CLEVELAND, Ohio — Yvonka Hall hoped a nutritionist could provide answers about her unexplained weight gain despite her healthy eating habits. But the nutritionist was more focused on his computer than her. He didn’t ask questions; just gave his opinion. Stop drinking Pepsi, and you’ll lose weight. “I’m sitting there […]
bias
We Need STEM Mentors Who Can Reduce Bias and Fight Stereotypes
This past November, a heated conversation about mentorship in science was sparked by a Nature Communications study that alleged that female scientific trainees are less prolific in their subsequent careers if their research adviser is a woman. After serious backlash, the journal took a step back and retracted the paper. […]
Coded Bias review: Eye-opening documentary faces up to racist technology
Scientist and campaigner Joy Buolamwini faces the consequences of racially biased algorithms. 7th Empire Media When exactly did it happen that computers started making decisions about our health care, our jobs, our access to opportunities, even whether we can walk down the street without being arrested? New documentary Coded Bias […]
How Weight Bias May Affect Dogs and Their Owners
Last year a cat named Cinder-Block from Bellingham, Wash., broke the Internet when a video of her weight-loss routine appeared all over social media. In the clip, Cinder-Block paws at the edge of an underwater treadmill, getting accustomed to the moving belt one foot at a time. The compelling video […]
How YouTube’s bias algorithm hurts those looking for information on health
YouTube hosts millions of videos related to health care. The Health Information National Trends Survey reports that 75% of Americans go to the internet first when looking for information about health or medical topics. YouTube is one of the most popular online platforms, with billions of views every day, and […]