Articles tagged with Government
A pilot-dentist duo proposes adapting airline crew resource management principles to dental offices, aiming to reduce human errors and improve patient safety. By implementing standardized safety procedures and empowering team members with CRM checklists, dentists can significantly reduce complications and deaths in surgical settings.
A child nutrition expert argues that a global code for formula milk marketing has been mired in disputes since its adoption in 1981. The lack of effective national and international governance has hindered efforts to improve maternal, infant, and child nutrition. Effective governance is now needed to replace bitter hostilities.
The President of India will inaugurate the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) 2010 in Hyderabad, awarding Fields Medal and other prestigious prizes. The ICM is a periodic event bringing together 3000 mathematicians from around the world, marking a significant recognition of India's growing role in mathematics.
A new Australian study found that mainstream consumers value prudence and self-control, but lack sympathy for those with high credit card debt. The research suggests consumer advocacy is a top-down phenomenon driven by governments and media, leading to limited personal action.
The National Geodetic Survey is modernizing its positioning system to better capture changes in the Earth's surface, including sea level rise and subsidence. This upgrade will improve digital maps and support activities like levee construction, evacuation route design, and floodplain management.
The 'crowding out' effect occurs when governments use health aid to partly replace domestic health budgets, rather than supplement them. Possible reasons include reallocating funding to different sectors, stalling increases in recurrent health expenditure, or spreading spending over several years.
Connect 2 Congress simplifies congressional voting records by analyzing Poole-Rosenthal scores, allowing users to track senator votes and examine party alignment. The system provides a graphical representation of Congress, enabling users to view changes in behavior over time.
A recent study by John Deering found that newly recruited probation officers in the UK value humanistic approaches to rehabilitation over punitive measures. The respondents emphasized the importance of addressing social and economic inequalities contributing to crime, rather than attributing it to individual failures.
A new study explores how casino gambling went from a stigmatized practice to a thriving industry, with regulation changes and media language playing key roles. Regulatory actions in 1976, 1988, and 1999 led to shifts in public discourse, with discussions focusing on wealth and poverty.
A Queen's University study has discovered high levels of mercury in the Cataraqui River sediment, with contamination widespread along the western shore.
A survey by FoodMinds LLC found that Americans prioritize nutrition facts panels and sourcing information when making food choices. The majority believe individuals are responsible for healthy eating but support government initiatives to promote healthier options.
A recent survey by Rice University found that Toyota owners continue to show high levels of satisfaction with their vehicles, despite the company's numerous recalls since 2009. The study attributed this to a 'brand insulation effect,' where current customers shielded Toyota from the negative effects of recalls.
Witnessing employee incivility can induce consumer anger and lead to negative inferences about a company. The study found that even cases of employees helping customers were affected by the negative response.
The UK Government's new strategy focuses on preventing intimate partner violence through education and community programs. The plan includes a national communications program and adding gender equality to the school curriculum.
Only 2,300 children out of 30,000 to 40,000 in care are adopted annually; youth in care face higher hospitalization rates and justice system involvement. Experts advocate for easier adoption processes, including support for adoptive parents and breaking down provincial barriers.
The Government of Nepal has expanded Bardia National Park in the Terai Arc Landscape to increase critical tiger habitat. WWF welcomes the move and aims to help the country double its number of endangered tigers through innovative conservation strategies.
A new community engagement process has been developed to enable residents to contribute their essential knowledge to emergency planning. This approach recognizes that people on the ground may have critical insights into potential problems with emergency plans, which can be overlooked by experts.
A new passive protocol called IPACF blocks threats to gatekeeping computers and Authentication Servers, allowing legitimate users access private resources. The filter takes just 6 nanoseconds to reject non-legitimate information packets associated with DoS attacks.
Historian Sherry Smith finds examples of government restitution in US history, including posthumous pardons for WWI prisoners, reparations to Japanese Americans, and return of native lands. The global movement towards reparations is gaining steam, with the US Senate recently apologizing for slavery.
A new study found that road tunnels can concentrate ultrafine particles and pollutants by up to 1000 times, posing serious health risks to occupants. This concentration level is higher than previously reported measurements.
Dr. Julia Kempe is working on future programs to keep data safe from quantum hackers, who could crack encryption codes quickly with the power of quantum computers. She estimates that within the next decade, these new computers could be used for malevolent power if not properly protected.
A nationwide tiger population estimate in Nepal reveals the presence of 121 breeding tigers, a promising sign for conservation efforts. The study employed camera trapping and habitat occupancy surveys to derive information on abundance and distribution.
The World Bank has reaffirmed its support for the ban on tiger trade and called for the phasing out of tiger farms to protect wild tiger populations. The organization urges countries to continue banning domestic trade of wild tigers, citing economic and conservation concerns.
A workshop in Colombia aims to raise awareness and protect communities near the dangerous Galeras volcano through collaboration between scientists, government officials, and local residents. The goal is to develop a consensus on how to mitigate volcanic risks, using existing hazard maps and safety plans with updated research.
A new study by Leveson Consulting estimates NOAA's National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) provides over $2.4 billion in annual economic benefits. Refining the system could net an additional $522 million in annual economic benefits, mainly due to improved accuracy of position and elevation data.
Researchers call for clear communications, external analysis, and a review focusing on quality care to address large-scale medical errors. The authors argue that national guidelines would ensure more timely disclosure and improve patient safety.
The Lancet Editorial highlights the dire humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka, citing higher maternal and infant mortality rates in the Tamil-dominated northeast. The report attributes these inequalities to violence, economic embargo, and discrimination against Tamils.
A new book by Louise Nelson Dyble uncovers corruption and lack of transparency in the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District, a special district responsible for infrastructure spending. The district's history is seen as a case study of how bureaucratic power can lead to accountability issues.
The American Institute of Physics has announced the winners of its 2008 Science Writing Awards, honoring four individuals who have improved the public's understanding of physics and related sciences through their creative endeavors. The award recipients include two scientists, a journalist, and a children's book author.
Commercial weight-loss programs create unrealistic expectations and false beliefs, highlighting the need for regulation. Governments must require accreditation of providers and supply evidence-based information for claims.
The 'Besieged in Britain' report reveals the psychological damage caused by extreme denials of civil liberties, including severe mental health problems and suicide attempts. The policy has led to men being held under house arrest for long periods, subjected to random police searches, and forced to leave their families.
A survey of healthcare professionals revealed overwhelmingly negative opinions on proposals to switch trimethoprim and tamsulosin to over-the-counter availability. Concerns about antibiotic resistance, misdiagnosis, and potential misuse led to strong opposition.
The UK government's three-year anti-obesity initiative has been criticized for allowing commercial sponsorships from companies like PepsiCo and Kelloggs, who contribute to the rising obesity problem. The Lancet Editorial argues that these partnerships are ill-judged and undermine the campaign's goal of behavior change.
The UN has failed to uphold its founding principle of protecting civilians and ensuring medical attention for those injured during conflicts. The Editorial suggests that the medical profession could play a crucial role in advocating for humanitarian health needs, calling on governments and international organizations to take action.
A cross-sectional survey in northern Uganda found that IDPs experience negative effects on physical and mental health due to factors like gender, age, income, distance from home areas, food security, and sense of safety. The study also highlights the importance of emotional support using family ties for better mental health.
The UK Home Office is responsible for the health care of children in detention centres, where many receive inadequate education and healthcare. The Lancet Editorial highlights the appalling failures in care, including missed childhood immunisations and inadequate treatment for illnesses like malaria and sickle-cell disease.
The 'Cradle & Grave' white paper examines seismic changes in birth, health, and death trends, influencing the future administration and Americans contemplating their futures. Gary Stockman highlights outdated assumptions shaping unrealistic expectations and poor choices.
The Chinese early detection system for infectious diseases has identified clusters of bird-flu in humans in real time, providing authorities with early warning of the start of a pandemic. The system has been instrumental in reducing the impact of infectious diseases, with significant gains in life expectancy and infant mortality rates.
China has introduced new regulations for organ transplantation that ban financial rewards for donors and establish safeguards to prevent exploitation. The changes have led to a significant decrease in transplants from dead donors and an increase in living donor transplants.
China is facing significant challenges to health equity, with rural infant mortality rates nearly five times higher than in urban areas. The country has established health insurance schemes, but faces issues with market failures, inadequate government investment, and inequity in social determinants of health.
The new guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week during pregnancy, with benefits including reduced risk of complications and improved long-term child health. Regular postpartum physical activity also supports a woman's overall health and weight management.
Researchers found significant geological stress increase on three major fault systems in China's Sichuan province after the May 12, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The stress brought nearby faults closer to failure and increased the probability of another major earthquake in the region.
A new study suggests that job growth is not the only factor controlling job attainment and poverty rates, as many barriers limit its effectiveness. In small metropolitan areas, jobs had a bigger impact on reducing poverty due to easier access to job opportunities.
The study applies the 12 'late lessons from early warnings' to nanotechnology, concluding that industry and government are repeating past mistakes. The authors call for improved risk research strategies, stakeholder engagement, and a more holistic approach to ensure the safe development of emerging nanotechnologies.
Donor funding to maternal, newborn, and child health has increased by near-doubling in 68 priority countries, with significant rises in child and maternal health support. However, funding fell in some countries, highlighting the need for stabilizing flows to enable governments to make long-term commitments.
A global sanitation fund has been launched, with 32 African countries pledging to spend at least 0.5% of their GDP on sanitation and hygiene. Improved water and sanitation have a tremendous positive impact on health, but sanitation has languished at the bottom of the international agenda for far too long.
Young people in the UK are drinking more than ever before, with nearly half of their alcohol consumed at home. A new editorial emphasizes that parents should take greater responsibility for teaching children about safe drinking habits. Effective strategies include increasing the cost of alcoholic drinks, restricting availability, and r...
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.
A group of UK doctors call on the government to implement folic acid fortification in flour to prevent neural tube defects, which could save around 400 pregnancies annually. They argue that two studies cited as a delay do not support a link between folic acid and colorectal cancer.
The Australian health system is facing significant challenges, including inadequate funding and poor access to care for Indigenous populations. The Editorial argues that a substantial reform program is needed to achieve better health outcomes for all, building on Labor's vision for New Directions in Australian Health.
The UK government has failed to deliver on its promise of more flexible working in the NHS, according to a recent article. The Medical Women's Federation argues that this lack of flexibility has led to increased stress and burnout among medical staff, particularly women who make up nearly 70% of medical students.
The Lancet report highlights Australia's poor indigenous health statistics, including a 17-year gap in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Improving access to quality care, prevention strategies, and increasing the number of indigenous health workers are key recommendations.
The WHO Counts? Series exposes the scandal of invisibility, where millions are born and die without record. The Lancet's editor Dr Richard Horton calls for robust national statistics systems, strong government ministries, and civil society pressure to act.
An Editorial in The Lancet concludes that politicians should focus on evidence-based solutions to prevent hospital-acquired infections, rather than relying on populist measures. Disinfection of high-touch surfaces is a key strategy for reducing HAIs, and efforts should be made to improve hand hygiene among healthcare staff.
A simulation model predicts optimal toll charges to minimize travel time and maximize revenues while reducing traffic jams. The model considers factors such as traveler flexibility and preferences, providing policy makers with a quicker insight into the outcomes of policy measures.
A groundbreaking Canada-US study proves a direct link between atmospheric mercury emissions and mercury in fish, with implications for global environmental protection. The research suggests that reducing mercury emissions can lead to lower levels of mercury in fish within a decade.
The UK government is unlikely to meet its target of reducing MRSA rates by 50% by 2008. The 'mops and matrons' approach has diverted attention from fundamental health management issues, such as inadequate hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers.
A study suggests that JK Rowling's Harry Potter series draws subtle parallels with contemporary society, including the British government's post-9/11 response to terrorism. The author believes that the series reflects unfair and unjustifiable measures taken by the government in the name of the war on terror.
The UK government's 10-year tobacco control efforts have achieved significant progress, but also faced criticism for lacking courage and commitment to implement policies. Smoking remains a major public health issue, despite the government's efforts.
A UGA study finds that weaker nations succeed in 39% of military conflicts, often due to the objective requiring cooperation rather than brute force alone. The model created by Patricia L. Sullivan accurately predicts probabilities of success in 80% of conflicts.