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Metal nanoparticles shine with customizable color

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new type of tunable color filter that uses optical nanoantennas to control color output. The filters can produce a range of colors by changing the polarization of the light illuminating them, with potential applications in televisions and biomedical imaging.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 23, 2012

Branding like Beckham

A study on the Beckham family's branding strategy reveals that creating a dynamic personal story with distinct persona cues is crucial for achieving brand distinctiveness. By leveraging opportunities for publicity and social media visibility, families can build a strong brand presence that endures beyond their original field of practice.

SourceSAGE·JournalFamily Business Review·DateSep 7, 2011

Face value

A new study by MIT researchers reveals that low-information voters are most influenced by candidate appearances, with the effect being stronger among those who watch a lot of television. The study found a nearly 5% increase in votes for candidates with a 10-point advantage in appearance ratings among uninformed voters.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAmerican Journal of Political Science·DateJul 18, 2011

London bombing memories explored

A special issue of Memory Studies explores how mass-mediated commemoration affects the London bombings, highlighting shifts between social engagement and memorialization. Researchers analyzed media coverage and personal memories to understand the complexities of remembrance and trauma.

SourceSAGE·JournalMemory Studies·DateJul 6, 2011

Television 'breakups' cause some viewers distress

A study found that TV viewers who relied on television for companionship felt the most distressed when their favorite shows temporarily went off the air during the 2007-08 writers' strike. The study also showed that women were more likely to cope with this distress by engaging in social activities.

SourceOhio State University·JournalMass Communication & Society·DateApr 18, 2011

'Climategate' undermined belief in global warming among many TV meteorologists, study shows

A George Mason University study reveals that 'Climategate' led to skepticism among US TV meteorologists about global warming, with men and conservatives more likely to doubt its existence. The poll found that nearly all respondents followed the story, but many became skeptical of climate science as a result.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateFeb 22, 2011

Secondhand television exposure linked to eating disorders

A Harvard Medical School study found that indirect media exposure, such as friends' TV viewing habits, is a significant factor in eating disorder symptoms among adolescent girls in Fiji. Social network exposure was linked to a 60% increase in high-level eating disorder symptoms, independent of individual viewing habits.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 6, 2011

Specialization builds trust among Web users

Researchers found that participants trusted specialized technology more than general websites and recommendation agents, with cumulative interaction increasing trust. The study suggests mental shortcuts, such as heuristics, contribute to the perception of expertise and trustworthiness in labeled e-commerce tools.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Studies·DateNov 5, 2010

Screen time linked to psychological problems in children

A study of over 1,000 children found that excessive screen time is related to higher psychological difficulty scores, regardless of physical activity. Children who spent more than two hours per day on screens had better psychological scores, while those with moderate physical activity fared better in certain areas but worse in others.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateOct 11, 2010

Kilimani Sesame has positive impact on children in Tanzania: Johns Hopkins University study

A six-week intervention with Kilimani Sesame content significantly improved cognitive, social and health outcomes in Tanzanian children. The study found that increased exposure to the program led to higher scores on literacy and math tests, as well as greater knowledge about HIV/AIDS and malaria.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Applied Developmental Psychology·DateJun 30, 2010

Physician-journalist guidelines proposed in wake of Haiti earthquake

The article proposes three rules for physician-journalists covering disasters, including prioritizing medical emergencies over reporting duties and seeking parental consent before featuring children on news reports. These guidelines aim to balance the dual responsibilities of physician-reporters and protect their patients from exploita...

SourceSAGE·JournalElectronic News·DateJun 21, 2010

On the face of it, voting's superficial

Researchers found that voters rely heavily on nonverbal cues, such as facial appearance, to make judgments about politicians' competence. Appearance-based competence judgments reliably predict both voting decisions and election outcomes, particularly among less knowledgeable voters who watch a lot of television.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Nonverbal Behavior·DateJun 15, 2010

TV food advertisements promote imbalanced diets

A new study finds that TV food advertisements promote imbalanced diets, with excessive sugars and fat, but inadequate nutrients like fruits and vegetables. The researchers analyzed 96 hours of TV programming and found that the advertised foods fail to meet nutritional guidelines in every food group except grains.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateJun 1, 2010

You've come a long way on film, baby!

The rise of female-driven movies marks a significant shift in Hollywood, with films like Precious and Sex and the City receiving critical acclaim. This change is attributed to a shift in identity from traditional 'chick flicks' to more topical and relevant stories for modern women.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalThe Journal of Popular Culture·DateApr 16, 2010

Breakthrough for mobile television

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has developed a breakthrough technology for mobile television using Long Term Evolution (LTE), which offers higher performance capacity than UMTS. This enables seamless adaptive communication without disruptions, ensuring high-quality video streaming on the go.

Home-based child care meeting nutritional standards; widespread use of TV a concern

A study by Oregon State University reveals that home-based child care providers often meet nutritional standards, but most children aged 2-5 are exposed to television for most of the day and lack sufficient physical activity. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than two hours of TV time per day for this age group.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateDec 15, 2009

Reducing TV time helps adults burn more calories

A randomized controlled trial of 36 adults found that reducing TV time by half increased energy expenditure and burned 119 more calories per day. While calorie intake remained unchanged, this intervention suggests that adults may respond differently to reductions in sedentary behaviors compared to children.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateDec 14, 2009

Medical use for waste television screens

Scientists at the University of York have developed a technique to recover polyvinyl-alcohol from discarded TV screens, transforming it into a substance suitable for use in tissue scaffolds that aid body regeneration. The recovered material can also be used in pills and dressings designed to deliver drugs to specific parts of the body.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJul 13, 2009

TV noise associated with fewer verbal interactions between infants and parents

A recent study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that every hour of TV exposure is linked to a 7% decrease in the number of words an adult says to an infant. This reduction in verbal interactions also affects the length and frequency of child vocalizations and conversational turns between adults and children.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateJun 1, 2009