A study analyzed over 2,000 tweets before and after Hurricane María made landfall, revealing insights into social media use during disasters. The research identified key categories of messages, including information about the disaster, emotional appeals for help, and solidarity efforts among marginalized communities.
A Tulane University study found that ephemeral photos on dating apps can lead to better outcomes for users, increasing the number of matches and conversations. The research suggests that people are more willing to share personal info due to higher levels of privacy.
Researchers found that doom and gloom messaging about climate change is most effective globally, but not in Norway. In contrast, people in Norway are more inclined to take action when messages emphasize moral responsibility and the consensus among climate experts.
A survey found that social media use significantly increases patient empowerment and informed decision-making in plastic surgery. Patients who used social media to gather information scored higher on key categories of the Cyber Info-Decisional Empowerment Scale.
A survey study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery finds that parents overwhelmingly believe surgeons should obtain consent before posting pictures of children on social media. The researchers recommend seeking consent from both parents and children, with an average age of 9.65 years for child assent.
A new study by Brigham researchers found that patients frequently turn to Twitter for contraception guidance, with a small fraction coming from health professionals. The study suggests opportunities for healthcare professionals to use social media to share accurate information and improve patient outcomes.
A survey of 473 patients found that those who used social media to gather information scored higher in patient empowerment categories. Facebook and RealSelf platforms were associated with increased empowerment in treatment options. Plastic surgeons are encouraged to engage with and contribute to social media to promote patient autonomy.
Simulations reveal that social media's shadow banning technique can subtly influence user opinions, making its detection challenging. The study highlights the dangers of this tactic for opinion manipulation on social networks.
A new study from the University of Bath reveals that social media influencers can move away from producing free content by focusing on authenticity, relationality, and quantification. The research found that building meaningful connections with followers and using data to assess impact are crucial for commercial success.
Researchers found that AI models using language patterns from past studies are less predictive for depression among Black people on Facebook. The study suggests that considering intersection of race and social media can improve depression detection, and calls for more data to learn depression patterns in Black individuals. Better under...
A study using AI models to analyze Facebook posts found that words associated with depression were more predictive of severity in white participants than in Black participants. Researchers highlight the importance of including diverse pools of data to ensure accuracy and tailor effective healthcare interventions.
A new study found that Meta's content moderation policies, including labeling and shadowbanning, were only partially effective in suppressing misinformation. Far-right and anti-vaccination accounts even saw an increase in engagement and followers after the policy announcements.
Researchers at Klick Labs developed an algorithm to detect deepfakes with 80% accuracy by analyzing speech pause patterns, offering a solution to the growing problem of AI-generated content. The study's findings suggest that vocal biomarkers can distinguish between real and fake voices, providing a novel approach to flagging deepfakes.
A new study has found that people are less likely to acknowledge war crimes on social media, citing fear of being stereotyped and judged. The research suggests that social media can be a barrier to post-conflict reconciliation, particularly when it comes to discussing the legacy of war.
A recent study from University of Nebraska-Lincoln scholar Ciera Kirkpatrick explores the impact of idealized social media portrayals of motherhood on new mothers. The research found that exposure to such idealizations increases anxiety and envy among moms, particularly those with a higher social comparison orientation.
A University of Gothenburg study reveals that knitting supports improved health by enabling people to unwind, offering a low-stakes social context, and providing structure. Knitting is found to improve both short-term and long-term mental health outcomes, with many participants noticing a decrease in anxiety and stress.
A recent study suggests that cultural similarity, measured through food and drink interests on Facebook, plays a significant role in predicting international migration flows. The researchers found that similarities in daily life aspects are dynamic and asymmetric measures of country similarity, adding value to traditional gravity models.
A scoping review by Dr. Valeska Berg highlights the risks of creating a child's digital identity through social media posts, including identity theft and unwanted image distribution. Experts recommend using private messaging and secure networks to protect children's online presence.
Researchers developed a machine learning model to assess the quality of health news stories, outperforming laypeople in evaluating their accuracy. The model used expert criteria to classify articles as 'satisfactory' or 'not satisfactory', highlighting the need for multiple criteria in evaluating news.
Researchers discovered GZ17-6.02's ability to interact with proteasome inhibitors in a greater than additive fashion to kill multiple myeloma cells and alone inhibit inhibitor-resistant cells. The compound combination also activated key pathways and increased autophagosome formation, leading to tumor cell killing.
A recent MSU-co-authored study identifies 10 insights to reduce vaccine hesitancy on social media, emphasizing the importance of messaging tailored to specific groups, correcting misinformation, and leveraging trust in vaccination campaigns. The research aims to alleviate bias and improve vaccine uptake behaviors.
Researchers argue that current automated toxicity detection methods can improve but require human intervention to review decisions. Companies can take steps to improve working conditions and platform cultures that prioritize kindness and respect.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine consensus study report highlights different effects of social media on adolescent mental health. Research is recommended to address specific harms such as cyber-stalking and harassment, as well as promote healthy social media use through digital literacy curricula.
A new study reveals that online political engagement and conspiracy theories played key roles in shaping Japanese anti-vaccine sentiments. Long-term anti-vaxxers tended to lean left, while those brought into the fold during the pandemic exhibited weaker interest and frequent references to spirituality.
A new study shows that despite the rise of community orgs, news outlets still dominate discussions on tough topics like racism and health disparities. Researchers analyzed over 1,250 Facebook posts from various organizations, finding that only 14.5% mentioned the pandemic and 2.5% racism/Black Lives Matter.
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.
Researchers identified a putative paclitaxel response predictive biomarker for glioblastoma and breast cancer using the whole genome CRISPR knockout screen. The biomarker candidate was validated in two independent breast cancer patient cohorts that received taxane treatment.
A new study from the Computational Social Science Lab at the University of Pennsylvania found that YouTube's recommendation system has a moderating effect on user behavior. Contrary to popular narratives, users' own political interests and preferences play the primary role in what they choose to watch.
A study using historic and modern writing reveals more information about the effects and spread of Phytophthora infestans, a plant pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine. Researchers tracked the disease's spread across the US and Canada, finding it affected multiple states and provinces between 1843-45.
The brain is wired to learn from people who are liked, making connections and updates more likely when faced with information from familiar individuals. This study shows how our brains draw inferences and remember selectively, influencing polarization and knowledge resistance.
A new study found that short and simple corrections from ordinary social media users can reduce the perceived accuracy of and engagement with incorrect content. Researchers also discovered that miscorrections can affect social media users, causing further confusion on platforms.
A recent study suggests that reframing confrontation goals from changing beliefs to setting social norms increases white people's willingness to challenge racist online posts. The study found that participants were more likely to confront those they knew well, such as friends and family members, rather than strangers or acquaintances.
A study found that customers are more willing to provide written compliments and complaints using AI-powered tablets rather than leaving videos. The researchers suggest that methods requiring 'low self-disclosure' would work better for customer feedback.
A study found that people from ethnic minorities show clearer signs of depression and lower adaptability on average. The researchers also discovered correlations between area poverty levels and the proportion of ethnic minorities exhibiting these traits.
A study finds that individuals with biomedical expertise are influential anti-vaccine advocates on Twitter, sharing misinformation and sowing doubt. The research highlights the need for public education, credential verification, and disciplinary actions against health professionals spreading false information.
The lack of synergy between academia and industry in drug discovery hinders the development of effective treatments. Researchers discuss why many therapeutic molecules fail to reach clinical trials despite pre-clinical efficacy.
A new study published in Electoral Studies found that voting advice applications have short-term effects on voter attitudes and choices in competitive authoritarian regimes. However, these effects are relatively small and dissipate within two months, limiting their practical value in such contexts.
A new study from the University of Surrey reveals that exposure to body-positive images on social media increases body satisfaction in both men and women, while idealized imagery decreases it. Body positivity is perceived as promoting plus-size bodies more than other characteristics, but can still be beneficial for all body types.
Lehigh University researcher Dominic DiFranzo is developing an AI-powered platform, Social Media TestDrive, to equip youth with skills to navigate social media safely. The platform uses conversational AI tools to provide instant feedback and interactive simulations, empowering students to be 'upstanders' against cyberbullying.
Researchers developed a predictive model to detect users and content related to Islamic State extremists on social media, identifying potential propaganda messages and their characteristics. The study's findings can help social media companies and law enforcement agencies track and prevent the spread of extremist propaganda.
New research from Aalto University reveals how disinformation and conspiracy theories persist despite external threats, bridging partisan divides only when shared democratic norms are condemned. The study found that social bubbles built on disinformation can be difficult to break, even in the face of dramatic events.
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.
Researchers found that materialistic attitudes and passive social media use are associated with increased stress, addictive behavior, and decreased life satisfaction. This study suggests a downward spiral of materialism leading to negative mental health outcomes.
New Cornell University research examines how people form impressions about individuals from social media posts. The study found that viewers' ratings of Facebook users often differed significantly from the users' self-perceptions, particularly when updates included photos or links. Cultural norms also played a role in shaping these per...
A West Virginia University study found that teens' personality traits and social media platform use are linked to depressive symptoms. Teens with higher levels of extraversion tend to experience fewer depressive symptoms on Instagram, while those with lower extraversion may be at risk for more severe symptoms.
Researchers studied newspaper ads from Dust Bowl states in 1934 to understand how businesses and companies reached consumers during a dual crisis. The study found that essential services used informational approaches while nonessential services relied on sensory appeals, offering valuable lessons for current mass media during emergencies.
A study by University of Illinois professor Emily Van Duyn found that news media consumption can trigger conflicts in couples with differing political views. Couples often struggle to decide which media to follow, leading to disagreements over news sources and content. This conflict can also affect the relationship, causing individuals...
Researchers analyzed nearly three million tweets from 42,000 Ukrainian citizens and found a significant shift towards greater Ukrainian self-identification. The study indicates that many Russians who previously dominated Twitter have switched to tweeting predominantly in Ukrainian.
Research found mobile phone users process information faster but are more likely to fall for misinformation compared to personal computers. PC users, however, are more susceptible to phishing attempts, highlighting the importance of device-specific responses.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, can decrease cravings for alcohol and lead to reduced consumption in individuals with obesity. The findings add to a growing literature on the potential of GLP-1 agonists to curb dangerous drinking habits.
A Cornell University-led research finds that social media platforms and the metrics that reward content creators for revealing their innermost selves open them to identity-based harassment. Influencers use platform filtering systems and other strategies to manage vulnerabilities, but the authors caution that internet hate and harassmen...
A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health estimates that social media platforms generated nearly $11 billion in ad revenue from U.S.-based users younger than 18 in 2022. The study found that YouTube derived the greatest ad revenue from users under 18, followed by Instagram and Facebook.
A study found that viewers' perceptions of Facebook users differed from users' self-perceptions, with multimedia views being more accurate than text-only views. The findings highlight the importance of understanding online self-presentation and impression formation.
A new study found that fossil fuel companies rarely respond to online discussions about extreme weather, but instead engage with sustainability initiatives and corporate efforts. Climate misinformation can fuel denialism and delay action, emphasizing the need for understanding how it's designed and spread.
A new study by researchers at New York University found that searching online to evaluate the truthfulness of false news articles actually increases the probability of believing misinformation. This phenomenon is concentrated among individuals for whom search engines return lower-quality information.
The use of 'trip-killers' to shorten psychedelic drug trips is a growing concern among doctors, with benzodiazepines and antipsychotics being the most frequently recommended options. However, warnings about their potential side effects are rarely included, highlighting a need for greater awareness.
A new study on the role of polls in South Korea highlights the limitations of polling in a democratic society. The research finds that technology, methodology, intentions, and reporting can affect poll results, leading to a social construction of public opinion influenced by pollsters and media.
A study found that cutting daily social media use by 30 minutes per day improves job satisfaction, mental health, and reduces stress. Participants who reduced their social media time reported feeling less overworked, more committed to their jobs, and experiencing decreased Fear of Missing Out.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that using alternative data from smartphones is more effective in improving financial inclusion (23% better) and business profitability (42% better) compared to social media data. This approach can help microloan companies adopt cost-effective solutions and offset potential economic loss.
A new commentary in JAMA Pediatrics recommends improving adolescents' media information literacy skills and promoting inclusive content to combat health misinformation spread on social media. This approach aims to harness the potential of social media as a tool for positive connections and mental well-being.