DUNCAN TREE BLOG #2
Study shows gaps in how STEM organizations collect demographic information
Professional organizations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields could more effectively collect data on underrepresented groups in their fields, according to a new survey published March 31 in Science. With more robust information, STEM organizations could better target efforts to recruit and retain a more diverse membership.
Mind the STEM Gap
Study shows gaps in how STEM organizations collect demographic information.
Professional organizations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields could more effectively collect data on underrepresented groups in their fields, according to a new survey published on March 31, 2022 in Science.org. With more robust information, STEM organizations could better target efforts to recruit and retain a more diverse membership. Researchers surveyed 164 U. S.-based STEM organizations, drawn mostly from a list of societies affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
These organizations were asked about the kinds of demographic information they collected on their members and conference attendees, and how they put it to use. Survey results were not associated with any particular organization, and the researchers did not ask for actual demographic information from the respondents: only what categories of information were collected.
Seventy-three organizations responded to the survey, representing over 700,000 constituents in a range of fields from life sciences and physical sciences to mathematics and technology.
While most organizations (80 percent) collected some demographic data, exactly what they collected varied. Many organizations followed the kind of breakdown used by federal agencies, offering a number of options for "race and ethnicity" but also lumping together several disparate groups under one category (such as "Asian American and Pacific Islander").
Gaps in Data
Some groups were widely ignored. While 60 percent of respondents were collecting at least some information on "gender identity" and "race and ethnicity," for example, just 15 percent collected data on "disability status" and "sexual orientation." The omission of these groups is surprising given the well-documented discrimination against, and underrepresentation of these groups in STEM, the authors wrote.
Materials provided by University of California - Davis. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Science Corner
Science Corner
Have you heard about 'nano-robot' Built from DNA to Explore Cell Processes
Constructing a tiny robot from DNA and using it to study cell processes invisible to the naked eye... You would be forgiven for thinking it is science fiction, but it is in fact the subject of serious research by scientists from Inserm, CNRS and Université de Montpellier at the Structural Biology Center in Montpellier. This highly innovative "nano-robot" should enable closer study of the mechanical forces applied at microscopic levels, which are crucial for many biological and pathological process.
It is described in a new study published in Nature Communications. Such a tool is very valuable for basic research, as it could be used to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in cell mechanosensitivity and discover new cell receptors sensitive to mechanical forces. Thanks to the robot, the scientists will also be able to study more precisely at what moment, when applying force, key signaling pathways for many biological and pathological processes are activated at cell level.
Materials provided by INSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale). Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Reading Lists
Reading Lists
The Obama Reading List
Barack H. Obama is the 44th President of the United States.
Few presidents have walked a more improbable path to the White House. Born in Hawaii to a mother from Kansas and a father from Kenya. For the complete list and to connect with the former president click: https://barackobama.medium.com/my-2022-summer-lists-264bc5ab1b0
SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Emily St. John Mandel
WHY WE’RE POLARIZED by Ezra Klein
THE CANDY HOUSE by Jennifer Egan
A LITTLE DEVIL IN AMERICA: IN PRAISE OF
BLACK PERFORMANCE by Hanif Abdurraqib
TO PARADISE by Hanya Yanagihara
SILVERVIEW by John le Carre
BLACK CAKE by Charmaine Wilkerson
VELVET WAS THE NIGHT by Silvia Moreno- Garcia
MOUTH TO MOUTH by Antoine Wilson
THE GREAT EXPERIMENT: WHY DIVERSE DEMOCRACIES
FALL APPART AND HOW THEY CAN EDURE by Yascha Mounk
THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS by Jessamine Chan
RAZORBLADE TEARS by S.A. Cosby
For Hoops Fans:
BLOOD IN THE GARDEN: THE FLAGRANT HISTORY
OF THE 1990S NEW YORK KNICKS by Chris Herring
Playlist
Playlist
The Obama Playlist
BREAK MY SOUL by Beyonce
VIBE OUT by Tems
MUSIC FOR A SUSHI RESTAURANT by Harry Styles
MIGHTY LOVE by The Spinners
FEELIN’ ALRIGHT by Joe Cocker
ENERGY by Sampa the Great ft. Nadeem Din- Gabisi
SAOKO by Rosalia
SPLIT/ WHOLE TIME by Lil Yachty
LET’S GO CRAZY by Prince
THAT’S WHERE I AM by Maggie Rogers
I CAN’T GET NEXT TO YOU by Al Green
MORE THAN YOU KNOW by Dr. John
BLUE IN GREEN by Miles Davis
LAST LAST by Burna Boy
PERSUASIVE by Doechii
CHERRIES by Hope Tala ft. Amine
SAVE ME by Aretha Franklin
NOBODY KNOWS ME by Lyle Lovett
OJITOS LINDOS by Bad Bunny & Bomba Estereo
PULL UP by Koffee
DANCING IN THE DARK by Bruce Springsteen
ANGELICA by Wet Leg
DUNCAN TREE BLOG #1
We've launched “DTF Podcast with Ouida” on Spotify and Apple Podcast. Join us as we continue our healing mission, through conversations with leaders and influencers - sharing their knowledge, insights, and practical advice in the areas of health, spirituality, and financial wellness.
DTF ON SPOTIFY
We've launched “DTF Podcast with Ouida” on Spotify and Apple Podcast. Join us as we continue our healing mission, through conversations with leaders and influencers - sharing their knowledge, insights, and practical advice in the areas of health, spirituality, and financial wellness.
Get your spring started with DJ “Lefty” Hernandez spinning gems to uplift your mind and move your body. Check out Duncan Tree playlists on Spotify.
Duncan Tree Reads
Duncan Tree Reads
WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?
by Oprah Winfrey & Dr. Bruce Perry
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
From the Flatiron Publications:
Our earliest experiences shape our lives far down the road, and “What Happened to You?” provides powerful scientific and emotional insights into the behavioral patterns so many of us struggle to understand.
“Through this lens, we can build a renewed sense of personal self-worth and ultimately recalibrate our responses to circumstances, situations, and relationships. It is, in other words, the key to reshaping our very lives.”—Oprah Winfrey
This book is going to change the way you see your life.
Have you ever wondered "Why did I do that?" or "Why can't I just control my behavior?" Others may judge our reactions and think, "What's wrong with that person?" When questioning our emotions, it's easy to place the blame on ourselves, holding ourselves and those around us to an impossible standard. It's time we started asking a different question.
Through deeply personal conversations, Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry offer a groundbreaking and profound shift from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
Here, Winfrey shares stories from her own past, understanding through experience the vulnerability that comes from facing trauma and adversity at a young age. In conversation throughout the book, she and Dr. Perry focus on understanding people, behavior, and ourselves. It’s a subtle but profound shift in our approach to trauma, and it’s one that allows us to understand our pasts in order to clear a path to our future—opening the door to resilience and healing in a proven, powerful way.
Imprint Publisher
Flatiron Books
ISBN 9781250223210
Looking for a Library?
Check Out:
https://librarytechnology.org/libraries/
An international and searchable directory of library web catalogs maintained by Marshall Breeding, an independent consultant, speaker, and author.
https://publiclibraries.com/
An easy-to-use and very library-friendly site offering a free searchable directory of public, state, presidential, college, and law libraries.
https://www.imls.gov/search-compare/
Search for Public Libraries – Institute for Museum and Library Statistics (IMLS)
IMLS administers the Public Library Survey, which was formerly administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). From the information gathered, IMLS provides this excellent United
Around The World
Around The World
In Barcelona, around 2,800 people are homeless or at least suffer from inadequate housing such as living in temporary structures. That’s not much of a surprise, though. After the financial crisis of 2008, many companies that own multiple properties left them empty, and waited for the real estate market to “relax”. In other words, they are waiting for them to become more profitable from renting again. Properties, in their eyes, are assets rather than public resources. This has led to high vacancy rates around the city. Barcelona has now launched a new measure of affordable housing policy. The Spanish city forces companies to rent out their empty apartments. Otherwise, the city will take over the private properties – at half their market value.
The online retailer Amazon is the second-largest private employer in the USA. Until now, the company has steadfastly resisted worker representation. In New York, for the first time, the majority of workers voted in favor of the first Amazon union in the USA. However, the company intends to issue a complaint against the election. In an employee vote at an Amazon logistics center in Staten Island, New York, the count showed a majority in favor of establishing the first union representation in the USA. The result was a close 2654 to 2131 votes. This means the foundation of the first Amazon union in the US so far.
In the midst of the Corona crisis, teams of Cuban doctors have landed in Italy and Andorra to provide medical support to Europe. However, this is not the first time that the island state has shown solidarity this way. Medical cooperation with other countries has long been one of the principles of the Cuban health system: actions of solidarity from which we can learn.
This Month in History
This Month in History
July 2, 1908
The first African American on the U.S. Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland.
July 4, 1776
The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress.
July 6, 1885
Louis Pasteur gave the first successful anti-rabies inoculation to a boy who had been bitten by an infected dog. The boy survived and avoided contracting rabies, which would have almost certainly proved fatal.
July 18, 1918
Nelson Mandela, in full Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, byname Madiba, was born. Black nationalist and the first Black president of South Africa (1994–99).
July 20, 1969
The world watched on television as Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the moon. As he took his first step, Armstrong famously said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."