We've been highlighting this for years.
Choking game prevalent among teens in Texas
Nearly one out of seven college students surveyed at a Texas university has participated in the Choking Game, a dangerous behavior where blood flow is deliberately cut off to the brain in order to achieve a high, according to a study by The Crime Victims' Institute at Sam Houston State University.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Give them a chance
New research finds sport is effective in reducing reoffending rates
A new research project into the role of sport in rehabilitating young prisoners has found that sport can be effective in reducing the reconviction rate of offenders.
A new research project into the role of sport in rehabilitating young prisoners has found that sport can be effective in reducing the reconviction rate of offenders.
A Better Society.....
Program led to lower crime, fewer violent incidents among kids
A program built around the concept that kids can and want to reduce violence and improve their neighborhoods led to lower crime rates, better upkeep on homes and more students who said they learned to resolve conflicts without violence.
A program built around the concept that kids can and want to reduce violence and improve their neighborhoods led to lower crime rates, better upkeep on homes and more students who said they learned to resolve conflicts without violence.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
This Should Not Be News!
A Strategy for Economic Growth, by David Merlin-Jones and David Green, which revealed that lack of manufacturing was holding back economic recovery, was discussed in NewStart. David Green's proposal for an income tax holiday was discussed in the Sunday Times (£). Anastasia de Waal discussed the social impact of economic stagnation in theObserver. Ian Milne's estimates of the costs of EU integration were discussed in a letter in the Western Mail.
Where's the Equality in the ECHR?
Small Corroding Words (also on Kindle) was discussed in the Daily Telegraph following Trevor Phillips' concession that human rights were sometimes overused. The Retreat of Reason, a classic critique of political correctness in the media and government, is now also available on Kindle.
Making Capital Out of Equality
The Rise of the Equalities Industry, by Peter Saunders, which estimated the overall costs of equality bureaucracy amount to as much as £1 billion annually, was discussed at the Christian Institute. It is now available on Amazon Kindle.
Equality Act 2010 = Inequality?
Assessing the Damage, by Nigel Williams, revealed that the government's impact assessment of the costs of introducing the Equality Act 2010 were based on a series of incredible assumptions, and involved putting a large monetary value on the abstract ideal of equality. At a time of economic hardship, the new Equality Act is likely to damage job prospects and make it more difficult for people to start new businesses whilst not really aiding equality.
Self Evident but ignored for Years
Physical activity program leads to better behavior for children with ADHD
While children who suffer from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with hyperactive-impulses and have trouble maintaining attention, a recent study found that a structured physical activity program may help to improve their muscular capacities, motor skills, behavior assessments, and the ability to process information. This new exploratory study was released in the recent issue of the Journal of Attention Disorders (published by SAGE).
While children who suffer from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with hyperactive-impulses and have trouble maintaining attention, a recent study found that a structured physical activity program may help to improve their muscular capacities, motor skills, behavior assessments, and the ability to process information. This new exploratory study was released in the recent issue of the Journal of Attention Disorders (published by SAGE).
Thursday, January 12, 2012
A Man's (generic term!) home is his castle!
| SELF DEFENCE: No charges for fatally stabbing home invader | |
| |
A MAN who stabbed a career criminal in the chest after he threatened him in his home with a stun gun with not face charges. |
This applies across the board!
The
NHS could save money and services by ensuring more efficient practices,
such as cutting the time patients spend in hospital and increasing day
surgery, are adopted across the board, according to the Nuffield
Trust...
Clean out self-job-making middle management and overinflated HR departments
cut old-fashioned, unnecessary and time-consuming procedures, don't employ consultants for jobs that can (and often are) be done in-house. Don't pay in flated salaries for top management - if they won't work for a reasonable reward they don't have the right work ethic or attitude and will be a waste of space in the job!
Clean out self-job-making middle management and overinflated HR departments
cut old-fashioned, unnecessary and time-consuming procedures, don't employ consultants for jobs that can (and often are) be done in-house. Don't pay in flated salaries for top management - if they won't work for a reasonable reward they don't have the right work ethic or attitude and will be a waste of space in the job!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Robbing Peter to Pay Paul
UK legal aid reforms to save less than predicted
The Government will save less than half of the £270 million it predicts through the proposed reforms to legal aid, and planned cuts will actually result in additional costs for the taxpaper by shifting the burden on to other areas of the public purse, according to a report published today by King’s College London. In his report, Unintended Consequences: the cost of the Government’s Legal Aid Reforms, Dr. Graham Cookson, from the Department of Management analysed the intended changes to family, social welfare and clinical negligence law, which together account for 85 percent of current civil legal aid expenditure. Dr. Cookson identified knock-on costs of £139 million per annum meaning the Government will realise approximately 42 per cent of the predicted savings. These unintended costs will largely be borne by other government departments including a predicted £28 million being shouldered by the NHS each year. Dr. Cookson said: "This research undermines the Government's economic rationale for changing the scope of legal aid by casting doubt on its claims of realising savings to the public purse. "Without a trial, it is impossible to say for certain what the impact of the proposals will be, just as it is impossible for the Government to assert that there will be a net saving of £270 million per annum. However, my research suggests that the net savings could be half of those predicted in the Government's forecast." In substantially reducing the scope of legal aid in three main areas alone: family law, social welfare and clinical negligence, the Ministry of Justice expected to make savings of £240 million. Dr. Cookson’s report estimates the costs, to this and other government departments, to exceed £139 million – which would eliminate almost 60 percent of the claimed savings
The Government will save less than half of the £270 million it predicts through the proposed reforms to legal aid, and planned cuts will actually result in additional costs for the taxpaper by shifting the burden on to other areas of the public purse, according to a report published today by King’s College London. In his report, Unintended Consequences: the cost of the Government’s Legal Aid Reforms, Dr. Graham Cookson, from the Department of Management analysed the intended changes to family, social welfare and clinical negligence law, which together account for 85 percent of current civil legal aid expenditure. Dr. Cookson identified knock-on costs of £139 million per annum meaning the Government will realise approximately 42 per cent of the predicted savings. These unintended costs will largely be borne by other government departments including a predicted £28 million being shouldered by the NHS each year. Dr. Cookson said: "This research undermines the Government's economic rationale for changing the scope of legal aid by casting doubt on its claims of realising savings to the public purse. "Without a trial, it is impossible to say for certain what the impact of the proposals will be, just as it is impossible for the Government to assert that there will be a net saving of £270 million per annum. However, my research suggests that the net savings could be half of those predicted in the Government's forecast." In substantially reducing the scope of legal aid in three main areas alone: family law, social welfare and clinical negligence, the Ministry of Justice expected to make savings of £240 million. Dr. Cookson’s report estimates the costs, to this and other government departments, to exceed £139 million – which would eliminate almost 60 percent of the claimed savings
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Be Cyber Secure
Signcryption technology tightens cyber security
Signcryption is a technology that protects confidentiality and authenticity, seamlessly and simultaneously.
Signcryption is a technology that protects confidentiality and authenticity, seamlessly and simultaneously.
Terrorism and Social Networking
Study: Terrorist organizations have shifted Internet activity to social networks
Hackers invading databases is just the tip of the iceberg in online terrorist activity: International terrorist organizations have shifted their Internet activity focus to social networks and today a number of Facebook groups are asking users to join and support Hezbollah, Hamas and other armed groups that have been included in the West's list of declared terror organizations. This has been shown in a new study conducted by Prof. Gabriel Weimann of the University of Haifa.
Hackers invading databases is just the tip of the iceberg in online terrorist activity: International terrorist organizations have shifted their Internet activity focus to social networks and today a number of Facebook groups are asking users to join and support Hezbollah, Hamas and other armed groups that have been included in the West's list of declared terror organizations. This has been shown in a new study conducted by Prof. Gabriel Weimann of the University of Haifa.
Clean up your acts!
It’s
time for governments to take their accounting responsibilities
seriously and to modernise their finances. The eurozone debt crisis has
highlighted widespread reporting failures and must lead to extensive
reform...
Monday, January 09, 2012
Cannabis withdrawal study
| Trial of cannabis withdrawal drug begins | |
| AUSTRALIAN researchers have begun what they say is a world-first study into a drug to manage withdrawal from cannabis. | |
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Study shows family solution to teen troubles
PhysOrg.com) -- How do you keep at-risk teens off drugs and out of
trouble? According to a new University of Georgia study, family can
make a difference.
http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-01-family-solution-teen.html
http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-01-family-solution-teen.html
Friday, January 06, 2012
Disaster Management
Researchers develop cloud computing based disaster management system
(PhysOrg.com) -- Juan Li, assistant professor of computer science, and Samee U. Khan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, have developed an elaborate cloud computing based disaster management system.
(PhysOrg.com) -- Juan Li, assistant professor of computer science, and Samee U. Khan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, have developed an elaborate cloud computing based disaster management system.
Valuable lessons in responsible citizenship
School pupils learn about practical philosophy
Children could learn valuable lessons in responsible citizenship, such as making moral judgements and informed choices, through taking part in philosophical dialogue, according to researchers at the University of Strathclyde.
Children could learn valuable lessons in responsible citizenship, such as making moral judgements and informed choices, through taking part in philosophical dialogue, according to researchers at the University of Strathclyde.
EU Fraud and Waste
Die Welt reports that an EU financed ski-slope on the Danish island of Bornholm –which due to a lack of snowfall is only operational for several days a year – is to receive a further €33,000 of EU funds for the purpose of expanding its ski lifts. The article notes that the ski-slope, highlighted in Open Europe’s 2008 “100 Examples of EU Fraud and Waste”, is not an isolated example, and cites other cases from Open Europe research.
Welt Open Europe Research
Welt Open Europe Research
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Under the influence should not be a defence.....
Study finds drunken people aware of poor decisioins
A new study says that people who commit blunders while under the influence of alcohol know they're doing it; they just don't care.
A new study says that people who commit blunders while under the influence of alcohol know they're doing it; they just don't care.
Not the first but anything that works......
Simulating firefighting operations on a PC
Firefighters often put their lives at risk during operations, so it is essential they have reliable tools to help them do their job. Now, a modular simulation kit is set to help develop new information and communication technologies – and ensure they are tailored to firefighters’ needs from the outset.
Firefighters often put their lives at risk during operations, so it is essential they have reliable tools to help them do their job. Now, a modular simulation kit is set to help develop new information and communication technologies – and ensure they are tailored to firefighters’ needs from the outset.
The NYPD targeted hotspots ......... The department also increased its manpower.....
Law prof's book probes 'whys' behind Big Apple crime decline
While the jaw-dropping decline in New York City’s crime rate is welcome news, it comes with a surprising corollary. “Most of the prevailing assumptions that have long driven U.S. crime and drug policy appear to be untrue,” said Berkeley Law professor and renowned criminologist, Franklin Zimring.
In his new book, The City That Became Safe, Zimring conducts a probing investigation of New York’s more than 80-percent drop in crime from 1990 to 2009. His findings—that police strategy played a key role in crime reduction, and that crime plummeted even as prison populations decreased—overturn decades of conventional wisdom.
While the jaw-dropping decline in New York City’s crime rate is welcome news, it comes with a surprising corollary. “Most of the prevailing assumptions that have long driven U.S. crime and drug policy appear to be untrue,” said Berkeley Law professor and renowned criminologist, Franklin Zimring.
In his new book, The City That Became Safe, Zimring conducts a probing investigation of New York’s more than 80-percent drop in crime from 1990 to 2009. His findings—that police strategy played a key role in crime reduction, and that crime plummeted even as prison populations decreased—overturn decades of conventional wisdom.
At Long Last!
Guidance would release councils from the current one-size-fits-all approach, giving them the freedom to ensure people can live in social housing ‘when they need it, for as long as they need it’.
He added: ‘No longer will people who gain a council house be able to leave their aspiration and ambition at the door. Instead, they will be helped to make a better life for themselves and their communities.
‘These changes will not only ensure more people benefit from the privilege of living in a social home, it will also restore pride to social housing, so a social tenancy is no longer seen as a stagnant option for life, but a launch pad to fulfil expectations.’
DCLG consults on rules for councils’ new housing powers
The Consultation
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
RTA's and 3D Laser cameras
British government to fund 3D laser cameras for highway crash site investigations
(PhysOrg.com) -- One of the banes of modern existence is surely the time spent in traffic backups. Oftentimes these backups occur as the result of accidents and the resulting investigative work that goes on before cleanup can commence. Such work must be done in order verify what occurred during an accident for both legal and financial reasons, thus, there is little chance of simply doing away with some of them. There does appear to be hope of developing new ways to do that detective work though, as new technology is developed to help speed things along. One of these new technologies involves the use of laser equipped 3D cameras and computer technology, instead of old fashioned photography and legwork.
(PhysOrg.com) -- One of the banes of modern existence is surely the time spent in traffic backups. Oftentimes these backups occur as the result of accidents and the resulting investigative work that goes on before cleanup can commence. Such work must be done in order verify what occurred during an accident for both legal and financial reasons, thus, there is little chance of simply doing away with some of them. There does appear to be hope of developing new ways to do that detective work though, as new technology is developed to help speed things along. One of these new technologies involves the use of laser equipped 3D cameras and computer technology, instead of old fashioned photography and legwork.
Atlas of European Values
The European Values Study explores Europeans´ attitudes about religion, politics, work, society, family and Europe. The results are represented in maps that clearly show patterns and trends across Europe. This website offers several tools to compare maps or create new ones.
These maps can be used in education and in this website we offer a variety of examples of how that could be done. In addition there is a range of videos of young Europeans discussing their perspectives on some of the questions of the European Values Study. The maps, the videos and the strategies, lesson plans and assignments can be used to make engaging lessons that explore what we understand by Europe.
http://www.atlasofeuropeanvalues.eu/new/home.php?lang=en
These maps can be used in education and in this website we offer a variety of examples of how that could be done. In addition there is a range of videos of young Europeans discussing their perspectives on some of the questions of the European Values Study. The maps, the videos and the strategies, lesson plans and assignments can be used to make engaging lessons that explore what we understand by Europe.
http://www.atlasofeuropeanvalues.eu/new/home.php?lang=en
Dutch study links school marks to exercise
A Dutch study, published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, was prompted by concern that pressure to improve school marks could mean children spend more time behind their desk and less time doing physical activity. The researchers believe that exercise may help improve cognitive performance by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain. It may also benefit classroom behaviour by reducing stress and improving mood.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2012;166[1]:49:55.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2012;166[1]:49:55.
Monday, January 02, 2012
Spamming Hotspot
Spammers propel India to junk-mail top spot
India has emerged as the world's top source of junk mail as spammers make use of lax laws and absent enforcement to turn the country into a centre of unsolicited email.
India has emerged as the world's top source of junk mail as spammers make use of lax laws and absent enforcement to turn the country into a centre of unsolicited email.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Five years in, newest EU states floundering
When Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union five years ago, the two countries were entering a realm of peace, wealth, security and stability. Today, the EU’s newest members are racked with disappointment..........................
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