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Understanding bias and discrimination in AI: Why sociolinguistics holds the key to better Large Language Models and a fairer world

A new study aims to address bias and discrimination in AI by leveraging sociolinguistics. By incorporating diverse dialects, registers, and periods of language into training data, researchers can improve the performance of large language models, making them more accurate and reliable. This approach also promotes ethical and socially aw...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 13, 2025

Young children less likely than adults to see discrimination as harmful

A new study by New York University psychology researchers found that young children in the US are less likely than adults to view discriminatory acts as harmful. However, by the age of 8, children begin to recognize discrimination as more harmful when targeting certain groups. The study suggests the importance of teaching children abou...

SourceNew York University·JournalCognitive Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2024

Study finds suburban school districts diversified in 20 years, but urban districts saw more racial isolation

Research from the University of Kansas found that suburban school districts are becoming more diverse, while urban districts are experiencing increased racial isolation. This study analyzed census data and geographic mapping technology to compare demographic changes in schools across the country.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalAERA Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 25, 2024

Black men — including transit workers — are targets for aggression on public transportation, study shows

A new study by Gwendolyn Purifoye found that Black men are targeted with aggression on buses and trains, leading to erosion of their sense of dignity and self-worth. The researchers observed repeated avoidance behaviors by non-Black passengers and surveillance by authority figures.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalSociology of Race and Ethnicity·TypeObservational study·DateNov 22, 2024

Breaking down bias in the NFT marketplace: Study reveals female and Black avatars sell for less—and offers solutions to promote equality

Researchers found that female CryptoPunks avatars were sold at a 37% lower price than their male counterparts, while Black CryptoPunks avatars were sold at a 31% lower price than White counterparts. Avatars with features associated with high-tech or higher education countered these disparities.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalInternational Journal of Research in Marketing·DateNov 19, 2024

Critical steps and more research needed to support physicians’ mental health, experts say

Researchers say implementing established strategies is critical to addressing the physician well-being crisis, including reducing workload and facilitating timely mental health treatment. The review also highlights the need for policies supporting diverse perspectives to improve well-being among underrepresented groups.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 23, 2024

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

Surge in discriminatory state laws threatens the health of multiple marginalized groups

A new analysis by Boston University School of Public Health found that between 2020-2024, 30 states enacted laws targeting Black people, LGBTQ+ individuals, transgender people, and birthing people. The study suggests that these discriminatory laws work in tandem to curtail legal protections for marginalized populations, leading to nega...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·TypeContent analysis·DateSep 25, 2024

President Obama 2012 reelection linked to significantly better mental health in Black men — but only those with a college education

College-educated Black men experienced nearly three fewer poor mental health days per month following Obama's reelection, while less educated men saw worse mental health. The researchers suspect that feelings of disappointment and relative deprivation theory may explain the shift in mental health benefits.

SourceRice University·JournalDu Bois Review Social Science Research on Race·TypeSurvey·DateSep 24, 2024

Black women have a higher risk of dying from all types of breast cancer, meta-analysis reveals

A meta-analysis by Mass General Brigham researchers found that Black women face higher mortality rates from breast cancer across all tumor subtypes, attributed to socioeconomic inequality, delayed diagnosis, and inadequate access to timely quality treatment. This disparity is not limited to hormone-positive tumors, with differences als...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 17, 2024

Generative AI model study shows no racial or sex differences in opioid recommendations for treating pain

A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that large language models demonstrated no racial or gender discrimination in opioid treatment recommendations. The results suggest that these AI models have the potential to reduce bias and improve health equity in pain management, which is a critical area where disparities exist.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalPain·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 16, 2024

Understanding food insecurity and its effects on gestational diabetes risk among American Indian and Alaska Native females can lead to better outcomes

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior examines the connection between food insecurity and gestational diabetes risk among young American Indian and Alaska Native females. The research highlights how targeted risk reduction methods could significantly improve diabetes health outcomes for this popula...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeObservational study·DateSep 5, 2024

Study explores effects of racial discrimination on Black parents and children

A new study from the University of Illinois examines the interpersonal effects of racial discrimination on parents and their adolescent children, finding that interactive effects of exposure to discrimination lead to increased psychological distress and lower levels of family support. The researchers identify four clusters of responses...

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalCultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 6, 2024

Sexual and gender minority adults avoid necessary care due to identity discordance with clinicians and experiences of discrimination

A study found that sexual minority and gender minority adults are more likely to avoid necessary care due to identity discordance with clinicians, highlighting the need for affirming care. Health care discrimination scores were also higher among these groups compared to heterosexual and cisgender adults.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 22, 2024

Structural racism and inconsistent hospital policies result in health care professionals disproportionately testing black newborns for prenatal drug exposure

A qualitative study found that healthcare professionals disproportionately test Black newborns for prenatal drug exposure, contributing to Child Protective Services reporting and family separation. The study identified three primary themes: levels of racism beyond the hospital structure, inconsistent hospital policies, and healthcare p...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 22, 2024

Racial disparities in dementia determined by social factors

A new study by researchers at WashU Medicine found that people of predominantly Native American or African ancestry have a higher prevalence of dementia due to social determinants of health. These factors include lower education levels, rural residency, and high blood pressure, which raised their risk of cognitive decline.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAlzheimer’s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

Black Americans develop mental resilience to discrimination early

A Duke University study found that by adulthood, Black men and women in the U.S. have developed mental resilience to everyday discrimination, including microaggressions, potentially limiting its impact on their mental health. White young adults may lack these coping strategies, making them more psychologically distressing.

SourceDuke University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJul 11, 2024

How do high-profile incidents of racial discrimination affect the eating habits of Black women?

Researchers found that Black women living near areas of unrest experienced higher levels of emotional eating and stress, while those in safer neighborhoods engaged in cognitive restraint. The study suggests that vicarious racial discrimination can lead to race-based traumatic stress and poor mental and physical health outcomes.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·DateJun 27, 2024

How community stress affects Black Americans’ mental health and wellbeing

A new study found that community stress significantly impacts the mental health and emotional well-being of Black Americans, particularly women. Objective neighborhood quality was related to lower levels of negative emotions in women, while perceived community stress had a similar effect on men's emotionality.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 30, 2024

Study finds extreme temperature swings hit minority, low-income communities hardest

A new study found that daily temperature variation has a disproportionate impact on marginalized groups, particularly Black and brown communities, with greater swings in temperature on average. The researchers used satellite data to analyze temperature patterns across the US, finding that densely populated regions with limited green sp...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 21, 2024

Discrimination may accelerate aging

A new study links interpersonal discrimination to changes at the molecular level, revealing a potential root cause of disparities in aging-related illness and death. Discrimination is consistently associated with accelerated biological aging, with everyday and major forms being linked to faster aging.

SourceNew York University·JournalBrain Behavior & Immunity - Health·DateMay 9, 2024