In Bangladesh, a birthing kit now includes a mat that absorbs up to 500ml of blood. If there is more blood than that, it may be a hemorrhage requiring attention. Economist http://econ.st/114YoBI
Studies in AIDS-prevalent regions of Africa show a 60% reduction in transmission from woman to man after circumcision. Gates Foundation: http://bit.ly/8T7Gcq
"Sitting is the 'smoking' of our generation". http://bit.ly/ZPpJZ7
Epidemiologists show that testing all adults for HIV in India would overall save money. Economist http://econ.st/11CuhmQ
A Gates Foundation Grand Challenge seeks ideas for making condoms more pleasurable. If men wore condoms more, HIV and pregnancy rates would plummet. NY Times http://nyti.ms/14TAzmv
If we place defibrillators everywhere, why not epipins? NYTimes http://nyti.ms/1699k8q
Researchers have inserted carbon nanotubules under the skin of diabetics. They change properties with altered glucose levels. NY Times http://bit.ly/cytTlt
A penny per ounce tax on soda will cut obesity, decrease medical problems, and pay for better school lunches. Nice NY Times review http://nyti.ms/8YTX6y
Tap water is subject to tighter government control than bottled water, and comes without the environmentally harmful bottle. Fortune Magazine http://bit.ly/d4Pb5r
The lifting of the 55 mph speed limit in 1995 has resulted in over 12,000 additional deaths - more than Iraq, Afghanistan and 9/11 combined. Higher speeds also use way more fuel. Freakonomics blog: http://nyti.ms/9NRmEq
Girls in developing countries often don't participate in school or sports due to lack of cheap sanitary pads. A program in Kenya helps. A Changemakers.com winning idea 2008. http://bit.ly/6VXu84
Researchers currently study national data and rank US states (and DC) by happiness. (NY is 51st.) http://ow.ly/OMua
In a nod to teammates who may have alcohol problems, some teams celebrate victories by spraying Ginger Ale on each other. NY Times best idea 2010. http://nyti.ms/giLUhZ
Turning a subway stairway exit into a piano keyboard encouraged people to take the stairs. From TheFunTheory.com.http://bit.ly/5i7nRP
A nursing home connected to a pub will promote more frequent visits (just take Grandpa next door!). Will work especially well with Alzheimers patients.