I wish this article was out when I was still a course assistant in the biostats department—a lot of students could have used the info here. Aside: As somebody who has herniated a disc and seriously injured a shoulder, I’m still appalled by how often I’m told (by well-meaning physicians) to get an MRI. Nothing in the literature supports the notion that MRIs are useful or definitive for either injury. (Via Tyler Cowen.)
Development and psychometric evaluation of scales that assess stigma associated with illicit drug users. #
Coauthored an article with Joseph Palamar and Perry Halkitis from CHIBPS (at NYU). I might be biased but I happen to think this drug stigma scale is one of the more rigorously validated ones out there… Just saying.
Most racist wedding ever? #
Due to the overwhelmingly negative response, the blog (welovepictures) decided to take down the post. Google Cache, however, never forgets. “Colonial Africa”-themed wedding with an all-black waiting staff and all-white attendees? In South Africa on top of that? Should have just called it an apartheid wedding.
Sex parties among young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in New York City: Attendance and Behavior. #
Does one article make you an expert? If so, I’m now a gay sex parties in New York City expert… Published in Journal of Urban Health.
A case for safety leadership team training of hospital managers. #
Newly minted article. I’m still new to the style of writing for health management journals, but can safely say I’ve got at least one under my belt…
Map connections with great circles (using R) #
Nathan Yau of FlowingData made an awesome post on visualization of social data using R and great circles. I’ve gotten a little rusty with R but it was fun to follow along.
Giving it 110% effort #
A mathematically more precise way to justify athletes’ claims of “giving 110%”. (Yes, according to economist Stephen Shmanske, it is possible.)
(via Kottke via Cheap Talk)
The future of fighting poverty: Forget microfinancing or enterprise small-grants. Just ship people around. #
I know it’s an older post, but I have to put it up because by the time you read this, I’ll be in New Zealand.
NYTimes infographics team does census data right. #
I’ve always been a huge fan of the NYTimes infographics, but they really outdid themselves with this map. Zoom in for the full effect.
Must read article for global health researchers. #
Abstract starts:
This paper describes the rise of “global health” as a research, funding, and training priority within U.S. academic medicine, and the increasing desirability of “global health partnerships” with institutions in sub-Saharan Africa.
Placebos work. Even when you know it’s a placebo. #
A new study (N=80) finds a placebo effect even when patients were told they were taking a placebo and any positive outcomes were not a result of their pill.
Have your resume graded… #
A new service scans and grades your resume… Might be useful for the job-seekers out there.
The Young Researcher of the Year Award goes to… #
A new standard in academic achievement for littluns.
Stata + TextMate = Lifesaver. #
If you use TextMate to do the majority of your programming and Stata for your statistical analysis, here’s a bundle that combines them both. Stata programming in TextMate is so much better than the 10.0 editor. (Though, not as good as the 11.2 editor–guess it’s time for me to upgrade.)
Sperm May Hold Cure for Diabetes #
Science really needs to start reviewing their headlines.
Vote for best Aid Blog and Twitter! #
If you need suggestions the NYU’er in me says to go with AidWatch (NYU professor, Bill Easterly’s blog) and @KarenGrepin (not only an HSPH grad and NYU professor but also my previous boss and mentor).