Making the most of world talent for science? The Nobel Prize and Fields Medal experience

Opportunities in science largely affect the accumulation of scientific knowledge and, therefore, technological change. However, there is little evidence of how much of people’s talent is actually wasted. Here we focus on scientists with the highest performance, the recipients of the Nobel Prize and Fields Medal. We found that the average age of scientists at the time of the breakthrough was higher for researchers from less developed countries. Moreover, individual opportunities in the world were extremely unequal by country of birth, gender significantly conditioned any participation in research, and the probability of becoming a top researcher more than doubled for individuals with parents belonging to the most favoured occupational categories. Thus, inequality of opportunity in science at the highest level was higher than in sports excellence (Olympic medals) and educational attainment. These findings would not be so negative if opportunities in science at the highest level had increased over time. Contrary to the expectations, our results show that opportunities in science, in contrast with humanities, have stagnated.

Nursing students' learning from involvement in research projects: an integrative literature review

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the learning outcomes and skills obtained of undergraduate nursing students involved in research projects. Methods: This was an integrative literature review, based on a research protocol in the CINAHL Complete databases; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Cochrane Methodology Register; MedicLatina; MEDLINE, Scopus and JBI, including primary and secondary studies, published between 2015 and 2020. Results: A total of five heterogeneous articles were included, which were categorized using Kirkpatrick's (adapted) model. Seventeen learning outcomes acquired through participation in research projects were identified, from the learning of new knowledge and skills to the development of new attitudes and behaviors. Final considerations: The involvement of nursing students in research projects is important to their professional development. Future investment in research on this topic can help cement the potential of this type of student involvement.

Shifting From Tokenism to Meaningful Adolescent Participation in Research for Obesity Prevention: A Systematic Scoping Review

Background: Traditionally, adolescent participation in research has been tokenistic. Adolescents are rarely afforded the opportunity to influence decision-making in research designed to prevent obesity. Engaging adolescents in meaningful decision-making may enhance research translation. This review aimed to analyze the current modes and nature of adolescent participation in obesity prevention research decision-making.Methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's six-stage framework. Six major databases were searched for peer-reviewed primary research studies with adolescent participation related to obesity, physical activity, and diet. Modes of adolescent participation were categorized based on the Lansdown-UNICEF conceptual framework for measuring outcomes of adolescent participation. The framework outlines three modes of meaningful participation: (i) consultative, which involves taking opinions and needs into consideration; (ii) collaborative, where adolescents are partners in the decision-making process; and (iii) adolescent-led participation where adolescents have the capacity to influence the process and outcomes. The degree of involvement in research cycles was classified based on the National Health and Medical Research Council consumer engagement framework. Five stages of the research cycle were determined: identify, design and develop, conduct, analyze and disseminate.Results: In total, 126 papers describing 71 unique studies were identified. Of these, 69% (49/71) took place in the USA, and 85% (52/61) were conducted in minority or underserved communities, while males were more likely to be under-represented. In 49% (35/71) of studies, participation was consultative and 9% (6/71) of studies involved an adolescent-led approach. Furthermore, 87% (62/71) of studies incorporated adolescent participation in one or more of the research cycle's formative phases, which involve eliciting views, opinions and idea generation. Only 11% of studies engaged adolescents in all five stages of the research cycle where adolescents could have more influence over the research process.Conclusion: Meaningful adolescent participation in the obesity prevention research cycle is limited. Empowering and mobilizing equal partnership with adolescents should be at the forefront of all adolescent-related obesity prevention research.

Cultural Adaptations to Recruitment Strategies and Community-Based Interventions for Dementia Caregivers

Nearly 30 years after the 1993 National Institute of Health Revitalization Act, minority groups’ low participation in research remains (which required the inclusion of women and racial/ethnic minority groups into government-funded clinical trials). This is particularly the case for participation in research on Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD). Deeply rooted historical race-based mistreatment in research and in the health care system at large persist as barriers to low-participation of minorities (i.e. Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino) and immigrants in research studies, who remain at disparate risk for adverse ADRD health outcomes and expedited mortality. The use of culturally adapted approaches in recruitment strategies and community-based interventions might be helpful to encourage the participation of underrepresented groups into research. As such, this presentation highlights three studies that seek to use cultural adaptation to inform recruitment strategies and community-based interventions. First, Dr. Parker will present how tenets from Critical Race Theory can be used to inform culturally-adapted recruitment strategies of Black/African American caregivers into community-based research by drawing upon two ongoing studies: a randomized trial providing caregiver support through Adult Day Services (ADS) and the evaluation of impact of ADS on stress levels of Black/African American using biomarker measures. Next, Ms. Johnson will present results on cultural adaptions to the ADS-Plus Program for Spanish-speaking populations. Finally, Dr. Nkimbeng will present on the process of culturally-tailoring dementia education for African immigrants in Minnesota. Findings from this presentation identify opportunities for researchers to use cultural adaptations to encourage participation of underrepresented populations into ADRD research.

Lessons Learned Recruiting and Retaining Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals in Digital Trials (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED In an increasingly connected world and in the midst of a global pandemic, digital trials offer numerous advantages over traditional trials that rely on physical study sites. Digital trials have the potential to improve access to research and clinical treatments for the most vulnerable and minoritized, including pregnant and postpartum individuals. However, digital trials are underutilized in maternal and child health research, and there is limited evidence to inform the design and conduct of digital trials. Our research collaborative, consisting of five research teams in the U.S. and Australia, aimed to address this gap. We collaborated to share lessons learned from our experiences recruiting and retaining pregnant and postpartum individuals in digital trials of social and behavioral interventions. We first discuss the promise of digital trials in improving participation in research during the perinatal period as well as the unique challenges they pose. Second, we present lessons learned from 12 completed and ongoing digital trials that have used platforms such as Ovia, Facebook, and Instagram to recruitment. Our trials have evaluated interventions for breastfeeding, prenatal and postpartum depression, insomnia, decision-making, and chronic pain. We focus on challenges and lessons learned in three key areas 1) rapid recruitment of large samples with a diversity of minoritized identities; 2) retention of study participants in longitudinal studies; and 3) preventing fraudulent enrollment. We offer concrete strategies that we have pilot tested to address these challenges. Strategies presented in this commentary can be incorporated into as well as formally evaluated in future studies.