ScienceDaily: Government Regulation News

Collecting DNA for human rights: How to help while safeguarding privacy

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:50:50 EDT

DNA databases might help identify victims of crime and human trafficking, but how do we safeguard the personal privacy of innocent victims and family members? A new report identifies a number of key challenges to consider as experts develop such programs.

Salt levels in food still dangerously high

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:40:40 EDT

The dangerously high salt levels in processed food and fast food remain unchanged, despite numerous calls from health agencies for the food industry to voluntarily reduce sodium. Excess sodium in the diet is a major cause of high blood pressure and prematurely kills up to 150,000 people in the US each year. The government must regulate sodium, the study says.

Many entrepreneurs claim to care about sustainability, yet make decisions that are harmful to environment

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:53:53 EDT

Many entrepreneurs claim that they care about sustainability, yet they make decisions that are harmful to the environment. Economic researchers have discovered that many bosses do indeed have firm convictions -- but that they unconsciously disengage their values from their business actions. The type of entrepreneur most likely to fall into this category are those who perceive themselves as highly influential or who are operating in a challenging industry environment.

Poultry drug increases levels of toxic arsenic in chicken meat

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:50:50 EDT

Chickens likely raised with arsenic-based drugs result in chicken meat that has higher levels of inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen, according to a new study.

How state and local governments can address the obesity epidemic

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:21:21 EDT

Researchers suggest that simple and innovative measures at the state and local level can play a significant role in promoting healthier eating habits.

Millions pass up free health subsidy

Mon, 06 May 2013 18:17:17 EDT

Low-income Medicare beneficiaries with poorer cognitive abilities are less likely to enroll in the Low Income Subsidy program, which provides nearly free prescription drug coverage for low-income adults. The findings suggest that even when presented with a single dominant option in the form of free additional drug coverage, many seniors fail to act in their own economic interests.

Researchers outline concerns about unproven stem cell therapies

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:46:46 EDT

An international group of leading stem cell researchers has issued a statement that specifies concerns about the development and use of unproven stem cell therapies. The commentary is published ahead of a debate in the Italian parliament on whether to change a recent law that allows certain untested stem cell therapies to be used by the public health system. The authors of the commentary argue that rigorous clinical testing and regulation of stem cell therapies are essential to introduce safe and effective medical interventions for patients.

Unethical advertising at launch of new antidepressants in Sweden

Thu, 02 May 2013 09:36:36 EDT

The new feature of the antidepressant drugs of the 1990s was that they had milder side-effects than their predecessors. Combined with aggressive marketing, this meant that annual sales in Sweden increased from just under EUR 18 million to over EUR 100 million in the space of just a few years.

Agencies should use common approach to evaluate risks pesticides pose to endangered species

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:16:16 EDT

When determining the potential effects pesticides could pose to endangered or threatened species, the US Environmental Protection Agency, National Marine Fisheries Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service should use a common scientific approach, says a new report.

Common component strategy could improve profits

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:49:49 EDT

Manufacturing using common components can actually reduce product line cannibalization, a finding that could allow firms to improve profits, says new research.

Retirement expert: Medicare already means-tested

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:49:49 EDT

The Obama administration's controversial proposal to means-test Medicare recipients has one small problem -- the Medicare program is already means-tested, says an expert on retirement benefits.

The politics of climate change

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:05:05 EDT

US residents who believe in the scientific consensus on global warming are more likely to support government action to curb emissions, regardless of whether they are Republican or Democrat, according to a new study.

U.S. health insurance survey: 84 million people were uninsured for a time or underinsured in 2012

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:38:38 EDT

84 million people -- nearly half of working-age US adults -- went without health insurance for a time last year or had out-of-pocket costs that were so high relative to income they were considered underinsured.

Study reveals alcohol industry tactics to influence alcohol policy reform in Scotland

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:27:27 EDT

The alcohol industry misrepresented international evidence on effective alcohol control measures in an attempt to influence the Scottish Government's public health policy to its advantage, according to new research.

More efforts needed to regulate dietary supplements, experts urge

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:49:49 EDT

Dietary supplements accounted for more than half the Class 1 drugs recalled by the US Food and Drug Administration from 2004-12, meaning they contained substances that could cause serious health problems or even death, a new study has found.

Should doctors be involved in the concealed-weapons permit process?

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:55:55 EDT

Experts have discussed the medical, ethical, and legal concerns about physician involvement in concealed weapons permits. They argue that standards, protocols and new policies are needed for physicians to adequately assess a patient’s physical or mental competency in concealed-weapons permitting.

Is there a future for a privacy-friendly Internet?

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:46:46 EDT

A privacy-friendly Internet might be possible in the future according to an academic.

New emissions standards would fuel shift from coal to natural gas

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:48:48 EDT

Tougher EPA air-quality standards could spur an increased shift away from coal and toward natural gas for electricity generation, according to a new study. Complying with stricter regulations on sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and mercury may make nearly two-thirds of the U.S. coal-fired power plants as expensive to run as plants powered by natural gas. The regulations would make 65 percent of U.S. coal plants as expensive as natural gas, even if gas prices rise significantly.

Volunteers in UK show little enthusiasm for the Big Society, research finds

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:29:29 EDT

People who are carrying out the aims of the Big Society -- those doing voluntary work -- show little enthusiasm for the UK Prime Minister's idea, new research says.

New Jersey prohibits indoor tanning for minors under 17

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:43:43 EDT

New Jersey sent a strong message to young people that indoor tanning salons can be dangerous to their health. New Jersey has passed a law that bans minors under the age of 17 years old from using indoor tanning devices. The law is based on significant scientific evidence that links indoor tanning to increased risk of developing melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.

Dangers of surveillance: It's bad, but why?

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:07:07 EDT

Surveillance is everywhere, from street corner cameras to the subject of books and movies. “We talk a lot about why surveillance is bad, but we don’t really know why,” says Neil Richards, JD, privacy law expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. “We only have a vague intuition about it, which is why courts don’t protect it. We know we don’t like it, and that it has something to do with privacy, but beyond that, the details can be fuzzy.” Richards’ new article on the topic, “The Danger of Surveillance,” will be published in the next issue of the Harvard Law Review.

Regulation recommendations so that biofuel plants don’t become weeds

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:32:32 EDT

In the United States, only species listed on state or federal noxious weed lists are regulated, and those lists are often biased toward species that affect agricultural crops. Conversely, invasive plant council lists include species that affect natural landscapes but have no regulatory clout. After comparing the lists and how they are created, researchers have developed some suggestions on how to improve the regulation of all invasive plant species, including new biofuels plants.

Amateur parody videos can make the originals more popular and profitable

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:29:29 EDT

Amateur parody videos on YouTube can lead to increased views and popularity for the original, research has found.

Mitigating climate change? Guiding responsible research in geoengineering

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:10:10 EDT

Geoengineering, the use of human technologies to alter the Earth's climate system — such as injecting reflective particles into the upper atmosphere to scatter incoming sunlight back to space — has emerged as a potentially promising way to mitigate the impacts of climate change. But such efforts could present unforeseen new risks. Scientists outline how the current deadlock on governance of geoengineering research poses real threats to the sound management of climate risk. Their article advances concrete and actionable proposals for allowing further research -- but not deployment -- and for creating scientific and legal guidance, as well as addressing public concerns.

Tobacco industry appears to have evaded FDA ban on 'light' cigarette descriptors

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:22:22 EDT

New research shows one year after the U.S. government passed a law banning such descriptors as "light," "mild," and "low" on cigarette packages, smokers can identify their brands because of color-coding that tobacco companies added to "light" packs after the ban. These findings suggest the companies have been able to evade the ban on misleading wording and still convey false and deceptive message that lights are safer than "regular" cigarettes.

Bankruptcy judges influenced by apologies

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:35:35 EST

Debtors who apologized were seen as more remorseful and were expected to manage their finances more carefully in the future compared to debtors who did not offer an apology, finds a new study.

U.S. may face inevitable nuclear power exit

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:29:29 EST

In the third and final issue in a series focused on nuclear exits, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, published by SAGE, turns its attention to the United States and looks at whether the country's business-as-usual approach may yet lead to a nuclear phase-out for economic reasons.

Researchers find appointed justices outperform elected counterparts

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:10:10 EST

State supreme court justices who don't face voters are generally more effective than their elected counterparts, according to new research.

Genetically modified crops are overregulated, food science expert says

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 13:42:42 EST

Scientists argue that genetically modified foods are safe for consumption and overregulated.

Making homemade guns on a 3-D printer becomes real, so engineering expert suggests stronger laws on gunpowder

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:21:21 EST

Making homemade guns on a 3-D printer becomes real, so engineering expert suggests stronger laws on gunpowder.

Consumers need better protection from chemicals in products, experts urge

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:14:14 EST

European Union policy falls short of protecting consumers – and the environment – from the hazards of chemicals in textiles, building materials and other everyday products, according to a new study.

U.S. Healthcare: State action on Affordable Care Act's 2014 health insurance market reforms

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 09:08:08 EST

Only 11 states and DC have passed laws or issued regulations to implement the Affordable Care Act's major reforms that go into effect in 2014 -- including bans on denying health insurance due to preexisting conditions, minimum benefit standards, and limits on out-of-pocket costs. Thirty-nine states have not yet taken action to implement these requirements, potentially limiting their ability to fully enforce the new reforms and ensure that consumers receive the full protections of the law.

Lessons of the 1953 East Coast of England flood disaster

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:13:13 EST

Sixty years ago, on 31 January and 1 February 1953, over 300 people died in flooding on the East Coast of England. Recent research has found that the Cabinet partly funded the response to avoid blame and further requests for funding.

Implementation of smoke-free legislation reduces the number of acute myocardial infarctions by 11 percent

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:53:53 EST

Researchers assessed the impact of the partial smoke-free legislation passed in 2006 on the incidence of acute myocardial infarction in the province of Girona and observed it has dropped 11 percent. This decrease has been noticed especially among women, population aged between 65 and 74, and among non-smokers.

Gun control: Focus on manufacturers, not just buyers, study shows

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:43:43 EST

As the gun control debate continues, an expert says the focus should be on those who distribute guns, not solely on those who buy them.

Smoke-free law linked to large fall in child asthma hospital admissions

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:32:32 EST

The introduction of smoke-free legislation in England was immediately followed by a fall in the number of children admitted to hospital with asthma symptoms, a new study has found.

Price cap regulations for UK tobacco would raise £500 million every year

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:27:27 EST

If tobacco products sold in the UK were subject to price cap regulation, the system would generate around £500 million (US$750 million) for the government every year, without affecting the price consumers pay, reveals a feasibility study.

Foods identified as 'whole grain' not always healthy

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:08:08 EST

Current standards for classifying foods as "whole grain" are inconsistent and, in some cases, misleading, according to a new study. One of the most widely used industry standards, the Whole Grain Stamp, actually identified grain products that were higher in both sugars and calories than products without the Stamp. The researchers urge adoption of a consistent, evidence-based standard for labeling whole grain foods to help consumers and organizations make healthy choices.

Ethical dilemmas in social network-based research

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:20:20 EST

The growing trend towards conducting research on youths as they use social networking sites like Facebook raises ethical questions in academia. Guidelines and best practices are lacking.

Study defines when disclosing a whistle-blower's identity, like in an email, becomes retaliation

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:15:15 EST

Under the law, whistle-blowers are supposed to be protected from direct reprisals on the job, including discrimination. But what if they and their actions becomes the subject of a widely distributed email? Is that a form of retaliation? Two professors at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business set out to answer that question and determine when public disclosure of the whistle-blower's identity -- like in an email -- is sufficient to support such a claim, in a paper that has been accepted for publication in North Carolina Law Review.

Laws of geo-engineering to mitigate global warming?

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:05:05 EST

A law professor believes the legal ramifications of geo-engineering need to be thought through now and a global governance structure put in place soon to oversee these efforts to fight climate change.

The laws of global warming: How to regulate geo-engineering efforts to fight climate change?

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:26:26 EST

With policymakers and political leaders increasingly unable to combat global climate change, more scientists are considering the use of manual manipulation of the environment to slow warming's damage to the planet. But a law professor believes the legal ramifications of this kind of geo-engineering need to be thought through in advance and a global governance structure put in place soon to oversee these efforts.

Rationing soft drink sizes: A good public health move for Canada, experts argue

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:16:16 EST

New York City's limit of a maximum 16-ounce size of sugar-sweetened drinks for sale in eating establishments is a positive public health move and should be replicated in Canada, argues a new editorial.

Improved techniques may help recovery and prevent incidents of missing drivers with dementia

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:30:30 EST

A new study focusing on characteristics of people with dementia who become lost while driving, and the role of public notification systems like Silver Alert in these discoveries, makes recommendations that may help recover drivers with dementia and prevent potentially harmful incidents.

Economists calculate true value of 'who' you know, rather than 'what' in US politics

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:26:26 EST

Economists have calculated the true value of US political lobbyists, proving the old adage ‘it is not what you know, but who you know’.

New approach could help resolve mountaintop mining issues

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:13:13 EST

A progressive approach to resolve the complex issues surrounding mountaintop mining needs to incorporate good civic science and meaningful routes for public involvement, researchers say.

Unique 'anonymous delivery' law effective in decreasing rates of neonaticide in Austria, study finds

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 08:43:43 EST

Rates of reported neonaticide have more than halved following the implementation of a unique 'anonymous delivery' law in Austria, finds a new study.

Defining career paths in health systems improvement

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:20:20 EST

Among numerous programs aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of the US health care system, training the next generation of experts needed to help lead these efforts has received inadequate, according to three physicians. They propose a framework for career development in what they call "health systems improvement."

Federal technology transfer in the United States

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:20:20 EST

With new treatments for disease, test suites that safeguard computers, and even expertise to rescue miners trapped thousands of feet underground, federal laboratories have a wealth of technologies and know-how that can give US companies a competitive edge and improve quality of life.

How to buy an ethical diamond

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:30:30 EST

The holidays are a busy time for engagements, and an expert in corporate responsibility, says socially minded consumers have a lot to think about when it comes to finding the right rock.

'Dirty money' affects spending habits, new study finds

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:38:38 EST

Looks matter -- even when it comes to money. A new study has found that currency's physical appearance dramatically affects consumer behavior.

Georgia Tech Releases Cyber Threats Forecast for 2013

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:31:31 EST

The year ahead will feature new and increasingly sophisticated means to capture and exploit user data, escalating battles over the control of online information and continuous threats to the U.S. supply chain from global sources. Those were the findings released by the Georgia Tech Emerging Cyber Threats Report for 2013.

Nurse practitioners: The right prescription to ease doctor shortage?

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:10:10 EST

Reports indicate that Michigan faces a physician shortage much larger than the national average, and it will grow as millions of Americans qualify for insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Partisanship shapes views on political, non-political issues

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:52:52 EST

A pre-election survey found that party affiliation alters how people react to political as well as non-political issues, including how individuals assess their own financial well-being. The results suggest that partisanship is often a substitute for knowledge and personal experience, researchers said.

How presidential candidates' actions speak louder than their words

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 11:45:45 EST

Scientists have released a comprehensive computerized study of the body language of the major-party U.S. presidential candidates, using expertise of computer scientists and body language experts at both universities.

Decline in incidence of heart attacks appears associated with smoke-free workplace laws

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:09:09 EDT

A decline in the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI, heart attack) in one Minnesota county appears to be associated with the implementation of smoke-free workplace laws.

Experts call for increased neonatal inclusion in pediatric drug trials

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:55:55 EDT

Clinical drug trials are a vital part of pharmaceutical manufacturers gaining approval for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A new commentary assesses the issues surrounding the lack of clinical trials on medications used by children, most notably neonates, and how drug manufacturers and academic researchers could work together to create clinical trials that would benefit this underrepresented population.

Survival of U.S. Affordable Care Act assessed in new commentaries

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:34:34 EDT

As the presidential candidates clash over the fate of the U.S. Affordable Care Act, a set of seven essays by leading legal experts, economists, and scholars examines the implications of the Supreme Court's decision on the ACA and makes it clear that there is no consensus about what is economically or morally just when it comes to health care coverage in this country.

California leads United States in exonerations of wrongfully convicted

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:29:29 EDT

Two hundred or more wrongful convictions have been thrown out since 1989 in California, costing those convicted more than 1,300 years of freedom and taxpayers $129 million.

Product regulatory systems in low-and middle-income countries must be strengthened, experts argue

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:21:21 EDT

When regulatory systems for medical products in low-and middle-income countries work, people live but when such systems fail, people die, according to experts.