News Sources Research Articles

Enhancing Radiological Biomedical Natural Language Processing Tasks with Radiology-Specific Word Encodings: A Comparative Analysis of Word Embeddings Sources

Background: Machine Learning (ML)-based Biomedical Natural Language Processing (BNLP) techniques have garnered attention in radiology. However, these models typically depend on Word Encodings (WE) trained on generic datasets, as radiology-specific word libraries are limited. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the potential of radiography as a comprehensive database for generating Radiology-Specific Word Encodings (RSWE), enhancing the efficiency of BNLP tasks, especially in processing radiological texts. Methods: A systematic evaluation was conducted using WE derived from four databases: medical records, biomedical journals, Wikipedia, and news sources. Unstructured Electronic Medical Record (EMR) data from the Mayo Clinic and PubMed Central publications were used to train WE for medical-specific sources, while GloVe and Google News represented publicly available pre-trained WE for generic sources. Analytical evaluation employed medical keywords in three categories (illness, symptoms, drugs), and a 2-D graphical plot was created for 380 medical words. Numerical evaluation consisted of internal and external assessments. Results: Findings revealed that RSWE derived from EMR and PubMed Central outperformed generic WE, better capturing medical word meanings and identifying medically essential terms, aligning more closely with expert assessments. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the value of radiography as a radiology-specific resource for generating RSWE, with promising implications for improving BNLP in radiology.

Geopolitical risk perceptions

Geopolitical risk cannot be measured in a universal way. We develop new geopolitical risk indicators relying on local newspaper coverage to account for different perceptions. Using Russia as a case study, we demonstrate that geopolitical risk shocks identified from local news sources have significant adverse effects on the Russian economy, whereas geopolitical risk shocks identified from English-language news sources do not. We control for restricted press freedom by analyzing state-controlled and independent media separately. Employing a novel Russian sanctions index, we illustrate that geopolitical risk shocks propagate beyond the sanctions channel. Still, sanctions worsen the inflationary impact of geopolitical risk shocks substantially.

Advanced Computational Methods for News Classification: A Study in Neural Networks and CNN integrated with GPT

In an era inundated with vast amounts of information, the imperative for efficient news classification is paramount. This research explores the sophisticated integration of neural networks and convolutional neural networks (CNN) with Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT) to enhance the precision and efficacy of news categorization. The rapid digital dissemination of news necessitates advanced computational methodologies capable of accurate classification and event prediction that include finance and economic events. Leveraging recent advancements in machine learning and natural language processing (NLP), this study utilizes large language models (LLMs) such as GPT and BERT, known for their exceptional comprehension and generation of human-like text. Over 232 days, our methodology classified 33,979 news articles into Education & Learning, Health & Medicine, and Science & Technology, with further subcategorization into 32 distinct subcategories. For evaluation, a sample of 5,000 articles was assessed using metrics such as True Positive (TP), True Negative (TN), False Positive (FP), False Negative (FN), Precision, Recall, and F1-Score. In comparison with the existing studies, the proposed method achieving significantly higher with average scores of 0.986 (Precision), 0.987 (Recall), and 0.987 (F1-Score). This research offers substantial practical contributions, providing detailed insights into news source contributions, effective anomaly detection, and predictive trend analysis using neural networks. The theoretical contributions are profound, demonstrating the mathematical integration of GPT with CNNs and recurrent neural networks. This integration advances computational news classification and exemplifies how sophisticated mathematical frameworks enhance large-scale text data analysis, marking a pivotal advancement in applying advanced computational methods in real-world scenarios.

Local news as political institution and the repercussions of ‘news deserts’: A qualitative study of seven UK local areas

A transformation in the political economy of local news provision has led to claims that an increasing number of local areas have become ‘news deserts’ – areas that are poorly served or not served at all by professional and dedicated news services (Abernathy, 2022). Such developments have raised widespread concerns about the future health of local democracy. One aspect of local news’ declining capacity that has received little attention to date is the impact on its role as political institution. This paper first examines the impact of changes on those most closely affected by the reduction or closure of UK local news media outlets – the consumers and sources of local news. Through empirical research in 2021-22, the authors explore Cook’s theory of the news media as political institution (2005), by examining local citizens’ experience of – and attitudes towards – their local news outlets, and the extent to which they believe these continue to perform an institutional role. Second, the paper seeks to explore the extent to which other information services – most notably social media and online communities - substitute for the institutional roles of local news outlets. The paper argues that the diminishing role of local news media as political institution has significant political and democratic implications which are not being addressed by policymakers, who are more concerned with the economic interests of corporate media owners than the broader democratic and societal interests of local communities.

Syringe services program staff and participant perspectives on changing drug consumption behaviors in response to xylazine adulteration

BackgroundXylazine is an increasingly common adulterant in the North American unregulated drug supply that is associated with adverse health outcomes (e.g., skin infections, overdose). However, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding how xylazine was initially identified and how syringe services program (SSP) staff and clients (people who use drugs) responded to its emergence.MethodsFrom June–July 2023, we conducted qualitative interviews with medical (e.g., clinicians) and frontline SSP staff (e.g., outreach workers) and adult clients with a history of injection drug use at a Miami-based SSP. Inductive memos identified emergent codes; thematic analysis involving team consensus established final themes.ResultsFrom interviews with SSP staff (n = 8) and clients (n = 17), xylazine emergence was identified at different times, in various ways. Initially, during summer 2022, clients identified a “tranquilizer-like substance” that worsened sedation and withdrawal and caused wounds. SSP medical staff later identified this adulterant as xylazine by treating new medical cases and through diverse information-sharing networks that included professional societies and news sources; however, frontline SSP staff and clients needed additional educational resources about xylazine and its side effects. With limited guidance on how to reduce harm from xylazine, SSP clients altered their drug consumption routes, reduced drug use, and relied on peers’ experiences with the drug supply to protect themselves. Some individuals also reported preferring xylazine-adulterated opioids and increasing their drug use, including the use of stimulants to avoid over sedation.ConclusionsXylazine’s emergence characterizes the current era of unprecedented shifts in the unregulated drug supply. We found that xylazine spurred important behavioral changes among people who use drugs (e.g., transitioning from injecting to smoking). Incorporating these experiences into early drug warning surveillance systems and scaling up drug-checking services and safer smoking supply distribution could help mitigate significant health harms caused by xylazine and other emergent adulterants.

Особенности функционирования транспортной терминосистемы в современных англоязычных новостных интернет-ресурсах

This article is devoted to the problems of English transport terminology, as well as the peculiarities of its functioning. The purpose of the study is to determine the features of the functioning of English–language transport terminology based on the material of English-language news resources covering the state of transportation. The scientific novelty of this study lies in its exploration of the unique characteristics of the transport terminology system, as revealed for the first time through an analysis of English-language online news sources that focus on specific modes of transportation. In the article, 532 transport terms selected from media texts were divided into thematic groups, classified according to partial criteria, and the peculiarities of their functioning were revealed. As a result of the study, it was found that the terms identified in the analyzed material relate to general transport, but their meaning is specified due to attributive units, which causes their transition to a narrowly sectoral terminology. The extralinguistic processes aimed at the implementation of practices for the development of environmental friendliness in the transport industry are reflected in the functioning of terminological phrases formed by combining transport and environmental terms. It is revealed that the specifics of the considered transport terminology are diffusion processes, the reason for which is the transition of a significant part of it into the category of commonly used vocabulary.

Impact of reliable news information on consumers' perceptions and information seeking intentions from a food safety risk

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate whether information from reliable news sources such as medical experts and government officials, along with governmental and individual risk responses, influences consumers’ perceptions of news and intention to seek more information. Additionally, it aimed to explore the relationships between these perceptions and consumers’ intentions to seek information in a food safety risk event.Design/methodology/approachA survey design methodology was employed. A quasi-experimental approach divided 470 Taiwanese participants into three groups, each exposed to varying online news content about food safety news, designed according to the Internalization-Distribution-Explanation-Action (IDEA) model. This involved different combinations of reliable sources and risk response advice to examine the impact on news comprehension and behaviour intentions.FindingsThe results indicated that consumers perceived the news as highly credible when they read it with reliable news sources or risk response advice. Governmental and individual risk response advice significantly impacted consumers’ understanding of news. In addition, perceptions of news credibility and understanding of news can increase individuals’ information-seeking intentions to protect themselves from food safety risks.Originality/valueThis study introduced novel insights into the application of the source credibility theory (SCT) model within Taiwanese food safety incidents, identifying key factors that motivate consumer information-seeking behaviour. It marks an initial attempt to incorporate the IDEA model-based risk communication content into research design, aligning with existing literature while highlighting the critical role of reliable sources in enhancing news credibility and consumer response.

Ethnic and racial violence and violations in the context of the Brazilian democratic crisis: a study of Black and Quilombola populations

ABSTRACT This article addresses the question of how the recent political context of Brazil shapes violations of various kinds against Quilombola communities in Brazil. Using data from online news sources, we track violations from 2016 to 2020 related to land disputes, physical attacks and threats, and environmental issues. We show that, despite the legal rights accorded to these communities since the 1988 constitutional reform and subsequent processes of democratisation, vested interests in the agricultural lobby and a later authoritarian turn, especially after 2016, led to a dismantling of social and economic policies for Quilombos. The violations suffered by these communities result from the denial of their collective identities as constitutional subjects and the non-recognition of their dignity, which are the product of historical processes of inferiorisation that have treated some people as non-subjects or not eligible to bear rights, based on colonial classifications but still present in the dominant society.

Protective or potentially harmful? Altering drug consumption behaviors in response to xylazine adulteration.

Xylazine is an increasingly common adulterant in the North American unregulated drug supply that is associated with adverse health outcomes (e.g., skin infections, overdose). However, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding how xylazine was initially identified and how syringe services program (SSP) staff and clients (people who use drugs) responded to its emergence. From June-July 2023, we conducted qualitative interviews with medical (e.g., clinicians) and frontline SSP staff (e.g., outreach workers) and adult clients with a history of injection drug use at a Miami-based SSP. Inductive memos identified emergent codes; thematic analysis involving team consensus established final themes. From interviews with SSP staff (n = 8) and clients (n = 17), xylazine emergence was identified at different times, in various ways. Initially, during summer 2022, clients identified a "tranquilizer-like substance" that worsened sedation and withdrawal and caused wounds. SSP medical staff later identified this adulterant as xylazine by treating new medical cases and through diverse information-sharing networks that included professional societies and news sources; however, frontline SSP staff and clients needed additional educational resources about xylazine and its side effects. With limited guidance on how to reduce harm from xylazine, SSP clients altered their drug consumption routes, reduced drug use, and relied on peers' experiences with the drug supply to protect themselves. Some individuals also reported preferring xylazine-adulterated opioids and increasing their drug use, including the use of stimulants to avoid over sedation. Xylazine's emergence characterizes the current era of unprecedented shifts in the unregulated drug supply. We found that xylazine spurred important behavioral changes among people who use drugs (e.g., transitioning from injecting to smoking). Incorporating these experiences into early drug warning surveillance systems and scaling up drug-checking services and safer smoking supply distribution could help mitigate significant health harms caused by xylazine and other emergent adulterants.

Politicized and Paranoid? Assessing Attitudinal Predictors of Alternative News Consumption

ABSTRACT The study of right-wing alternative news sources has moved to the center of scholarly attention recently. Such sources cater to news consumers characterized by extreme political views and mistrust toward mainstream news. However, research into the predictors of alternative news consumption is still scarce. We approach this gap by combining online tracking and survey data from 2,009 German panel participants. We find conspiratorial thinking and pro-Russian stance to be predictors of alternative news consumption, both in absolute and in relative terms. Our analysis thus contributes to a more nuanced understanding of alternative news consumers.

Media Monitoring oleh Divisi Informasi di KJRI Johor Bahru

This study aims to analyze the media monitoring activities carried out by the Information Division at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Johor Bahru. These activities are crucial for understanding how information circulating in the media influences the image and policies of the KJRI, as well as identifying issues relevant to Indonesian citizens in Malaysia. The study employs a descriptive qualitative method with data collection techniques including direct observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis. The results of the study indicate that the Information Division at KJRI Johor Bahru has implemented various effective strategies in media monitoring, including the use of digital tools to monitor various media platforms. KJRI Johor Bahru conducts Media Monitoring, referred to as Weekly Reports (Lapming), in accordance with the definition of media monitoring activities by Friedel and Lukman (2020). Meanwhile, media tracking at KJRI Johor Bahru involves monitoring various credible online news sources, and media clipping at KJRI Johor Bahru aims to organize news collected from online sources and social media.

Between Political Strife and National Science: COVID-19 Vaccines on the Main Brazilian TV newscast

ABSTRACT Brazil ranks second worldwide in COVID-19 deaths. In this country, television is the most popular means of mass communication, and 95.5% of Brazilian homes have a TV set. During the coronavirus pandemic, Brazilians considered TV news the most reliable source of information about COVID-19. In this context, we examined the coverage of vaccines, between 2020 and 2021, on the main Brazilian TV newscast – Jornal Nacional. We identified 1,173 reports on vaccination in the digital collection of this news show, which we analyzed based on six dimensions that systematize the following: general characteristics of the news, approach to vaccination, framing the news, general handling of the topic, actors and geographic location of the study and/or the immunization campaign on the agenda. The reports evinced a mostly positive attitude towards vaccines, emphasizing the political strategies and public policies adopted in COVID-19 vaccine development. National science gained prominence in the coverage. The most common news sources were institutions and/or representatives of the executive branch, and scientists were the voices most present in the reports. Just over half of the reports discussed the topic using visual aids, but only a few explained scientific concepts pertaining to the vaccine.

Can Conversational Receptiveness Build Trust in the Media?

Trust in nonpartisan news is essential to civil society—but is declining in the United States. However, language that demonstrates active engagement with opposing views may build trust. One way to demonstrate such active engagement is conversational receptiveness: the use of linguistic features such as agreement, acknowledgment, subjectivity, and positive emotion, among others. A review of prior work on conversational receptiveness suggests its usefulness in interpersonal conflict. This toolkit might effectively apply also to the challenge of restoring trust in nonpartisan media. A demonstration study illustrates proof of concept: In 600 opinion articles from prominent news sources, more receptive language was associated with reader trust. Pending programmatic research will address limitations, feasibility constraints, open questions, and future empirical directions—including causal tests in applied settings. At a minimum, extrapolating conversational receptivity from its role in interpersonal conflict suggests a role in building trust in nonpartisan media. Conversational receptiveness might present a cost-effective, scalable approach for media producers to bridge political divides and rebuild trust—without alienating existing audiences.

Voice-Assisted News App using Natural Language Processing

In recent times, the advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) have enabled the development of novel voice-assisted apps. This study introduces a cutting-edge Voice-Assisted News App that utilizes the capabilities of Alan M, a prominent AI platform that revolutionizes the way people access news. This research endeavor attempts to utilize Alan Al's capabilities to offer a personalized news experience and enhance clarity through voice interactions. Users of the Voice-Assisted News software can effortlessly request and select their preferred news topics, and the computer will generate the most relevant news updates. Through integration with diverse news sources and the application of sophisticated algorithms, the program generates an individualized news stream for every user, ensuring they receive the latest and most relevant information. Users can efficiently access story audio descriptions. The app's speech interface allows users to navigate across different news categories. The NLP algorithms developed by Alan AI offer precise understanding of user demands by ensuring smooth interaction and an authentic conversational experience

Vladimir Putin on Channel One, 2000–2022

ABSTRACT Drawing on transcripts from the television network Channel One, a popular news source in Russia, this article addresses the question: “How was Vladimir Putin covered by state-controlled media while the regime became increasingly centralized?” The literature on the subject is scarce and inconclusive. Dictators create different images of themselves, and the portrayals of present-day spin dictators — those who primarily rely on the power of propaganda to persuade rather than dominate — are understudied. While some analysts point to Putin’s omnipresence in mass media, others uncover the lack of media personalization and relatively neutral coverage. Using 385,981 news transcripts from 2000–2022 and relying on techniques from natural language processing, I examine how a present-day autocrat attempts to optimize the intensity of state-controlled propaganda. I uncover three main tendencies. First, during all the years in power, the ruler has been more frequently referred to through positive stories. Second, there is only partial evidence that the relative references to Putin on Channel One have significantly increased over time. Third, during all his years in power, Putin has been more frequently mentioned in domestic news rather than in stories about foreign affairs. However, I also demonstrate that the share of news about foreign affairs and events abroad that mentions the ruler has been increasing every year since 2013. By focusing on the supply side of propaganda, this article contributes to the literature on autocratic resilience and spin dictators.

Critical Policy Analysis of the Second Round of the Double First-Class Project in China

Purpose This critical policy analysis aims to comprehensively examine the second round of China's first-class discipline development project, commonly known as the “Double First-Class Project” (DFC Project or Shuang Yi Liu Project). Design/Approach/Methods We conducted desk research between May 2022 and December 2023 using relevant policy documents, academic literature, news sources, and commentaries that specifically focused on the second round of the DFC Project in China. Employing a critical policy analysis approach, we analyzed the gathered data from three key perspectives: policy as text, policy as discourse, and policy effects (including both first- and second-order effects). Findings The second round of the DFC Project was implemented within the context of strengthened state regulation, prevalent managerialism, and an emphasis on promoting education equality in China's higher education development. A notable shift in structural dynamics occurred between the first and second round. These include the possibility of universities being added to or removed from the official list, increased academic autonomy for selected universities, and the promotion of interdisciplinary research within specific institutions. The implementation of the second round of the DFC Project reflects China's commitment to developing an internationalization strategy with Chinese characteristics. This strategy aims to align with China's national strategic needs and position the country as a cooperative partner, promoter, competitor, and potential leader in global scholarship. Originality/Value By employing a critical policy analysis approach, this study offers a comprehensive examination of the second round of the DFC project in China, contributing to existing knowledge on the development of world-class university policies in the country.

Dynamics of Thought in the Fiqh of Civilization Halaqah at Pesantren Affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in Yogyakarta

This paper explains the dynamics of thought in the Halaqah Fikih Peradaban (Fiqh of Civilization Halaqah, HFP) at pesantren (Islamic boarding school) ideologically affiliated with NU. The spirit of fiqh contextualization developed in the Fiqh of Civilization Halaqah is a key idea of PBNU in initiating civilization fiqh as a new approach to understanding and studying Islamic heritage. This paper elaborates on two aspects. First, why PBNU initiated the Fiqh of Civilization Halaqah and how the dynamics of thought occur within it. Second, how pesantren affiliated with NU discuss one of the main focuses of the Fiqh of Civilization Halaqah related to nationality and statehood. The authors use the theory of Islamic Law Sociology to explain the reciprocal relationship between the socio-religious topics discussed in the Fiqh of Civilization Halaqah and the dynamic and critical way of thinking. This paper uses qualitative research. The primary data was obtained through interviews with several sources and five caretakers who conducted the Fiqh of Civilization Halaqah in five pesantrens. Supporting data was obtained from documents and other news sources that review the Fiqh of Civilization Halaqah. The research results show that the reason for the Fiqh of Civilization Halaqah initiated by PBNU is to create a discourse space for contextualizing progressive fiqh understanding and developing a dynamic way of thinking. Through this approach, fiqh can be used as an inclusive perspective in understanding social change and the development of the times. This study also shows that the theme of nationality and statehood (fiqh siyāsah) discussed in the Fiqh of Civilization Halaqah in five Pondok Pesantren (Islamic boarding school) promotes dynamic and progressive thinking while critiquing fiqh siyāsah studies limited to the khilāfah. This attitude aligns with the spirit of civilization fiqh initiated by PBNU, which emphasizes a dialectical perspective in studying Islamic heritage.

How Negative Media Coverage Impacts Platform Governance: Evidence from Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube

ABSTRACT Social media companies wield considerable power over what people can say and do online, with consequences for freedom of expression and participation in digital culture. Yet we still know little about the factors that shape these companies’ policy decisions. Drawing on data collected from mainstream English-language news sources between 2005-2021 and on a novel dataset of policy documents from the Platform Governance Archive (PGA), we investigate the extent to which policy change at Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube is responsive to negative news coverage. We find that sustained negative coverage significantly predicts changes to platforms’ user policies, highlighting the role of public pressure in shaping the governance of online platforms.

Examining the Effectiveness of Fact-Checking Tools on Social Media in Reducing the Spread of Misinformation

Misinformation on social media poses a significant threat to individuals and society. This study examines the effectiveness of in-platform fact-checking tools in reducing the spread of misinformation. To this extent an online survey was conducted to assess individuals' awareness of misinformation and fact-checking tools, their behavior toward social media, and how it impacts their exposure to misinformation and the sharing of misinformation. The authors found a concerning reliance on social media as a primary news source, highlighting the need for readily available verification mechanisms. Encouragingly, awareness of misinformation correlated with fact-checking tool use. Participants utilizing fact-checking tools reported encountering less misinformation. Notably, participants with higher education displayed greater concern about misinformation. This study demonstrates the potential of fact-checking tools, particularly among educated individuals, but emphasizes the need for a multi-pronged approach. This includes improved tools, awareness campaigns, critical thinking skill development, and fostering a culture of inquiry.

Analyzing the impact of financial news on the stock market using Natural Language Processing techniques

In the current financial domain, the impact of financial news on the stock market has become increasingly significant. Its rapid dissemination speed and wide coverage have made it a key factor in influencing investor sentiment and decision-making. Therefore, this study aims to explore how to utilize Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies to analyze the impact of financial news on the stock market. The research involves collecting multiple sources of financial news and corresponding stock market data, and employs methods such as text preprocessing, sentiment analysis, and event extraction to process and analyze the news content. By constructing machine learning models, this study attempts to quantify the sentiment orientation of financial news and the impact of specific events on stock market volatility. The research questions focus on how to effectively extract valuable information from financial news and predict its specific impact on the stock market. The results indicate that sentiment orientation and key events in financial news are significantly correlated with short-term fluctuations in the stock market, especially for news reports on specific industries or companies. Moreover, the application of deep learning models further enhances the accuracy of predicting stock market reactions. This study not only provides financial market analysts with a new analytical tool but also offers a new perspective on understanding how financial news affects the stock market.