A RAND Corporation study found that pay-for-performance programs have led to changes in medical practice, including the adoption of electronic medical records and tracking of physician performance. However, health plans and purchasers believe that more substantial quality gains require higher incentives.
The 2008 financial crisis has radically transformed the business information landscape, with senior information managers seeking to add value and manage costs. The survey found that companies are pushing for more strategic management of their information services, with a focus on appraising how to add value and managing vendors.
The US Department of Homeland Security has developed a non-lethal traffic stopper called SQUID, which uses sticky tendrils to immobilize vehicles. The device, inspired by a sea creature and Spiderman's webbing, aims to provide a safer alternative to traditional methods of stopping fleeing drivers.
Four high school students from High Technology High School won $20,000 in scholarships for their paper on ethanol's economic and environmental implications. The paper was also the first M3 Challenge entry to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
A recent study assesses how risk management impacts corporate growth and value, highlighting the importance of equity cushions in capital structures. Risk managers often focus on measurement rather than management, leading to inadequate advice for managing risks.
The NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) successfully completed a comprehensive Mission Operations Readiness Review, assessing its operational readiness and progress to launch. The review determined that NPP's overall operations readiness is sound, with strengths and weaknesses identified but no major issues found.
A phase III study will evaluate Revlimid as a maintenance therapy for elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The study aims to determine progression-free survival and overall survival associated with Revlimid compared to placebo.
The University of Minnesota study reveals that corporate culture is the most important factor in driving radical innovation across nations. Firms with a supportive internal structure, product champions, and incentives are more innovative than those with other characteristics.
A recent RAND Corporation study suggests that the US is still a vital security and economic partner in East Asia, with nations seeking to maintain ties with both the US and China. The study found that none of America's East Asian allies want to choose between the two, as they prioritize cooperation over competition.
Researchers have developed a microgenerator that harnesses the heart's surplus energy to produce electricity for pacemakers and defibrillators. The innovative system, called SIMM, has shown promising results in increasing energy production with each heartbeat, potentially leading to longer-lasting devices.
The study found that firms with powerful marketing departments adopted the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard in response to customer and competitor pressures. In contrast, firms with powerful legal departments were more likely to adopt government-initiated voluntary programs in response to regulator and NGO pressure.
A University of Missouri study found that decreasing stock options for CEOs after earnings restatements leads to fewer risky investments and improved operating performance. This reduction in compensation incentives helps firms avoid excessive risk-taking and achieve better bottom lines.
A RAND Corporation study found that a unique patient identification number system could eliminate record errors, simplify electronic medical records and increase overall efficiency. The proposed system would help address concerns around patient privacy by reducing the exposure of personal information during searches.
Fusionopolis is Singapore's second major R&D hub, featuring world-class research institutes and corporate labs. The development aims to break down barriers and foster multidisciplinary collaboration, driving breakthroughs in complex societal challenges.
The Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association (OASPA) aims to represent the interests of OA journals publishers globally. OASPA supports OA publishing by setting industry standards, advancing business and publishing models, advocating for gold OA journals publishing, education and innovation.
A University of Illinois expert argues that traditional corporate governing systems failed to prevent risky business deals, contributing to the financial meltdown. In contrast, partnership-based firms have better weathered crises through controls like tying managers' compensation to company fortunes.
The article proposes new best practices for corporate portfolio management, including revamping organizational structure and compensation systems to prioritize investor thinking. An independent group within companies can function like a SWAT team to support objective portfolio management.
A new study finds that companies in Democratic states tend to have higher corporate social responsibility (CSR) ratings than those in Republican states. The research analyzed the 2004 presidential election results of communities where corporate headquarters are located, revealing a correlation between political views and CSR ratings.
A new study reveals that multinational companies should advertise luxury goods in English, while necessities may be more effective in local languages. Multinational corporations marketing to bilingual populations must pay attention to language choices, as perceptions of ads change significantly with different languages.
A new study by RAND Corporation researchers found that only 18% of parents with chronically ill children were aware of the program and only 5% used its benefits. Most parents who took leave or didn't take leave despite knowing their child's illness required it didn't know about the program.
A new study found that focusing on the social benefits of having a beautiful smile is effective in improving dental hygiene habits among new immigrants. The research also shows that families from less acculturated backgrounds are more responsive to such messages.
A new study by Debabrata Talukdar found that low-income households pay more for groceries without access to a car. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'ghetto tax,' is largely driven by the higher prices charged at corner stores, which lack competition from larger regional or national chains.
A new study reveals that consumers tend to avoid the largest and smallest options when it comes to soft drinks. By eliminating small drink sizes and adding larger ones, retailers have seen a 15% increase in high-calorie drink consumption. Reversing this trend could curb soft drink consumption with only a slight reduction in profit.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics will present five awards for key contributions to space science and technology during the AIAA SPACE 2008 Conference & Exposition. Notable recipients include Elon Musk, Michael A'Hearn, and the TacSat-2 Spacecraft Team.
A study published in the Journal of Small Business Management found that promoting a company's family aspect can enhance performance and provide competitive advantage. Family businesses influence customers' purchase decisions by reminding them of the personal connection behind the business.
Researchers discovered a titanium compound that creates a wear-resistant nanoscale layer on engine parts, making it a potential substitute for traditional phosphorus-based additives. This breakthrough could lead to more environmentally friendly engine oils with improved wear resistance.
A new study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign finds that US-based companies tend to follow their home-country hiring standards when doing business abroad, even in countries without anti-discrimination laws. This results in lower rates of gender and age discrimination compared to European and Asian firms.
A new study finds that women can make significant gains in male-dominated management ranks after companies downsize and restructure their workforces. Women accounted for nearly 36% of managers after restructuring, but made less headway into top levels of management.
A study by RAND Corporation found that adolescents who made virginity pledges were less likely to engage in sexual activity than similar youth who did not make a pledge. The study suggests that virginity pledges may be appropriate as one component of an overall sex education effort.
In a Phase II clinical trial, eribulin mesylate demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. The study showed an Overall Response Rate of 9.3% and a manageable tolerability profile with low incidence of Grade 3 and 4 neuropathy.
Researchers discovered that video games can boost creativity when players are highly energized and in a positive mood. Conversely, low arousal and negative emotions lead to the highest levels of creativity. The study suggests harnessing emotional elements in games to spark creative thought and problem-solving skills.
A University of Missouri study found that organizational trust is key to successful joint business ventures. Researchers studied 114 international collaborations and found that trust at three levels: inter-organizational, internal reliance, and among collaborative individuals, was crucial for success.
The Global Innovation Imperatives (Gii) project aims to combat global health, environmental and societal issues through chemistry-based solutions. Key focus areas include advancing science breakthroughs and addressing pressing water concerns, such as cleanliness, availability and sustainability.
The American College of Medical Genetics Foundation awarded David H. Ledbetter a $100,000 grant to promote safe and effective genetic testing and services. Ledbetter is a leading expert in molecular karyotyping and shared national databases for genetic data accumulation.
Waters Corporation is offering complimentary drinking water analysis to US water authorities to assess regional exposure and develop solutions for pharmaceutical residues. The program aims to provide a baseline understanding of exposure levels to facilitate long-term monitoring and action plans.
A RAND study reveals California's basic tracking system architecture allows for close student progress follow-up but faces political and financial barriers. Implementing a comprehensive student unit record data system could improve policies and enhance student outcomes.
A recent study found that college students could accurately distinguish between successful and unsuccessful CEOs based on their facial features, which were rated for competence, dominance, likeability, maturity, and trustworthiness. The study suggests that first impressions can be a reliable indicator of leadership abilities.
A new corporate reorganization paradigm promises to preserve value in financially distressed companies by efficiently transferring assets to their most efficient users. This market-driven process, facilitated by active investors like hedge funds and private equity firms, aims to minimize the impact of financial distress on businesses.
REMICADE has been used to treat more patients worldwide than all other anti-TNF-alpha agents combined. The treatment of patients with inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, has been transformed by the availability of REMICADE.
A study by UC Davis found that nearly one-third of California's top public companies have no women at the top, despite a few firms having high female representation. The research highlights the need for more gender diversity in corporate leadership positions.
A study by Penn State professors finds that CEOs with stock option-heavy compensation packages lead companies to extreme performance, with more big losses than big gains. High levels of CEO stock options coupled with high investment spending produce a 'combustible combination' resulting in very extreme outcomes.
PSEG has donated $150,000 to NJIT's Albert Dorman Honors College to establish a scholarship for freshmen. The scholarship will prioritize students pursuing engineering or STEM fields, promoting skilled workers for companies like PSEG.
A new study by Sarah Soule and Brayden King found that protests related to labor or consumer issues provoke a more negative reaction from investors. Protests with greater levels of media coverage also have a stronger impact on stock prices, even if the actual size of the protest is small.
A RAND Corporation study suggests that unofficial diplomatic discussions, known as Track Two diplomacy, can have a positive effect on shaping attitudes in the Middle East and South Asia. These long-term strategies focus on socialization and generating new ideas, rather than immediate policy change.
Long-term memory retrieval in abstinent alcoholics shows lower brain activity in key regions, indicating latent lesions or subclinical pathology. This suggests that brain damages from alcohol use can occur without apparent cognitive impairments.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute has received funding to develop a precision location system for emergency responders. The system will track the movement and physiological status of workers, addressing two leading causes of firefighter deaths: stress-related heart attacks and getting lost indoors.
Researchers found that corporate giving can actually harm public perception when companies with bad reputations donate to charitable causes. On the other hand, companies with good reputations are viewed positively by the public when they give to charity.
A new study by the University of Michigan School of Public Health suggests that chain-owned nursing homes face a dilemma between administrative and clinical standards. The research found that excessive emphasis on corporate standardization can hurt patient care, while a balance is needed to optimize resident outcomes. The study's autho...
A RAND Corporation study reveals that people with stronger religious ties are less likely to spread HIV. The study found that moral beliefs and faith community membership may play a crucial role in reducing high-risk behaviors.
The new program aims to redesign the Internet with secure corporate networks like Ethane, wireless spectrum allocation optimization, and high-efficiency optical switches. Stanford researchers aim to create a fresh start for the Internet with innovative solutions.
A recent study by Phil Howard and Kris Erickson found that 60% of breached-record incidents between 1980 and 2006 were caused by organizational mismanagement, such as missing or stolen hardware. The number of reported incidents more than tripled in 2005 and 2006 after California's pioneering Notice of Security Breach law took effect.
A RAND Corporation study found that neighborhoods with more four-way intersections and diverse businesses encourage walking. However, the impact of these factors on walking is not particularly strong, especially when housing density is low. The study suggests that urban design recommendations can help create walkable communities.
New research by Brown University Professor Ross Levine finds that powerful supervisory agencies actually lower bank lending integrity. Instead, strategies focusing on accurate information disclosure enhance efficiency and reduce corruption. The study suggests 90% of countries implementing Basel II regulations may face bad outcomes.
A recent study by RAND Corporation found that only 28% of HIV-positive unmarried parents have made legal arrangements for who will care for their children if they die. This lack of planning can lead to emotional and behavioral problems in children, making guardianship plans essential.
A RAND Corporation study found that better outpatient medical care leads to improved health and quality of life for non-elderly patients with chronic illnesses. The study, which evaluated 963 adults over a 30-month period, showed that those receiving higher-quality care experienced less decline in health and function.
A pivotal Phase III trial demonstrated Nexavar's efficacy and clinical benefit in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. The study showed a median progression-free survival of 5.5 months for patients receiving Nexavar, compared to 2.8 months for those on placebo.
A recent study by Marie Thursby and Jerry Thursby found that 49.6% of R&D effort in developed nations is for new science, while in emerging countries it's only 22%, suggesting universities play a crucial role in driving innovation.
A new RAND Corporation study found that a small fraction of America's health care spending is used to provide publicly supported care to the nation's undocumented immigrants. The study estimates that $1.1 billion in federal, state and local government funds are spent annually on health care for undocumented immigrants aged 18 to 64.
A new study by University of Washington professors reveals that companies lose an average of 41% of market value after misconduct is reported. The largest monetary penalties suffered are the result of damage to a firm's reputation, with losses up to $3.08 for each dollar of inflated market value.
Zaditor offers up to 12 hours of continuous itch relief with one drop, a significant improvement over most OTC products that only provide 3-4 hours of short-term relief. The medication is safe for use in children as young as three and does not contain decongestants that can cause rebound redness.