By Adam Kolber A new study has found a relationship between cortisol levels in our hair and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (a cluster of abnormalities that increase the likelihood of developing diabetes and heart disease). Here’s how the New York Times describes the study: High levels of cortisol — the so-called stress hormone — have been associated…
By Daniel Goldberg According to the website, the Oregon Health Study “is the first randomized controlled experiment to examine the causal effects of having some type of insurance coverage versus having no insurance at all.” The findings, released a few days ago, have unleashed a storm of commentary on what the investigators did and did…
By Joanna Sax In President Obama’s State of the Union address, he discussed creating affordable pre-school to all children. Studies have shown that early childhood education is associated with academic success. This is an important policy initiative; it’s also very expensive. In an effort to reduce the disparity in the academic profiles of children, there may be some…
By I. Glenn Cohen [Live blogging off-the-cuff, so apologies in advance for any errors in summarizing, typos, etc] Moderated by Emily Broad Leib, Harvard Law School Robin Craig, Leslie Francis, and Erika George, University of Utah The FDA’s Authority Over Labeling: Current Ironies and Future Improvements: Goal is to look at FDA authority over safety…
By I. Glenn Cohen [Cross-Posted at Prawfsblawg] How often do you hear your students or friends or colleagues talk about operating on very little sleep for work or family reasons? In my case it is often, and depending on the setting it is sometimes stated as a complaint and sometimes as a brag (the latter…
By Scott Burris Here’s where some in Congress would like us to go: ScienceInsider reports: The new chair of the House of Representatives science committee has drafted a bill that, in effect, would replace peer review at the National Science Foundation (NSF) with a set of funding criteria chosen by Congress. For good measure, it…
By Scott Burris Last week, Northeastern University’s effort to convene a much-needed conference on the future of health policy was a casualty of the successful manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers. One hardly wants to make too much of a stymied conference given all the human damage of the bombing and its aftermath, but all…
By The Petrie-Flom Center The Division of Medical Ethics at the NYU Langone medical Center seeks to recruit two persons either as post-docs or instructors. Applicants must demonstrate an excellent record of quality scholarship and teaching, and must have a PhD, JD, or MD. Successful applicants will be expected to demonstrate a strong scholarly career…
By Scott Burris Nothing threatens a know-nothing more than the prospect of someone knowing something. Hence there has been increasing pressure on and from some in Congress to reduce government funding of social science research. I hope every reader of this blog is aware that an appropriations rider added by Tom Coburn has drastically restricted…
By Sarah Fudin [Ed. Note: Posted on behalf of Sarah Fudin, who works in community relations for the George Washington University’s online Master of Public Health program, dubbed MPH@GW, which offers students the ability to earn their MPH online.] The whole world knows that Americans are increasingly becoming obese, but solving the problem isn’t as…
