Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
A blood test using neurofilament light chain may predict recovery time after concussion, especially for those with multiple concussions. High levels of the biomarker are associated with severe symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression years later.
A study analyzing 100 billion tweets identified thousands of stretched words, including 'ha', 'awesome', and 'goal'. The researchers developed tools to measure stretch and balance, which could aid in natural language processing, search engines, and spam filters.
A study found that higher spirituality in stroke survivors was associated with better quality of life, even when caregivers reported depression. Spirituality played a protective role in illness, and its importance should be recognized by health professionals.
A new study finds that exposure to negative feedback motivates consumers to pursue proving goals, such as demonstrating competence, but reduces motivation for enjoyment goals, like having fun. This phenomenon suggests a complex relationship between self-esteem threats, consumer behavior, and marketing strategies.
A recent study published in Social Media + Society found that social media discourse on Facebook can normalize hatred and dehumanization of certain groups. The researchers identified three stages of conflict escalation: threat, distortion, and rigidification, which can lead to the erosion of empathy and human connection.
A recent study found that over 90% of young people are strictly adhering to government lockdown advice, but 65% are worried about their mental health. The 'Coronavirus Generation' is also turning to traditional media outlets for news, rejecting fake information on social channels.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen's Natural History Museum of Denmark have discovered a new species of parasitic fungus on American millipedes, found via a shared photo on Twitter. The newly discovered fungus, Troglomyces twitteri, is part of the Laboulbeniales order and has never been documented before.
Online romance scams have spread in Western societies, preying on women and middle-aged individuals with higher anxiety levels. Victims often experience double trauma from financial loss and emotional attachment, leading to shame upon discovery.
A study published in BMJ Global Health found that 1 in 4 most viewed COVID-19 videos on YouTube in English contain misleading or inaccurate information. This misinformation has the potential to harm, especially with its high viewership.
Researchers found that communities doubting establishment health guidance are more effective than government agencies at engaging undecided individuals on Facebook. Anti-vaccination communities offer diverse narratives that can appeal to a broader audience, while pro-vaccination communities focus on established public health benefits.
Researchers propose that incentivizing social media influencers could effectively promote social distancing behaviors amongst adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that peer-to-peer campaigns are more successful in changing attitudes than adult-led interventions.
Researchers describe four categories of self-nudging tools: reminders and prompts, framing decisions in a certain way, reducing accessibility of harmful options, and using social pressure. This behavioral science technique can help individuals negotiate internal conflicts and reach long-term goals.
New research from the University of Stirling and University of Glasgow reveals that Eurovision voting patterns can indicate the likelihood and nature of business exchanges across borders. The study found correlations between voting bias and levels of foreign direct investment, migration movements, and cross-border mergers.
The new book Twitter - A Biography explores the journey of Twitter from its inception to its current status as a global platform for news, political messages, and crisis communication. Professors Jean Burgess and Nancy Baym argue that Twitter's original social value has been lost amidst noise of antagonistic debate and self-promotion.
A recent GW survey found that only 25% of young adults consider social media a key factor in choosing a dermatologist. Dermatologists can still leverage social media for patient engagement and education, but it should be used alongside other methods to recruit new patients.
A study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders found that posting edited photos on Instagram increases weight and shape concerns in college students. Digitally editing pictures before posting also contributed to greater anxiety and urges to restrict food intake and exercise compared to not posting photos.
A new fluorescent technique allows researchers to visualize the aging process of polypropylene and polyethylene polymers in 3D. The method detects faster polymer aging when exposed to higher temperatures, providing insights into the degradation of polymers over time.
A study by Flinders University found that extended selfie editing time correlates with increased facial dissatisfaction and negative emotions among women. This suggests that excessive self-editing can lead to feelings of disingenuousness online.
Research shows that software vulnerabilities are more likely to be discussed on social media before being reported on official databases, highlighting the potential for early warning systems. The study also found that nearly all commercial codebases contain at least one vulnerability, with an average of 64 vulnerabilities per codebase.
The TACC COVID-19 Twitter dataset enables researchers to analyze social media communications and identify trends in pandemic responses. The dataset, which contains over 40 million tweets, can be used for topic modeling, entity analysis, and event detection, facilitating discoveries about the spread of misinformation and racist messaging.
Researchers aim to identify how social media influences consumer behavior during red tide events, which had a negative impact on humans and marine life. The study will analyze data from 80 different sectors and explore the role of social media in shaping economic decisions.
A new study found that media outlets prioritize popular brands over misconduct, with liberal media reporting more frequently than conservative media. Media partnerships with offending companies also lead to reduced reporting of CSI events.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends considering PFO closure for some people under age 60 who have had a stroke without other possible causes identified, to reduce the risk of future strokes better than medication alone. The procedure can safely be performed for those with no other higher risk cause of stroke.
Researchers analyzed 1.53 billion geotagged tweets to assess regional well-being, revealing inconsistent results with surveys. By removing misleading words like 'LOL' or 'good', well-being predictions improved significantly.
A team of researchers at NYU Tandon and Drexel University developed a machine learning tool to detect posts with high engagement likely gained through pod manipulation. The study found that posting in pods boosted organic post interaction, with users seeing a five-fold increase in comments.
Researchers found that people are hesitant to use single sign-on services for sensitive apps like relationship and financial apps, citing concerns about data leakage and privacy. Participants preferred to use their email address or create a new account to access these apps.
A team of researchers argues that social distancing is at odds with human nature, which naturally seeks social contact in times of danger. This contradiction poses a significant challenge to public health and policy-making.
A study by Annenberg Public Policy Center found that people relying on conservative media or social media were more likely to be misinformed about COVID-19 prevention and conspiracy theories. Mainstream broadcast and print media usage correlated with higher levels of correct information.
Researchers found trends in human behavior absent in social media bots, including increased social interaction and decreased content production over time. The study suggests these differences can be used to develop more sophisticated bot detection strategies.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that youths express pride and confidence online about their drug-related behaviors, indicating a craving for drugs. The study analyzed 23 million drug-related tweets to understand the potential mechanisms driving substance use behavior in youth.
A public health education campaign targeting NYC nightlife venues aimed to increase awareness of the risk of opioid overdose due to fentanyl-laced cocaine. The pilot study found that 87% of bar owners had heard about fentanyl, but only 43% knew about naloxone.
A new study from Ohio State University found that children's social skills have not declined due to increased screen time, with teachers rating both generations similarly. The study also showed that even heavy screen users showed similar development in social skills compared to those with little exposure.
A study by North Carolina State University found that consumers demand corrective action from companies even if they are victims of fake news. Consumers also expect corporations to take responsibility for combating fake news and want improved media literacy.
Researchers from the University of Bristol used social media data to accurately estimate downtime and recovery of small businesses after natural disasters. The method analyzes aggregated posting activity to infer business status, allowing for 'real-time' forecasting of economic impact.
A team of OU researchers is studying how Americans perceive COVID-19 and how false information on social media influences their behavior. The project aims to understand the spread of misinformation in a crisis and evaluate efforts to combat it.
A new study measures consumer planning horizon based on buying behavior and inventory, estimating a typical planning horizon of 8 weeks. The research suggests that anticipating shortages and high prices can lead to panic buying as a form of rational stockpiling behavior.
A recent study published in the ASAIO Journal reports on the management and outcomes of eight COVID-19 patients treated with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) in China. The study highlights the potential benefits of ECMO in supporting critically ill COVID-19 patients, allowing their lungs to heal and recover.
At high altitudes, the researchers observed increased foam production from soda eruptions caused by Mentos candies. However, this effect cannot be explained solely by gas laws. The team suggests that a unique balance between bubble size and number of bubble sites on the candy may contribute to excellent fountains.
A study found that believers in conspiracies are more likely to engage in politics, but also resort to violent means when believing the government is controlled by secret societies. The researchers suggest this could lead to an acceptance of extreme options.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that a large number of mobile phone apps contain 'backdoor secrets', allowing hackers to access private data or block content. The team evaluated 150,000 apps and discovered that 12,706 contained hidden behaviors, posing a significant risk to users.
Research found that older people with proximal fractures face a higher risk of hospitalization for major medical conditions and dying prematurely. In contrast, distal fractures showed similar or lower risks. The study suggests that treating bone health is crucial to improve outcomes after a fracture.
Phony Russian Twitter accounts contributed to the politicization of vaccine discussions among Americans, leading to increased polarization. Researchers found that pro-Trump personas expressed anti-vaccine sentiments, while anti-Trump personas supported vaccines.
Researchers found a strong association between extreme temperatures and increased cardiovascular deaths in Kuwait. The study suggests that populations in hotter regions may be more vulnerable to heat-related cardiovascular deaths due to the effects of rising temperatures on the body.
A study by Ohio State University found that social media users pay less attention to the source of content when it's jumbled with entertainment, leading to a higher risk of mistaking satire for real news. This can result in the spread of misinformation and fake news.
A study found that Russian social media platforms like Facebook and VKontakte exhibit characteristics of McDonaldization, a form of rationality that prioritizes efficiency and profit over human values. This process can lead to the displacement of individuals from meaningful relationships and the loss of personal autonomy.
A new study in the Journal of Marketing finds that consumers use social media and on-site product pages early in their journey for hedonic purchases, while utilizing third-party reviews and search engines closer to the time of utilitarian purchase. The study offers actionable insights for retailers, including investing in social media ...
Researchers found that Russian troll ads using fear and anger appeals worked well in getting people to engage, with a clickthrough rate of 9.2%. The study analyzed over 2,500 ads placed by the Internet Research Agency in 2016 and found that inflammatory language, such as cuss words and threats, was particularly effective.
Researchers investigate coronary microvascular spasm using real-time blood flow velocity measurement during acetylcholine testing. The study aims to provide objective evidence on the existence of coronary microvascular spasm, a condition affecting chronic coronary syndromes.
Research found that individuals with type 2 diabetes who participate in online support groups have worse health outcomes and higher levels of disease-related complications. In contrast, users with type 1 diabetes did not show a significant correlation between forum participation and health outcomes.
Key information for gastroenterologists and patients with chronic digestive conditions about COVID-19 includes prioritizing patient safety and maintaining medication regimens. Laboratory findings in COVID-19 patients also include liver function test abnormalities, emphasizing the importance of monitoring.
A study found that children and teens aged 8-18 provide an average of 5 hours per day in caregiving activities, including tasks like medication management and cooking meals. Despite their efforts, many youth feel isolated and undertrained, highlighting the need for training and support.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that people often ignore fake news on social media, but some use strategies like evaluating the source or noticing inconsistencies to detect misinformation. The study provides a framework for understanding how people react to fake news and could inform interventions to resist misinf...
A recent experiment published in Frontiers in Psychology found that following a motivational Instagram account increased participants' enjoyment of exercise. The researchers tested how social media can help with training and found that targeted motivation via Instagram postings had a significant positive effect, relying on scientific p...
A ketogenic diet can lead to flu-like symptoms within the first few weeks, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition. The symptoms peak in the first 7 days and dwindle after four weeks, with common reported symptoms including fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and decreased energy.
Participants who reduced their Facebook usage experienced fewer depressive symptoms, were more active physically, and showed increased life satisfaction. Reducing social media time may help prevent addictive behavior and support a healthier lifestyle.
Researchers found that patients' Facebook posts showed a shift to more formal language and descriptions of physical pain before their ED visit, reliably predicting hospital visits. The study provides evidence that social media can be an unseen signal of medical distress and could potentially be used to trigger health care interventions.
A new study found that media coverage of corporate misconduct is not impartial, with popular companies and foreign brands receiving more attention. The study suggests that liberal media report more frequently on cases of corporate social irresponsibility than conservative media.
A new study found that patients' Facebook posts exhibit a shift towards more formal language and health-related discussions before an emergency department visit, indicating increased anxiety and concern for their health. This research provides valuable insights into the potential use of social media as a signal of medical distress.
Research by University of Otago found significant levels of negative information about vaccines available online, including on Google, Facebook, and YouTube. Health professionals can help inform parents by referring them to credible websites containing well-validated information.
A study published in Japanese Psychological Research found that users with more mutual connections are more likely to spread dreadful information, possibly intending to share their reactions. By identifying user network characteristics, this study potentially offers a solution to prevent fake news dissemination.