Research on social media and its effects on people. Covers sleep and mood, body image, self-objectification, and the platforms' wider social impact.
A team of researchers has developed a system that can predict global social trends, including consumer reactions and social movements, by analyzing data from a small group of Twitter users. The method, which uses the friendship paradox property on Twitter, was tested using just 50,000 accounts and achieved impressive results.
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.
A recent survey of 75 UK women aged 35 and above found that 40% had not discussed having children with their partner, while 23 decided not to have kids after a single conversation. The research suggests that couples can accurately sense each other's lack of desire for children, making discussion unnecessary.
A study found that Twitter conversations among men feature fewer mentions of women compared to female-female conversations. The Bechdel test was applied to analyze the gender bias in social media platforms, revealing a male-biased environment on Twitter.
Research shows that high school friends are the most likely to be unfriended on Facebook, often due to polarizing comments or frequent uninteresting posts. The studies also found that being close friends at one point in time can intensify emotional responses to unfriending.
A study found that certain genes, such as DRD1 and COMT, are associated with low, moderate, or high pain perception. The discovery may lead to new therapies and better understanding of chronic pain.
Researchers analyze largest dataset of US minors working in the sex trade, finding that pimps initiate only 8.1% and control even fewer. Most young sex workers stay due to economic challenges, such as homelessness and restricted education opportunities.
A recent study found that increased time on Facebook can lead to more negative feelings and comparisons to friends' bodies among college-aged women. The researchers also discovered that more time spent on Facebook was associated with a greater attention to physical appearance, including one's own body and clothing.
A recent study by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that using a rooftop cargo box can decrease fuel economy by up to 9% and driving with all four windows down can lower it by 4-8.5%. The study tested various configurations, including underinflated tires and towing a trailer.
A global study by Concordia University researchers found that 94 percent of people experience unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, and/or impulses. This commonality challenges traditional OCD diagnoses and treatment strategies, suggesting that cognitive and behavioral interventions may be more effective across cultures.
A new study published in SAGE Open found that Southern death-row offenders are more likely to apologize for their crimes, with two times the frequency of non-Southerners. However, the degree of remorse shown by Southerners and non-Southerners did not differ.
A study analyzed 21,741 tweets to understand the instant expression of migraines in social media. The findings showed that females account for 74% of migraine tweets and the US accounts for 58% of global tweets. Migraine attacks impact mood, productivity, and quality of life, with 44% reporting immediate effects.
A new paper suggests that academia is slow to adopt social media, with most researchers failing to utilize widely available platforms. Despite efforts to increase access to research, the majority of university scholars resist using social media to disseminate their work and engage with students.
A study analyzing over 1 million prescription drug posts reveals that health-focused social networks, such as WebMD and Drugs.com, have more negative sentiment than general social networks like Twitter and Google+. The researchers also found that specific drugs, like Viagra and Abilify, are more popular on certain types of platforms.
Researchers Beatriz Vicoso and Doris Bachtrog found that genes on the 'dot chromosome' of fruit flies are X-linked in three other species, suggesting a history as a sex chromosome. They identified nine independently evolved sex chromosomes with balanced gene expression between males and females.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that Instagram photos with human faces are 38% more likely to receive likes and 32% more likely to attract comments. The study, one of the first to examine engagement on image-sharing communities, also found that posting frequency and follower count can impact engagement.
University of Washington researchers discovered that incorrect information spread rapidly on Twitter during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, outpacing correction tweets. The study analyzed over 10 million tweets and found that misinformation persisted even after corrections were made.
A study by University of Houston researchers found that Google Flu Trend overestimated flu cases in the US by up to 50% and failed to accurately predict levels in previous seasons. The researchers suggest combining big data with traditional methodologies for a more accurate understanding of human behavior.
A study analyzing over a billion Facebook status updates found that positive posts beget positive ones, while negative posts lead to negative ones. The researchers discovered that emotional contagion spreads online and is stronger for positive expressions.
A study by Florida State University researchers found that frequent Facebook use is associated with higher levels of disordered eating in college women. Women who received more comments and likes on their status updates reported the highest levels of disordered eating.
The American Educational Research Association has selected 22 scholars as 2014 AERA Fellows, recognizing their significant contributions to education research. The new fellows join the ranks of 557 current AERA Fellows and will be inducted on April 4 during the AERA 2014 Annual Meeting.
A recent study on the Save Darfur Cause on Facebook found that only a small percentage of members donated or recruited others, despite the campaign's large online presence. Meanwhile, those who joined independently were more likely to engage in activism, highlighting the potential for individual actions to drive collective change.
Researchers discovered a significant correlation between exposure to Mexican drug war violence and anxiety symptoms on social media. Citizens' posts showed decreased levels of negative affect after prolonged exposure to violence, highlighting the desensitization effect.
Carnegie Mellon University's Paul Eiss explores the 'narcomedia,' digital messaging used by Mexican drug cartels and government forces, revealing a nuanced conflict with shades of gray. The use of narcomessages has increased violence, physical attacks on journalists, and censorship.
A study found that Facebook usage is associated with increased appearance-focused behaviors and eating pathology in college women. The study suggests that the desire for social validation through likes contributes to maintenance of weight and shape concerns and anxiety.
Researchers used Twitter 'big data' to track HIV incidence and drug-related behaviors, mapping where tweets originated and linking them with geographic distribution of HIV cases. The study suggests that monitoring tweets can predict sexual risk and drug use behaviors, potentially preventing outbreaks.
A simple vision test, the King-Devick test, can be used to increase the accuracy of concussion diagnosis in athletes. The study found that 100% of concussions were identified when combining the test results with other concussion assessments.
During major events like elections and sporting events, social media messages are found to be significantly shorter in length as the volume of activity increases. This phenomenon is observed across various social media platforms, including Twitter, which has a character limit of 140 characters.
A study published in Journal of Medical Internet Research found that doctor jokes posted on Facebook received significant likes and were often successful. The researchers analyzed over 33,000 Facebook users and identified 263 who posted a joke referencing doctors, with the majority being successful.
A recent study by Erin Abner, Ph.D., found that subjective memory complaints can be predictive of clinical memory impairment. The results are encouraging as they might help identify people at risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease sooner.
A recent study found that online and offline reasons contribute to unfriending on Facebook. Businesses can avoid being unfriended by avoiding frequent posts, committing to individual-level relationships, and refraining from controversial topics.
A new study reveals that higher stress levels are associated with an increase in the number of headaches per month. The study found that for those with tension-type headache, a 10-point increase in stress was linked to a 6.3% rise in headache days per month.
A study found that watching videos of tasks before performing them can boost brain structure and increase motor skills in healthy adults. The group who completed this type of training showed significantly improved motor skill abilities compared to those who watched landscape videos.
A study of 65 participants with intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke and 65 healthy individuals found that those with depleted vitamin C levels had a higher risk of stroke. The study suggests that maintaining normal vitamin C levels may help reduce stroke risk.
Research shows that appearance trumps fact in forming impressions, with studies finding that people judge others' sexual orientation and trustworthiness based on how they look. In contrast, online impressions are often more negative than those formed in person.
NOAA researcher Sue Moore says Arctic marine mammals respond to climate change by shifting their distribution, timing of movements, and feeding locations. This provides clues on how the ecosystem is responding to changes in sea ice, warming temperatures, and increased storminess.
Researchers are leveraging big data from social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to better understand human behavior and social dynamics. Studies have found differences in communication patterns between parents and children, as well as predictors of postpartum depression.
High pollutant concentrations in Guánica Bay's sediments pose a significant threat to coral reefs and marine life. The study provides an ecological baseline for improved watershed management.
New research finds that matchmaking brings intrinsic happiness to the matchmaker, particularly when pairing people who are less likely to meet. This study suggests that making meaningful connections is key to reaping emotional benefits from social interactions.
Research suggests lead exposure, once widespread in US gas and paint, may be key factor behind decline in violent crimes. The study found a significant decrease in homicide rate after the ban of lead from gasoline and paint.
The Sochi Winter Olympics are expected to be the first 'fully mobile' Olympics due to increased web and mobile viewing. However, traditional TV viewing is enhanced by social media usage, according to a new study. The Olympics attract diverse audiences and offer a unique experience that balances sports and social aspects.
A new study led by Harvard School of Public Health found that a Mediterranean-style diet was associated with lower risk factors for cardiovascular disease among a group of young, working US adults. The study showed that promoting Mediterranean dietary habits could have significant health benefits for young populations.
A new model developed by Bruno Ribeiro at Carnegie Mellon University assesses the viability of membership-based websites and social networks. The model successfully predicted the sustainability of six years' worth of user statistics for 22 membership-based websites, separating self-sustaining from unsustainable sites.
A national campaign by Public Health England aimed to encourage smokers to quit for 28 days, resulting in a significant increase in quit attempts and a cost-effective initiative that saves lives. The campaign resulted in an estimated 350,000 additional quit attempts compared to other months.
A new study from Georgia Institute of Technology found that people with differing opinions engage less on Facebook. The research also highlights design changes that could help bridge political differences, such as displaying shared interests and increasing exposure to weak ties.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory created a framework to understand the interplay of superconductivity and inhomogeneity. The work reveals that strong superconductivity comes from highly doped regions in the crystal where dopants are clustered, potentially leading to higher performance superconductors.
A Penn study found that online commentary, both positive and negative, degrades the impact of anti-smoking public service announcements. Viewers who watched PSAs with no commentary had better recall and rated them more effective overall.
Researchers found that internet-based surveillance can detect infectious diseases like Dengue Fever and Influenza up to two weeks earlier than traditional methods. This early detection enables timely public health responses, potentially reducing the spread of epidemics.
Studies examine how depleted food budgets can increase risk of hypoglycemia among low-income individuals with diabetes. Additionally, researchers find that workers with diabetes are more likely to retire earlier in countries worldwide.
The global chemical industry is expected to rise by 2.5% in the US and see increased sales in Europe, driven by strong economic growth in China and India. Low-priced natural gas from shale deposits and an uptick in housing starts are also contributing factors.
Bacteria use molecular groups called hemes to transfer electrons through tiny protein-based wires. The researchers found that evolution has set the protein up so that when electrons have a strong drive to hop, heme stepping stones are less tightly connected, and when the drive is low, they are more closely connected.
Researchers found dozens of phrases that pay and a few dozen more that signal likely failure, with reciprocity and social proof being key factors in successful campaigns. The study analyzed over 45,000 projects and identified language patterns that accounted for 58.56% of the variance around success.
A recent study by University of Missouri researchers found that social media platforms enable users to connect with others who share similar experiences and emotions, such as Lady Gaga fans. The study highlights the importance of online communities in providing emotional support and a sense of belonging among marginalized groups.
Study participants focus on a small number of network members and allocate limited communication time accordingly. These distinct patterns persist over time despite changes in the network, reflecting limitations in maintaining emotionally close relationships.
Using social networks for pre-employment screening can create a negative impression of the company, leading to lower attractiveness and potential lawsuits. Applicants perceive this practice as an invasion of privacy, which can discourage them from accepting job offers.
Researchers at ORNL developed a method to control the diameter of silica rods during growth by manipulating temperature. This allows for precise control over segment size, enabling advances in fields like anti-reflective solar cells and computer monitors.
New research links fracking chemicals to hormone disruption and reproductive issues in humans nearby. Water samples from drilling sites showed high levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can interfere with hormones and increase health risks.
A new study examines whether objectifying women in TV shows causes harassing conduct, finding a causal link between the two. The researchers suggest that these portrayals create a normative context conducive to gender harassment.
A Northwestern University study found that individuals with high self-monitoring and diverse social networks are more likely to strongly experience face threats on Facebook. People who felt they had a high level of Facebook skills reported experiencing these kinds of threats less severely.
A recent study analyzed 1.4 million peer-reviewed articles on Twitter and found that high tweet counts do not necessarily correlate with high citation rates. Many articles from prestigious journals like PNAS and Science received significant mentions, but quality control is lacking in social networks.