//www.koonmotors.com/news/science_society/ethics/ Science and ethics. Read the latest scientific findings relating to ethics, bioethics, medical technology, abortion, suicide and more. en-us Fri, 08 Sep 2023 17:25:31 EDT Fri, 08 Sep 2023 17:25:31 EDT 60 //www.koonmotors.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png//www.koonmotors.com/news/science_society/ethics/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230907130407.htm A new study shows that counter to public perception, positive beliefs about the world are a poor indicator of a person's background. Thu, 07 Sep 2023 13:04:07 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230907130407.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905125052.htm Invasive alien species are animals that may pose a threat to biodiversity, but it's time to deal with that threat in a more ethical way. Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:50:52 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905125052.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905124853.htm The US continues to face stark inequalities in preterm birth and mortality rates between mothers of differing socioeconomic status and race, finds a new report. Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:48:53 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905124853.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230901124036.htm People without a secure job contract can likely reduce their risk of premature death by 20 per cent if they gain permanent employment, a study reports. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 12:40:36 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230901124036.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829124821.htm Among the negative impacts of extreme weather events around the world is one that most people may not think of: an increase in child marriages. Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:48:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829124821.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823192942.htm Alcohol use and subsequent handgun carrying were positively associated during adolescence and young adulthood among individuals who grew up in rural areas, similar to findings in urban areas. Reducing alcohol use may be an important strategy to prevent handgun carrying and firearm-related harm among young people in rural areas. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 19:29:42 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823192942.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822151724.htm It's human nature to be judgmental. But why do we place less blame on someone, or give more praise, if we find out that person had a history of suffering in childhood? In a recent study, researchers discovered why someone's childhood adversity influences how others judge their behavior. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:17:24 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822151724.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817163927.htm Thanks to continuous advances in human stem cell research, studies that make use of embryo models are progressing quickly. This research offers both a scientific and ethical alternative to the use of embryos resulting from fertilized human eggs, and the appropriate ethical guidelines have been developed in parallel with the advances being made. A group of biologists and ethicists suggest additions to the current ethical framework that refine thinking about human embryology using embryo models to maximize benefits to society. Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:39:27 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817163927.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816160000.htm Over recent decades, there was a large variation in cyclone-related excess deaths by hurricane, state, county, year, and social vulnerability for counties in the United States, with 83 percent of hurricane-related deaths occurring more recently and 94 percent in more socially vulnerable counties. Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:00:00 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230816160000.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115430.htm From text-generating ChatGPT to voice-activated Siri, artificial intelligence-powered tools are designed to aid our everyday life -- as long as you speak a language they support. These technologies are out of reach for billions of people who don't use English, French, Spanish or other mainstream languages, but researchers in Africa are looking to change that. Scientists now draw a roadmap to develop better AI-driven tools for African languages. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:54:30 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115430.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230809130608.htm New research indicates that mitigating both local land and sea-based human impacts, especially in terms of pollutants and over-fishing, provides coral reef ecosystems with the best opportunity to persist under climate change. Along some highly populated areas on the shorelines of Hawai'i, wastewater pollution and urban runoff combine with fishing pressures to put immense stress on coral reefs. Wed, 09 Aug 2023 13:06:08 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230809130608.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230808110934.htm Current efforts to protect and restore native biodiversity is being threatened by difficulties in identifying wild and domestic cats, and categorization is likely to remain fraught for the foreseeable future, experts have warned. Tue, 08 Aug 2023 11:09:34 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230808110934.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230803141708.htm A population genetics team recently identified the genetic relationship between over 40,000 23andMe users and a population of enslaved and free African Americans that lived in Catoctin Furnace, Maryland between 1776--1850. Over the course of this study, the researchers considered how best to inform descendants and other genetic relatives of their genetic connection to the site. Thu, 03 Aug 2023 14:17:08 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230803141708.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230724122654.htm As artificial intelligence expands across more professions, robot preachers and AI programs offer new means of sharing religious beliefs, but they may undermine credibility and reduce donations for religious groups that rely on them. Mon, 24 Jul 2023 12:26:54 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230724122654.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230721113141.htm In Africa, climate change impacts are experienced as extreme events like drought and floods. It has now been possible to predict and monitor these climatic events, providing early warning of their impacts on agriculture to support humanitarian and resilience programming in the most food insecure countries of the world. Fri, 21 Jul 2023 11:31:41 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230721113141.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230717175940.htm Consumers in the richer, developed nations will have to accept restrictions on their energy use if international climate change targets are to be met, warn researchers. The big challenge is to identify the fairest and most equitable way that governments can curtail energy use, a process known as energy demand reduction. The research team analyzed several scenarios to identify a potential solution. Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:59:40 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230717175940.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230717143216.htm A new study found that more than one million US deaths per year -- including many young and working-age adults -- could be avoided if the US had mortality rates similar to its peer nations. In 2021, 1.1 million deaths would have been averted in the United States if the US had mortality rates similar to other wealthy nations, according to a new study. Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:32:16 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230717143216.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230712124658.htm Researchers have found that providing access to advice about housing, debt and benefits within food banks could help lift people out of poverty. The initiative meant that people forced to use a food bank were also able to access advice on a range of issues -- from housing and debt to benefits. Wed, 12 Jul 2023 12:46:58 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230712124658.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230710113921.htm Researchers show that computer programs commonly used to determine if a text was written by artificial intelligence tend to falsely label articles written by non-native language speakers as AI-generated. The researchers caution against the use of such AI text detectors for their unreliability, which could have negative impacts on individuals including students and those applying for jobs. Mon, 10 Jul 2023 11:39:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230710113921.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230710113832.htm 当不道德行为的批评,要求often met with defensiveness and denial. How can we overcome this reaction? New research demonstrates that criticism is more persuasive when it is expressed with concern for the welfare of those being criticized. Mon, 10 Jul 2023 11:38:32 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230710113832.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230707153841.htm Researchers investigated how seeing frightening news about climate change day after day may shape the way people feel about the phenomenon and how willing they are to take action to address it. Fri, 07 Jul 2023 15:38:41 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230707153841.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230704110913.htm Global efforts to reduce infectious disease rates must have a greater focus on older children and adolescents after a shift in disease burden onto this demographic, according to a new study. Tue, 04 Jul 2023 11:09:13 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230704110913.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230703133100.htm A new study has found that maternal mortality rates have worsened from 1999 to 2019, hitting some racial and ethnic groups and states harder than others. The study found rates highest for Black populations and the largest increase was seen in American Indian and Alaskan Native populations. By region, high rates of maternal mortality were found in northern Mountain states and the Midwest in addition to the South, a region traditionally known to have high rates. Mon, 03 Jul 2023 13:31:00 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230703133100.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230627191518.htm A new study has explored the battle lines of public debate around a controversial energy technology which is heralded as 'critical to combating climate change' by its advocates and branded 'worse than coal' by its critics. Tue, 27 Jun 2023 19:15:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230627191518.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230627123030.htm In the midst of a global opioid epidemic, a team of scientists is exploring natural killer (NK) cells as an alternative treatment for neuropathic pain. Researchers gather existing evidence for the impact of NK cells in pain, pointing to their ability to prune the damaged nerve cells that may cause it. They urge the scientific community to explore biological mechanisms underlying NK cell activity to move towards a realistic pain therapy that is both effective and safe. Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:30:30 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230627123030.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230626163232.htm Guilt. It's a horrible feeling that causes us to question our worth as human beings. But while it's something that induces sleepless nights and stress-related physical symptoms in individuals, for society at large, the tendency toward guilt might have some benefits. Mon, 26 Jun 2023 16:32:32 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230626163232.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230622142350.htm In the space of a few months generative AI models, such as ChatGPT, Google's Bard and Midjourney, have been adopted by more and more people in a variety of professional and personal ways. But growing research is underlining that they are encoding biases and negative stereotypes in their users, as well as mass generating and spreading seemingly accurate but nonsensical information. Worryingly, marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by the fabrication of this nonsensical information. Thu, 22 Jun 2023 14:23:50 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230622142350.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230530125419.htm A survey of philosophers finds they broadly agree with economists on the best way of valuing the environment of the future in policy decisions made now -- although for different reasons. Tue, 30 May 2023 12:54:19 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230530125419.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230525141526.htm As robots assume more roles in the world, a new analysis reviewed research on robot rights, concluding that granting rights to robots is a bad idea. Instead, the article looks to Confucianism to offer an alternative. Thu, 25 May 2023 14:15:26 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230525141526.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230516115552.htm Research shows that the numbers of butterflies in meadows and pastures of Europe are in a continuous decline. Grassland butterflies will soon play an even greater role in EU nature conservation legislation. Based on the occurrences and population trends of butterflies, the member states are supposed to document the progress they have made in implementing the planned 'Nature Restoration Law'. Tue, 16 May 2023 11:55:52 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230516115552.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230511164553.htm With the help of extensive data from intensive care units of various hospitals, an artificial intelligence was developed that provides suggestions for the treatment of people who require intensive care due to sepsis. Analyses show that artificial intelligence already surpasses the quality of human decisions. However, it is now important to also discuss the legal aspects of such methods. Thu, 11 May 2023 16:45:53 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230511164553.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230511164449.htm Abandoned lands could be both an opportunity and a threat for biodiversity; a recent article highlights why abandoned lands are critical in the assessment of global restoration and conservation targets. Thu, 11 May 2023 16:44:49 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230511164449.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230511164436.htm We're attracted to people who like the same things as us -- politics, music, books. But why? And could it mean we're judging those who aren't like us too harshly? Thu, 11 May 2023 16:44:36 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230511164436.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230330102226.htm A new analysis shows that, compared to similarly high-income European countries, the United States continues to have substantially higher death rates at all but the oldest ages, resulting in more 'excess deaths,' and this gap widened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:22:26 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230330102226.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230328145225.htm With CRISPR-Cas9 technology, humans can now rapidly change the evolutionary course of animals or plants by inserting genes that can easily spread through entire populations. An evolutionary geneticist proposes that we call this evolutionary meddling 'genetic welding.' He argues that we must scientifically and ethically scrutinize the potential consequences of genetic welding before we put it into practice. Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:52:25 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230328145225.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230321112609.htm A recent study that examined the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and law enforcement underscores both the need for law enforcement agencies to be involved in the development of public policies regarding AI -- such as regulations governing autonomous vehicles -- and the need for law enforcement officers to better understand the limitations and ethical challenges of AI technologies. Tue, 21 Mar 2023 11:26:09 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230321112609.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230321112517.htm Research in languages other than English is critically important for biodiversity conservation and is shockingly under-utilized internationally, according to an international research team. Tue, 21 Mar 2023 11:25:17 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230321112517.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230320102056.htm IQ scores have substantially increased from 1932 through the 20th century, with differences ranging from three to five IQ points per decade, according to a phenomenon known as the 'Flynn effect.' But a new study has found evidence of a reverse 'Flynn effect' in a large U.S. sample between 2006 and 2018 in every category except one. For the reverse Flynn effect, there were consistent negative slopes for three out of the four cognitive domains. Mon, 20 Mar 2023 10:20:56 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230320102056.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230314154913.htm A global maternal immunization program for group B Streptococcus -- strep B -- would save millions in healthcare costs by reducing death and disability, but without tiered pricing, equitable access would likely not be achieved. Several vaccines are currently under development, and an assessment of the impact and value of a global program has now been published. Tue, 14 Mar 2023 15:49:13 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230314154913.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230314110751.htm In a world experiencing growing inequality and intolerance, tools borrowed from science and mathematics could be the key to understanding and preventing prejudice. Experts apply evolutionary game theory, which combines techniques from economics and biology, and complex system analysis to investigate the relationship between inequality and intolerance. They found that inequality boosts intolerance and that redistribution of wealth can prevent its infectious spread. Tue, 14 Mar 2023 11:07:51 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230314110751.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230313162710.htm Populations of whooper swans grow 30 times faster inside nature reserves, new research shows. Mon, 13 Mar 2023 16:27:10 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230313162710.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230309101336.htm Using a novel economic-epidemiological model, researchers examine the health and economic impacts that could have occurred if California took a 'business-as-usual' approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thu, 09 Mar 2023 10:13:36 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230309101336.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230308084349.htm Researchers found opioids were responsible for more than half of all fatal poisonings in children ages 5 and younger, more than double the proportion of fatal poisonings caused by opioids in 2005. Additionally, over-the-counter drugs still contribute to fatal poisonings in this age group despite increased regulation. Wed, 08 Mar 2023 08:43:49 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230308084349.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230307174318.htm Much of the progress made in understanding the scope of bird deaths from building and window collisions has come as the result of citizen science, according to a newly published study. But the study also concludes that such grassroots efforts need more buy-in from government and industry, and better funding so they can keep a foot on the gas in their efforts to reduce bird-window collisions. Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:43:18 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230307174318.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230307073153.htm Researchers are looking to small towns in Iowa to understand how some support aging in place better than others. Their findings could help communities plan for the future and preserve a high quality of life for all residents. Tue, 07 Mar 2023 07:31:53 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230307073153.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230227132717.htm Three years into a five-year pledge to completely phase out lead shot in UK game hunting, a study finds that 94% of pheasants on sale for human consumption were killed using lead. Mon, 27 Feb 2023 13:27:17 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230227132717.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230227132653.htm A study has investigated the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to address societal mega-trends and analyzed its proposed solutions in dealing with these global challenges. Artificial intelligence can offer understandable insights into the complex and cross-cutting issues of mega-trends, and how they could change and benefit in different areas if AI systems are deployed. Mon, 27 Feb 2023 13:26:53 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230227132653.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230224135005.htm A team of researchers has highlighted human-wildlife conflict as one of the globe's most pressing human development and conservation dilemmas. New research looked at 133 countries where 18 large carnivores ranged, and found that a person farming with cattle in developing countries such as Kenya, Uganda or India were up to eight times more economically vulnerable than those living in developed economies such as Sweden, Norway or the U.S. Fri, 24 Feb 2023 13:50:05 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230224135005.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230222141108.htm New research showing high infant mortality rates are contributing to an incessant rise of the global human population supports arguments for greater access to contraception and family planning in low- and middle-income nations. Wed, 22 Feb 2023 14:11:08 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230222141108.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230221113045.htm Fewer people are dying from cardiovascular disease in the U.S., according to new research. But rural counties and those with a higher percentage of Black residents consistently experienced higher rates of cardiovascular disease than urban and more predominantly white counties. The study showed that deaths from heart disease consistently declined at the county level from 2009 to 2018. Tue, 21 Feb 2023 11:30:45 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230221113045.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230220121859.htm World War II-style rationing could be an effective way to reduce carbon emissions, according to new research. Mon, 20 Feb 2023 12:18:59 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230220121859.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230217081316.htm Language models that generate text in response to user prompts plagiarize content in more ways than one, according to a research team that conducted a study to directly examine the phenomenon. Fri, 17 Feb 2023 08:13:16 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230217081316.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230213082119.htm Study finds that just 8% of all depictions of AI professionals from a century of film are women -- and half of these are shown as subordinate to men. Cinema promotes AI as the product of lone male geniuses with god complexes, say researchers. Cultural perceptions influence career choices and recruitment, they argue, with the AI industry suffering from severe gender imbalance, risking development of discriminatory technology. Mon, 13 Feb 2023 08:21:19 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230213082119.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230206104141.htm Changing the mind of someone who is dismissive of efforts to protect the planet could be accomplished by sharing a pro-sustainability point of view during a conversation, new research suggests. Mon, 06 Feb 2023 10:41:41 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230206104141.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230205081301.htm Researchers have developed autonomous driving software which distributes risk on the street in a fair manner. The algorithm contained in the software is considered to be the first to incorporate the 20 ethics recommendations of the EU Commission expert group, thus making significantly more differentiated decisions than previous algorithms. Operation of automated vehicles is to be made significantly safer by assessing the varying degrees of risk to pedestrians and motorists. Sun, 05 Feb 2023 08:13:01 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230205081301.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230201195347.htm People who share a political ideology have more similar 'neural fingerprints' of political words and process new information in similar ways, according to a new analysis. Wed, 01 Feb 2023 19:53:47 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230201195347.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/01/230131193746.htm A new psychology study finds that if people are asked to reflect on their life values before engaging in discussions, debates are more convivial and harmonious. Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:37:46 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/01/230131193746.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/01/230130130510.htm Researchers set up a structure that helps them systematically go through different types of resources and figure out if they meet the aims of diversifying syllabi. Mon, 30 Jan 2023 13:05:10 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/01/230130130510.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/01/230124192557.htm A new study finds that people with strong attitudes tend to believe they understand science, while neutrals are less confident. Overall, the study revealed that that people with strong negative attitudes to science tend to be overconfident about their level of understanding. Tue, 24 Jan 2023 19:25:57 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/01/230124192557.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/01/230118111752.htm Carbon dioxide removal is key to meeting the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. A new study analyzes what fair and equitable burden-sharing means for nature-based carbon dioxide removal in developing countries. Wed, 18 Jan 2023 11:17:52 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/01/230118111752.htm