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Ottoman Empire’s religious ‘tolerance’ another form of control

The Ottoman Empire's recognition of diverse religions was a means to monitor and control non-Muslim populations. Research by Osaka Metropolitan University Associate Professor Masayuki Ueno found that this 'tolerance' was actually a form of control, utilizing public presence of religious diversity to conduct surveillance.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalComparative Studies in Society and History·TypeCase study·DateMar 28, 2025

Democrats and Republicans agree on one thing: Censoring hate speech

Researchers found that Democrats and Republicans generally agree on what to censor when it comes to hate speech, with both parties prioritizing similar targets and severity levels. The study's findings suggest that social media companies can find consensus policies that get broad support, even in a highly polarized era.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateOct 17, 2024

“Will not the caption become the most important part of the photograph?”: how a German peasant became the face of Nazi race laws

A photograph of a German peasant was taken in 1929 as part of an anthropological study, but its use evolved over time to support Nazi racial purity and anti-Semitism. The image has been misattributed to the Nazi regime, used to justify discrimination against Jews, and even repurposed to promote Turkish nationalism.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Journal of Modern History·DateSep 16, 2024

What do bats, priests and rabbis have in common?

A new computer science tool is applied to examine Judeo-Christian relations in literature from the early first centuries CE, yielding wondrous results. The study reveals that Jewish sources are familiar with early Christian sources, but show wider geographical familiarity with both eastern and western Christian sources in later periods.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalHumanities and Social Sciences Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 17, 2023

University of Cincinnati research shows health benefits from Jewish tradition

A study published in PLOS ONE found that wearing tefillin, a traditional Jewish practice, can induce preconditioning associated changes in heart rate variability, leading to lower metabolism and potential protection against heart attacks. The research suggests this low-intensity method of protection could be a game changer for cardiova...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023

Nazi propaganda from 1927–1945 reveals role of dehumanization of Jews in the Holocaust

A linguistic analysis of Nazi propaganda shows that dehumanization of Jews shifted over time, with earlier propaganda focusing on disengaging moral concern and later propaganda portraying Jews as having a greater capacity for agency. This study suggests that dehumanization can motivate violence by reducing moral concern for victim groups.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateNov 9, 2022

New University of Ottawa research provides theory on why women stopped menstruating upon arrival at Nazi death camps

A new paper published in Social Science & Medicine proposes that synthetic steroids were administered to female captives in Nazi concentration camps to prevent menstruation and fertility. The study, led by Dr. Peggy J. Kleinplatz, is based on historical evidence and testimony from Holocaust survivors, who reported suspicious food ratio...

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateSep 20, 2022

Christians, Jews and Muslims experience workplace discrimination differently, new Rice research shows

A new study from Rice University finds that two-thirds of Muslims, half of Jews and more than a third of evangelical Protestant Christians experience workplace discrimination in different ways. Muslims and Jews feel targeted by anti-Islamic and antisemitic rhetoric, while Christians are perceived as judgmental for taking moral stances.

SourceRice University·JournalSocius Sociological Research for a Dynamic World·TypeObservational study·DateMar 11, 2022

Jewish autistic pupils thrive as bilingual learners, after communities reject advice “not to teach Hebrew”

A University of Cambridge study found that Jewish autistic children who learn Hebrew as a second language benefit from their cultural identity and community involvement. Parents and teachers rejected outdated professional advice, instead teaching pupils Hebrew to enhance their spiritual and family life.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateOct 27, 2021

Story tips from Johns Hopkins experts on COVID-19

A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led study evaluating over 9,500 Orthodox Jews in 12 states identified key factors contributing to the spread of COVID-19 within culturally bonded groups. The findings informed the development of safety guidelines for COVID-19-free celebrations among Orthodox Jewish communities.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 10, 2021

If the glove fits

Israeli archaeologists discover that the inner-rim diameter of storage jars in Israel over 350 years conformed to the palm width of a male hand, matching the original biblical measurements of tefach. The consistent measurement may reflect ancient potters' use of palm as a standard diameter for jar openings.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalBulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research·DateOct 13, 2020

Tailoring lactation education to the cultural needs of orthodox Jewish families

A new article provides culturally competent lactation education and evidence-based guidance for Orthodox Jewish mothers with sick newborns. Nurses are advised to have conversations with Rabbis before delivery to determine colostrum and milk storage needs, ensuring personalized care and meeting individual goals.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalMCN The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing·DateApr 5, 2019