MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'block'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:54:48 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5169531&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FtpVlZ8rFxyc%2F By Michael F. CannonThe federal government, four states, and a whistleblower have extracted a $154 million settlement from Par Pharmaceuticals for fraudulently inflating the prices it charges Medicaid, according to the Associated Press. With Medicare and Medicaid losing roughly $100 billion each year to fraud and other improper payments, however, the fact that a paltry $154 million settlement is news can only mean that federal and state governments are not even trying to combat fraud in any serious way.   As I explain in this video, that’s because politicians have almost zero incentive to do so — which makes massive amounts of fraud an inherent part of these programs: Under ObamaCare, Medicare and Medicaid fraud will only get worse. $154 Million Medicaid Fraud Settlement a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5169531 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:58:12 +0100 5169531 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096217&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2Fz_hroKVr_D8%2F Sick of your patients waiting in the ED for life saving treatment as a result of interminable ICU / CCU bed-block? Worry no more...move to Indonesia (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096217 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:10:43 +0100 5096217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050580&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Frecognizing-different-arrhythmias-theres-an-app-for-that%2F2011.07.21 The recognition and management of cardiac arrhythmias is a must-have clinical skill for residents and physicians, and one that is often not well-taught at some institutions. For example, deciding whether a patient is in a shockable rhythm, realizing what medications should or should not be given in a particular situation, or assessing the degree of atrioventricular block, can all be important considerations in patient care. The Arrhythmias app, designed by Abe Balsamo, recently cracked the Top 10 list of most-downloaded medical apps in the app store.  This app represents Mr. Balsamo’s first foray into the app world, though he has several other apps in development, according to his website AppsByAbe.com.  The app’s growing popularity has been driven by its point-of-care abilities that... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050580 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:00:55 +0100 5050580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5028155&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FHyem7SCcShk%2F By Tad DeHavenWhen government officials come up with what they claim to be a wonderful new idea, I often think of an old Saturday Night Live skit from 1990 poking fun at commercials for blue jeans. The skit’s scene is a group of middle-aged buddies getting ready to play basketball in their new “Bad Idea Jeans.” Each guy optimistically announces a plan to do something that is actually a “bad idea.” For example, a character says “I don’t know the guy but I’ve got two kidneys and he needs one, so I figured…” and “BAD IDEA” flashes across the screen. (The skit can be watched here.) The White House’s new “Strong Cities, Strong Communities” initiative had that BAD IDEA screen shot flashing repeatedly in my mind as I read the press release: Today, the Obama Administr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5028155 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:00:05 +0100 5028155 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4789220&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fl6rZ5DLuA-4%2F By Mark A. CalabriaLast week I participated on a panel on federal rental housing policy, organized by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies in conjunction with the release of their new report on conditions in the rental market.  In their defense, the report does attempt to avoid offering policy prescriptions.  But the report does come pretty close to suggesting that we spend more on federal rental housing assistance.  In the post-housing bubble  environment, many, myself included, have dared suggest that there’s nothing wrong with someone being a renter, and that maybe we pushed too many into homeownership. But saying we overdid homeowneship is not the same as saying we ignored rental.  In fact the federal government has spent massive amounts on rental housing, yet ac... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4789220 Wed, 04 May 2011 18:01:28 +0100 4789220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780290&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTYGUQ-njVIo%2F By Tad DeHavenLocal officials, like their federal and state counterparts, spend other people’s money. Policymakers are naturally unlikely to spend other people’s money as carefully as they would their own. This situation is exacerbated when local officials spend money obtained from federal taxpayers. At least when local taxpayers foot the bill, they have an incentive to keep an eye on how their money is spent. That incentive is largely nonexistent when the money comes from Washington. HUD community development programs illustrate what happens when the federal government severs the relationship between local officials and local taxpayers. Originally targeted to large cities in decline, community development funding is spread widely to communities rich and poor, large and small. Local of... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780290 Tue, 03 May 2011 20:32:05 +0100 4780290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734063&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FOJ5BsPWZczg%2F By George Scoville Please join us this Thursday, April 21 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern for a book forum and debate on “green energy” policy, following the recent release of the Cato book The False Promise of Green Energy. On Thursday, University of Alabama Professor of Law and Business Andrew P. Morriss (one of the book’s authors) and Center for American Progress Vice President for Energy Policy Kate Gordon will debate the merits of the “green” economic agenda, moderated by Cato Institute Senior Fellow Jerry Taylor. Complimentary registration is required of all attendees by noon TOMORROW, Wednesday, April 20. We hope you can join us in person and for the reception following the event–if you cannot attend in person, we hope you’ll tune in online or on Faceb... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734063 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:29:37 +0100 4734063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684277&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fjerptwu4EFo%2F By Chris EdwardsHouse Budget Committee Chairman, Paul Ryan, introduced his budget resolution for fiscal 2012 and beyond today entitled “The Path to Prosperity.” The plan would cut some spending programs, reduce top income tax rates, and reform Medicare and Medicaid. The following two charts compare spending levels under Chairman Ryan’s plan and President Obama’s recent budget (as scored by the Congressional Budget Office). Figure 1 shows that spending rises more slowly over the next decade under Ryan’s plan than Obama’s plan. But spending rises substantially under both plans—between 2012 and 2021, spending rises 34 percent under Ryan and 55 percent under Obama. Figure 2 compares Ryan’s and Obama’s proposed spending levels at the end of the 10-year budget window in 2021. ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684277 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:54:21 +0100 4684277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626758&cid=t_110353_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fecg-findings-left-bundle-branch-block%2F Left bundle branch blocks (LBBB) are a common finding on ECG’s particularly in the ER and ICU. New onset of a LBBB can herald underlying ischemia or infarct. Some ECG findings indicative of LBBB are: 1. QRS wave greater than 0.12 sec 2. Broad R wave in leads I, V5, and/or V6 3. Absence of Q wave in leads I, V5, and/or V6 4. ST segment depressions in leads V4, V5, and/or V6 5. Delayed onset of R wave peak time in leads V5 and V6 (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626758 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:19:54 +0100 4626758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4610793&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F0LTrHsC3dUs%2F By Tad DeHavenEverybody likes a free lunch. Local government officials really like a free lunch, particularly when that lunch is paid for by federal taxpayers. Spend other people’s money on projects that you don’t have to tax your constituents to pay for? What a deal! The U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties aren’t happy that House Republicans want to trim funding for the Community Development Block Grant program. The CDBG program in particular is cherished by local officials because it affords them wide latitude on how they can spend the money. The local government lobbies hired IHS Global Insight, a prominent consulting firm, to prepare a study on the economic impact of the CDGB program. The preliminary report — and th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4610793 Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:39:00 +0100 4610793 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472953&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2Fq3V8lIj6izQ%2F Night shift in the surgical ICU and one of your post-op cardiac patients is showing some worrying rhythms on their ECG monitor. Can you diagnose the problem and keep them alive until the morning? (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472953 Sun, 13 Feb 2011 14:03:59 +0100 4472953 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349498&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FGak7QmeY6kU%2F By Tad DeHavenIn a recent post on earmarks and federal grants, I cited the crazy example of HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program funding facade renovations for a wine bar in Connecticut. Now a Michigan newspaper reports that Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo is looking for $220,000 in CDBG money to expand its facilities. I consider Bell’s to be one of the finest breweries in the United States. Bell’s desire to expand its production facilities reflects its success in getting people to part with their money voluntarily in exchange for their products. Now federal taxpayers, whether they like Bell’s or beer, could effectively be forced to give their money to Bell’s. There are over 1,500 craft breweries in the United States. Those breweries must pay federal taxes, so if Bell&#... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349498 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:22:26 +0100 4349498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318318&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6mUrYebcNh0%2F By Tad DeHavenFederal taxpayers helping foot the tab for renovations to a local wine bar? It sounds crazy, but that’s par for the course with HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program. A Connecticut newspaper recently ran an article on CDBG money being used to spruce up storefronts in the town of Putnam: The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant money slated for Cohen’s building comes shortly after a similar grant project finished across the street, said Economic Development Director Delpha Very. Facade improvements to the Glimpse of Gaia florist, Pangaea Wine Bar and Panache consignment shop finished last month, said building owner Sean Marchionte, of Providence-based Blue Dog Investments. The building’s owner — go figure — thinks it’s just great: “I... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318318 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:43:17 +0100 4318318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309593&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FlJ-i99qAM7I%2F By Michael F. CannonNew York’s budget problem is actually a Medicaid problem.  In Sunday’s New York Post, I offer advice to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) on how to fix a budget gap that will grow to $17 billion during his term: Gov. Cuomo can’t fix Medicaid by himself. He needs the help of Congress. There is a solution… Block grants are how President Bill Clinton and a Republican Congress reformed welfare back in 1996, to spectacular success. Welfare reform forced New York to be smarter about welfare spending, just as a block grant would force New York to rededicate Medicaid to its original mission — providing necessary medical care to the truly needy. There’s one place Gov. Cuomo can start on his own: Close the loopholes that allow well-to-do New Yorkers to f... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309593 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:00:47 +0100 4309593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214126&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D900 With the election of a Coalition Government to Victoria this week, and Premier Ted’s promise of a new era of transparent, accountable government with no spin doctoring, will we finally have a government willing to acknowledge the doubling of ED overcrowding, ambulance presentations and an inexcusable trebling of ED patient waiting times to see a DOCTOR that has occurred over the past 11 years of the prior government – which like most other State governments during this unprecedented boom time, seemed to have failed to plan for hospitals, public transport, roads, public safety, etc. When the Labour party came to power 11 years ago, everything seemed possible, we had a massive budget surplus, plenty of money to spend, the impetus of Y2K computer issues to stimulate a revamp of ou... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214126 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 23:02:31 +0100 4214126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4207525&cid=t_110353_180_f&fid=38612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpickthebrain%2FLYVv%2F%7E3%2FT9ciyHJZf68%2F This article is especially for all you writers, artists, business owners or anyone looking for some new ways to get their creativity flowing. Here are 15 ways to give your creativity a jump start: Write Your Ideas Down Get into the habit of writing your ideas down as soon as you get them. This way you train your brain to keep coming up with ideas, and as soon as you get them you write them down. When they are written down you don’t have to worry about remembering them and this allows more room for new ideas to form in your mind. Relax Good ideas and creativity usually do not appear under stress. When you are relaxed and rejuvenated, creative ideas usually come rather naturally. Take a walk on the beach, take a nap, go and play some sport or do whatever it is that relaxes you so that... PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4207525 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 06:37:55 +0100 4207525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159219&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FujSpzFqXP-E%2F By Michael F. CannonFollowing up on what Dan and Chris have said … If the co-chairs of President Obama’s fiscal commission were serious about reducing federal spending and deficits, they would have proposed eliminating the federal deficit, rather than “reduc[ing] it to 2.2 percent of GDP by 2015.”  Yawn. They would have proposed cutting federal spending (currently, 24 percent of GDP and rising) to match federal tax revenue (currently at 15 percent of GDP).  But the co-chairs proposed only to “bring spending down to 22 percent and eventually 21 percent of GDP.”  Not only does that elicit another yawn, but since the co-chairs only asked for half a loaf, they won’t even get that much. If the co-chairs were serious about reducing federal spending ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159219 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:55:59 +0100 4159219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3983398&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F_ZOPpReDXXg%2F The Man from Snowy River or The Man that is intellectually disabled, violent, and age inappropriate for a Nursing Home...challenges the 4 hour rule in South Australia (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3983398 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:37:46 +0100 3983398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3767045&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Ffree-webinar-for-women-solar-power-your-home%2F photo: Thinkstock General public opinion is that the current energy crisis is a man’s problem (like drinking milk from the carton or B.O.), but a survey by the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment shows that 90% of women are enthusiastic about solar energy playing a serious role in our country’s environmental future. And why shouldn’t we care? Women have always looked for innovative solutions to tough problems. That’s why One Block Off the Grid (1BOG), a free service that helps homeowners transition to solar power, is hosting a free webinar to help women decide if solar energy is right for them. You’ll find out a lot of info about how to go solar in your home, and the environmental and economic benefits of converting to a solar-powered energy sy... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3767045 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:36:12 +0100 3767045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3833430&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D878 The UK experience is sure to have a profound ripple effect around the world as governments and hospitals in their attempt to maximise ED efficiencies in the face of inadequate resourcing may have very serious but predictable consequences. If administrative goals force already busy and over-stretched ED staff to cut corners more than they already must do, then some patients will suffer the consequence of inadequate management or observation. Time based KPI’s are only a proxy for quality care indicators, and over-emphasis on these without appropriate recognition of the quality of care itself is fraught with danger. We all want patient flow through ED’s to be efficient and the menace of bed access block and ED over-crowding to be eradicated – but not if it means quality of c... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3833430 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 01:57:37 +0100 3833430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625499&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpain-relief-study-has-potential-with-a-spin%2F2010.06.03 The development of drugs and other treatments for specific symptoms or conditions relies heavily on either serendipity (the chance finding of a beneficial effect) or on an understanding of underlying mechanisms. In pain, for example, there are limited ways in which we can block pain signals –- such as activating opiate receptors, or inhibiting prostaglandins. There are only so many ways in which you can interact with these systems. The discovery of a novel mechanism of modulating pain is therefore most welcome, and has the potential of leading to entirely new treatments that may have a better side effect profile than existing treatments and also have an additive clinical effect. A recent study by Nana Goldman et. al., published in Nature Neuroscience, adds to our understanding of pain re... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625499 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:53 +0100 3625499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3448811&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fhow-to-swaddle-your-newborn-baby%2F After spending nine cozy months in the womb, it’s no wonder that newborn babies may have trouble sleeping or calming down when overstimulated. When swaddling your baby, you wrap him snugly to recreate the womb-like feeling. Swaddling your newborn can calm him down, make him feel safe, prevent him from scratching himself and stop him from being disturbed by his own startle reflex. You can use most any kind of baby blanket to swaddle, however some blankets are marketed just for swaddling and feature long tabs for tucking or velcro to ensure the blanket is secure. When swaddled, make sure your baby doesn’t get overheated (which can increase the risk of SIDS). Keep the room temperature in your baby’s nursery between 65-70 degrees. How to Swaddle When you swaddle your baby, th... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3448811 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:31:26 +0100 3448811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3272975&cid=t_110353_113_f&fid=34933&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpalmdoc.net%2F%3Fp%3D2830 One of the things about the medical profession is having to be careful about who knows your mobile number. If it gets into the wrong hands, then one might get disturbed or harassed by an endless number of phone calls at odd hours, including folks who deem every ache and pain to be a medical emergency. The worst ones I had were late night calls because “running out of medicines” and “forgot the appointment” were “medical emergencies”! While the iPhone claims that “there’s an App for that” for practically everything, the Palm Pre has an active homebrew community, and what the stock OS does not have, we can say “there’s a patch for that”. Homebrewer elryon steps on the plate with his contribution Call Block/Ignore patch. ... The Palmdoc Chronicles blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3272975 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3272975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3175874&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=35612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheknifeman.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fharder-than-it-looks.html Blogging every day. I'm managing to keep up with running (almost) every day - I get a rest day per week, but struggling to find something to write here. So, while I'm thinking, here's another musical interlude. A version of Let It Be, with both album version and single version guitar solos overdubbed together.See what you think. (Source: The KnifeMan) The KnifeMan blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3175874 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:17:00 +0100 3175874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3040019&cid=t_110353_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6kJxEe755nQ%2F File this one under getting a grip. A Colorado woman is suing the drugmaker because she suffers from a copper deficiency her lawsuit claims is caused by an abundance of zinc found in the Poligrip she used to secure her dentures, The Denver Post writes. Zinc used in the denture cream is absorbed by the body and can cause copper depletion, which can cause neurological damage in extremities, the paper continues. The suit filed by Rae Ann Schmaltz, by the way, is actually one of dozens across the country against denture-cream makers, and is spawning such web sites as denturecreamlawsuitcenter.com. The manufacturers - Procter & Gamble sells Fixodent - have responded that denture cream is safe when used as directed. But attorneys for some of those who believe they have been harmed say there... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3040019 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:50:01 +0100 3040019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2752088&cid=t_110353_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FM8OLs7FOhjI%2F Persistence really pays off, and this is especially true in genetic studies. After 35 years of combined research, a father-and-son team has finally identified the source of the gene that causes the heart’s electricity to go awry. For three hundred years, a South African family has been plagued by progressive familial heart block, a disease of the electrical system of the heart. The disease causes an affected person to have irregular heart beats, fainting spells, seizures or sudden death. The risk is greatest soon after birth, during puberty and early twenties and returns in the middle age, and a timely installment of a pacemaker is the best treatment. Using data from the human genome project, Professors Andries and Paul Brink were able to trace the origin of this disease to one man: A... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2752088 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:13:01 +0100 2752088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442362&cid=t_110353_133_f&fid=35124&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspergerwoman%2F%7E5%2FXu9_KFDp-bI%2Fgoogleplayer.swf BLOGPOST FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 27TH, 2009 It could be a writers block, just a small one I guess, but I have not idea whatshowever to write about Autism & Work today. There are many things to write about, and it's an interesting subject, but it just does not come out...I leave you with a video about Autism in China. Thanks for understanding,Take careAspie Bird (Source: The Art of Being Asperger Woman) The Art of Being Asperger Woman blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442362 Wed, 27 May 2009 19:42:00 +0100 2442362 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441692&cid=t_110353_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F26%2Fupdate-dsm-v-major-changes%2F At the American Psychiatric Association’s annual meeting last week, a presentation covered some of the likely major changes that will be incorporated into the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, commonly referred to as the DSM by mental health professionals. The DSM provides professionals with the symptom checklists that allow for a mental disorder diagnosis to be made. The most significant change proposed has to do with the inclusion of dimensional assessments for depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment and reality distortion that span across many major mental disorders. So a clinician might diagnose schizophrenia, but then also rate these four dimensions for the patient to characterize the schizophrenia in a more detailed and descriptive m... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441692 Tue, 26 May 2009 18:41:05 +0100 2441692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2307439&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D552 The latest MJA journal has several papers relating to hospital access block in Australia and New Zealand: Access block: it’s all about available beds - Daniel M Fatovich, Geoff Hughes and Sally M McCarthy Access block can be managed - Peter A Cameron, Anthony P Joseph and Sally M McCarthy - abstract: Hospitals cannot manage their emergency patients when there is significant access block. There are solutions that should be implemented but require national leadership to be effective. These solutions include an immediate increase in the number of acute hospital beds, improved coordination and increased community capacity to manage medical patients with complex conditions outside acute public hospitals, improved hospital processes, and better standardisation of treatment within emergency de... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2307439 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 06:10:48 +0100 2307439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2298733&cid=t_110353_135_f&fid=35274&url=http%3A%2F%2Facidrefluxweb.com%2F%3Fp%3D3241 Yesterday, I posted on Twitter a link to my Positively HIV-larious which makes reference to my favourite pioneers in gallows humour, the authors of “Diseased Pariah News, or DPN.” In the article I make reference to , their recipe segment “Get Fat Don’t Die” was a classic. And who could forget the outrageous AIDS Barbie, with designer bed pans and gurney. Then several issues they came out with the Malibu Home Hospice accompanied by the tag line “Don’t let your AIDS Barbie wither away in a shoebox.” The authors of this zine were all in advanced stages of AIDS in the 1980s when there was no hope, and no treatment. What got us through those days, myself included, as I knew I was positive in those days. At that time I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Our ability to t... acidrefluxweb.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2298733 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:03:36 +0100 2298733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2201240&cid=t_110353_107_f&fid=36698&url=http%3A%2F%2Fminingdrugs.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fchemical-suppliers-chemcats-and-long.html If CAS is providing the head of the chemical supplier power law function, who is providing the tail?As pointed out by Derek recently and earlier exists there a vast amount of chemical suppliers. But honestly, how many people are taking the challenge of browsing all suppliers when looking for a chemical building block ? I would guess that more than 80% of the chemists are just using SciFinder, which is based on CHEMCATS. The really funny part is that chemical suppliers have to upload their data to CAS. So, CAS is not only charging users for the look-up of chemical substances, but they are also charging suppliers for uploading their substance data, and for keeping it up-to-date.I am wondering, could there not be other business models? Which other services could provide the long tail of chemi... Mining Drug Space blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2201240 Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:58:00 +0100 2201240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2168966&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2009%2F02%2Fthe-four-hour-rule-comes-to-australia%2F WA health has taken another bold step in its continued quest to drive ‘long term system wide reform’ and implement strategies which will enhance the patient experience and ‘flow’ through the turbulent waters of ‘unscheduled care’. WA health has acknowledged that a radical change and expansion of improvement measures is required to have a significant impact on the increasing [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2168966 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:01:35 +0100 2168966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2142448&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D463 The Sydney Morning herald report on Dubbo hospital today does not paint a pretty picture. “The Greater Western Area Health Service, which covers 108 hospitals, owes more than $23 million to creditors, forcing many to stop supplying food and medical equipment.” As a result, the hospital is running out of clinical supplies as unpaid suppliers refuse supply drugs and clinical equipment which has pushed the unpaid doctors to consider withdrawing their services because of the dangerous conditions. How could any Western government allow a situation like this to arise? More coverage on ABC Online Meanwhile, over in Perth, the Royal Perth Hospital uses their code yellow internal emergency to help manage ED overcrowding - see story here while the vice president of the WA AMA is quoted ... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2142448 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:25:41 +0100 2142448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2113845&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D437 Over 10 months, Commissioner Peter Garling SC and his team visited 61 public hospitals, reviewed over 1200 submissions, held 39 public hearings, and analysed over 30 000 documents. The final report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into Acute Care Services in NSW Public Hospitals was published on 27 November 2008 - “the Garling Report” and makes 139 recommendations in 1200 pages and recommends that change should be driven by clinicians “from the bottom up”. The current issue of MJA has an editorial on Garling report here. The editorial by Martin B Van Der Weyden opens with the potential viewpoint of a Martian landing in NSW and assessing the health care situatiion: “Public hospitals are severely stressed and sick. They are afflicted by bureaucratic inertia, and ri... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2113845 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:02:12 +0100 2113845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2068132&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D394 The Age reported today on the submission to the inquiry by Victorian ED registrar Dr Andrew Buck whose allegations support a survey of Victorian ED directors by the ACEM which stated that hospital administrators were fudging computer data and admitting patients to “virtual wards” or “ghost wards”. In other words, patients waiting long periods for an inpatient bed due to access block were allocated a Short Stay Unit bed on the computer system even though they were left on ED trolleys with their risk of bed sores and discomfort, not to mention the delay in definitive care by a dedicated nursing and medical team on the wards such as a stroke unit. This practice is clearly not in the best interests of patients as KPI data will erroneously suggest everything is going wel... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2068132 Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:41:43 +0100 2068132 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056687&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D374 See Unfortunately not much detail of the offer released as yet but seems 1st year doctors get a whopping $2 per hour pay rise if I read that 5-7% correctly - and I’m guessing that increase will be spread over 3 years. The good news is that Govt has seemingly agreed to increase hospital beds by 276 - but they had to do this anyway to manage increased population demands and I am not sure this should be linked at all with medical remuneration. Well we will have to wait on the details to see if we can still attract trainee registrars to our hospitals or will they flee interstate? (Source: Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia) Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056687 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:29:45 +0100 2056687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2042733&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D361 NSW health department looks like they may be requesting a “please explain” from doctors who admit patients to hospital with a diagnosis that can often be treated in the community such as pneumonia, UTI, DVT, etc. See The Sydney Morning Herald article Dec 17th 2008. NSW Health’s Acute Care Taskforce has identified 12 medical conditions, including pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, chest pain and gastroenteritis. Hmmm… chest pain Mx in the community for trial of death? Sounds like the bureaucrats think we are lazy and irresponsibly unnecessarily adding to bed access block by admitting low risk patients. Certainly there is a place for encouraging some of these patients to be treated in the community, but I would be surprised if most avenues to community t... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2042733 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:19:08 +0100 2042733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2029499&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F12%2Fsharpen-your-brain-with-medical-grand-rounds%2F Thanksto Alvaro Fernandez of SharpBrains for hosting a fantastic medical Grand Rounds: Grand Rounds 5:12 - Healthcare Reform Q&A Read on topics ranging from health insurace, attitude, training and mental health to patient outreach, technology and innovation… thanks Alvaro for hosting a great Grand Rounds (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2029499 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:01:14 +0100 2029499 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2022734&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F12%2Fmyth-conceptions-of-er-overcrowding%2F Major Myth-conceptions of ED overcrowding Creation myths:  An ED problem due to GP type patients and  inefficient EDs Outcomes / management myth:  Poor patient outcomes are rare Poor outcomes have minimal consequences Therefore - ERs are good places to store excess admitted patients Solution myths: Access block is inevitable and insoluble AND / OR Access block can be sorted out by GP clinics, telephone lines or [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2022734 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:19:37 +0100 2022734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033416&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=35612&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheknifeman.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fand-band-played-on.html I have somehow acquired another follower; which serves to remind me how remiss I have been of late. Well, if you'll keep the faith, I have no excuse.I undertake to get of my arse, and keep my end of the bargain again.Starting tonight; promise...(And, yes, I've back-dated it; I'm cheating, for reasons I will explain. It's sort of my version of the Kobyashi Maru) (Source: The KnifeMan) The KnifeMan blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033416 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:01:00 +0100 2033416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1997508&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D330 “EMERGENCY specialists have attacked as risky and dangerous plans to allow only patients assessed as being the most seriously ill to see them and to divert other patients to GP-led hospital clinics. Under the plans — part of the 1100-page Garling report into NSW public hospitals released on Thursday — only patients judged as needing to be seen within 30 minutes, equivalent to triage categories 1, 2 and 3, would be treated by an emergency department specialist. ” see newspaper article in The Australian today 29th Nov 2008. That concept is an insult to the intelligence and value of opinions of those who work with these patients - ED physicians and nursing staff. I have previously written a wiki article here which would show any reasonable person that the concept is no... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1997508 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:23:37 +0100 1997508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1985778&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D325 This article gives some data on the extent of bed access block and its effect on the resulting numbers who choose not to wait to be seen. Finally, a further article in today’s The Age titled “Fed-up paramedics skip tough shifts” demonstrates that although we know life is increasingly stressful for ED staff, the same applies to the ambulance officers. Interestingly, many of our excellent ED nursing staff have left the stressors of the ED to become ambulance paramedics - perhaps it is now a case of jumping out of the frypan into the fire. Unless the crisis is addressed soon, much valued, experienced staff will leave both systems and worse, will discourage recruitment of new staff which will further exacerbate the crisis. And, as we all know, it’s not just in Victoria ... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1985778 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:54:35 +0100 1985778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1970816&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D312 The Age published an article “In critical care” today which describes the sad situation of the stresses many junior doctors still face in our hospital system, and perhaps worse, how this adversely impacts patient care and perhaps further contributes to bed access block. Fortunately, junior doctors are generally well supported during their emergency medicine rotations as they generally have shifts 10hrs at most and usually work 38hrs/wk plus 5 hrs paid training time for ED trainee registrars. Of course, even ED registrar trainees don’t get off lightly - when they finish work they still have very demanding study schedules required to pass the examination process which often makes it hard for them to maintain their social supports and find time for fun and relaxation. ED ju... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1970816 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:37:45 +0100 1970816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1970979&cid=t_110353_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fshould-everyone-take-statins.html This study implies millions of people with even low cholesterol would be helped with Crestor, since it lowers heart attacks and strokes by almost 50%.   The clinical trial  was to be for 5 years but was stopped with less than 2 years.  Stopping the trial early limited getting more meaningful detail and the long term safety of taking this drug. as the number of patients that were saved by going on the statins.  Other reports in 2007 showed taking the statins to lower LDL had no effect on whether you lived longer or died sooner. Visit my Nov 3 blog on this subject. The study showed that if 120 people take the drug, one would be helped. Twenty five people would need to take the drug, and only one heart attack in 5 years would be prevented.  Your chances of dying would be the same. So,... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1970979 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:06:00 +0100 1970979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1970817&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D308 Seems it’s not only the Queensland Govt apparently lacking transparency amidst a hospital system in crisis. The Victorian State Opposition is wanting some answers too - see the Geelong Advertiser article on 18th Nov 2008. and transcript of ABC broadcast 14th Nov 2008 with Vic. Health Minister, AMA and doctors relating to the Vic. AMA doctor blog (Source: Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia) Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1970817 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:21:38 +0100 1970817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1970792&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F11%2Fed-frequent-flyer-points%2F A large six and a half year population study has just been published in the MJA. Frequent attenders at emergency departments: a linked-data population study of adult patients. The study looked at all the adults attending the nine emergency departments in Perth, Western Australia with a view to better understanding the type of patients who frequently attend ED’s [...] (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1970792 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:18:00 +0100 1970792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1948486&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D300 Queensland opposition says bed access block in Queensland ED’s is getting worse. Queensland health minister’s response is quoted in the ABC online as saying: “waiting times increased because of the winter flu season”, and, “the figures are better than for the same period last year”, and, “That’s the true comparison. So things are not getting worse in relation to access block with emergency departments. When you do the true comparison in fact they’re gradually and modestly getting better.” Now, given that Victoria’s flu season this year was much milder than last year, and yet Victoria’s bed access is getting worse, I was a bit puzzled by the conflicting statements in the report. Is it just a case of spin doctoring so t... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1948486 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:49:21 +0100 1948486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1940941&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D272 It’s fiscal year reporting season for the Victorian Govt, and according to The Age newspaper report, it seems governments have grown accustomed to ensuring all their annual reports (this time, a massive 250 reports) are tabled on the same day with only a day left of Parliament to scrutinise them. Perhaps Mr Brumby is correct - it just takes time to get all the fiscal data finalised and have these reports signed off. The hospitals have had their fiscal year budget performances announced - see The Age report on these albeit without the actual published table. Given the escalating crisis situation in bed access block in public hospitals in Victoria, one should expect the general result of hospitals being in the red otherwise they could be perceived as putting profits ahead of patient ca... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1940941 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:33:43 +0100 1940941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1918638&cid=t_110353_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsandnsurf.medbrains.net%2F2008%2F10%2F30%2Fthere-can-only-be-not-enough-beds%2F There cannot be not enough patients, There can only be not enough beds. There can be no access block, There can only be not enough beds. There can be no waiting room deaths, There can only be not enough beds. There cannot be too many beds, There can only be not enough beds.   parody of ‘there can only be not enough vodka‘ (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1918638 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:14:58 +0100 1918638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1700781&cid=t_110353_122_f&fid=35055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarasotaneurology.com%2F2008%2F08%2F12%2Foccipital-neuralgia-many-symptoms-of-headaches%2F Occipital neuralgia is a commonly missed headache diagnosis. The symptoms for headaches can be quite different. Occipital neuralgia can mimic migraine headaches but do not respond to standard migraine medications. Occipital neuralgia rarely occurs as a headache syndrome by itself. The majority of patients with occipital neuralgia have one or more other types of headache including: migraines, tension headache, rebound headache and cluster headaches. Occipital neuralgia is frequently misdiagnosed as migraine or cluster headaches. Patients with prominent face pain as part of their occipital neuralgia may be incorrectly diagnosed with tic delaroux (trigeminal neuralgia.) Occipital neuralgia is caused by an irritation of the occipital nerve as is comes through the muscles in the back of the nec... Sarasota Neurology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1700781 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:42:53 +0100 1700781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2725088&cid=t_110353_122_f&fid=35055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsarasotaneurology.com%2F2008%2F08%2F12%2Foccipital-neuralgia-many-symptoms-of-headaches%2F Occipital neuralgia is a commonly missed headache diagnosis. The symptoms for headaches can be quite different. Occipital neuralgia can mimic migraine headaches but do not respond to standard migraine medications. Occipital neuralgia rarely occurs as a headache syndrome by itself. The majority of patients with occipital neuralgia have one or more other types of headache including: migraines, tension headache, rebound headache and cluster headaches. Occipital neuralgia is frequently misdiagnosed as migraine or cluster headaches. Patients with prominent face pain as part of their occipital neuralgia may be incorrectly diagnosed with tic delaroux (trigeminal neuralgia.) Occipital neuralgia is caused by an irritation of the occipital nerve as is comes through the muscles in the back of the nec... Sarasota Neurology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2725088 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:43:17 +0100 2725088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1526797&cid=t_110353_154_f&fid=35946&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcanadianmedicine.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fweb-buoys-doctor-patient-communication.html There's a high chance the next patient who walks into your office has been researching their diagnosis on the internet and fretting over what they've found.Roughly 62.5% of your patients Google their symptoms before stopping by the clinic, according to research published mid-April in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism.SHY GUYSBut of those patients only 20% will discuss their concerns with you. The others, the study discovered, say they'd rather not come off as challenging your authority.However, the research also found that when patients do bring up their concerns, both they and their doctors feel more satisfied with the visit.M Cameron Hay-Rollins, the study's lead author and an assistant professor of anthropology at Miami University, suggests taking a couple minutes to ask patients wha... Canadian Medicine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1526797 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:44:00 +0100 1526797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1461122&cid=t_110353_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fhow-to-kill-writers-block%2F If you’re stuck, or can’t find the right mood to get into your writing, then here’s a great exercise that will get you right into the writing flow. It’s important that you have a topic in mind before you start. Start your word processor, and open a new page. Now, keep in mind that this is an exercise. Nobody will ever see what you’re writing. Just begin writing a page. Do not correct any spelling or grammar mistakes, just keep typing what comes up in your mind when you think about your topic. Write until you are finished with the first page. Now look at the page that you’ve just written. Check your copy, and try to find the good ideas, the parts that read easy. This is the style that you’ll use next. Now, simply delete this page, and start with a new one. This time, you shoul... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1461122 Thu, 22 May 2008 13:41:43 +0100 1461122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1443301&cid=t_110353_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F13%2Fbf-skinners-pigeon-and-a-red-block%2F In this one-minute video from the B.F. Skinner Foundation, a pigeon uses a red block as a stand. A pigeon positions itself on a block so that a leaf that was out of its proximity before becomes within its reach. (Source: The Situationist) The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1443301 Wed, 14 May 2008 02:38:48 +0100 1443301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1329203&cid=t_110353_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F258496073%2F Not yet, but maybe one is under development somewhere. But what is compulsive-impulsive spectrum disorder? And why should you care? Are you sitting down? Because this affliction is otherwise known as Internet addiction, and it appears to be a common disorder that one wag suggests merits inclusion in DSM-V. The diagnosis involves online and/or offline computer usage and consists of at least three subtypes: excessive gaming, sexual preoccupations, and e-mail and text messaging, according to an editorial in The American Journal of Psychiatry written by Jerald Block, a Portland, Oregon, psychoanalyst. These behaviors, he writes, share the following four characteristics: excessive use, often associated with a loss of sense of time or a neglect of basic drives; withdrawal, including feelings of... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1329203 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:10:51 +0100 1329203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1311007&cid=t_110353_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F03%2F18%2Fwhats-that-smell-internet-addiction-disorder-in-the-news%2F It must be March, because “Internet addiction disorder” is again making the news rounds, spurred on by a new editorial in the American Journal of Psychiatry. It published an editorial by Jerald J. Block, M.D. pushing for “Internet addiction disorder’s” inclusion in the upcoming DSM-V. Block is an Oregon psychoanalytic psychiatrist, not a researcher. So I couldn’t help but wonder what leads him to write such an editorial? Dr. Block owns a patent on technology that can be used to restrict computer access. Dr. Freedman has reviewed this editorial and found no evidence of influence from this relationship. So wait a minute… A patent is potentially worth money if turned into a product (or if the patent holder sues others who already have products tha... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1311007 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:06:41 +0100 1311007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1304993&cid=t_110353_93_f&fid=36200&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.jammedph.com%2Fhow-to-fight-trackback-spam-in-your-wordpress-blog%2F A trackback feature of many publishing software/programs like WordPress, Moveable Type, TextPattern, etc. or even free hosts like Blogger, enables authors to keep track of who is linking, and referring to their posts. It has been considered as “communication” among blogs. Linking to other websites, which will automatically be called trackback, means several things: 1. It shows appreciation and acknowledgment. 2. It indicates worthiness of the article linked. 3. It’s one way of expressing your reaction to another blogger’s articles. 4. It’s one way of getting comments. If you send trackbacks to other blogs, there’s a great possibility that the blogger will compliment you through commenting to your post. 5. It’s one way of building inbound links. Inb... Jammed: Full into Capacity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1304993 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 23:47:49 +0100 1304993 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=856818&cid=t_110353_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F154541223%2F Jim took Charlie on a long bike ride late on Saturday afternoon. It was a muggy hot day but Charlie rode off with his usual brio and a sideways glance at Jim. The sun set and they were still not back, and then it was getting dark and I started listening more carefully to the sounds in the street, and then I heard a familiar, pleasing warble. “We ran into a block party,” Jim said as Charlie pulled up his chin and told me “Helmet off.” The party was in the neighborhood of a playground, and Charlie stopped cycling and went up the play structure and down the tube slide—except he could not go all the way down, as some boys had plugged the bottom with a large plastic ball (the kind that looks like a jawbreaker). Charlie (Jim reported) went back up the slide, down th... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=856818 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:00:21 +0100 856818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=543560&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F14%2Fstress-helps-cancer-resist-treatment%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Research, Stress Reduction, Daily newsWay to go Wake Forest University scientists -- for adding to the body of evidence connecting stress to illness and for reporting before anyone else that the stress hormone epinephrine causes changes in prostate and breast cancer cells that may make them resistant to death.Emotional stress contributes not only to the development of cancer, says lead researcher George Kulik, D.V.M., Ph.D, but it also reduces the effectiveness of cancer treatments.Previous research shows levels of epinephrine, produced by the adrenal glands, are sharply increased during stressful situations and can stay elevated during long-term stress and depression.During this study, published in the on-line Journal of Biological Chemistry, K... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=543560 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 543560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=536614&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F11%2Ffda-needs-more-time-with-wyeth-kidney-cancer-drug%2F Filed under: Drug, Research, Daily newsThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will take an additional three months to review Wyeth's kidney cancer drug Torisel -- the first of five new medications the company plans to introduce this year.The FDA needs more time to investigate data on tumor growth in patients taking Torisel. If all goes well, the drug will be one of only three to effectively hold off incurable kidney cancer. The other two drugs are Pfizer's Sutent and Bayer AG's Nexavar.Robert Ruffolo, president of Wyeth Research, says he is encouraged by the review process so far. And he is optimistic about launching the product in late 2007.Studies show Torisel, which will cost patients about $30,000 per year, prolonged survival by 50 percent in those faring poorly with kidney cancer. The... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=536614 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 536614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=525457&cid=t_110353_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F06%2Fthought-for-the-day-drug-dispensing-teeth-a-real-possibility%2F Filed under: All Cancers, Clinical Trials, Products, Daily news, Thought for the DayI never would have predicted it -- that a tooth could become a tool for dispensing medication. But the refinement of such a creation is actually in the works and before long, you may be asking not for a gold or decorative tooth but for one capable of doling out your drugs in the exact doses and at the right times.Think about this:Researchers from Europe and Israel are working right now on a tiny dispensing system called IntelliDrug. Their goal is to create parts small enough they can fit into a false tooth placed in the back of the mouth. The device will release a specific amount of medication at certain intervals so patients receive the proper dosage right on schedule.This invention, crafted by an Israeli ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=525457 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 525457