Researchers found a 5% improvement in peer review report quality when articles underwent open peer review compared to single-blind models. Author-suggested reviewers also tended to recommend acceptance more often than non-author suggested reviewers.
The Hastings Center special report explores controversies in genetics of intelligence research, recommending ways to avoid classicism and racism. The report concludes that gene variants influencing intelligence involve complex interactions between genes and environment, making it difficult to identify specific genetic variants.
The new journal Heliyon publishes robust research in various disciplines, including Yard-long beans and cattle studies. The journal aims to improve the author, editor, reviewer, and reader experience using cutting-edge technologies.
The current issue of Technology and Innovation highlights the challenges of ensuring water security due to growing concerns over fresh water availability. Advances in analytical techniques, nanobiotechnologies, and monitoring methods are being explored to develop innovative solutions for water conservation and quality improvement.
Ethicists warn that patient-funded trials threaten scientific rigor, relevance, efficiency, and fairness. The model lacks mechanisms to ensure research is grounded in good science, potentially delaying innovation and harming patients.
Bioethicists call for an end to 'pay-to-play' clinical research, arguing it compromises the integrity of studies. This approach can exploit desperate patients and skew study types and methods.
A study of 7,000 participants from 75 countries found that most people want access to genes linked to serious conditions and want to be 'forewarned' about their future health risk. Participants also expressed interest in having raw genomic data, despite its limited usefulness for predicting health outcomes.
The Anatomical Record publishes 26 articles on mummy anatomy in historical and cultural context, exploring diseases and daily life of ancient individuals. The studies utilize advanced knowledge and tools to 'unwrap' the secrets held within mummies.
Researchers found that situational ambiguity enables people to cheat and justify their actions more easily. In experiments, participants were more likely to report incorrect values when the correct answer was not clear, indicating a self-serving bias.
The study found a sharp rise in the use of mice and unregulated species in US laboratory research, contradicting industry claims and government efforts. The data highlights the need for greater transparency and efforts to curb animal use in scientific research.
A Penn State College of Medicine researcher proposes updating professional medical society guidelines to address when it is ethically justified to Google a patient. The proposed guidelines would help healthcare providers navigate the use of search engines in patient care.
A study by James Cook University highlights the growing demand for skin-whitening products in Australia, particularly among Indian women. The marketing of these products perpetuates social and professional success with lighter skin tone, raising moral concerns about cultural values and ethnic stereotypes.
The Leverhulme Interdisciplinary Network on Cybersecurity and Society (LINCS) brings together researchers from two world-class centres to explore the growing area of cyber security. Researchers will examine the knock-on effects on society, including legal, ethical and cultural implications.
A study of media stories and press releases related to Toyota's recalls found that failing to acknowledge ethical lapses led to significant damage to the company's reputation. The analysis showed that Toyota was more likely to attribute the crisis to accidental errors, while the print media reported on preventive action that could have...
The article highlights the persistent health gap between whites and blacks, despite improvements in care access. Effective strategies for closing this gap include reporting clinical performance data by race, offering tailored interventions, and creating risk-adjusted scores.
A Baylor University study reveals that entrepreneurs prefer to partner with venture capitalists who have a history of ethical behavior. The researchers found that an investor's reputation can trump their investment track record, and venturing capitalists should prioritize ethics to build trust with high-quality entrepreneurs.
Michael E. Mann received the 2014 Pongo Environmental Award for his groundbreaking research on global warming and strong advocacy for climate protection. The award recognizes his work in providing crucial global temperature data and a compelling case for global warming, as well as his leadership as a climate warrior.
Current offset programs in Africa fail to consider cumulative impacts of multiple conservations projects, leading to ineffective species conservation. A national strategy is recommended to integrate offsets with broader conservation efforts and promote genetic health.
The Hastings Center and the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues have published a series of essays on bioethics education, highlighting gaps in knowledge and best practices. The papers focus on clinical ethics training for nurses, doctors, and medical students, emphasizing the importance of moral agency, reproduct...
Researchers at Michigan State University investigate whether diverse research teams foster sharing of data and giving credit to colleagues. The study aims to improve scientific practices and build trust in the community.
A study in Journal of Consumer Research finds that consumers who prioritize ethics make choices based on emotions such as anger, concern, and joy. Ethical consumerism can be fueled by these sentiments to encourage more responsible habits.
The Lancet emphasizes the need for fair distribution of experimental Ebola drugs and rigorous testing in clinical trials. Bioethicists recommend prioritizing containment of the epidemic and strengthening health systems over treatment with potentially ineffective interventions.
Elsevier's new open access journal Burnout Research aims to discuss and debate theories and applications of burnout. The first issue is now available on ScienceDirect, providing a central platform for researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers to share new ideas and information.
The new journal aims to encourage scientific debate by sharing unpublished, negative study results. Published work will include research articles and short communications covering fundamental plant sciences.
The new estimates of neonatal infections highlight the high burden of sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia in regions. The study's findings support the urgent need for more investment and action to reduce newborn deaths due to severe infection through prevention and treatment with antibiotics.
Current UK guidance excludes prisoners from participating in general clinical research due to perceived difficulties and costs. However, researchers argue that this approach is protectionist and denies prisoners equal access to healthcare and research opportunities.
A new study examines how community values influence healthcare disaster planning, finding that citizens' life experiences shape their perspectives on resource allocation. The research uses deliberative democratic methods to gather diverse feedback from Maryland residents, with plans for a state-wide expansion.
Immunology is the study of the human immune system, which seeks out and destroys dangerous bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It also explores how its activity connects with other body systems, influencing metabolism, hormone levels, and overall well-being.
A study by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that oxytocin causes participants to lie more to benefit their groups and do so quickly without expectation of reciprocal dishonesty. This raises questions about the morality of lying, even when it benefits those close to us.
The Hastings Center special report examines the capabilities and limitations of neuroimages in biomedical research, medicine, and courtrooms. Key findings include concerns about overinterpretation, misapplication, and the lack of direct neural activity shown by neuroimaging techniques.
A study found that American Muslims' negative religious outlooks hinder their willingness to donate organs, while Arab Americans showed a greater acceptance. The research highlights the need for open discussion within the Muslim community and with medical authorities to address complex issues around religion and organ donation.
Approximately 25 percent of randomized clinical trials were discontinued between 2000 and 2003, mainly due to poor recruitment, with only 38 percent reported to research ethics committees. Discontinued trials were less likely to be published, especially those sponsored by industry.
A team of Swedish researchers led by Professor Mats Brännström have successfully performed nine uterus transplants using live donors, a breakthrough in treating uterine infertility. The transplants involved five mother-daughter pairs and four close relatives, with no blood transfusions required during surgery.
A study published in Psychological Science found that almost 59% of participants cheated on a task, leading to increased creative thinking on a subsequent task. Cheating seemed to encourage creativity by priming people to be less constrained by rules.
A University of Illinois study recommends that couples adopt a relationship work ethic that equals or surpasses their professional one, focusing on active listening and quality time. The research found that couples who attended an Intentional Harmony workshop improved significantly in managing work-partner role conflict and reported re...
Researchers found that content creators believe legal ambiguity is a higher barrier to creating media online than technical limitations. The study also highlights patterns of ethical judgments related to fair use, including distinctions between 'profiting' and commerciality.
A renowned ASU professor is discussing the importance of ethical considerations in scientific research, highlighting the need for scientists to think critically about their work. He emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between ethicists, philosophers, and scientists to ensure responsible innovation and discovery.
A special issue of the journal Climatic Change examines the proposed Oxford Principles for governing geoengineering research, including technical hurdles, ethics, and regulatory issues. The study highlights the need for interdisciplinary discussion on geoengineering, which has gained credibility in the scientific community.
A recent study by USC Marshall faculty explores the influence of moral preferences on ethical behavior, finding that considering others' ethics can reduce dishonesty. The research suggests that people with formalist and utilitarian moral backgrounds respond differently to third-party beneficiaries' perspectives, with formalists being l...
The WSF RIO Declaration advocates for harmonization of global and national efforts, education to reduce inequalities, and sustainable funding mechanisms. It also emphasizes the importance of responsible research conduct and improved dialogue with governments and society.
Researchers discovered that self-control decreases over the course of a day, leading to increased dishonesty in the afternoon. Participants were more likely to cheat or engage in unethical behavior when tested later in the day.
A recent study found that almost 1 in 3 large clinical trials remain unpublished five years after completion, with 78% having no results publicly available. This phenomenon violates an ethical obligation towards study participants, highlighting the need for additional safeguards to ensure timely public dissemination of trial data.
A new federal regulation aims to increase minority voices in research by addressing historical abuses and lack of representation. Greater community consultation and increased minority representation on Institutional Review Boards are also recommended.
The IPinCH Project, led by George Nicholas, has received a federal research-funding agency's Partnership Award for its large-scale use of community partners in the research process. The project has garnered $2.5 million in initial funding and supported indigenous communities across the globe in protecting their cultural heritage.
A recent study analyzing Swedish news articles found that words related to happiness often appear with personal pronouns and names, highlighting the importance of relationships in collective happiness. The research also found that words like iPhone and Google rarely appear with the word for happiness.
COHRED and Pfizer support MARC Phase II, an interventional approach to address ethical review bottlenecks in the African research landscape. The project aims to connect networks, foster innovation, and drive high standards for clinical trials globally.
The Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics has been selected to establish a Center of Excellence to study the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research in infectious disease. The center will explore public health genomics in two case studies: pandemic influenza and Hepatitis C.
A study from Concordia University's John Molson School of Business found that physical contact and ethical marketing can boost consumer preference. The research shows that utilitarian claims should be paired with practical products, while symbolic claims should be paired with symbolic products.
A new resource, IPAC, has been launched to address the lack of international mechanisms for ensuring ethical and legal interoperability in sharing genetic information. The initiative aims to harmonize projects and provide normative tools and frameworks for accessing clinical and research data.
A new study suggests that religious leaders, particularly those from Christianity, have the potential to guide conservation efforts and promote biodiversity preservation. The research highlights the importance of involving religious groups in the conservation debate, as they often shape people's ethical attitudes towards nature.
A study found that only half of the identified ethical issues in dementia care were addressed in national clinical practice guidelines. Four critical issues, including advance directives and coercive medication, were consistently overlooked. The authors emphasize the importance of addressing these issues to improve patient care and pro...
Researchers emphasize understanding ethical, social and cultural impact of global health initiatives. Effective approaches to address these challenges are crucial for high-quality research.
A new £6.5 million fund has been launched to support research on public health challenges in humanitarian crises, with the goal of improving health outcomes through evidence-based humanitarian interventions. The Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises programme will strengthen partnerships between public health researchers and human...
Researchers Effy Vayena and John Tasioulas propose a framework for adapting standards of ethical oversight to participant-led health research, balancing autonomy with benefits. The proposed categories identify varying levels of risk to participants, aiming to prevent over-regulation and protect individual liberty.
Research suggests that people with an 'ends justify the means' mindset tend to balance their good and bad deeds, while those who believe in principle-based morality are more likely to be consistent in their behavior. The study found that individuals with a rule-based mindset were less likely to cheat after recalling an ethical act.
Researchers from Concordia University propose a unique simulation technique to prepare rookie reporters for traumatic events. The study finds that simulation-based training can teach journalists ethical behavior and reduce the risk of further traumatizing victims.
The Hastings Center has released a special report on the evolving landscape of animal research ethics, citing examples of changes improving animal welfare and replacing animal testing. Alternative models, such as human cell-based toxicity testing, are gaining traction.
Donors to biobanks have a moral stake in what happens to their tissue samples, requiring ongoing updates and protection of their rights. Tomlinson recommends biobanks provide donors with plain language summaries of research projects and inform them about potentially controversial uses.
Researchers found that managers tend to opt for higher-risk options when forced to choose, but reflect more and make less risky decisions without constraints. The study highlights the importance of offering alternatives to combat high-risk or unethical decision-making.
A new study from UBC's Sauder School of Business finds that treating employees relatively better than others can increase self-esteem, conformity to workplace norms, and group-oriented behavior. This approach is more effective in maintaining high levels of productivity among top performers than a strictly egalitarian culture.