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Guess who’s working on a health data-slurping digital tool. Bzzt! Nope, it’s the UK Department for Work and Pensions

Loknath Das, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The UK’s Department for Work and Pensions is drawing up plans for an internal service that allows it to automate slurps of medical data on claimants to dole out health-related benefits. In an ad posted on the UK’s Digital Marketplace, DWP said the work was currently in alpha and it now wanted a supplier to deliver a technical proof of concept to expose NHS data to the department’s systems. The aim, it said, is to cut down the time and cost involved in gathering information the department needs to make a…

Health advice for the New Year from a real wellness expert

Loknath Das, , , , , , , , , ,

As it is the New Year many so-called wellness experts are dispensing supposedly transformational health advice. Articles about New Year’s detoxes (and all the required accoutrements, conveniently for sale) and diets are aplenty. After much much reflection I have decided that I am one of the most equipped to give said advice as I am a doctor who has been studying wellness for some time. I’ve also attended a conference (nothing was designed to improve your life experience, although coming back from death was a big focus) and, given my…

How technology is changing rural China

Loknath Das, , , , ,

Alex Wong | Staff | Getty Images An Alibaba employee demonstrates ‘Smile to Pay’, an automatic payment system that authorize payment via facial recognition In a nation of nearly 1.4 billion, ensuring there’s efficient health care and education is a tall order for China. Especially in some of the more remoter parts of the country. At the East Tech West conference in Nansha, Guangzhou, this week, business leaders, investors and experts contemplated how the country can effectively “equalize” these services for the whole nation. Indeed, the number of internet users…

Investment planning: Why you need to look at recurring deposits

Loknath Das, , , , , , , , ,

Recurring deposit (RD) is a form of term deposit offered by banks and post offices through which a fixed amount can be deposited periodically by individuals. This is one of the highly popular and risk free investment opportunities for retail investors. Let us discuss below why one should invest in recurring deposits and factors to be considered while opening the same. Advantages All major banks across the country offer an option to open a recurring deposit account, with the term typically ranging between six months and 10 years, providing individuals…

Church-based lifestyle intervention reduces BP in black patients

Loknath Das, , , , , , ,

Among black patients with hypertension, a community-based lifestyle intervention taking place in churches conferred a greater reduction in systolic BP than a control intervention, according to the results of the FAITH study. “African-Americans have a significantly greater burden of hypertension and heart disease, and our findings prove that people with uncontrolled hypertension can, indeed, better manage their blood pressure through programs administered in places of worship,” Gbenga Ogedegbe, MD, MPH, FACP, Dr. Adolph & Margaret Berger Professor of Population Health and Medicine, chief of the Division of Health & Behavior and director of…

Cannabis extract can be used to treat psychosis, says this study

Loknath Das, , , , , , , , , ,

A single dose of the non-intoxicating compound of cannabis — cannabidiol — can help reduce brain function abnormalities seen in people with psychosis, results of a clinical trial, led by an Indian-origin doctor, has revealed. Psychosis is a mental disorder characterised by a disconnection from reality. Brain activity in the people at risk of psychosis remains abnormal compared to the healthy ones. But in people who had cannabidiol, the abnormal brain activity was less severe than for those who received a placebo, suggesting cannabidiol can help re-adjust brain activity to…