,500 Floridian lives per year.
The penalty points system driver's license resulted in a significant reduction of 12.6% in highway deaths and injuries within the first two years after its implementation in Spain. However, this effect is temporary, lasting only nine months for deaths in urban accidents.
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has released seven instruments' data sets to the Planetary Data System, providing low-level data for research flexibility. The mission will deliver a comprehensive map of the lunar surface and search for resources in its one-year exploration phase.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that the Norway Fund, a leading sovereign wealth fund, operates primarily driven by profit. The research suggests that other sovereign wealth funds may also be profit-driven, contradicting concerns about political motivations.
The US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service has released new geospatial data products, including satellite images of agricultural land cover across most of the nation. These cropland data layers can be used to monitor crop rotation patterns, land use changes, and water resources.
Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University's Language Technologies Institute have released spoken and textual data on Haitian Creole to support the development of translation tools. The data will aid relief workers, doctors, and nurses on the earthquake-ravaged island.
Global health agencies urge stronger collection, analysis, and use of health data to evaluate the impact of health programs and policies. The eight agencies propose four actions to strengthen health data collection, including increasing investments in health information and developing a common data architecture.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that the ACS NSQIP is a powerful tool for assessing outcomes of uncommon, high-risk surgical procedures like pancreatic necrosectomy. Patients undergoing this procedure had better outcomes than predicted, with lower mortality rates and less postoperative morbidity.
A team of investigators analyzed 30 randomized trials of Vioxx and found a strong concern for cardiovascular events or death as early as December 2000. The analysis showed a 35-43% increased risk of cardiovascular events or death, highlighting the need for informed treatment decisions and public health efforts.
Researchers developed a simple computer model that can predict specific outcomes for a given bank with minimal data demands. The model uses Locally Weighted Scatter Plot Smooth to identify potentially troubled banks by comparing their performance with similar peers.
The LEX-INFO portal provides access to up-to-the-minute data on legal, taxation, and financial topics. It features a timeline-based organization system, allowing users to quickly access the most current information and connect with relevant case law and expert advice.
The NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System awards $973,083 to support ocean observing in the Gulf of Mexico. Three grants will enhance data portals and marine data delivery systems, making data easier to access for planners and policymakers.
The study found that Pistorius' energy cost of running is similar to accomplished male distance runners but 17% lower than performance-matched sprinters. His ability to hold speed over longer sprint races is identical to intact-limb athletes, but his sprinting mechanics are dissimilar.
SkyView's latest survey is now available in WorldWide Telescope, with visitors generating 300,000 images a month, up from 20,000 ten years ago. The project provides a single interface for accessing over 36 surveys covering nearly 100 wavelength bands, making astronomy accessible to everyone.
A recent study found that fainting was the most common in-flight medical emergency, accounting for 53.5% of cases. The researchers also highlighted the need for standardization in reporting in-flight emergencies, citing poor data quality as a major issue.
A team of volcanologists developed a new program to quickly and accurately predict areas at high risk for lethal hazards from volcanic eruptions. The program uses existing GIS data to create maps that outline potential surge damage, enabling decision-makers to evacuate or put people on high alert.
The Lancet report identifies key right-to-health features and indicators, highlighting gaps in data and progress towards universal access to healthcare. The study emphasizes the importance of non-discrimination, mental health allocation, and health information availability.
NASA's Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) uses gridded population products to assess exposed populations in disaster areas. The data helps officials understand population density and calculate casualties, projected homelessness, and secondary impacts.
The EcoNet wireless sensor network allows for continuous and inconspicuous monitoring of environmental factors such as temperature and luminosity in remote locations. This enables researchers to uncover anomalies early on and investigate them promptly, providing valuable insights into global environmental changes.
The GBIF seed money awards will provide information on over 75,000 species and 1.8 million records, as well as two software tools. The funded projects tackle major global issues such as climate change, invasive alien species, and conservation strategies.
A genome-wide association study on Parkinson's disease has made its raw data available to researchers through the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The study, funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, provides valuable insights into the genetic factors underlyi...
The survey found that no state is providing all of the recommended care to the majority of their children with special health care needs. State-by-state comparisons show vast differences in the quality of care, with some states performing well in specific areas but failing overall.
Tropical disease experts believe African sleeping sickness could be eliminated with maintained control efforts, but risk of losing disease control capacity remains. The greatest challenge will be to increase and sustain existing control efforts using available tools.
A study by Dr Alan Grainger found no convincing evidence for a decline in tropical forests over the past 40 years. Despite local evidence of deforestation, long-term data is plagued by errors and inconsistencies that raise questions about predictions of species extinctions and global climate change.
A study found large gaps in GBIF's biodiversity data, with over 70% of Legume species lacking formal records or poor-quality location information. The research highlights the need for governments to invest in digitizing and publishing more biodiversity data from museums.
Researchers predict a sharp increase in the US ESRD population by 2020, with over 785,000 patients expected to be affected. The study attributes this growth to the aging of Baby Boomers and rising diabetes rates.
The Autism Consortium has released genetic data from 3,000 individuals with autism spectrum disorders to the scientific community. The data set provides a comprehensive look at genetic variation patterns in families with autism, shedding light on the complex causes of the disorder.
A review of nearly 500 articles found nearly one in 1,000 people have multiple sclerosis (MS) and 67 out of 1,000 elderly Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. The study also reported a 50% drop in traumatic brain injuries and updated rates for stroke, Parkinson's disease, and childhood disorders like autism and cerebral palsy.
The TGN1412 trial's failure led to serious adverse events in healthy volunteers. A review of the available data revealed essential information was absent from the research file, concluding that the compound was unsuitable for administration without additional pre-clinical experiments.
Between 1996 and 2005, the FDA issued 52 advisories involving AEDs or accessories, affecting over 385,000 devices. More than one in five AEDs were recalled due to potential malfunctions, with electrical and software problems being the most common causes.
A study of 103 countries found an estimated 3.2 million stillbirths worldwide each year, with rates ranging from 5 per 1000 in rich countries to 32 per 1000 in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The true figure is likely higher due to under-reporting.
A study of over 1,500 Chicago children reveals a staggering 24% are overweight and 16% at risk of becoming obese. The alarming findings highlight the pressing need for ongoing child weight status monitoring to address this growing health concern.
The NIST Mass Spectra Library has been upgraded with approximately 20,000 new spectra, increasing the total number of compounds to over 163,000. The new library includes gas-phase retention index data for volatile organic compounds and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra.
The new assessment tool, ADAPT, provides a platform for tracking participant data by demographics, activities, and institution data warehouses. The researchers found that comprehensive assessment techniques can help evaluate and revamp existing programs, leading to better outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Less competition in the healthcare industry is linked to improved health plan performance on measures such as women's care and member satisfaction. However, the relationship between competition and quality is complex and requires further research.
A study on the geography of education found that homeschoolers represent a significant segment of the education universe, estimated at 20% of privately-schooled population in the US. The number of homeschoolers has grown in states with low to moderate regulation, but data is still limited due to varying reporting requirements.
A team of researchers designed a protective structure to reduce tractor rollover accidents, resulting in improved agricultural worker safety. The 'Estrema' programme calculates necessary structures for various types of tractors, with enhanced models approved for use in the agricultural sector.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has reanalyzed the wind loads that the World Trade Center (WTC) towers were originally designed to resist, finding that the values used in the design exceed those established by building codes prior to 1968. The study suggests that the WTC towers' reserve capacity to withstand u...
The Lancet editorial advocates for free access to genome data, highlighting its benefits in accelerating research on diseases such as SARS. This open-access policy promotes international cooperation, trust, and altruism, offering a compelling alternative to bioweapons.
A study by the University of Washington and Princeton University finds that 20% of young black men born between 1965-1969 had served time in prison by their early 30s, compared to less than 3% of white males. The risk of incarceration rose with lower levels of education, affecting even those who didn
The oldest available data on the Missouri River shows that water flow has become more variable over time due to extensive damming. The river is also narrower at St. Charles, Missouri, with a reduced width of 500 yards compared to its original 720 yards in 1804.
A study found that NICE guidelines on surgical procedures had no significant impact on the adoption of recommended practices. In contrast, an increase in non-cement prostheses for hip replacements was reported after the guidelines were issued. The researchers suggest using more active dissemination methods to promote effective uptake.
A geologist has used historical data from Lewis and Clark to calculate the magnetic declination in the North American interior. The analysis reveals changes in the magnetic pole over time, with some maps corrected to be remarkably accurate.
Limited availability of genetic data hampers scientific progress in finding new therapeutic targets. The Lancet editorial emphasizes the need to share accumulated evidence and re-evaluate reporting standards.
A new study by UT Southwestern researchers found that acetaminophen overdoses are the leading cause of acute liver failure in the US, affecting 39% of patients. The three-year study also revealed that most cases were unintentional and affected mostly women.
Research found that racial earnings disparities are smallest in low-paid occupations and largest in high-paid ones. Black professionals face significant disadvantages due to limited access to lucrative customer bases, occupational segregation, and lower social networks.