Ethics

  • Tigers in the neighborhood: How India makes room for both tigers and people
    on February 1, 2025 at 12:45 am

    In India, tigers haven't just survived they're making a comeback. Despite a growing population and increasing pressure on their habitats, the number of wild tigers is rising. The reason? According to a new study, it's a combination of ecological restoration, economic initiatives, and political stability. And just as important: a deeply rooted reverence for tigers that has fostered a culture where humans and predators can coexist.

  • Botanic Gardens must team up to save wild plants from extinction
    on January 27, 2025 at 5:45 pm

    The world's botanic gardens must pull together to protect global plant biodiversity in the face of the extinction crisis, amid restrictions on wild-collecting, say researchers.

  • Progress and challenges in brain implants
    on January 24, 2025 at 8:11 pm

    A scientific team looks at the progress and challenges in the research and development of brain implants. New achievements in the field of this technology are seen as a source of hope for many patients with neurological disorders and have been making headlines recently. As neural implants have an effect not only on a physical but also on a psychological level, researchers are calling for particular ethical and scientific care when conducting clinical trials.

  • While most Americans use a device to monitor their heart, few share that data with their doctor
    on January 22, 2025 at 6:12 pm

    A new national survey found that while many Americans use a device to monitor their heart, few share that data with their doctor.

  • Ecologists uncover significant ecological impact of hybrid grouper release through religious practices
    on January 19, 2025 at 11:32 pm

    Ecologists have identified significant ecological risks associated with the release of hybrid groupers into Hong Kong's coastal waters, a practice often linked to religious 'mercy release' rituals. Their study highlights how the Tiger Grouper-Giant Grouper hybrid (TGGG), also known as the Sabah grouper, disrupts local marine ecosystems by exploiting unique ecological niches and potentially becoming a dominant predator. This research, the first to use advanced DNA metabarcoding to analyze the diet of this hybrid species, underscores the urgent need for public education and conservation measures to mitigate unintended ecological impacts.

  • A new research program is Indigenizing artificial intelligence
    on January 15, 2025 at 9:49 pm

    A new initiative is challenging the conversation around the direction of artificial intelligence (AI). It charges that the current trajectory is inherently biased against non-Western modes of thinking about intelligence -- especially those originating from Indigenous cultures. Abundant Intelligences is an international, multi-institutional and interdisciplinary program that seeks to rethink how we conceive of AI. The driving concept behind it is the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge systems to create an inclusive, robust concept of intelligence and intelligent action, and how that can be embedded into existing and future technologies.

  • How households can cut energy costs
    on January 13, 2025 at 6:43 pm

    Giving people better data about their energy use, plus some coaching, can help them substantially reduce their consumption and costs, according to a new study.

  • Realistic emission tests for motorbikes, mopeds and quads
    on January 9, 2025 at 6:00 pm

    Researchers have developed new measurement techniques and methods to measure emissions from category-L vehicles in realistic operation and to determine corresponding limit values.

  • States struggle to curb food waste despite policies
    on January 9, 2025 at 5:58 pm

    Current state policies aren't enough to curb food waste. Study shows states are falling short of the reduction goals set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

  • Rethinking population management in zoos
    on January 8, 2025 at 7:43 pm

    Until now, contraception has been the method of choice for zoos to avoid surplus animals. Researchers are now calling for a paradigm shift: zoos could preserve their breeding populations, raise awareness of conservation challenges and improve animal welfare and their carbon footprint by allowing animals to reproduce naturally and culling surplus animals.

  • Study reveals rising interest in permanent contraception after Roe v. Wade was overturned
    on January 7, 2025 at 12:56 am

    A new study has found a significant increase in the number of U.S. young adults seeking permanent contraception, specifically tubal sterilization and vasectomy, following the Supreme Court's June 2022 decision which overturned Roe v. Wade.

  • 'Heartbreaking' impact of COVID on treatment of children with brain tumors
    on January 6, 2025 at 6:23 pm

    Research into the impact of the COVID pandemic on children and young people with brain tumors has revealed how investigations or treatments were frequently postponed as key people or resources were not available.

  • One of the world's largest social programs greatly reduced tuberculosis among the most vulnerable
    on January 3, 2025 at 5:50 pm

    Brazil's Bolsa Fam lia Program, one of the world's largest conditional cash transfer programs, was responsible for the reduction of more than half the number of tuberculosis cases and deaths among those living in extreme poverty and indigenous groups.

  • Expanding the agenda for more just genomics
    on January 2, 2025 at 9:23 pm

    A special report outlines opportunities to enhance justice in genomics, toward a world in which genomic medicine promotes health equity, protects privacy, and respects the rights and values of individuals and communities.

  • Human-like artificial intelligence may face greater blame for moral violations
    on December 18, 2024 at 10:49 pm

    In a new study, participants tended to assign greater blame to artificial intelligences (AIs) involved in real-world moral transgressions when they perceived the AIs as having more human-like minds.

  • Diversity and inclusion accelerate the pace of innovation in robotics
    on December 12, 2024 at 5:02 pm

    Diverse and inclusive teams are not merely a moral imperative but also a catalyst for scientific excellence in robotics, scientists point out in a study. The team has outlined how a scientific community can benefit if its leadership fosters an environment of diversity and inclusion, and propose a leadership guide for roboticists to help reap these benefits.

  • What is a unit of nature? New framework shows the challenges involved with establishing a biodiversity credit market
    on December 11, 2024 at 5:50 pm

    Leading ecologists have devised a new framework to classify how biodiversity credit operators define what a unit of nature is. The new analysis demonstrates the challenges involved with devising a biodiversity credit market to fund nature recovery, and the risks of relying too heavily on 'offsetting.'

  • Adoption of AI calls for new kind of communication competence from sales managers
    on December 11, 2024 at 5:50 pm

    Artificial intelligence, AI, is rapidly transforming work also in the financial sector. A recent study explored how integrating AI into the work of sales teams affects the interpersonal communication competence required of sales managers. The study found that handing routine tasks over to AI improved efficiency and freed up sales managers' time for more complex tasks. However, as the integration of AI progressed, sales managers faced new kind of communication challenges, including those related to overcoming fears and resistance to change.

  • Better environmental performance boosts profits and cuts costs
    on December 10, 2024 at 9:34 pm

    Using a new calculation method, researchers found in an international comparative study that investors value corporate environmental performance more than mere information disclosure. In some developed countries, beyond sustainability efforts, companies can improve environmental efficiency to enhance economic performance.

  • Young children less likely than adults to see discrimination as harmful, researchers find
    on December 10, 2024 at 4:56 pm

    A study by a team of psychology researchers shows that young children in the United States are less likely than adults to see discrimination as harmful, indicating these beliefs begin at an early age. Moreover, the findings show that children see discriminatory acts -- negative actions motivated by the victim's group membership -- as less serious than identical harmful acts motivated by other reasons, unrelated to the victim's social identities.

  • Cardiovascular disease symptoms surprisingly high in young refugees
    on December 5, 2024 at 7:26 pm

    Many individuals seeking asylum in the United States show increased stress and pain symptoms that are associated with indications of cardiovascular disease.

  • In five cancer types, prevention and screening have been major contributors to saving lives
    on December 5, 2024 at 7:25 pm

    Improvements in cancer prevention and screening have averted more deaths from five cancer types combined over the past 45 years than treatment advances, according to a modeling study. The study looked at deaths from breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer that were averted by the combination of prevention, screening, and treatment advances.

  • Alaska's changing environment
    on December 3, 2024 at 8:46 pm

    The University of Alaska Fairbanks released a new report this week highlighting environmental changes and extremes that impact Alaskans and their livelihoods. 'Alaska's Changing Environment' provides people with timely, reliable and understandable information on topics ranging from temperature and precipitation changes to salmon and polar bears.

  • Countdown to an ice-free Arctic: New research warns of accelerated timelines
    on December 3, 2024 at 8:44 pm

    Scientists demonstrate how a series of extreme weather events could lead to the Arctic's first ice-free day within just a few years.

  • Cosmetic dermatology in the digital age
    on December 2, 2024 at 5:45 pm

    Driven by rapid advances in technology and the ever-growing influence of the digital landscape, the art of caring for the physical body and the digital world are becoming increasingly intertwined. The field of cosmetic dermatology is no exception.

  • Hear this! Transforming health care with speech-to-text technology
    on November 21, 2024 at 9:54 pm

    Researchers study the importance of enunciation when using speech-to-text software in medical situations.

  • Here's something Americans agree on: Sports build character
    on November 21, 2024 at 4:56 pm

    In a polarized nation, there is one thing that nearly all Americans agree on, according to a recent study: sports are good for us. Researchers found that more than 9 out of 10 Americans agreed that sports build character and improved one's health, while 84% agreed playing sports makes one popular in school and 85% said it makes one more well-known in the community.

  • War impacts the function of children's DNA and slows development
    on November 20, 2024 at 5:18 pm

    Children living in war-torn countries not only suffer from poor mental health outcomes, but war may cause adverse biological changes at the DNA level, which could have lifelong health impacts, according to a ground-breaking study.

  • How flood risk affects home values
    on November 19, 2024 at 6:43 pm

    Houses for sale in a flood zone are around 10% cheaper than surrounding areas, according to new research. However, the reduced price tag is not worth the extra risk and can burden buyers with long-term insurance costs, according to new research.

  • Political shadows cast by the Antarctic curtain
    on November 18, 2024 at 6:02 pm

    The scientific debate around the installation of a massive underwater curtain to protect Antarctic ice sheets from melting lacks its vital political perspective. A research team argues that the serious questions around authority, sovereignty and security should be addressed proactively by the scientific community to avoid the protected seventh continent becoming the scene or object of international discord.

  • Alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. more than double from 1999 to 2020
    on November 18, 2024 at 5:55 pm

    Alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. nearly doubled from 1999 to 2020. The sharpest spike occurred among 25- to 34-year-olds (nearly fourfold), while individuals aged 55 to 64 had the highest rates. Men consistently had higher rates but women saw the largest proportional rise, with deaths increasing 2.5 times. Asian and Pacific Islander communities experienced the steepest ethnic increase, while the Midwest saw the greatest regional rise (2.5 times), followed by the Northeast, West, and South.

  • 'Jekyll and Hyde' leaders do lasting damage, new research shows
    on November 17, 2024 at 12:56 am

    Employees struggle when supervisors swing between good and bad behavior

  • Only certain paranormal beliefs may be linked with more stress and distress
    on November 13, 2024 at 9:08 pm

    In a new study, feelings of distress and reduced ability to cope with stress were associated with traditional paranormal beliefs, but not with new age philosophy.

  • Organ donation: Opt-out defaults do not increase donation rates, study finds
    on November 13, 2024 at 5:36 pm

    A recent study shows that switching to an opt-out organ donation policy, where all adults are presumed organ donors unless they explicitly opt out, does not increase donations from deceased donors.

  • 'Emotional contagion' a factor in seniors' mental health
    on November 11, 2024 at 5:30 pm

    A new study finds that seniors who tend to mirror other people's feelings are more likely to show signs of being anxious or depressed themselves.

  • Power of aesthetic species on social media boosts wildlife conservation efforts, say experts
    on November 8, 2024 at 4:38 pm

    Facebook and Instagram can boost wildlife conservation efforts through public awareness and engagement, according to a new study.

  • From compliance to conversation: New guidelines push for ethical reflection in research reporting
    on November 4, 2024 at 4:25 pm

    A new study highlights key challenges and tensions in research ethics, particularly in light of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and calls for the adoption of new research ethics policies.

  • Are we missing the mark on biodiversity? 90% of countries ignore key behavior changes
    on October 28, 2024 at 5:17 pm

    There is a yawning gap between national policies to enhance biodiversity and the individual and small group behavioral changes that are critical to making a real difference.

  • 'The way to a man's heart disease': Can social expectations of masculinity be bad for cardiovascular health?
    on October 25, 2024 at 4:23 pm

    A new study found that higher levels of stereotypical male gender expression were associated with a decrease in reported diagnoses and treatment for cardiovascular disease risk factors.

  • Experts call for clear and concise regulation of exosome-based treatments
    on October 24, 2024 at 5:07 pm

    Clinics that offer exosome therapies claim they have the ability to repair and regenerate tissues and treat inflammatory and other immune-related conditions in a noninvasive way. Now, a team of bioethicists and legal scholars is sounding the alarm on the urgent need for stronger regulations surrounding these unproven interventions.

  • Bystanders in a combat zone are treated as guilty until proven innocent
    on October 23, 2024 at 6:18 pm

    People's bias toward sacrificing unknown bystanders appears to stem from assuming the unidentified person is an enemy, according to a new study.

  • Adapting GenAI for the next generation of learning
    on October 23, 2024 at 5:16 pm

    A new study by learning analytics researchers presents key considerations for generative AI (GenAI) educational tools so they are carefully developed to support, rather than replace, human learning.

  • Ethical framework aims to counter risks of geoengineering research
    on October 23, 2024 at 5:15 pm

    A new report says any research into large-scale interventions in Earth's climate system must be grounded in sound ethical principles so society can make informed choices about whether to deploy them.

  • Geography: Improving our understanding of complex crises
    on October 23, 2024 at 5:11 pm

    Researcher presents a new model for risk research which takes interactions into account and brings together various disciplines.

  • Workplace culture and social relationships are associated with workplace bullying
    on October 22, 2024 at 5:28 pm

    Workplace bullying poses a serious threat to employees' health and well-being. A study sheds new light on the impact of social relationships on workplace bullying. Focusing on the dynamics of social relationships, the study shows how workplace culture, interaction and social relationships play a role in bullying.

  • The transformative power of movies
    on October 21, 2024 at 9:04 pm

    Docudrama can lead people to be more empathetic toward people who are stigmatized in society, a new study finds.

  • U.S. infant mortality increased 7 percent in months following Dobbs, researchers find
    on October 21, 2024 at 4:27 pm

    U.S. babies died at a higher rate in the months following the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health decision, and infant mortality was highest among those born with chromosomal or genetic abnormalities, new research has found. The findings mirror previous research analyzing the experience in Texas after a ban on abortions in early pregnancy and illuminate the consequences of restricting access to abortion care, said researchers who conducted the national analysis.

  • Big data, real world, multi-state study finds RSV vaccine highly effective in protecting older adults against severe disease, hospitalization and death
    on October 17, 2024 at 11:46 pm

    This multi-state study is a real world data analyses of the effectiveness of the RSV -- short for respiratory syncytial virus -- vaccine. VISION Network researchers report that across the board these vaccines were highly effective in older adults, even those with immunocompromising conditions, during the 2023-24 respiratory disease season, the first season after RSV vaccine approval in the U.S.

  • Model reveals why debunking election misinformation often doesn't work
    on October 17, 2024 at 3:39 pm

    A new computational model analyzes the factors that help determine whether debunking efforts will persuade people to change their beliefs about the legitimacy of an election.

  • Environmental law reform needed to protect endangered marine species
    on October 9, 2024 at 12:14 am

    Researchers are calling for reforms to Australia's environmental laws, as threatened fish species continue to be legally exported.

  • Transition to a circular bioeconomy requires getting prices right
    on October 8, 2024 at 8:39 pm

    A circular bioeconomy that reduces and recycles waste, transitions away from fossil fuels to renewable bio-based alternatives, and regenerates natural systems is critical for feeding and fueling the world's growing population in environmentally sustainable ways. But it's a complicated concept, and significant questions remain about how it should be implemented and how to get buy-in from farmers, industry, and consumers in a market economy. A new paper by noted agricultural economists and scientists argues that the concept of a circular bioeconomy needs to expand beyond its technical focus on reducing waste and incorporate a values-based economic lens. The authors emphasize the need for the right policies, incentives, and market signals to persuade consumers and producers to make environmentally sound decisions -- and to help ensure that the system is equitable.

  • Are auditory magic tricks possible for a blind audience?
    on October 4, 2024 at 4:17 pm

    Magic tricks make the impossible seem possible. Magicians have long captivated audiences with visual tricks, such as pulling a bunny from a hat or sawing someone in half, but tricks that rely on sound are scarce. A new article explores why creating a magical experience using only sound may be challenging and underscores the importance of making magic accessible to people with blindness.

  • Bridging the gap: How pragmatic trials can better serve healthcare systems
    on October 2, 2024 at 4:29 pm

    A new thought piece highlights the challenges facing healthcare researchers and decision makers in the quest to improve population health in a constantly evolving healthcare landscape. The authors offer strategies to enhance the effectiveness of pragmatic clinical trials and increase their impact on real-world healthcare settings.

  • Cool roofs could have saved lives during London's hottest summer, say researchers
    on October 1, 2024 at 3:50 pm

    As many as 249 lives could have been saved in London during the 2018 record-setting hot summer had the city widely adopted cool roofs, estimates a new study.

  • How social structure influences the way people share money
    on September 26, 2024 at 5:21 pm

    A study of informal finance finds that in East Africa, money moves in very different patterns depending on whether societies are structured around family units or age-based groups.

  • Multilingual gossip in Elizabethan London
    on September 24, 2024 at 5:12 pm

    Stranger churches in early modern London had 'eyes everywhere' to hear, spread and dispel gossip in multiple languages, according to new research.

  • A few doctors will see some of you
    on September 23, 2024 at 10:49 pm

    Latino and Black family medicine doctors are significantly more likely to participate in the Medicaid program and care for higher numbers of Medicaid patients compared to their White and Asian peers.

  • Networks of Beliefs theory integrates internal and external dynamics
    on September 19, 2024 at 9:48 pm

    The beliefs we hold develop from a complex dance between our internal and external lives. A recent study uses well-known formalisms in statistical physics to model multiple aspects of belief-network dynamics. This multidimensional approach to modeling belief dynamics could offer new tools for tackling various real-world problems such as polarization or the spread of disinformation.

  • One in five UK doctors use AI chatbots, study finds
    on September 18, 2024 at 4:49 pm

    A survey reveals that a significant proportion of UK general practitioners (GPs) are integrating generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, into their clinical workflows. The results highlight the rapidly growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare -- a development that has the potential to revolutionize patient care but also raises significant ethical and safety concerns.

  • Unhealthy behaviors contribute to more coronary artery disease deaths in the poor
    on September 17, 2024 at 8:23 pm

    Lower socioeconomic status is associated with higher rates of death from coronary artery disease compared to higher socioeconomic status, and more than half of the disparities can be explained by four unhealthy behaviors, according to a new study.

Sarah Ibrahim