Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
Researchers found that sustained periods of low Twitter activity were correlated with sleep patterns, while the nightly lull shifted to later times on weekends. The magnitude of 'Twitter social jet lag' varied seasonally and geographically, with the West Coast experiencing less lag.
A study analyzing Twitter data from over 246,000 users found that social media usage largely reflects daily work schedules and school calendars. The data show a daily slowdown in tweets at night, with weekend usage shifting later than weekdays.
A York University study found that young women who compare themselves to more attractive peers on social media experience decreased self-esteem. The research highlights the importance of educating young people about the potential negative effects of social media use on body image.
A Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health campaign targeting youth aged 14-24 showed impressive results in changing public attitudes toward mental health. The 'WhyWeRise' campaign increased support for people with mental illness and empowered youth to mobilize around mental health activism.
A report from Michigan State University and global counter-terrorism experts highlights the dangers of unregulated social media after terror attacks. Communications after an incident often lead to a spike in hate crimes and disinformation, perpetuating fear and fueling the terror cycle.
A new study found that social media users who view alcohol ads are more likely to 'Like' or 'Share' an ad when it has pro-drinking comments. The researchers suggest that the industry needs to improve its self-regulatory system to limit or ban comments on social media advertising.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed BespoKV, a novel framework that enables high-performance computing (HPC) data systems to thrive with flexibility and scalability. By leveraging key value systems in an innovative way, supercomputers can process huge amounts of data efficiently.
A pioneering study analyzing social media photos found citizens favor natural landscapes integrated with grey infrastructure, such as buildings, roads, and bridges. Proximity to these areas, especially those accessible by public transport, plays a critical role in landscape aesthetics.
A new study published in Neurology found that the antidepressant fluoxetine showed no benefit in treating acute flaccid myelitis, a rare condition causing paralysis in children. Researchers analyzed data from 56 children with the illness and found no improvement in muscle strength among those who received fluoxetine.
A new study found that individuals who excessively post selfies on social media exhibit a significant increase in narcissistic traits, including grandiose exhibitionism and entitlement. This effect is particularly pronounced among those who primarily use visual platforms like Facebook.
A University of Pennsylvania study found that limiting time on Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram leads to significant decreases in depression and loneliness. The researchers connected social media usage with decreased well-being through objective data tracking iPhone battery screens.
Researchers found that pro-leave and remain supporters were clustered around areas with similar voting patterns, contradicting the assumption that echo chambers are solely online phenomena. The study analyzed 33,889 Twitter posts from the Brexit referendum campaign period.
A new study found that social media can be a source of information for recruiters to discriminate against job applicants based on their city of origin. Researchers sent over 800 applications with different cities listed on Facebook profiles and found a significant gap in callback rates between applicants from France and Morocco.
Subtle visual cues, such as crowd size and connectivity icons, can encourage users to disclose more information on online forums. The study tested these cues on a sexual health forum and found that participants were more willing to share private information when they felt connected to others in the network.
A small study found that consuming one energy drink can lead to acute impairment in vascular function. Researchers believe the combination of ingredients such as caffeine and sugar may be to blame. The study's findings suggest that frequent energy drink consumption could have negative effects on blood vessel health.
Researchers found that nearly 330 patients continued to engage in thrill-seeking activities, with nearly 8,000 total events reported. Nine people experienced serious health effects, with four cases occurring during roller coaster riding.
A multi-year review of all pediatric emergency response records in Houston found that Black infants comprised a significantly larger proportion of cardiac arrests than expected. The study suggests that genetic differences in risk based on race, environmental or socioeconomic factors, or a combination of factors may contribute to the di...
A study by Boston University School of Public Health found that Twitter users proposed many effective strategies to prevent sexual violence, but also perpetuated misinformation and myths. The researchers analyzed over 1,400 tweets using the #HowIWillChange hashtag and identified gaps in prevention strategies.
Researchers at KIT developed a method to analyze social media photos to draw conclusions about the socio-cultural importance of natural landscapes. By analyzing tags and content, they identified cultural hotspots and understood how people use areas for leisure activities or nature appreciation.
Researchers track Aedes aegypti's evolution and spread using genomic techniques, revealing its historical traversal of slave trade routes and beyond. The study provides insights into the domesticated mosquito species' role in spreading diseases like yellow fever, dengue, and Zika.
A Johns Hopkins study of over 75,000 teenagers and children found that gunshot wounds result in significant financial burdens and loss of life. The analysis highlights the need for policy changes to prevent firearm-related injuries among youth.
A recent study by La Trobe University found that Australians are re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol, with younger adults being key drivers of change. The research revealed that 30% of Aussies have reduced their drink intake and 6% have quit drinking altogether.
A study by Emily Van Duyn found that 136 women in rural Texas who voted for Hillary Clinton formed a secret group to resist Trump, fearing physical retaliation. Despite concerns about their image, the women actively engaged in politics behind the scenes, including contacting representatives and tracking legislation.
A study published in EPJ Data Science found that algorithms predicting crimes more accurately than existing models, with significant improvements in predictions for assaults and drug offences. The system used location and activity data from Foursquare users to make predictions.
A study suggests that hotel reviewers may be too trusting of reviews that conform to their preconceived ideas, and that those that contradict expectations require closer scrutiny. The researchers also found that reviews with attractive titles are more likely to be relied upon for decision-making.
Two rectangular icebergs were spotted on a NASA IceBridge flight over the northern Antarctic Peninsula in October 2018. The freshly calved icebergs appeared to be from Larsen C, which released the massive A68 iceberg in July 2017.
A UC Davis study found that negative chat has a much longer tail and stronger snowball effect than positive chat, affecting the original speaker for up to eight minutes. Positive messages also have a ripple effect, but it's shorter-lived, lasting only two seconds.
A new AI tool is being developed to help doctors diagnose and treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a deadly lung failure that affects approximately 200,000 people in the US. The tool will screen patients throughout Montefiore Health System and provide guidance on best practices for treating ARDS.
A study by the University of Pittsburgh found that nearly a quarter of JUUL's Twitter followers are under 18, retweeting and amplifying the brand's messages to vulnerable populations. This is concerning as e-cigarette marketing can lead to nicotine addiction and increased tobacco smoking among young adults.
A new study found that medical journals need more support and resources to successfully promote research on social media. The study's authors urge medical journals to define clear roles and responsibilities for social media editors and provide more resources to help them effectively disseminate information to the public. Social media h...
The project aims to create a personalized portal where people with epilepsy can manage their disease and find relevant information. It will integrate data from social media, electronic health records, and scientific literature to provide targeted recommendations and visualizations.
A University of Michigan study found that social media can help reduce the risk of depression in older adults with pain. The researchers used data from a nationally representative survey and discovered that social media use preserves cognitive function and psychological well-being in this population.
A simple test taken within a week of a stroke can predict long-term outcomes, including impaired thinking skills and daily task completion. The study found that those with thinking problems had a seven times higher mortality rate and 42% had problems completing daily activities three years after the stroke.
A Kiel-based study reveals that 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Mediterranean are at risk due to sea-level rise and storm surges. The sites face increased flood risk of up to 50% and erosion risk of up to 13% by 2100, according to a spatial database and model simulations.
A first-of-its-kind study found that a fertility app called Dot is as effective as other modern methods for avoiding unplanned pregnancies. The app provided women with information about their fertility status each day of their menstrual cycle, resulting in a typical-use failure rate of 3.5%.
Researchers analyzed Facebook status histories and electronic medical records of 683 patients to identify correlations between post language and depression. They found that language indicating sadness, loneliness, hostility, self-reference, and rumination were associated with a higher risk of depression.
Researchers developed an algorithm that accurately predicts depression based on social media data, including mentions of hostility and loneliness. The study analyzed Facebook posts from over 1,200 people with depression diagnoses and found a strong correlation between certain language markers and future diagnoses.
A recent study analyzed over 6,000 tweets about breast cancer and found that 90% of medical information was appropriate, with prevention being the most common subtheme. The study suggests that social media can be a valuable tool for providing information on cancer prevention and health education.
Bryan Gervais' study examines the impact of elite incivility on partisanship, revealing that counter-attitudinal incivility induces anger, leading to more partisan attitudes. The research also highlights the role of social media in amplifying incivility and polarization.
A new UC Davis study found that consumers can accurately identify fake images, rating credibility low on a scale. The study suggests that internet skills and social media use are key predictors of image credibility evaluation.
Researchers explore using nanoparticles as tiny scouts to map connectivity between wells, optimize injection schemes, and identify oil-rich spots. Nanomaterials also show promise in keeping surfactants from sticking to rocks and magnetically separating oil microdroplets.
A new study found that nurses face significant challenges in adopting healthy behaviors, with only a few percent meeting physical activity guidelines and eating a balanced diet. The research highlights the need for workplace programs tailored to individual motivation and readiness to change.
A new model predicts retail failure with 80% accuracy by analyzing social media and transport data from 10 cities. The model suggests that venues popular around the clock and in diverse neighborhoods tend to succeed longer.
Researchers tracked adders translocated from a development site in Essex and found that male snakes dispersed significantly more than resident ones. One male even returned to his original home after being released, highlighting the need for new conservation strategies.
Researchers from MIT CSAIL developed a system that uses machine learning to determine if a news source is accurate or biased. The system achieved 65% accuracy in detecting factuality levels and 70% accuracy in detecting bias, using common linguistic features across the source's stories.
Researchers investigated using Facebook to implement a critical care ultrasound (CCUS) curriculum. Fellows participated in a two-day hands-on bootcamp and joined a private CCUS Facebook group, which provided them with core skills and case studies over 20 weeks.
A recent study published in Neurology found that sleeping too little or too much can affect stroke risk differently based on race. Black men who slept less than six hours per night were less likely to have a stroke compared to average sleepers, while white men who slept nine or more hours a night had an increased risk of stroke.
A new study found that when women believed that selfies of thin and sexualized women had been edited, viewing these images had less negative impact on one aspect of their mental health. The study also found that participants judged women negatively for sharing edited pictures of themselves online.
Researchers analyzed 8.9 billion tweets to track the origin and spread of new words in American English, revealing 5 key regions: West Coast, Northeast, Mid Atlantic, Deep South, and Gulf Coast. African American English was a major source of lexical innovation.
Research from University at Buffalo suggests that unintentional social exclusion on Facebook and other social media sites can hinder thought processes, leading to negative emotions and increased susceptibility to advertising messages. The study's findings highlight the importance of critical thinking when interacting with these platforms.
According to a study by Rice University data scientists, the number of groups and organizations an individual joins is crucial in forming online friendships. The researchers found that individuals who are active in multiple communities have a higher chance of meeting people with similar interests.
Researchers found that eBay sellers used similar code words to disguise ivory sales, with 80% of items grouped around six common terms. The study suggests standardizing code words could help law enforcement agencies identify and track illegal online sales.
A study published in Circulation Journal found that increased height increases the risk of developing varicose veins, as well as genes that determine height influencing the development of the condition. Researchers also discovered a strong genetic correlation between deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins.
A study of nearly 60 million tweets during the French 2017 presidential election found that two political communities, Fillon and Le Pen, accounted for 50.75% and 22.21% of fake news respectively, while a small minority were spread by Twitter users outside these communities.
Research suggests that even low levels of physical activity, such as walking at least four hours a week, may reduce the severity of a stroke. The study found that people who engaged in light to moderate physical activity were twice as likely to have a mild stroke than those who were physically inactive.
Researchers found that consumers engage more with high-arousal negative content in the morning and boosted, cognitive-requirement posts in the afternoon. By aligning post schedules with target audiences' circadian rhythms, digital content platforms can increase traffic and advertising revenue.
Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center found that electrical brain stimulation can enhance creative thinking. However, the use of these devices in children raises concerns about safety and regulation. The authors suggest educating users and making safer tools available to mitigate risks.
A study found that rock climbers seek out sites with more single-pitch routes, better landscapes, and lower median difficulty to reduce injury risk. The results suggest that decreasing injury risk generates significant welfare gains for climbers, with estimated values ranging from $18 to $327 per site.
A new study by Aalto University reveals that state-of-the-art hate speech detectors can be easily duped by humans, even with intentional typos and modifications. The researchers recommend improving data sets used to train machine learning models rather than refining model design.
A new study published in Neurology shows that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) affects the mind, especially later in the disease, leading to cognitive and behavioral problems such as apathy, changes in eating behaviors, and loss of sympathy or empathy. People with ALS are recommended to be routinely screened for these issues.