Articles tagged with Government
A UT professor's study found that economic inequality increases both the rich and poor becoming more conservative, reducing support for government programs. The study analyzed hundreds of thousands of survey responses from 1952 to 2006, revealing a self-perpetuating phenomenon.
The Lancet Series on Critical Care assesses the future of intensive care services amid increasing demand. Authors highlight the need for improved productivity, prevention efforts, and better-designed studies to address challenges in rationing care.
Tropical Depression 16 has strengthened due to cold cloud top temperatures, indicating stronger thunderstorms. The storm is expected to bring heavy rains and squally conditions to the Caribbean before moving towards Florida.
A new study from the journal Financial Management found that politically connected firms enjoy higher leverage, lower taxes, and regulatory protection. This study highlights the benefits of having government ties for corporate success, suggesting distortions in public resource allocation are common globally.
A rare saola was photographed for the first time in over a decade in Laos, shedding light on its critically endangered status. The species, found only in dense forests along the Lao/Vietnamese border, is one of the most threatened large mammals globally.
A legal analysis by Lawrence O. Gostin asserts the health insurance mandate is constitutional due to federal powers regulating interstate commerce and taxation. The mandate's tax penalty is seen as essential for expanding healthcare access and correcting market failures, making it a key component of health reform.
A study predicts that privatizing Sweden's government monopoly on alcohol sales will increase total consumption by 17-37%, leading to more deaths, assaults, and drunk driving offences. The changes may also reduce state revenue.
Donna Nelson, a University of Oklahoma professor, has been selected as a 2010 American Chemical Society Fellow for her contributions to the chemical sciences and outstanding service. She is recognized for her research on minorities in academe and functionalizing single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Recent Mexican drug control efforts have led to a significant drop in methamphetamine treatment admissions in Mexico and neighboring Texas. Researchers attribute the decline primarily to import controls on pseudoephedrine precursor chemicals.
The American Chemical Society has named 192 distinguished scientists as 2010 ACS Fellows, including professionals from top institutions. The recognition honors their achievements in chemistry and contributions to the scientific community.
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.