Articles tagged with Government
The new UK alcohol guidelines are unlikely to have a direct impact on drinking, but they do raise awareness of harm. The guidelines present novel information on the link between alcohol and cancer, leading to increased online searches for related terms.
Professor Sitaraman's research on Internet-scale distributed networks has had a far-reaching impact on how people access the internet. He is recognized for his role in creating Akamai network, one of the world's largest CDNs, delivering 15-30% of global web traffic.
A study found that smoking bans worked best in reducing smoking among casual smokers, while high taxes were more effective for heavy users. Combining both policies did not show an additional impact on smoking rates.
A new paper calls for a radical shift in India's healthcare delivery system, prioritizing primary care and strengthening the public sector. The authors identify structural problems with the current system, including high healthcare costs driving millions into poverty, poor quality of care, and inadequate human resources.
The Peruvian government has designated a 3.3 million-acre Amazonian rainforest as a national park, home to thousands of plant and animal species. The creation of the park marks the culmination of 10 years of conservation efforts by The Field Museum and numerous organizations.
Unused prescription drugs contribute to water pollution and drug abuse when flushed down toilets or left in medicine cabinets. Local governments are creating take-back programs to collect pharmaceuticals, requiring drug companies to install containers at pharmacies.
Researchers identify cognitive barriers that hinder pro-vaccination views, including the need for trust in medicine and government. They argue that transparency and efficient science communication can increase public trust in vaccination.
A study found that local government supervisors benefit from training on conceptual leadership skills every 8-9 months, but less frequent training is needed for interpersonal skills. The study suggests that investing in more frequent conceptual skill-building can be a cost-effective way to improve employee performance.
A recent study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that irrigation of cutaneous abscesses did not improve treatment success and may even increase the risk of microbiologic contamination. The study suggests that this procedure may not be necessary, potentially saving time and resources for emergency departments.
A study analyzing civilian deaths in Syria from 2011 to 2015 found that explosive weapons had disproportionate lethal effects on women and children. Children were more likely to be fatal victims of air bombardments, shells, and ground level explosives than men or women.
The South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, threatens US tomato crops with potential crop loss of up to 100%, prompting Virginia Tech-led recommendations for quarantine measures and monitoring programs. World production of tomatoes is approximately 163 million tons annually.
The Sumatran rhinoceros is considered extinct in the wild in Malaysia due to lack of sightings since 2007. The remaining individuals are estimated to be fewer than 100 in Indonesia, with nine in captivity; conservation experts urge increased efforts to save the species.
The UK government's current alcohol guidelines are largely disregarded as they lack relevance to drinkers' habits. Participants preferred separate advice for regular and single occasion drinking, citing lifestyle and responsibilities over health concerns.
Researchers found that county governments in densely populated urban areas are more transparent on their websites if citizens have good Internet access. The study identified factors contributing to government transparency, including internet access, education level, poverty level, minority populations and population density.
A major new review reveals that every country can afford to support its smokers to stop, with effective measures like cytisine, brief advice, telephone helplines, text messaging programs, and books available globally at low cost. Implementing these solutions could save thousands of lives worldwide.
The UK government's 'beyond aid' approach to healthcare investments in developing countries has been criticized for its potential to exacerbate health inequities and poverty. A preliminary analysis found that large corporate hospital chains in emerging economies have received majority of the investment commitments.
A new University of Maryland study has found that online crowdsourced ratings of doctors are representative of a broad spectrum of the patient population, contrary to concerns about 'heckler's veto'. The study suggests that patients who leave poor reviews tend to have less access to the internet or be less familiar with online reviews.
Researchers found that social media can be a powerful tool for emergency preparedness and response, with Twitter playing a key role in spreading news. Social media use during disasters can help connect people with others who have experienced similar situations, providing emotional support and a sense of community.
A team of international volunteers is mapping landslide locations in earthquake-affected Nepal to identify additional hazards. Using satellite data from various sources, they have mapped nearly 1,000 landslides, providing critical information for evacuation and relief efforts.
Despite plateauing emissions, China still faces energy challenges to sustain control over its carbon footprint. The country's transition towards renewable energy and service-oriented economy are key factors in achieving emission-cutting goals.
Research during the Beijing Olympics found a correlation between reduced air pollution and higher birth weights among pregnant women. The study suggests that pollution may interfere with fetal growth, particularly in late pregnancy.
Experts warn that the UK government's plan to fund and increase school rugby participation lacks injury data and prevention programs, putting children at risk. Injuries are common in rugby, with 12% of child players requiring hospitalization, and studies show that tackles are a major cause of injury.
A new study from the University of Iowa found that schools participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's School Breakfast Program have higher achievement scores in math, science, and reading than non-participating schools. This is particularly true for students from low-income families.
The BMJ reports on the widespread corruption in India's private medical colleges, where capitation fees of up to 10 million rupees are paid for admission. This leads to a decrease in government seats and an increase in inequity between rural and urban healthcare standards.
A lack of regulation puts clinical physiologists at risk of causing harm to patients. Clinical physiologists must be properly regulated to ensure patient safety.
A BMJ investigation analyzed 3,494 contracts awarded by Clinical Commissioning Groups in England between 2013 and 2014, showing that non-NHS providers secured 45% of these contracts. NHS providers won 55%, while private sector providers were successful in competitive tender processes and smaller AQP-based contracts.
A new long-term project will systematically record and digitally inventory hieratic and cursive hieroglyphic characters from selected sources. The database will provide search options and facilitate international cooperation, while also offering metadata on sources.
Researchers analyzed NYC lot data to conclude the city has a significantly smaller rat population than previously believed. The estimated 2 million rat count is a more conservative assessment than the widely-cited 8 million figure.
A 3-year study analyzing 53,000 end hosts and 160 countries found a significant relationship between broadband services, pricing, and demand. In developed countries, users can upgrade to faster services when demand increases, but in developing countries, high prices limit adoption and usage.
A new study found that consumers purchase a greater variety of products when they are packaged individually rather than bundled together. Consumers tend to seek more options when choosing from single products, regardless of their preference. The study offers insight for retailers on how to influence consumer behavior and increase sales.
A recent study of 3,009 couples found that same-sex couples with marriage-like commitments have stable unions regardless of government recognition. The study also revealed that same-sex couples experience a similar break-up rate as heterosexual couples.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that people living in more liberal countries are generally happier, with liberals reporting lower well-being. Conservatives, on the other hand, are happier than their liberal counterparts, regardless of where they live or the government's political leanings. The researchers analyz...
According to a study by American College of Emergency Physicians, discharged patients often return to the emergency department because they're anxious about their symptoms. The main reasons cited are fear or uncertainty about their medical condition, distrust in the healthcare system, and difficulties accessing care due to lack of insu...
Experts argue that UK family doctors should embrace email services to improve patient access to primary care. However, concerns have been raised about the safety and efficacy of this approach, with some arguing that it may widen health inequalities and delay critical responses.
South Africa is experiencing its 'Cape Fire Season' with high veld fire danger ratings expected in the north-western interior and along the coast. Prolonged drought and warm, dry winds are fueling the fires, which also pose a risk to farmland and yearly food production.
A new electronic monitoring system is being implemented in England and Wales, combining GPS tracking and radio frequency technology. This system aims to improve the reliability and credibility of offender management, with a focus on reducing recidivism rates.
A Baylor University study found that people living in countries with larger governments tend to be more content, regardless of wealth or socioeconomic status. The study analyzed data from 21 advanced industrialized countries and ranked them by satisfaction levels, with Denmark and Switzerland topping the list.
UK government's active labor market programs increase life satisfaction, happiness, and feelings of life worth among the unemployed, particularly men. These work-oriented programs replicate the paid work environment through features like time structure, social activity, and routine, leading to greater psychosocial resilience.
A survey of UK GPs reveals soaring workloads due to financial hardship among patients, with over two-thirds believing patient health is being harmed by benefit cuts. GPs are also asked to provide medical information for Work Capacity Assessments and help patients appeal against benefits removal.
A new study by Jakana Thomas found that terrorism can work in civil wars, but only if governments allow it to, and that responding with violence prolongs the conflict. The study suggests that negotiating with rebel groups or finding peaceful settlements can lead to a better chance of resolving the conflict.
Low back pain is the leading cause of global disability, affecting nearly one in 10 people worldwide. The condition's prevalence and impact are expected to increase with aging populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Tropical Depression 04W brought moderate rainfall to Palawan, Philippines on March 24. The depression had weakened to a remnant low pressure area by then, moving through the Sulu Sea. NASA's TRMM satellite showed heavy rainfall rates of up to 1.2 inches per hour in the region.
Experts warn that scrapping the alcohol duty escalator would lead to more affordable drinks, increasing alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions. The UK is facing over 8,700 alcohol-related deaths annually, with £21 billion cost to society.
Carnegie Mellon University's Paul Eiss explores the 'narcomedia,' digital messaging used by Mexican drug cartels and government forces, revealing a nuanced conflict with shades of gray. The use of narcomessages has increased violence, physical attacks on journalists, and censorship.
A new MIT study found that passengers of low-cost upstarts tend to complain less about service quality than network carriers. In a study published in the Journal of Air Transport Management, Michael Wittman tallied airline-related complaints made to the U.S. Department of Transportation from 2002 to 2012.
NASA's TRMM satellite measured heavy rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour in the northeastern Van Dieman Gulf and northwestern Arnhem Region. The system is affecting parts of Northern Territory with damaging winds and heavy rainfall warnings issued.
A recent study found that three out of five hospital meals exceed salt levels of a Big Mac, leading to concerns about malnutrition. The government's voluntary initiatives have failed to improve food standards, wasting over £54 million since 1992.
Three new lizards from Peru have been identified as distinct species using a combination of molecular, ecological, and morphological analyses. The study demonstrates the feasibility of discovering new species with limited resources, highlighting the importance of stable scientific names for biodiversity conservation.
A new commentary highlights the devastating impact of sequestration on the Indian Health Service, perpetuating longstanding health care disparities. Funding cuts lead to rationing of services, contributing to a 4.1-year gap in life expectancy compared to mainstream Americans, with alarming rates of alcoholism, diabetes, and mortality.
A recent study published in PLoS ONE analyzes how financial connections affect economic crises and suggests modifying links between entities to increase robustness. The research highlights the importance of addressing relationships between banks, rather than just focusing on individual entity capital requirements.
High drug expenses in Canada hinder treatment access and outcomes due to copayments and limited coverage. A universal drug program could address these issues with a national agency implementing a comprehensive solution.
Residents of Mexico's eastern and western coast are experiencing double tropical trouble as two storms, TD13E and Ingrid, form in the Pacific Ocean. The storms have the potential to drop up to 20 inches of rain, causing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
A study by USC researchers found that 20% of tweets contain location data, including active location monitoring and ambient location data. The researchers developed an app, Twitter2GIS, to analyze metadata and map user locations.
A recent UCSB study analyzed whole-body fish samples from oil-and-gas production platforms and natural sites for heavy metal pollutants. The results showed that most elements were consistently present at both types of locations, with some species exhibiting varying levels of pollutants between juveniles and adults.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured multiple images of fire and smoke from Canadian wildfires on July 4, 2013, revealing hot spots that appear red in the image. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument detected plumes of smoke blowing across many provinces and out over the Atlantic Ocean.
A new University of Missouri study found that countries with freedom of information (FOI) laws tend to have lower corruption rates than those without. Having an FOI law is linked to higher levels of human development and can help prevent corruption over time.
A study found that state healthcare price websites have room for improvement to better inform patients about out-of-pocket costs. The researchers recommend focusing on predictable services with deductibles and presenting quality information alongside prices.
A study by Michael F. Jacobson found that voluntary reductions in sodium levels in processed and restaurant foods were inconsistent and slow between 2005 and 2011. Despite some products showing significant decreases, a larger number of products saw increases in sodium content.
Research by Adam Meirowitz and Joshua Tucker suggests that protesters may lose motivation to take to the streets if they experience repeated failure or corruption in a new government. The study proposes a dynamic model of protest, taking into account the uncertainty people face when dealing with unfamiliar democratic systems.
The UK government's decision to promote abstinence for drug users is being challenged by experts who claim it prioritizes cost savings over scientific evidence. The 'recovery model' encourages patients to reduce and stop all addictive drugs, despite overwhelming evidence showing that maintenance therapy is more effective.