Articles tagged with Mass Media
The partnership between Farrar, Straus and Giroux and the Simons Foundation aims to publish books that illuminate and elucidate modern science's central questions and ideas. The first book, Kevin Hartnett's The Proof in the Code, explores the emergence of Lean, a computer program transforming math and human-computer collaboration.
A new study of 33 Marvel and DC films reveals that adverse childhood experiences (ACE) scores have no bearing on whether a character is a hero or villain. The research highlights the use of unconventional approaches to explore trauma and child development in popular media.
A study of British motherhood influencers found that 3 in 4 posts feature children, with half linked to sponsorship and financial gain. The researchers express strong trust in Instagram's safety features, suggesting a deliberate strategy rather than accidental sharing.
A study by Technical University of Munich finds that digital violence discourages political participation, particularly among women, who experience sexualized online attacks. The survey shows that more than half of those affected modify their behavior, including giving up on politics entirely.
The 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston will feature expert discussions on trust in science and science diplomacy. Researchers such as Holden Thorp and Ruth Morgan will examine how to demonstrate trustworthiness and put a new framework into practice.
A new study by Binghamton University explores how media companies publishing similar content in different news outlets can impact financial markets. Researchers found that business news outlets owned by the same holding company tend to produce more similar stories, reducing unique information and potentially affecting investor efficiency.
A study found that ChatGPT provides higher fatality numbers when asked in Arabic compared to questions in Hebrew, highlighting the impact of user language on information dissemination. The researchers believe this has profound social implications, as it can shape perceptions of conflict and fuel biases.
A new study found that local and non-Anglo artist representation in Australian charts has declined since the rise of digital streaming. Indigenous music from Australia and New Zealand saw a significant decline in singles chart share, from 16.6% to 2.5%, while albums chart share also decreased.
A recent study by UCL researchers reveals that people with poorer mental health are more prone to browsing negative content online, which further exacerbates their symptoms. The study found that adding 'content labels' to webpages can help users make healthier and more informed decisions about the content they consume.
Researchers analyzed 35 million news links on Facebook and found that around 75% were shared without clicking, with conservative content being shared more often. This suggests social media users tend to merely read headlines rather than engage with core content, contributing to the spread of misinformation.
Researchers found that podcasts significantly improved health knowledge, increased exercise levels, and boosted healthy eating habits. Engagement with health-related podcasts was generally high, suggesting they could be an effective medium for health information and behavior change interventions.
A new study from the University of Georgia analyzed Reddit posts in the self-harm subreddit and found that users often view self-injury as an addictive behavior. The researchers caution that online communities cannot replace face-to-face interactions and professional help for mental health support.
Research finds that Korean newspapers often focused on women learning Japanese for work and social purposes, not just reading novels. The ability to speak Japanese gave women new opportunities and challenged traditional roles in Korea.
A new study published in npj Complexity found that the 2020 U.S. election drew online hate communities closer together, inciting new hate content around immigration, ethnicity, and antisemitism. The research team developed an 'online telescope' to map the online hate universe at unprecedented scale and resolution.
Researchers at UC Berkeley found that humans create more diverse and nuanced stories than generative AI tools like ChatGPT. While AI shows improvement, it still struggles with complexity and clichés.
A new study published in JCOM identified the characteristics of polarized scientific digital messages, proposing a system to codify and characterize polarized discourses. The research found that simplifying and presenting scientific information as unquestionable can limit critical thinking and hinder scientific progress.
A new study by Penn State researchers suggests that making AI training data diversity information available can shape users' expectations of algorithmic fairness and trust. Displaying racial diversity cues in AI interfaces can enhance users' perceptions of algorithmic fairness and trust, according to the study's findings.
A new study from the University of Illinois looks at how wetlands are portrayed in film, suggesting they play specific roles in story development and reflect society's attitudes towards these ecosystems. The research team analyzed 163 films and found that wetlands were often depicted as perilous pathways and psychological barriers, but...
A study analyzing 200 'fitspiration' videos on TikTok found that most presented incorrect or harmful information, promoting idealised views of body types and triggering negative body image issues. The content often featured sexualisation, body shaming, and excessive dieting, with most influencers lacking credible health qualifications.
A new study by Boston University researchers found that the majority of social media posts from e-cigarette brands left out health warnings, despite a federal requirement to include them. The study used AI to analyze over 2,000 Instagram posts and discovered that only 13% complied with FDA health warning requirements.
A new study from Texas McCombs finds that accumulating 'likes' can lead to fewer clicks for assertive CTA ads, but more clicks for informational ads. The researchers discovered that users respond positively to 'likes' from friends with similar interests, while those with dissimilar interests have a negative effect.
Studies analyzed nearly 30,000 shows, movies, novels, and crowdfunding pitches to find that more and bigger narrative reversals led to better ratings and increased downloads. The research supports Aristotle's idea of peripeteia as a key feature of a good story.
Research from uOttawa's Telfer School of Management reveals that consumers distrust super-influencers with high follower counts and instead engage more with smaller creators promoting sponsored content. This is attributed to the size of these micro-influencers, which fosters a stronger sense of trust with their audience.
Kids are missing out on local content due to algorithmic curation and platform interfaces. Researchers found US-based global streaming video platforms like Netflix and YouTube restrict children's access to available local options.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that digital switching, such as swiping through videos, actually increases boredom and reduces satisfaction with content. Participants reported feeling less engaged when watching a single video versus rapidly switching through multiple short videos.
A survey of 5,991 participants found presumptive PTSD to be prevalent long after mass violence incidents, emphasizing the need for comprehensive screening efforts. The study suggests that MVIs have persistent impacts on communities, particularly those with prior exposure to trauma.
Researchers designed an experimental platform to test the effect of user control on perception of falling down the rabbit hole. Participants watched videos with varying levels of extreme content under different autoplay modes, showing that altering aspects of online media technology can influence people's perceptions.
Researchers analyzed live-streams of hurricanes and storms, finding that people in affected areas used streams to discuss official risk advice and show support to impacted regions. The study highlights the importance of understanding how new technologies influence hazard risk perception and community engagement.
A study by Technical University of Munich found that Russian social media campaigns had a limited impact on the European public, with most people believing the disinformation being spread. The decisive factor in efficacy was whether a person is fundamentally receptive to conspiracy narratives.
A study found a strong association between media diet and science-consistent beliefs about climate change, with far-right media having a stronger negative impact on climate change beliefs and support for a carbon tax. Exposure to centrist and science media was positively associated with these beliefs.
A study conducted by the University of Zurich found that interventions against misinformation also breed distrust in fact-based news sources. The researchers tested three corrective strategies and found that they foster a broader sense of doubt among the public, even toward legitimate information.
According to MSU research, linguistically simple headlines engage readers more than complex ones. The study found that simplicity impacts how often people click on stories, leading to increased demand for good journalism. By writing simply, news organizations can make their content more approachable and accessible to a wider audience.
Research by APPC scholars found that increased knowledge about Covid-19 vaccination made a significant difference in reducing the disparity between Black and White Americans' vaccination rates. This increase was associated with improved trust in vaccine safety and efficacy, as well as reduced skepticism towards vaccines.
A study found that consumers prefer products with interrelated features, which are easier to use and perform well. Companies can increase sales by highlighting these connections, while reducing dissimilar features. Product developers should focus on adding value through functional connectivity rather than numerous new features.
Researchers identify superspreaders of low-credibility content on Twitter, including political pundits and low-credibility media outlets that spread toxic language. The study suggests that these individuals and groups are overlooked by Twitter's algorithm despite being more effective at spreading misinformation.
A study at TUM has debunked the assumption that people overestimate dramatic causes of death due to media attention. Instead, deaths in personal environments have a more significant impact on risk perception. Respondents can consciously engage with news reports and incorporate other sources into their judgment.
A new interface developed by researchers at the University of Sydney aims to reduce the spread of misinformation on social media. The tool adds a 'more information' button to posts, linking users to details about retracted science claims, which can help them make informed decisions about their health.
A new study from UCLA and Duke University reveals that strong local journalism plays a crucial role in supporting funding for dams, sewers, and other basic infrastructure vital to climate resilience. Reading detailed news coverage with specific local details about infrastructure maintenance requirements increases support for spending b...
A study published in PLOS ONE found that people in Europe primarily consume trustworthy news, but a small percentage rely on questionable sources. The ratio of questionable news to reliable news consumption differs between countries, highlighting the need for context-specific approaches to fighting misinformation.
New studies published in Preventive Medicine Reports and BMC Public Health found that segments about community firearm violence on local television news are often demographically and geographically unrepresentative. They also frequently contain harmful elements, such as blame of victims or reinforcement of racist stereotypes, which can...
Researchers found that people who watched 'meaningful' films like Grey's Anatomy or Me Before You learned more about death after being asked to think about it beforehand. This suggests a greater acceptance of death as part of life, leading to reduced avoidance behaviors.
A University at Buffalo researcher found that Truth Social was as effective as Twitter in driving news attention for Donald Trump, despite its smaller user base. However, journalists embedded Trump's posts less frequently on Truth Social than on Twitter.
Research highlights the significant impact of radio on Finland's famous composer Jean Sibelius, transforming him into a celebrated national hero and international media figure. The study shows how coordinated joint concerts and radio broadcasts helped increase Sibelius' global reach.
A study found that the number of U.S. collegiate athletes who died by suicide doubled between 2002 and 2022, accounting for a greater portion of total deaths. Athletes' mental health issues were attributed to pressures such as school expectations, performance demands, and social media scrutiny.
Researchers from 34 countries collaborate on DepolarisingEU project, developing interventions to mitigate undemocratic partisanship. The initiative aims to promote pluralism, civil discourse, and media literacy to counter radical polarization.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that virtual reality evokes stronger emotions and motivates climate action more effectively than traditional video. Loss-framed messages were most effective in VR, while gain-framed messages performed better in video format.
Researchers propose renaming VAERS as the Vaccine Safety Sentinel to reduce misinformation, citing a lack of public understanding of the system's unverified reports. They also recommend improving the system with raw data and expanded public education.
A study found that older participants and women were more likely to interpret emojis correctly, while younger men had difficulty. The results highlight the importance of context when using emojis in communication.
A new study by George Washington University researchers predicts an escalation of daily bad-actor AI activity globally by mid-2024, posing a significant threat to election results. The study provides the first quantitative analysis of the misuse of AI for disinformation during elections.
A study of 1,471 children found that early-life digital media exposure is associated with atypical sensory processing in multiple domains. The findings suggest that excessive screen time may be a potential risk factor for the development of atypical sensory profiles.
A new study published in the Journal of Health Communication found that news sites, especially UK and US sources, continue to use stigmatizing images when reporting on obesity. The research highlights the need for news media to be mindful of the images included in health news articles.
A new NIH grant will investigate how news media reports on community firearm violence affect survivors, communities, and policymakers. The research aims to develop evidence-based guidelines for safer reporting, inspired by successful approaches for other traumatic events.
Researchers have successfully mapped thousands of animal species in Bangladesh using social media posts, significantly improving habitat conservation. The study also highlights opportunities for social media companies to automate biodiversity data collection, making it easier for scientists to access and utilize.
A study analyzing 17,490 Wikipedia articles found that articles about high-income countries receive more attention than those from low-income countries. Political events and disasters are disproportionately covered on Wikipedia compared to cultural and sports events.
A new study found that people's reported media preferences often don't match their actual news consumption, highlighting the need for more accurate measurement. The researchers also discovered that those with divergent media preferences tend to visit similar online news outlets, challenging common assumptions about media polarization.
A collected sample of 30 million Indian tweets revealed 2% containing misogynistic language, with rates rising during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used a taxonomy to classify online misogyny and measured its prevalence in India.
A study by University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers found that crowdfunding platforms create a sense of democracy, but backers often come from similar groups and give to projects they find cool. This limits the democratizing potential of crowdfunding.
Researchers found that short-form videos on TikTok can inform and encourage women to get regular pap tests, particularly when created by doctors. The studies also showed that autonomy-supportive messages improved attitude toward the message and engagement intention.
Current online trust mitigation efforts are focused on a single topic and geographic scale, leading to limited effectiveness. The 'glocal' phenomenon means distrust is spreading with diverse topics and local-global interests, making it challenging for organizations to address.
A study analyzed millions of tweets by Republican and Democratic US politicians over a decade, finding that Republicans were more likely to share untrustworthy information. The researchers identified linguistic signals associated with low-quality information and suggested potential solutions for the public to recognize these signals