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Fatal police shootings among black Americans remain high, unchanged since 2015

Researchers found a significant disparity in fatal police shootings between Black and white individuals, with Black victims experiencing lethal encounters at a rate three times higher than their white counterparts. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of police violence on marginalized communities.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateOct 27, 2020

IU researchers trace the outlines of two cultures within science

A study by Indiana University researchers reveals two distinct scientific cultures within the movements of open science and reproducibility. Open science is associated with more prosocial language, increased participation from women and underrepresented groups, and a culture that promotes transparency and collaboration.

SourceIndiana University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 14, 2020

Data collection, sharing practices of apps played by young children

Researchers investigated data collection and sharing practices of mobile apps played by preschool-age children, finding that many apps share personal data with third-party companies. The study also identified sociodemographic characteristics associated with app usage, highlighting the need for better data protection for young children.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateSep 8, 2020

Better sleep with a partner

Research found that couples sleeping together exhibit increased rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep and synchronized sleep patterns, positively associated with relationship depth. This study suggests that sharing a bed may enhance REM sleep, leading to improved social interactions and reduced emotional stress.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychiatry·DateJun 25, 2020

The moral machine

Researchers created an AI system that learns to distinguish between 'right' and 'wrong' based on books, news articles, and religious texts. The machine's moral compass adapts to different eras and societies, revealing subtle differences in moral values.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·DateMay 20, 2020

Dance with your grandma (not during COVID-19 of course)

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) improved mood and physical activity in grandmothers, while also allowing their female dance/movement therapists to process their grandparents' eventual death. The therapy promoted a strong intergenerational bond between the two groups.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateApr 17, 2020

Mirror, mirror, on the wall

Researchers found that people's prior beliefs about themselves may prevent accurate judgment of real appearance. By viewing their body from a third-person perspective, individuals rated it more attractively, pointing to potential applications for treating body perception disorders.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateMar 18, 2020

Scurvy is still a thing in Canada

Researchers at McMaster University discovered that scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, still exists in Canada. The study found 52 patients with low Vitamin C levels, including 13 with diagnosed scurvy and 39 who tested positive but lacked symptoms.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 17, 2020

Be wary of online probiotic health-benefit claims

A recent study highlights the unreliable sources of probiotic information online and how health-benefit claims are often not supported by robust scientific evidence. Most websites providing probiotic info are from commercial sources or news outlets, which provide incomplete information on potential side effects and regulatory issues.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Medicine·DateJan 15, 2020

Neither fishing tales nor sailor's yarn

Researchers developed a method combining empirical knowledge of fishery stakeholders with scientific understanding to identify ecological cause-effect relationships in pike populations. The collective intelligence of nature users accurately captured complex human-environment relationships, exceeding scientific knowledge in some cases.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJan 14, 2020

Lazy moths taste disgusting

A recent study found that less appetizing moths are more relaxed when attacked by bats, while more palatable ones employ evasive maneuvers. The research demonstrates complex risks and rewards of anti-predator strategies, potentially allowing scientists to predict the behaviors of rare or extinct species.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateDec 16, 2019

More Americans struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep

A new study from Iowa State University found that nearly 1 in 6 adults experience difficulty falling or staying asleep, with those reporting healthy sleep length struggling the most. The research suggests that targeting factors influencing initiation and maintenance of sleep could be key to improving sleep health.

SourceIowa State University·JournalSleep Health·DateNov 12, 2019

30-day death rates after emergency department visits

Researchers analyzed 30-day mortality rates following ED visits, finding a significant increase in deaths among elderly patients. The study used Medicare data from 2009 to 2016 and found that the 30-day death rate for emergency department visits increased significantly during this period.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 4, 2019

Political affiliation may help drive and shape a person's morals

A new study found that people's moral foundations are better predicted by their political attitudes than vice versa. The researchers tracked participants' moral values and political leanings over time, revealing that those with stable political beliefs were more likely to have consistent moral foundations.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Political Science·DateOct 24, 2019

Citation networks across disciplines

A study analyzing research article data from 1950 to 2018 found that the average distance between articles on citation networks decreased over time, while ties between articles from different fields increased. Citation networks depend on high-impact articles, suggesting increased interconnectivity among scientific disciplines.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 14, 2019

Scientists use phone movement to predict personality types

Researchers analyzed physical activity features to identify patterns associated with different personality traits, including extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. The study found that consistent movements on weekday evenings were linked to introverted tendencies, while extroverts displayed more rand...

How common is sex for boys before age 13?

A study combining US survey data found that 7.6% of male high school students and 3.6% of males aged 15-24 reported having sex before age 13. The prevalence varied across metropolitan areas, with higher rates among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic males.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 8, 2019

Changes in gun purchases after mass shootings

Researchers found that mass shootings with extensive media coverage were associated with increases in handgun purchases, while high-fatality shootings led to decreases in handgun sales. Overall, the study suggests a possible connection between gun violence and public opinion on gun purchases.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 5, 2019