Tech Briefs Insider » 2007 » August

Should patients have unlimited access to data on their doctors?

TechBriefs — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:14:27 +0000

This week’s question concerns a court ruling in favor of a consumer group that won a suit to allow disclosure of data about doctors from the Medicare claims database. The data can be used to determine how a doctor makes crucial decisions on tests and procedures, as well as which doctors fail to order prudent preventive tests, and which ones order unnecessary hospitalizations. Doctors worry that the files do not account for the severity of the cases and that they might show a higher-than-average number of patient deaths for a particular doctor, even though that doctor may have had patients with more serious illnesses.

What do you think?
Should patients have unlimited access to data on their doctors?

Click Here to Vote

Should the agency redirect funds toward Earth studies and problems such as global warming, or continue to push forward with missions to the moon and Mars?

TechBriefs — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:42:47 +0000

Last week’s question concerned a report about an Internet clearinghouse of cell phone numbers available for purchase. The company running the site says it’s a public service to help parents check on whom their kids are calling or conduct a background check on a nanny, but others believe it’s a violation of privacy. We asked whether you think cell phone numbers should be sold, and you were emphatic in your response, with 90% voting NO.

Here’s a sample of your comments:

“Under NO circumstances do I want my cell phone number published or shared. If this is allowed to happen, I will be forced to radically change the way I use my cell phone. This could include turning it off or call screening.” - D. Bassett

“If the company selling the cell phone numbers was genuinely concerned for children’s safety, they would be willing to provide this information without charge, not profit from a ‘perceived’ menace.” - E. Gonzales

“Cell phone numbers should not be sold to anyone willing to plunk down a few dollars. This could open the door for unsolicited advertising received on our cell phones with us picking up the tab.” - B. Loe

“Recent U.S. privacy laws have enabled, not prevented, identity theft crime. Cell phone number databases are one more tool for criminal exploitation.” - J. Davis

“Cell phone numbers should be treated like regular telephone numbers. The owner of the number should allow it to be published or unlisted, however they prefer.” - R. Hoffman

This week, we turn our attention to a Los Angeles Times editorial that questioned NASA’s priorities, suggesting the agency was wrong in cancelling climate and other Earth observation projects in favor of manned spaceflight. What do you think? If budgets remain flat in coming years, NASA will continue to face tough choices. Should the agency redirect funds toward Earth studies and problems such as global warming, or continue to push forward with missions to the moon and Mars? Submit your answer here.

Should cell phone numbers be for sale?

TechBriefs — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:33:24 +0000

Last week’s question concerned a new study on the placebo effect, and patients who were able to eliminate pain and cure disease simply by taking a sugar pill if they believed it would work. We asked if you thought mind over matter alone could cure disease. Sixty-five percent of you said yes, while 35 percent said no. Here’s more of what you had to say:

“I believe that a person’s attitude has a massive impact on their health. High mental stress and suppressed emotion will eventually manifest itself physically one way or another. People who have faith in God report miraculous recoveries from illnesses. But whether it is all in the mind, I think not. I don’t think the mind is healing. Impacting, yes, but actually healing, no.” - M. Hudspeth

“Sometimes being close-minded to things that seem impossible can limit new discoveries. Only when old beliefs like man can never fly or the Earth is flat were questioned was the door opened to discover the truth. If some patients were cured by a placebo, then something worked even if we don’t know what that something was. Faith maybe?” - W. Nivens

“The human body is an amazing work of engineering. The system can be taught to do almost anything. We have the capacity to learn how to control our emotions, our hunger, etc. A person, either out of need or an inherited feature, can heal themselves from certain diseases and ailments. The body is capable of healing itself, it just does not always know how.” - D. Ferguson

This week’s question concerns a report by ABC News about a Web site that is a clearinghouse of cell phone numbers that can be purchased for $15 each. The source is just about any business or government agency you’ve ever given your personal info to. They have 90 million cell phone numbers now, and will be adding 70 million more. The company says it’s a public service to help parents check on who their kids are calling or do a background check on a nanny, but others think it’s a violation of privacy for the company to sell this information. We’ve had telephone books and directories of our home phone numbers for decades, but what about selling cell numbers, as well as addresses and other personal data? What do you think? Should cell phone numbers be for sale? Submit your answer here.

Do you believe that mind over matter alone can cure disease?

TechBriefs — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:21:00 +0000

Last week’s question concerned what the first mission of NASA’s new Orion crew vehicle — which will replace the shuttle — should be. We asked if landing on an asteroid, which would enable testing of procedures and equipment, should take priority over a manned mission to Mars. Sixty-three percent of you said yes, while 37 percent said you think a manned mission to Mars should be the top priority. Here’s more of what you had to say:

“Landing on Mars or an asteroid has no chance of national economic gain or adding to world stability. We desperately need a NASA “Space Race” for fusion energy. Can NASA help our national leaders realize NASA could lead us to a new world right here on Earth?” - D.Reed

“I think the clear goal should remain that of a manned Mars landing, but I think an intermediate step of landing on an asteroid of opportunity is an excellent idea for evaluating hardware, crew readiness, and mission control readiness for a Mars landing.” - T. Holmes

“As in all things that pertain to human life, we should take small steps in experiments. A closer asteroid could serve two purposes: Can man really handle long-range space travel and the effects of it, and could we deflect an asteroid that is headed towards Earth?” - A. Mason

This week’s question concerns a new study on the placebo effect — when a patient’s pain is eliminated by taking a sugar pill, or placebo, instead of a real drug. The study of how the placebo effect works showed that when volunteers were convinced they were receiving real pain medication, their brains released opioids, or “natural relief,” and their pain disappeared. Some patients even were cured of disease after taking the placebo. What do you think? Do you believe that mind over matter alone can cure disease? Submit your answer here.