Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
Citizen scientists using Facebook and Instagram contributed to the discovery of five new species of pygmy seahorses in Taiwanese waters. The 'Japan pig' seahorse was also found, expanding our knowledge of its habitat and distribution.
Researchers from Tunghai University and Taiwan Ocean Research Institute used social media to investigate pygmy seahorse diversity in Taiwan. They identified five separate species, including two previously unreported ones, and discovered a hotspot for biodiversity.
Researchers discovered that astroturfing campaigns rely on human coordination and behavior to evade detection. By analyzing Twitter accounts and patterns of activity, the team identified a small fraction of 'bots' involved in these campaigns.
The Antarctic Broadcasts: Broader Impacts Through Telepresence project invites the public and classrooms to interact with polar scientists conducting critical research in Western Antarctica. The Inner Space Center will broadcast live 'Polar Stories' sessions, providing real-time feeds from ships and remote stations.
Researchers developed an algorithm to recommend tags for social media posts, resulting in a 20% boost in popularity. The system takes into account user popularity and content emotional impressions to suggest effective tags.
A new BYU study found that the amount of time teenagers spend on social media is not directly related to their anxiety and depression levels. Researchers analyzed data from 500 youth aged 13-20 over eight years, finding no strong correlation between increased social media use and mental health outcomes.
Heavier social media use is associated with poorer sleep patterns among UK teens. Very high users are 70% more likely to fall asleep after 11 pm on school days compared to average users.
A Queensland University of Technology study reveals that one in six young drivers use Snapchat while driving, often to share videos or photos. Despite this, most drivers do not think they will be caught by police, but the introduction of mobile phone detection camera technology may act as a strong deterrent.
Researchers found that young adults with PTSD were twice as likely to experience a TIA and 62% more likely to have a stroke compared to those without PTSD. The study highlights the importance of early recognition and treatment of mental health conditions like PTSD in reducing the risk of stroke.
A study published in Neurology found that concussions can lead to lingering brain injuries even one year after athletes are cleared to return to play. Researchers used MRI scans to compare the brains of concussed and healthy athletes, finding reduced blood flow and signs of tissue swelling in concussed athletes.
A recent study found that established brands are less affected by fake news on social media, with trust remaining unaffected. The researchers tested 468 consumers and found those who could detect misinformation were more likely to perceive the post as manipulative.
Research found that consumers discount positive influencer recommendations for products with high variety, questioning the quality of the product. Increasing product variety can lead to increased sales, but firms must adjust strategies to influence consumer quality inference and purchase decisions.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that women have half the average number of followers as their male counterparts, despite similar tweet activity. The disparity holds implications for gender disparities in academic medicine and the effectiveness of social media platforms.
Using sex-specific scores on memory tests may change who gets diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by 20 percent, with possibly more women and fewer men being diagnosed. The study found that using the sex-specific scores resulted in a higher diagnosis rate for women, while lower rates for men.
A new study from Ohio State University found that labeling false Facebook posts as satire, humor, parody, or hoax reduces users' belief in the falsehoods and their willingness to share them. In contrast, flagging inaccurate posts as disputed by fact-checkers or fellow users did not have a significant impact.
Researchers identified four patterns of stylistic variation in Trump's tweets: conversational, campaigning, engaging, and advisory. The style shifted systematically depending on communication goals, revealing a systematic campaign ahead of the 2016 US Presidential elections.
Researchers found that social media influencers are creating a new ideal of the 'housewife' as an entrepreneur and consumer, showcasing their glamorous lifestyle on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. This new image challenges traditional notions of femininity and highlights the tension between private and public lives.
A study found that young adults experiencing annual income drops of 25% or more may be at risk of having thinking problems and reduced brain health in middle age. Participants with two or more income drops performed worse on cognitive tests, scoring 3.74 points lower than those with no income drops.
Researchers warn of the dangers of digital addiction, citing links to physical dangers like distracted driving and increased anxiety. Experts propose policy changes, including mandatory app labeling, natural breaks in digital offerings, and taxes on addictive services.
Young stroke survivors who can walk faster than 3 feet per second are more likely to return to work, with those walking almost 6 feet per second showing significant improvement. The study highlights the potential of walking speed as a reliable tool for clinicians to predict return to work and guide rehabilitation.
A small study suggests that non-invasive nerve stimulation may be effective in treating vestibular migraine attacks. The treatment, which involves electrical impulses delivered through the skin to the vagus nerve, showed improvement in vertigo symptoms for 13 out of 14 participants.
The study analyzed Trump's tweets from 2009 to 2018, identifying four style variations: conversational, campaigning, advisory, and engaged. These stylistic patterns suggest underlying communication strategies used by Trump during the 2016 campaign, including appealing to different audiences, defending criticism, and attacking opponents.
A study by the University of Pavia found that Mediterranean private boats have a high potential to spread alien species through biofouling. Boats traveling to new marinas were likely to be transporting alien species, with visible biofouling in niche areas such as ladders and propellers being key predictors of high species richness.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that on-the-job pesticide exposure raised the risk of heart disease and stroke in Japanese American men. After 34 years of follow-up, no significant link was found between pesticide exposure and cardiovascular disease.
The AAN suggests annual assessments to identify mild cognitive impairment early, which can lead to earlier intervention and improved quality of life. Doctors should also document mild cognitive impairment in patients' medical records to ensure timely care.
A recent study analyzed four popular David Attenborough series, finding that Netflix's Our Planet dedicated more time to environmental threats and conservation than the BBC's Blue Planet II. The researchers highlight the lack of visual depictions of human impacts on nature in these documentaries.
Researchers developed machine learning algorithms to identify cyberbullies and aggressors on Twitter with 90% accuracy. The algorithms analyzed behavioral patterns, natural language processing, and social network connections to classify users as bullies or normal users.
Research found that negative posts receive more comments than positive ones and tend to attract more attention, highlighting the need for companies to respond to negative content strategically. The study analyzed data from 12,000 posts from Fortune 500 companies, finding a nearly 2:1 ratio of negative to positive posts on business pages.
BotSlayer uses an anomaly detection algorithm to quickly identify trending activity likely driven by bots. The tool can also generate a network map to illustrate how a topic is spreading over time, providing insights into influential accounts and disinformation attacks.
A new study from the Journal of Marketing finds that firms' own social media posts surrounding customers' experiences can influence digital sentiment. Informational content offers a substantial means to improve customer sentiment in negative interaction event outcomes, increasing positive sentiment by nearly 20%.
Adolescents spending more than three hours a day on social media may face higher risks for internalizing and externalizing problems, including depression, anxiety, and aggression. The study found that excessive social media use was associated with increased symptoms of both internalizing and externalizing problems.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media are at higher risk for reporting internalizing behaviors. The study suggests that setting boundaries and improving media literacy may help mitigate these risks.
A study analyzing tweets about JUUL use found that 21.1% of posts discussed dependence, nicotine effects, or quitting, highlighting the need for greater public awareness of the risks associated with the product.
A new study published at the American Heart Association's Hypertension 2019 Scientific Sessions found that intensive blood pressure-lowering treatment does not induce orthostatic hypotension or its symptoms in adults. The research involved over 2,800 participants and monitored their blood pressure levels and symptoms during 36,342 visits.
Researchers found that heat therapy applied during sleep decreased systolic blood pressure by up to 30 mm Hg in patients with autonomic failure. However, it did not reduce nighttime urine production or morning blood pressure drop. Additional studies are needed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of this approach.
A study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that social networking site addiction negatively impacts nurses' performance and concentration. The authors suggest hospitals take steps to limit social media use and provide training to help nurses manage distractions.
Researchers at USC found that bots in 2018 elections were more likely to employ a multi-bot approach and engage through polls and dialogue. This evolution makes it harder for detection algorithms to identify fake accounts.
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that information gerrymandering can induce strong biases in collective decisions, even without fake news. The phenomenon occurs when individuals interact with predominantly like-minded groups, leading to a filter bubble effect that can sway outcomes.
New research suggests that the structure of social networks can sway voting outcomes towards one political party, even if both parties are equal in size and influence. This phenomenon is known as information gerrymandering, where people's decisions are constrained by their social networks and distorted by zealots and automated bots.
A new study published in First Monday found that Gab users with substantial followings control a larger share of content compared to Twitter. The researchers discovered that Gab users' content is more homogeneous and linguistically homogeneous, often sharing political topics and far-right news websites.
A large-scale analysis of partisan WhatsApp groups found that right-wing users shared substantially more multimedia content and YouTube videos than left-wing groups. This study suggests that media literacy has not kept up with rapid technological changes, making it challenging to evaluate information received.
The American Academy of Neurology has issued a new guideline recommending that people with multiple sclerosis receive recommended vaccinations, including yearly flu shots. The guideline updates previous recommendations and emphasizes the importance of preventing infections through vaccine use in MS patients.
Research found that users switch between activities on social media platforms to cope with stress, leading to increased technology addiction. Users often use the same features to divert themselves from stress, blurring the line between stress caused and compulsive use.
Researchers found that high-intensity stepping with variable tasks improved dynamic balance and balance confidence in stroke survivors. High-intensity training resulted in significant clinical gains for 57% to 80% of participants, compared to 9% to 31% following low-intensity exercises.
A new study published in Neurology found that facial pain is a common symptom of headaches, affecting up to 10% of people with primary headaches. The study suggests that facial pain may be a distinct syndrome rather than just a headache variant.
Researchers developed a mapping model to track how online hate clusters thrive across multiple social media platforms, countries, and languages. The model reveals that clusters create new adaptation strategies to regroup on other platforms or use different languages to avoid detection.
A study by the University of Vermont found that visitors to urban parks use happier words and express less negativity on Twitter after their visit, with a lasting effect. The impact is comparable to the mood spike on Christmas Day, highlighting the importance of green spaces for mental health.
A new tool is being built to help first responders allocate resources more effectively by searching real-time text, photos and videos from various sources. The search interface will be able to analyze information across different sources and databases to provide a holistic view of the situation.
Cardiac rehabilitation programmes have a positive impact on patients over 60 years old, improving their ability to exercise and reducing anxiety. After a few sessions, patients become more confident and have improved attitudes towards physical activity.
Resting Pd/Pa showed poor agreement with hyper-emic FFR, but specific thresholds (0.96 or greater for normal FFR and 0.82 or less for abnormal FFR) provided excellent sensitivity and specificity. These findings have implications for real-world practice in assessing coronary artery disease.
A Carnegie Mellon University analysis of #MeToo media coverage finds that accusers are frequently depicted sympathetically yet lack agency, threatening the movement's empowerment objectives. The study reveals a consistent trend in which women are portrayed less powerfully than men.
The American Academy of Neurology has developed guidelines for preventing and treating migraine in children and teens. The guidelines recommend a detailed history and physical examination, education about migraine triggers, healthy lifestyle habits, and evidence-based treatments such as ibuprofen and triptans.
A study of almost 10,000 adolescents found that frequent social media use in teenage girls is linked to increased psychological distress, lower life satisfaction, and greater anxiety. Cyberbullying, sleep disruptions, and reduced physical activity are key mechanisms behind these findings.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that when media perceptions of a scandal outpace its actual severity, strong-performing leaders are more likely to retain their positions. This 'severity gap' can lead to internal stakeholders protecting stronger-performing leaders from undue scrutiny.
A new study of 38,537 persons suggests that the rare APOE-ε2 variant is associated with prolonged survival, contrasting with the more widely studied APOE-ε4 variant. The findings could lead to novel preventive and treatment options for healthy aging and longevity.
A study by NYU's Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research found that one-third of young adults who use drugs post on social media while high, with nearly half later regretting the behavior. The study highlights the potential social harms associated with substance use, which are often overlooked.
A study by University of Houston researchers found that people in sub-Saharan Africa perceive exposure to disinformation is high, while trust in national media and social media is low. This lack of trust can lead to uninformed choices and decreased ability to make good judgments.
A recent study published in Neurology found that both low and high levels of hemoglobin are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. The study involved over 12,000 participants and followed them for an average of 12 years, revealing a significant link between hemoglobin levels and dementia risk.
A study in mice identified parvalbumin interneurons as key brain cells involved in social memory retrieval. Deficits in these cells may contribute to social memory deficits in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study from the University of Notre Dame reveals that attention-grabbing content and weekend posting on Facebook can increase engagement, while excluding giveaways and focusing on high-expertise bloggers may yield better results. The research provides a framework for successful influencer marketing campaigns by considering plat...