"The climate is always changing. Climate is currently changing because of a combination of natural and human induced effects. The natural effects include variations of the sun, volcanic eruptions, and oscillations of the ocean. The human induced effects include the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, pollution aerosols, and land use changes. The key scientific issue is determining how much of the climate change is associated with humans. This is not a simple thing to determine. The most recent IPCC assessment report states: “Most [50%] of the warming in the latter half of the 20th century is very likely [>90%] due to the observed increase in greenhouse gas concentrations.” There is certainly some contribution from the greenhouse gases, but whether it is currently a dominant factor or will be a dominant factor in the next century, is a topic under active debate, and I don’t think the high confidence level [>90%] is warranted given the uncertainties."
http://www.thegwpf.org/the-climate-record/5084-the-ipcc-may-have-outlived-its-usefulness-an-interview-with-judith-curry.html
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Recovery housing and treatment programs reduce relapse among recovering opioid addicts
Recovery housing and treatment programs reduce relapse among recovering opioid addicts
Opioid-dependent individuals who want to kick the habit typically begin the road to recovery with detoxification. But detox is ineffective as a stand-alone treatment, with relapse rates ranging from 65% to 80% just one month after discharge. New research published online today in the journal Addiction reveals that individuals with substance use disorders may be as much as ten times more likely to stay abstinent when they have access to drug-free recovery housing and day-treatment programs following detox
Opioid-dependent individuals who want to kick the habit typically begin the road to recovery with detoxification. But detox is ineffective as a stand-alone treatment, with relapse rates ranging from 65% to 80% just one month after discharge. New research published online today in the journal Addiction reveals that individuals with substance use disorders may be as much as ten times more likely to stay abstinent when they have access to drug-free recovery housing and day-treatment programs following detox
Three-strikes law fails to reduce crime
Three-strikes law fails to reduce crime
California's three-strikes law has not reduced violent crime, but has contributed significantly to the state's financial woes by substantially increasing the prison population, according to a University of California, Riverside researcher.
California's three-strikes law has not reduced violent crime, but has contributed significantly to the state's financial woes by substantially increasing the prison population, according to a University of California, Riverside researcher.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Fitness program for mentally ill
Fitness program for mentally ill expands in NH
(AP) -- Back when he was a self-described friendless recluse, Craig Carey spent hours sitting in a chair doing nothing or driving around in his car, alone. Then a fitness program for people with serious mental illness turned his life around.
(AP) -- Back when he was a self-described friendless recluse, Craig Carey spent hours sitting in a chair doing nothing or driving around in his car, alone. Then a fitness program for people with serious mental illness turned his life around.
Underage drinking laws reduce future criminal behavior
Underage drinking laws reduce future criminal behavior
Do strict underage drinking laws really have a positive impact on society? A recent study finds that strictly enforcing possession of alcohol under the legal age or PULA (also known as PAULA) laws on teenagers reduces the likelihood that they will engage in alcohol-related crime as adults. This study was documented in the article "The Relationship between Underage Alcohol Possession and Future Criminal Behavior: An Empirical Analysis Using Age-Period Cohort Characteristics Models," published in SAGE Open.
Do strict underage drinking laws really have a positive impact on society? A recent study finds that strictly enforcing possession of alcohol under the legal age or PULA (also known as PAULA) laws on teenagers reduces the likelihood that they will engage in alcohol-related crime as adults. This study was documented in the article "The Relationship between Underage Alcohol Possession and Future Criminal Behavior: An Empirical Analysis Using Age-Period Cohort Characteristics Models," published in SAGE Open.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Is there such a thing as a typical criminal career?
No such thing as a typical criminal career
(PhysOrg.com) -- Is there such a thing as a typical criminal career? This was the question addressed by criminologist Volker Grundies from the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law in Freiburg. This study examined the data of approximately 21,000 men from Baden-Württemberg, who had come into conflict with the law on one or more occasions. The results of his study challenge widely held criminological theories surrounding the development of delinquent behaviour in the life of an individual
(PhysOrg.com) -- Is there such a thing as a typical criminal career? This was the question addressed by criminologist Volker Grundies from the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law in Freiburg. This study examined the data of approximately 21,000 men from Baden-Württemberg, who had come into conflict with the law on one or more occasions. The results of his study challenge widely held criminological theories surrounding the development of delinquent behaviour in the life of an individual
Experts recommend measures to reduce human error in fingerprint analysis
Experts recommend measures to reduce human error in fingerprint analysis
A new report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has documented 149 potential sources of human error in the analysis of crime scene fingerprints. The study by a working group of 34 experts recommends a series of improvements to significantly reduce or eliminate the errors, based on the findings from its three-year scientific assessment of the effects of human factors on forensic latent print analysis. The working group consisted of experts from various forensic disciplines, statisticians, psychologists, engineers and other scientific experts, as well as legal scholars and representatives of professional organizations.
A new report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has documented 149 potential sources of human error in the analysis of crime scene fingerprints. The study by a working group of 34 experts recommends a series of improvements to significantly reduce or eliminate the errors, based on the findings from its three-year scientific assessment of the effects of human factors on forensic latent print analysis. The working group consisted of experts from various forensic disciplines, statisticians, psychologists, engineers and other scientific experts, as well as legal scholars and representatives of professional organizations.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Why do politidcians always think America knows best? One size does not fit all!
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The creation of police commissioners raises some awkward accounting issues, not least because there are now going to be two separate police bodies, says.
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Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Norway: New legal limits in traffic for drugs other than alcohol
Norway: New legal limits in traffic for drugs other than alcohol
Legal limits for twenty illegal drugs and medicines with an abuse potential have been introduced by the Norwegian government. Norway is the first country to define both impairment-based legislative limits and limits for graded sanctions for drugs other than alcohol. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health participated to provide the scientific basis for the new limits.
Legal limits for twenty illegal drugs and medicines with an abuse potential have been introduced by the Norwegian government. Norway is the first country to define both impairment-based legislative limits and limits for graded sanctions for drugs other than alcohol. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health participated to provide the scientific basis for the new limits.
Health Touriam costa the NHS - and us!
Challenges to the NHS from 'health tourism' going unrecognized
The rise of medical tourism presents significant challenges for the NHS according to new work from academics at the Universities of Birmingham and York. They argue that policy makers have so far failed to address the implications health tourism has on the quality and continuity of care patients receive.
The rise of medical tourism presents significant challenges for the NHS according to new work from academics at the Universities of Birmingham and York. They argue that policy makers have so far failed to address the implications health tourism has on the quality and continuity of care patients receive.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Well done, Home Office - now that's something you don't hear very often!
The government should be ‘unflinching’ in pushing through its public service reforms, think-tank Reform said today. Its analysis of the performance of major Whitehall departments and their ministers revealed a mixed picture....
Thursday, February 09, 2012
Family functioning and political unrest
Northern Ireland, political violence harms youths through families
War, the aftermath of war, and political violence are harmful to children's and teens' mental health and well-being. But few studies have looked at how this happens. A new longitudinal study of neighborhoods in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has found that political violence affects children by upsetting the ways their families function, resulting in behavior problems and mental hefamily functioningalth symptoms among the youths over extended periods of time.
War, the aftermath of war, and political violence are harmful to children's and teens' mental health and well-being. But few studies have looked at how this happens. A new longitudinal study of neighborhoods in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has found that political violence affects children by upsetting the ways their families function, resulting in behavior problems and mental hefamily functioningalth symptoms among the youths over extended periods of time.
Firefighting and the effects of wind
Report on Texas fire urges firefighters to consider wind effects
(PhysOrg.com) -- Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The findings confirm earlier NIST research, but they take on a particular immediacy because they are based on detailed computer models of a tragic 2009 residential fire in Houston, Texas, that claimed the lives of two firefighters.
(PhysOrg.com) -- Wind conditions at a fire scene can make a critical difference on the behavior of the blaze and the safety of firefighters, even indoors, according to a new report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The findings confirm earlier NIST research, but they take on a particular immediacy because they are based on detailed computer models of a tragic 2009 residential fire in Houston, Texas, that claimed the lives of two firefighters.
Illegal tweeting!
Brazil files suits against Twitter on police traps
The Brazilian government has filed a lawsuit against Twitter and its users in a bid to stop publication of messages alerting drivers to police speed traps and drunk-driving checkpoints.
The Brazilian government has filed a lawsuit against Twitter and its users in a bid to stop publication of messages alerting drivers to police speed traps and drunk-driving checkpoints.
Fingerprint evidence
Statistical model unlocks barriers to use of fingerprint evidence in court
Potentially key fingerprint evidence is currently not being considered due to shortcomings in the way it is reported, according to a report published today in Significance, the magazine of the Royal Statistical Society and the American Statistical Association. Researchers involved in the study have devised a statistical model to enable the weight of fingerprint evidence to be quantified, paving the way for its full inclusion in the criminal identification process.
Potentially key fingerprint evidence is currently not being considered due to shortcomings in the way it is reported, according to a report published today in Significance, the magazine of the Royal Statistical Society and the American Statistical Association. Researchers involved in the study have devised a statistical model to enable the weight of fingerprint evidence to be quantified, paving the way for its full inclusion in the criminal identification process.
Canadians want to make family a priority
New poll shows Canadians want to make family a priority
Canadians want to make family a priority – 85 per cent want to spend more time with their families and 60 per cent want governments to support policy changes that make it easier to raise a family, according to a national poll by McAllister Opinion Research about research led by University of British Columbia professor Paul Kershaw.
Canadians want to make family a priority – 85 per cent want to spend more time with their families and 60 per cent want governments to support policy changes that make it easier to raise a family, according to a national poll by McAllister Opinion Research about research led by University of British Columbia professor Paul Kershaw.
Monday, February 06, 2012
Holistic (or joined-up) government?
Youth unemployment represents a ‘time bomb’ under the nation’s public finances and could cost the government £28bn over the next ten years, a voluntary sector review has found...
People in their 60's have to work longer, where are the jobs for the young people to come from? Sending them for tertiary education is not the answer, and debases tertiary education, to the detriment of all aspects of culture, science etc.
Friday, February 03, 2012
EU please note!
Hand counts of votes may cause errors, says new study
Hand counting of votes in postelection audit or recount procedures can result in error rates of up to 2 percent, according to a new study from Rice University and Clemson University.
Hand counting of votes in postelection audit or recount procedures can result in error rates of up to 2 percent, according to a new study from Rice University and Clemson University.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
New report outlines key features of next-generation public safety communications
New report outlines key features of next-generation public safety communications
Creation of a next-generation public safety communications network requires leadership from a single non-profit organization devoted to this purpose, according to a report released today by a federal advisory committee. Such a network would support voice, video and data transmissions, and ideally be at the disposal of all first responders—the medical, emergency, law enforcement or military personnel who are first on the scene of events that threaten public safety.
Creation of a next-generation public safety communications network requires leadership from a single non-profit organization devoted to this purpose, according to a report released today by a federal advisory committee. Such a network would support voice, video and data transmissions, and ideally be at the disposal of all first responders—the medical, emergency, law enforcement or military personnel who are first on the scene of events that threaten public safety.
An emergency network for natural disasters
An emergency network for natural disasters
Engineering researchers at the University of Arkansas are developing an emergency communications network that will maintain operation during natural disasters and provide critical warnings and geographic information to people affected by the disasters. The researchers are honing and testing the system now and expect to deploy a pilot network at the end of 2012.
Engineering researchers at the University of Arkansas are developing an emergency communications network that will maintain operation during natural disasters and provide critical warnings and geographic information to people affected by the disasters. The researchers are honing and testing the system now and expect to deploy a pilot network at the end of 2012.
Be neater if they could disarm it!
From opening thunder to closing whimper
Thanks to lightning-fast software from the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), if a truck bomb was discovered in Lower Manhattan we will now be able to predict the likely damage patterns in the surrounding areas, and prioritize the first responders' activities long before the bomb's acoustic shockwave ricocheted out at the speed of sound.
Thanks to lightning-fast software from the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), if a truck bomb was discovered in Lower Manhattan we will now be able to predict the likely damage patterns in the surrounding areas, and prioritize the first responders' activities long before the bomb's acoustic shockwave ricocheted out at the speed of sound.
Canadian police agencies suppressing data on race, says criminology study
Canadian police agencies suppressing data on race, says criminology study
While only 20 per cent of Canada's police forces have an explicit policy against reporting the race of victims and accused persons, University of Toronto and Nipissing criminologists show that the majority of police departments do not report race in practice.
While only 20 per cent of Canada's police forces have an explicit policy against reporting the race of victims and accused persons, University of Toronto and Nipissing criminologists show that the majority of police departments do not report race in practice.
Worrying increase in the number of young NEET individuals
Research shows we must pay now or we'll pay more later for youth crisis
A comprehensive report published today by the University of Bristol Centre for Market and Public Organisation and Tomorrow’s People shows a worrying increase in the number of young NEET individuals – one of the most economically vulnerable groups in society.
A comprehensive report published today by the University of Bristol Centre for Market and Public Organisation and Tomorrow’s People shows a worrying increase in the number of young NEET individuals – one of the most economically vulnerable groups in society.
The Coming Of The New Ice Age? End Of The Global Warming Era?
http://www.thegwpf.org/opinion-pros-a-cons/4883-the-coming-of-the-new-ice-age-end-of-the-global-warming-era.html
To sum up: Think of this as a warning from the past. Not a warning about looming ice ages, but rather a warning to ignore politically and/or income motivated disaster-mongers.
To sum up: Think of this as a warning from the past. Not a warning about looming ice ages, but rather a warning to ignore politically and/or income motivated disaster-mongers.
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