Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
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.
Researchers found that autistic individuals tend to be more direct and precise in their emails, while non-autistic people are more likely to include social niceties. This study highlights the importance of adapting our email styles to be more respectful of others' differences.
A pilot study found that Snapchat improves diagnostic performance among radiology residents, who performed better on the platform than with traditional classroom screens. The results suggest a promising novel training method to enhance recognition of life-threatening imaging diagnoses.
A study of 8,275 participants found that those with severe gum disease had twice the risk for mild cognitive impairment or dementia. People with minimal tooth loss and mild gum disease were no more likely to develop thinking problems than those with no dental issues.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that drivers who have had a concussion take longer to regain complex reaction times, crucial for driving situations. The research suggests that traditional reaction time tests may not be the best measure of driving responsiveness and readiness.
Research reveals complexity of tree and urban zone responses to extreme heating events. Tree transpiration plays a significant role in exacerbating the urban heat island effect.
Research highlights parallels between sci-fi author Frederik Pohl's works and modern world's consumer patterns, including hyper-consumption and ecological disaster. Dr Mike Ryder's study explores how Pohl's predictions are relevant today, with social media and augmented reality games mirroring his futuristic worlds.
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus finds that peer mentorship groups are better suited for fostering success among underrepresented groups. These groups provide flexible support and can be established online, making them an ideal option during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research finds that frequent social media use can negatively impact depressive symptoms among LGBTQ youth, but a social media-free summer camp shows promise in reducing symptoms. After attending the camp, participants experienced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, particularly those with high pre-camp social media use.
A study published in Neurology found that people with normal thinking and memory scores at the start of the study were less likely to develop later problems, even with amyloid plaques. Those with the APOE ε2 gene variant were also more resistant to developing plaques.
A team of researchers developed a technique to identify malicious internet accounts and track online foreign misinformation campaigns in real time. They found that their model was effective in identifying posts and accounts that were part of a foreign influence campaign, including those by accounts that had never been used before.
Researchers developed a machine learning system that can detect social media posts involved in coordinated political influence campaigns based on their content features. The system uses word count, webpage links, and posting time as digital fingerprints to identify suspicious activity.
Researchers found that college-aged participants spent more time on Snapchat, demonstrated more problematic use, and reported higher preference for negative social potency rewards. They also attempted to quit Facebook more than Snapchat, contradicting expectations.
Researchers at Cranfield University are exploring ways to detect and prevent insider threats, including bribed employees using internal tools. Their latest research focuses on analyzing employee reports to improve organizational security knowledge.
A study of 3267 men found that watching porn is associated with greater erectile dysfunction and lower satisfaction with sex. The research suggests that the type of porn watched may contribute to impaired erectile function, with 23% of men under-35 experiencing some level of erectile dysfunction.
A Rutgers study surveyed 134 college students of color and found that 90% observed police brutality videos, leading to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and fear of future police encounters. Researchers emphasize the need for police reform to stop killings of Black men, women and children.
A study of global tweets reveals that fear over COVID-19 has given way to anger, driven by xenophobia and isolation fatigue. Joy, gratitude, hope, and happiness also emerge, suggesting a sense of pride and community spirit.
Consumer-created social media visuals are reflective of consumer brand perceptions, according to researchers who developed a new model called BrandImageNet. This model maps images to perceptual attributes of a brand, allowing firms to automatically monitor consumers' brand perceptions and evaluate their positioning strategies.
A new study warns of the power of social influence in shaping organ donation decisions, revealing the 'lone wolf' effect where individuals opting out trigger a cascade of similar behavior. The researchers found that people are more likely to opt out if they perceive others doing so.
A new study reveals that aerosol boxes designed to protect healthcare workers during COVID-19 may not be effective and could even increase exposure to airborne particles. The research found that the boxes increased airborne particle contamination by a factor of 5 times or more, posing a significant risk to frontline health workers.
A study by MIT scholars reveals that social media sharing interferes with assessing news accuracy, but participants who think critically or have scientific knowledge share fewer false headlines. Rating non-Covid-19 headlines before sharing Covid-19 news increases accuracy significantly.
A recent study analyzing 10 years of HPV-vaccine related Facebook posts reveals that anti-vaxxers have gained a stronger voice against the use of the human papillomavirus vaccine. Negative posts displayed a 45% increase in public engagement, with some showing negative views on vaccine safety and effectiveness.
A new USC study has created a hate speech classifier that is more context-sensitive, reducing errors that amplify racial bias. The algorithm considers context and specific features of hate speech to improve accuracy.
Researchers used computer simulations and geological records to estimate magnetic field changes. They found that changes in the direction of the Earth's magnetic field may occur up to 10 times faster than previously thought, with rapid shifts associated with local weakening of the field.
A study analyzed 664 news articles about suicide posted on a social network between 2018 and 2019. The findings suggest that adherence to suicide reporting guidelines may benefit individual health as well as reader engagement, with US-based publications being less likely to adhere to the guidelines.
Researchers found that priming people to consider accuracy makes them more adept at recognizing truth from falsehoods, even if they don't think about it directly. By subtly nudging the brain to consider accuracy, individuals can improve their choices about what to share on social media.
The study highlights social media's benefits in Radiology, including educational content dissemination, professional networking, and collaboration. However, it also warns of challenges, such as maintaining patient privacy and avoiding e-professionalism.
A Columbia University research team has received a Facebook Probability and Programming research award to develop static analysis methods for probabilistic programming. The team aims to enhance the usability and accuracy of probabilistic programming by creating tools that automate model checking and compiler verification.
The COREnect project aims to develop a high-level strategic roadmap for core technologies in future connectivity systems and components. The roadmap will promote innovation and business opportunities, including for small and medium-sized enterprises, and contribute to building European leadership in 5G and beyond.
A University of Kansas study found that Kansans tend to rely on multiple sources for reliable COVID-19 information, with a preference for local authorities and distrust of social media. Information from government briefings, search engines, and national newspapers were among the most trusted sources.
A new study by University of Vaasa researchers highlights the importance of strategic social media use in creating customer engagement value. The study identifies four distinct social media marketing strategies: social commerce, content, monitoring, and CRM, which can foster collaborative conversations and enhance customer relationships.
Researchers analyzed over 11,000 Twitter posts to understand patient attitudes towards statins, finding that people perceive themselves as protected from harm while taking preventative medications. This study may inform public health messages and improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients.
Researchers at Facebook have developed an end-to-end system that converts 2D photos into 3D images, requiring no advanced photographic skills or equipment. The new technology provides seamless real-time conversion, robust enough to work on almost any photo, and generates results in seconds.
A study found that middle-aged women are more likely to have changes in the brain related to Alzheimer's disease, even when controlling for age and other factors. The researchers suggest that hormonal changes during menopause may play a role in this increased risk.
A new analysis of Twitter posts by members of the US Congress reveals rapid politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic, with polarization increasing over time. The study found that Democrats sent significantly more tweets about COVID-19 than Republicans, and their tweets were more likely to discuss public health and safety.
A study analyzing congressional tweets reveals deep divisions in COVID-19 messaging along party lines, with Democrats discussing the crisis more frequently and using different word choices than Republicans. The analysis found a stark contrast between Democratic and Republican communication on Twitter during the pandemic.
Research identifies highly motivated, altruistic individuals as key players in online health communities, supporting the management of long-term conditions. These superusers face difficulties but demonstrate autonomy and a desire to help others, highlighting their importance in healthcare.
A new study examines how mainstream media covers protests, finding that negative coverage is often more prevalent in anti-status quo events. The research suggests that journalists should focus on the substance of a protest rather than its violence or spectacle.
A study by the University of Colorado at Boulder found that Facebook users who are ideologically extreme, lacking trust in conventional media and one another, post misinformation more often. About 1% of users at the far ideological extremes were responsible for sharing nearly half of the fake news on the platform.
The 2017 Women's March drew little negative commentary on Twitter, with most tweets about the event being positive and supportive. Despite some controversy, the march was met with widespread enthusiasm, with over 40,000 users tweeting about the event on its day.
The report identifies gaps in understanding how teens support each other through digital media during times of stress and isolation. It highlights the need to move beyond simplistic questions about social media's impact on mental health and instead consider specific forms of engagement that amplify or mitigate risks.
A study by researchers from Princeton University found that simple digital-media literacy outreach can help people distinguish between mainstream and false news headlines. The intervention improved accuracy by 26.5% in the US and 17.5% in India, with effects lasting several weeks.
A study found that digital literacy tips improved people's ability to discern between mainstream and false news headlines by 26.5% in the US and 17.5% in India. Regular reinforcement is needed for these lessons to be effective.
A study by Oliver Emrich identified five customer journey segments influenced by new technologies, with physical stores remaining attractive despite mobile advancements. The research showed that these segments remain stable over time, offering insights for businesses to develop targeted strategies.
Researchers found subtle brain changes in female college rugby players, including microstructural changes in white matter and differences in brain connectivity. The study suggests that repetitive impacts from playing a contact sport can affect the brain, even without a diagnosed concussion.
Researchers propose interventions from behavioral science perspectives to empower users in online environments, such as nudging and boosting, to make informed decisions. The study identifies the need for more transparent algorithms and context-based feedback to counter echo chambers and promote critical thinking.
A new study from Ohio State University found that using humor on social media can lead to a decrease in credibility and support for candidates. Participants who viewed humorous tweets were more likely to rate the candidate as less credible and less likely to vote for them.
A £19,000 government grant will fund a project to educate the public about posting sensitive personal information on social media. The initiative aims to teach individuals how to secure their Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and make informed choices about their online presence.
Research reveals that loneliness affects the brain's map of social connections, with lonelier individuals having a less distinct neural representation of their relationships. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine participants' brain activity while thinking about different social categories.
A recent study found a strong relationship between social media use and prejudice against Chinese Americans, with women experiencing higher levels of realistic and symbolic threats. The study also revealed surprising political affiliations, with Democrats scoring higher than Republicans in perceiving Chinese Americans as a threat.
Hemant Purohit is working on a project that examines the use of big data analytics in disaster response, particularly for social media monitoring. The goal is to understand how humans and AI systems collaborate and improve information processing.
A bioethicist suggests that COVID-19 triage strategies should focus on saving lives rather than prioritizing life-years saved. This approach would give priority to patients with a better initial survival prognosis, regardless of subsequent life-years gained.
Researchers at the University of South Carolina are developing a model that uses Twitter data to predict future pandemics and track human movement patterns. By analyzing location data embedded in tweets, they aim to identify areas at high risk of infection and develop tools to help health officials stay ahead of outbreaks.
A recent meta-analysis found that the treatment gap between men and women for stroke has narrowed to 13%, with most studies showing differences of less than 1% in thrombolysis treatment rates. The study suggests that additional research is needed to understand why a gap persists and whether it continues to decrease.
A comprehensive new report by the University of Michigan Injury Prevention Center documents cannabis trends in Michigan, including increased use among Michiganders, revenue generated for the state, and growing public health concerns related to cannabis use disorder, motor vehicle crashes and emergency department visits. The report prov...
A new study has found no link between recent cannabis use and an increased or decreased risk of ischemic stroke. Despite previous studies with conflicting results, researchers adjusted for various factors and found no association between marijuana use and stroke risk.
The SWOG Cancer Research Network is sparking discussion and creating consensus on how cancer clinical trial stakeholders can best interact on social platforms. The growing role of social media in raising awareness about trials and boosting accrual highlights both promises and challenges, including legal, ethical, and logistical hurdles.
Scientists develop a general technique for identifying pivotal components, which can tip the scales in group decision-making. The approach is applied to various systems, including voting, Twitter and financial markets.
Researchers examine the effect of anti-fake news regulations on capital markets, citing anecdotal evidence of negative impacts. The study aims to fill an existing academic gap and provide insights for regulators and big corporations.
Charisse Madlock-Brown's R15 grant aims to identify costly multimorbidity groupings and disease progression. Her project will use a large patient dataset to develop intervention strategies, contributing to simpler, less expensive treatment options.