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Study: Race plays a minor role in forging Facebook friendships

A new study by Harvard University sociologists found that old-fashioned social pressure is the strongest attraction in determining who befriends whom on Facebook. Shared ethnic backgrounds and geographic origins also played a significant role in forming friendships. Meanwhile, race appears to be less important than initially thought.

SourceHarvard University·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateNov 1, 2010

University of Guam receives $1.3M grant

The University of Guam has received a five-year $1.3M grant from the US Department of Education to increase retention and academic success among first-year Pacific Islander freshmen. The Kubre program will focus on providing quality support services such as tutoring, mentoring, and career exploration to help students succeed in math.

Facebook study finds race trumped by ethnic, social, geographic origins in forging friendships

A new UCLA–Harvard University study found that birds of a feather don't always flock together; instead, plain social pressure and shared characteristics like ethnicity, major, or state of origin play stronger roles in forming friendships. Social pressure proved seven times stronger than shared racial background.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateOct 28, 2010

70 children died from H1N1 influenza in England over 9 month period; ethnic minorities and those with serious pre-existing disorders had highest mortality; these children should be vaccinated as a priority

A study found 70 pediatric deaths related to pandemic influenza A H1N1 in England over a 9-month period. Children from Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities had significantly higher mortality rates compared to white British children.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 26, 2010

Adverse neighborhood conditions greatly aggravate mobility problems from diabetes

A study found that living in neighborhoods with poor air quality, traffic noise, and infrastructure issues significantly increases the risk of mobility problems among African Americans with diabetes. The researchers discovered that people with diabetes who live in adverse neighborhood conditions are up to 80 times more likely to develo...

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalBMC Public Health·DateOct 21, 2010

Experiments find bias in way analysts view firms led by black grads of prestigious universities

A study in Organization Science found that analysts discount African American managers' qualifications if they graduated from prestigious universities, while accepting the same qualifications for white managers. The effect is significant even when controlling for financial performance and accomplishments.

African-American seniors at twice the risk for mental abuse, 5 times for financial exploitation

A population-based survey by Pitt's UCSUR found that African American seniors are twice as likely to be mentally abused and five times more susceptible to financial exploitation than elders of other races. The study collected data from face-to-face and telephone interviews with senior citizens in Pennsylvania's Allegheny County.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalThe Gerontologist·DateSep 28, 2010

African-Americans face kidney disease-related disparities according to 2 new studies

Two new studies reveal racial disparities in kidney disease among African Americans, including higher rates of kidney failure, premature death, and lower rates of living donor transplants. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing these disparities to improve health outcomes for this population.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 23, 2010

Health reform fails the disadvantaged

A new study finds that US government health reforms have improved insurance coverage and reduced financial barriers to care, but failed to address disparities in access to care and self-rated health. The research suggests that health reform policies should focus on broader social determinants of health to advance health equity.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateSep 9, 2010

Premature death less likely than end stage renal disease for African-Americans with kidney disease

African Americans with hypertensive nephrosclerosis have a higher rate of developing end stage renal disease (ESRD) than dying prematurely, according to a new study. The study analyzed data from the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK) trial and cohort phase, finding that ESRD rates exceeded mortality rates ...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 22, 2010

Unique program boosts safe-sex habits among high-risk African-American couples

A new study found that a culturally specific intervention program based on the African concept of Eban increased condom use and reduced acts of unprotected sex among heterosexual African American couples with differing HIV status. The program aimed to improve communication, relationship health, and community respect.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJul 12, 2010

The quest for the modern day Methuselah

A global research team gathered over 600 supercentenarians, nearly 20 of whom lived beyond 115, and created the International Database on Longevity. The study reveals that many of these individuals avoided dementia until shortly before death, sparking interest in understanding the secrets behind their longevity.

Despite efforts, not all Latino immigrants accepted as 'white,' sociological study shows

A new sociological study reveals that many Latino immigrants in the US face discrimination based on skin color, with relatively darker-skinned individuals earning less than their lighter-skinned counterparts. The study found that some Latinos attempt to assert a white racial identity, but those with darker skin and higher levels of int...

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateJun 2, 2010

Tidy house, fitter body?

A new Indiana University study reveals that the inside of a person's home has a significant impact on their physical activity levels. Researchers found that home conditions, such as dusting and cleaning, were more strongly linked to physical activity than external factors like sidewalks and lighting.

British Indian children have better mental health

A recent study by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that British Indian children have substantially lower rates of mental health disorders, with only 3.7% affected compared to 10.0% for White children. This advantage was attributed to factors such as two-parent households and higher academic abilities, suggesting a rea...

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateMay 11, 2010

Exploring gender differences in colorectal cancer screenings

Researchers found that African American women are more aware of the importance of screening and are more willing to undergo the procedure, while men report barriers such as lack of trust in the healthcare system and fear of the procedure. Despite these differences, both groups recognize the benefits of early detection and prevention.

SourceTemple University·JournalJournal of Cancer Education·DateMay 11, 2010

Genetic makeup of Hispanic/Latino Americans influenced by Native American, European and African-American ancestries

A new study found that Hispanic/Latino individuals have varying genetic makeups due to the influence of multiple ancestral populations. The research discovered a significant sex bias consistent with the disproportionate contribution of European male and Native American female ancestry.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2010