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Tetris reveals how people respond to unfair AI

A Cornell University-led study using the Tetris game found that players who receive fewer turns perceive their partner as less likable, regardless of whether a human or AI allocates the turns. The researchers also discovered that machine allocation behavior can lead to worse performance and gameplay when fairness is not guaranteed.

SourceCornell University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateMay 15, 2023

Study: AI models fail to reproduce human judgements about rule violations

Researchers found that machine-learning models trained with descriptive data label rule violations more harshly than humans, leading to potential serious implications in the real world. This study highlights the need for careful consideration of data labeling and training methods to ensure fairness and accuracy in AI decision-making.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 10, 2023
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Roadmap to fair AI: revealing biases in AI models for medical imaging

A team of experts identified 29 sources of bias in AI/ML models for medical imaging, including data collection, preparation, and deployment. The study provides a comprehensive roadmap for mitigating these biases and ensuring fairness, equity, and trust in AI/ML models.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Medical Imaging·DateApr 26, 2023

What makes someone likely to be a first-gen college grad? Money

A new study reveals that first-generation college graduates often originate from more affluent families with greater resources. This challenges the notion of a meritocracy, where success is solely based on individual effort. The research highlights the significant advantage these students have due to their family's socioeconomic status.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSociological Quarterly·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 21, 2023

Explanations of artificial intelligence: Author proposes model that highlights evidence of fairness

A Carnegie Mellon University professor proposes a new AI model that highlights the evidence of fairness in decision-making. The model provides counterfactual explanations to demonstrate whether past decisions were fair or biased. This research has practical implications for legislative efforts, industry norms, and AI model evaluation.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 21, 2023

Strengthening ecology and conservation in the Global South

An international research team from the Global South emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in tropical ecology and conservation. They suggest ten actions for researchers living in the Global South to improve their inclusivity and participation in international research collaborations.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPerspectives in Ecology and Conservation·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 15, 2023

A new approach to sharing the burden of carbon dioxide removal

A new study analyzes carbon dioxide removal quotas for developing countries, considering issues of equity and fairness. The allocation methods were based on extended equity principles and assessed the implications for these seven tropical developing countries.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalNature-Based Solutions·DateJan 18, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Finding equity in climate mitigation finance

A new IIASA-led study estimates that global climate goals can be met in a cost-effective manner with fair financial flows, but current pledged funding is insufficient. The researchers recommend increasing financing from rich countries to poorer regions to meet the Paris Agreement targets under most equity considerations.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalScience·DateNov 17, 2022

Researchers show how network pruning can skew deep learning models

Deep learning models can become less accurate in recognizing specific categories of images, sounds, or text after network pruning. Researchers demonstrate a technique to address this challenge, improving the fairness of deep learning models.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 2, 2022
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Horrible bosses cause ‘race to the bottom’ - study

A new study by Anglia Ruskin University found that hostile behavior from leaders can lead to co-workers adopting similar behavior, creating a toxic workplace environment. The research also discovered an association between experiencing hostile behavior and emotional exhaustion, job insecurity, and abusive peer behavior.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateSep 30, 2022

Do humans think computers make fair decisions?

A study published in Cell Press found that when humans are involved, computer decisions are perceived as fairer. Participants deemed decisions related to positive outcomes fairer than negative ones and had concerns over fairness in systems with higher stakes. The results suggest that automated decision-making systems need careful desig...

SourceCell Press·JournalPatterns·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2022

New project to use AI to improve educational outcomes

A new University of Illinois project aims to improve undergraduate students' ability to estimate their knowledge using artificial intelligence methods. The researchers will utilize machine learning to anticipate student performance and provide personalized feedback to enhance studying strategies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois School of Information Sciences·DateAug 16, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Do winners cheat more? New research refutes previous high-profile study

A large-scale study led by the University of Leicester found that people with a strong sense of fairness cheat less, regardless of winning or losing. The researchers examined the behavior of over 500 participants in lab-based games and discovered that only those with low 'inequality aversion' were more likely to cheat.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

In bias we trust?

Researchers at MIT found that explanation methods used to aid human decision-makers in high-stakes situations often have lower accuracy for minoritized subgroups. The fidelity of these explanations varies dramatically between subgroups, with the quality often significantly lower for women and Black people.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJun 1, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Study chronicles presence of chronic frames of race, gender, and wealth inequality

New research finds that journalists and laypersons describe racial and gender inequalities in terms of disadvantage, while wealth inequality is described in terms of advantage. The framing of inequalities is linked to their perceived legitimacy, with illegitimate inequalities being framed more strongly as disadvantages.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2022

Study shows sharing behavior among young children may be related to their counting skills

A new study found that symbolic counting skills are strongly related to young children's fair sharing behavior. Researchers developed a counting intervention that improved sharing behavior in preschoolers, suggesting that learning to count may be a key factor in developing this social skill.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·TypeObservational study·DateApr 27, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Study: Lawyers’ “game framing” of negotiations associated with lower moral character and less honesty

A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that lawyers who view negotiation as a game, with arbitrary rules, are less willing to disclose honest information. Lawyers with higher moral character are more likely to adopt an ethical approach, while those with lower moral character are more prone to game framing.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNegotiation Journal·DateApr 27, 2022

Clinicians grapple with decisions in crisis-care simulation

A simulated crisis-care event revealed the moral distress experienced by triage team members who had to prioritize patients for scarce resources. The study aimed to operationalize a process for making life-and-death patient decisions, but triage-team members struggled with balancing individual patient needs with fair resource allocation.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateApr 18, 2022

Fighting discrimination in mortgage lending

Researchers at MIT created a process called DualFair that can remove bias from data used to train machine-learning models. The method tackles both label bias and selection bias, significantly reducing discrimination in loan predictions while maintaining high accuracy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMachine Learning and Knowledge Extraction·DateMar 30, 2022
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Open for single workers only? Point-based immigration increases poverty risks for migrant families

A new study by the University of Southampton finds that skilled overseas workers with families face a higher risk of poverty than UK workers and their net incomes are lower under the UK's points-based immigration system. The researchers warn that this could make the UK less attractive for overseas workers who could fill skills gaps.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of Poverty and Social Justice·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 10, 2022

Incarceration associated with increased mortality rates among Black individuals

A new study led by Boston Medical Center researchers shows that Black individuals who were incarcerated have a statistically significant 65% increase in mortality rates compared to non-Hispanic non-Black individuals. This finding highlights the long-term impacts of incarceration on health, particularly among marginalized communities.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 23, 2021

New vaccine allocation model focuses on fairness and diversity

Researchers developed a fair-diverse allocation optimization framework to optimize the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and testing supplies. The model aims to get limited resources to the most vulnerable subgroups while ensuring fairness and diversity, independent of demographic background.

SourceIllinois Institute of Technology·JournalSocio-Economic Planning Sciences·DateDec 22, 2021

Experiences in prison reduce perceptions of corrections officers’ fairness, regardless of time served

A new study found that most incarcerated individuals' in-prison experiences lessen their perceptions of procedural justice and fairness, regardless of the length of time served. The research used a nationally representative sample of over 31,000 adults and examined various in-prison experiences on inmates' perceptions of staff members'...

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateOct 22, 2021
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Judging the gymnastics judges

Researchers developed a new statistical engine to evaluate gymnastics judges' accuracy and fairness. The study found that some judges are significantly better than others at judging, with the best-trained judges being only two to three times more accurate than their peers.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalJournal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 22, 2021

Machine learning can be fair and accurate

A recent study published in Nature Machine Intelligence challenges the long-held assumption that accuracy and fairness are mutually exclusive in machine learning. Researchers found that optimizing models for accuracy does not necessarily compromise fairness, particularly when adjustments are made to data, labels, and scoring systems.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateOct 20, 2021

The growing threat of wildfires in America

A study by Matthew Auer highlights the need for community-led wildfire protection plans to address growing threats, particularly among low-income households. These plans can provide educational resources, fire-resistant home construction, and access to funding.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalSustainability Science·DateSep 8, 2021

Victims’ gender, race, and child status affected decisions about death penalty in Pennsylvania

A study examining Pennsylvania death penalty cases found that victim's gender and race affected every outcome. Cases with white female, male or black male victims were more likely to receive a death sentence than those with black female victims. The study also found that prosecutors were more likely to seek the death penalty in cases w...

SourceCrime and Justice Research Alliance·JournalJustice Quarterly·DateAug 18, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

More 'fairness' needed in conservation

Researchers found that local stakeholders consider fairness in distribution of money from marine protected areas according to who holds rights over the area, rather than equality or costs incurred. This challenges common assumptions in conservation literature and practice, emphasizing the importance of explicit identification of local ...

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalEnvironmental Science & Policy·DateJun 9, 2021

People more afraid of catching COVID-19 are more judgemental, study finds

A recent study by the University of Cambridge found that individuals who are more concerned about contracting COVID-19 tend to be more disapproving of others' wrongdoings. The researchers suggest that concerns about health and safety shape morality, leading to non-rational judgments.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEvolutionary Psychology·DateJun 8, 2021

Immigration enforcement policies and migrant attitudes

A randomized survey experiment found heightened awareness of immigration detention fosters beliefs that the US immigration system lacks procedural and outcome fairness. Individuals' intentions to migrate were not influenced by heightened awareness of immigration detention or nonjudicial removals.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Fairness 'important - but not enough'

Researchers discovered that fair treatment alone is insufficient to foster a sense of value in groups; instead, recognizing individual talents and qualities provides a sense of inclusion while promoting mental health. This approach complements the idea of 'fitting in' by allowing individuals to stand out and feel valuable.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 14, 2021

Supervisors focused on others' needs get 'benefit of the doubt' from employees

Employees perceive prosocially motivated supervisors as fairer and are more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt, even when they make mistakes. Research from the University of Notre Dame found that supervisor motives impact fairness judgments and that focusing on prosocial motives can buffer the negative effects of low justice ...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateApr 26, 2021

Improving equity in the physics of medical devices

Achuta Kadambi's article in Science explores how medical device physics can perpetuate bias across racial and gender lines. He suggests quantifying sample fairness and recalibrating performance metrics to address these issues.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScience·DateApr 1, 2021
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Teaching AI what's fair

A team led by Michigan State University's Pang-Ning Tan is working to make artificial intelligence algorithms more fair and aware of their potential biases. They're developing a definition of fairness that considers perspectives from groups of people, rather than just individual outcomes.

SourceMichigan State University·DateMar 22, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

'Fairmandering' data tool makes redistricting more representative

A new method developed by Cornell University researchers can inject fairness into political redistricting. The 'Fairmandering' data tool creates billions of potential electoral maps for each state and then algorithmically identifies possibilities meeting desired criteria for fairness.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2020
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

The unintended consequence of becoming empathetic

Researchers from Michigan State University found that people who want to improve their empathy tend to shift towards more liberal ideologies, prioritizing care and fairness. This study is the first to explore shifts in personalities and morals due to volitional change.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateSep 16, 2020

New tool improves fairness of online search rankings

A new tool, FairCo, was developed to improve the fairness of online rankings by giving equally relevant choices roughly equal exposure and avoiding preferential treatment for high-ranked items. This can correct unfairness in existing algorithms and curtail personal choice.

SourceCornell University·DateAug 18, 2020

Restaurant customers frown on automatic gratuities, particularly after good service

Customers with excellent dining experiences express the most dissatisfaction with automatic gratuities. Research found that high-quality service does not compensate for negative customer responses to non-voluntary tipping systems. Restaurants can explore ways to give customers a sense of control, such as providing feedback or adding se...

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Services Marketing·DateAug 10, 2020
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Algorithm for preventing 'undesirable behavior' works in gender fairness and health tests

A new framework for designing machine learning algorithms helps prevent undesirable behavior, including biases in medical diagnoses and financial predictions. The approach shifts the burden from users to designers, making it easier to create 'well-behaved' algorithms without requiring extensive domain knowledge or complex data analysis.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 21, 2019

New algorithms train AI to avoid specific bad behaviors

Researchers at Stanford and UMass Amherst develop a new technique to create machine-learning algorithms that can learn to avoid undesirable outcomes such as gender bias and excessive risk. Their approach, called the Seldonian algorithm, enables users to specify what behaviors they want an AI system to avoid with high probability.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateNov 21, 2019

Developmental psychology -- One good turn deserves another

Children between 3-4 years old value generosity and benevolence as a general norm, while older children (5-6) develop a more complex concept of fairness that includes reciprocity. The study suggests that reciprocity norms are not fully developed until around age 5.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateSep 18, 2019
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Bosses who put their followers first can boost their business

According to a new study, managers with empathy, integrity, and trustworthiness see increased productivity and positive team dynamics. Servant leaders prioritize staff development, creating loyal and empowered teams.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology·DateApr 25, 2019

How do we make moral decisions?

A recent study published in Nature Communications challenges prior research on moral decision-making by showing that people's moral behavior can shift depending on the context. The researchers identified four moral strategies: inequity aversion, guilt aversion, greed, and moral opportunism, which involves switching between these strate...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 18, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Women who wear Muslim garments in court are viewed as more credible witnesses

A study by Lancaster University and Memorial University found that women who wear the hijab or niqab while testifying in court are perceived as more credible than uncovered women. The researchers suggest several possible explanations for this bias, including the idea that religious garments signal honesty and dispel common rape myths.

SourceLancaster University·JournalCanadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement·DateFeb 1, 2019