Social Media News and Research

Latest Social Media News and Research

BVM Capital makes seed round investment in Fitness Interactive Experience

BVM Capital today announced that it has made a seed round investment in health and fitness gaming innovator Fitness Interactive Experience (FIX). FIX is dedicated to helping people achieve enhanced levels of fitness and health by making fitness fun, accessible and socially connected through harnessing the power of massively multiplayer on-line games. FIX is developing an interactive social media platform designed to make the pursuit of fitness an engaging and enjoyable game.

3 Dec 2012

UCB directs national effort to educate public about Crohn's disease

In recognition of Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week (December 1-7), UCB, Inc. is directing a national effort to educate the public about Crohn's disease and inspire those living with the condition to speak out about it.

1 Dec 2012

Mayo Clinic selected for Healthcare Internet Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Mayo Clinic has been inducted into the Healthcare Internet Hall of Fame Class of 2012 at the 16th Annual Healthcare Internet Conference in Las Vegas. Mayo is one of two organizations that received the honor for Innovative Products and Services. Additionally, Mayo Clinic was honored with five eHealthcare Leadership Awards, presented by eHealthcare Strategy & Trends.

30 Nov 2012

Medicare, other entitlement programs key to 'fiscal cliff' deal

Politico reports that "inside the talks," a framework for addressing the "fiscal cliff" is taking shape that includes both tax increases and entitlement cuts. Other news outlets note that publicly, President Barack Obama is playing down spending cuts, while GOP leaders demand entitlement reductions but offer few specifics.

30 Nov 2012

Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies launches new blog for health and wellness

Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies is launching a new blog for health and wellness called According to Winnie, an informative and interactive online community where women can join conversations on healthcare, prevention and wellness, dieting, recipes, family health, and more.

29 Nov 2012

'Sharing Age' campaign receives EC grant to encourage health ageing

The European Commission has awarded €1 million to fund a campaign promoting health ageing 'Sharing Age' coordinated by Dr Sabina Brennan of the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience.

29 Nov 2012

Social media can reduce and prevent infectious diseases from spreading

When it comes to stopping illness, social media posts and tweets may be just what the doctor ordered. A Kansas State University-led research team is looking at social media as a tool to reduce and prevent diseases from spreading. Researchers are studying whether a well-timed post from a public authority or trustworthy person could be as beneficial as flu shots, hand-washing or sneezing into an elbow.

28 Nov 2012

TAU researcher connects computer communications and psychosis

As Internet access becomes increasingly widespread, so do related psychopathologies such as Internet addiction and delusions related to the technology and to virtual relationships. Computer communications such as Facebook and chat groups are an important part of this story, says Dr. Uri Nitzan of Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Shalvata Mental Health Care Center in a new paper published in the Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences.

21 Nov 2012

Smoking and smartphones: an interview with Nasser Bin Dhim, Becky Freeman and Lyndal Trevena

Australia adopted the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2005. This includes a ban on all forms of tobacco advertising including on the internet.

9 Nov 2012

Online forum for healthcare ethics consultants

Healthcare ethics consultants are called upon in the most difficult of circumstances; where do they turn for advice? The American Society For Bioethics and Humanities' Clinical Ethics Consultation Affairs Committee (CECA) is taking a community approach, creating an online forum for feedback and shared experiences to accompany a paper published in the Fall 2012 issue of the Journal of Clinical Ethics.

8 Nov 2012

Online presence can positively affect physical health and well-being

Internet-based interactive games and social media outlets have become intertwined with the physical realities of millions of people around the world. When an individual strongly identifies with the cyber representation of themselves, known as an avatar, the electronic doppelganger can influence that person's health and appearance, according to a University of Missouri researcher's study.

7 Nov 2012

Mayo Clinic and collaborators to test new ways to provide specialized TBI care

For people who are hospitalized for traumatic brain injury, recovery may involve physical and cognitive problems that linger for years. The road back to health can be even more arduous for those who live in remote rural areas and don't have access to brain rehabilitation specialists. Mayo Clinic and collaborators, have received a $2.2 million federal grant to test new ways to provide specialized TBI care, with a focus on reaching rural areas and underserved urban populations.

7 Nov 2012

Study finds high internet use by caregivers of children with hydrocephalus

When faced with disease, patients and caregivers now readily turn to the Internet for information and emotional support. This is particularly true in the case of caregivers of children with hydrocephalus.

25 Oct 2012

Cyberbullying and teen suicide

Cyberbullying - the use of the Internet, phones or other technologies to repeatedly harass or mistreat peers - is often linked with teen suicide in media reports. However, new research presented on Saturday, Oct. 20, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, shows that the reality is more complex.

22 Oct 2012

Representatives of state boards gather to examine health care issues

Representatives of the state boards that oversee licensing of the nation's physicians, nurses and pharmacists have gathered in Washington, D.C. this week for the first-ever Tri-Regulator Symposium, an event that will examine a variety of health care issues.

20 Oct 2012

Longer looks: A Nobel for the economist behind the National Resident Matching Program; Helping Charlie end his life

A noted economist at Harvard, (Al) Roth was responsible for algorithms that matched medical students with their residency programs, children with their schools in Boston, and more recently, compatible kidney donors and transplant patients in paired donations.

19 Oct 2012

In second face-off, Obama and Romney rumble over a range of issues

News outlets examine how each candidate fared in Tuesday night's town-hall style debate. In general, many media sources note how little discussion surrounded issues related to Medicare and the health law.

19 Oct 2012

Campaign trail news: Polls, debate prep and how candidates are bombarding voters with Medicare, Medicaid ads

Media outlets report on the latest poll findings and preview Tuesday night's presidential debate, amid a high volume of campaign ads.

16 Oct 2012

UCSF project to explore mystery behind advanced prostate cancer

Many men survive prostate cancer, but thousands of others -- whose cancer spreads -- inevitably develop resistance to even the most promising treatments, leaving them with few medical options and a dwindling span of life.

10 Oct 2012

Outreach through social media can encourage condom use in young adults

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention messages delivered by Facebook can be effective in promoting condom use among young adults in the short term, a new study has found. Few students and young adults receive comprehensive sexuality education or guidance on HIV and other STI risks.

9 Oct 2012