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Research finds rhetoric around #MeToo often focused on punishment, not causes of violence

A new study from the University of Kansas reveals that everyday people often focus on punishment as a solution to gender-based violence rather than examining its causes. Commenters regularly called for imprisonment and stripping perpetrators of power and resources, with some even advocating for poverty as a form of punishment.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalCritical Studies in Media Communication·TypeMeta-analysis·DateAug 3, 2026

Students with lower self-control tend to procrastinate with short-form video; sleep suffers, but not grades, study finds

A study found that college students with lower self-control and habitual use of short-form videos experience poorer sleep health and higher stress, but not diminished academic performance. Researchers suggest that institutions of higher learning and society can help by providing holistic mental health and student health outreach services.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking·TypeSurvey·DateMar 9, 2026

Study shows how kidnapping of athlete's father influenced society, president across continents

A study from the University of Kansas found that the kidnapping of Luis Manuel Díaz, father of Colombian soccer star Luis “Lucho” Díaz, resulted in coverage that portrayed his son as a national hero and cast doubt on peace negotiations. The media framing of the story had broader implications for the Total Peace initiative and the Petro...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalSport in Society·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 14, 2026

Only some emotions help posts go viral

A new study by Yifan Yu found that certain emotions, like anxiety and love, can make online content spread rapidly, while others, such as anger or sadness, tend to slow it down. The research also showed that demographic groups react differently to different emotional content.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateAug 11, 2025

How picking up your smartphone could reveal your identity

Researchers found that smartphone app usage patterns can be used to identify individuals with over 30% accuracy. The study analyzed data from 780 people and showed consistent patterns in application usage behaviors on a day-to-day basis. This highlights the potential risks to privacy when using apps automatically collected by smartphones.

SourceLancaster University·JournalPsychological Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 17, 2022

'Mommy bloggers' study reveals factors that drive success in social influencer marketing

A recent study from the University of Notre Dame reveals that attention-grabbing content and weekend posting on Facebook can increase engagement, while excluding giveaways and focusing on high-expertise bloggers may yield better results. The research provides a framework for successful influencer marketing campaigns by considering plat...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 29, 2019

The alcohol harm paradox explained

Research finds people in deprived areas more likely to combine heavy drinking with other health-damaging behaviors, multiplying risks of ill health. Alcohol consumption is linked to increased rates of smoking, excess weight, poor diet, and low exercise levels.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateFeb 17, 2016

Raising a glass to the holidays

A new study published in BMC Medicine found that people in England consume an additional 12 million bottles of wine each week due to holidays and special occasions. This increase in alcohol consumption can lead to health issues, highlighting the need for more accurate measurement and targeted interventions.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateMay 21, 2015

Education 'experts' may lack expertise, study finds

A new study suggests that education 'experts' with substantial media presence but little background in education and policy research may be more influential than those with empirical expertise. Researchers found experts associated with organizations like the American Enterprise Institute received nearly 2.5 times more citations.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEducation Policy Analysis Archives·DateFeb 20, 2015

How do men and women respond to gender bias in STEM?

A study analyzing online comments found that men are more likely to respond negatively to articles on gender bias in STEM, while women are more likely to express gratitude and call for social change. Men also make up a disproportionate share of sexist remarks against both themselves and others.

SourceSAGE·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateJan 8, 2015

Media celebrate female NFL referee, but fumble deeper issues

A study by Penn State researcher Dunja Antunovic found that the media mostly celebrated female NFL referee Shannon Eastin's debut, but failed to provide comprehensive analysis of gender issues in sports. The research highlights structural barriers that hinder women's participation in traditionally male roles.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Sports Media·DateOct 8, 2014

Fat chats: The good, the bad and the ugly comments

A study analyzing over 1.37 million social media posts found pervasive negative stereotypes and jokes about weight, as well as instances of support and advice. Blogs and forums offered a safe space for online discussions about healthy eating and weight management.

SourceSpringer·JournalTranslational Behavioral Medicine·DateOct 1, 2014

Winners of international blogging awards announced

The second annual SAGE-Sponsored OAIS Awards have recognized the impact of international blogging on scholarly communication. The winners include Dart Throwing Chimp, Political Violence @ A Glance, and Nuclear Diner, among others, who have made significant contributions to International Studies blogging.

SourceSAGE·DateApr 1, 2014

Cracking the semantic code

The study proposes that half of a concept's meaning is a summary of how rewarding and risky an object is. The researchers used internet blogs to estimate the number of good or bad things associated with objects, finding that 'evaluation' and 'activity' dimensions were strong predictors of word usage.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 13, 2013

Comments, traffic statistics help empower bloggers

Researchers found that female bloggers enjoyed blogging due to feelings of empowerment and community connection. Site metrics like traffic visitors and comments predicted continued interest in blogging. Bloggers who felt a strong sense of agency were more influential.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Computer-Mediated Communication·DateNov 19, 2012

Blogging relieves stress on new mothers

Research found that blogging positively impacts new mothers' well-being by increasing feelings of social support, marital satisfaction, and reducing parenting stress. Blogging provides an outlet for stay-at-home moms to connect with family and friends, showcasing their hobbies and accomplishments.

SourcePenn State·JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal·DateJun 19, 2012

Political blogging on the right and the left

A new study published in the American Behavioral Scientist found that left-wing blogs are more collaborative and less individualistic than right-wing blogs. Left-wing blogs incorporate more user activity, authorship, and calls to action, while right-wing blogs tend to be more hierarchical and rely on external sources.

SourceSAGE·JournalAmerican Behavioral Scientist·DateApr 19, 2012

Penn State team's QR code wins REACH Challenge

A Penn State team has developed a QR code system that allows patients to provide real-time feedback on their care experiences, helping hospitals improve patient satisfaction and reputation. The winning project aims to ensure patients receive the best care while also boosting hospital reimbursement under the Value-Based Purchasing Program.