Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
A preliminary study found that a strict gluten-free diet may reduce the risk of pain in people with gluten neuropathy, with those on the diet scoring higher on mental health assessments. The study involved 60 participants and showed an association between a self-reported gluten-free diet and less pain.
A recent study suggests that offering basic password guidance can significantly improve account security. Researchers found that those who received more detailed support and feedback were up to 10 times more likely to create stronger passwords. The study highlights the importance of effective guidance in promoting end-user security.
Scientists have developed a way to write graphene patterns onto virtually any surface, including food, using a new laser technique. This technology could enable edible electronics that track food origin, storage, and safety, as well as detect harmful organisms like E. coli.
A study suggests that frequent exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with a stronger link observed in men exposed for more than 50% of their working life. The research, published in the American Academy of Neurology's meeting program, found no associations among women, highlighting the...
A study found that commonly used ICU risk scores can be adapted to provide continuous updates on the severity of illness in critically ill patients. The scores, including APACHE, SOFA, and DRS, showed good accuracy in predicting mortality risk and were more responsive to changes in patient condition.
A study found that seeing more exercise-related posts from friends can make people concerned about their own weight and body image. However, for some individuals, these posts can also motivate them to exercise and feel better about it.
Researchers found that nearly two-thirds of low-income participants had never visited a farmers market, highlighting a need for increased awareness. A novel internet-based social marketing strategy, Healthy Roots for You, was tested to increase awareness and encourage future use among low-income residents.
Researchers found less people tweet per capita from larger cities compared to smaller ones, but identified a group of prolific tweeters who serve as information broadcasters for larger cities. This study challenges previous results and provides new insights into urban pace of life and social media behavior.
Research found that corporate social responsibility efforts during and after disasters build strong relationships with consumers if they appear altruistic on social media. Users who frequently use social media to find information during crises are more likely to trust companies engaged in CSR efforts.
Researchers found that analyzing Twitter conversations about Zika and other public health crises can provide accurate insights into community attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors. This method offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional phone-based polling, which can be slow and expensive.
Researchers analyzed over 540,000 tweets to find nearly 80% of them were duplicates or re-tweets originating from bot accounts. The study found that right-wing internet activists used social bots to spread nationalistic content and boosted Abe's election campaign.
A new online game aims to provide general immunity against fake news by simulating the techniques and motivations behind its spread. Players engage with fake news sites, Twitter bots, and conspiracy theories to build their critical thinking skills.
Research suggests that social media use is correlated with slightly better school grades, particularly when used to discuss school-related topics. However, excessive social media use while studying can lead to poorer performance.
Penn State professor Conrad Tucker is using social media data to predict catastrophic events and identify fake news. His project aims to create algorithms that increase the reliability of publicly available sources.
A Drexel University study explores how social media platforms like Facebook facilitate healing for women who experience pregnancy loss and stigmatized disclosures. Researchers found that sharing personal stories online reduces stigma, builds support networks, and promotes emotional well-being.
Early introduction of peanuts into the diet may prevent the development of peanut allergy in high-risk infants. Oral immunotherapy is a promising approach to allergen desensitization for children with known peanut allergies, increasing threshold amounts before experiencing reactions by at least 25 times.
New studies highlight key differences in stroke risk factors, treatment, and outcomes between men and women. Fluctuations in hormone levels, pregnancy-related complications, and treatment disparities affect women disproportionately.
One hundred high school students from 28 states have been named winners in the third year of PBS' and Stand Up To Cancer's Emperor Science Award program. The recipients will work with a university scientist on a multi-week cancer research project, receive a Google Chromebook computer, and a $1,500 stipend.
A new study found that individuals who think further into the future tend to avoid risks, but this is not related to investment behavior. Instead, those with longer future-sightedness are more likely to choose waiting for future rewards.
Researchers developed a social emotion mining computer model that predicts the right ordering among six Facebook emoticons in terms of votes. The new robust label ranking model outperforms existing solutions and can help social media managers and advertisers analyze their content more accurately.
A new study reveals that northern permafrost soils store nearly twice as much mercury as all other soils, the ocean, and the atmosphere combined. The discovery has significant implications for understanding the global mercury cycle and potential environmental consequences of thawing permafrost.
Young people in care benefit from social media by maintaining healthy birth family relationships and friendships, making new connections, and easing transitions. Social media provides emotional support, increased self-esteem, and mental well-being, helping reduce stigma and shame associated with being in care.
A new study from the University of Missouri found that Instagram users are drawn to social news and entertainment content, but less likely to engage with political or controversial images. Researchers identified strategies for increasing engagement with audiences, including presenting news images in aesthetically pleasing ways.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has received a $11.1 million gift from the Henrietta B. and Frederick H. Bugher Foundation to fund targeted research in hemorrhagic stroke. The centers will employ precision medicine, data analysis, and core collaborative research to prevent and treat this type of stroke.
Researchers developed a new theory identifying key individuals spreading news and viruses in epidemics by analyzing message transmission dynamics. The study predicts the influence of spreaders in networks, enabling efficient immunization strategies and identifying influential actors.
Researchers identified four personas shaping teenagers' online behavior: the Lurker who avoids peer drama on social media, the Geek who shares anonymous content, the Internet Celebrity who values visibility, and the Victim who suffers from personal exposure and shame.
US women's perceptions of the perfect female figure have evolved to a thin and toned ideal, according to a recent study led by Frances Bozsik. The research found that recent Miss USA winners are no longer only exemplifying extreme thinness, but also becoming increasingly muscular over the past 15 years.
Researchers found that Asian Americans are more likely to experience severe ischemic strokes and have poorer functional recovery compared to whites. The study highlights the need for more focused research and different treatment strategies for Asian Americans.
Research suggests that working before and after a stroke is linked to better brain health two years post-stroke. Adult stroke survivors who were employed prior to their stroke had lower cognitive decline risk and fewer unhealthy brain changes compared to those who were unemployed.
A study published in Acta Paediatrica found that Canadian students aged 11-20 who used social media for at least one hour per day were more likely to get too little sleep. The study suggests that prolonged screen time on electronic devices can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to sleep deprivation.
Researchers found that fewer than one in five stroke survivors met at least four ideal health metrics, including healthy eating and exercise. The proportion who failed to meet even one criterion has increased over time, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve cardiovascular health.
A researcher is using Twitter to engage African-American young adults in discussions on blunt use and the health hazards associated with it. The goal of the study is to develop an effective digital health intervention to reduce blunt smoking and decrease related morbidity and mortality rates.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation awarded VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland a $1 million prize for its innovative bio-based packaging solution made from cellulose. The material reduces the use of plastics, extends the shelf life of food, and minimizes food waste.
A new study by SDSU professor Jean M. Twenge found that more screen time is associated with lower happiness in youths, with teens who spend more time on screens being markedly unhappier than those who engage in non-screen activities.
ToxicDocs is a free searchable online database of millions of pages of internal corporate and trade association documents relating to toxic substances in products. The database provides a wealth of information on the dangers of toxic agents, including lead poisoning, vinyl chloride, silicosis, PCBs, and asbestos.
Researchers found that exposing hypocrisy is an effective method in reducing prejudice against Muslims, even months later. A study using real-world video clips and a technique to help people recognize their own hypocrisy showed significant reductions in collective blame of Muslims.
A study of 6.7 million patients found postoperative mortality increased gradually as the day of surgery approached the weekend. The odds of death were 12% higher for Thursday operations and 24% higher for Friday operations compared to Monday operations.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends a preseason conditioning program and familiarity with equipment maintenance to reduce the risk of bone and joint injuries. Skiers are more likely to experience lower extremity injuries, while snowboarders are more likely to suffer upper extremity injuries due to falls.
A system tracking foodborne illness via online Yelp restaurant reviews helped identify 10 outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with NYC restaurants. The use of machine learning techniques improved the system's sensitivity and specificity, highlighting the potential for social media data in public health surveillance.
The NYC Health Department has identified 10 outbreaks of foodborne illness through a computer system developed with Columbia University, tracking keywords in Yelp reviews to detect incidents. The system helps identify approximately 1,500 complaints annually, improving outbreak detection and prevention.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that social media coverage of fatal police-citizen incidents can act as a virtual contagion, leading to future violence against law enforcement. The research also suggests that an unexpected increase in officer line-of-duty deaths is associated with an increase in the number of minority citizens ...
A Twitter campaign against Donald Trump's comments on sexual assault found a large number of tweets calling for boys and men to shut down degrading conversations. The study urges men to resist engaging in or shutting down conversations that are degrading to women, finding it makes an impact on preventing sexual assault and harassment.
The 30th Annual Legislative Update reports that over 20 states have enacted laws increasing access to healthcare provided by APRNs, with full practice authority now granted in 25 states. This expansion aims to improve access to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare nationwide.
A study by Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia found that worldwide peaks of sexual interest coincide with specific religious celebrations, leading to peaks in birth rates. Online searches related to sex display a cyclical nature that correlates with a specific "loving mood" independently detected on Twitter.
A global analysis of human birth-rate cycles found that post-holiday 'baby boom' persists across cultures, with Christmas and Eid-al-Fitr being key drivers. The study used data from Google searches and Twitter posts to reveal a correlation between online interest in sex and births nine months later.
The study found that protesters lowered the stock market valuations of politically connected firms by 13% relative to other firms. The researchers also discovered a connection between protest crowd size and valuation changes, with larger crowds leading to lower valuations for NDP-connected firms.
A study by Queen Mary University of London researchers found that robot drummer Mortimer's social media posts sparked significant human interaction, particularly when accompanied by photos and comments. Music proved to be a key factor in establishing believability and long-term engagement with the robot.
A study of 6,051 patients with coronary artery disease found that being unmarried was associated with a 24% higher risk of death from any cause. Unmarried individuals were also at a higher risk of cardiovascular death/heart attack, with a 52% increased risk compared to married patients.
Researchers at USC found that automated Twitter accounts promoting the idea that e-cigarettes help people stop smoking are more likely to be hazardous to users' health. These 'social bots' were two times more likely than humans to promote both new products and the idea that e-cigarettes empower people to quit smoking.
A new collection of articles explores the role and risks of bots in influencing public opinion and political elections. Researchers examine approaches to detect and control bots, their impact on recent elections, and potential methods for automation identification of bot activity.
Solar energy can expand without encroaching on farmland and conservation areas, researchers say. Alternative surfaces totaling over 1.5 million football fields in size can accommodate solar installations, generating more than 19,000 terawatt-hours of energy per year.
A team of researchers found that nearly 63,000 Russian Twitter accounts were bots, with a majority tweeting about politics, spreading pro-regime information. The study reveals similarities between human and automated posts, but also notable differences, such as bot use of mobile devices and retweeting habits.
Researchers used social media data to study visitor patterns and emerging activities in 56 national parks in Finland and South Africa. They found that Instagram provided the most accurate information, with visitor rates closely matching official statistics.
Researchers created a new coating technology that allows for better control over the flow of water on superhydrophobic materials. By etching paths into coatings, scientists were able to guide water droplets along designated paths without leaving behind a wet trail.
New research shows human-induced climate change increased Hurricane Harvey's rainfall by at least 19 percent and potentially as much as 38 percent. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, confirms heavy rainfall events are increasing across the Gulf Coast region due to climate change.
Researchers designed a new type of PUF hardware that can withstand extreme temperatures, microwaves, and high-dose radiation. This innovation provides an additional layer of security for sensitive information, including military personnel's lives.
Researchers developed a new model to predict university commitment from high school athletes' Twitter interactions, providing insights into recruitment efforts. The study found that interacting with a university on Twitter increases the odds of attending by 85%, while following coaches or fellow recruits boosts likelihood by 47-62%.
Researchers analyzed 800 million Twitter messages to find strong patterns of positive and negative moods reflecting circadian rhythms. The study also discovered seasonal variations in anger, sadness, and fatigue patterns.
A new method developed by Mount Sinai and Sema4 researchers accurately identifies individual microbial species and strains in communities, providing a more comprehensive approach to microbiome analysis. The technique uses DNA methylation patterns as natural barcodes to discriminate between closely related species.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which Earth's atmosphere breaks down meteors as they approach the planet. The new finding reveals that air particles penetrating the meteor's porous interior can create pockets of high pressure, ultimately leading to the rock's explosion in the upper atmosphere.