Articles tagged with Research Ethics
A study on learning health organizations highlights the paradox of bystander ethics, where researchers must navigate ethical principles with quality improvement research. The authors propose a workaround to address this challenge, but critics argue it is inadequate.
A new study by Baylor University found that supervisors driven by profit motive can create low-quality relationships with employees, leading to a loss of performance. Employees perceive these relationships as distrustful and unaffectionate, resulting in decreased productivity and commitment.
A team created a method that allows three people to work together to solve a problem using only their minds. The BrainNet system uses electroencephalography caps and a brain-to-brain interface to transmit signals between participants, enabling them to collaborate on tasks like playing Tetris.
A new national study led by Columbia University aims to understand barriers to minority group participation in genetic studies and support policies to create a more diverse genetic database. The four-year study will analyze diversity and inclusion practices at academic medical centers across the US.
A new study suggests that NGOs can use targeted reports to encourage companies to adopt more responsible practices through vertical integration. This approach can help promote sustainable sourcing throughout industries, even in the face of high external pressure. By specifying both violating and non-violating firms in their reports, NG...
New research finds that viewing pornography at work is linked to increased shirking of work and lying. The study suggests that this negative behavior is caused by a propensity to dehumanize others, leading to potential issues with sexual harassment and hostile work environments.
Lancaster University scientists have drawn up new guidelines to help designers build in safeguards for children using programmable Internet computing devices. The research aims to mitigate risks such as peer-to-peer abuse, bullying, and exploitation of data generated by children.
The Centre of Genomics and Policy at McGill University will develop policies, tools, and support to enable efficient and ethical international data sharing for the Human Cell Atlas. The project aims to address regulatory and ethical questions arising from research at scale, including patient consent and guiding principles.
A study explores how parents make decisions about enrolling their critically ill children in research, finding that low-risk studies with potential benefits to future children are more likely to be enrolled. Another article highlights the importance of considering inclusion benefits in ethics committee assessments of research studies.
Researchers have developed a high-tech support system called BrainEx that can preserve limited brain function in isolated postmortem brains. The system delivers an artificial blood substitute to prevent degradation and allows for the study of cellular and molecular functions, but without functional activity in brain circuits.
Researchers at Yale University successfully restored circulation and cellular activity in a pig's brain four hours after its death using a specially designed chemical solution. However, the treated brain lacked recognizable global electrical signals associated with normal brain function.
A recent study published in Conservation Letters reveals that working with Indigenous rangers produced significant improvements in conservation research outcomes. The study, led by Dr Georgia Ward-Fear, demonstrates the value of culturally diverse teams and local knowledge in scientific research.
Researchers argue that eliminating the entire tsetse fly family is not ethically justified due to its intrinsic value. Targeted elimination campaigns are proposed as a compromise to minimize harm while promoting human and animal well-being.
A research team at Korea Brain Research Institute has developed a technology to produce dorsal cortical neurons utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells and tropical fish collagen. The breakthrough could lead to the treatment of brain diseases such as Parkinson's Disease by mass producing neurons using stem cells.
Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä identified four moral identity statuses in Finnish leaders: achieved, foreclosed, diffused, and moratorium. An achieved identity is characterized by a clear, self-chosen value framework, while foreclosed identities are based on adopted values without critical evaluation. The study highlights t...
A new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine highlights the importance of social and behavioral sciences in advancing intelligence analysis. The report identifies key opportunities for research to strengthen intelligence assessments and prepares the IC for evolving security threats.
Recent studies indicate that women and scholars from underrepresented groups often don't receive proper authorship credit, due to biases in leadership positions and collaborations. Experts will provide guidance on navigating power dynamics and promoting responsible authorship decisions at the AAAS Annual Meeting.
A Texas A&M-led project will examine the culture and climate related to sexual harassment in STEM fields, aiming to prevent such incidents. The research aims to develop tools for universities to improve their handling of sexual harassment concerns.
The inaugural issue of Ethics & Human Research explores new challenges in US human subjects research, including the impact of single-IRB mandates and genome editing. The journal also examines the need for local knowledge in multisite studies and highlights the difficulties countries face in adhering to international ethical standards w...
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been awarded £11.8 million by the UK government to support people living in informal settlements in low and middle-income countries. The grant will help precarious individuals claim their rights to health and well-being, and improve access to services.
Researchers found that young-onset diabetes is associated with a higher risk of hospitalization for mental illness compared to usual-onset diabetes. The study also showed that adults with young-onset diabetes had excess hospitalizations across their lifespan.
A study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that people who strongly oppose genetically modified foods often believe they know more about the topic than they actually do. Despite a scientific consensus on GM food safety and nutritional benefits, many opponents think they are knowledgeable on the subject.
The American College of Physicians has released a new edition of its Ethics Manual, providing guidance on complex issues in medicine. The updated manual covers topics such as precision medicine, genetic testing, telemedicine, and end-of-life care, offering practical advice for clinicians, educators, researchers, and policymakers.
A new study finds that high-status individuals increasingly prioritize sustainable and ethical foods over traditional gourmet options. Those who consider themselves both foodies and ethical eaters tend to have higher socioeconomic status, with many earning over $100,000.
A University of Central Florida study suggests that workplace abuse by managers may not lead to abusive behavior by lower-level leaders. In fact, prior victims of abuse are more likely to treat their own subordinates better after learning from their boss's bad behavior.
A collection of 17 innovative projects showcases the benefits of patient-oriented research, including improved health outcomes and enhanced care. Patient partners contributed to study design, recruitment, and data collection, highlighting the value of lived experience in research.
The University of Chichester is leading research to create sport-specific classification systems for blind football. The project aims to establish minimum impairment criteria and validated tests for future work, ensuring fairness and inclusivity in the sport.
A systematic review by RAND Corporation finds a growing evidence base for palliative care, supporting home-based palliative care, interdisciplinary team care, and telehealth interventions. However, limitations exist in social needs assessments and culturally-sensitive care.
The study explores the implications of applying utilitarian, deontological, and virtue ethical standards to superstition in the marketplace. It highlights the need for researchers to clearly state the rationality of consumers' behaviors and assess their irrationality to promote consumer well-being.
A massive global survey on autonomous vehicle ethics found that people generally prefer sparing human lives over animal lives and young people's lives. However, regional variations were observed, particularly in the eastern cluster of countries where preference for younger people was less pronounced.
Researchers aim to improve guidelines for human-animal chimera research, considering moral status and animal welfare. The project will address conceptual, ethical, and procedural limitations in existing ethics guidance.
A team of psychologists found that moral outrage can lead to collective action and inspire people to take part in long-term social change. The study, published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, combined findings from moral psychology and intergroup psychology to investigate the dynamics of outrage.
A study of eight Ontario nurses reveals that making conscientious objections to ethically-relevant policies requires concrete supports and protection in healthcare settings. The researchers emphasize the need for routine conversations about conscience and conscientious objection to respect human rights and promote ethical practice.
The Brainstorm Project aims to develop a philosophical framework for government policy and regulations on brain organoid research. The two-year project, led by CWRU researcher Insoo Hyun, will bring together neuroscientists and bioethicists to explore emerging ethical issues in this rapidly advancing field.
A study by North Carolina State University found that the ACM code of ethics has no impact on software developers' decision-making. Researchers presented 11 ethical scenarios to 168 participants, with and without prior exposure to the code of ethics, and found no significant difference in responses.
Researchers will assess reactions to genomic test results, including the impact on views of normality, capacity, responsibility, treatability, and prognosis, in individuals with autism and their family members. The Center aims to explore the benefits and challenges of using genetic information in clinical and research settings.
Research reveals that all dark personality traits can be traced back to a single tendency: placing one's own goals and interests over others. The D-factor is the general tendency to maximize utility while disregarding disutility for others.
This Inter Faculty volume delves into the importance of engagement in human sciences, discussing identity, linguistic concepts, and ethical interpretation. Research papers explore topics such as maintaining national minority rights, grammatical gender in Japanese and Ancient Greek languages, and Confucian ethics.
A new report by UCSF bioethicists recommends targeted genome sequencing for symptomatic newborns, but opposes universal screening. This approach aims to balance the benefits of genomics with potential risks and costs.
A new report recommends that targeted genomic sequencing be used to diagnose sick newborns, but genome-wide sequencing of all newborns should not be pursued. The report also advises against direct-to-consumer genetic testing for newborns due to potential anxiety and lack of adequate follow-up.
Experts believe extending the current 14-day limit would allow scientists to study embryonic development and improve IVF procedures. This could also enable research into 'organoids' - miniature human organs created in labs.
Researchers evaluated Stanford University's work on the tiny mummified body, concluding genetic abnormalities could explain perceived abnormalities. However, Otago-led experts found no evidence for these anomalies, revealing normal skeletal development in a fetus.
Researchers found that American journalists tend to trust the actions of their co-workers more than those from other news outlets, and believe they act unethically less frequently. The study's findings suggest ways for newsrooms and writers to improve ethical actions.
A study by Daniel Gilbert and colleagues found that as the prevalence of a problem is reduced, humans naturally redefine the problem itself. This can lead to missing the fact that the problem has been solved. The phenomenon was demonstrated in several experiments using different types of problems, including blue dots and faces.
A study found that social support from family and friends is a key factor in deciding an individual's suitability for an organ transplant. The research suggests that this criterion may sanction existing prejudices and widen inequalities in the selection process.
A series of experiments by David Levari et al. shows that people perceive threatening stimuli as abundant even when they are decreasing in reality. This perception bias affects important decisions, such as those made by police officers or research ethics board members.
A recent study by Professor Jesper Lassen found no correlation between public reservations about genetically modified foods and parliamentary debate. Politicians focus on benefits and risks, ignoring the moral and ethical dimensions that concern citizens most.
A new study reveals widespread labor exploitation in the global tea and cocoa industries, with workers facing severe poverty, abuse, and lack of basic services. The research found that even certified companies are failing to prevent labor abuses, highlighting a need for structural changes to address the root causes.
Key findings highlight the need for rapid, well-coordinated responses to future outbreaks; effective communication with local communities is essential for ethically responsible research. The paper emphasizes the importance of sustained international support for health systems in low- and middle-income countries.
A QUT legal academic suggests that laws should not force women to risk death and injury by having a baby, advocating for decriminalization without moral judgment. The researchers believe that recognizing pregnancy as a risk for any woman is crucial for women's autonomy.
Studying ancestral remains requires respect and consideration of indigenous communities. Researchers should engage with living individuals to ensure ethical best practices and robust results.
A new analysis of video footage supports official findings that John F. Kennedy was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald from the Texas School Book Depository building. The study uses fundamental classical mechanics to analyze the forward head snap in the Zapruder film, which shows President Kennedy's reactions after being shot in the head.
A Baylor University study found that employees who believe they are more ethical than coworkers experience negative emotions, which can lead to mistreatment and exclusion of those workers. The research highlights the importance of considering ethics and performance when rewarding employees.
A new study from the University of Oxford recommends regulating the digital afterlife industry to ensure ethical usage of digital remains. The guidelines used for managing human remains in archaeological exhibitions could be applied to regulate commercial use of digital remains, treating them with care and respect rather than manipulat...
Carolina Motter Catarino received the £10,000 prize for her innovative 3-D bioprinting technology that enhances skin model complexity and reduces dependence on animals in research. Her project has the potential to develop human-relevant models for efficacy testing and regenerative medicine.
A recent study found that less than one-fifth of investigator brochures referenced peer-reviewed animal studies, highlighting the need for rigorous preclinical research. The study also revealed a concerning lack of negative efficacy studies, suggesting publication bias.
A review of vitamin D research highlights ethical concerns with placebo groups in clinical trials, particularly in vulnerable populations. The authors propose solutions and recommend guidelines for the use of placebos to mitigate risks and ensure informed study design.
A study from Binghamton University reveals that funders on crowdfunding platforms prioritize a seller's reputation and opportunism over their competence in delivering the promised product. As product complexity increases, concerns for the seller's reputation also rise, while concerns over delivery ability decrease.
A new analysis of neuroscience studies on free will found significant variability across studies, with some concluding that human actions are driven by external stimuli while others found conflicting results. The researchers argue that neuroscientists should critically examine their methods to avoid promoting unsubstantiated beliefs.
The Physicians Committee's new app provides comprehensive nutrition information for nearly 100 medical conditions, addressing key issues like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Developed in partnership with Unbound Medicine, the app is designed to support clinicians in their daily practice.