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 found that 85% of Scandinavian adolescents' Instagram accounts share at least one food image, with high-calorie foods like candy and ice cream being the most common. Positive descriptions and festive environments, such as birthday parties, were also strongly linked to these types of posts.
A study published in Health Affairs found that one-sided comments on online news articles can shape readers' opinions on health topics. The researchers discovered that participants who viewed balanced comments or no comments expressed a neutral opinion, while those exposed to polarized comments held extreme views.
University of Washington researchers found that official Twitter accounts can correct misinformation and slow the spread of rumors, using cases involving alleged police raids in Australia and a WestJet flight hijacking. The study suggests empowering social media managers to respond quickly to crises with verified information.
A new Penn study suggests that Yelp reviews can provide a more comprehensive understanding of hospital quality by covering topics not found in government surveys. The analysis of 17,000 Yelp reviews revealed 12 additional categories covered in the Yelp reviews that are not covered by the HCAHPS survey.
Researchers found that social media campaigns can attract attention worldwide but do not necessarily lead to significant fundraising or action. The study suggests that the visibility of social media messages is often not matched by a corresponding increase in donations.
A 6th century BCE sandstone slab unearthed from an Etruscan temple in Italy holds a rare and lengthy inscription, likely revealing details about Etruscan worship of a god or goddess. The discovery is significant as most Etruscan discoveries are grave and funeral objects, making this find extraordinary.
A computer model mimics bird's syrinx to generate authentic sounding birdsong, utilizing Twitter updates for a unique crowd-generated audio-artwork. The system can manipulate acoustic space in real-time, offering an acoustically original experience.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found a significant association between social media use and depression among US young adults. Participants who spent more time on social media had a higher risk of depression, with some platforms showing stronger correlations than others.
Patient experiences shared on social media platforms are becoming a point of reference for other patients, sometimes isolating traditional medical sources. The study suggests digital media eases health knowledge sharing, providing personalized routes to engagement and access to information.
Researchers found that consistent treatment of customers and employees amplifies positive impact on firm valuation, while inconsistency weakens it. Companies with narrow business scopes benefit from coordinated activities, as investors can better judge management of key stakeholders.
Research from UBC's Okanagan campus found that traditionally successful manipulators lack compelling online messages, making face-to-face negotiations more effective. Higher-ranking DT participants were 12.5% less successful in online negotiations than those ranking lower on the spectrum.
A Cochrane Review found that interventions aimed to reduce sitting at work, including sit-stand desks, have uncertain benefits in reducing time spent sitting. Despite this, studies suggest that using sit-stand desks can lead to reduced sitting time and improved overall well-being.
A recent study found that wild orchids were being traded from all over the world, with rare and threatened species including one assessed as Critically Endangered. The high proportion of wild collected orchids for sale supports calls for better monitoring of social media for trade in wild collected plants.
Researchers found that interactive companies are perceived as more informative, leading to stronger brand attitudes and increased purchase intentions. The study suggests that engaging with customers through communication is key to boosting a company's influence.
A new study reveals that kids expect parents to follow strict household technology rules, including no texting while driving and no oversharing on social media. The researchers found that families who developed collective rules and lived by them were more successful in enforcing these rules.
A new study reveals that human-induced climate change has triggered the last 16 record-breaking hot years globally, with an impact dating back to 1937. The researchers found that industrial aerosols masked this effect in many areas until recently.
Aurorasaurus uses citizen science observations to improve short-term predictions of aurora displays and study geomagnetic storms. The project tracks auroras worldwide, providing valuable data for scientists.
The University of Michigan has launched WellSpringboard.org, a crowdsourcing and crowdfunding platform for medical research. The platform allows the public to submit ideas, vote on their favorites, and donate to support research projects. U-M researchers will be matched with top-rated ideas and allocated funds to pursue them.
Researchers found that nearly 18% of lung cancer tweets were about clinical trials, with many focused on immunotherapy. However, none of these tweets were used for recruitment and did not provide links to enrollment websites.
A study of 15,863 people found that nighttime light exposure was significantly associated with sleep duration and disturbances. People living in urban areas with intense street lights were six percent more likely to sleep less than six hours per night.
Researchers found a temporary increase in ischemic stroke rate after daylight saving time transitions, with people with cancer and over 65 at higher risk. The study suggests disruptions in circadian rhythm may contribute to the increased risk, but further studies are needed to understand the relationship.
Akinori Teramura's Twitter post revealed the first recorded case of illegal bluegill fish release in Japan, sparking concerns about native aquatic insect biodiversity. The researchers concluded that the fish were likely released from an aquarium or home aquarist, highlighting the need for community awareness and improved reporting.
Researchers analyzed Instagram posts from over 3 million users in food deserts and non-food deserts, finding that foods high in fat, cholesterol, and sugars were more common in the former. Regional staples like steak and okra were also prevalent in their respective communities.
A Chapman University study found that couples who engage in regular foreplay, set a romantic mood, and express love experience higher sexual satisfaction. The study of over 38,747 men and women aged 40-46 revealed that satisfied couples also reported more frequent sex, oral sex, and orgasms.
Researchers discovered a possible link between migraine, tension-type headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with people with migraine being twice as likely to also have IBS. The study found that common genes related to serotonin transport and receptors were shared among the three conditions.
A study by UF Health researchers found that most Yik Yak postings were focused on campus life and announcements, with only 13% containing profanity or vulgarities. The team collected 4,001 posts from 42 campuses across the US and did not find any yaks that would warrant a ban.
A novel study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing reveals a dynamic interplay between physical and digital neighborhoods, where negative interactions are reproduced and amplified. The study found that social media can make tensions worse, but also limit positive opportunities.
Crowdsourcing platforms have helped solve complex problems, but also enable malicious activities like crowdturfing. Researchers at Utah State University are creating new tools to analyze and stop these manipulative tactics.
Researchers found that people who try to remove or justify embarrassing content on social media experience a decline in their relationship with the offender. In contrast, frequent communication with the offender makes it less likely for the victim to experience reduction in closeness.
The National Park Service will present its centennial year science vision, including research on climate change, biodiversity, and conservation. The annual meeting features lectures, symposia, and public exhibits showcasing the unique value of national parks as scientific assets.
A new study cautions that exceeding critical temperature limits in the Southern Ocean could lead to the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, posing a significant threat to sea levels. Meanwhile, advancements in climate model development aim to improve forecast accuracy and speed up decision-making.
Indiana University faculty experts will present at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Katy Börner will discuss visual analytics and data visualization techniques, while Noretta Koertge will explore scientific virtues and research ethics.
Researchers identify subset of first-degree relatives at higher MS risk; study to map events leading from health to disease. The Genes and Environment in Multiple Sclerosis (GEMS) project aims to develop interventions to block MS onset.
Researchers at UCI found a direct connection between chronic lack of sleep and increased reliance on social media browsing. Participants who experienced sleep debt exhibited worsening mood and heightened distractibility.
A new study combining computer science, moral psychology, and sociology found that concerns about purity are the best predictor of social distance between people. The research team analyzed over 731,000 tweets and behavioral experiments to determine how five basic moral values affect social connections.
A new study found that 75% of vaccine-related posts on Pinterest are negative towards vaccination, highlighting the need for better communication about vaccination. The researchers argue that institutions need to value public engagement and advocacy to effectively promote vaccines.
Research from several personality and social psychologists show that positive entertainment media can contribute to positive relationships between different ethnic groups and genders. Sohad Murrar's studies found reduced prejudice when participants watched a sitcom with relatable Arab/Muslim characters, while Yeshim Iqbal's work demons...
Recent studies suggest that technology can have positive effects on social connections and mental well-being, but these benefits often fall short of those provided by in-person interactions. Research has shown that face-to-face communication is more effective at creating a positive mood and reducing stress than text messaging.
The #AnalyzeMyData campaign sheds light on questionable data practices by highlighting past news stories involving consent issues. The daily tweets also include mini-surveys to gather public opinion on these matters, aiming to support future policy decisions.
The Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology will now be published by Oxford University Press USA, publishing original articles on neuropathology and experimental neuroscience since 1942. The journal is the official publication of the American Association of Neuropathologists, Inc.
A recent study published by the University of Pittsburgh found a significant link between social media use and sleep disturbances in young adults. Participants who checked their accounts frequently or spent more time on social media had three times and twice the likelihood of sleep difficulties, respectively.
A recent study by Drexel University and USC suggests that e-cigarette marketing on social media is as containable as second-hand smoke. The study tracked the growth of e-cigarette advertising on Twitter and found that it can reach an exponential number of users, including those who may not be directly affected by the product. This rais...
A recent study found that corporations can enhance their trustworthiness by embracing both positive and negative comments on social media. By addressing both self-serving and public-serving motives, companies can reduce perceived negativity and increase perceived altruism.
Researchers used social media data from Twitter and Flickr to identify hotspots in need of aid during the 2013 Colorado floods. The team's innovative approach combined remote sensing imagery with machine-learning algorithms to quickly analyze images and pinpoint areas affected by flooding.
Scientists have identified 49 main odor compounds in young and ripe Pinot Noir grapes, finding four consistently present in mature grapes. This breakthrough could help growers determine the optimal harvest time for improved wine quality.
According to a new study published by the American Academy of Neurology, African-American participants are 2.7 times more likely to experience a first stroke than their white counterparts at age 45. However, there is no significant difference in second stroke risk between African-American and white participants across all ages.
A University of Oxford study published in Royal Society Open Science found that online social media groups are constrained to around 150-200 people, similar to offline networks. Regular Facebook users averaged 155 and 183 friends, respectively, with women having more connections than men.
A new quantum phenomenon, the 'quantum pigeonhole principle,' violates a fundamental principle of nature by demonstrating how to put an arbitrarily large number of particles in two boxes without any two particles ending up in the same box. This discovery has major implications for understanding non-locality and the future of technology.
A new study by UTSA professor Matthew McCarter found that allowing employees to vote on whether to turn off the internet results in significant reductions of cyberloafing. This approach increased productivity among former cyberloafers by 38%, demonstrating the effectiveness of giving workers control over their work environment.
A comprehensive review of youth gun violence highlights the need for a multifaceted approach, including strengthening families, reducing violent media effects, and improving school climates. The study also explores the potential use of online data mining to predict potential youth violence.
A new UCLA study found that when victims share highly personal feelings online, bystanders show lower levels of empathy and blame the victim more. The researchers suggest that oversharing personal emotions violates social media unwritten rules, making others more vulnerable to attacks.
Research reveals that public service broadcasting enhances knowledge of government, trust in others, and positive civic attitudes. Watching public channels fosters broad public attitudes and behavior underpinning democratic politics.
A research team developed an app that hides user location from third parties, providing security for individuals who share personal info online. The app, yet to be released, uses privacy-preserving technology to protect users' location information from being accessed by services like Facebook and Twitter.
Research suggests that habits such as checking emails early and late, using push notifications, and constantly being available can lead to higher levels of stress and pressure. Experts offer tips to help manage email and reduce its negative impact on productivity and wellbeing.
A new analysis helps consumers choose energy-efficient appliances to save money and water. Meanwhile, a Himalayan glacial lake threatens to flood a Buddhist holy city due to melting ice and rock barriers. Ocean sounds are also being used to measure stratospheric winds with precise data analysis.
Research suggests that men working in traditionally female occupations prioritize building relationships with colleagues and having flexible work arrangements over career advancement or salary. This study challenges the notion that male employees are solely motivated by promotional opportunities.
New research shows that groundwater beneath northern Iceland may hold the key to predicting future earthquakes, while parts of the Sierra Nevada Mountains are more susceptible to droughts than previously thought. Additionally, researchers have a plan to recharge California's dwindling aquifers using storm runoff.
A new study by University of Akron researchers found that people who use Facebook to meet new friends are most dependent on the platform. The study also discovered personality traits common among specific types of Facebook users, such as extroverts and those with high self-esteem.
Icequakes in Arctic glaciers may help predict future ice flow and sea level rise. New research finds that the Sabatier process can create life at cooler temperatures than previously thought.
A new study finds that individuals value their own personal information at $2.31, while valuing their friends' data at just $1.56 when it's necessary for a third-party app's function. This prioritization may increase the vulnerability of all data to exploitation.