Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Ethnic differences found for fatty liver disease and insulin resistance

A new study published in Hepatology found that African-Americans are more resistant to fatty liver disease and insulin resistance, particularly when it comes to triglyceride levels. The research suggests an 'insulin resistance paradox' where African-Americans exhibit lower insulin sensitivity despite similar body fat distributions.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateFeb 25, 2009

Triple threat to health

A Temple researcher found that older African-American women who experienced high levels of family violence have poorer physical and mental health than their peers. Clinicians need to consider the role of past trauma in patients' current health status and refer them to social support organizations if needed.

Inuit are on the right track

The Inuit's vast geographic knowledge has been transmitted through generations by oral means, without written documentation. Their trails represent a sophisticated network of routes connecting communities across the Canadian Arctic.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Ecology·DateFeb 4, 2009

Race and gender determine how politicians speak

Researchers found that politicians' speech patterns reveal a social hierarchy, with black race and female gender assigned subordinate roles, while white males dominate. This study highlights the reproduction of racism and sexism in political discourse, affecting how leaders are perceived.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Psycholinguistic Research·DateJan 13, 2009

Study compares the racial consciousness of black and Asian-Americans

A new study by political scientists Jane Junn and Natalie Masuoka compares the racial consciousness of black and Asian-Americans, revealing that Asian Americans are less attached to their racial identity. The research explores how factors such as state-sponsored racial classification, immigration policy, and racial stereotypes influenc...

SourceAmerican Political Science Association·JournalPerspectives on Politics·DateDec 19, 2008

Racial tension in a 'split-second'

Research suggests that brief hesitations in conversation can increase anxiety in interracial interactions. In a study, participants experienced heightened anxiety when having conversations with someone of a different racial background after being delayed by just one second. This delay was undetectable to the participants.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 17, 2008

Black college students get better grades with white roommate

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that African American students who live with white roommates experience a 0.30-point increase in their GPA, compared to those living with same-race roommates. This suggests that interracial roommate relationships can have a positive impact on minority students' academic success.

SourceOhio State University·JournalGroup Processes & Intergroup Relations·DateDec 15, 2008

Race bigotry falling in Britain

A new study finds that racial prejudice in Britain has been declining since the 1980s, with younger generations showing greater tolerance towards ethnic minorities. The study also reveals significant generational changes in attitudes, with women and more educated individuals expressing less prejudice.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalBritish Journal of Sociology·DateNov 24, 2008

November/December 2008 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Studies examine racial and ethnic disparities in hypertension care and control, finding that racial disparities contribute to nearly 8,000 preventable deaths from heart disease and stroke annually. Researchers also investigate how medication prescribing and blood pressure control vary between ethnic groups in England, revealing signifi...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 10, 2008

A look at the Jewish-American vote

According to University of Miami professor Ira M. Sheskin, the strength of the Jewish-American vote is not measured by its numbers but by its geographic concentrations. The Jewish population has shifted from Northeast and Midwest to South and West, maintaining a significant influence on US politics.

A face by any other name: Seeing racial bias

A new study suggests that racial bias affects face perception, with names significantly influencing how people see multiracial faces. Researchers used a study titled Barack Obama or Barry Dunham? to test the hypothesis that racially-suggestive names would influence participants' perception of identical multiracial faces.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalPerception·DateOct 27, 2008

Making a difference in minority health

The Center for Minority Health (CMH) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health has developed innovative programs to improve the health and well-being of racial and ethnic minorities, including a prostate cancer prevention program that trains barbers to deliver accurate health information. The organization also partnered w...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 24, 2008

Race and insurance status associated with death from trauma

A study of 429,751 trauma patients found that African American and Hispanic patients had significantly higher death rates compared to white patients. Uninsured patients also had a higher death risk, with mortality rates doubling for African American and Hispanic patients compared to white patients.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Surgery·DateOct 20, 2008

Where Hispanics live in the US may change over time

A study finds that White and Black Hispanics in the US are more likely to integrate with non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans, while Mexicans show consistent generational assimilation. This trend suggests a decrease in racial segregation and an increase in integration over time.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateOct 17, 2008

African-American blogs offer key health communications tool

A recent study found that African-American blogs provide a unique platform for discussing HIV and AIDS, allowing individuals to express themselves freely and anonymously. The researchers identified three key risk factors for the Black community: ineffective leadership, Black cultural practices, and individual behaviors.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Computer-Mediated Communication·DateOct 2, 2008

New gene variant identified for nondiabetic end stage renal disease in African-Americans

Researchers have identified a new gene variant linked to non-diabetic end-stage renal disease in African Americans, increasing their risk of kidney failure. The MYH9 gene variant is found more frequently among individuals with West African ancestry and may interact with environmental factors to cause the disease.