Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
A new study from the University of Chicago Medicine found that social media platforms can effectively inform young physicians about proper antibiotic use, improving their knowledge and behavior. The strategy successfully directed medical residents to relevant clinical pathways, resulting in a significant increase in correct usage.
Researchers used social media platforms to map locations of highly sought natural destinations. These findings can inform management decisions and prioritize conservation efforts, leveraging the collective value placed on these areas by the public.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that competition significantly motivates people to exercise more than friendly support. The study, which recruited nearly 800 Penn students, showed that attendance rates were 90% higher in competitive groups compared to a control group. Meanwhile, team support actually led to lower ...
A new study confirms that the entire 2,400-kilometer Himalayan mountain range is seismogenic and can produce large earthquakes. Researchers discovered a major earthquake in Bhutan in 1714 using historical records and geologic data, shedding light on the region's potential for natural hazards.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge suggest that social networks like Facebook can provide valuable data to improve knowledge of mental health disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. The study proposes using Facebook data to detect early signs of mental illness and potentially even offer support and interventions.
Researchers at Disney Research have found a way to reduce the time and effort required to train facial performance capture systems. By using synthetic data generated from a small sample of recordings, they were able to determine a set of training data that was tens to hundreds of times smaller than normal without affecting accuracy. Th...
A new study by UTSA researcher Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo describes a method to detect people using multiple online accounts to spread propaganda. The algorithm analyzes writing samples and detects whether one person or multiple people are responsible for the posts.
Researchers emphasize the need for guidelines addressing digital footprints created for children, which can lead to unanticipated risks such as information theft or pedophile targeting. The authors propose public health-based best-practice guidelines for parents to protect their children's online identity.
A Canadian study found a significant increase in emergency department visits for suicidal behavior among teenagers starting in June 2011, but not among younger children. The research suggests that this trend cannot be attributed to social media publicity surrounding the cyberbullying death of 15-year-old Amanda Todd.
The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute will receive a $1 million grant from Cook Medical to support its discovery science and applied research. The donation aims to accelerate innovation in cardio-metabolic diseases, diabetes, and poor nutrition.
Researchers found that frequent viewing of selfies on social media sites can lead to lower levels of self-esteem and life satisfaction. Those with a strong desire to appear popular were more sensitive to this effect.
A study analyzing over 80 million Twitter messages found that communities expressing positive sentiments about healthy foods were more likely to be healthier overall. Tweets about fast food restaurants, on the other hand, were often associated with poorer neighborhoods and larger households.
A new study surveyed 587 scientists on their attitudes towards social media, revealing that most see benefits in using Twitter for communication and sharing research within the scholarly community. Despite professional benefits, relatively few academic scientists currently use these tools.
Researchers have identified a new target for treating neurodegenerative diseases: Rolofylline, which alleviates learning and memory deficits in mice with aberrant Tau proteins. The drug re-establishes neuronal activity despite pathological Tau aggregates.
Researchers have found that frequent users of online social media do not experience decreased attention spans or sociability compared to occasional users. The study suggests that modern communication tools do not interfere with primal instincts, such as long-term attitudes and concentration.
A new study found two types of heightened Twitter discussions related to mental health, including expected increases before planned events and unexpected spikes following unanticipated events. Social media could be a valuable avenue for public health information on mental health.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that Pinterest users are drawn to the platform's unique features, including easy-to-follow instructions and intuitive navigation. The study also revealed that users pin content to express their interests and creativity.
Researchers found that providing tips and personalized feedback was just as effective as access to online social networking sites in promoting physical activity. Interventions were most effective among participants with low initial physical activity levels, suggesting a need for stronger reinforcers to motivate population-wide changes.
A new website developed at Duke University, iCheck, lets visitors evaluate claims about congressional voting records more critically. The site integrates data from multiple sources and allows users to explore how claims hold up under different parameters.
A University of Vermont-led team analyzed over 7,000 geotagged photos to calculate the economic impact of conserved lands on tourism in Vermont. The study found that these lands contributed significantly to the state's tourism industry between 2007-2014.
The FRAUDAR algorithm identifies over 4,000 suspicious Twitter accounts, including those using follower-buying services. The method sees through camouflage to reveal legitimate users from fraudulent ones.
A recent study found that young adults who experienced negative interactions on Facebook were at a significantly higher risk of depression. The study, which controlled for various confounding factors, found that bullying and unwanted contacts were associated with elevated risks of depressive symptoms.
A new study by Scripps Institution of Oceanography has discovered that large earthquakes on one fault can trigger large aftershocks on separate faults within minutes. This finding has significant implications for earthquake-prone regions like California, where complex fault systems may lead to mega-earthquakes.
Researchers created the largest data set for studying African-American English from online communication, analyzing 59 million tweets. They found that current NLP tools poorly identify African-American English as 'not English', implying worse information access for texts authored by African-Americans.
A study by Cornell University suggests that posting personal experiences on social media can improve memory retention, as seen in a recent study published in the journal Memory. The researchers found that online events were more likely to be recalled than offline ones, even when controlling for event characteristics.
Scientists have discovered a new species of butterflyfish in the deep reefs of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting and exploring poorly explored marine ecosystems.
A Carnegie Mellon University and Facebook study found that personalized interactions on Facebook can significantly boost users' psychological well-being, even surpassing major life events. Sixty comments from close friends were associated with substantial increases in users' happiness and satisfaction with life.
A recent study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that over two-thirds of rumors shared during Operation Brother's Keeper were true, and that journalists and emergency personnel played a significant role in spreading them. The research proposes specific lessons for first responders, including actively searching for rumors a...
Studies have found that people struggle to match unfamiliar faces with and without glasses, but the effect is more pronounced when only one face wears glasses. This research aims to inform future policies on photo identification for security purposes.
A recent study by FAU researchers found that up to 56% of e-mail recipients and 40% of Facebook users clicked on links from unknown senders, primarily driven by curiosity about the content or sender's identity. The experiment revealed that participants' awareness of security risks was often lower than their actual clicking behavior.
A study published in Frontiers found that social media can unite disaster victims during recovery efforts by disseminating critical information and fostering a sense of community. The platform provides a personalized resource for individuals, enabling them to connect with others who share similar experiences.
Researchers found that Twitter users discuss, debate, and even canonize or condemn deceased individuals, reflecting a broader approach to death than on Facebook. This shift enables people who didn't know the person to engage in public discussions about death, breaking down traditional hierarchies of grief.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals that opponents of ISIS outnumber supporters 6 to 1 on Twitter. Despite this, ISIS supporters are more active online, producing 50% more tweets than opponents on a typical day. The study suggests that U.S. officials should support opponents of ISIS on Twitter with social media trainings and engagements.
A study by Baylor University researcher Matthew Andersson found that healthy individuals who spend more time with heavier friends are less likely to lose weight. This is because they may feel more comfortable around them, despite the potential for social exclusion or discrimination among those seeking to shed pounds.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that native English-speaking Americans know an average of 42 thousand dictionary words by the age of twenty. As people get older, they learn one new word every two days, leading to a total of 6000 additional words known by age sixty.
A global survey of 1,044 healthcare providers reveals that most expectant mothers delay discussing breastfeeding techniques until after delivery or even before the baby arrives. However, experts emphasize the importance of planning and preparation in overcoming breastfeeding challenges. To support expectant mothers, Lansinoh has develo...
A University of Kansas study suggests people can distinguish between social media and face-to-face interactions, with most interactions being in-person. Most social media activities, such as 'liking' posts, are considered passive behaviors.
Young men in Britain are turning to gym culture as a way to feel valuable, as traditional routes to success have been eroded by austerity. This phenomenon, known as 'spornosexuality', is marked by the sharing of worked-out bodies on social media platforms.
Research suggests that using Tinder leads to lower levels of self-worth and increased negative perception of body image among both male and female users. The study, conducted by the American Psychological Association, involved 1,044 women and 273 men who reported less satisfaction with their bodies and looks compared to non-users.
A study suggests that media contagion is a significant factor in the rise of mass shootings in America. The researchers propose that by withholding shooter names and details from the media, the number of mass shootings could be reduced by at least one-third.
Researchers find that current laws protecting individual rights are insufficient to protect privacy when it comes to MSVTs, and the First Amendment likely protects livestreaming activities of users. The study advocates for less legal restraint on recording and live-streaming public matters, but also calls for wisdom in controlling harm...
A new case report suggests that energy drink consumption may lead to cardiac complications, including abnormal heart rhythms. The study highlights the potential risks of high caffeine content in energy drinks and encourages healthcare providers to ask about energy drink intake in patients with unexplained arrhythmias.
Physicians and patients utilized social media to diagnose cutaneous leishmaniasis in a youth travel group, leveraging posted images of skin lesions. The disease was effectively treated thanks to rapid recognition facilitated by the online community.
A recent study by INFORMS found that tweets are more effective in predicting future TV ratings than Google Trends. The researchers analyzed over 1.8 billion tweets and 113 million Google searches for TV shows during the 2008-2012 seasons.
The ORNL-led study develops a new method to pinpoint electrical service areas most vulnerable to climate change and predicted population growth, identifying substations at the neighborhood level. The analysis helps decision makers prepare resources needed for population movement in response to extreme weather events.
A study of over 2,400 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer found that online communication is used to enhance decision making and care support, but barriers exist across age, race, and education levels.
A study from Michigan Medicine found that women who engaged on social media after a breast cancer diagnosis expressed more deliberation about their treatment decision and more satisfaction with the path they chose. However, the researchers also identified significant barriers to social media use among certain groups of patients.
Researchers found that unorganized and semi-organized groups use Twitter to develop stances toward organizations during crises. The study suggests that PR professionals can diagnose different publics' attitudes using Contingency Theory, allowing them to craft messages for specific audiences.
Sigma Xi's new initiative aims to strengthen research outreach by partnering with researchers and institutions to share their work with broader audiences. The program provides digital and print publishing platforms, content development services, and data-driven evaluation tools to help partners increase the impact of their research.
A study analyzing in-game content from 1983 to 2014 reveals a decline in the sexualization of female primary characters, contrary to industry expectations. The researchers attribute this shift to increased criticism and growing interest among women in gaming.
A study by University of Zurich researchers found that individuals posting hate speech who used their full name were more common than anonymous trolls. Online anonymity is not a deterrent for hate speech, as it can actually increase credibility and popularity among trolls.
A recent survey by CAMH found that 328,000 Ontario students in grades 7-12 reported moderate-to-serious psychological distress, with girls twice as likely to experience it. The survey also highlighted concerns around screen time, social media use, and problem gaming, which are contributing to the rising levels of distress.
Researchers developed a perceptual model to predict the perceived softness and stiffness of nonlinear elastic objects, replicating an object's feel despite material differences. The model was validated through experiments and shown to accurately predict how people perceive the softness of various materials.
A recent study published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles reveals that the Amazon Basin's carbon sink was completely shut down by a severe drought. Meanwhile, an international team is working to provide an up-to-date assessment of polar ice mass losses and their contributions to global sea level rise.
Scientists have developed a new system design that collects water from air with significantly less energy, producing high-quality water. This approach uses a liquid desiccant to separate vapor from air and cool only the vapor, resulting in substantial energy savings.
Disney Research's new adaptive polynomial rendering method improves Monte Carlo ray tracing by varying polynomial functions based on image complexity, reducing noise and preserving fine detail.
A new technique developed by Disney Research can capture the crucial details of the eyes with just a single facial scan, producing highly realistic eye reconstructions. The parametric model enables flexible manipulation of the captured data to simulate emotions and fatigue.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that 22 out of 25 physicians reported having favorite patients, often due to long-standing relationships and personal connections. Despite concerns about playing favorites, physicians strive to provide the best care for all their patients.
A new modular design approach simplifies the creation of acoustic filters, allowing for rapid prediction of acoustic properties in complex assemblies. This enables the development of innovative applications such as audio tags and wind instruments with customizable sound profiles.
A computational design tool developed by Disney Research enables users to create delicate, yet structurally sound, 3D objects with interconnected shapes. The tool helps identify and strengthen weak areas in the designs, making it possible for the general public to create beautiful artifacts that also withstand handling and shipping.