Articles tagged with Government
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
A national survey found that 80% of Canadians agree the food industry should reduce salt content in food. The majority supported public health interventions, such as lowering sodium in grocery foods and educating consumers about healthy eating habits. However, there was little support for taxation or subsidies related to sodium reduction.
A new report from Michigan State University reveals nearly two-and-a-half times more actual cases of work-related amputations than the federal government's official estimate. The study emphasizes the importance of using multiple data sources to track workplace injuries and illnesses.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal advocates for regulating sugary drinks to combat obesity. New York City's 16-ounce limit is seen as a successful model, and critics argue that similar measures can be taken without threatening personal choice.
An experimental study by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid found that income redistribution in the welfare state is not based on a consensus to relieve misfortune, but rather due to fear of unequal treatment. The researchers concluded that the social contract supporting the welfare state is fragile and lacks a Hobbesian element.
A recent study by George Bizer and colleagues found that negatively framed political attitudes are stronger than positively framed attitudes, particularly when people process the messages deeply. This effect is strengthened when people think more deeply about the issues involved.
A general practitioner shares her frustrating experience with a bureaucratic sickness benefit system. The system requires patients to wait on hold, answer lengthy questions, and provide multiple documents, which can be overwhelming for those who are already unwell.
Dr. Gordon E. Brown, Jr. receives the prestigious AGI Ian Campbell Medal for his groundbreaking work on synchrotron technology and its applications in environmental science. His research has focused on addressing societal issues through innovative geochemical reactions and remediation of contaminated sites.
A $20 billion funding boost has been made towards improving women's and children's health, with $10 billion already spent. The funding gap between initial pledges and actual spending remains significant, highlighting the need for better targeting of funds to areas of greatest need.
Niger's child mortality rate nearly halves from 226 deaths per 1000 live births to 128 deaths per 1000 live births, with 60,000 children's lives saved in 2009. Low-cost interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets and vitamin A supplementation contribute to the country's success.
A government-regulated approach could effectively measure to prevent obesity by addressing excess calorie consumption through portion size control. The proposal aims to encourage food companies to voluntarily alter products or marketing to reduce health risks.
The National Science Foundation awards a $2.3 million scholarship program at Kansas State University to train students in cybersecurity, as the nation faces growing cyber threats. The program aims to develop experts capable of handling cybersecurity challenges and safeguard critical infrastructure.
Oscar Loayza, a conservationist with the Wildlife Conservation Society's Madidi Program, has been recognized for his work on strengthening indigenous participation in protected area management. His initiatives led to improved governance and consolidated indigenous territorial rights in Bolivia's Madidi National Park.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has released a list of Asian species at the conservation crossroads, calling for governments to take immediate action. These species face daunting challenges from habitat loss, hunting, and trade, but WCS believes they can be saved using the 'three R's approach: recognition, responsibility, and recovery.
The Australian government has created the world's first continent-wide mineral maps using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER) data. These maps provide highly accurate information on rock and soil mineral components, revolutionizing the search for mineral deposits.
A new study published in Addiction journal reveals that even occasional ecstasy use can lead to memory impairments, particularly with damage to the hippocampus. The research found that participants who took ten or more pills over their first year showed decreased function of immediate and short-term memory.
A new study by UCLA psychologists reveals that low-income individuals hold traditional values towards marriage and divorce, similar to those of the middle class and rich. However, their lower marriage rates and higher out-of-wedlock births remain unexplained, as values do not always predict behavior.
A new MSU study suggests that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should intervene in the stock market only when external financial disruptions make it difficult for large shareholders to fend off speculators. The study finds that such interventions are rare and should be temporary.
A study found that First Nations children and those from families receiving government subsidies had significantly more visits to emergency departments for mental health crises. These visits were often due to anxiety- or stress-related disorders, emotional or behavioural issues from substance abuse, or unspecific diagnoses.
Research predicts a modest decline in global smoking prevalence to 22% by 2030 without government intervention, but a significant drop to 13% if World Health Organization (WHO) measures are adopted. This could lead to millions of premature deaths prevented.
A Michigan State University researcher found that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test is not reliable in measuring civics knowledge. The test questions are randomly selected from a pool of 100, but no data has been released on their reliability or validity.
Skiers and snowboarders in Canada face inadequate protection from current helmet standards, which are less stringent than US and European ones. Health experts call for stricter regulations to ensure helmets can withstand multiple impacts and provide superior protection for various head sizes and weights.
A regional survey of 1500 NHS junior doctors found that they are willing and able to contribute to improving health services, but lack support and recognition. The survey results highlight the need for the government and NHS organisations to value and engage junior doctors to optimise organisational performance.