Facebook shuts out NYU academics' research on political ads
Read full article: Facebook shuts out NYU academics' research on political adsFacebook has shut down the personal accounts of a pair of New York University researchers and shuttered their investigation into misinformation spread through political ads on the social network.
Facebook demands academics disable ad-targeting data tool
Read full article: Facebook demands academics disable ad-targeting data toolThe researchers say the disputed tool is vital to understanding how Facebook has been used as a conduit for disinformation and manipulation. In an Oct. 16 letter to the researchers, a Facebook executive demanded they disable a special plug-in for Chrome and Firefox browsers used by 6,500 volunteers across the United States and delete the data obtained. The executive, Allison Hendrix, said the tool violates Facebook rules prohibiting automated bulk collection of data from the site. “The public has a right to know what political ads are being run and how they are being targeted. The company has resisted allowing researchers access to the platform, where right-wing content has consistently been trending in recent weeks.
Record melt: Greenland lost 586 billion tons of ice in 2019
Read full article: Record melt: Greenland lost 586 billion tons of ice in 2019After two years when summer ice melt had been minimal, last summer shattered all records with 586 billion tons (532 billion metric tons) of ice melting, according to satellite measurements reported in a study Thursday. Thats far more than the yearly average loss of 259 billion tons (235 billion metric tons) since 2003 and easily surpasses the old record of 511 billion tons (464 billion metric tons) in 2012, said a study in Nature Communications Earth & Environment. Last years Greenland melt added 0.06 inches (1.5 millimeters) to global sea level rise. While general ice melt records in Greenland go back to 1948, scientists since 2003 have had precise records on how much ice melts because NASA satellites measure the gravity of the ice sheets. As massive as the melt was last year, the two years before were only on average about 108 billion tons (98 billion metric tons).
Cornell to give full scholarships to some medical students
Read full article: Cornell to give full scholarships to some medical studentsMaeshima hiroki via Wikimedia Commons(CNN) - Cornell University had a life-changing announcement for its medical students. Weill Cornell Medicine said Monday it would eliminate medical education debt for all students who qualified for financial aid, starting with the students that entered the program this fall. More than half of the program's medical students received need-based scholarships, Cornell said, to cover the cost of attendance -- which is about $90,000 per year. The average student debt for medical students last year was a little more than $196,000, the Association of American Medical Colleges estimates. Even a private citizen stepped up to alleviate some of the financial stress college students are facing today.
Russell Simmons Bids Farewell to Daughter Aoki as She Heads to Harvard
Read full article: Russell Simmons Bids Farewell to Daughter Aoki as She Heads to HarvardProud parents Russell Simmons and his ex-wife, Kimora Lee, said goodbye to their daughter Aoki Lee Simmons, who will start freshman year of college at Harvard. Inside Edition was with the family, including sister Ming Lee Simmons, who attends New York University, as Aoki begins a new chapter in her life. Aoki found out she was accepted to Harvard earlier this year and the whole family celebrated. Kimora said she was so proud of her daughter getting into Harvard that she was "ugly crying" when Aoki received the acceptance letter. The Simmons family took a tour of Harvard Wednesday and Aoki said she plans to study government but will also help her mom with the re-launch of the clothing line Baby Phat.