New research reveals that in the fierce competition for online readers’ attention, news headlines using simpler language tend to get more clicks. Simply put, easy titles mean more readers. In the fast-paced world of digital media, news outlets are in a constant battle to capture eyeballs and engagement. With an overwhelming abundance of content vying…

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SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS, N.J. — In the digital age, it’s easy for countless people to “overshare” on social media and everywhere else online. However, certain pieces of information can be dangerous to share, especially with strangers. The power of a single post cannot be underestimated, and an expert in the ways of the digital realm is…

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How do you manage your emails? Are you an “inbox zero” kind of person, or do you just leave thousands of them unread? Our new study, published in the journal Information Research, suggests that leaving all your emails in the inbox is likely to leave you dissatisfied with your personal records management. In an exploratory…

The post Are There 7,513 Unread Emails Cluttering Your Inbox? Expert Explains Why That’s Unwise by The Conversation appeared first on Study Finds.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — With many people’s judgments clouded by partisan bias, troubling new research finds many Americans struggle to distinguish facts from opinions in their 24-hour news cycles. Study authors from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign say this worrisome trend potentially holds grave implications for civic discourse in the United States. On an individual level,…

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BLACKSBURG, Va. — The political divide seemingly gets worse every day and a recent study points the finger at cable news networks. Virginia Tech researchers say that national news giants CNN and Fox News don’t just mirror the rising political polarization in America — their increasingly partisan broadcasts are deepening the divide, especially in the digital…

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An alarming study by Penn State University researchers is revealing the lack of online privacy policies covering the vast majority of websites. Their study shows that only one-third of online organizations make their privacy policies available for review. “Privacy policies are legal documents that organizations use to disclose how they collect,…

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Google’s nutrition advertising policy could drastically reduce the amount of unhealthy ads American children see online. Researchers from The George Institute for Global Health suggest that the tech giant could play a pivotal role in promoting healthier diets for younger generations by reducing their exposure to ads promoting unhealthy foods and…

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Countless news stories and articles are posted and discussed on Facebook every day, but researchers in Ohio are shedding some much-needed light on some of the stark differences in the quality and credibility of this information people encounter while scrolling around on social media. Scientists at The Ohio State University analyzed 2.2 million…

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Does it feel like news headlines lately are intentionally designed to sow discord? It’s not all in your head. News stories covering both domestic politics and social issues are becoming more and more polarized along ideological lines, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Rochester. The team analyzed 1.8…

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SAN DIEGO — Binge-watching is a uniquely modern phenomenon brought on by the age of streaming. Why get up off the couch at all when an entire season of your favorite TV show is ready to roll at the press of a button? It may seem hedonistic at first, but fascinating new findings indicate a whole…

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“If it bleeds, it leads” has long been a saying used in the media to describe how news stories featuring violence, death and destruction grab readers’ attention – and so dominate the news agenda. And, while many of us are aware of the negative effect that these kinds of story can have on us, it…

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PHILADELPHIA — If you’re on social media, chances are you’ve come across a post that is full of misinformation. Whether it’s about politics, vaccines, or another issue, you might feel the temptation to argue with the poster and show them the errors of their ways. However, new research shows that debunking the misinformation might not…

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ITHACA, N.Y. — Trusting the news you read online is factual can make it less stressful when navigating the web. New research finds trust in the news on social media can make a big difference in a teenager’s well-being. However, not everything you read on the Internet is true. When the COVID-19 pandemic first emerged,…

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BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom — Fake news and misinformation continues to be a major problem across various news media platforms and all corners of the Internet. Now, however, researchers from the University of Birmingham may have uncovered an effective way to spot fake news. Study authors say grammatical patterns in the way journalists use language can distinguish…

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PROVO, Utah — Are your text conversations full of GIFs? These short-but-expressive scenes are becoming a common form of communication for people of all ages in modern society. While you may not put much thought into your GIF usage, a new study explains that how and when you use GIFs says a lot about the way…

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SOLNA, Sweden — Marijuana appears to have the same pain-relieving effect as a placebo — or fake pill. However, researchers say media outlets continue to cover these medical trials about cannabis-based therapies positively, regardless of the outcomes. The findings come from a review of 20 clinical studies which examined the pain-relieving benefits of using marijuana involving more…

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The 1975 thriller “Jaws” put Steven Spielberg on a path to directorial stardom, but it also made sharks a target of human cruelty against these animals. Since then, people often stereotype sharks as violent and bloodthirsty creatures, but a new study hopes to change that perception. Researchers at North Carolina State University…

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WÜRZBURG, Germany — People who “bend reality to their own liking” and have dark, Machiavellian personality traits are far more likely to embrace fake news, researchers say. New findings from the Human Computer Media Institute at Julius-Maximilians-Universität in Würzburg (JMU) suggest that people with “dark factors of personality” often reject concrete facts in favor of narratives…

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NEW YORK — Grab your ring light, selfie stick, and headphones — four in 10 Americans think they have what it takes to be the next content creator superstar. A survey of 2,000 U.S. adults finds that 41 percent have considered going into one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries: content creation. In fact, three in 10 claim they’ve…

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Many teenagers struggle to tell the difference between real and fake health messages online, a new study reveals. Researchers found that more than four in 10 teens (41%) are unable tell the difference between legitimate and phony online medical content. The study comes at a time where health misinformation and disinformation continue…

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LUBBOCK, Texas — Keeping up with the latest news can be very bad for your health, according to a new study. Researchers at Texas Tech University found that Americans who obsessively follow the news are more likely to suffer from both physical and mental health problems, including anxiety and stress. Those who constantly check the…

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PHILADELPHIA — Cable news programs can hold incredible sway over the American public. As of early 2020, Nielsen estimates the average American adult watches nine and half hours of cable news on a weekly basis. While it’s no secret that certain channels lean one way or the other on the political spectrum, researchers from the University…

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NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Advertisers, take note. Researchers from the University of Notre Dame say energy is key to captivating modern audiences. Their study reveals viewers are more likely to watch and not drift away from high energy television commercials. Study authors analyzed over 27,000 TV commercials shown on major U.S. networks between 2015 and 2018,…

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BURNABY, British Columbia — Google’s autocomplete feature attempts to make internet browsing and the retrieval of accurate information easier, but is this supposedly convenient attribute helping fuel conspiracy theories and mislead the public? Unfortunately, the answer to that question is yes, according to researchers from Simon Fraser University. Study authors report that Google’s autocomplete algorithms…

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NEWARK, Del. — Can’t fall asleep without having the TV on while in bed? Turns out you may be doing yourself a favor. Research reveals that catching up on your favorite sitcom or listening to some music before bedtime could ensure a better night’s sleep. There’s no shortage of studies warning that exposure to screens…

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BOSTON, Mass. — Anti-vaxxers who believe more misinformation about the coronavirus vaccine are more likely to suffer from depression, a new study reveals. A team from Massachusetts General Hospital examining over 15,000 people found that people who endorse misleading vaccine-related theories are more prone to mental health problems. “These findings suggest another potential benefit of…

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OXFORD, United Kingdom — Reading books, listening to music, and watching television — what researchers call “traditional media” — does not help improve happiness and well-being as much as some think. That’s the takeaway of a new survey comparing the short-term benefits of consuming traditional media versus newer platforms like internet websites and social media. Researchers…

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PITTSBURGH, Pa. — TV personalities like Dr. Oz promote the healthy benefits of many products, including weight loss drugs. Unfortunately, when these influential people get something wrong, a new study finds news outlets do a poor job of putting out the right information. In fact, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University say the news often amplifies these…

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NEW YORK — The holiday season is characterized by a number of distinguishing traits, from houses decked out in Christmas lights to Salvation Army volunteers outside shopping centers with their trademark bells and donation kettles. Of course, no Christmas would be complete without sitting down beside the fireplace to watch a classic holiday film on a…

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MONTREAL, Quebec — Many kids today have never experienced life without the internet. Advances in technology, such as smartphones and apps, allow us to answer questions, interact with each other, and even entertain ourselves all with the click of a button. Previous research has shown the risks that comes with overusing of technology. Now, in…

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MEADVILLE, Pa. — Entering its 33rd year, Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” is the longest-running cable event in history! Perhaps even more importantly, Shark Week has become a true piece of Americana. Millions of people find themselves tuning in each July despite rarely showing any interest in sharks the other 51 weeks of the year. Shark Week…

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CHICAGO, Ill. — Google searches looking for links between the COVID-19 vaccine and claims it makes women infertile have skyrocketed thanks to a misinformation campaign online, a new study finds. Researchers with the American Osteopathic Association say anti-vaccine activists misconstrued the concerns of two doctors, leading to an astonishing 35,000-percent increase in Google searches about infertility…

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — In recent years, the news seems saturated with reports about mass shootings. While it can seem like one occurs almost every week, researchers say only 22 percent of gun-related crimes are actually mass shootings. This was a surprising finding of a recent study led by doctors with the Pennsylvania School of Medicine…

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Portrayals of female journalists in movies and TV are fueling a vicious cycle of sexism, according to researchers from the University of Florida. Study authors say whenever a journalist who just happens to be a woman appears on screen, it usually doesn’t take too long for her to sleep with one of her…

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ST. LOUIS, — Reading about the world’s “impending doom” is a weird hobby for many and can be incredibly addicting as people browse through the internet. Now, researchers have discovered the part of the brain that dictates why some people can’t stop looking at these nerve-wracking reports. Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in…

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NEW YORK — As media and entertainment companies continue to place an onus on diversifying the faces their audiences see, a new study finds some groups still feel left out. Two-thirds of LGBTQ+ Americans believe their representation in media is “greatly lacking.” The new survey of 2,000 LGBTQ+ Americans finds that despite 62 percent believing the…

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DALLAS — There’s an old saying which warns that “television will rot your brain.” Several new studies find it might be true. Researchers find that watching more TV each day throughout adulthood and middle age can age the brain faster and put viewers at greater risk for cognitive decline later in life. Study authors also…

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KENSINGTON, Australia — The internet is a wonderful place because it’s open to anyone. Of course, the internet can also be an awful place because it’s open to anyone. That catch-22 of convenience and a serious lack of oversight has reared its ugly head in recent years as the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories has…

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NEW YORK — Whoever said this was the “golden age of television” may want to look away when the pandemic ends. There’s no denying people are watching a lot of TV during quarantines and lockdowns. A new study reveals 70 percent of Americans say they’re watching and streaming even more TV now than at the start…

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WASHINGTON — Covering the news during a pandemic is not easy. Covering the news during a pandemic, election year, and growing civil unrest is apparently down-right dangerous, a new survey finds. According to the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), one in five television news stations say they have employees who were the victims of violent…

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Although many media outlets brand themselves as “news you can trust,” relying on them during the pandemic may actually feed you more misinformation. A new study finds people who trust television and social media for COVID-19 news actually know less about the virus. Researchers at Penn State add those who rely the…

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NEW YORK — It turns out you don’t have to be in a science-fiction series to lose track of time and space. A new survey finds the average American spends 35 hours a year trapped in an “Internet wormhole.” The poll of 2,000 Americans examined what people do when they lose track of time online. Researchers…

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HELSINKI, Finland — Technology may help older children and adults connect with the world, but for toddlers, too much screen time may be doing lasting harm before they even enter school. Researchers in Finland find children under five who excessively use video games, mobile phones, and other digital devices are displaying emotional and behavioral issues…

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — For decades, parents have warned about the influential effect of too much violence on television. A new study is now backing that belief up with facts. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania say shootings have increased at the same rate as gun violence in hit prime time TV shows such as “CSI”…

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YORK, United Kingdom — In the digital age, positive online reviews are an important part of any modern business. Consequently, it has become more and more common to see fake reviews all over the internet. For consumers trying to pick the best hotel, restaurant, or even a grocery item, attempting to differentiate between fake and…

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DuBOIS, Pa. — Binge watching Netflix has been a guilty pleasure for many during COVID-19 lockdowns. While it may seem unproductive, watching the “right” shows before the pandemic may have actually helped people cope with 2020. Researchers from Penn State say watching doomsday fiction may have mentally prepared some people for the ongoing crisis; allowing…

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Researchers blame media for inaccurate annual reports claiming sex trafficking a major problem for cities hosting the Super Bowl. AUSTIN, Texas — Media outlets have reported for quite some time that major sporting events, more specifically the Super Bowl, result in a surge of sex trafficking activity. With this urban legend of sorts in mind, researchers…

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NEW YORK — While the postponement of movie award shows means that awards season 2021 won’t arrive until the spring, American movie fans might be more prepared than ever for this year’s acceptance speeches. Six in 10 people say staying at home more often during COVID-19 has turned them into “total film buffs.” The new…

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — For decades, Americans heard the news in one way on television. Respected newsmen like Walter Cronkite and Tom Brokaw delivered the day’s major events in a stern and dignified manner. Now, news channels are everywhere on television and a new study finds young adults need a little comedy sprinkled in for it…

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BATH, United Kingdom — As children make out their holiday wish lists, many are probably picking items and heroes from their favorite cartoons. While these shows are memorable and extremely popular around the world, a new study argues some are also sending kids the wrong messages about pain. A team of psychologists say popular kids’…

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