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You create your own false information, study finds

A new study from Ohio State University found that people tend to misremember numerical statistics on controversial issues to align with their existing beliefs. When presented with accurate data, participants often flip or distort the numbers to match their preconceptions, even when they're correct.

SourceOhio State University·JournalHuman Communication Research·DateDec 9, 2019

Use your words: Written prisoner interactions predict whether they'll clean up their acts

Research at Ohio State University found that prisoners' written communication changes are linked to reduced reoffending rates in substance-abuse programs. The study analyzed tens of thousands of messages exchanged between participants and found that those who showed greater language change were less likely to return to prison.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Substance Abuse Treatment·DateDec 1, 2016

Fireflies predict network loyalty

Researchers use firefly swarm approach to predict user loyalty in social networks, analyzing connections and community structure. The algorithm offers a probability of staying in a given network, providing valuable insights for service providers.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Communication Networks and Distributed Systems·DateAug 12, 2015

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists receives MacArthur Award

The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has received a two-year grant to support a museum display about nuclear energy and workshops to improve public science communication. The grant will also help establish emerging experts in communicating complex scientific concepts to policy leaders and the general public.

SourceSAGE·DateJun 24, 2015

Is Facebook actually making communication about products and brands more interesting?

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.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 26, 2013

Positive words: The glue to social interaction

A study published in EPJ Data Science found that words with positive emotional content are more frequently used in online communication, enhancing social relations and facilitating interaction. This positive bias is linked to the use of less informative words for emotional expression.

SourceSpringer·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateMay 24, 2012

Lovelorn liars leave linguistic leads

A study by Catalina Toma and Jeffrey Hancock found that liars use fewer first-person pronouns, more negation, and shorter self-descriptions on their profiles. The researchers were able to correctly identify the liars about 65% of the time, highlighting the potential for language analysis to detect deception in online communication.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalJournal of Communication·DateFeb 13, 2012

How to break Murphy's Law

A new study by Canadian researchers aims to dispel the myth of Murphy's Law by showing that human error can be minimized through rigorous testing and analysis. By implementing checks and balances, industries can improve reliability and safety, reducing the likelihood of catastrophic failures.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Reliability and Safety·DateDec 21, 2011

Go ahead, tell me what to buy: Happy consumers like it (most of the time?)

A new study found that people in a good mood tend to use more direct language when thinking of pleasurable goods. Meanwhile, utilitarian consumption like banking and insurance is met with polite language, leading to higher compliance rates for assertive messages. The research has implications for campaigners and public message composers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 15, 2011

Twitter and natural disasters

The study found that Twitter users in disaster-stricken areas tended to tweet about their unsafe situation, while those in remote areas posted updates to let their followers know they were safe. The researchers also identified numerous unreliable retweets and low signal-to-noise ratio for messages using hashtags.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Web Based Communities·DateApr 15, 2011

New invention at the Weizmann Institute

A new device developed at the Weizmann Institute uses sniffing technology to enable communication and wheelchair steering for severely disabled individuals. The device was tested on healthy volunteers and quadriplegics, showing promising results in mastering the skill, which can also be used as a 'third hand' for surgeons and pilots.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 26, 2010