July 31, 2025

Instagram images could influence public opinion on certain major events

A new study of Instagram posts has uncovered strong statistical correlations suggesting that social media images may play a key role in shaping public opinion towards events, with notable social and political effects.

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He said, she said—how misinformation clouds the memory of accuser and accused in sexual assault cases

A new study suggests both defendants and complainants are equally prone to memory distortions in sexual assault cases.This post was originally published on this site
How China’s pandas became its most valuable diplomats—and its vulnerable children

Anthony Albanese’s recent visit to Chengdu’s panda breeding base showed the enduring power of China’s panda diplomacy.This post was originally published on this site
Women politicians receive more identity-based attacks on social media than men, study finds

Women politicians in Europe receive uncivil tweets regardless of how known they are—and women also receive more identity-based attacks than other politicians, reveals a new study in Politics & Gender.This post was originally published on [...]
AI finds speech patterns in Reddit hate groups mirror those in some psychiatric forums

A new analysis suggests that posts in hate speech communities on the social media website Reddit share speech-pattern similarities with posts in Reddit communities for certain psychiatric disorders. Dr. Andrew William Alexander and Dr. Hongbin [...]
Using the internet in prison for reintegration

A mobile phone, a computer with an internet connection and a platform for video calls can be used in many ways inside a prison. Prisoners can use them to stay in contact with illegal activities [...]
Conspiracy theory participation expands as research reveals participatory culture appeal

A five-year study dispels the stereotype of conspiracy theorists as angry loners or keyboard warriors. Rather, social and emotional connections provided by conspiracy theorists are recruiting diverse participants on a growing scale.This post was originally [...]
Rigid and negative thought patterns linked to increasing political polarization online

The ideological divide between opposing political groups has been drastically increasing in various countries worldwide. This phenomenon, known as political polarization, can lead to greater social division, extremism and political violence.This post was originally published [...]
Why government support for religion doesn’t necessarily make people more religious

The IRS will offer religious congregations more freedom to endorse political candidates without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status, the agency said in a July 2025 court filing. President Donald Trump has previously vowed to abolish the [...]
Fear of crime is a useful political tool, even if the data don’t back it up

“We’re actually facing, in many parts of our country, nothing short of societal collapse.” This was the dire warning from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, in setting out his party’s goal of halving crime.This post [...]
Policy to keep teens in education until 18 has limited impact, study finds

A decade after the government raised the participation age in England to 18, a new study from the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath finds the policy has had limited impact—with only [...]