BiotechMashup

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with authors receiving consulting fees/honoraria from the pharmaceutical industry have a significantly greater likelihood of reporting positive outcomes than RCTs without such financial conflicts of interest, according to a new study.

(European League Against Rheumatism) Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with authors receiving consulting fees/honoraria from the pharmaceutical industry have a significantly greater likelihood of reporting positive outcomes than RCTs without such financial conflicts of interest according to data presented today at the EULAR 2011 Annual Congress.

Drug studies financed by pharmaceutical companies frequently show positive results in favor of the sponsor. In a new study, a research team in Germany describes the influence of sponsoring on the results, protocol and quality of drugs studies.

(Deutsches Aerzteblatt International) Drug studies financed by pharmaceutical companies frequently show positive results in favor of the sponsor. In the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, a research group headed by the Chairman of the Drug Commission of the German Medical Association, Professor Wolf-Dieter Ludwig, describes the influence of sponsoring on the results, protocol and quality of drugs studies.

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, financial literacy is still low among young adults. According to a new study, only twenty-seven percent of people aged 23-28 can answer three basic questions about interest rates, inflation, and risk diversification, and other basic financial concepts. Furthermore, this result was amplified when studying the answers of young women, African-Americans, and Hispanics, and those with low educational attainment.

Scientific research may be in decline across the globe because of growing pressures to report only positive results, new analysis suggests.

Disclosure of financial conflicts of interests to potential participants in research is important, but may have a limited role in managing these conflicts, according to a new study.

Financial psychology addresses the many "soft" issues associated with money.Financial planning organizations are now using psychologists or social workers as consultants because so-called simple problems can spiral out of control.A financial advisor is a practising professional who prepares financial planning for people covering various aspects of personal finance. Like trying to diet or exercise regularly, financial fitness can look a lot easier to attain than it is.

When regulating financial markets, physics may help. As a result of the financial crisis, many countries are trying to regulate their financial markets. Recently the heated debates about bonus taxes, a permanent levy on banks' balance sheets and a ban on short sales have taken another turn, with France's President Nicolas Sarkozy promoting a transaction tax. But are policy-makers doing the right thing? Or will they obstruct the self-regulating forces of the markets?