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 analyzing tweets from the 2017 Hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego found parallels with current misinformation about COVID-19. The researchers suggest proactive measures, such as greater dialogue between government agencies and the public, can help counter misinformation and boost vaccination rates.
The 2020 AERA Brown Lecture features William F. Tate IV discussing the 'segregation pandemic' in education. Tate argues that an ideology of racial biology has caused a global disease, spreading segregation and its effects on society and education.
Research shows that distracted learning significantly impairs students' attention, working memory, and learning outcomes. Educators can empower students to manage distractions by fostering an internal locus of control and promoting active learning. Strategies include removing extraneous devices, using work-reward systems, and incorpora...
A study found that people with severe apathy are 80% more likely to develop dementia than those with low apathy. Greater apathy was also associated with worse cognitive scores, highlighting its potential as an early sign of the disease.
A study by UNLV social media expert Natalie Pennington and Iowa State professor Kelly Winfrey examines what motivates people to engage in politics online. The research suggests that interpersonal relationships outweigh political motivations for some individuals, but high-influence goals drive others to share their views.
A new study suggests that nerves responsible for sensing touch and pain may contribute to the development of autism. The exploratory study found that people with autism have differences in their sensory perception, including reduced nerve fiber density and altered responses to heat and touch.
A new study published in Eating and Weight Disorders found a strong correlation between eating disorders and body dysmorphia, affecting 76% of participants. The research suggests that healthcare professionals should screen individuals with body dysmorphia for eating disorders regularly.
Dr. Adebiyi's research investigates newborn kidney functions and their alterations in acute and long-term disease, with a focus on growth-restricted infants. The new $3 million grant will explore the cellular mechanisms underlying progressive kidney insufficiency in these babies.
A study of 2.2 million tweets found coordinated efforts by foreign actors on Twitter to interfere in the US presidential election, mirroring Russia's tactics from earlier meddling. Researchers recommend detecting and responding to these efforts before an election, and publicizing the threat to protect Americans from online manipulation.
A study by NYU School of Global Public Health researchers found that traditional media, government websites, and social media are leading sources of COVID-19 information. However, trust in these sources varies greatly among different demographic groups.
Researchers discovered that remote ischemic postconditioning therapy can lead to better recovery outcomes for people who have received clot-busting drugs after a stroke. In the study, 72% of participants who received the therapy had favorable recovery scores compared to 50% of those who did not.
A new study found that negative social media rhetoric about refugees in Germany correlated with an increase in anti-refugee hate crimes. The researchers used text analysis tools to investigate the relationship between social media content and offline behavior.
A new study found that Pinterest's moderation of vaccine-related content led to a significant shift in search results, with more accurate information about the HPV vaccine and its benefits. Despite this, limiting search results may contribute to confusion or an information vacuum.
Researchers analyzed Steak-umm's Twitter account and found four key themes: praise, leadership, surprise, and intent to purchase. The study suggests that brands can connect with audiences online by communicating on a human-to-human level and contributing to social change.
A University of Sydney-led study found that human-operated Twitter accounts dominate vaccine-related discussions, with most users unlikely to see or engage with bot-generated content. The researchers suggest that resources could be better spent on education interventions and media literacy training.
Researchers found a growing trend of anti-vaccination discourse on Facebook coalescing around the 'civil liberties' argument, which could impact vaccine-related legislation. The study examined over 250,000 posts on 204 Facebook pages and identified three distinct events that contributed to this shift in online discourse.
A study published in Neurology suggests that outpatients who receive professional rehabilitation training at home through live video consultations may recover their motor skills better than those who do their rehab in person. The study found greater increases in physical mobility and functional brain activity among the remote training ...
Researchers found that excessive social media use is related to depression and secondary trauma, suggesting taking a break may promote well-being. Over half of respondents reported some level of depression, while more than half experienced increased hand washing and face mask use as a result of social media.
Researchers discovered five unapproved pharmaceutical drugs in 'brain boosting' supplements, including omberacetam and phenibut, with doses four times higher than recommended. The study warns of potential serious health risks from using these supplements, especially when combined with prescription drugs or used without medical advice.
Researchers mined Twitter users' follower descriptions to characterize them in detail and analyze the impact of taxpayer-funded research on academia. The study found that hundreds of papers had audience sectors dominated by conspiracy theorists or science denialists, highlighting the need for scientists to monitor social media engagement.
A study found that Instagram users posting self-harm content use ambiguous hashtags to avoid detection, creating online communities for those seeking support. The prevalence and impact of such content remain unknown, with some research suggesting potential benefits from supportive interactions and others highlighting risks of normaliza...
A new study reveals that believing in COVID-19 conspiracy theories predicts increased resistance to vaccination and preventive behaviors, including mask-wearing. The researchers found a widening gap between those who strongly believed in conspiracies and those who did not, with believers being less likely to wear masks and get vaccinated.
Research highlights the benefits of returning to work after spinal cord injury, including improved quality of life, reduced depression, and better health outcomes. Effective approaches include individualized placement support and vocational resource facilitation.
A study of over 4,000 tweets reveals that only a small percentage of Twitter users use JUUL to stop smoking or improve their health. Most tweets about JUUL are positive and discuss first-person usage or the brand's products.
A new database of parliamentarians' tweets from 26 European countries has been compiled, enabling more standardized analyses of politician Twitter use. The database includes tweet IDs from May 2017 to present and could address challenges in cross-border research.
New research found that middle-aged adults with healthier heart habits have a significantly lower risk of developing high blood pressure over the next decade. The study, which included 2,930 Black and white adults, showed a 6% lower risk for each one-point higher Life's Simple 7 score.
Scientists studied the Deepwater Horizon spill's environmental and public health impacts, learning about dispersant effectiveness, oil degradation and marine life harm. Dispersants' benefits include reducing coastal ecosystem damage, but their chemical effects on marine life remain a concern.
A study analyzed 700 state and local health agency tweets about COVID-19, finding that tweets with practical information and video attachments were more likely to be retweeted. The researchers identified a set of common keywords and phrases used in the tweets over time.
A study published in American Political Science Review found that Facebook political ads were more partisan and less negative than TV ads in the 2018 campaign season. Social media was a more practical option for many candidates due to its affordability, with nearly 6,000 candidates using only Facebook ads.
A new study from Cornell University finds that Facebook anniversaries, like birthdays, prompt users to reflect on time and patterns in their lives. This tradition stems from newspapers' 'on this date' lists, which encourage people to put time into perspective by remembering significant events.
A study from the University of Texas at Austin found that people form a significantly stronger bond with others through voice-based media, rather than text-based communication. The research revealed that despite initial fears of awkwardness, phone calls actually took less time and produced more meaningful connections.
The joint Clinical Practice Guidelines program aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical care, addressing global differences in access to diagnostic tools and therapies. The guidelines will support better patient care, improved health outcomes, increased patient safety, and controlled healthcare costs.
A new study of NCAA football players has found that the age they first started playing tackle football may not affect their recovery after a concussion. The study, which involved 621 athletes, tested their symptom severity and performance on thinking and memory tests after experiencing a recent concussion.
CEOs with uncommon names tend to implement distinctive strategies, deviating from industry norms to achieve competitive advantage and superior performance. This study provides insight into the relationship between a CEO's name and their strategic decisions, highlighting potential benefits for firms seeking enhanced distinctiveness.
A new study by INFORMS journal found that businesses using Twitter for customer care see a 19% increase in customer satisfaction. AT&T and Verizon top the list, with Sprint and T-Mobile lagging behind.
Researchers estimated global freshwater supply and demand in 11,000 watersheds, finding that 24% of total consumption exceeds regional capacities. Luxury use accounts for a significant portion of overconsumption, often at the expense of ecosystems.
A US-Canada partnership, Seniors Quality Leap Initiative (SQLI), has shown improvements in pain management and overall quality of care for long-term care residents. By leveraging collective expertise and sharing evidence-based practices, SQLI aims to enhance both quality of care and quality of life for its residents.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing an AI-powered system to automatically identify buildings and assess damage using amateur drone videos. The system, called MSNet, can overlay masks on damaged areas and determine the severity of damage, enabling faster and more accurate damage assessments.
A Penn State-developed algorithm can spot illicit online pharmacies that sell substandard medications and potentially addictive drugs without a prescription. The system uses web analytics and predictive models to identify bad sites and alert consumers before they make a purchase.
A team of researchers from Queensland University of Technology has developed an algorithm that can identify misogynistic content on Twitter with a high degree of accuracy. The algorithm uses a deep learning model to analyze language patterns and context, allowing it to distinguish between abusive language and innocent expressions.
Tribal behavior on social media widened the gulf between Remain and Leave voters in the UK's Brexit debate, with frequent use of derogatory terms and language. The study suggests that social media platforms' business model can exacerbate this polarization, making it challenging to create a more even-handed discussion.
A recent study found that FoMO is linked to loneliness, low self-esteem, and low self-compassion, not social media use. Researchers suggest addressing negative self-perceptions by practicing self-compassion and focusing on real connections.
A new analysis found that cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) incidence has increased three times higher than previously reported in the US. CVT is most common in younger women, but recent findings suggest increases in men and older women, with a notable disparity in Black people compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
A new study from UC San Diego School of Medicine found nearly 2,000 fraudulent postings likely tied to fake COVID-19 health products, financial scams, and other consumer risks. The researchers used Natural Language Processing and machine learning to detect suspicious posts on Twitter and Instagram.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Aalborg University found that people's eyes linger less on fake news headlines, spending a bit more time reading factual ones. This discovery could aid in fact-checking and help sort through the oceans of false information.
Researchers found that social media information can predict various personality traits and attributes, such as extraversion and IQ, using Twitter data. The study's machine learning approach may provide a new way for mental health diagnostics and personalized nudges.
A new study from Northumbria University reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound negative impact on nine out of ten people with eating disorders. The research found that disruptions to daily life, social isolation, and reduced access to healthcare services exacerbated symptoms.
A study found that belief in negative vaccination misperceptions has a strong impact on policy views, with 20% of Americans holding negative views about vaccination. Strong support for mandatory childhood vaccinations was observed, but opposition to religious and personal belief exemptions remained significant.
A new study suggests that following an alternate Mediterranean or Alternative Healthy Eating Index diet pattern may be linked to fewer non-motor symptoms such as constipation, daytime sleepiness and depression. The researchers found a strong relationship between healthy diet adherence and reduced risk of these preceding symptoms.
Researchers analyzed genetic studies and found no causal link between sleep patterns and Alzheimer's disease. However, they discovered a small association between certain sleep characteristics and increased or decreased risk of developing Alzheimer's, including being a 'morning person' and having lower insomnia risk.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin created a new tool to help Facebook users discern real from fake news. The study found that combining two simple interventions, including a stop sign icon and a strong statement, had a significant effect on helping people think critically. The researchers suggest that Facebook can improv...
A novel strategy for quickly identifying Twitter trolls uses linguistic features, including repeated words and word pairs, to distinguish between genuine and deceptive messages. The algorithm requires as few as 50 tweets for accurate identification, offering a potential tool for combating hybrid warfare while preserving freedom of speech.
A study found that personal content, such as family photos and selfies, receives almost 17% more likes and 31% more comments than policy-focused posts. The study also shows that well-known congress members have significantly more followers.
A new analysis reveals that rural America is experiencing a worsening shortage of emergency physicians, with 92% practicing in urban areas. The rural workforce is also aging, with nearly all recent graduates opting for urban practices, leaving many rural communities without adequate emergency care.
A new study by Columbia University researchers found that daily social media use is not a strong or consistent risk factor for depressive symptoms among adolescents. The study analyzed survey data from over 74,000 students and found no association between social media use and increased depressive symptoms.
A new study found that few TikTok videos address COVID-19 transmission and prevention, instead focusing on anxiety and quarantine. The researchers believe this missed opportunity to engage young people with vital health information related to the pandemic.
A new study using big data and survey results from the 2018-19 flu season found strong associations between regional social media messages and vaccination attitudes and behavior. However, when people discussed vaccination with others, negative effects of social media on vaccine behavior disappeared.
Researchers identified nine clusters of journalists, including an 'elite/legacy' cluster dominated by The Washington Post and others, which showed high levels of insularity. In contrast, a long-form/enterprise cluster fostered exchange among journalists with diverse perspectives.
Research suggests that increasing levels of education may be protective for people with a gene for familial early onset Alzheimer's, delaying the development of amyloid plaques. Participants with less than 10 years of education had twice as many plaques as those with more than 16 years.
A study published in Media International Australia found that COVID-19 misinformation led to a surge in conspiracy theories, particularly around 5G technology. The research highlighted the role of social media and celebrities in spreading false claims, which can have significant real-world impacts, such as attacks on mobile phone towers.