Articles tagged with Social Media
Researchers found a positive and significant ripple effect of firm-generated content on movie sales. This effect is indirectly driven by user-generated content that spreads through social media word of mouth. Firms can improve marketing efforts by sparking conversations among followers with hashtags and creative posts.
A study examining Facebook users' news feeds found that reducing exposure to content from politically 'like-minded' sources had no measurable effect on political beliefs or attitudes during the 2020 US presidential election. The study also found that participants were exposed to more cross-cutting sources and less uncivil content after...
Researchers have identified KIAA0930 as a key factor causing muscle atrophy in cancer cells, which could lead to the development of new anti-cachexia therapies. The study found that KIAA0930 knockdown cells showed increased muscle mass and weight compared to control cells.
A Washington State University study found that popular health-related videos on TikTok primarily cover sexual health, diet, and exercise topics. Influencer role models and aesthetic details dominate the content, lacking attainable behavior change advice.
A new study suggests that people's judgments of anti-vaxxers who die from COVID-19 are complex and influenced by political party affiliation and vaccination status. Researchers found that Democrats and vaccinated individuals were more likely to view anti-vaxxers as deserving worse outcomes, while Republicans and unvaccinated individual...
Exposure to body-positive content on social media broadens women's concept of ideal body weight, increasing the number of body shapes considered ideal. Body-positive content also leads to increased sense of well-being in one's body and reduces weight perception.
Researchers analyzed Twitter posts about the Philadelphia beverage tax before and after its implementation, finding a shift from anger to acceptance. The study's findings highlight the potential of social media data to influence public opinion and provide valuable insights for health policy makers.
A team of medical leaders recommends a sustainably funded public-private partnership to combat misinformation, citing challenges faced by the TIOS-VY organization. The American College of Physicians calls for modernizing public health infrastructure, including increased funding and addressing disinformation, especially on social media.
A new study from UEA found that friendly interactions with people from diverse groups can significantly reduce the endorsement and tolerance of conspiracy theories. Positive intergroup contact has been shown to decrease prejudice towards targeted groups, including Jewish people and immigrants.
A new study found that social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are ideal spaces to educate and guide US youth of color on healthy weight management. Nearly 1 in 4 adolescents experienced obesity from 2017 to 2020, with youths of color experiencing disproportionately higher rates.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that student loan debt is associated with high levels of depression, stress, and worrying thoughts. The research analyzed over 85,000 social media posts and found that users who expressed negative emotions about their loans were more likely to experience mental health problems.
A University of Missouri study found that consumers are more likely to use virtual apparel try-on software if it is interactive and easy to use. The research suggests that making the technology versatile can reduce privacy concerns, with qualities like interactivity having a direct impact on users' willingness to shop virtually.
A team of researchers created a deep learning system capable of detecting natural disasters using images from Twitter and Flickr. The system, trained on over 1.7 million photographs, was able to accurately identify incidents such as floods, tornadoes, and forest fires.
A new study reveals a consistent difference in favorability ratings between gene editing and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in social and traditional media. Gene editing consistently receives higher favorability ratings, with close to 100% achieved in numerous monthly values, indicating a positive shift in public sentiment.
Researchers developed a validated test to measure misinformation susceptibility, finding younger adults and those spending more time online are worse at identifying false headlines. The study used AI-generated fake headlines and found that social media and political affiliation were significant factors in susceptibility.
A new study analyzing 57 million Facebook posts found that the amount of controversy generated by a post is strongly linked to its speed of spread. The study suggests that posts reaching a wide audience quickly are more likely to be associated with negative or controversial reactions, regardless of topic.
A team of UConn researchers finds that misinformation about abortion has proliferated on social media, including false claims about fetal pain and maternal health. The study warns that this infodemic could exacerbate a public health crisis and restrict access to accurate information.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that women who turned 35 in recent years and those without children are most at risk of excessive alcohol consumption. The study's findings highlight the need to address unhealthy drinking habits among middle-aged women, particularly those without children.
A meta-analysis of 60,000 participants found that corrections are more successful when issues are emotionally positive, match ideology, and provide abundant details. However, polarized misinformation proves harder to correct, with corrections failing twice as often.
Researchers ran survey experiments to assess the effectiveness of microtargeting in politics, finding that targeted ads can be 70% more persuasive than general campaigns. However, using multiple attributes for targeting did not add further benefit, suggesting a 'one ad does not fit all' approach.
A new study published in Journal of Marketing finds that consumers become motivated to distance themselves from brands after observing socially unacceptable social media mentions. Consumers with stronger self-brand connections experience vicarious shame, driving their desire to disengage from the brand.
Many physicians and scientists reported being harassed on social media due to their advocacy, often based on gender, race, or disability. The study highlights the need for greater protection and support for individuals facing online abuse.
Researchers at Iowa State University found that limiting social media usage to 30 minutes a day significantly improved mental health outcomes, including lower anxiety, depression, and loneliness scores. Participants who exceeded the time limit still showed improvement, highlighting the importance of self-limiting behavior.
Researchers found that similarity with a potential friend, the properties of a potential friend's network, and the potential friend's domain expertise are key drivers behind individuals' online friendship decisions. Having common interests and demographic traits improves the odds of two strangers becoming friends in an online community.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis offers a fine-grained scale to understand how people use social media, revealing four categories: belief-based, consumption-based, image-based and comparison-based. Each category is associated with unique personality traits and behavioral characteristics.
A new experimental study suggests that adding 'trust' and 'distrust' buttons to social media platforms could significantly reduce the spread of misinformation. Incentivizing accuracy led to a large reduction in the amount of false posts being shared, with users more likely to share true information to gain trust reactions.
A recent study published in Flora used social media images of cherry blossoms to track climate patterns and identify subtle off-season blooms. The researchers analyzed 10 years of data from Flickr and compared it with official records of cherry flowering times in Japan, finding a detailed seasonal pattern of blooming across the country.
A recent study found that adolescents across various ages, genders, and geographies are aware of and concerned about the potential impacts of abortion restrictions. The study, led by Dr. Bianca A. Allison, used a nationwide text message poll to gather responses from over 800 adolescents between 14-24 years old.
A study analyzed tweets from nearly 500 emergency medicine physicians, finding a significant increase in expressions of loneliness, anger, and anxiety during the pandemic. Positive themes took a dive, while negative emotions dominated, with loneliness increasing by up to 17% compared to pre-pandemic years.
University students' tweets showed a positive correlation between social events and hobbies with subjective well-being, while politics had a negative effect. Negative expressions also increased during the pandemic, negatively impacting students' desire for self-presentation and overall well-being.
A recent study found that young people engaging in online anti-social behavior do so for recreation, reward, and to seek social approval. The researchers also discovered that those who exhibit such behavior tend to have lower cognitive empathy scores.
A national study published in Sleep Health found that screen habits linked to better sleep include keeping devices out of the bedroom and avoiding screens before bedtime. The study analyzed data from 10,280 preteens aged 10-14 and found that 15.5% reported trouble falling or staying asleep in the past two weeks.
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) collects reports of adverse events after vaccination, but public confusion about its nature and reports has increased. A new report recommends renaming the system to a clearer alternative and making additional changes to reduce misinterpretation.
A collaborative study by Rutgers University found that Google Search results do not differ significantly in ideological content for Democrats and Republicans. However, the amount of partisan and unreliable news users engage with varies depending on their personal political outlook. Researchers used a custom-built browser extension to t...
Researchers from Aarhus University conducted an online experiment showing that repeated exposure to food images can induce satiety, reducing the desire for more. The study found that participants who viewed pictures of orange M&M's 30 times chose a smaller portion than those who only saw them three times.
A recent study analyzed over half a million tweets from 2017 to 2022, finding that social media plays a crucial role in corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. The study identified key topics, including sustainability, climate change, and waste management, as well as areas of growth and decline in CSR communication.
A Curtin University research found that 98% of TikTok videos promoting vaping pose a risk to teens. The study highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement on social media platforms.
A recent study found that a vast majority of tweets about obesity are negative, with only 8.25% containing positive sentiments. The analysis suggests that Twitter activity spiked around significant political events, including comments from influential politicians and celebrities.
Researchers found that machine-learning models trained with descriptive data label rule violations more harshly than humans, leading to potential serious implications in the real world. This study highlights the need for careful consideration of data labeling and training methods to ensure fairness and accuracy in AI decision-making.
A recent study investigated social media posts of emergency medicine physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing key thematic shifts in language related to anxiety, anger, depression, and loneliness. Social media was found to provide a real-time landscape for evaluating emotional well-being among healthcare workers.
A study presented at Digestive Disease Week found that nearly 40% of TikTok posts about liver disease contain false or misleading information. Inaccurate claims often push fad diets, detox drinks, and herbal remedies as cures, with little engagement compared to accurate posts.
Researchers found that telepresence drives addictive behavior on both platforms, with 28% of Instagram users and 24% of TikTok users qualifying as addicted. Immersion in social media experience displaces meaningful relationships, which can be detrimental to well-being.
A growing number of parents are managing their children as paid social media influencers, raising concerns about child exploitation and commodification. The rise of kidfluencers has led to new frameworks and potential legislation being called for in this largely unregulated environment.
Emotion dysregulation and fear of missing out (FoMO) contribute to problematic smartphone use among young people. Difficulty in controlling impulses and emotional clarity increase FoMO levels.
Researchers from Nemours Children's Health present findings on pediatric mental health, HPV vaccination strategies, primary hypertension in youth, and the effects of social media on pediatric care. The studies aim to improve child well-being and provide innovative approaches to addressing pressing topics.
A study comparing physician and AI chatbot responses found chatbots excelled in both quality and empathy, while physicians were preferred for their nuanced understanding. The findings suggest that integrating chatbots into clinical settings could improve response quality and reduce clinician burnout.
A recent study by Sara Valentini and colleagues at Bocconi University found that consistency between online content and the values associated with a brand increases rebroadcasting frequency. Posts containing price promotions also perform well when aligned with the brand's identity, with followers being 109% more likely to share them.
A study by Drexel University and Vanderbilt University analyzed 82 relevant conversations on Instagram direct messages where teens asked for help, revealing that most disclosures were about mental health concerns. Support was offered in most cases, but specific sets of circumstances led to denial.
Researchers found that people dislike fitness recommendations from apps using social media data, instead favoring personalized approaches with control options. Users prefer systems allowing them to choose between different recommendation methods, making them feel more in control.
Researchers at the University of South Australia analyzed Instagram fitspiration accounts, finding nearly two-thirds published dubious fitness information. Hyper-sexualized content, objectification, or nudity was present in around a quarter of accounts, promoting unhealthy body shapes and driving body image issues.
Researchers trained a machine learning program using data from over 5 million direct messages, annotated by 150 adolescents who experienced uncomfortable or unsafe conversations. The technology can quickly flag risky DMs and is intended to address rising trends of child sexual exploitation.
A new study uses social media data to understand global air conditioning adoption patterns. It finds that middle-aged, educated males and parents of small children tend to express higher online interest in AC. This research aims to improve climate change adaptation measures by identifying sociodemographic groups at risk.
New research using social media advertising data provides insights into the adoption of air conditioning units worldwide, particularly in heat-vulnerable regions. The study found that middle-aged, highly educated, married males, and parents with small children are more likely to express online interest in AC units.
A machine learning program can spot risky conversations on Instagram by analyzing metadata clues, such as conversation length and participant engagement. The system was 87% accurate in identifying risky chats using sparse and anonymous details from over 17,000 private chats.
A new Twitter analysis reveals that medical dramas like New Amsterdam, Chicago Med, and Grey's Anatomy influenced hundreds of people's thoughts on vaping dangers. The study found that nearly half the tweets commented on the realism of the storylines, with some even expressing intention to quit vaping.
A UC Davis study analyzed millions of Twitter posts to find that social media can both amplify and disrupt individual issues, leading to both unifying and divisive outcomes. The research highlights the complex nature of social media's impact on public discourse, revealing an oscillation between integrated and segregated communication.
Researchers found that employing social media posts as visual nudges to encourage safe behaviors significantly impacted COVID-19 positivity rates. Images communicating the value of wearing masks made a real difference, with effects remaining even after accounting for various organizational characteristics and disease dynamics.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo used artificial intelligence and Twitter to develop a database and models that can detect depression and anxiety before clinical diagnosis. The study found that BERT performed best in predicting depression and anxiety, with a statistically significant difference from LogReg.
A new study found that a handful of key Twitter influencers effectively countered vaccine misinformation and promoted accurate information about vaccines. Social media influencers can use their social capital to challenge the spread of conspiracy theories.
A team at the University of Pittsburgh has created a framework to analyze the influence of online conspiratorial content on individuals and communities. The project aims to identify sociodemographic and psychometric factors that contribute to the spread of such messages.