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 by Jonah Berger and Raghuram Iyengar found that written conversations on Facebook lead to discussions of more interesting products and brands compared to oral conversations. This is because written communication allows consumers time to think before responding, enabling them to select more engaging topics.
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that empowering consumers through product development can lead to a backlash when combined with social media influence. Consumers who feel empowered are more likely to deliberately express opposing views and rebel against attempts to shape their opinions.
A new study by Columbia Business School and University of Pittsburgh professors predicts Twitter's user engagement will slow down, shifting from a social network to a content-delivery platform. Everyday users are expected to stop posting as much, while celebrities and commercial users will continue to post for financial gain.
A new online tool helps quantify subjective opinions on city environments, linking safety perceptions to violent crime rates. The study found correlations between perceived class and safety scores in US cities compared to Austrian counterparts.
NIST researchers create a standard language for describing molecules, enabling rapid search and identification of substances with specific properties. The approach could speed up the development of new drugs and designer materials by allowing scientists to quickly sift through vast chemical and biological data sets.
Two new studies describe health success stories outside the US, showcasing Avahan HIV prevention program transitioned to government management in India and Bolsa Família conditional cash transfer program reducing infant mortality rates in Brazil.
A new study suggests that Chinese people are at a higher risk of stroke than Caucasians. The research found a slightly higher overall risk of stroke in Chinese people, with a range of 205 to 584 strokes per 100,000 Chinese people age 45 to 74 compared to 170 to 335 strokes per 100,000 Caucasian people in the same age group.
A Northwestern University study found that young adults, particularly men and Hispanics, are less likely to manage their social media privacy settings as they seek a job or maintain employment. In contrast, women, whites, and those with higher Internet skills tend to actively manage their online profiles.
A new species of snow scorpionfly was discovered in Alaska, providing insights into the evolutionary origin of fleas. The insect belongs to a group that dates back over 145 million years, with fossil evidence supporting its Jurassic-era origins.
A recent study by UT Arlington professor Jiyoon Yoon found that cyberbullying in the college environment can pose serious consequences, including physical endangerment. The researchers also discovered that most respondents considered cyberbullying to be more prevalent at the secondary school level.
A study found that health-related websites leak patient search data to third-party tracking entities, compromising user privacy. The researcher used tools to detect and intercept hidden traffic on popular health sites.
A study by the University of Edinburgh found that Twitter often breaks news before newswires for minor events like local sports results. However, for high-profile news, neither platform consistently outperformed the other in terms of speed.
Researchers analyzed over 160,000 tweets from personal accounts, corporate accounts and bot-controlled accounts to develop a method to predict when new tweets would be posted. The study found that individual tweeters were most active in the afternoons and evenings, while corporate-managed accounts tweeted during work hours.
Research suggests that engaging in mentally stimulating activities, such as reading and writing, can help slow down cognitive decline in older adults. The study found that individuals who participated in these activities both early and late in life had a slower rate of memory loss compared to those who did not.
Researchers are developing innovative systems to track infectious diseases, leveraging the internet and mobile phones. Digital epidemiology enhances transparency and understanding of outbreaks, predicting increased importance in future public health efforts.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that Christians on Twitter use more positive words and engage in less analytical thinking than atheists. The analysis of nearly 2 million tweets also showed that Christians are more likely to tweet about their social relationships.
ScreenPass adds new features to an Android phone's operating system to prevent malicious apps from stealing user passwords. It uses a special-purpose software keyboard and computer vision to track password data and notify users of potential threats.
Researchers found that women who had taken at least one computer science class were less likely to mention stereotypical characteristics, while men's descriptions remained unchanged. The studies also showed that exposing students to accurate portrayals of computer scientists increased interest in the field among women.
Two studies suggest teenagers use social media to express suicidal thoughts and intentions, with 64 comments on MySpace revealing adolescents' desire to die. Researchers found that texting is the second-most common way for young adults to seek help when feeling depressed.
A study on sports journalists' social network found that the Sandusky scandal led to rapid Twitter adoption, with 151 journalists joining in just two days. The 'Power 30' subgroup had significant influence, with 1.7 million followers.
A study published in Neurology found that people who experience stroke-like symptoms are at increased risk of developing memory and thinking problems. The research used a quick seven-question test to identify individuals at risk of dementia.
Patrick Rynne's student-run project Waterlust brings together marine science, art, and sport through online film and photography. The project aims to inspire public interest in water-related topics, empowering scientists to communicate their work creatively.
Researchers suggest that the unique texture of developing pearls creates a ratchet-like effect, causing them to turn and accumulate nacre in a spherical build-up. This process results in the formation of perfectly spherical, highly prized pearls.
A new social media initiative helped boost organ donor registration rates in the US, with a 21.1-fold increase on the first day of the campaign. The study suggests that social media can be an effective tool for tackling public health problems related to communication and education.
A social media campaign on Facebook increased organ donor registrations 21-fold in a single day, with over 57,000 users sharing their status and more than 13,000 new online registrations. The effect continued for two weeks, with the number of new donors still climbing at twice the normal rate.
A new U-M study explores the relationship between social media use and narcissism levels, finding that college students who score higher in narcissism tend to post more on Twitter, while middle-aged adults use Facebook to boost their self-image. The study sheds light on how social media platforms can amplify narcissistic tendencies.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have developed a social media-based system called Mo-Buzz that can predict where and when dengue might occur. The system combines historical data on weather and dengue incidents with real-time reports from the public, allowing authorities to respond quickly and accurately.
Researchers have created a powerful digital system, SALSA, to analyze billions of tweets and social media messages in just seconds. The tool helps emergency responders receive early information about natural disasters and public health advocates protect people's health by identifying valuable patterns amidst vast amounts of noise.
A new study from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University found that Facebook connections can play a role in helping young people, especially those who are traditionally less likely to go to college, feel more confident about their ability to get into college and to succeed there. First-generation students who use socia...
A new study shows that spending time on one's own Facebook profile can increase self-esteem. However, this boost in self-esteem ultimately diminishes motivation to perform well in tasks. The study used the Implicit Association Test and found significant effects of Facebook profile viewing on psychological effects.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that hackers can identify over 60% of a target's private friends through the mutual-friends feature on Facebook. This can lead to inferring personal information, such as political affiliations or embarrassing details.
A study found that 33% of vaccination-related tweets carried a positive tone, while 54% were neutral. The majority (14%) contained medical information substantiated by scientific research. Reputable health organizations and news outlets dominated the most shared sources.
A new study suggests that Twitter's future may resemble a broadcast medium, where users read messages from celebrities and corporations rather than writing their own tweets. Mid-range users with moderate follower growth show increased tweeting activity, while high-end users post less as they gain more followers.
Researchers at Washington State University found that being confident can increase a pundit's followers by nearly 17%, while accuracy only boosts it by 3.4%. The study used over 1 billion tweets to analyze the relationship between confidence and popularity.
Scientists have developed a new flame retardant coating that reduces heat release and prevents foam dripping, making it a safer alternative for upholstered furniture. The coating is made with a relatively benign polymer and creates a gas blanket, preventing oxygen from fueling fires.
Researchers found that digital possessions after a breakup are often evocative and upsetting, leading to distinct disposal strategies. They propose software solutions like automatic harvesting or a 'Pandora's Box' to help scrub cyberspace of painful memories.
Researchers from MIT found that individuals with strong connections to successful people in their online networks are more likely to succeed. Affiliation with prominent academic institutions like ETH Zurich also plays a significant role in predicting success.
A new study found that roughly half of plastic surgeons use social media tools, with Facebook being the most popular platform. Most respondents saw benefits from using social media, including increased marketing effectiveness and patient referrals.
A new study suggests that African-Americans are more likely to develop multiple sclerosis, contradicting the widely accepted notion that they are at lower risk. The study found a 47% increased risk in African-Americans compared to Caucasians.
A Cornell University study reveals that nearly a third of Facebook users deactivate their accounts, and one in 10 completely quit the platform. Participants cited reasons such as concerns about privacy, productivity issues, and shallow social interactions as motivations for leaving.
A Georgia Tech study found that users who share informational content, are happy and avoid negative posts attract more followers. The study also discovered that certain network structures have a predictable effect on follower growth.
A six-month study reveals Adderall mentions spike sharply during final exam periods, with peaks on Dec. 13 and April 30, and peak use among college and university clusters in the northeast and south regions of the US. Tweets also reveal co-ingestion with other substances like alcohol and stimulants.
A survey of over 5,000 US plastic surgeons found that half regularly use social media for professional practice, citing benefits such as marketing and patient education. However, some surgeons also reported negative effects, including criticisms from patients and concerns about maintaining professionalism.
A pilot study by Carnegie Mellon and Northwestern University found that input from social media and crowdsourcing sites helped students identify human needs, generate ideas, and test concepts. The project showed promise for incorporating online crowds into coursework to teach innovation.
Researchers from Southern Methodist University found that high-volume Bitcoin exchanges are less likely to fail but more likely to suffer a security breach. The study analyzed 40 exchanges and found that those with higher transaction volumes were less likely to shut down but more prone to breaches, posing a risk to customers' funds.
A Boston Children's Hospital study correlates Facebook users' interests with obesity rates in cities and neighborhoods nationwide. The research suggests that areas with higher percentages of activity-related interests have lower obesity rates, while those with more television-related interests have higher rates.
A new study by Ilana Gershon found that American college students tend to focus on the medium used for a breakup, rather than justifying why it ended. The research reveals a cultural preference for emphasizing the process of ending relationships over exploring underlying reasons.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that Instagram users often upload many pictures from museums during visits, showing effort behind posts. The study indicates that smartphones have changed our way of sharing experiences, moving from physical documentation to digital sharing.
Researchers have identified four verbs uniquely describing Pinterest, highlighting the site's focus on consumption. Female users tend to re-pin more than male users, with men having more followers. The study provides insights for both academia and industry, including Pinterest's commercial potential.
Research examines how social media influences child development, including social-emotional learning, interpersonal dynamics, and emotional connections. The symposium explores the impact of new forms of media on social skills, value systems, and relationships among children and young adults.
A Michigan State University researcher found that Twitter can be a better source of information than traditional news sources and online search engines. Tweets tagged with hashtags provide multiple perspectives on topics like the Occupy Wall Street movement. The study suggests using Twitter as a complement to formal teaching and learni...
The report outlines how climate change could affect habitats, plants and animals within the sanctuary, as well as adjacent coastal areas. Climate change poses a grave threat to the health of the ocean, with impacts felt in marine protected areas like the Olympic Coast sanctuary.
A new review from the University of Luxembourg suggests that social media can provide valuable additional support for older people with sickness and diseases. The study highlights the potential benefits of social media, including enhanced feelings of control and self-efficacy, as well as access to health-related information and social ...
New research combines formal philosophy, social psychology, and decision theory to understand how info-tech amplifies irrational group behaviour. This phenomenon can lead to 'informational cascades', online discussions in echo chambers, and threaten democratic discourse.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) have released a policy paper providing guidance on best practices for physicians' online behavior. The recommendations aim to preserve trust in patient-physician relationships and protect patient interests when using social media.
Annals of Internal Medicine and ACP honor Adrienne Allen, MD, MPH, and Matthew Spitzer, MD, for their groundbreaking research on patient safety and erectile dysfunction. The awards highlight the importance of rigorous methodology and potential impact on clinical practice.
The MacArthur Foundation has awarded Carnegie Mellon University a $175,000 grant to investigate the role of social media and big data analytics in advancing human rights protection. The project aims to analyze the effectiveness of these technologies in gathering and analyzing data on human suffering and political repression.
A study of college freshmen women found that excessive media use, particularly social networking and texting, was associated with lower GPAs and other negative academic outcomes. However, newspaper reading and listening to music were positively correlated with academic performance.
The ACP Clinical Guidelines app provides clinicians with easy access to evidence-based clinical recommendations and rationale, saving them time in their practice. Available on iPhone, iPad, and Android, the app includes guidance statements and high-value care advice for all currently active guidelines.
In a competitive context, consumers bid more when unknown bidders are involved. However, mixing eBay and Facebook reduces bidding prices by assuming competitors' traits, leading to lower aggressiveness. This study reveals the impact of interpersonal ambiguity on bidding behavior in auctions.