Category: Interesting Links

How Fleas Manage Their Spectacular Jumps, and Other Links

The flea can jump as high as 38 times its body length. They withstand 100 times the force of gravity.

The market for health products that rely on virtual reality (VR) — including robot-assisted surgery — was $670 million in 2010. Since 2006, the compound annual growth rate for VR products has been 10 percent.

Requiring fast-food restaurants in New York City to post calorie counts on menus did little to cut the number of calories children and teens consumed. Surprise: Calorie info didn’t make cheeseburgers and fries tastier than spinach salad.

Feb 18, 2011 | 7 comments | by John Goodman

White House Calls for Social Security Talks, and Other News

Surprise: White House calls for talks with Congress on Social Security…

…and Medicare. And Medicaid.

Older adults use a disproportionate share of medical services, yet one in five clinical trials excludes them.

Over-the-counter birth control pills in Washington, D.C.

A 1% increase in life expectancy results in an average 6% increase in total GDP in the long run, and 5% increase in GDP per capita. (HT to Jason Shafrin)

Feb 17, 2011 | 11 comments | by John Goodman

Does Malaria Cause Low IQ?, and Other News

Does malaria cause low IQ? Bill Gates says yes. HT to Alex Tabarrok and Tyler Cowen, who reviewed the literature.

If you need insurance to drive a car, shouldn’t you have insurance to cover your dog? A Texas legislator is proposing just that.

The news story: removal of lymph nodes for certain women with breast cancer is ineffective and harmful. The ethics story: some doctors have known the study results for months and felt no need to spread the word quickly to other hospitals and patients. (HT to Paul Levy at THCB)

Doctors complaints about patients: They don’t do what they are told (37%) and they don’t respect doctors as much as they used to (70%).

Feb 16, 2011 | 5 comments | by John Goodman

Only 51 Senate Votes Needed to Repeal ObamaCare, and Other News

Only 51 Senate votes are needed to repeal ObamaCare. Keith Hennessey: Democrats passed it with reconciliation; Republicans can repeal it the same way.

CBO: Obama care will cost 800,000 workers.

Fact-checking the Secretary. Sebelius responds to the states.

Between August 2009 and December 2010, the electronic health records of more than 6 million individuals were compromised. 61 percent of those security breaches were the result of malicious intent.

Health Savings Account paired with a wellness program.

Feb 14, 2011 | 8 comments | by John Goodman

How the Flu Spreads Among Kids, and Other Links

How flu spreads among kids. Neat chart.

Winners have more testosterone than losers. At least in wrestling.

Least surprising study result of the new year: Kids with low self-control were more likely to later be dependent on drugs or alcohol, to have lower incomes, to be single parents and to have been convicted of a crime.

Back pain is the 9th most expensive hospital cost. 3.4 million emergency department visits – an average of 9,400 a day.

Patients want a diagnosis and a cure they can’t get from any other doctor. But 80% of the time the NIH can’t help them either.

Feb 10, 2011 | 5 comments | by Devon Herrick

House to Vote to Block Funds for ObamaCare, and Other News

House to vote next week to block health funds for ObamaCare.

Fact-checking Obama’s interview with O’Reilly. Many missteps.

Southeast Asian countries are attracting about two million international patients a year. The value of global medical tourism will reach $100 billion in 2012.

Proposal: Adult Chinese children would be required by law to regularly visit their elderly parents. If they do not, parents can sue them.

Mexico has universal coverage. It only costs $200 per person.

Should you be able to photograph or tape the birth of your own child? Some hospitals say no.

Feb 09, 2011 | 6 comments | by John Goodman

Snow Shovel Shape May Affect Your Risk of Heart Attack, and Other News

Can the shape of your snow shovel impact your chances of having a heart attack while shoveling your walk? Maybe.

New theory: Obesity rates are high because people spend too much time indoors where the temperature is toasty warm.

A dog named “Marine” can detect colorectal cancer with 95% to 98% accuracy. See previous post on the Gambian pouched rat (used to detect tuberculosis).

Feb 08, 2011 | 5 comments | by Devon Herrick

Sentences to Ponder

The digestive system contains a network of millions of nerve cells that operates as an autonomous second brain.

In an audacious twist on the concept of fighting fire with fire, scientists have developed a provocative strategy of fighting cancer with cancer.

What causes baldness: a progenitor (stem) cell.

Feb 07, 2011 | 5 comments | by John Goodman

Super Bowl May Be Hazardous to Your Health, and Other News

The Super Bowl may be a health risk. Being a fan of the losing team is bad for your heart.

Marriage doesn’t make people happier. Happy people are more likely to get married.

Do attractive women really make men stupider? Yes.

Scientists are working on a vaccine against cocaine.

Is there such a thing as a fecal transplant? Yes.

Is it dangerous to take expired prescription medications? Typically no.

Feb 04, 2011 | 6 comments | by Devon Herrick

Headlines I Wish I Hadn’t Seen

Oyster fans: slurp them up. They’re heading toward extinction.

Sen. Sanders: “Get Rid of the Private Health Care Companies”

Feb 04, 2011 | 5 comments | by John Goodman