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Study shows human tendency to help others is universal

A new study found that people of diverse cultures, including those from England, Italy, Poland, and Russia, tend to help others in everyday life. The researchers analyzed video recordings of social interactions in 350 individuals from eight languages and cultures and found that the human tendency to help others is a universal principle.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Study finds no association between diversification of U.S. police departments and clearance rates of crimes against minorities

A new study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee found that diversifying US police departments has no significant impact on clearing aggravated assaults against minorities. The study analyzed data from over 350 agencies and nearly 44,000 incidents, but found no association between diversity measures and clearance rates.

SourceAmerican Society of Criminology·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateApr 5, 2023

Commonly used police diversity training unlikely to change officers’ behavior, study finds

A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that day-long implicit bias-oriented training programs for US police departments are unlikely to reduce racial inequity in policing. Despite increased knowledge and motivation among officers, actual policing behaviors showed little change just one month after the training session.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPsychological Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2023

Some claim culture affects our basic visual perception. A UCLA study takes a fresh look

A UCLA study conducted by Zili Liu and Chéla R Willey found that white, Asian American, and recent Asian immigrant college students performed similarly on a well-known visual perception test, known as the rod-and-frame task. The results suggest that basic visual functions are largely independent of cultural variation.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2022

Ticking boxes? Football industry continues to marginalise ethnically diverse coaches

A new study found that the use of the BAME acronym in the football industry can cause discomfort and reinforce feelings of marginalization. Researchers recommend a more inclusive approach, allowing individuals to describe their heritage and background rather than relying on tick boxes for ethnicity classification.

SourceBournemouth University·JournalInternational Review for the Sociology of Sport·TypeSurvey·DateNov 14, 2022

“Global Jukebox” performing arts database now publicly available

The Global Jukebox, an online tool for exploring music and performing arts from around the world, has made its dataset and data available to the public. The database includes 5,776 recordings representing 1,026 societies, with detailed musical style categorization data and additional features such as breath management and instrumentation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2022

University of Maryland School of Medicine and UMBC receive NIH FIRST grant to recruit new underrepresented faculty

The University of Maryland School of Medicine and UMBC have been awarded a 5-year, $13.7 million NIH grant to enhance efforts in recruiting and training junior faculty from underrepresented groups in biomedical science. The grant aims to build self-reinforcing communities of scientists committed to diversity and inclusive excellence.

New pediatric investigation study explores how active parent participation can improve neonatal health and reduce parental stress

A new study explores how active parent participation can improve neonatal health and reduce parental stress. The study found that cultural attitudes, collaboration between medical staff and parents, and availability of equipment are key factors in enabling parent-infant closeness.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalPediatric Investigation·TypeSurvey·DateAug 18, 2022

Linking diversity at performing arts nonprofits with marketing, funding, location

A new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science found that boosting diverse program offerings and investing in advertising can improve racial and income representativeness. Government funding had the greatest positive effect on DEI, followed by foundation funding.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of the Academy of Marketing Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 26, 2022

What do you see when you listen to music?

A study found that listeners in Arkansas and Michigan imagined similar stories, while those in China envisioned unique narratives. The results suggest that music can generate shared experiences despite cultural differences.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2022

Diversity in U.S. medicine is not keeping pace with population changes, analysis finds

Despite increasing racial and ethnic diversity, US academic medical programs have underrepresented minority groups, with only modest increases in representation over the past four decades. Female representation has increased significantly, but progress in promoting diversity at leadership levels remains stagnant.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 6, 2022

Cleveland Clinic study highlights how standardizing care leads to equitable COVID-19 outcomes in the ICU

A Cleveland Clinic study found that standardizing care led to more equitable COVID-19 outcomes in the ICU, despite existing health disparities among racial and ethnic groups. The study revealed Black patients had a higher prevalence of asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, increasing their risk of severe COVID-19 cases.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·DateFeb 9, 2022

Cultural similarities may play key role in successful immigrations

Researchers studied evacuees from Finland during WWII and found that cultural similarities, such as language and social networks, were crucial for successful migrations. Being younger, male, educated, and linguistically similar to the host population also increased the likelihood of staying in a new home.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 18, 2022

Urbanization not always bad for food and land use diversity

Researchers developed a framework to evaluate urbanization's impact on food and land use biodiversity. Urban areas can provide a range of approaches to increasing food diversity, including peri-urban agriculture and small farms. Strengthening food biodiversity among the urban poor can improve nutrition and security.

SourcePenn State·JournalOne Earth·DateNov 19, 2021

Italian sailors knew of America 150 years before Christopher Columbus, new analysis of ancient documents suggests

Ancient Italian writings suggest that Genoese sailors were aware of North America 150 years before Columbus' famous voyage. The discovery, made by Professor Paolo Chiesa, refers to an area known as 'Markland'/ 'Marckalada', mentioned in Icelandic sources and identified as part of the Atlantic coast of North America.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalTerrae Incognitae·DateOct 8, 2021

What are the keys to a healthy intercultural relationship?

A new study explores how cultural values affect intercultural relationships. Secure attachment and relationship equality are key factors in greater relationship satisfaction, while adherence to traditions and less support of traditional gender roles also play a role.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Multicultural Counseling and Development·DateOct 6, 2021

Mapping words to colors

A team of researchers developed an algorithm that infers the communicative needs of different linguistic communities regarding colors. The study found that warm hues like reds and yellows have a higher demand for language, while less prominent colors are underrepresented.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 23, 2021

Colleges fall short on mental health outreach to Asian, Latino students

A recent study reveals that colleges struggle to provide adequate mental health support to Asian and Latino students due to interdependent cultural values and shame. The study suggests that culturally tailored treatment services addressing these issues can improve help-seeking behaviors.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2021

Common approach to diversity in higher education reflects preferences of white Americans

A study by Princeton researchers found that universities adopting an 'instrumental rationale' for diversity, emphasizing benefits for all students, reflect the preferences of predominantly white Americans. This approach is associated with lower graduation rates and poorer outcomes for Black students.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2021