Editors note: I came across this blog and was convinced it was important enough to reproduce in its entirety. It tells a shameful story, all too well known to IP investigators in the U.S. but not as well known as it should be in the rest of the world. Something must be done to change […]
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More gory (probably ineffective) posters
Readers with good memories may recall a blog some time back describing a treasure trove of old ‘accident prevention’ posters that were discovered by RoSPA in England. Now a story has appeared in the Washington Times about a similar discovery from the former Soviet Union. Apparently these bizarre posters intended to frighten viewers have been […]
A new distraction? Mind wandering drivers
The online BMJ Dec 13 published a fascinating French study that Raffi Consunji brought to my attention. It suggests that drivers whose minds wander may be responsible for as many as half of all car crashes. The study was aiming to identify dangerous driving distractions in order to develop technologies that can alert drivers. When you […]
This speaks for itself
“In 2011, there were 2,015 homicides of infants, children and teenagers in the United States. Of those killed, 1,534 were male, while 478 were female. According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation firearms were used in almost 63% of the murders.” This statement appears on a shocking graphic that is part of a piece […]
“Meaningful Action” to Prevent Gun Violence: where to start?
Like all of you, my heart is saddened by Friday’s gun violence at Newton, Connecticut, United States (US). As a parent of two (one of school age), thoughts about the loss that parents of deceased children in the Sandy Hook Elementary now face made me feel helpless. Nevertheless, listening to President Obama’s speech on Saturday […]
The Sandy Hook tragedy
My first reaction when I learned of the horrific events in Connecticut two days ago was to mourn with the parents of the children who were killed. My second reaction was to go to this computer and compose a message about gun control on this blog. That message would have said something along the lines […]
Tougher DWI penalties in Russia road
Rafael Consunji sent me a link to this report: Russia has announced the introduction of tougher punishments for drunk driving. A conviction could result in 15 years in prison and $16,000 in fines. This is in response to the realization that Russia has one of highest road fatality rates in the world. And much […]
Horrific fire at clothing factory in Bangladesh
In November a fire consumed a clothing factory in Bangladesh with more than 100 deaths. It appears the doors were locked and there were no emergency exits. This is all too reminiscent of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire that occurred in the US in 1911, when 146 workers died. The Bangladesh factory supplied clothing to many […]
Possible breakthrough on falls in the elderly
Most falls among elderly due to incorrect weight-shifting A study in British Columbia involved “strategically placed video cameras in long-term care facilities” that recorded falls among the elderly residents. Based on an analysis of recordings of 227 falls involving 130 individuals the researchers found that 70 per cent occurred “during a failed attempt at performing […]
Wedding gunfire electrocutes 25 people
Celebratory gunfire brought down an electric cable at a house in a village in Saudi Arabia. This may have caused a fire that killed 23 women and children or the powerline may have fallen on a metal door electrocuting the victims. Saudi Arabia last month banned the shooting of firearms at weddings, a popular tradition […]