A 2019 study found a contagion effect among boys, but an Annenberg Public Policy Center reanalysis concluded that the series had no clear effect on teen suicide. Recent commentaries challenge the reanalysis and defend it.
A new study reveals that believing in COVID-19 conspiracy theories predicts increased resistance to vaccination and preventive behaviors, including mask-wearing. The researchers found a widening gap between those who strongly believed in conspiracies and those who did not, with believers being less likely to wear masks and get vaccinated.
A study found that belief in negative vaccination misperceptions has a strong impact on policy views, with 20% of Americans holding negative views about vaccination. Strong support for mandatory childhood vaccinations was observed, but opposition to religious and personal belief exemptions remained significant.
A new study using big data and survey results from the 2018-19 flu season found strong associations between regional social media messages and vaccination attitudes and behavior. However, when people discussed vaccination with others, negative effects of social media on vaccine behavior disappeared.
A study by Annenberg Public Policy Center found that people relying on conservative media or social media were more likely to be misinformed about COVID-19 prevention and conspiracy theories. Mainstream broadcast and print media usage correlated with higher levels of correct information.
A new analysis found that Russian trolls used fake persona types to discuss vaccination on Twitter during the 2016 US election cycle. The researchers identified nine types of troll personas and found that they targeted specific political groups with pro- and anti-vaccination messages.
Pro-vaping and other tobacco videos on YouTube have seen dramatic increases in viewership over the past half-dozen years, despite ad bans. The research highlights the challenges of regulating online content and the potential for social media platforms to influence young people's health information.
A study found that people exposed to vaccine content on social media were more likely to be misinformed about vaccines than those exposed to it on traditional media. Up to 20% of respondents were at least somewhat misinformed, with common claims including the link between vaccines and autism.
A recent study contradicts a 2019 finding that linked the Netflix series '13 Reasons Why' to an increase in adolescent suicide rates among boys. After controlling for secular trends, the reanalysis found no effect from the show's release on boys or girls.
A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that scenes of unjustified and justified violence in movies activate different parts of the adolescent brain. Viewers show a synchronized response in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex when watching justified violence, suggesting they see it as acceptable for self- or f...
A new study suggests that slower growth in working memory is associated with motor vehicle crashes among teenagers. The research found that young drivers with less-than-average working memory growth were more likely to report being involved in a crash, while those with greater-than-average growth were less likely.
A new study analyzing online survey data from US adults aged 18-29 found that more than half reported emotional distress after viewing self-harm content, while nearly a third said they performed similar behavior. Exposure to such content was also linked to higher suicidal ideation and risk for suicide.
A study found that varying question formats can significantly affect the proportion of Americans who believe in human-caused climate change. The researchers surveyed over 7,000 people and found that the acceptance rate ranged from 50% to 71%, depending on the format used.
Researchers found that viewers who watched the entire second season of '13 Reasons Why' were less likely to report recent self-harm and thoughts of ending their lives compared to those who didn't watch at all. Young adults, particularly students, showed increased risk for future suicide when watching only part of the series.
A study analyzing 10 episodes each from the original Venezuelan telenovela 'Juana la Virgen' and its US remake 'Jane the Virgin' found that the American adaptation has more sex, violence, and alcohol use. In contrast, it also features more pro-health messaging.
A new study found that a conversion message by British environmentalist Mark Lynas, who turned from an opponent to an advocate of GM crops, had a greater impact on public attitudes than a direct advocacy message. The study suggests that people's minds may be more easily changeable on this issue.
New research suggests that adolescents with conduct problems are more likely to use cannabis and develop a disorder. The study found no link between cannabis use and increased behavior problems among teens.
Despite taking steps to protect themselves, Floridians were under-armed in their response to the Zika virus. More than half of Floridian households failed to take preventive action despite knowing about the risks and having a family member at risk.
A study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that parents think PG-13 movies with unjustified gun violence are more suitable for 16-year-olds than those with justified violence. Parents also reported becoming desensitized to violence when repeatedly exposed to it, but this was more pronounced in scenes without justification.
A new study found that people's misconceptions about the association between the MMR vaccine and autism significantly influence their willingness to receive a Zika vaccine. The study also revealed that individuals who believe in science's power to solve problems are more likely to intend to use a Zika vaccine.
A new analysis argues that generalizations about a crisis in science aren't justified by available evidence. The study proposes that communicators of science convey its investigatory nature and self-correction process more accurately to prevent faulty narratives.
Kathleen Hall Jamieson and Doron Taussig analyze Trump's rhetoric, finding it both disrupted political norms and created challenges for governing. Trump's signature traits include spontaneity, accountability dodging, and demonization, which have led to concerns about his mental acuity and speculation about invoking the 25th Amendment.
A meta-analysis of debunking studies finds that a detailed counter-message is more effective than labeling misinformation as wrong. The study suggests involving audiences in scrutiny and counterarguing, introducing new information, and reducing arguments supporting misinformation.
A recent literature review suggests that adolescent risk-taking behavior is not due to a brain development deficit, but rather exploration and learning. The review highlights that most adolescents pass through this period without significant problems, while a smaller subset is at higher risk of unhealthy outcomes.
A survey found that public trust in science increased after the launch of the first human trial of a Zika vaccine, with people showing greater trust in science and paying more attention to news about the Zika virus. The study suggests that regularized communication about scientific advances could bolster confidence in science.
A study published in Cognition found that Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical on climate change increased perceptions of his credibility on the issue, particularly among liberals, but did not directly influence people's beliefs about its seriousness or effects on the poor. The study used a panel of 602 U.S. adults who completed surveys befo...
A new study warns that framing by political advocacy groups may compromise the public's ability to understand the dangers of Zika virus. The researchers found that viral internet images associating Zika with hot-button issues triggered polarizing reactions in people.
Research reveals that top-grossing PG-13 movies have more frequent and graphic gun violence than comparable R-rated films, with little attention to consequences. The study suggests that Hollywood prioritizes action-oriented films over responsible portrayals of gun violence, raising concerns about its impact on children.