Articles tagged with Social Networks
A study by University of Zurich researchers found that individuals posting hate speech who used their full name were more common than anonymous trolls. Online anonymity is not a deterrent for hate speech, as it can actually increase credibility and popularity among trolls.
Researchers studied two contemporary groups of hunter-gatherers, the Agta of Philippines and Mbendjele of Republic of Congo, revealing surprising similarities in their three-tiered social networks. This multilevel structure appears to buffer individuals against day-to-day shortfalls in foraging returns.
Researchers develop mathematical model of animal social networks, finding that newborns copy their mother's connections to form social relationships. The study captures key properties of observed networks in four diverse species, suggesting a simple 'social inheritance' mechanism drives social structure.
A University of Missouri study found that children physically react to stress from their social networks, with cortisol levels and salivary alpha-amylase indicating stress responses. The quality and size of childhood social relationships may have long-term physiological consequences for youth's physical and mental health.
Research at University of Oxford found that individuals with more friends have a higher pain tolerance due to increased endorphin release, which promotes social bonding and pleasure. Additionally, the study discovered correlations between fitter people, those with higher stress levels, and smaller social networks.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers used Foursquare and Twitter data to quantify the social diversity of London neighborhoods, discovering that signs of gentrification are strongest in deprived areas with high social diversity. These areas saw an influx of more affluent visitors and improved wellbeing indicators.
A recent study found that seniors use Facebook primarily for social bonding and curiosity, with a desire to stay connected to family and friends. The researchers suggest that simple and convenient interface tools are essential for attracting older adult users and motivating them to use the site longer.
Research found that central, socially-connected female monkeys had fewer lice, as grooming removes eggs from hair. The effects were most pronounced during winter mating and summer childbirth.
Researchers tracked over 300 individual Sand Tiger sharks and found complex social networks with fission-fusion behavior, similar to mammals. The study sheds light on shark interactions in the open ocean and has implications for conservation efforts.
A University of Illinois researcher identified four distinct approaches that dating couples use to develop deeper commitment. Dramatic daters experience wild swings in commitment levels due to negative events, while partner-focused couples prioritize mutual involvement and conscientiousness. Conflict-ridden couples face tension between...
Researchers found that workers in majority-white labor markets are more likely to receive unsolicited job leads through social networks and informal approaches. The flow of job leads changes based on the race of people doing the same job, suggesting a preference for white workers.
Aspirational professional women can succeed in reaching the top by understanding and using their social capital. A study found that women generally lack the ability, knowledge or opportunity to accrue or use their social capital for senior-level promotion.
A new study by University of Akron researchers found that people who use Facebook to meet new friends are most dependent on the platform. The study also discovered personality traits common among specific types of Facebook users, such as extroverts and those with high self-esteem.
Researchers found that elephants' social networks remained resilient due to the ability of daughters to fill their mothers' roles, driven by vertical transmission of social roles. This adaptability provides optimism for elephant recovery from human disturbance once pressure is alleviated.
UT Dallas researchers found that boards face two competing normative pressures: corporate elite norms and monitoring norms. Social capital affects how boards conform to those pressures. The study proposes introducing mechanisms for institutional investors to positively influence directors and creating full-time director positions.
Research suggests that social networks play a significant role in student academic performance. Students tend to perform better when surrounded by high-achievers, who inspire them to try harder. On the other hand, befriending underachievers can lead to a drop in grades over time.
A study by the University of Georgia found a correlation between certain patterns of connections on Facebook and drug and alcohol use among female students. Students with a history of childhood physical abuse were more likely to be part of densely interconnected groups, associated with higher risk for alcohol use. In contrast, those wi...
New research using computer modeling shows that memory of one individual can indirectly influence another via shared social connections. Collaborative inhibition occurs when groups converge on similar information, limiting overall learning.
A Michigan State University study reveals that developing strong internal relationships leads to a significant increase in sales volume. Successful salespeople leverage political skill to build connections with well-connected co-workers and extraversion helps facilitate cross-fertilization of ideas.
The site recreates the British early modern social network to trace personal relationships among figures like Bacon, Shakespeare, and Newton. It identifies over 13,000 individuals and 200,000 relationships, providing new ways for scholars to consider communities, factions, influences, and sources.
A new study by Richard Benton suggests that participating in voluntary civic organizations strengthens ties to high-status individuals and improves social capital. This is particularly true for shared social spaces like workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods, which are often segregated by social class traits.
Concordia researchers investigate how social media gamers cheat in games like FarmVille, with some defining cheating as breaking social norms. The study found that most respondents admitted to cheating, including purchasing currency or creating multiple accounts.
A rarely collected parasitic woodwasp species has been found in the Ozark Mountains, expanding its known range hundreds of miles west. This discovery was made possible by photos posted on Flickr and BugGuide, which helped identify new specimens from the US National Entomology Collection.
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.
A study found that Twitter's trending topics often don't reach traditional news media, perpetuating socioeconomic and cultural biases. In four countries, over half of trending topics were reported first on Twitter, while less than 10% appeared in mainstream newspapers.
A new study by CCNY physicists suggests that smaller influencers can maximize the spread of information in social networks. The Collective Influence algorithm, proposed by Morone and Makse, beats competing methods in large-scale networks like Twitter and Facebook.
A new Penn study shows that preserving social network boundaries can facilitate the spread of complex ideas, contradicting previous theories. By analyzing computational models and correlations between individual characteristics, researchers found that stronger group ties allow for more effective knowledge sharing across organizations.
A team of researchers from Indiana University and Switzerland used data mapping methods to track the spread of information on social networks and apply them to the human brain. The study reveals specific connections and nodes in the brain that may be responsible for higher forms of cognition.
A study by Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Minnesota found that older adults receive fewer job offers, search for weeks longer, and are less likely to find re-employment after losing a job. The researchers identified factors such as age-related differences in knowledge, skills, and abilities, social networks, marketpl...
A study found that microclinics significantly reduced the rate of HIV patient disengagement from care by half and decreased perceived stigma within communities. Microclinics mobilized rural Kenyan patients' informal social networks to support their staying in care.
A microclinic intervention significantly reduced disengagement from care by half and decreased stigma by 25% among rural Kenyan HIV patients. By mobilizing social networks, these clinics provided crucial support to patients, ultimately improving retention in care.
A new study from NIMBioS found that cohesive clustering of friends of friends is key to the long-term dynamics of spotted hyena social structures. Researchers analyzed over 55,000 observations and found that this type of social bonding facilitates efficient cooperation, leading to improved fitness.
A novel experiment found that targeting key influencers in face-to-face social networks leads to a cascade of behavior changes, boosting the efficiency and reach of certain programs. This method increases adoption by 12.2% compared to random distribution, offering a simple and inexpensive solution for public health.
Studies found that over 80% of heart failure patients consult with family members or friends about their symptoms before seeking medical care. Healthcare providers also use social networks to improve communication and care, with 90% reporting increased collaborations and networking through the VA Heart Failure Provider Network.
A study by Daniel C. Feiler and Adam M. Kleinbaum found a 'network extraversion bias' in the emerging social networks of MBA students, where extraverts are over-represented. The effect is more pronounced in the networks of socially outgoing people, suggesting that introverts may be better socially calibrated.
Researchers are developing technology to shore up user privacy on leading social media sites, addressing the growing concern of users' information being shared beyond their intended group. The project aims to design a formal model and mechanism to enforce privacy policies, protecting users from malicious access and 'leaky boundaries',
Research suggests that social networking is a market where senders compete for attention, leading to a scarcity of message creators and cluttered networks. As messaging becomes cheaper and easier, senders target more people, decreasing payoffs and increasing competition.
Researchers developed a system to geolocate videos without textual metadata by comparing audiovisual content with a worldwide multimedia database. The algorithm accurately located 3% of videos within a ten-kilometre radius and 1% to one kilometre.
Researchers found that communities with stronger social connections were better equipped to manage crises like the megadrought in the Southwest. This finding has implications for modern crisis management research.
Neurons in the brain form a complex network of connections, with most links being weak. However, those that connect similar cells are strongly coupled, influencing activity and potentially aiding learning and adaptation.
A Northwestern University study found that online dieters who logged in regularly, recorded their weigh-ins, and 'friended' other members lost an average of 8% of their body weight over six months. In contrast, those with fewer interactions lost only about 5% of their body weight.
Researchers develop algorithm to optimize timing strategy for cascading behavior in social networks, considering individual preferences and network structure. The study reveals the importance of timing in catalyzing cascades, with effective strategies increasing likelihood of widespread adoption.
A UT Arlington professor aims to uncover hidden relationships in social networks using a new approach to analyze vast amounts of online data. The research could have numerous applications, including improving military intelligence and identifying emerging media trends.
Researchers argue that social networking sites can be used to provide timely updates and guidance during emergency situations on campus. The study suggests that these platforms could complement existing emergency notification systems, providing a cost-effective way to reach students and staff.
Researchers found that great tits learn new foraging techniques by observing others in their social network, adopting the dominant behavior and creating a stable tradition. Even when birds discover multiple methods, they tend to conform to the majority behavior, passing it down to the next generation.
Researchers found that social media campaigns with emotionally driven content, infographics, and peer influencers led to higher engagement rates. The study used a paid pilot campaign on Facebook, followed by influencer-led content for a month, resulting in improved attitudes towards organ donation.
A new study by the University of Bergen found that using private social media during working hours can impair performance and harm organizational well-being. However, moderate use for communication with co-workers may not have significant negative effects.
Researchers analyzed Twitter conversations and found that the platform's structure favors influential users with many followers. Ordinary users can gain retweets by increasing their activity, but it's inefficient. The study confirms that network position, not effort, is key to influence on Twitter.
A University of Kansas doctoral student proposes using social networks as a source for photo-vouchered biodiversity records, particularly for insects and other organisms in developing nations. The proposed system leverages metadata associated with photos, requiring users to tag posts with terms indicating biodiversity elements.
A study by the Infectious Diseases Society of America found that social networking strategies are more efficient and targeted, resulting in 2-1/2 times more positive test results. As many as one in five HIV-positive people is unaware of their infection, making testing critical to prevent disease spread.
Research by Missouri University of Science and Technology found that social network analysis can improve knowledge sharing in large government healthcare organizations. By identifying key people and analyzing relationships, a core network was formed to rapidly disseminate information on projects.
Researchers will create a website to track participants' progress, analyzing how social interactions influence behaviors and recovery outcomes. The goal is to develop a low-cost, accessible approach to supplement traditional treatment.
A study published in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication found that habitual Facebook users are more likely to accept strangers as friends and give them personal information. This is because Facebook's design fosters habit formation and users with large social networks, frequent use, and impulsive behavior are more susceptib...
A new study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that factors outside the workplace contribute to mental health problems. Employees living with a partner, with young children or higher household income, experienced fewer burnout symptoms. The research emphasizes the importance of considering home life along...
Researchers are using social networks to spread messages about public health knowledge, aiming to close the gap between scientific discoveries and practical applications. A study combining social networks with knowledge about social motives is exploring how to craft effective messages for influential individuals.
Researchers developed a novel computational model to capture the process of reaching consensus in social networks. The model analyzes communication patterns and handles uncertainties associated with soft data, establishing conditions for agents to reach a consensus that is consistent with the ground truth.
A study found that adults are heavily exposed to e-cigarette marketing through various media channels, including TV and online platforms. E-cigarette users were more likely than non-users to search for information on Facebook and share it with others.
A US study suggests that smartphone apps pose a higher risk of gonorrhoea and chlamydia among gay men, who are more likely to engage in unprotected sex with anonymous partners. The study found that app users were 23% more likely to be infected with gonorrhoea and 35% more likely to be infected with chlamydia.
A Loyola University Chicago study found that targeting overweight kids at random is more effective than targeting popular teens in reducing teenage obesity. The researchers used real-world data to simulate various weight-loss interventions, including those targeting popular kids.
Regular positive interactions with family and friends can help older adults maintain good health, but negative social interactions present health risks. Studies found that social networks are associated with more involvement in leisure activities, leading to better health outcomes.