Title: Twitter Broadening Discussions About Death, Grief: Study
Category: Health News
Created: 8/20/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/22/2016 12:00:00 AM

Title: Gene Therapy Makes Inroads Against a Form of Hemophilia
Category: Health News
Created: 7/22/2022 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 7/22/2022 12:00:00 AM

A cyberterrorism charge in Pakistan connected to riots in the UK illustrates how authorities are reaching across borders to tackle disinformation, but bringing overseas suspects to justice won't always be possible

Call of Duty fans are impressed by Black Ops 6 Season 1 already, calling it the 'best Season 1 roadmap' since 2019's Modern Warfare reboot and you can find out below why they're saying it

The government of Canada has announced significant investments to improve connectivity in British Columbia and Alberta over the past two days. That includes combined federal and provincial funding of C$112 million to bring high speed internet access to more than 22,500 households in Alta. and another $37 million for 7,500 households in B.C.. The households, […]

The post Government of Canada announces major broadband investments in the west first appeared on ITBusiness.ca.

Archaeologists have discovered a "remarkable" section of one of Britain's most important Roman roads in southeast London.

Signal decoders are vital components in radio broadcasting. Without them, the transmission and reception of clear audio or data would be impossible. They take what is essentially noise and turn it into coherent, useful information. Having worked with radio broadcasting systems for some time, I’ve seen firsthand how essential decoders are to maintaining communication networks. […]

The post How Signal Decoders Are Used in Radio Broadcasting appeared first on Chart Attack.

Ars speaks with users and partners unhappy with Broadcom's changes.

Caitlin Clark took more than her fair share of verbal abuse during the WNBA season. Now, even though the season has long since passed, she's still taking abuse.

The post Knicks Legend Throws Shade at Caitlin Clark During Live Broadcast appeared first on Breitbart.

Chicken was once an expensive delicacy. In 1928, America’s quest for a better diet and a better standard of living was summarized by the campaign promise of “a chicken in every pot.” Today, chicken is a ubiquitous, low-cost source of protein, which we largely take for granted. Despite depletion of ocean-based stocks, fish hold similar potential. To begin this transformation, FDA must approve a scientifically-based innovative product—a faster growing genetically-engineered (GE) Atlantic salmon. When FDA Matters wrote about this subject 18 months ago, I believed the agency was near to approval of this first-ever food product from a GE animal. It is still not resolved and there are implications for all innovations that require FDA approval.

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article on the use of “Big Data” to identify and solicit potential clinical trial participants. The premise is that large consumer data aggregators like Experian can target patients with certain diseases through correlations with non-health behavior. Examples given include “a preference for jazz” being associated with arthritis and “shopping online for clothes” being an indicator of obesity.

We've seen this story before.

In this way, allegedly, clinical trial patient recruitment companies can more narrowly target their solicitations* for patients to enroll in clinical trials.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I should mention that I was interviewed by the reporter of this article, although I am not quoted. My comments generally ran along three lines, none of which really fit in with the main storyline of the article:

1. I am highly skeptical that these analyses are actually effective at locating patients
   
2. These methods aren't really new – they’re the same tactics that direct marketers have been using for years
   
3. Most importantly, the clinical trials community can – and should – be moving towards open and collaborative patient engagement. Relying on tactics like consumer data snooping and telemarketing is an enormous step backwards.

The first point is this: certainly some diseases have correlates in the real world, but these correlates tend to be pretty weak, and are therefore unreliable predictors of disease. Maybe it’s true that those struggling with obesity tend to buy more clothes online (I don’t know if it’s true or not – honestly it sounds a bit more like an association built on easy stereotypes than on hard data). But many obese people will not shop online (they will want to be sure the clothes actually fit), and vast numbers of people with low or average BMIs will shop for clothes online.  So the consumer data will tend to have very low predictive value. The claims that liking jazz and owning cats are predictive of having arthritis are even more tenuous. These correlates are going to be several times weaker than basic demographic information like age and gender. And for more complex conditions, these associations fall apart.

Marketers claim to solve this by factoring a complex web of associations through a magical black box – th WSJ article mentions that they “applied a computed algorithm” to flag patients. Having seen behind the curtain on a few of these magic algorithms, I can confidently say that they are underwhelming in their sophistication. Hand-wavy references to Big Data and Algorithms are just the tools used to impress pharma clients. (The down side to that, of course, is that you can’t help but come across as big brotherish – see this coverage from Forbes for a taste of what happens when people accept these claims uncritically.)

But the effectiveness of these data slice-n-dicing activities is perhaps beside the point. They are really just a thin cover for old-fashioned boiler room tactics: direct mail and telemarketing. When I got my first introduction to direct marketing in the 90’s, it was the exact same program – get lead lists from big companies like Experian, then aggressively mail and call until you get a response.

The limited effectiveness and old-school aggressiveness of these programs comes is nicely illustrated in the article by one person’s experience:

Larna Godsey, of Wichita, Kan., says she received a dozen phone calls about a diabetes drug study over the past year from a company that didn't identify itself. Ms. Godsey, 63, doesn't suffer from the disease, but she has researched it on the Internet and donated to diabetes-related causes. "I don't know if it's just a coincidence or if they're somehow getting my information," says Ms. Godsey, who filed a complaint with the FTC this year.

The article notes that one recruitment company, Acurian, has been the subject of over 500 FTC complaints regarding its tactics. It’s clear that Big Data is just the latest buzzword lipstick on the telemarketing pig. And that’s the real shame of it.

We have arrived at an unprecedented opportunity for patients, researchers, and private industry to come together and discuss, as equals, research priorities and goals. Online patient communities like Inspire and PatientsLikeMe have created new mechanisms to share clinical trial opportunities and even create new studies. Dedicated disease advocates have jumped right into the world of clinical research, with groups like the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Michael J. Fox Foundation no longer content with raising research funds, but actively leading the design and operations of new studies.

Some – not yet enough – pharmaceutical companies have embraced the opportunity to work more openly and honestly with patient groups. The scandal of stories like this is not the Wizard of Oz histrionics of secret computer algorithms, but that we as an industry continue to take the low road and resort to questionable boiler room tactics.

It’s past time for the entire patient recruitment industry to drop the sleaze and move into the 21st century. I would hope that patient groups and researchers will come together as well to vigorously oppose these kinds of tactics when they encounter them.

Apr 12, 2024

The share of Russians who would like to leave Russia for permanent residence in another country has reached a record low, according to the results of a national poll conducted by Russia’s Levada Center on March 21-27, 2024.  Of the countries Russians were eager to relocate to, the U.S. topped the list (11%), followed by Germany (8%) and Italy and Turkey (6% each). China ranked 10-11 along with Canada.That seven out of the top 11 countries Russians would like to relocate to are members of the collective West, with 46% interested in moving to these countries, also shows the limits of the Kremlin’s efforts to instill anti-Western sentiments in the Russian public.

Apr 18, 2024

This was originally published in The Hill on April 18, 2024.

Singer Austin Mahone teams up with The Allstate Foundation to encourage smart teen driving through its #GetThereSafe program.

Enjoy the Road This Winter with Helpful Tips

Gary Sinise and nearly 100 WWII veterans mark the opening to the newest exhibit at the National WWII Museum. Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries, retraces the grueling trail that led from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay. Through personal narratives, artifacts and oral histories, the exhibit tells the story of the American spirit that carried the day.

Check out Waze’s latest updates, including Conversational Reporting.

Amazon is developing smart eyeglasses aimed at enhancing the efficiency of its delivery drivers during the final stage of package deliveries. These glasses, still under development, will feature a small screen to provide turn-by-turn navigation. This innovation is intended to guide

Moving BBC World News, the BBC's largest television channel, from west London to New Broadcasting House in the centre of the city is a huge project that has taken years of planning.

Relaunching and rebranding every hour of its 24 hours of output to give audiences around the world a new exciting polished HD product has made that huge project even more challenging.

Hopefully on Monday at 1200 GMT, the hard work of our 100 dedicated staff will give our audiences a bolder, brighter, more engaging look for the channel they trust to give them independent, objective news and analysis from more correspondents, in more locations, than any other international broadcaster.

Meticulous planning began about three years ago - everything from the new look of our studios to bicycle parking. We tested our studio systems - literally to breaking point - then fixed them and began the dual-running piloting that has split our newsroom teams between those keeping us on air back at Television Centre and those training and developing our programmes in our new home.

We're calling our new location The World's Newsroom because it truly reflects the world we report. We now work with colleagues from 27 language services who report for us from far flung bureaus and in London, allowing us to celebrate their unique expertise - something no other broadcaster can offer.

We'll be introducing you to those new colleagues and our new location in special live reports from inside New Broadcasting House and offering enhanced social media access so you can enjoy behind-the-scenes access.

Audiences have also told us they want to engage more with the stories we tell - to feel closer to the issues we report. We're going to help you "live the story" with us. It's our new channel ethos.

Our correspondents - expert, brave, tough, determined - live and work where they report, and we want audiences to understand their passion for the stories they cover. So expect a new style of reporting from the field. And we'll be everywhere for our relaunch with live and exclusive reports planned from Syria, China, the US and Burma to name just a few.

In the studio, trusted and familiar presenters will be sharing the day's top stories - with a sprinkling of new faces on air. We'll have a more dynamic look, with robot cameras whizzing around our studios, improved graphics and high definition screens to enhance our ability to explain and analyse. We even have some virtual reality surprises planned.

We're also developing new long-form programmes, so expect to see new hard-hitting and timely documentary series. There'll be fresh new editions of favourites such as HARDTalk with Stephen Sackur (our interrogator-in-chief), Click for the latest on tech and Health Check for medical breakthroughs.

BBC World News has come a long way since it launched as a shoestring commercial operation in a backroom at Television Centre more than 20 years ago. Our audiences have grown massively. We're required viewing from the President's White House in Washington to the President's Blue House in Seoul. And in an era when bad mortgages in the US can trigger a global economic meltdown, we know there is a huge appetite for world news delivered fast, accurately and objectively.

We hope you'll enjoy our new look. And we hope you'll join us in the world's newsroom.

Andrew Roy is head of news for BBC World News

China has set out the priorities of the Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Mechanism (BRITACOM) Council over the next five years, at the 36-country grouping's second forum.

China has set out the priorities of the Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Mechanism (BRITACOM) Council over the next five years, at the 36-country grouping's second forum.

SIRIUS XM To Broadcast 'Doctor Radio Reports: The Skinny On Dieting'

The much vaunted climate change conference has come to an end at Bali, Indonesia, on an almost anticlimactic note.

Introducing systems that ensure safe surgery can reduce Surgical Site Infection (SSI). This will help to reduce the financial burden on health services

Everyone could have access to clean energy within nine years if countries improve investments, according to new UN reports released. Annual investments

In a tragic road accident in Uttarakhand's capital, six students lost their lives in a collision between a truck and an Innova car.

ACB filed a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act following an investigation into irregularities in the construction of the Mughal Road. The case involves alleged collusion between a Chief Engineer and a construction company, leading to financial losses for the government.

It’s become a common refrain in political discourse: Europe needs to take radical action to remain competitive. On the long list of potential reforms, one that’s gaining particular traction is a new, EU-wide corporate status for innovative companies. Known (somewhat obscurely) as the “28th regime,” the innovation is being billed as Europe’s answer to a […]

© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

One of the most attention-grabbing aspects of “Roadrunner,” the Morgan Neville-directed documentary about Anthony Bourdain, was Neville’s use of generative AI to replicate Bourdain’s voice. Looking back now, Neville told Wired that he saw this as a “fun” way to “keep [Bourdain’s] voice going in the film.” But his approach drew intense criticism — while […]

© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.

has held that the writ petition is not maintainable in Patna High Court CWJC No.5157 of 2020 dt.11-11-2024 view of the judgment rendered by this Court in Sidheshwar Prasad (supra) as also the decision of the learned Division Bench of this Court in the case of Rajeshwar Prasad v. The State of Bihar and Others [L.P.A. No. 822 of 2015] and accordingly it was disposed off giving liberty to the petitioner of the said writ petition to file appropriate petition under the Act, 1947. The copy of the said order has also been brought on record as Annexure-E to the supplementary counter affidavit.

6. Dr. Anand, learned counsel for the Corporation also countered the submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioner on the point of merit(s).

Beijing is beating back international criticism of its treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang with a propaganda push on Facebook, Twitter and the big screen. Here’s how China’s campaign against Western brands is aimed at audiences at home and abroad. Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters

Dash cams are extremely useful safety accessories, especially for markets like India where roads are full of surprises. A dash cam can be useful to document critical events, such as road rage, incorrect "challans" and video evidence to file an insurance

German luxury carmaker Mercedes has launched the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E-Performance sedan in India. The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E-Performance is priced at Rs 1.95 crore (ex-showroom) and is the 14th and final product launch for the German marque for

This is the third opening of the 10.5 km long coastal road project within a period of three months

Oxford : Oxford University Press, [2021]

London : Faber & Faber (Plays), 1999.

Wiesbaden : Harrassowitz Verlag, 2021.

Durham : Duke University Press, [2023]

The spirited 22-year-old woman, who earned the sobriquet Radioben, was an integral part of the underground radio service during the Quit India movement

Established in 1956, Hotel Broadway hosted diplomats, politicians, artists, and writers till it closed in 2020. It is now gearing up for another innings, starting with the reopening of Chor Bizarre featuring a longer menu, but the same music playlist

W. S. Habib, secretary, CREDAI Chennai, and managing director, RWD, talks to Vishal Menon about the factors affecting the city’s realty market in the near future

Stephen Ornes explores the technological and physiological challenges facing scientists as they endeavour to get humans to the red planet by the 2030s

Tootoo, Jordin, 1983- author