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Patient satisfaction, caregiver communication can reduce risk of hospital readmission

A survey of patients found that those reporting higher levels of patient satisfaction with their care were significantly less likely to be readmitted. Good communication with healthcare providers was also linked to a lower risk of readmission. The study highlights the importance of engaging patients in an assessment of their communicat...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalBMJ Quality & Safety·DateDec 11, 2017

Cutbacks in foreign aid for HIV treatment would produce great harm, generate few savings

A 33% cutback in U.S. foreign aid for HIV treatment and prevention programs in South Africa and Côte d'Ivoire would result in devastating health and economic consequences, including over 500,000 additional cases of HIV and 1.6 million more deaths in the next decade. The study suggests that such cuts would produce proportionally greater...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 28, 2017

Study estimates number of births, population prevalence of Down syndrome in nine states

A new study estimates the numbers of children born annually with Down syndrome and the prevalence of the condition in each of the nine US states. The study found that live birth prevalence ranged from 1 in 729 to 1 in 1,256 across the states, while elective termination reduced the number of births by an average of 39%.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateAug 28, 2017

Mass. General report outlines strategies to address racial, ethnic health care disparities

The report identifies five essential domains for successfully addressing disparities: knowing who to involve, shaping organizational culture, creating urgency and a vision, engaging the organization and audience, and harnessing the power of a collaborative network. These strategies were developed by participants in the Massachusetts Ge...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJun 12, 2017

Mass. General researchers provide evidence linking 'leaky gut' to chronic inflammation

Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital have established a direct link between increased intestinal permeability and chronic inflammatory diseases. The study provides evidence that zonulin-dependent modulation of small-intestinal permeability enhances antigen trafficking, leading to the development of an inflammatory disease.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2017

Frequent dining out may lead to food budget-busting behaviors

A study by Penn State researcher Amit Sharma found that people who frequently dine out tend to under-estimate their spending and then raise their budgets, leading to over-spending habits. The results show that mental budgeting may cause consumers to discount the future and place higher value on current consumption.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Hospitality & Tourism Research·DateMar 21, 2017

Primary care physicians more likely to recommend careers as nurse practitioners

A recent survey of primary care clinicians reveals that more physicians would recommend careers as nurse practitioners than as primary care physicians, driven by the need for greater clarity about roles and a shift in how clinician's view their careers. The study suggests that efforts to bolster the workforce should focus on reimaginin...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAcademic Medicine·DateJan 6, 2015

New York City security may be underfunded

A study by Northwestern University suggests that New York City received less Homeland Security funding than optimal in 2009, translating to a potential net increase of $15 million to $92 million. The researchers analyzed budgets for five fiscal years and found Chicago underfunded while Los Angeles overfunded.

Krill discovered living in the Antarctic abyss

Scientists have discovered Antarctic krill thriving in deep waters, down to 3000 meters, contrary to earlier assumptions about their surface-dwelling nature. This finding sheds light on the complex behavior of marine organisms and highlights the importance of exploring the deep sea to understand our planet.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 25, 2008

Stimulating the appetite can lead to unrelated impulse purchases

Researchers discovered that appetitive stimuli can induce a shared state in consumers, leading them to choose smaller, sooner options in unrelated domains. In experiments, women were more likely to splurge on clothing after smelling chocolate chip cookies, and made unplanned purchases when exposed to the scent of a cookie-scented candle.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 8, 2008