All posts tagged: Rates

High temperatures are linked to slightly increased rates of police violence

High temperatures are linked to slightly increased rates of police violence

Published by José Betancourt

An analysis of Mapping Police Violence data found that police violence in the U.S. tended to be slightly higher when average monthly temperatures exceeded 20.3°C (68.5°F). In areas with over 5 million people and in areas with less than 50mm of precipitation, each additional 1°C increase in the monthly average temperature above this threshold was associated with a roughly 2% increase in the rate of deaths caused by police violence. The paper was published in PLOS ONE. Climate studies over the past few decades have indicated that our planet is rapidly warming. In 2024, global average surface temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time on record. These climate shifts have resulted in increasingly frequent periods of very hot daily temperatures. In humans, exposure to high air temperatures—specifically temperatures above comfortable levels to which the body is adapted—produces physical discomfort, fatigue, and irritability. When people are overheated, they may find it harder to concentrate, make decisions, or control emotional reactions. Heat can also disturb sleep, and poor sleep can further worsen mood and …

Transgender individuals face higher rates of discrimination and violence than cisgender sexual minorities

Transgender individuals face higher rates of discrimination and violence than cisgender sexual minorities

Published by José Betancourt

Transgender people report higher rates of discrimination and violence across Europe compared to individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. These disparities remain relatively consistent regardless of how progressive a country’s national equality laws might be. The findings were published in the International Journal of Transgender Health. For decades, academic and demographic studies have grouped sexual and gender minority populations together under a single umbrella. This broad categorization assumes a shared set of social challenges. However, lumping diverse populations together can obscure the specific risks faced by distinct groups. Public and political opposition to transgender rights has intensified across several countries in recent years. During this same period, legal rights regarding sexual orientation and same-sex partnerships have generally advanced. Because of this diverging political landscape, researchers wanted to isolate the specific experiences of transgender people. Jacob Evje, a researcher at the University of Oslo in Norway, led the investigation alongside his colleagues Sam Fluit and Tilmann von Soest. The research team aimed to identify exactly how everyday encounters with prejudice differ between gender minorities …

US Fed holds rates steady, Powell to remain on its board | Business and Economy News

US Fed holds rates steady, Powell to remain on its board | Business and Economy News

Published by Sam Flores

The United States Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady at 3.5 to 3.75 percent as pressure on the labour market and inflation, as the US-Israel war on Iran and subsequent retaliation weigh on the global economy. The US central bank announced its decision, which was largely in line with economists’ expectations, on Wednesday, wrapping up the last two-day policy meeting led by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list CME FedWatch, which tracks the likelihood of various monetary policy decisions, had a 100 percent expectation that the central bank would maintain rates. Eight officials voted to maintain rates. However, three officials dissented in favour of removing the reference to a future cut, while a fourth, Stephen Miran, an appointee of US President Donald Trump, dissented in favour of an immediate rate cut — marking the most dissents at the central bank since October 1992. “Three members resisted including an easing bias, suggesting more divides in the central bank ahead,” Rachel Ziemba, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a …

Children with medical complexity show higher rates of outpatient antibiotic exposure

Children with medical complexity show higher rates of outpatient antibiotic exposure

Published by skeptic

A new study from Boston Children’s Hospital found that annual prescription rates increased non-linearly as children’s underlying level of medical complexity increased, raising concerns about outpatient antibiotic exposure. Persistent use of antibiotics contributes to the increased likelihood of antibiotic-related complications, as well as the development of antibiotic resistance. Children with medical complexity (CMC) are more vulnerable to infections, but knowledge of the impact of frequent antibiotic use on this group is limited. Using outpatient antibiotic prescription claims data from the multi-state MarketScan Medicaid Database, Boston Children’s Hospital observed that children with three or more complex chronic conditions were more likely to fill prescriptions for broad-spectrum antibiotics with less favorable safety profiles. Children with three or more complex chronic conditions have the highest annual prescription rates of any population group (adult or pediatric). The study examined the outpatient prescription rates of over 2 million children Children ages 0-18 years continuously enrolled in Medicaid in 2023 were included and categorised into five mutually exclusive categories of underlying medical complexity: healthy (no chronic conditions), non-complex chronic condition (NC-C), …

Trump says Fed nominee should cut rates right away

Trump says Fed nominee should cut rates right away

Published by Sam Flores

President Trump on Tuesday said he would be disappointed if the Federal Reserve Chair nominee Kevin Warsh does not cut interest rates right away — comments that came moments before Warsh’s scheduled confirmation hearing on the Hill.  When asked if he’d be disappointed if Warsh didn’t move quickly to lower benchmark interest rates, the president… Source link