Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
A study by Brigham Young University found that individuals with dark triad personality traits and schadenfreude are more likely to engage in trolling behaviors. However, the research also suggests that civil online discourse is attainable when users approach online discussions with an open mind and mutual respect.
The 70th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting has opened with a record number of participants, featuring discussions on topical issues such as future pandemics, gene editing, and climate change. The meeting aims to foster dialogue among scientists from around the world and promote sustainable scientific conduct.
A new study published in Neurology found that trying more than one time to remove blood clots during endovascular treatments for ischemic strokes was associated with increased disability and brain damage. Researchers suggest aiming for a single attempt at removal with new devices, highlighting the need for further development.
A new study using Facebook data found that interest in vegetarianism positively correlates with declining meat consumption rates. Education emerged as the most important factor affecting interest in vegetarianism globally, while gender played a strong role in shaping online behavior.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that social media posts criticizing opposing politicians or groups receive twice as many shares than supportive ones. Using terms related to the
A new study by Rice University found that offering a set of rewards allows employees to choose the most effective incentive, leading to increased creative ideas and improved creativity levels. The study also discovered that rewards aimed at helping others can be particularly powerful in boosting creativity.
A new USC study has found that science denial and partisan views on Twitter can indicate where the next COVID-19 outbreak could occur. The researchers used machine-learning algorithms to analyze over 27 million tweets and found that anti-science attitudes were high in states later hit with deadly COVID-19 surges.
Researchers identified a new gene, TP73, associated with an increased risk of sporadic ALS. Mutations in this gene have been found to interfere with nerve cell health and lead to abnormal cell differentiation and increased cell death. This discovery provides a potential target for therapy development.
A new study by George Washington University researchers has mapped online hate clusters across six major social media platforms, revealing how malicious content exploits pathways between platforms to spread. The team suggests several strategies for social media companies to slow or block online hate content, including artificially leng...
The symposium aims to discuss associated risks, policy options, and trends from a scientific point of view. Key experts from Germany, Israel, and the US will share their insights on fake news, hate speech, and conspiracy theories' influence on democratic participation.
Researchers at New York University found that deactivating Facebook accounts lowers attitudes toward out-groups, especially in ethnically homogenous areas. This effect was not observed in more mixed environments.
A new AI tool developed by SFU's International CyberCrime Research Centre aims to identify and counteract COVID-19 misinformation on social media. The project uses machine learning algorithms to rapidly distinguish between accurate and false information, helping to combat vaccine hesitancy and unnecessary transmission.
Researchers found social media use to be a factor related to the spread of COVID-19, particularly in countries with high levels of youth populations and income inequality. The study also identified other factors, including urbanization and intermediate GINI inequality, that contributed to the rate of spreading.
Research shows that Native Americans and Alaska Natives have the highest prevalence of migraine and headache disorders, while Black men receive the least care. The article proposes solutions to address these disparities through clinical strategies, professional training, and research initiatives.
A new study reveals that malicious bots are the primary pathogen of COVID-19 misinformation on social media, amplifying false claims and conspiracies. Bots were found to spread misinformation at a rate far greater than ordinary users, leading to widespread harm to public health.
A Rutgers study explores the relationship between intergenerational families, acculturation, and cognitive function among older Chinese Americans. Researchers found that those with better English proficiency, media use, and social connections showed higher cognitive function.
Researchers analyzed Facebook conversations to explore automated misinformation about face masks and COVID-19. The study found that Facebook's automated software spread false information on public groups, highlighting the need for fact-checking measures.
A study found that people in the US and China who believe others are being misled by misinformation are more likely to take corrective actions, such as fact-checking and reporting. The study suggests highlighting the impact of misinformation on others can increase public support for addressing it.
A new Cornell University study reveals that social media content creators face significant precarity in their pursuit of visibility and metrics success. The research highlights the challenges posed by algorithmic systems and platform instability, which can quickly render an influencer's career uncertain.
Researchers found significant improvement in motor symptoms and reduction in medications 15 years after deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease patients. The study also showed a reduction in dyskinesia and 'off state' episodes, improving quality of life.
A new national study conducted over six months shows conservatives are less able to distinguish political truths from falsehoods than liberals. This is mainly because of a glut of right-leaning misinformation in the American media and information environment.
A new study from the University of Kansas reveals that people flocked to Parler to discuss COVID-19 vaccines in an echo chamber-type environment, where they shared misinformation and reinforced conspiracy theories. The analysis shows that users followed themes and used hashtags to spread their content, highlighting the importance of ad...
A study of two surveys involving 8,285 US participants found that people who were overconfident in their news judgments on legitimate versus false news were more likely to visit untrustworthy websites and share false content. This overconfidence may contribute to the spread of false information via social media.
A new study published in Proceedings of National Academics of Sciences found that individuals who believe they can identify false news are more likely to fall victim to it. The researchers used two large surveys with 8,285 respondents and found that 90% reported being above average in their ability to discern false news headlines.
A new study finds that plastic surgeons' apparent gender and ethnicity can influence patient perceptions of their competence. However, the findings suggest more favorable perceptions of surgeons of the same racial/ethnic group, which may be crucial for cosmetic surgery patients in the US.
Hurricanes of higher categories generate significantly more Twitter attention than lower-category storms, even in cases of similar damage and loss of life. The study highlights the importance of online attention in the aftermath of natural disasters.
A study published in Neurology found that nearly half of people with a history of concussion with loss of consciousness are living with disability. The areas with the greatest amount of disability were mobility and general physical activities, affecting 38% and 36% of participants respectively
A new study from King's College London found that users of the Reddit forum 'SuicideWatch' post at their highest between 02:00 and 05:00 on Mondays, a trend that closely follows earlier studies on suicide timing patterns. The researchers believe this data can be used to target at-risk populations with greater levels of support.
Preliminary research suggests that taking more daily steps can lead to a longer life, even if it's done in short spurts or as part of regular activities. The study found that women who took 2,000 additional steps per day during bouts had further benefits for longevity.
A study found that violent crime rates in urban Black and Hispanic communities are associated with higher rates of physical inactivity and obesity among adults. The analysis, which examined 2018 data from Chicago's police records and CDC data, suggests that exposure to violence may be a contributing factor to these health disparities.
A new study finds that correcting online falsehoods on Twitter can lead to an increase in lower-quality, partisan content and toxicity, as users retweet and share false information after being corrected by others.
Researchers at George Washington University found that extremist groups like Boogaloo and ISIS exhibit similar mathematical patterns in their online support, despite ideological differences. This knowledge can help social media platforms disrupt the growth of such groups.
Pinterest users are more likely to like and pin healthy recipes, featuring poultry, fish, and vegetables, but they're more engaged with unhealthy recipes high in fat, sugar, and calories. This discrepancy suggests that users are influenced by social norms and celebrity influencers promoting healthier eating habits.
The study adapts mathematical models from ecology to understand Twitter's interaction patterns. The researchers identified two primary behaviour patterns: a modular state with fragmented attention and a nested state during exceptional events.
A survey study found that male and female physicians differ in their social media use for professional advancement, with female physicians reporting greater career benefits. The study suggests that these differences may be attributed to varying levels of comfort and confidence in using social media to promote themselves professionally.
A study by Northwestern University found that social media networking offers more professional benefits to male physicians than female physicians. Women are more likely to face online harassment and have fewer speaking opportunities, suggesting the same biases present in person also occur online.
A new UNSW Sydney study examines content between December 2019 to November 2020 and found over 103 million people globally shared or reacted with misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. The study highlights the need for traditional risk communication and community engagement methods to counter misinformation.
A study found that Black and Hispanic women are more likely to develop idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a condition characterized by increased pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain. Obesity is the primary risk factor for the condition, which can cause chronic headaches, vision problems, and permanent vision loss.
Researchers developed a brand reputation tracker that can monitor changes in brand reputation over time using artificial intelligence-based text analysis of social media posts. The tracker accurately reflected major brand events, such as changes in Facebook's reputation after the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
A study found patient satisfaction scores differed significantly among patients with different types of insurance coverage, with Medicare scoring the highest and Medicaid the lowest. The researchers call for further studies to explore the underlying reasons for this payor-specific bias.
A new online game and campaign using 'pre-bunking' tactics have been shown to boost people's confidence in detecting misinformation about COVID-19. The Go Viral! game, launched by the University of Cambridge, increases players' ability to perceive manipulativeness compared to genuine news.
Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University developed Segcache, a system that improves cache efficiency by up to 60% by grouping similar items and removing expired ones. The system was tested on Twitter's production system and has been incorporated into its infrastructure.
A study found that people's level of persuasion is not directly affected by the number of views a YouTube video has. Rather, viewers' perception of the message as truthful and believable is key. Participants rated messages as more persuasive when they felt they were believable and trustworthy.
A team of researchers developed an AI technique to accurately detect sarcasm in social media text. The model identifies patterns and cue words that indicate sarcasm, enabling more effective customer feedback analysis.
Studies found Twitter's real-time Q&A sessions and semi-anonymous interactions can benefit students' engagement and confidence. However, barriers to Twitter's use in dental education include privacy concerns and professionalism issues.
Researchers are bridging gaps between scientists from different fields to merge knowledge and create innovated, reliable products. Biophotonic innovations are expected to transform healthcare for the next few decades.
A new study finds that consumers penalize brands less when an algorithm causes a brand harm crisis, as perceived agency and responsibility for the error mediate their responses. Marketers should deploy and monitor algorithms with heightened vigilance and provide technological supervision to reduce negative consumer responses.
A study published in Applied Network Science found that polarization and mobilization on social media can affect infection figures, particularly in the USA. The research suggests that politicized information dissemination can exacerbate the incidence of infection, especially when opposing measures are not consistently followed.
A new study published in Clinical Psychological Science found little evidence of increased association between adolescents' technology engagement and mental health problems. Only social media use showed a slight increase in emotional problems, while other associations remained consistent or decreased over time.
A study by Michigan State University found that excessive social media use can lead to poor mental health due to limited real-life social support. The research suggests that people who engage in too much social media use often receive less social support in their daily lives, which can negatively impact their mental well-being.
A study found that people who customize their online spaces with a strong sense of identity are less likely to adopt health advice. In contrast, those who feel a sense of control are more likely to perceive the ads as threatening, leading to negative reactions. Researchers suggest customizing interfaces to preserve users' sense of cont...
A study found that users of conservative and social media were more likely to believe in COVID-19 conspiracies, with a significant increase in belief from March to July 2020. Mainstream news consumption was associated with decreased conspiracy beliefs.
Researchers found that abstract, technical, and passive writing hinders readers' understanding. Studies showed that clearer writing leads to more citations. Overcoming the 'curse of knowledge' is key to making a greater impact with research.
A study by University of Oregon researchers found strong support for face coverings on US Twitter, with a majority of users supporting mask-wearing. Media coverage of anti-mask sentiments fueled the rhetoric of those opposed, but the majority of users ignored this rhetoric and instead supported mask-wearing.
A study published in Neurology found that people living in neighborhoods with lower socioeconomic status experience worse stroke recovery, including more disability and depression. The study suggests that factors such as access to public spaces and perceived safety may contribute to these outcomes.
The 101st AATS Annual Meeting focuses on Diversity without Exclusion in a Culture of Safety, with keynote speakers including Condoleezza Rice and William G. Kaelin, Jr. AATS members will discuss advances in cardiothoracic surgery and related specialties.
Research shows that between 60-70% of attention on social media platforms is focused on just 10 popular domains, while new competitors struggle to survive. The study's findings indicate a decline in online diversity and a potential for artificially high prices and constraints on innovation.
Researchers found that dermal fillers can produce local lifting effects in areas like the forehead and temple, with combined injection techniques offering larger benefits. The study's findings broaden the applicability of facial injectables to achieve local and regional lifting effects.
Scientists analyzed Twitter data during the 2019 Spanish general elections and Charlie Hebdo attack, finding a modular structure with internal hierarchies responding to user interests. This breakthrough in network analysis sheds light on the conditions required for coexistence of macro-scale patterns.
A new study found that Black and Hispanic stroke survivors are at higher risk of having changes in the brain's blood vessels that can lead to a second bleeding stroke. The research, published in Neurology, suggests that these differences may be due to disparities in healthcare access and severity of cerebral small vessel disease.