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Understanding long-term trends of stressors on koala populations

A 29-year analysis of koala rescue data in New South Wales highlights the impact of increased human activities and bushfires on koala populations. Disease, particularly chlamydia, was found to be a major stressor, with incidents increasing over time, while release rates dropped and euthanasia rates rose.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 28, 2020

Black Hispanic individuals hardest hit by COVID-19

A new study finds that Hispanic Black individuals have the worst COVID-19 outcomes, including higher hospitalization and death rates, compared to Hispanic multiracial and white individuals. The study highlights the need for more accurate demographic data collection to address these disparities.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health·DateOct 27, 2020

Justice for all: How race and American identity may affect politics

A recent study published in the National Review of Black Politics found that people who don't embody a typical white American identity may have complicated feelings of Americanness that affect their politics. The researchers analyzed data from the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey and found that racial and ethnic mino...

SourcePenn State·JournalNational Review of Black Politics·DateOct 16, 2020

Why some friends make you feel more supported than others

A study found that participants rated themselves as receiving more support from a network of friends who were closely connected to each other. This cohesive group provided emotional support and a sense of belonging. The results suggest that having a strong social network is crucial for feeling supported, rather than just the number of ...

SourceOhio State University·JournalSocial Psychology Quarterly·DateOct 7, 2020

Making raw data more usable

A team of researchers, led by Gautam Das at the University of Texas at Arlington, is working on a human-in-the-loop framework to optimize the data science pipeline. This approach involves humans adding context to datasets, which can help computers determine what information is relevant, making the process faster and less labor-intensive.

The Phish scale: NIST's new tool helps IT staff see why users click on fraudulent emails

The Phish Scale uses a rating system to analyze message content in phishing emails, providing insights into why users click or don't click. By understanding these cues, CISOs can optimize their phishing training programs for specific target audiences and improve user preparedness against real phishing scenarios.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Cyber Security·DateSep 17, 2020

Study shows quizzes improve academic performance

A meta-analytic study of existing research found that frequent quizzes help students better grasp classroom material, leading to improved academic performance. The study discovered a strong link between quizzing and student success, with students who took quizzes performing better on midterm and final exams.

SourceIowa State University·JournalEducational Psychology Review·DateSep 17, 2020

Preparing accountants of the future

The study aims to examine the extent to which the AD&A Second Major programme equips students with key skills and competencies in the future accounting workplace. It will also measure students' learning outcomes and gather insights on how future programmes can be designed to equip students with necessary skills.

Moving bits, not watts

Researchers propose moving workloads to different regions to reduce excess renewable energy generation, saving companies money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The plan could absorb up to 62% of curtailed electricity capacity in California, equivalent to 100,000 households' annual energy consumption.

Revealing destructive cracks in rock

Researchers at Texas A&M University are using advanced machine-learning analysis to reveal the evolution of cracks in rock and concrete. By combining data from multiple sources, including sound waves, electromagnetics, and pressure measurements, they aim to improve our understanding of crack damage and development.