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African voices in ink

The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.

When science speaks in extremes

A new study published in JCOM identified the characteristics of polarized scientific digital messages, proposing a system to codify and characterize polarized discourses. The research found that simplifying and presenting scientific information as unquestionable can limit critical thinking and hinder scientific progress.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Science Communication·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 28, 2024

UTA study suggests simple steps may improve team ethics

A UT Arlington study suggests that speaking up is key to ethical decision-making in research groups. The researchers found that fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to voice concerns can help prevent unethical behavior. An 'ethical champion' who steps up to speak out against potential issues was a common finding.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalScience and Engineering Ethics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2024

New tool detects fake, AI-produced scientific articles

A machine-learning algorithm called xFakeSci has been developed to detect AI-generated scientific articles, with a success rate of nearly 94%. The tool analyzes word patterns and bigrams to distinguish between real and fake papers, highlighting the need for comprehensive detection methods as AIs become increasingly sophisticated.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2024

Will generative AI change the way universities communicate?

A new study in JCOM monitored changes in university communication within the German landscape six months after the launch of ChatGPT 3. Practically all responding universities use generative AIs mainly to increase process efficiency, with some caution towards ethical aspects such as data protection.

SourceSissa Medialab·JournalJournal of Science Communication·TypeObservational study·DateMay 27, 2024

The tentacles of retracted science reach deep into social media. A simple button could change that.

A new interface developed by researchers at the University of Sydney aims to reduce the spread of misinformation on social media. The tool adds a 'more information' button to posts, linking users to details about retracted science claims, which can help them make informed decisions about their health.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction·TypeSurvey·DateMay 16, 2024

Researchers overestimate their own honesty

A study by Linköping University researchers found that most scientists believe they are better than average at following good research practices. However, the results also show that researchers tend to overestimate their own ethical behavior, which can lead to polarization in the research world and hinder interdisciplinary collaboration.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 26, 2024

High time to rethink how we define scientific expertise and authority, argue psychologists

Researchers argue that a non-individualist model focusing on competent and responsible epistemic performance is needed for psychology's self-correction capacity. They propose replacing metrics of eminence with metrics capturing track records of expert performance, such as false discovery risk indices or empirical replicability audits.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateJan 29, 2024

New principles for biological fieldwork will build equity for researchers and local communities

A new paper outlines principles for reducing power imbalances in biological fieldwork, including procedures for permitting and licensing developed at the University of Kansas. The guidelines aim to ensure safety, legal, and ethical conduct, prioritizing communication and transparency in fieldwork planning.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2022

One in five researchers globally report being pressured by funders to delay, alter, or not publish the findings of “unfavorable” health behavior intervention trials

Researchers worldwide experience funder suppression of negative health behavior intervention trials, with one in five reporting pressure to delay, alter, or not publish results. Funders' influence can distort research outcomes, hindering the development of effective public health strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateAug 18, 2021

New in the Hastings Center Report, July-August 2021

Clinical ethicists discuss activist language and its impact on healthcare crises, including triage policies and racial disparities. The article highlights four calls to action: recognizing barriers, supporting antiracism work, advocating for policy change, and engaging in institutional activism.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateJul 21, 2021