Articles tagged with Information Access
The European Law Institute has approved its first comprehensive framework for dealing with digital assets and personal digital content after death. The rules provide a dual legal framework recognizing the need for protection, privacy, and dignity in digital inheritance.
The study found that patient engagement with open notes increased to 55% within two months of implementation, but significant sociodemographic disparities remained. Language barriers may also contribute to the digital divide in open note adoption.
A new book by University of Illinois professor Colin Rhinesmith explores how community coalitions address digital inequality and social injustice. The book, titled Digital Equity Ecosystems, presents five case studies of cross-sector coalitions working to promote digital inclusion and combat technological inequity.
A nationally representative survey of US adolescents and young adults found that a fifth used AI chatbots for mental health advice. Proactive discussion with parents and clinicians about chatbot use is necessary to promote safety and linkages to evidence-based care.
A new report from Brookings Institution highlights the federal government's growing use of AI, but also notes significant disparities and bottlenecks to widespread adoption. Large agencies lead the way, while smaller agencies struggle with workforce capacity and trust issues.
Researchers found that state-coordinated media in AI training data influences model responses about politics, especially in a country's own language. The team tested commercial models and found that adding scripted news to the training data made them produce more favorable answers.
Researchers introduce the capabilities approach-contextual integrity (CA-CI) framework to address privacy and dignity risks in AI systems. The framework evaluates normative appropriateness of AI systems beyond narrow tasks and stable contexts, securing social life and human dignity.
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute, McGill University, and the University of Ottawa have launched ARCHIMEDES, a national health data platform providing Canadian researchers with secure access to diverse health data. The platform enables collaboration, supports advanced analyses, including AI algorithms, and prioritizes public trust.
The American College of Cardiology's Global Quality Solutions program now allows international hospitals to use approved internal data to meet accreditation requirements. This update enables hospitals to internally collect and submit aggregated data directly into ACC Accreditation tools, streamlining the accreditation process.
Journals JDR and JDR Clinical & Translational Research now require open data sharing to facilitate replication, systematic reviews, and data reuse. This move aims to maximize the benefits from research investment and ensure transparency.
Researchers have launched a new multimodal medical dataset, Observer, capturing anonymized, real-time interactions between patients and clinicians. The dataset links video, audio, transcripts, and electronic health records to study subtleties like body language and environmental factors affecting care.
A new probabilistic metric has been developed to improve the assessment of user privacy in digital databases. The metric provides a more accurate measurement of protection levels by estimating the probability that one individual resembles another user based on the data set within the system.
A survey study found that overall trust in scientists as sources of cancer information is high, but ideologically diverse. The results suggest the need for tailored messaging and trusted messengers to reach diverse audiences with evidence-based cancer information.
A new study by Emmanuel Anti at the University of Vaasa suggests that empathetic security models can strengthen cybersecurity practices and prevent insider threats. The research proposes co-creating cybersecurity policies with employees, focusing on understanding their needs, motivations, and emotional well-being.
Researchers found high-engagement social media posts lack essential risk information and promotional elements, potentially eroding patient decision-making. The study highlights the need for fair balance in online advertising to maintain informed consent.
A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that most informational materials meant to assist refugees in Australia are written above the recommended reading level. The study evaluated 184 government and community-developed resources, finding nearly all were accurate but 96% too difficult for refug...
A nationally representative survey found that frequent parent-teen communication is associated with increased teen self-efficacy for sexual and reproductive health information. Teens whose parents feel comfortable discussing topics are more likely to seek services, highlighting the importance of accurate information and open dialogue.
A new analysis by Taylor & Francis and DataSeer found that over half of researchers included a Data Availability Statement in their journal articles, while a third openly shared their data. The study suggests that factors beyond policy mandates are driving the adoption of open research practices.
A special issue examines how AI can support human flourishing in various contexts, including healthcare, education, and digital interactions. The issue highlights the need for humane AI that balances technological advancement with human-centric values and psychological insight.
UC3M achieved its highest ever research funding intake of €56.78 million in 2024. The university also maintained its strong publication record with an annual average of 1,291 national and international articles.
A University of Cambridge report argues that menstrual tracking app data is a valuable resource for advertisers but poses significant privacy and safety risks to users. The report calls for better governance of the industry to protect user data and urges public health bodies to launch alternative apps.
A study by the SmartVote project reveals a growing social concern about information manipulation, with far-right parties being major sources of false content on social networks. The report highlights the need to improve media literacy to combat disinformation and its impact on democratic quality.
A new paper reveals widespread transnational human rights violations (THRVs) due to repressive states' intensifying tactics. The authors urge the establishment of 'Transnational Rights Protection Offices' to provide support and guidance for individuals affected by these actions.
A recent study by UCL researchers reveals that people with poorer mental health are more prone to browsing negative content online, which further exacerbates their symptoms. The study found that adding 'content labels' to webpages can help users make healthier and more informed decisions about the content they consume.
A cross-sectional study found a low frequency of physician disciplinary actions for spreading misinformation, despite increased salience and warnings since the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest a disconnect between regulatory guidance and enforcement, questioning the suitability of licensure regulation in combating misinformation.
A study reveals discrepancies between preferred and actual sources of contraceptive information among adolescents and young adults. Clinicians are the most commonly preferred source, yet they also pose the largest discrepancy between preference and use. This highlights the importance of clinicians in supporting informed contraceptive d...
A new four-year, $459,000 grant will develop software and hardware tools to increase accessibility in STEM fields for persons with disabilities. The project aims to enhance data technologies for blind and low-vision users, making it easier for them to participate in STEM research and education.
After three decades, perioperative mortality rates for living kidney donors have decreased substantially, from fewer than 1 event per 10,000 donations in the past decade to even lower numbers. Donor demographics, such as male donors and those with a history of hypertension, are identified as high-risk groups.
Researchers developed a machine learning model to predict individuals with elevated autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk using limited medical and background information. This study shows promise for early identification and potentially improving ASD diagnosis and treatment strategies.
A global network will be created to protect Indigenous data collection and use, leveraging worldwide policies and practices to ensure control over data related to Indigenous communities. The project aims to establish an alliance among 12 Indigenous data sovereignty networks spanning the globe.
Research by University of East Anglia and University of Texas found that stricter data privacy laws significantly reduced breaches, but negatively affected firms' market value. Companies compliant with GDPR invested more in data protection and were less likely to experience data breaches.
The new interactive atlas provides a library of case studies for adapting to drought in the US Southwest. The atlas offers geospatial solutions to water scarcity, helping communities implement effective adaptation strategies.
A unique framework measures individual perceptions of common sense and collective beliefs across groups, finding that larger groups have fewer common beliefs. Demographic factors like age or education do not influence common sense, but social perceptiveness does correlate with higher levels.
A new project by JooYoung Seo at the University of Illinois School of Information Sciences aims to make data curation more accessible for everyone, regardless of abilities. The three-year grant will connect multimodal data representation with day-to-day reproducible workflows, enriching understanding and offering multiple perspectives.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen and Roskilde University found that computers malfunction between 11 and 20 percent of the time, wasting users' productivity. The researchers identify insufficient performance and lack of user-friendliness as the two biggest categories of problems.
Many physicians and scientists reported being harassed on social media due to their advocacy, often based on gender, race, or disability. The study highlights the need for greater protection and support for individuals facing online abuse.
A new poll shows that three-quarters of people aged 50-80 have used at least one patient portal, with lower rates among those with lower incomes or physical/mental health concerns. Portal users prefer online access over phone calls for some tasks, but some still face barriers to using the platforms.
A recent research project led by Myeong Lee at George Mason University seeks to address the difficulties people with disabilities face when accessing vital services. The study's findings will provide suggestions for enhancing the state's information systems, making them more accessible and improving overall well-being and health outcomes.
Research from Binghamton University found that government agencies struggle with innovation due to risk-aversion and compliance constraints. Digital platforms can help strike a balance between standard and flexible approaches, enabling efficient innovation.
Research finds public perception of data use is shaped by social inequalities and concerns about potential harm or corporate profit. Experts highlight need for public sector review of data-driven systems to address these issues.
The project seeks to create accessible maker programs for blind and visually impaired learners, developing training materials for librarians and maker professionals. The initiative aims to enhance BVI learners' computational thinking skills and STEM interests, while helping librarians become more confident in working with BVI populations.
Researchers develop a new method to reconstruct the states of complex nonlinear systems based on time series data. The approach optimizes reconstruction parameters by focusing on the geometric structure of attractors, resulting in improved accuracy.
Rice University computer scientists have discovered an inexpensive way to implement rigorous personal data privacy in large databases for machine learning. Using locality sensitive hashing, their RACE method creates small summaries of enormous databases while scaling for high-dimensional data.
A new project aims to empower people who are blind to independently review and protect their personal visual content from accidental privacy leaks. Researchers have developed novel computer vision algorithms that can detect sensitive information in images and videos, allowing users to blur or remove private content before sharing.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, patient electronic health record inbox message volume increased significantly in an ambulatory practice network in New England. The study compared pre-pandemic and pandemic levels to understand the impact of the outbreak on healthcare communication.
A new analysis suggests that online searches can reduce belief in misinformation about Zainichi Koreans, particularly among those who were predisposed to believe it. However, participants showed an increase in negative feelings toward the group after conducting their searches, despite correction of specific misinformation.
The National Association of Science Writers (NASW) is conducting a survey to gather data about reporters' experiences seeking information on the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization aims to increase transparency about information access and facilitate the free flow of science news during this critical period.
A Dartmouth researcher and collaborators have unveiled a reconfigurable smartwatch called Doppio, featuring two touch-sensitive display faces that can interact in various ways. The device offers multiple uses, including notifications, private viewing, task switching, and more.
Researchers developed a large dynamic, reconfigurable, distributed I-ROF system to meet the growing demand for broadband and ubiquitous information access. The system offers flexible wireless access and fiber-optic broadband transmission, providing effective solutions for modern information society.
Assistant Professor Brusilovsky aims to create more interactive and expressive systems for retrieving and filtering information. His research focuses on helping students find relevant resources in online tutorials, electronic textbooks, and digital libraries.