Call for inquiry on high hospital death rate

An investigation by the Guardian has revealed wide disparities in death rates across hospitals. Photograph: Cate Gillon/Getty Images The families of patients who died after vascular surgery at a hospital with an exceptionally high death rate could be entitled to an investigation, according to an independent patient-support organisation. Peter Walsh, chief executive of Action against [...]

The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves | Book review

It was only when human learned to trade, that innovation – and prosperity – followed. Photograph: Bazuki Muhammad/REUTERS Homo erectus ape-men were avid tool users. We know this because they left crafted stone axes all over the globe. But they were no innovators. Once they started making axes, they stuck to the same design for more [...]

Baby P doctor missed ‘unique opportunity’ to save his life

Tracey Connelly, the mother of Baby P. Photograph: Metropolitan Police/PA Baby Peter’s GP missed a “unique opportunity” to save the child’s life eight days before his death, the General Medical Council heard today. Dr Jerome Ikwueke noticed a marked change in the personality of the previously happy 17-month-old when he was brought to his surgery [...]

Reality, not ideology, should drive these cuts | Observer editorial

Giving away control is something governments tend to do when they are new. With age comes jealous hoarding of power. Gordon Brown gave independence to the Bank of England within days of becoming chancellor in 1997. But by the end of his time in Downing Street, it would have been unimaginable for the government to [...]

The genetics of autism | Story tracker

To submit an update or an online resource for consideration, please email guardianscience@gmail.com putting “Autism story tracker” in the subject line. Photograph: Kyu Oh/Getty Images Thursday June 10, 1:00pm: Interesting to see how this story has been covered in different places. The Nature news blog applies its trademark clarity on who did what and what [...]