Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
The researchers developed a framework for effective social media communication about food safety, highlighting the need for dialogue and engagement with key audiences. The guidance aims to reduce the risk of foodborne illness by leveraging platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
The study found that Australian Twitter adoption grew slowly in early days before peaking at 100,000 new registrations per month in 2009. By August 2013, the monthly growth rate averaged 45,000 accounts, reaching 80,000. This trend suggests a steady influx of new Australian Twitter accounts.
The study highlights the importance of understanding how social networks facilitate the spread of misinformation. The researchers propose a taxonomy to analyze and mitigate the impact of semantic attacks on human behavior.
Researchers at the University of York found that physical features in everyday face images can accurately predict social judgements and first impressions. The study developed a model that combined 65 features to explain over half of the variation in human raters' judgements.
A new NOAA study finds nuisance flooding is increasing on all three US coasts, with major increases in cities like Annapolis and Baltimore. Rising sea levels, land subsidence, and lost natural barriers are causing more frequent and severe flooding, especially during high tides.
A new study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that nearly 70% of social sharing took place via media, with participants preferring texting and Twitter for positive events. However, sharing negative news led to increased feelings of sadness and anxiety, highlighting the importance of considering emotional well-being when sh...
A new study published in Neurology suggests that regularly monitoring pulse after a stroke can detect irregular heartbeats and prevent a second stroke. The study found that healthcare professionals had a high sensitivity rate of nearly 97% in detecting irregular heartbeats.
A recent report from the University of Plymouth reveals an increase in public complaints against doctors in the UK. Clinical care remains a leading cause, while doctor-patient communication has also seen a significant rise.
The National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) will generate critically needed information about new drug trends in specific locations around the country. NDEWS will utilize social media and other innovative technologies to identify emerging drugs and trends, providing real-time information to experts and interested citizens.
Researchers create textured glass surface that scatters light, repels water, and improves display visibility in bright light conditions. The method is inexpensive and can be scaled up for industry use.
A new network-management system, Fastpass, can reduce average queue length of routers in a Facebook data center by 99.6 percent and shrink latency nearly as much. By using a central server called an arbiter, the system efficiently assigns transmission times to nodes in the network.
Research by University of Illinois expert T. Brad Harris finds that boomerang employees have distinct experiences, often leaving due to personal shock rather than job dissatisfaction. Organizations can improve re-employment performance by considering previous performance histories, exit terms, and individual circumstances.
A study from Oregon State University found that young women with sexy social media photos are viewed by their peers as less physically and socially attractive. The research suggests that posting such photos may have negative consequences, including reduced task competence.
A study examines Twitter conversations about childhood obesity, finding that comments from government and public health organizations are scarce. The researchers believe Twitter can be a valuable tool for reaching a wide audience with accurate health information.
Economists at the University of Michigan have developed a new data infrastructure that uses aggregated and de-identified data from a mobile payments app to measure consumers' spending and income on a daily basis. The research finds that spending jumps on the day payments arrive and remains high for several subsequent days, reflecting c...
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that YouTube is a promising platform for disseminating research in dermatology. The study analyzed 100 videos with over 47 million views, driving 6,325 subscriptions to distinct user pages.
A study by Kansas State University researcher Sooyeol Kim found that employees who take short smartphone breaks throughout the day are happier at the end of the workday. Microbreaks, defined as non-working-related behaviors during working hours, can provide employees with refreshment and help them cope with stressors.
A new study reveals that users tend to be swayed by recent activity of their friends on Facebook, rather than relying on best-seller lists. The researchers developed a mathematical model to capture the dynamics at play, finding that the 'copycat' tendency plays a strong role in online behavior.
Researchers found that managers are more likely to privately browse social media during work hours, contradicting their negative views on the practice. The study revealed that top executives' longer working hours and blurred lines between work and leisure contribute to this behavior.
Researchers analyzed tweets from a popular marijuana account and found that 82% of recipients were under 19 years old, with 54% aged 17-19. The study highlights the need for discussion about pro-drug messages on social media platforms and their potential impact on vulnerable youth.
Researchers found that social media users are less likely to endorse products on platforms like Facebook due to fear of negative comments. However, sharing opinions with close friends and family can boost self-esteem, making them more willing to do so.
A new study by the Endocrine Society found that obese adults who lose at least 5 percent of their body weight report better sleep and mood after six months. The study also discovered that weight loss improves sleep quality and mood regardless of how the individuals lost the weight.
Cathryn Jakobson Ramin received the Endocrine Society's Award for Excellence in Science and Medical Journalism for her investigation into hormone compounding risks. Her article, 'The Hormone Hoax Thousands Fall For', found inconsistencies in hormone prescriptions across multiple pharmacies.
The Endocrine Society recognized Sen. Dick Durbin's dedication to advancing endocrinology research, particularly through the introduction of the American Cures Act. The proposed bill aims to create a trust fund for mandatory biomedical research funding, increasing support for NIH and other health programs.
A new study by Hassan A-R Ibrahim found that diabetic patients who don't know proper injection techniques may administer insulin incorrectly, leading to poor glycemic control and adverse outcomes. The study found that only 31% of patients answered more than half the questions correctly about injection techniques.
The Columbia Engineering team found a critical security problem in Google Play, where developers store their secret keys in their apps, making them vulnerable to malicious attacks. The discovery was made using a new tool called PlayDrone, which downloaded over 1.1 million Android apps and identified thousands of secret keys.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that group doctor visits can benefit individuals with muscle diseases, improving their quality of life. Participants who received group visits scored higher on a quality of life test compared to those who had individual appointments.
A study found that adults are heavily exposed to e-cigarette marketing through various media channels, including TV and online platforms. E-cigarette users were more likely than non-users to search for information on Facebook and share it with others.
Researchers analyzed over 70,000 tweets about e-cigarettes and found nearly 90% were commercial ads promoting e-cig products. The study highlights the risks of social media platforms like Twitter in advertising e-cigarettes to youth, which may lead to increased use and smoking cessation.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that emotional contagion occurs when people are exposed to positive or negative emotions expressed by their friends on Facebook. The study showed that reducing exposure to negative content in news feeds led to an increase in positive words used by users, and vice versa.
A study of 290,119,348 tweets found that politically engaged Twitter users during the 2012 presidential campaign conventions and debates relied heavily on retweeting established voices rather than engaging with each other. This resulted in a lack of creative thinking and diversity of voices in political discussion.
A study by USC researchers found that webpage position significantly impacts collective judgments about content, leading to biased recommendations. Ordering content by recency of recommendation reduces these biases, allowing for more accurate assessments of user interest.
A new report from the March of Dimes reveals that Hispanic women are more likely to have a baby with a neural tube birth defect and nearly a quarter of all preterm births in the US are Hispanic. Thalia, a global ambassador for the organization, is urging Hispanic women to be informed about pregnancy and baby health.
A new study reveals that instant oatmeal provides greater satiety than equal calories of ready-to-eat oat cereal. The researchers found that eating a bowl of instant oatmeal for breakfast helps manage hunger better than the same amount of calories from a leading oat-based, cold cereal.
Research finds six different liking practices associated with humanitarian causes, including socially responsible, emotional, and informational liking. Users believe likes support humanitarian causes and encourage others to do so, highlighting the role of Facebook in civic engagement.
The Health Social Analytics site visualizes data on health-related disorders, drugs, and organizations from Twitter, news stories, and online forums. It also offers predictive models to forecast future trends in user-input time series.
Researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center will present their latest research on various topics including medication adherence in adolescents, the impact of resveratrol and vitamin D on insulin resistance, epigenetic and genetic triggers for diabetes, and the role of glucagon in metabolic homeost...
A new study found that health policy researchers are hesitant to use social media due to concerns about being perceived as 'opinion' or presenting scientific results in a superficial manner. However, when provided with examples of effective use, researchers became more confident in utilizing social media channels.
Infection preventionists at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and Loyola University Medical Center implemented alcohol-impregnated port protectors to reduce bloodstream infections. These devices, combined with rigorous 'scrub-the-hub' regimens, cut CLABSI rates by 68 percent.
Research Triangle Park has emerged as a hub for crop science, with major companies like Bayer and BASF investing heavily in research facilities. Scientists are working on projects addressing pressing issues such as pesticides against rootworm, honeybee threats, and drought tolerance to help meet the world's growing food demands.
A pilot study found that e-cigarettes are more acceptable and effective in helping smokers quit than nicotine inhalers. The devices' better marketing and high acceptance rates contribute to their popularity.
Researchers found that even small organizations can employ social media to ride the new wave of charitable giving, increasing their support bases and ability to generate donations. The study highlights the importance of understanding and cultivating the 'social network effect' to experience a payoff in donations and supporters.
A Chapman University research team, led by Yakir Aharonov and Jeff Tollaksen, has challenged long-held beliefs about the transition from microscopic to macroscopic scales in nature. Their paper proposes a new theory that gives different predictions than classical physics for certain phenomena.
Research by Chong Oh found that Twitter activity has a direct positive effect on movie attendance and online word-of-mouth chatter. Engaging with followers on social media increases the likelihood of higher box office performance.
A survey of 2,109 medical students found they have a sophisticated understanding of social media's risks and benefits, but struggle with navigating professional ethics. Medical schools are advised to provide guidance on using social media in a professional context.
A Pitt-led research team developed seven design recommendations to mitigate online bullying behaviors on social media. The seven recommendations include Design for Attention, Design for Consequence, and others, which aim to provide a range of active and passive features to alleviate and prevent inappropriate harassment online.
A Michigan State University study reveals young adults are skeptical of information on Twitter, integrating it less into their memories compared to traditional sources. The researchers attribute this mistrust to the medium of the message, suggesting a healthy skepticism among Millennials.
A new study found that millennials are more skeptical of information on Twitter, forming false memories less when exposed to the platform. The researchers propose that young adults are taking into account the medium of the message when integrating information into memory.
Researchers find that tropical cyclones' maximum intensity is shifting poleward at a rate of about 35 miles per decade in the northern and southern hemispheres. This shift increases risk for coastal cities and regions that depend on cyclones' rainfall, potentially leading to lower water availability.
Researchers have discovered a synthetic molecule that inhibits T-cell signaling in the lungs, preventing asthma symptoms such as inflammation and airway constriction. The molecule shows promise for treating asthma, a chronic disease affecting over 25 million Americans.
A study published by INFORMS finds that analyzing pre-release consumer buzz can forecast new product sales more accurately than traditional methods. The research also reveals a key link between online buzz and firm stock prices, allowing for immediate capitalization on the new product.
Scientists have developed a new flexible thin film device that stores enough energy to provide critical back-up power for portable electronics. The device is made from nickel and fluoride, with tiny holes allowing ions to flow easily, and can bend and fold thousands of times with little loss in performance.
A new analysis tool, BotOrNot, can identify whether a Twitter account is operated by a human or an automated social bot. The tool analyzes over 1,000 features from a user's friendship network, content, and temporal information to calculate the likelihood of a bot-controlled account.
A USGS study identifies four genetically distinct populations of diamondback terrapins, shedding light on the species' conservation needs. The research aims to develop targeted conservation plans, including habitat protection and migration corridors, to maintain genetic diversity and support the terrapin's overall population numbers.
A study of over 400 Vietnamese patients found a significant decrease in falls after cataract surgery on one eye, with risks reduced by 78% the year following treatment. Researchers monitored patients before and after surgery to track the impact of improved vision on daily life.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered clues for inducing superconductivity in an iron-based material. By altering the Fermi surface, they were able to explain why certain structural phases prevent superconductivity at low temperatures.
At DDW 2014, researchers presented cutting-edge data on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapies and the impact of the gut microbiome on digestive health. The AGA Institute showcased its latest advances in GI research, including new treatments for pancreatic cancer and colorectal polyps.
Research suggests that social media companies can reduce stress and defections by giving users more control over new interfaces. Users who feel in control adapt better to changes by focusing on solving problems rather than emotions. Companies can improve site longevity by being responsive to user feedback.
Researchers found that mobile users tend to distrust sites with instant gratification messages, and are more willing to share sensitive information after viewing security alerts. This phenomenon suggests that users prioritize privacy over convenience in digital interactions.
A Baylor University study found that students who participated in a Facebook group for a large introductory sociology class scored higher on quizzes, wrote stronger papers, and did better on exams. The group helped create a sense of community and belonging among students, transforming them from anonymous spectators into active learners.