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Gambling adverts on TV can 'mislead' football fans

A University of Stirling study found that televised gambling adverts during English Premier League matches often promoted complex and highly specific bets, misleading football fans. The research suggests that these types of bets are difficult to accurately predict, leading to significant average losses.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalAddiction Research & Theory·DateFeb 23, 2017

Psychology explains how to win an Oscar

A recent study published in the British Journal of Psychology found that US actors dominated the Academy Awards, winning over 50% of all prizes. Shared social group membership with judges was a significant factor in determining award winners. Nationality and film subject matter also played important roles in award wins.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·JournalBritish Journal of Psychology·DateFeb 5, 2017

Women as decorative accessories: Keep silent or take a stance?

A recent study published in Springer's journal Sex Roles found that awareness campaigns targeting women can be a powerful tool to encourage collective action against female sexual objectification. The research revealed that watching a critique video clip increased women's willingness to support protests, whereas men showed no such effect.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateJan 4, 2017

Meaningful media may push altruism across bounds of race and age

Researchers found that watching meaningful entertainment can boost altruism, especially towards people from different age and racial groups. The study suggests that this is due to the production of warm, uplifting feelings known as 'elevation', which lead to increased willingness to help others.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media·DateFeb 4, 2016

Study links US polarization to TV news deregulation

A Washington State University study links US political polarization to the deregulation of television news following the 1996 Telecommunications Act. The researchers found that increased use of TV news is associated with higher levels of polarization, highlighting the role of media consolidation in perpetuating partisan divisions.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Public Opinion Research·DateSep 25, 2015

Is everybody laughing when racially charged comedy is viewed with multiple-race audiences?

A recent study by Omotayo Banjo found that black audiences are more comfortable watching black-oriented entertainment television with other black peers than with white counterparts. Black participants reported more positive excitement, attitudes, and absorption when viewing the program with all-black audiences. In contrast, white viewe...

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournalism & Mass Communication Quarterly·DateJun 3, 2015

Viewers vs. doers

A new study by the Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that women who watch cooking shows for entertainment and don't often cook tend to weigh less than those who watch for inspiration and cook from scratch. The researchers surveyed 501 women aged 20-35 and discovered a significant association between TV viewing habits and weight.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalAppetite·DateMar 17, 2015

Teenage TV audiences and energy drink advertisements

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that nearly half of energy drink advertisements aired on networks with themes likely to appeal to adolescents. The study highlights the potential dangers of energy drink consumption among teenagers, particularly due to high caffeine content.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMar 6, 2015

Sad movies are fattening

A study from the Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that movie-goers watching tearjerkers ate 28-55% more popcorn during the Thanksgiving holiday. This increased consumption was attributed to emotional eating triggered by sad movies.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMar 2, 2015

Not all baseball stars treated equally in TV steroid coverage, says study of network news

A study of network news coverage found that Barry Bonds received more negative stories about his alleged steroid use than Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro. The research also showed that Bonds' stories were more likely to focus on his using steroids for a competitive edge, rather than rehabilitation from injury.

Cookie Monster teaches self-control

A study by University of Iowa professor Deborah Linebarger found that preschoolers who watched videos starring Cookie Monster were better able to control impulses and remember number sequences. These executive functioning skills are crucial for school readiness and predict academic skills like reading, math, and science.

Study finds 'family meal' ideal is stressful, impossible for many families

Research from North Carolina State University reveals that home-cooked meals and family dinners can be stressful and impossible for many families due to financial limitations. The study found that middle-class and poor families face significant challenges in accessing healthy food, including transportation and kitchen tools.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·Journalسياقات اللغة والدراسات البينية·DateSep 3, 2014

Love makes sex better for most women

According to a Penn State Abington sociologist, most women believe love is necessary for maximum sexual satisfaction in both relationships and marriage. The study found that love makes sex physically more pleasurable and increases feelings of trust and agency.

Background TV can be bad for kids

A University of Iowa study found that background TV can divert children's attention from play and learning, negatively affecting cognitive development. Parents who create a loving and nurturing environment with set rules and expectations can help buffer these impacts.