Monday's Daily Pulse
 Dr. Sandy Anderson formulates mathematical models of a cancer's behavior. » Full story: Medical Math |
Cancer care in Florida
One of the most surprising findings emerging from mathematical models is that blasting cancers with as much chemotherapy as a patient can survive might not always be a good idea. "The classic mechanisms for therapy for 50 years have been to trot out your biggest, baddest drugs, give it in your highest dose possible, as quickly as possible. The idea is you really want to whack it," says Dr. Robert Gatenby. Read more:
» Insights: Cancer care in Florida
» Medical Math: Mathematicians doing cancer research
On jobs, Florida again sets the pace
Considered a laggard compared with the rest of the country by economists during the Great Recession, Florida now regularly outpaces the U.S. in rebounding employment, housing starts and other key measures. That trend continued Friday, when the Labor Department reported that the nation's jobless rate fell in April to 7.5 percent, a four-year low. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Hefty budget poses stark spending choices for Gov. Rick Scott
The Florida Legislature's hard work is over and Gov. Rick Scott's is just beginning. Scott, who promised as a candidate to shrink government, will soon receive a $74.5 billion budget filled with line-item projects in every corner of the state that he has the power to veto. The question for Scott is whether he seizes the moment or takes the easy way out. [Source: Times/Herald]
Related:
» Gov. Scott wins OK of priorities after fight
» Column: Five reasons to stay economically optimistic
Diners aren’t always eating what they think they’re eating. On restaurant menus and along grocery store aisles, food labels are misleading consumers into ordering a certain dish or buying a certain brand. Little white lies and downright deceptions are commonplace in the multibillion dollar food-marketing push that takes aim at consumers’ wallets every meal of every day. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]
The 2013 legislative session's biggest winners, losers
Teachers and state workers got raises in the state budget, the insurance industry held onto a 26-year-old tax break and environmentalists got $70 million for Everglades restoration projects. On the flip side, lawmakers shut down Internet cafes, denied the Miami Dolphins tax dollars and left the working poor without a health care expansion. Read the full rundown from the Orlando Sentinel and read more from the Times/Herald.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› United Arts fundraising beats goal [Orlando Sentinel]
United Arts of Central Florida's annual public-fundraising campaign had its strongest result in five years, officials said, beating its 2013 goal by almost $390,000.
› Car-sharing catching on in spread-out South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
South Florida's sprawling development and limited public transportation make owning a car pretty much a necessity. But a growing number of services are popping up in South Florida giving people quick, cheap access to cars whether they're lacking one of their own or need an extra set of wheels for a quick trip to Home Depot.
› Northrop may get largest state incentive deal of Scott's term [Orlando Sentinel]
Northrop Grumman Corp., which reported a $2 billion profit last year, could receive nearly $19 million in cash and tax breaks from Florida in return for its planned expansion in Brevard County, which would make it the state's largest jobs-creation incentive deal since Gov. Rick Scott took office two years ago.
› Feds investigate acclaimed Miami housing firm [Miami Herald]
A Miami federal grand jury is investigating South Florida’s preeminent affordable-housing developer, the Carlisle Development Group, on allegations that it bilked the U.S. government out of millions of dollars in tax subsidies used to finance more than a dozen rental projects in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
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› Doctors turn to nurses for help [Florida Today]
Local health care providers are preparing for the crush of new patients by turning to nurse practitioners, a sort of advanced registered nurse with training allowing them to do some of the work of a primary care doctor. They’ve become more prevalent over the last decade, helping physicians keep pace with growing rosters of patients.
› Exotic Maserati car line off to small but significant start in Jacksonville [Florida Times-Union]
Robert Dunn, Maserati of Jacksonville’s general manager, has sold Maseratis and other high-end exotics elsewhere in his career. He says public response has shown having the exotic marque in Jacksonville “makes more than perfect sense.”
› Opinion: New growth is coming, but is Florida ready? [Ocala Star-Banner]
Citing a 2013 Moody’s report, House Speaker Will Weatherford recently noted that Florida is poised to once again grow at the rate of 1,000 new residents each day. Given the history of growth and development issues in our state, that is either good or bad news, depending on your perspective.
› Southwest Florida feels sting of sequester cutbacks [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The FAA's furloughs of air traffic controllers have been the most visible sign of Congressional budget cuts that began in March. But as the $85 billion in so-called sequester cuts take hold, a quieter but no less poignant struggle is emerging for groups and educators who feed seniors, help single mothers pay rent, aid parents with preschool costs and provide meals to children — and for the individuals who receive the services.